Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cutting Edge: Lipopolysaccharide Induces IL-10-Producing Regulatory CD4+ T Cells That Suppress the CD8+ T Cell Response

TLR ligands are potent activators of dendritic cells and therefore function as adjuvants for the induction of immune responses. We analyzed the capacity of TLR ligands to enhance CD8+ T cell responses toward soluble protein Ag. Immunization with OVA together with LPS or poly(I:C) elicited weak CD8+ T cell responses in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Surprisingly, these responses were greatly increased in mice lacking CD4+ T cells indicating the induction of regulatory CD4+ T cells. In vivo, neutralization of IL-10 completely restored CD8+ T cell responses in wild-type mice and OVA-specific IL-10 producing CD4+ T cells were detected after immunization with OVA plus LPS. Our study shows that TLR ligands not only activate the immune system but simultaneously induce Ag specific, IL-10-producing regulatory Tr1 cells that strongly suppress CD8+ T cell responses. In this way, excessive activation of the immune system may be prevented.
Perirhinal and parahippocampal cortices of the macaque monkey: Projections to the neocortex

We investigated the topographic and laminar organization of the efferent cortical projections of the perirhinal and parahippocampal cortices. Area 36 of the perirhinal cortex projects preferentially to areas TE and TEO, whereas area TF of the parahippocampal cortex projects preferentially to the posterior parietal cortex and area V4. Area TF projects to many regions of the frontal lobe, whereas area 36 projects mainly to the orbital surface. The insular and cingulate cortices receive projections from areas 36 and TF, whereas only area TF projects to the retrosplenial cortex. Projections to the superior temporal gyrus, including the dorsal bank of the superior temporal sulcus, arise predominantly from area TF. Area 36 projects only to rostral levels of the superior temporal gyrus. Area TF has, in general, reciprocal connections with the neocortex, whereas area 36 has more asymmetric connections. Area 36, for example, projects to more restricted regions of the frontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus than it receives inputs from. In contrast, it projects to larger portions of areas TE and TEO than it receives inputs from. The efferent projections of areas 36 and TF are primarily directed to the superficial layers of the neocortex, a laminar organization consistent with connections of the feedback type. Projections to unimodal visual areas terminate in large expanses of the cortex, but predominantly in layer I. Projections to other sensory and polymodal areas, in contrast, terminate in a columnar manner predominantly in layers II and III. In all areas receiving heavy projections, the projections extend throughout most cortical layers, largely avoiding layer IV. We discuss these findings in relation to current theories of memory consolidation. J. Comp. Neurol. 447:394–420, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A survey of user-centered design practice

This paper reports the results of a recent survey of user-centered design (UCD) practitioners. The survey involved over a hundred respondents who were CHI'2000 attendees or current UPA members. The paper identifies the most widely used methods and processes, the key factors that predict success, and the critical tradeoffs practitioners must make in applying UCD methods and processes. Results show that cost-benefit tradeoffs are a key consideration in the adoption of UCD methods. Measures of UCD effectiveness are lacking and rarely applied. There is also a major discrepancy between the commonly cited measures and the actually applied ones. These results have implications for the introduction, deployment, and execution of UCD projects
Identification of Distinct Campylobacter lari Genogroups by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism and Protein Electrophoretic Profiles

