Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors of the Central Nervous System Differentially Express Granzyme Inhibitors

Background Central nervous system (CNS) primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are malignant primary brain tumors that occur in young infants. Using current standard therapy, up to 80% of the children still dies from recurrent disease. Cellular immunotherapy might be key to improve overall survival. To achieve efficient killing of tumor cells, however, immunotherapy has to overcome cancer-associated strategies to evade the cytotoxic immune response. Whether CNS-PNETs can evade the immune response remains unknown. Methods We examined by immunohistochemistry the immune response and immune evasion strategies in pediatric CNS-PNETs. Results Here, we show that CD4+, CD8+, γδ-T-cells, and Tregs can infiltrate pediatric CNS-PNETs, although the activation status of cytotoxic cells is variable. Pediatric CNS-PNETs evade immune recognition by downregulating cell surface MHC-I and CD1d expression. Intriguingly, expression of SERPINB9, SERPINB1, and SERPINB4 is acquired during tumorigenesis in 29%, 29%, and 57% of the tumors, respectively. Conclusion We show for the first time that brain tumors express direct granzyme inhibitors (serpins) as a potential mechanism to overcome cellular cytotoxicity, which may have consequences for cellular immunotherapy.
Effect of Time of Day on Prehospital Care and Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background— More than 300 000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur each year in the United States. The relationship between time of day and OHCA outcomes in the prehospital setting is unknown. Any such association may have important implications for emergency medical services resource allocation. Methods and Results— We performed a retrospective review of cardiac arrest data from a large, urban emergency medical services system. Included were OHCA occurring in adults from January 2008 to February 2012. Excluded were traumatic arrests and cases in which resuscitation measures were not performed. Day was defined as 8 AM to 7:59 PM; night, as 8 PM to 7:59 AM. A relative risk regression model was used to evaluate the association between time of day and prehospital return of spontaneous circulation and 30-day survival, with adjustment for clinically relevant predictors of survival. Among the 4789 included cases, 1962 (41.0%) occurred at night. Mean age was 63.8 years (SD, 17.4 years); 54.5% were male. Patients with an OHCA occurring at night did not have significantly lower rates of prehospital return of spontaneous circulation compared with patients having daytime arrests (11.6% versus 12.8%; P=0.20). However, rates of 30-day survival were significantly lower at night (8.56% versus 10.9%; P=0.02). After adjustment for demographics, presenting rhythm, field termination, duration of call, dispatch-to-scene interval, automated external defibrillator application, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and location, 30-day survival remained significantly higher after daytime OHCA, with a relative risk of 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.18). Conclusion— Rates of 30-day survival were significantly higher for OHCA occurring during the day compared with at night, even after adjustment for patient, event, and prehospital care differences.
Real-time transmission tower detection from video based on a feature descriptor

In this study, the authors propose a new method for transmission tower detection that involves the use of visual features and the linear content of the scene. For this process, they developed a descriptor based on a grid of two-dimensional feature descriptors that is useful not only for object detection, but also for tracking the area of interest. For the detection and classification, they used a support vector machine. The experiments were conducted with a dataset of real world images from transmission tower videos that were used to validate the strategy by comparing it with the ground truth. The results showed that the obtained method is fast and appropriate for tower detection in video sequences of environments that include rural and urban areas. The detection took less than 50 ms and was faster than other methods.
A hybrid faulty module prediction using association rule mining and logistic regression analysis

This paper proposes a fault-prone module prediction method that combines association rule mining with logistic regression analysis. In the proposed method, we focus on three key measures of interestingness of an association rule (support, confidence and lift) to select useful rules for the prediction. If a module satisfies the premise (i.e. the condition in the antecedent part) of one of the selected rules, the module is classified by the rule as either fault-prone or not. Otherwise, the module is classified by the logistic model. We experimentally evaluated the prediction performance of the proposed method with different thresholds of each rule interestingness measure (support, confidence and lift) using a module set in the Eclipse project, and compared it with three well-known fault-proneness models (logistic regression model, linear discriminant model and classification tree). The result showed that the improvement of the F1-value of the proposed method was 0.163 at maximum compared to conventional models.
Convergence Rates of Markov Chain Approximation Methods for Controlled Regime-switching Diffusions with Stopping

