Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production of pathogenic antibodies: Cognate interactions between autoimmune T and B cells

A select population of autoimmune T-helper (TH) cells drive the production of pathogenic anti-DNA autoantibodies in SLE. These TH cells recognize nucleosomal peptides that are processed and presented by the anti-DNA B cells that they help. The critical peptide epitopes for the TH cells reside in the core histones of the nucleosome particle. Remarkably, the nucleosomal peptide epitopes do not obey the rule of MHC-restriction; they can be promiscuously presented and recognized in the context of diverse MHC alleles. Such promiscuous antigens, called pantigens, are also recognized by autoimmune T cells, in a degenerate fashion, and this promiscuous recognition is conferred by the lupus TCR a chains. High-affinity interactions between the lupus TCRs and MHC-nucleosomal peptide complex due to reciprocally charged residues probably overcome the requirement for MHC restriction. These studies open up the possibility of developing ‘universally’ tolerogenic epitopes for therapy of lupus in humans despite their diversity of HLA alleles. The results also have profound implications regarding the selection of autoimmune T cells in the lupusprone thymus and their expansion in the periphery. Furthermore, the TH cells, as well as B cells of lupus, have a regulatory defect causing markedly increased and prolonged expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L), which mediates abnormal co-stimulatory signals to autoimmune B cells, sustaining the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. These observations suggest a new paradigm for B cell hyperactivity in lupus and provide alternative targets for immunotherapy. Indeed, giving only three injections of anti-CD40L antibody in a one-week period to mice with manifest lupus selectively blocks the pathogenic autoimmune response and delays the development of lupus nephritis by one year (equivalent to three decades in humans). Thus, possession of promiscuous, high-affinity receptors and prolonged expression of CD40L by lupus T cells probably lowers activation threshold, leading to an autoimmune response against nucleosomes derived from apoptotic cells that are normally ignored by the immune system.
Effect of red cell clustering and anisotropy on ultrasound blood backscatter: a Monte Carlo study

When flowing at a low shear rate, blood appears hyperechogenic on ultrasound B-scans. The formation of red blood cell (RBC) aggregates that also alters blood viscosity is the microscopic mechanism explaining this acoustical phenomenon. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to predict how RBC clustering increases ultrasound scattering by blood. A bidimensional Gibbs-Markov random point process parameterized by the adhesion energy epsi and an anisotropy index nu was used to describe RBC positions for a hematocrit H=40%. The frequency dependence of the backscattering coefficient chi(f) was computed using Born approximation. The backscattering coefficient chi0 at 5 MHz and the spectral slopes and nx and ny (chipropf(nx) or f(ny)) measured, respectively, when the insonification is parallel and perpendicular with the RBC cluster axis were then extracted. Under isotropic conditions, chi0 increased up to 7 dB with epsi and nx=n y decreased from 4.2 to 3.4. Under anisotropic conditions, the backscattering was stronger perpendicularly to aggregate axis, resulting in nx<ny. The anisotropy in scattering appeared more pronounced when epsi or nu increased. These two dimensional results generally predict that low-frequency blood backscatter is related to cluster dimension, and higher-frequency properties are affected by finer morphological features as anisotropy. This numerically establishes that ultrasound backscatter spectroscopy on a large frequency range is pertinent to characterize in situ hemorheology
Rearing characteristics of fattening Hanwoo steers managed in different stocking densities

Objective This study was conducted to analyze the effects of stocking density on growth and carcass quality, and behavior of Hanwoo cattle to conform with global trends, targeting animal welfare production through the practice of environmentally friendly condition. Methods Thirty six steers were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (C: 5 heads, T1: 4 heads, T2: 3 heads) and reared in separate pens with a constant stocking density of 50 m2 (C: 10 m2/head, T1: 12.5 m2/head, T2: 16.67 m2/head) per group from 12 to 30 month of age. Growth performance, behavior and carcass quality traits of each steer were recorded and compared between the treatment groups. Results In general, the average daily gain during the fattening period was lower in group T2 than in T1 and the control groups. However, carcass weight and dressing percentage was lower in the control group than in T1 or T2 groups (p<0.05). Also, marbling score at 30 months of age was the lowest in the control group (p<0.05), while the three heads group (T2) had the greatest longissimus muscle area and marbling score (p<0.05). The behavior of walking time was the greatest in T2 group, while self-grooming and fighting occurred with the most frequency in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion Our results show that the steers in more spacious stocking density had better carcass quality and wellbeing related behaviors, indicating that a lower density has a positive effect on raising management and carcass quality. Thus it is a need to install appropriate pens fitted to welfare-oriented management practices from growing to fattening period in Hanwoo cattle.
Speeding in America