ABSTRACT Campylobacter lari is a phenotypically and genotypically diverse species that comprises the classical nalidixic acid-resistant thermophilic campylobacters (NARTC) and the biochemical C. lari variants, including the urease-positive campylobacters (UPTC), the nalidixic acid-susceptible campylobacters (NASC), and the urease-producing nalidixic acid-susceptible campylobacters. To study the taxonomic and epidemiological relationships among strains of the C. lari variants, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) profiling and whole-cell protein profile analysis were performed with 55 C. lari strains. Great genetic heterogeneity in AFLP and protein profiles was observed. Numerical analysis of AFLP profiles and of partial protein profiles allowed discrimination of four distinct genogroups. AFLP cluster I included nearly homogeneous patterns for C. lari NARTC strains (genogroup I). UPTC strains together with non-urease-producing NASC strains produced highly diverse patterns and were placed in genogroup II. The genogroup III strains had the NASC phenotype and produced more homogeneous patterns. Finally, genogroup IV strains had the classical NARTC phenotype and produced AFLP patterns that were very distinct from those of other genogroups. One UPTC strain had aberrant patterns and clustered separately, which may indicate that there is an additional genogroup. Preliminary DNA-DNA hybridization experiments suggested that genogroups I and III represent a single genomic species and that genogroup IV represents a distinct species. The detection of moderate levels of DNA-DNA hybridization between a genogroup II reference strain and genogroup I and III reference strains highlights the need for further DNA-DNA hybridization experiments to clarify the taxonomic status of the former group. No correlation of genogroups with different sources of strains was identified. These data show that UPTC strains are genetically diverse and distinct from NARTC strains. In addition, they indicate that the classical NARTC phenotype encompasses at least two genogroups.
Kisspeptins and RFRP-3 Act in Concert to Synchronize Rodent Reproduction with Seasons

Seasonal mammals use the photoperiodic variation in the nocturnal production of the pineal hormone melatonin to synchronize their reproductive activity with seasons. In rodents, the (SD) short day profile of melatonin secretion has long been proven to inhibit reproductive activity. Lately, we demonstrated that melatonin regulates the expression of the hypothalamic peptides kisspeptins (Kp) and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3), recently discovered as potent regulators of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron activity. In the male Syrian hamster, Kp expression in the arcuate nucleus is down-regulated by melatonin independently of the inhibitory feedback of testosterone. A central or peripheral administration of Kp induces an increase in pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal hormone secretion, but most importantly a chronic infusion of the peptide reactivates the photo-inhibited reproductive axis of Syrian hamsters kept in SD conditions. RFRP-3 expression in the dorsomedial hypothalamus is also strongly inhibited by melatonin in a SD photoperiod. Although RFRP-3 is usually considered as an inhibitory component of the gonadotropic axis, a central acute administration of RFRP-3 in the male Syrian hamster induces a marked increase in gonadotropin secretion and testosterone production. Furthermore, a chronic central infusion of RFRP-3 in SD-adapted hamsters reactivates the reproductive axis, in the same manner as Kp. Both Kp and RFRP-3 neurons project onto GnRH neurons and both neuropeptides regulate GnRH neuron activity. In addition, central RFRP-3 infusion was associated with a significant increase in arcuate Kp expression. However, the actual sites of action of both peptides in the Syrian hamster brain are still unknown. Altogether our findings indicate that Kp and RFRP neurons are pivotal relays for the seasonal regulation of reproduction, and also suggest that RFRP neurons might be the primary target of the melatoninergic message.
Antioxidant activity and analysis of proanthocyanidins from pine (Pinus densiflora) needles

In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of pine needle extracts prepared with hot water, ethanol, hexane, hot water-hexane (HWH), and hot water-ethanol (HWE), using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical method. The hot water extract possessed superior antioxidant activity than the other extracts. We also compared the antioxidant activity of pine needle extracts through ROS inhibition activity in a cellular system using MC3T3 E-1 cells. The hot water extract exhibited the lowest ROS production. The pattern of HPLC analysis of each extract indicated that the hot water extract contained the highest proanthocyanidin level. The pine needle hot-water extract was then isolated and fractionated with Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography to determine the major contributor to its antioxidant activity. The No.7 and 12 fractions had high antioxidant activities, that is, the highest contents of proanthocyanidins and catechins, respectively. These results indicate that the antioxidant activity of procyanidins from the hot water extract of pine needles is positively related to not only polymeric proanthocyanidins but also to monomeric catechins. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the pine needle hot water extract was similar to well-known antioxidants, such as vitamin C. This suggests that pine needle proanthocyanidins and catechins might be of interest for use as alternative antioxidants.
Parametric investigation on abrasive waterjet machining of alumina ceramic using response surface methodology