This work summarizes our recent work on rates of convergence of Markov chain approximation methods for controlled switching diffusions, in which both continuous dynamics and discrete events coexist. The discrete events are formulated by continuous-time Markov chains to delineate random environment and other random factors that cannot be represented by diffusion processes. The cost function is over an infinite horizon with stopping times and without discount. The paper demonstrates how to use a probabilistic approach for studying rates of convergence. Although there have been significant developments in the literature using PDE (partial differential equation) methods to approximate controlled diffusions, there appear to be yet any PDE results to date for rates of convergence of numerical solutions for controlled switching diffusions to the best of our knowledge. Moreover, in the literature, to prove the convergence using Markov chain approximation methods for control problems involving cost functions with stopping (even for uncontrolled diffusion without switching), an assumption was used to avoid the socalled tangency problem. By modifying the value function, we demonstrate that the anticipated tangency problem will not arise in the sense of convergence in probability and convergence in L.
Effects of a Circuit Training Program on Muscular and Cardiovascular Endurance and their Maintenance in Schoolchildren

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a circuit training program along with a maintenance program on muscular and cardiovascular endurance in children in a physical education setting. Seventy two children 10-12 years old from four different classes were randomly grouped into either an experimental group (n = 35) or a control group (n = 37) (two classes for each group). After an eight-week development program carried out twice a week and a four-week detraining period, the experimental group performed a four-week maintenance program once a week. The program included one circuit of eight stations of 15/45 to 35/25 seconds of work/rest performed twice. Abdominal muscular endurance (sit-ups in 30 seconds test), upper-limbs muscular endurance (bent arm hang test), and cardiovascular endurance (20-m endurance shuttle run test) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the development program, and at the end of the maintenance program. After the development program, muscular and cardiovascular endurance increased significantly in the experimental group (p < 0.05). The gains obtained remained after the maintenance program. The respective values did not change in the control group (p > 0.05). The results showed that the circuit training program was effective to increase and maintain both muscular and cardiovascular endurance among schoolchildren. This could help physical education teachers design programs that permit students to maintain fit muscular and cardiovascular endurance levels.
Localization of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein and Its Relation to Plaque Morphology in Human Coronary Artery

Objectives Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plays a key role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. However, its localization in human coronary arterial wall is not well understood. The present study was performed to visualize deposition sites and patterns of native oxLDL and their relation to plaque morphology in human coronary artery. Methods Evans blue dye (EB) elicits a violet fluorescence by excitation at 345-nm and emission at 420-nm, and a reddish-brown fluorescence by excitation at 470-nm and emission at 515-nm characteristic of oxLDL only. Therefore, native oxLDL in excised human coronary artery were investigated by color fluorescent microscopy (CFM) using EB as a biomarker. Results (1) By luminal surface scan with CFM, the % incidence of oxLDL in 38 normal segments, 41 white plaques and 32 yellow plaques that were classified by conventional angioscopy, was respectively 26, 44 and 94, indicating significantly (p<0.05) higher incidence in the latter than the former two groups. Distribution pattern was classified as patchy, diffuse and web-like. Web-like pattern was observed only in yellow plaques with necrotic core. (2) By transected surface scan, oxLDL deposited within superficial layer in normal segments and diffusely within both superficial and deep layers in white and yellow plaques. In yellow plaques with necrotic core, oxLDL deposited not only in the marginal zone of the necrotic core but also in the fibrous cap. Conclusion Taken into consideration of the well-known process of coronary plaque growth, the results suggest that oxLDL begins to deposit in human coronary artery wall before plaque formation and increasingly deposits with plaque growth, exhibiting different deposition sites and patterns depending on morphological changes.
Laboratory investigation of asphalt concrete dynamic modulus testing on the criteria of meeting linear viscoelastic requirements

In this study, asphalt concrete (AC) dynamic modulus testing is evaluated for meeting linear viscoelasticity (LVE) requirements. The evaluation is performed by performing stress sweep dynamic modulus testing at selected test frequencies. Three well-known linearity principles, namely superposition principle, proportionality principle and 5% stiffness reduction principle, are implemented to classify the AC response as a LVE. Analysis of the stress sweep dynamic modulus test results using these principles consistently showed that the stress and strain linearity limits for the studied mix are 155, 414, 506, 772, 470 and 462 kPa and 55, 69, 84, 99, 36 and 50 micro-strain each for loading frequency of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 25 Hz, respectively. The current dynamic modulus testing standard, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) TP-62, recommends maintaining test strains and stresses below 150 micro-strain and 700 kPa to make sure AC dynamic modulus testing is preformed within LVE range. However, these recommended limiting stress and strain values are considerably higher than the results found in this study. Moreover, the softening rate at which the dynamic modulus decreases is found to be approximately the same over the entire stress sweep range, which indicates the dependency of dynamic modulus on stress. This indicates that there is a significant chance of conducting the dynamic modulus test at stress and stain levels beyond the LVE region.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Post Iraq and Afghanistan: Prevalence among Military Subgroups

