Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel assay uncovers an unexpected role for SR-BI in LDL transcytosis.

AIMS Retention of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol beneath the arterial endothelium initiates an inflammatory response culminating in atherosclerosis. Since the overlying endothelium is healthy and intact early on, it is likely that LDL passes through endothelial cells by transcytosis. However, technical challenges have made confirming this notion and elucidating the mechanisms of transcytosis difficult. We developed a novel assay for measuring LDL transcytosis in real time across coronary endothelial cell monolayers; we used this approach to identify the receptor involved. METHODS AND RESULTS Murine aortas were perfused ex vivo with LDL and dextran of a smaller molecular radius. LDL (but not dextran) accumulated under the endothelium, indicating that LDL transcytosis occurs in intact vessels. We then confirmed that LDL transcytosis occurs in vitro using human coronary artery endothelial cells. An assay was developed to quantify transcytosis of DiI-LDL in real time using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. DiI-LDL transcytosis was inhibited by excess unlabelled LDL, while degradation of the LDL receptor by PCSK9 had no effect. Instead, LDL colocalized partially with the scavenger receptor SR-BI and overexpression of SR-BI increased LDL transcytosis; knockdown by siRNA significantly reduced it. Excess HDL, the canonical SR-BI ligand, significantly decreased LDL transcytosis. Aortas from SR-BI-deficient mice were perfused ex vivo with LDL and accumulated significantly less sub-endothelial LDL compared with wild-type littermates. CONCLUSION We developed an assay to quantify LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells and discovered an unexpected role for SR-BI. Elucidating the mechanisms of LDL transcytosis may identify novel targets for the prevention or therapy of atherosclerosis.
Végétation et fluctuations climatiques postglaciaires sur la côte septentrionale gaspésienne, Québec

The postglacial (ca. 13 000 BP) vegetational and climatic history is reconstructed from the pollen analytical study of the sediments of two lakes located in coastal northern Gaspe Peninsula. J'Arrive Lake (altitude: 56 m) was submerged by the Goldthwait Sea until about 11 400 BP. Euloge Lake, 83 m in altitude and less than 1 km from the shore, escaped the marine invasion. Before 10 400 BP, the vegetation, very scarce at first, evolved to a herb tundra that lasted for over a millenium. A cold climatic oscillation correlative with the Younger Dryas is identified at both sites between 10 700 and 10 400 BP, during this herb tundra phase. After 10 400 BP, dwarf birch and willows colonized the sites, leading to a shrub tundra. The afforestation of the area began only around 9300 BP, with the late arrival of spruce and aspen. This phase was interrupted at 8650 BP by the upsurge of green alder, in response to another cold oscillation. Since 7250 BP, the present forested landscape finally developed in three steps, characterized by ( i ) a high diversity of forest species until 2500 BP, ( ii ) a loss of diversity until 1000 BP that favoured spruce and balsam fir, and ( iii ) an increase of heliophilous trees, shrubs, and herbs. These reconstructions contribute to the late-glacial palaeogeography of Eastern North America through the unravelling of conditions close to the retreating ice.
Isolation of dengue virus from the upper respiratory tract of four patients with dengue fever

Background Dengue fever is an important arboviral disease. The clinical manifestations vary from a mild non-specific febrile syndrome to severe life-threatening illness. The virus can usually be detected in the blood during the early stages of the disease. Dengue virus has also been found in isolated cases in the cerebrospinal fluid, urine, nasopharyngeal sections and saliva. In this report, we describe the isolation of dengue virus from the upper respiratory tract of four confirmed cases of dengue. Methods We reviewed all laboratory reports of the isolation of dengue virus from respiratory specimens at the clinical microbiology laboratory of the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital during 2007 to 2015. We then examined the medical records of the cases from whom the virus was isolated to determine their demographic characteristics, family contacts, clinical signs and symptoms, course of illness and laboratory findings. Results Dengue virus was identified in four patients from a nasopharyngeal or throat culture. Two were classified as group A dengue (dengue without warning signs), one as group B (dengue with warning signs) and one as group C (severe dengue). All had respiratory symptoms. Half had family members with similar respiratory symptoms during the period of their illnesses. All of the patients recovered uneventfully. Conclusions The isolation of dengue virus from respiratory specimens of patients with cough, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion, although rare, raises the possibility that the virus is capable of transmission by the aerosol route among close contacts. This concept is supported by studies that show that the virus can replicate in cultures of respiratory epithelium and can be transmitted through mucocutaneous exposure to blood from infected patients. However, current evidence is insufficient to prove the hypothesis of transmission through the respiratory route. Further studies will be needed to determine the frequency of respiratory colonization, viable virus titers in respiratory secretions and molecular genetic evidence of transmission among close contacts.
FELICS, a new ice core drilling system for high-altitude glaciers

A new solar powered portable system for ice core drilling was developed especially for work on very high altitude glaciers requiring an extremely light and easy to use system. FELICS ( Fast Electromechanical Lightweight Ice Coring System), with a net weight of 228 kg for the complete drilling system including power supply, represents a new design. The main features are the absence of an outer barrel and a tilting table, and the use of a one-piece cutting ring, which simplify utilisation of the device and make it very efficient. In addition, FELICS is designed to be installed inside a protective tent, effectively allowing a 24 hour working day. The new drilling system has been successfully employed in the European Alps and in the Andes (on Cerro Tapado, Chile at 5536 m a.s.L on lllimani. Bolivia at 6300 m a.s.l. and on Chimborazo, Ecuador at 6250 m a.s.l.) with a drilling performance of 136 m in only 6 working days. In addition, a small version of FELICS for maximum depths of 18 m was developed for exploratory studies.
PS-InSAR experiments for the analysis of urban ground deformation using StaMPS

Many works and European projects have proven the ability of Permanent Scatterers Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (PS-InSAR) to measure the slow deformation of the persistent ground objects with a millimetric precision measurement. Compared to the classical differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR), PS-InSAR is an approach that estimates several contributions: atmospheric disturbances, orbital errors, deformation signal as well as topographical errors. In this paper, we propose to apply PS-InSAR for the analysis of the ground deformation phenomena in a urban context. For that purpose, the Stanford Method for Permanent Scatterers (StaMPS) is applied using an ERS data archive. StaMPS was developed in Stanford University by Andy Hooper. The advantages to use StaMPS were that it is free and many scripts are already available to process the dataset. In first steps of the processing, differential interferograms are produced using the Delft Object-oriented Radar Interferometric Software (DORIS), developed in Delft University of Technology . Doris is also a free tool. StaMPS method is briefly explained. A first experiment on the city of Paris, France, is presented, especially because PSINSAR and DInSAR results have already been published by several researchers. Therefore, the processing of Nantes (French city) is carried out. Some important results are shown.
Prediction of permeability of fissured tills

Abstract Fissures of varying sizes, orientations and surface coatings present in Scottish lodgement tills influence their mass permeability and consolidation rates, inducing three-dimensional anisotropy in these properties. Satisfactory laboratory measurements require the costly testing of large specimens. This paper calculates the contribution of a discontinuous fissure to the flow through a fissured region by use of the finite element method and presents a method of prediction of mass permeability and its three-dimensional anisotropy by empirical computer-aided models based on the observed properties of the fissures and of the intact blocks. The results of such predictions have been found to compare satisfactorily with those from actual tests on relatively large undisturbed till samples of various orientations from three sites in West Central Scotland. Such a method is expected to reduce sampling and testing requirements for the above properties of fissured tills and possibly other similar soils.
Chondromyxoid Fibroma: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is one of the rarest benign tumors of cartilaginous origin. It accounts for less than 0.5% of bone tumors and less than two percent of benign bone tumors. It is composed of a mixture of chondroid, myxoid, and fibrous tissues. The diagnosis of CMF depends upon its characteristic histological appearance like a lobular pattern with stellate-shaped cells in a myxoid or chondroid background. We present a case of juxtacortical CMF in a 15-year-old male involving the proximal end of the tibia, which was treated with en bloc excision and bone grafting with excellent results on final follow-up.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Activates PI3k/Akt Signaling to Antagonize Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Background/Aims: The pathogenesis of Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) has been extensively studied in the past. In particular, a role of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) in the disease initiation and progression has been recently reported. However, an involvement of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I)-stimulated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3k) / Akt signaling pathway-mediated control of MMP3 in LDD has not been acknowledged. Methods: We examined the serum IGF-1 levels and activation of the receptor for IGF-1 (IGF-1R) in resected discs in patients with LDD, compared to the fractured discs from traumatized, non-LDD subjects as a control. We analyzed the effects of IGF-1 on the activation of IGF-1R, Akt and MMP3 in a human nucleus pulposus SV40 cell line (HNPSV). We transfected HNPSV cells with a constitutive nuclear FoxO1, and analyzed its effect on the activation of IGF-1R, Akt and MMP3. Results: LDD patients had significantly lower levels of serum IGF-1, and LDD discs had significantly lower levels of activated IGF-1R. IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of IGF-1R, and then phosphorylation of its downstream factor Akt in the HNPSV cells, resulting in significantly inhibition of MMP3. Further, FoxO1 nuclear retention completely abolished the inhibitory effects of IGF-1 on MMP3 in HNPSV cells. Conclusion: Together, IGF-1/Akt/FoxO1/MMP3 regulatory machinery may control the development of LDD.
Polar Antenna Impedance Detection and Tuning for Efficiency Improvement in a 3G/4G CMOS Power Amplifier

An antenna load impedance detection and automatic tuning technique is presented. An antenna load impedance detection circuit as well as burst detector enabling autonomous tuning is integrated on a CMOS-PA chip. A low-loss impedance tuner with an SOI switch is also demonstrated. The proposed impedance detection circuit employs polar detection technique, so that the antenna impedance is tuned in a vector fashion to track the time-varying antenna impedance promptly. Also, it can operate with nonconstant envelope signal thanks to an introduced relative detection technique. At the back-off operation, the impedance can be automatically tuned to optimum value. The circuit is time shared with PA linearization loop, minimizing the overhead of the circuit. When the VSWR is approximately 2.5, the peak PAE is kept more than 40% with tuning, whereas it varies from 28% to 45% without tuning. The linear efficiency without the tuning is 15% as the worst case, while more than 30% of PAE is maintained when the tuning and PA-closed loop are enabled. The drain efficiency at 6 dB back-off is improved from 30% to 40%. The tuner can cover a VSWR of around 6, while achieving a loss ranging from 0.3 to 4.6 dB.
Determining permeability of tight rock samples using inverse modeling

Data from gas‐pressure‐pulse‐decay experiments have been analyzed by means of numerical simulation in combination with automatic model calibration techniques to determine hydrologie properties of low‐permeability, low‐porosity rock samples. Porosity, permeability, and Klinkenberg slip factor have been estimated for a core plug from The Geysers geothermal field, California. The experiments were conducted using a specially designed permeameter with small gas reservoirs. Pressure changes were measured as gas flowed from the pressurized upstream reservoir through the sample to the downstream reservoir. A simultaneous inversion of data from three experiments performed on different pressure levels allows for independent estimation of absolute permeability and gas permeability which is pressure‐dependent due to enhanced slip flow. With this measurement and analysis technique we can determine matrix properties with permeabilities as low as 10−21 m2. In this paper we discuss the procedure of parameter estimation by inverse modeling. We will focus on the error analysis, which reveals estimation uncertainty and parameter correlations. This information can also be used to evaluate and optimize the design of an experiment. The impact of systematic errors due to potential leakage and uncertainty in the initial conditions will also be addressed. The case studies clearly illustrate the need for a thorough error analysis of inverse modeling results.
Limited Impact of a Fall-Seeded, Spring-Terminated Rye Cover Crop on Beneficial Arthropods

Abstract Cover crops are beneficial to agroecosystems because they decrease soil erosion and nutrient loss while increasing within-field plant diversity. Greater plant diversity within cropping systems can positively affect beneficial arthropod communities. We hypothesized that increasing plant diversity within annually rotated corn and soybean with the addition of a rye cover crop would positively affect the beneficial ground and canopy-dwelling communities compared with rotated corn and soybean grown without a cover crop. From 2011 through 2013, arthropod communities were measured at two locations in Iowa four times throughout each growing season. Pitfall traps were used to sample ground-dwelling arthropods within the corn and soybean plots and sweep nets were used to measure the beneficial arthropods in soybean canopies. Beneficial arthropods captured were identified to either class, order, or family. In both corn and soybean, community composition and total community activity density and abundance did not differ between plots that included the rye cover crop and plots without the rye cover crop. Most taxa did not significantly respond to the presence of the rye cover crop when analyzed individually, with the exceptions of Carabidae and Gryllidae sampled from soybean pitfall traps. Activity density of Carabidae was significantly greater in soybean plots that included a rye cover crop, while activity density of Gryllidae was significantly reduced in plots with the rye cover crop. Although a rye cover crop may be agronomically beneficial, there may be only limited effects on beneficial arthropods when added within an annual rotation of corn and soybean.
Kinematics and segmentation of the South Shetland Islands‐Bransfield basin system, northern Antarctic Peninsula

New GPS measurements demonstrate tectonic segmentation of the South Shetland Islands platform, regarded as a microplate separating the Antarctic Peninsula from the oceanic portion of the Antarctic plate. King George, Greenwich, and Livingston islands on the central and largest segment are separating from the Antarctic Peninsula at 7–9 mm/a, moving NNW, roughly perpendicular to the continental margin. Smith and Low islands on the small southwestern segment are moving in the same direction, but at 2.2–3.0 mm/a. The Elephant Island subgroup in the northeast moves at ∼7 mm/a relative to the Peninsula, like the central group, but toward the WNW. This implies that it is presently coupled to the Scotia plate on the northern side of the South Scotia Ridge transform boundary; thus the uplift of these northeasternmost islands may be caused by Scotia‐Antarctic plate convergence rather than by subduction of thickened oceanic crust.
Current Surgical Management of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: A Mini Review

C olorectal cancer is responsible for 10% of cancer related deaths and is the third most common cancer type in men and the second in women. Metastatic disease will develop in nearly 60% of patients with colorectal cancer, half of which will be located in the liver. At least 30% of the patients who underwent potentially curative primary tumor resection have liver micrometastases. A PubMed search of relevant articles published up to 2011 was performed to identify current information about colorectal liver metastases regarding diagnosis and management with emphasis to surgery. The results shows that hepatectomy is the only potentially curative option resulting in 5-year survival for one third of the patients, but only 10 - 30% of the patients are suitable for a radical procedure. Indications include ability to resect the tumor without residual disease, with removal of at least 1 cm of healthy tissue and clear margins, and the absence of extrahepatic metastatic disease. Specialized centers achieve mortality rate less than 5% and morbidity 20 - 50%. 5-year survival following hepatic resection is 25 - 40% with mean survival of 28 - 40 months. We conclude that current management of colorectal cancer liver metastases requires a multidisciplinary approach. Operative strategies and novel techniques that achieve wider excision areas with minimal blood loss make hepatectomy safe and effective. doi:10.4021/jcs106e
Batch discovery of nine z ∼ 1 clusters using X-ray and K or R,z′ images

