Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chest Radiographs for Pediatric TB Diagnosis: Interrater Agreement and Utility

The chest radiograph (CXR) is considered a key diagnostic tool for pediatric tuberculosis (TB) in clinical management and endpoint determination in TB vaccine trials. We set out to compare interrater agreement for TB diagnosis in western Kenya. A pediatric pulmonologist and radiologist (experts), a medical officer (M.O), and four clinical officers (C.Os) with basic training in pediatric CXR reading blindly assessed CXRs of infants who were TB suspects in a cohort study. C.Os had access to clinical findings for patient management. Weighted kappa scores summarized interrater agreement on lymphadenopathy and abnormalities consistent with TB. Sensitivity and specificity of raters were determined using microbiologically confirmed TB as the gold standard (n = 8). A total of 691 radiographs were reviewed. Agreement on abnormalities consistent with TB was poor; k = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.10–0.18) and on lymphadenopathy moderate k = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.18–0.36). M.O [75% (95% CI: 34.9%–96.8%)] and C.Os [63% (95% CI: 24.5%–91.5%)] had high sensitivity for culture confirmed TB. TB vaccine trials utilizing expert agreement on CXR as a nonmicrobiologically confirmed endpoint will have reduced specificity and will underestimate vaccine efficacy. C.Os detected many of the bacteriologically confirmed cases; however, this must be interpreted cautiously as they were unblinded to clinical features.
Beta2-Adaptin Binds Actopaxin and Regulates Cell Spreading, Migration and Matrix Degradation

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is a key event in cell migration and invasion and endocytic trafficking of adhesion receptors and signaling proteins plays a major role in regulating these processes. Beta2-adaptin is a subunit of the AP-2 complex and is involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Herein, β2-adaptin is shown to bind to the focal adhesion protein actopaxin and localize to focal adhesions during cells spreading in an actopaxin dependent manner. Furthermore, β2-adaptin is enriched in adhesions at the leading edge of migrating cells and depletion of β2-adaptin by RNAi increases cell spreading and inhibits directional cell migration via a loss of cellular polarity. Knockdown of β2-adaptin in both U2OS osteosarcoma cells and MCF10A normal breast epithelial cells promotes the formation of matrix degrading invadopodia, adhesion structures linked to invasive migration in cancer cells. These data therefore suggest that actopaxin-dependent recruitment of the AP-2 complex, via an interaction with β2-adaptin, to focal adhesions mediates cell polarity and migration and that β2-adaptin may control the balance between the formation of normal cell adhesions and invasive adhesion structures.
Chalcone-Induced Apoptosis through Caspase-Dependent Intrinsic Pathways in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Chemoprevention of HCC can be achieved through the use of natural or synthetic compounds that reverse, suppress or prevent the development of cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects and the mechanism of action of two compounds, 2,3,4′-trimethoxy-2′-hydroxy-chalcone (CH1) and 3′-bromo-3,4-dimethoxy-chalcone (CH2), over human hepatoma cells (HepG2 and Huh-7) and cultured mouse hepatocytes (HepM). Cytotoxic effects were observed over the HepG2 and Huh-7, and no effects were observed over the HepM. For HepG2 cells, treated separately with each chalcone, typical apoptotic laddering and nuclear condensation were observed. Additionally, the caspases and Bcl-2 family proteins activation by using Western blotting and immunocytochemistry were studied. Caspase-8 was not activated, but caspase-3 and -9 were both activated by chalcones in HepG2 cells. Chalcones also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation after 4, 8 and 24 h of treatment in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that apoptosis in HepG2 was induced through: (i) a caspase-dependent intrinsic pathway; and (ii) by alterations in the cellular levels of Bcl-2 family proteins, and also, that the chalcone moiety could be a potent candidate as novel anticancer agents acting on human hepatomas.
Individual Tree Detection and Classification with UAV-Based Photogrammetric Point Clouds and Hyperspectral Imaging

Small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based remote sensing is a rapidly evolving technology. Novel sensors and methods are entering the market, offering completely new possibilities to carry out remote sensing tasks. Three-dimensional (3D) hyperspectral remote sensing is a novel and powerful technology that has recently become available to small UAVs. This study investigated the performance of UAV-based photogrammetry and hyperspectral imaging in individual tree detection and tree species classification in boreal forests. Eleven test sites with 4151 reference trees representing various tree species and developmental stages were collected in June 2014 using a UAV remote sensing system equipped with a frame format hyperspectral camera and an RGB camera in highly variable weather conditions. Dense point clouds were measured photogrammetrically by automatic image matching using high resolution RGB images with a 5 cm point interval. Spectral features were obtained from the hyperspectral image blocks, the large radiometric variation of which was compensated for by using a novel approach based on radiometric block adjustment with the support of in-flight irradiance observations. Spectral and 3D point cloud features were used in the classification experiment with various classifiers. The best results were obtained with Random Forest and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) which both gave 95% overall accuracies and an F-score of 0.93. Accuracy of individual tree identification from the photogrammetric point clouds varied between 40% and 95%, depending on the characteristics of the area. Challenges in reference measurements might also have reduced these numbers. Results were promising, indicating that hyperspectral 3D remote sensing was operational from a UAV platform even in very difficult conditions. These novel methods are expected to provide a powerful tool for automating various environmental close-range remote sensing tasks in the very near future.
Travi-Navi: Self-Deployable Indoor Navigation System