The enforcement of speed limits to improve public safety constitutes one of the most common activities that the police undertake. Yet, fundamental questions exist about whether traditional, officer-initiated enforcement actually deters speeding and whether it does so in a cost-efficient manner. Questions exist, too, about unintended harms associated with traditional enforcement practices, such as racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic class disparities; mistrust of the police; and, more generally, delegitimization of the law and institutions that implement it. This article draws on prior scholarship to critique traditional speed limit enforcement practices and to argue for approaches that may be more effective, minimize unintended harms, and incur fewer costs.
A β‐subunit mutation in the acetylcholine receptor channel gate causes severe slow‐channel syndrome

Point mutations in the genes encoding the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunits have been recognized in some patients with slow‐channel congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS). Clinical, electrophysiological, and pathological differences between these patients may be due to the distinct effects of individual mutations. We report that a spontaneous mutation of the β subunit that interrupts the leucine ring of the AChR channel gate causes an eightfold increase in channel open time and a severe CMS characterized by severe endplate myopathy and extensive remodeling of the postsynaptic membrane. The pronounced abnormalities in neuromuscular synaptic architecture and function, muscle fiber damage and weakness, resulting from a single point mutation are a dramatic example of a mutation having a dominant gain of function and of hereditary excitotoxicity.
Planning methods for the optimal control and performance certification of general nonlinear switched systems

We consider two problems for discrete-time switched systems with autonomous, general nonlinear modes. The first is optimal control of the switches so as to minimize the discounted infinite-horizon sum of the costs. The second problem occurs when switches are a disturbance, and the worst-case cost under any sequence of switches is sought. We use an optimistic planning (OP) algorithm that can solve general optimal control with discrete inputs such as switches. We extend the analysis of OP to provide sequences of switches with certification (upper and lower) bounds on the optimal and worst-case costs, and to characterize the convergence rate of the gap between these bounds. Since a minimum dwell time between switches must often be ensured, we introduce a new optimistic planning variant that can handle this case, and analyze its convergence rate. Simulations for linear and nonlinear modes illustrate that the approach works in practice.
Genome-scale Co-evolutionary Inference Identifies Functions and Clients of Bacterial Hsp90

The molecular chaperone Hsp90 is essential in eukaryotes, in which it facilitates the folding of developmental regulators and signal transduction proteins known as Hsp90 clients. In contrast, Hsp90 is not essential in bacteria, and a broad characterization of its molecular and organismal function is lacking. To enable such characterization, we used a genome-scale phylogenetic analysis to identify genes that co-evolve with bacterial Hsp90. We find that genes whose gain and loss were coordinated with Hsp90 throughout bacterial evolution tended to function in flagellar assembly, chemotaxis, and bacterial secretion, suggesting that Hsp90 may aid assembly of protein complexes. To add to the limited set of known bacterial Hsp90 clients, we further developed a statistical method to predict putative clients. We validated our predictions by demonstrating that the flagellar protein FliN and the chemotaxis kinase CheA behaved as Hsp90 clients in Escherichia coli, confirming the predicted role of Hsp90 in chemotaxis and flagellar assembly. Furthermore, normal Hsp90 function is important for wild-type motility and/or chemotaxis in E. coli. This novel function of bacterial Hsp90 agreed with our subsequent finding that Hsp90 is associated with a preference for multiple habitats and may therefore face a complex selection regime. Taken together, our results reveal previously unknown functions of bacterial Hsp90 and open avenues for future experimental exploration by implicating Hsp90 in the assembly of membrane protein complexes and adaptation to novel environments.
Description of Antihypertensive Use in Patients With Resistant Hypertension Prescribed Four or More Agents

Data describing the use of recommended antihypertensive agents in the resistant hypertension population are limited. Treatment recommendations for resistant hypertension include maximizing diuretic therapy by using chlorthalidone and/or adding an aldosterone antagonist. Additional recommendations include combining antihypertensive agents from different drug classes. This retrospective cohort study describes antihypertensive use in patients with resistant hypertension defined as the concurrent use of ≥4 antihypertensive agents. Claims data from the Medstat MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounter database were used to identify patients with resistant hypertension based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes and National Drug Codes between May 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Of the 5 442 410 patients with hypertension in the database, 140 126 met study criteria. The most frequently prescribed antihypertensive classes were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (96.2%), diuretics (93.2%), calcium channel blockers (83.6%), and &bgr;-blockers (80.0%). Only 3.0% and 5.9% of patients were on chlorthalidone or an aldosterone antagonist, respectively. A total of 15.6% of patients were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor plus angiotensin receptor blocker. Our findings demonstrate that frequently prescribed antihypertensive agents for the treatment of resistant hypertension included guideline-recommended first-line agents. However, evidence-based and recommended agents, such as chlorthalidone and aldosterone antagonists, were underused. Moreover, minimally efficacious combinations, such as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with an angiotensin receptor blocker, were prescribed at higher rates than evidence-based and recommended agents.
Multipath Interference Compensation in Time-of-Flight Camera Images

Multipath interference is inherent to the working principle of a Time-of-flight camera and can influence the measurements by several centimeters. Especially in applications that demand for high accuracy, such as object localization for robotic manipulation or ego-motion estimation of mobile robots, multipath interference is not tolerable. In this paper we formulate a multipath model in order to estimate the interference and correct the measurements. The proposed approach comprises the measured scene structure. All distracting surfaces are assumed to be Lambertian radiators and the directional interference is simulated for correction purposes. The positive impact of these corrections is experimentally demonstrated.
Will Social Media Use Reduce Relative Deprivation?: Systematic Analysis of Social Capital’s Mediating Effects of Connecting Social Media Use with Relative Deprivation

This study aimed at examining the relationship between social media use, communication with influential others, social capital, and relative deprivation. It examined the roles of two main variables—communication with influential others and social capital—for mediating social media use and relative deprivation. For this examination, a path model was tested through structural equation modeling (SEM). SEM results indicated that communication with influential others significantly and positively mediated the relationship between social media use and social capital—personal network and personal trust. Moreover, it could be found that social capital significantly reduced relative deprivation. These results indicate the considerable role of social media for reducing relative deprivation, helping the resolution of social problems related to relative deprivation.
The Application of Benthic Diatoms in Water Quality Assessment (Mlava River, Serbia)

Abstract The main objective of this study was to assess the ecological status of the Mlava River based on epilithic diatoms and to test the use of diatom indices as a tool for estimating the quality of flowing waters in Serbia. Quantitative analysis showed that in April Achnanthidium minutissimum was dominant at each site, except at the fifth site, where Amphora pediculus was dominant. In July and September, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Achnanthidium pyrenaicum, Amphora pediculus, Denticula tenuis, Diatoma vulgaris, Gomphonema elegantissimum, Cocconeis pseudolineata and Cocconeis placentula var. lineata dominated. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was used to detect the major patterns of variation in species composition. The first DCA axis summarizes the distribution of the diatom community, mainly through temperature, conductivity, oxygen and water hardness gradient. The second DCA axis was weakly correlated with few variables. Based on the average values of the pollution sensitivity index (IPS), commission for economical community metric (CEE) and biological diatom index (IBD), the water of the Mlava River belonged to water class I during all three seasons. Values of the diatom-based eutrophication/pollution index (EPI-D) indicated class II water quality. According to calculated trophic diatom index (TDI) values, water of the Mlava River was characterized by intermediate nutrient concentrations during three seasons. Principal components analysis was used to represent the correlation between diatom indices, and the highest correlation among the selected diatom indices is seen between EPI-D, IPS and IBD.
Are We Prepared for Simulation Based Studies in Software Engineering Yet?

CONTEXT: Simulation-based studies have been used in different research areas in order to conduct computerized experiments with distinct purposes. However, it seems that Software Engineering simulation studies have been performed in a non-systematic way, using ad-hoc experimental design and analysis procedures, i.e., without defining a research protocol and missing information when reporting results. OBJECTIVE: To characterize simulation-based studies and identify the common simulation strategies in Software Engineering. METHOD: To undertake a quasi-Systematic Review. Three online digital libraries (Scopus, Ei Compendex, and Web of Science) are used as sources of information. Information extraction from the primary studies should be captured using a predefined form. Plotted charts and tables should be used together with quantitative/qualitative approaches when possible to support data analysis. RESULTS: From 946 papers, 108 have been included, from which it is possible to identify 19 simulation approaches, 17 domains, 28 simulation models characteristics, 22 output analysis instruments, and 9 procedures for the verification and validation of simulation models in the Software Engineering context. Most dominant approach is System Dynamics in the Software Project Management domain. Replication is not a common behaviour. CONCLUSION: The lack of information regarding most of the simulation-based studies and their models restricts replication, making the results usually specifics and generalization hard. Apart from that, it compromises validity confidence. More research and discussions should be made by the community to increase the reliability and use of simulation-based studies in Software Engineering.
Snodgrass Hypospadius Repair, One Stage Urethroplasty for Mid-Shaft and Distal Hypospadias. Clinical Experience and Outcome of 44 Patients

Background : Hypospadias is a common anomaly of male external gentalia. Most cases of hypospadias are distal type. Snodgrass procedure or tubularized incised plate urethroplasty has become the preferable and optimal treatment for primary and distal cases of hypospadias. The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness and evaluate the outcome of Snodgrass procedure presented for 44 patients with distal and mid-shaft hypospadias. Patients and method; from April 2011 to May 2014; 36 patients with distal hypospadias and 8 patients with mid-shaft hypospadias, (total 44 patients) had been submitted to corrective surgery foe their hypospdias by single stage Snodgrass TIP technique. Results: mean age of patients and mean operative time in this study were 2.8±1.8, 52.7±9.4 respectively. The functional and cosmetic results were excellent. The overall complications rate recorded was 13.6%. Urethro-cutaneous fistula developed n 3 patients (6.8%), meatal stenosis occurred in 2 patients (4.5%) while wound infection and dehiscence noted in 3 patients. Penile torsion was not encountered in this study. Conc usion: Snodgrass TIP technique is the most preferable and reliable repair for most patients with primary and distal hypospadias cases. It is simple, safe, effective and versatile with excellent functional and cosmetic results. The compli ations rate s relatively low and acceptable.
Popcorn: critical temperature, jump and sound

Popcorn bursts open, jumps and emits a ‘pop’ sound in some hundredths of a second. The physical origin of these three observations remains unclear in the literature. We show that the critical temperature 180°C at which almost all of popcorn pops is consistent with an elementary pressure vessel scenario. We observe that popcorn jumps with a ‘leg’ of starch which is compressed on the ground. As a result, popcorn is midway between two categories of moving systems: explosive plants using fracture mechanisms and jumping animals using muscles. By synchronizing video recordings with acoustic recordings, we propose that the familiar ‘pop’ sound of the popcorn is caused by the release of water vapour.
Personality Traits and Career Satisfaction of Accounting Professionals

The present study investigated personality traits in relation to the career satisfaction of accountants. In a sample of 684 accounting professionals, all of the Big Five traits (Agreeableness/Teamwork, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Extraversion, and Openness) and four narrow traits (Assertiveness, Customer-Service Orientation, Optimism, and Work Drive) were significantly related to Career Satisfaction. Personality comparisons were also made between accountants and other professionals. Practical implications were discussed. The present study investigated Big Five and narrow personality traits in relation to the career satisfaction of accountants. Our theoretical approach draws on John Holland's model of person-career fit (Holland, 1985, 1996), which identifies linkages between personality and interests for diverse occupations and particular person-job environments as determinative of vocational satisfaction, occupational stability, and level of achievement. In Holland's view, people tend to flourish in occupations in which there is an optimal fit between personality and environment; poor fit leads to occupational dissatisfaction and instability. As a profession, accounting has experienced a substantial turnover rate, particularly among public accountants (Conner, Hooks, & McGuire, 1999). More recently, accounting researchers have pointed out the lack of "talent" in the international pool of accountants, presenting serious recruitment problems (Yamamura & Westerman, 2007). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010) predicts a 22% growth of accountant and auditor positions by 2018. Such forecasts highlight the need to recruit and retain new accountants who have the qualities conducive to achieving success and maintaining satisfaction in the changing professional arena of accounting. The environmental demands placed upon accountants have changed dramatically in recent years. In 2000, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) introduced the CPA Vision project--2011 and beyond (AICP, 2000), in an effort to prepare the accounting workforce to meet the challenges of ever-changing economic, business, and global markets. This project identified the top five "core competencies"
Crosstalk-Aware Automated Mapping for Optical Networks-on-Chip

Optical networks-on-chip (NoCs) provide a promising answer to address the increasing requirements of ultra-high bandwidth and extremely low power consumption. Designing a photonic interconnect, however, involves a number of challenges that have no equivalent in the electronic domain, particularly the crosstalk noise, which affects the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) possibly resulting in an inoperable architecture and hence constraining the network scalability. In this article, we point out the implications of application-driven task mapping on crosstalk effects. We motivate the main rationale of our work and provide a formalization of the problem. Then we propose a class of algorithms that automatically map the application tasks onto a generic mesh-based photonic NoC architecture such that the worst-case crosstalk is minimized. We also present a purpose-built experimental setup used for evaluating several architectural solutions in terms of crosstalk noise and SNR. The setup is used to collect extensive results from several real-world applications and case studies. The collected results show that the crosstalk noise can be significantly reduced by adopting our approach, thereby allowing higher network scalability, and can exhibit encouraging improvements over application-oblivious architectures.