We present the results of an initial search for clusters of galaxies at z ∼ 1 and above, using data from 2.9 square degrees of XMM-Newton images. By selecting weak potentially extended X-ray sources with faint or no identifications in deep, ground-based optical imaging, we have constructed a starting sample of 19 high-redshift cluster candidates. Near-IR and R, z' imaging of these fields identified nine of them as high-redshift systems. Six of these were confirmed spectroscopically, three at z ∼ 1.0 and the other three in the 0.8 < z < 0.92 range. The remaining three systems have solid photometric evidence to be at z phot ∼ 0.8, 1.0 and 1.3. The present sample significantly increases the number of such clusters. The measured density of z ≥ 1 clusters, after discarding 'low'-redshift systems at z ≤ 0.92 is about 1.7 deg -2 (with 68 per cent confidence interval equal to [ 1.0, 2.9]) for f X ≥ 2.5 10 -15 erg cm -2 s -1 ([0.5-2] keV) and this is a lower limit, having screened not all potential z ∼ 1 candidate clusters. Coordinates, X-ray measures and evidence for nine X-ray-selected high-redshift clusters is given.
Paleointensity record from Pleistocene sediments (1.4-0 Ma) off the California margin

High resolution magnetic measurements of 45 m of sediment from the Delgada Fan area at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1021 (39°5'N/127°46'W) were performed in order to extract a reliable signal of relative paleointensity. A detailed chronology was established by correlation of the magnetic susceptibility variations to the insolation curve for the past 1.4 Myr covered by the record. The remanence carrier is pseudo-single-domain-sized magnetite that varies in concentration by a factor <3. Stepwise alternating field demagnetization isolated a very stable natural remanent magnetization (NRM) which showed the succession of the Cobb and Jaramillo Subchrons and directional changes associated with the Punaruu event (1.105 Ma). Two techniques have been used to extract the signal of relative paleointensity. A significant climatic component remained present in the curve obtained from the slopes of the NRM versus the anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM). In contrast the NRM and the susceptibility (k lf ) both being driven by orbital forcing, normalization by susceptibility is not contaminated by climatically driven changes and is thus taken as our best estimate of relative paleointensity. Comparison with other high-resolution records and compilations reinforces the actual geomagnetic origin of the variations displayed by the NRM/k signal. Overall, this record confirms the succession of distinct highs and lows which are concomitant with full field reversals and short-term geomagnetic events present during the Matuyama Chron. The presence of large oscillations of the field with no periodicity confirms that the geomagnetic field (at least his dipolar part) is highly unstable and may have remained in this mode for a long period of time.
Paleoenvironmental Changes in the Semiarid Coast of Chile (∼32°S) during the Last 6200 cal Years Inferred from a Swamp–Forest Pollen Record

Abstract Pollen analysis of two sediment records from a coastal swamp forest site in the Chilean semiarid region (31°50′S; 71°28′W) shows an alternation of dry and wet phases during the past ∼6100 cal yr B.P. The most prominent vegetation changes occur at ∼4200 cal yr B.P., with the expansion of the swamp forest taxa Luma chequen and Escallonia sp. , followed by a regression of the forest beginning at ∼3200 cal yr B.P. and ending with its replacement by a xerophytic scrub, between ∼1800 and 1300 cal yr B.P. The swamp forest reexpanded after ∼1300 cal yr B.P. and persisted, with minor variation, until the present. We interpret the establishment of the swamp forest at the study site to be the result of a rising watertable in response to increased rainfalls from ∼4200 cal yr B.P. onward. Our results indicate that in north-central Chile the second half of the Holocene was climatically more variable than previously thought, suggesting significant changes in the position and/or intensity of the westerlies wind belt and possibly in the frequency of El Niño–Southern Oscillation events.
A comparison of video recall responses between music therapy, music, and other therapy students

This study examined the recall from viewing a music therapy session by five different cohorts of students (22 graduate music therapy students, 8 graduate art therapy, 10 creative and expressive therapies students, 10 counselling students and 17 undergraduate music students). The study was part of a larger program of research that investigated how learning occurs in music therapy. The recall task was based on viewing a 3 minute excerpt of a professionally produced video showing clinical music therapy with narration. Participants (n=67) produced 277 comments that were categorised under the following headings: music context, therapy context, client/therapist actions, visual context, client classification/health setting, and unclassified. There were significant differences between the average number of recalls for each category. The categories of music and therapy produced the highest number of recalls compared to other categories with music therapy and music students rating the highest overall scores. The findings of this study supported a model of specific learning that occurs in different domains of knowledge and showed the impact of one's training in the perception of a new situation. (author abstract)