We present Travi-Navi—a vision-guided navigation system that enables a self-motivated user to easily bootstrap and deploy indoor navigation services, without comprehensive indoor localization systems or even the availability of floor maps. Travi-Navi records high-quality images during the course of a guider’s walk on the navigation paths, collects a rich set of sensor readings, and packs them into a navigation trace. The followers track the navigation trace, get prompt visual instructions and image tips, and receive alerts when they deviate from the correct paths. Travi-Navi also finds shortcuts whenever possible. In this paper, we describe the key techniques to solve several practical challenges, including robust tracking, shortcut identification, and high-quality image capture while walking. We implement Travi-Navi and conduct extensive experiments. The evaluation results show that Travi-Navi can track and navigate users with timely instructions, typically within a four-step offset, and detect deviation events within nine steps. We also characterize the power consumption of Travi-Navi on various mobile phones.
z ~ 7-10 Galaxies in the HUDF and GOODS Fields: UV Luminosity Functions

We use all available deep optical ACS and near-IR data over both the HUDF and the two GOODS fields to search for star-forming galaxies at z≳ 7 and constrain the UV LF within the first 700 Myr. Our data set includes ~23 arcmin2 of deep NICMOS J + H data and ~248 arcmin2 of ground-based (ISAAC+MOIRCS) data, coincident with ACS optical data of greater or equal depths. In total, we find eight ∼ 7.3 z-dropouts in our search fields, but no z ∼ 9 J-dropout candidates. A careful consideration of a wide variety of different contaminants suggest an overall contamination level of just ~12% for our z-dropout selection. After performing detailed simulations to accurately estimate the selection volumes, we derive constraints on the UV LFs at z ∼ 7 and z ∼ 9. For a faint-end slope α = − 1.74, our most likely values for MUV* and φ* at z ∼ 7 are –19.8 ± 0.4 mag and 1.1+ 1.7−0.7 × 10−3 Mpc−3, respectively. Our search results for z ∼ 9 J-dropouts set a 1 σ lower limit on MUV* of –19.6 mag assuming that φ* and α are the same as their values at slightly later times. This lower limit on MUV* is 1.4 mag fainter than our best-fit value at z ∼ 4, suggesting that the UV LF has undergone substantial evolution over this time period. No evolution is ruled out at 99% confidence from z ∼ 7 to z ∼ 6 and at 80% confidence from z ∼ 9 to z ∼ 7. We find that the mass-to-light ratio of halos evolves as ~(1 + z)−1 if we require that the observed brightening in MUV* with redshift [i.e., MUV* = (− 21.02 ± 0.09) + (0.36 ± 0.08) (z − 3.8) ] be consistent with the expected evolution in the halo mass function. Finally, we consider the shape of the UV LF at z≳ 5 and discuss the implications of the Schechter-like form of the observed LFs, particularly the unexpected abrupt cutoff at the bright end.
Differential Utilization of Dietary Fatty Acids in Benign and Malignant Cells of the Prostate

Tumor cells adapt via metabolic reprogramming to meet elevated energy demands due to continuous proliferation, for example by switching to alternative energy sources. Nutrients such as glucose, fatty acids, ketone bodies and amino acids may be utilized as preferred substrates to fulfill increased energy requirements. In this study we investigated the metabolic characteristics of benign and cancer cells of the prostate with respect to their utilization of medium chain (MCTs) and long chain triglycerides (LCTs) under standard and glucose-starved culture conditions by assessing cell viability, glycolytic activity, mitochondrial respiration, the expression of genes encoding key metabolic enzymes as well as mitochondrial mass and mtDNA content. We report that BE prostate cells (RWPE-1) have a higher competence to utilize fatty acids as energy source than PCa cells (LNCaP, ABL, PC3) as shown not only by increased cell viability upon fatty acid supplementation but also by an increased ß-oxidation of fatty acids, although the base-line respiration was 2-fold higher in prostate cancer cells. Moreover, BE RWPE-1 cells were found to compensate for glucose starvation in the presence of fatty acids. Of notice, these findings were confirmed in vivo by showing that PCa tissue has a lower capacity in oxidizing fatty acids than benign prostate. Collectively, these metabolic differences between benign and prostate cancer cells and especially their differential utilization of fatty acids could be exploited to establish novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Control of NK cell functions by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are key players in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. As a result of suppressive effects on CD4+ and CD8+ effector T cells, Treg control the adaptive immune system and prevent autoimmunity. In addition, they inhibit B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and monocytes/macrophages. It is interesting that several recent papers show that CD4+CD25+ Treg are also able to inhibit NK cells. Thus, Treg exert their control on immune responses from the onset (triggering of innate immune cells) to the effector phase of adaptive immunity (B and T cell‐mediated responses). That Treg inhibit NK cells suggests that their uncontrolled activation might break self‐tolerance and induce “innate” autoimmune pathology. Conversely, Treg‐mediated suppression of NK cell functions might have negative effects, as these cells are important in defense against infections and cancer. It is conceivable that Treg might dampen efficient activation of NK cells in these diseases.
Ultrastructure of a Mobile Threadlike Tissue Floating in a Lymph Vessel