A large body of research has been produced in recent years investigating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military personnel following deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, resulting in apparent differences in PTSD prevalence. We compare prevalence estimates for current PTSD between military subgroups, providing insight into how groups may be differentially affected by deployment. Systematic literature searches using the terms PTSD, stress disorder, and acute stress, combined with terms relating to military personnel, identified 49 relevant papers. Studies with a sample size of less than 100 and studies based on data for treatment seeking or injured populations were excluded. Studies were categorized according to theatre of deployment (Iraq or Afghanistan), combat and noncombat deployed samples, sex, enlistment type (regular or reserve and [or] National Guard), and service branch (for example, army, navy, and air force). Meta-analysis was used to assess PTSD prevalence across subgroups. There was large variability in PTSD prevalence between studies, but, regardless of heterogeneity, prevalence rates of PTSD were higher among studies of Iraq-deployed personnel (12.9%; 95% CI 11.3% to 14.4%), compared with personnel deployed to Afghanistan (7.1%; 95% CI 4.6% to 9.6%), combat deployed personnel, and personnel serving in the Canadian, US, or UK army or the navy or marines (12.4%; 95% CI 10.9% to 13.4%), compared with the other services (4.9%; 95% CI 1.4% to 8.4%). Contrary to findings from within-study comparisons, we did not find a difference in PTSD prevalence for regular active-duty and reserve or National Guard personnel. Categorizing studies according to deployment location and branch of service identified differences among subgroups that provide further support for factors underlying the development of PTSD.
Additive effect of treadmill exercise and 17β‐estradiol replacement on prevention of tibial bone loss in adult ovariectomized rat

The effects of 17β‐estradiol (E2) and treadmill exercise on tibial bone mass, tibial uptake of 45Ca, and proximal tibia osteoblast and osteoclast cell number were determined in adult ovariectomized rats. Female rats aged 10 months were ovariectomized and divided into five groups: (1) sham‐operated; (2) ovariectomized; (3) ovariectomized, given 10 μg E2 biweekly; (4) ovariectomized, trained to exercise on a treadmill daily; and (5) ovariectomized, given E2 and exercised. E2 and/or exercise interventions were started 2 months following surgery and continued for 4 months. The calcium content of the tibial metaphysis and diaphysis and the proximal cancellous bone (BV/TV) were lower in the ovariectomized than in the sham‐operated controls 6 months after ovariectomy. This lower bone content was associated with a greater bone uptake of 45Ca and a greater number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the proximal tibia compared to the control rats. The meta‐physeal calcium content was higher and the 45Ca uptake and osteoblast and osteoclast number were lower in the E2‐treated rats than in the nontreated rats. In the exercised group, higher diaphyseal calcium content and proximal cancellous bone were associated with lower bone resorption parameters without a significant effect on bone formation. This study demonstrates that E2 primarily influences tibial cancellous bone of the ovariectomized rat and a positive adaptation to exercise occurs in both cancellous and cortical bone. Under estrogen deficiency, E2 replacement suppresses increased bone formation and resorption; exercise suppresses mainly bone resorption. The effects of E2 replacement and exercise training are independent and additive.
Global-scale predictions of community and ecosystem properties from simple ecological theory

We show how theoretical developments in macroecology, life-history theory and food-web ecology can be combined to formulate a simple model for predicting the potential biomass, production, size and trophic structure of consumer communities. The strength of our approach is that it uses remote sensing data to predict properties of consumer communities in environments that are challenging and expensive to sample directly. An application of the model to the marine environment on a global scale, using primary production and temperature estimates from satellite remote sensing as inputs, suggests that the global biomass of marine animals more than 10−5 g wet weight is 2.62×109 t (=8.16 g m−2 ocean) and production is 1.00×1010 t yr−1 (31.15 g m−2 yr−1). Based on the life-history theory, we propose and apply an approximation for distinguishing the relative contributions of different animal groups. Fish biomass and production, for example, are estimated as 8.99×108 t (2.80 g m−2) and 7.91×108 t yr−1 (2.46 g m−2 yr−1), respectively, and 50% of fish biomass is shown to occur in 17% of the total ocean area (8.22 g m−2). The analyses show that emerging ecological theory can be synthesized to set baselines for assessing human and climate impacts on global scales.
Flapping before Flight: High Resolution, Three-Dimensional Skeletal Kinematics of Wings and Legs during Avian Development