This research paper consists of machining of alumina ceramic done by abrasive waterjet technology. Ceramic is brittle in nature and has some distinctive properties such as heat resistant, high corrosion resistant and no thermal distortion but machining of these by other methods leads to complexity such as dimensional inaccuracy and tendency of brittle fracture. Abrasive waterjet can be used for machining of these materials due to no thermal distortion and lesser stress induction on work piece material. In this study response surface methodology involving box-Behnken design was applied to analyse the effects of process parameters like abrasive mass flow rate, water pressure and traverse speed over the output responses namely material removal rate, surface roughness and taper angle. ANOVA analysis was conducted to determine the significance of the model and regression equations were developed from the same. Multi objective optimisation of responses was done using desirability approach which gave optimal values of material removal rate as 53.051 mm3/min, surface roughness as 8.125 μm and 0.09134 of taper angle with input parameter level set at 38MPa of water pressure, 290 gm/min of abrasive flow rate and 210 mm/min of traverse speed simultaneously.
Cepheid Calibration of the Peak Brightness of Type Ia Supernovae. IX. SN 1989B in NGC 3627

Repeated imaging observations have been made of NGC 3627 with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1997-1998 over an interval of 58 days. Images were obtained on 12 epochs in the F555W band and on five epochs in the F814W band. The galaxy hosted the prototypical, "Branch normal," type Ia supernova SN 1989B. A total of 83 variables have been found, of which 68 are definite Cepheid variables with periods ranging from 75 to 3.85 days. The dereddened distance modulus is determined to be (m - M)0 = 30.22 ± 0.12 (internal uncertainty) using a subset of the Cepheid data whose reddening and error parameters are secure. The photometric data of Wells and coworkers combined with the Cepheid data for NGC 3627 give MB(max) = -19.36 ± 0.18 and MV(max) = -19.34 ± 0.16 for SN 1989B. The previous six calibrations in this program combined with two additional calibrations determined by others gives the mean absolute magnitudes at maximum of ⟨MB⟩ = -19.48 ± 0.07 and ⟨MV⟩ = -19.48 ± 0.07 for "Branch normal" SNe Ia at this interim stage in the calibration program. Using the argument by Wells et al. that SN 1989B here is virtually identical in decay rate and colors at maximum with SN 1980N in NGC 1316 in the Fornax cluster, and that such identity means nearly identical absolute magnitude, it follows that the difference in the distance modulus of NGC 3627 and NGC 1316 is 1.62 ± 0.03 mag. Thus the NGC 3627 modulus implies that (m - M)0 = 31.84 for NGC 1316. The second-parameter correlations of M(max) of blue SNe Ia with decay rate, color at maximum, and Hubble type are reinvestigated. The dependence of ⟨M(max)⟩ on decay rate is nonlinear, showing a minimum for decay rates between 1.0 < Δm15 < 1.6. Magnitudes corrected for decay rate show no dependence on Hubble type, but a dependence on color remains. Correcting both the fiducial sample of 34 SNe Ia with decay-rate data and the current eight calibrating SNe Ia for the correlation with decay rate as well as color gives in both B and V. The same value to within 4% is obtained if only the SNe Ia in spirals (without second-parameter corrections) are considered. The correlation of SNe Ia color at maximum with M(max) cannot be due to internal absorption, because the slope coefficients in B, V, and I with the change in magnitude are far from or even opposite to the canonical reddening values. The color effect must be intrinsic to the supernova physics. "Absorption" corrections of distant blue SNe Ia will lead to incorrect values of H0. The Cepheid distances used in this series are insensitive to metallicity differences. The zero point of the P-L relation is based on an assumed LMC modulus of (m - M)0 = 18.50. Because this may have to be increased by 0.06-0.08 mag, all distances in this paper will follow, and H0 will decrease by 3%-4%.
Long-Term Outcomes After Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery

OBJECTIVES:We studied the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) and the factors that determine it, as neither has been previously well established.METHODS:From September 1993 (start of our program) to September 1999, 441 patients underwent LARS. Preoperative symptoms and the results of esophageal functional studies as well as details of the operation and follow-up were recorded prospectively in our database. In 2004, with the help of a private investigator, we were able to contact 288 (65%). There were no differences in presentation profiles of those patients contacted and those we could not.RESULTS:At a median follow-up of 69 months, individual symptoms, among those who had it preoperatively, were as follows: heartburn (N = 282) improved in 254 (90%) and resolved in 188 (67%); regurgitation (N = 258) improved in 238 (92%) and resolved 199 (70%); dysphagia (N = 123) improved in 96 (78%) and resolved in 76 (62%); cough (N = 119) improved in 82 (69%) and resolved in 48 (40%); and hoarseness (N = 106) improved in 73 (69%) and resolved in 50 (47%). Univariate regression analysis showed that the presence of heartburn (P = 0.02), male gender (P = 0.03), and younger age (P = 0.04) predicted symptom resolution, whereas preoperative dysphagia (P = 0.03), airway manifestations (P = 0.03), bloating (P = 0.04), and defective esophageal motility (P = 0.08) were negative predictive factors. By multivariate analysis, male gender, dysphagia, and age remained significant (P < 0.05). Seven patients (2%) developed a new onset of dysphagia; 32 patients (11%) developed new or increased diarrhea and 27 patients (9%) developed bloating postoperatively. One hundred nineteen patients (41%) were taking some form of antacid medication; 66 (23%) patients were using PPIs and 10 (3%) had undergone reoperation.CONCLUSION:LARS provides effective long-term relief of GERD. Younger patients, men, and those without dysphagia are predictors of superior outcomes.
Radiative Feedback from Massive Black Holes in Elliptical Galaxies: AGN Flaring and Central Starburst Fueled by Recycled Gas

We show how the observed AGN radiative output from massive black holes at the centers of elliptical galaxies affects the hot ISM of these systems with the aid of a high-resolution hydrodynamical code, where the cooling and heating functions include photoionization plus Compton heating. Radiative heating is a key factor in the self-regulated coevolution of massive BHs and their host galaxies, and (1) the mass accumulated by the central BH is limited by feedback to the range observed today and (2) relaxation instabilities occur so that duty cycles are small enough (≲0.03) to account for the very small fraction of massive ellipticals observed to be in the "on" QSO phase, when the accretion luminosity approaches the Eddington luminosity. The duty cycle of the hot bubbles inflated at the galactic center during major accretion episodes is of the order of ≳0.1-0.4. Major accretion episodes caused by cooling flows in the recycled gas produced by normal stellar evolution trigger nuclear starbursts coincident with AGN flaring. Overall, in the bursting phase (1 ≲ z ≲ 3), the duty cycle of the BH in its "on" phase is of the order of percents and is unobscured approximately one-third of the time, the obscuration occurring during dusty starbursts. Roughly half of the recycled gas from dying stars is ejected as galactic winds, half is consumed in central starbursts, and less than 1% is accreted onto the central BH. Mechanical energy output from nonrelativistic gas winds integrates to 2.3 × 1059 ergs, with most of it caused by broad-line AGN outflows. We predict the typical properties of the very metal-rich poststarburst central regions and show that the resulting surface density profiles are well described by Sérsic profiles.
Decision Problems in Group Theory

At the 1976 Oxford Conference, Aanderaa introduced a new class of machines which he called F machines (later renamed as modular machines). Using these he gave two remarkably short and easy examples of finitely presented groups with unsolvable word problem. Both of these examples, together with an exposition of modular machines, will be found in a paper by Aanderaa and Cohen [2]. The aim of this paper is to use modular machines to give short and fairly simple proofs of some of the well-known results on decision problems in group theory. Most of these results will be proved in the setting of recursively enumerable (r.e.) Turing degrees (for the rest of the paper 'degree' will mean 'Turing degree' unless otherwise stated). The other main tool used here is the concept of 'group with a standard basis' introduced by Bokut' in [4] (a more detailed account is given by him in [5]). This is a method for obtaining and computing (usually with respect to an oracle) unique normal forms in certain types of Britton towers. The method gives a unified approach to the paper. We give a brief, but for our purposes adequate, account of both modular machines and Bokut' normal forms in §§ 2 and 3 respectively. Background results on HNN extensions and free products may be found in the books of Lyndon and Schupp [19] and Rotman [23].
A finite-element approach to evaluating the size effects of complex nanostructures

The size effects that reveal the dramatic changes of mechanical behaviour at nanoscales have traditionally been analysed for regular beam systems. Here, the method of using finite-element analysis is explored with the intention of evaluating the size effects for complex nanostructures. The surface elasticity theory and generalized Young–Laplace equation are integrated into a beam element to account for the size effects in classical Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories. Computational results match well with the theoretical predictions on the size effect for a cantilever beam and a cubic unit cell containing 24 horizontal/vertical ligaments. For a simply supported nanowire, it is found that the results are very close to the experimental data. With the assumption that nanoporous gold is composed of many randomly connected beams, for the first time, the size effect of such a complex structure is numerically determined.
Do Tender Offers Create Value? New Methods and Evidence

We develop the Probability Scaling Method, which rescales short-window announcement period returns; and the Intervention Method, which uses returns associated with intervening events, to estimate value improvements from tender offers. These methods address biases in conventional techniques, which measure only a fraction of the total tender offer gain; and which include revelation about bidder stand-alone value. Perceived value improvements are much larger than traditional methods indicate, so that we cannot reject the hypothesis that bidders on average pay fair prices for targets. Furthermore, our new methods affect inferences about economic forces in the takeover market. We identify several effects (higher combined bidder-target stock returns for hostile offers, lower for equity offers, and lower for diversifying offers) that reflect differences in revelation about stand-alone value, not gains from combination.
Theta-Frequency Synaptic Potentiation in CA1 In Vitro Distinguishes Cognitively Impaired from Unimpaired Aged Fischer 344 Rats

Hippocampal-dependent learning and memory deficits have been well documented in aging rodents. The results of several recent studies have suggested that these deficits arise from weakened synaptic plasticity within the hippocampus. In the present study, we examined the relationship between hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP)in vitro and spatial learning in aged (24–26 months) Fischer 344 rats. We found that LTP induced in the CA1 region using theta-frequency stimulation (5 Hz) is selectively impaired in slices from a subpopulation of aged rats that had shown poor spatial learning in the Morris water maze. LTP at 5 Hz in aged rats that did not show learning deficits was similar to that seen in young (4–6 months) controls. We also found that 5 Hz LTP amplitude strongly correlated with individual learning performance among aged rats. The difference in 5 Hz LTP magnitude among aged rats was not attributable to an altered response to 5 Hz stimulation or to differences in the NMDA receptor-mediated field EPSP. In addition, no performance-related differences in LTP were seen when LTP was induced with 30 or 70 Hz stimulation protocols. Finally, both 5 Hz LTP and spatial learning in learning-impaired rats were enhanced with the selective muscarinic M2 antagonist BIBN-99 (5,11-dihydro-8-chloro-11-[[4-[3-[(2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopentyl)ethylamino]propyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl]-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one). These findings reinforce the idea that distinct types of hippocampal LTP offer mechanistic insight into age-associated cognitive decline.
Multiple Unfolding Intermediates Obtained by Molecular Dynamic Simulations under Stretching for Immunoglobulin-Binding Domain of Protein G

We have studied the mechanical properties of the immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein G at the atomic level under stretching at constant velocity using molecular dynamics simulations. We have found that the unfolding process can occur either in a single step or through intermediate states. Analysis of the trajectories from the molecular dynamic simulations showed that the mechanical unfolding of the immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein G is triggered by the separation of the terminal β-strands and the order in which the secondary-structure elements break is practically the same in two- and multi-state events and at the different extension velocities studied. It is seen from our analysis of 24 trajectories that the theoretical pathway of mechanical unfolding for the immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein G does not coincide with that proposed in denaturant studies in the absence of force.
The AFRL-MITLL WMT15 System: There’s More than One Way to Decode It!

Abstract : This paper describes the AFRL-MITLL statistical MT system and the improvements that were developed during the WMT15 evaluation campaign. As part of these efforts we experimented with a number of extensions to the standard phrase-based model that improve performance on the Russian to English translation task creating three submission systems with different decoding strategies. Out of vocabulary words were addressed with named entity postprocessing.