Observations of the primo vascular system (PVS) floating in lymph ducts were reported by various groups. There have been, however, no studies on the ultrastructure of the entire cross section of a primo vessel (PV) inside a lymph vessel with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). In the current study we took the TEM images of a cross section of the PV inside a lymph vessel. We used the Alcian blue staining method for the finding of the target PV in a lymphatic vessel by injecting the dye into the inguinal lymph nodes. The stained PV was harvested together with the lymph vessel and some parts of the specimens were used for studying with optical microscopes. Some other parts were treated according to a standard protocol for TEM. As the results the TEM study revealed the loosely distributed collagen fibers with plenty of empty spaces and the lumens with the endothelial nuclei. It turned out to be very similar to the ultrastructure of the PVs observed on the surfaces of internal organs. It also showed how compactly the PV is surrounded with lymphocytes. In conclusion, the detailed morphological features like the distribution of fibers in the PV were revealed and shown to be similar to another kind of the PV on the surfaces of internal organs.
Implicit and Explicit Contributions to Object Recognition: Evidence from Rapid Perceptual Learning

The present study investigated implicit and explicit recognition processes of rapidly perceptually learned objects by means of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). Participants were initially exposed to object pictures within an incidental learning task (living/non-living categorization). Subsequently, degraded versions of some of these learned pictures were presented together with degraded versions of unlearned pictures and participants had to judge, whether they recognized an object or not. During this test phase, stimuli were presented at 15 Hz eliciting an SSVEP at the same frequency. Source localizations of SSVEP effects revealed for implicit and explicit processes overlapping activations in orbito-frontal and temporal regions. Correlates of explicit object recognition were additionally found in the superior parietal lobe. These findings are discussed to reflect facilitation of object-specific processing areas within the temporal lobe by an orbito-frontal top-down signal as proposed by bi-directional accounts of object recognition.
Board Structure in the UK and Germany: Convergence or Continuing Divergence?

This paper examines the extent to which there has occurred a functional convergence between the German two-tier board and the one-tier UK board as a result of the 'corporate governance' reforms which have occurred in the UK over the past decade. Those reforms, embodied in listing rules rather than traditional company law, emphasise the different roles of executive and non-executive directors and monitoring role of the latter. The paper analyses the development of the corporate governance reform movement in the UK from the report of the Cadbury Committe in 1992 and argues that these changes have moved the British one-tier board closer to the two-tier model at a functional level. However, it concludes that there are still significant differences between the German model of the board's functions and the British model. This arises because in the German model the so-called 'supervisory' board discharges an important function in providing linkages to stakeholder groups, notably employees, in addition to its monitoring role. Indeed, in German law and practice significant compromises on the effectivenss of the board's monitoring role have been accepted in order to accommodate the linkages to non-shareholder groups. Linkages to non-shareholder groups, by contrast, are not a significant function of the British board, even after the corporate governance reforms in that country. Finally, the paper concludes with some speculation as to the conditions under which German law might come under pressure to improve the monitory function of the board on behalf of shareholders.
Fixed Costs of Adjustment, Coordination, and Industry Investment

We test whether smooth industry-level investment dynamics result from explicit aggregation of asynchronous and possibly lumpy firm-level investment. We compare the deviations of optimal from actual firm behavior across industries categorized by their ratios of idiosyncratic uncertainty to the sum of idiosyncratic and aggregate uncertainty. The deviations are represented by the residuals of a cointegrating regression that is derived from the firm's first-order condition under no adjustment costs. In support of models with asynchronous firm decisions, we find a significant negative relationship across industries between idiosyncratic uncertainty and the persistence of these residuals.
Systemic Interleukin-2 and Adoptive Transfer of Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells Improves Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Patients with Relapsed B-Cell Lymphoma Treated with Rituximab