Some of the greatest transformations in vertebrate history involve developmental and evolutionary origins of avian flight. Flight is the most power-demanding mode of locomotion, and volant adult birds have many anatomical features that presumably help meet these demands. However, juvenile birds, like the first winged dinosaurs, lack many hallmarks of advanced flight capacity. Instead of large wings they have small “protowings”, and instead of robust, interlocking forelimb skeletons their limbs are more gracile and their joints less constrained. Such traits are often thought to preclude extinct theropods from powered flight, yet young birds with similarly rudimentary anatomies flap-run up slopes and even briefly fly, thereby challenging longstanding ideas on skeletal and feather function in the theropod-avian lineage. Though skeletons and feathers are the common link between extinct and extant theropods and figure prominently in discussions on flight performance (extant birds) and flight origins (extinct theropods), skeletal inter-workings are hidden from view and their functional relationship with aerodynamically active wings is not known. For the first time, we use X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology to visualize skeletal movement in developing birds, and explore how development of the avian flight apparatus corresponds with ontogenetic trajectories in skeletal kinematics, aerodynamic performance, and the locomotor transition from pre-flight flapping behaviors to full flight capacity. Our findings reveal that developing chukars (Alectoris chukar) with rudimentary flight apparatuses acquire an “avian” flight stroke early in ontogeny, initially by using their wings and legs cooperatively and, as they acquire flight capacity, counteracting ontogenetic increases in aerodynamic output with greater skeletal channelization. In conjunction with previous work, juvenile birds thereby demonstrate that the initial function of developing wings is to enhance leg performance, and that aerodynamically active, flapping wings might better be viewed as adaptations or exaptations for enhancing leg performance.
Differences in employment histories between employed and unemployed job seekers

We use the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) to analyse whether employed and unemployed job seekers are substitutes by comparing their individual characteristics and past (un)employment and job histories. Since the BHPS does not directly collect information on job search activities of employed workers, we combine it with the British Labour Force Survey to assign a probability that employed respondents in the BHPS engage in on-the-job search. Even after controlling for individual heterogeneity we find important differences between employed and unemployed job seekers, both in their qualification levels and past employment histories.
Safety, penetration and efficacy of topically applied bevacizumab: evaluation of eyedrops in corneal neovascularization after chemical burn

Purpose: That vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in inflammatory angiogenesis has been well established. This pilot study was designed to evaluate experimental treatment with bevacizumab eyedrops in corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn. The feasibility of topical administration, corneal cell viability and corneal penetration were investigated in an animal model.
PLANT DISTRIBUTION IN RELATION TO SOIL CONDITIONS IN HANGZHOU BAY COASTAL WETLANDS, CHINA

Plant group classification relation to soil environmental characteristics was monitored in Hangzhou Bay coastal wetland, China. 18 taxa, belonging to 17 genus and 7 family were recorded, and classified into five groups by TWINSPAN viz A, Scirpus mariqueter group, B, Spartina alterniflora group, C, Phragmites communis group, D, Tamarix chinensis - P. communis group, and E, Salix matsudana - Imperata cylindrica group, respectively. Soil salinity and moisture in group A, B and C were significantly higher than group D, E, while higher pH values was found in group E, A and B. From the intra-set correlations of the soil factors with the first 2 axes of DCCA, it can be noted that DCCA axis 1, was positively correlated with altitude and negatively with soil salinity and moisture, represented soil salinity and moisture gradient. Axis 2 of the DCCA was clearly negatively correlated to soil pH, and called as soil pH gradient.
Local Financial Development and the Aid-Growth Relationship

With official development assistance (ODA) set to rise as countries strive to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aid effectiveness remains an important area of development policy. An increasing number of studies support the notion that ODA can contribute to growth in a nonlinear relationship. In this paper, we investigate a new hypothesis regarding this relationship: that deeper financial markets in aid-recipient countries facilitate the management of aid flows, thereby enhancing aid effectiveness. An empirical analysis, using a panel data set, finds robust support for the hypothesis.
The human perirhinal cortex and recognition memory

The importance of the perirhinal cortex for visual recognition memory performance is undisputed. However, it has not been clear whether its contribution to performance is mainly perceptual, or mainly mnemonic, or whether the perirhinal cortex contributes to both perception and memory. We determined the effects of medial temporal lobe damage that includes complete damage to the perirhinal cortex in two amnesic patients by assessing recognition memory for complex visual stimuli across delays from 0 to 40 s. These patients, as well as six other amnesic patients with damage limited to the hippocampal formation or diencephalic structures, exhibited intact recognition memory at delays of 0–2 s and a delay‐dependent memory impairment at delays of 6 s and longer. Additionally, the patients with damage to the perirhinal cortex performed worse than the other amnesic patients at delays of 25 s and longer. The findings suggest that the perirhinal cortex is not important for visual perception or immediate memory. In this respect, the findings for perirhinal cortex resemble the findings for other medial temporal lobe structures, including the hippocampus. Hippocampus 1998;8:330–339. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.