Purpose: Murine models have shown that antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) can be improved with addition of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells to monoclonal antibodies. A pilot trial of rituximab and LAK cells in patients with rituximab-refractory CD20+ lymphoma was conducted to evaluate this approach. Experimental Design: Ten patients received 3 million units/m2 of interleukin-2 (IL-2) i.v. qd on days 1 to 5 and leukapheresed on days 8, 9, and 10. The leukapheresis product was cultured with IL-2 for 48 h to produce LAK cells. Patients then received 375 mg/m2 i.v. rituximab and LAK cells on days 10, 11, and 12. The patients also received 3 million units/m2 of IL-2 i.v. for 5 days starting day 10. For safety purposes, the first three patients did not receive any LAK cell infusions. Results: The LAK cell infusions improved the ADCC activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes compared with pretreatment activity and prevented the decline in ADCC seen after infusion of rituximab alone. Therapy was well tolerated and the most clinically significant toxicities were fever and fatigue. Two patients achieved a partial remission and five had stable disease. Conclusions: The results from these studies suggest that the addition of LAK cells to rituximab augments ADCC in patients with rituximab-refractory lymphoma.
Measurements of the collision properties of small spheres

An experiment to measure the properties of the collisions between two small spheres or between a small sphere and a semi‐infinite flat wall are described. The apparatus releases the particles in a free‐fall without initial spin. The impacts are modeled in terms of three coefficients. The first is the coefficient of normal restitution. The second represents the frictional properties of the contact surfaces. The last characterizes the restitution of the tangential components of the velocity of the contact point for impacts that do not involve sliding. The coefficients are calculated from stroboscopic photographs of the ballistics of the particles near the collision. The results establish that the collision model provides an accurate description of the dynamics of the impacts.
Uniform and Bootstrap Resampling of Empirical Distributions

Stochastic simulation models are used to predict the behavior of real systems whose components have random variation. The simulation model generates artificial random quantities based on the nature of the random variation in the real system. Very often, the probability distributions occurring in the real system are unknown, and must be estimated using finite samples. This paper presents two ways to estimate simulation model output errors due to the errors in the empirical distributions used to drive the simulation. These approaches are applied to simulations of the M/M/1 queue with an empirically sampled interarrival time. They capture components of variance in the estimate of mean time in the system that are ignored when the empirical distribution is treated as the true distribution.
Central Role of the CNGA4 Channel Subunit in Ca2+-Calmodulin-Dependent Odor Adaptation

Heteromultimeric cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) channels play a central role in the transduction of odorant signals and subsequent adaptation. The contributions of individual subunits to native channel function in olfactory receptor neurons remain unclear. Here, we show that the targeted deletion of the mouse CNGA4gene, which encodes a modulatory CNG subunit, results in a defect in odorant-dependent adaptation. Channels in excised membrane patches from the CNGA4 null mouse exhibited slower Ca2+-calmodulin-mediated channel desensitization. Thus, the CNGA4 subunit accelerates the Ca2+-mediated negative feedback in olfactory signaling and allows rapid adaptation in this sensory system.
The Impact of After School Learning Centers on Low Achieving African American Elementary Students

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of after school learning centers in a rural school district in South Carolina on Measures of Academic Progress achievement scores for low achieving African American elementary students. The researcher collected and analyzed Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test data administered in the Spring of 2008 from the state database and identified 419 African American low achieving fourth and fifth grade students for the study. The Educational Accountability Act of South Carolina requires that schools develop individual academic plans and provide remediation for students in grades three through eight who score Below Basic on the state mandated test. After school programs are one avenue by which these needs are being met. Students were categorized into three groups: students attending after school programs with an academic focus; students attending after school programs with academics plus a recreational component; and students not participating in an after school program. Grade percentile ranking scores were collected from the local school database for Cognitive Abilities Test Composite score and Measures of Academic Progress Reading and Math Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 test administration. Students‟ names were used only during the database query and sorting process. After sorting, names were removed and replaced with random identification numbers to protect student anonymity. The results showed that the cognitive abilities scores were significantly related to the Measures of Academic Progress Reading scores but after controlling for cognitive abilities there were no significant differences among the three student groupings found in the reading achievement. There were significant differences among the three student groupings found on the math achievement; however, the cognitive abilities scores were not significantly related to the Measures of Academic Progress Math scores. Implications include a need for examining the after school programs to determine what changes could be made in the reading program to make a positive impact on student achievement. Additionally, more research and data collection could help school administrators be better informed of their after school programs and assist in better serving children in their schools. INDEX WORDS: After school programs, low achieving students, African American, rural, mandates, District, School, South Carolina, Dissertation THE IMPACT OF AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING CENTERS ON LOW ACHIEVING AFRICAN AMERICAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS