Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expansion of CD4+CD25+ and CD25- T-Bet, GATA-3, Foxp3 and RORγt Cells in Allergic Inflammation, Local Lung Distribution and Chemokine Gene Expression

Allergic asthma is associated with airway eosinophilia, which is regulated by different T-effector cells. T cells express transcription factors T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt and Foxp3, representing Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells respectively. No study has directly determined the relative presence of each of these T cell subsets concomitantly in a model of allergic airway inflammation. In this study we determined the degree of expansion of these T cell subsets, in the lungs of allergen challenged mice. Cell proliferation was determined by incorporation of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) together with 7-aminoactnomycin (7-AAD). The immunohistochemical localisation of T cells in the lung microenvironments was also quantified. Local expression of cytokines, chemokines and receptor genes was measured using real-time RT-PCR array analysis in tissue sections isolated by laser microdissection and pressure catapulting technology. Allergen exposure increased the numbers of T-bet+, GATA-3+, RORγt+ and Foxp3+ cells in CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cells, with the greatest expansion of GATA-3+ cells. The majority of CD4+CD25+ T-bet+, GATA-3+, RORγt+ and Foxp3+ cells had incorporated BrdU and underwent proliferation during allergen exposure. Allergen exposure led to the accumulation of T-bet+, GATA-3+ and Foxp3+ cells in peribronchial and alveolar tissue, GATA-3+ and Foxp3+ cells in perivascular tissue, and RORγt+ cells in alveolar tissue. A total of 28 cytokines, chemokines and receptor genes were altered more than 3 fold upon allergen exposure, with expression of half of the genes claimed in all three microenvironments. Our study shows that allergen exposure affects all T effector cells in lung, with a dominant of Th2 cells, but with different local cell distribution, probably due to a distinguished local inflammatory milieu.
Skills, Investment and Exports from Manufacturing Firms in Africa

It has been argued that Africa will not be able to export manufactures as it lacks the necessary skills. This study uses panel data from Ghana to ask how skills have impacted on manufacturing investment and exports in the 1990s. Two dimensions of skills are defined and measure. The first is that observable in the education and experience of the workforce. The second is the underlying efficiency with which the firm operates. The latter is shown to be a significant determinant of both investment and exports. These exports are relatively capital intensive; unskilled labour-intensive exports remain negligible. Possible reasons for these outcomes are discussed.
Empirical Research About Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: A Methodological Review

This article presents a systematic review of empirical research examining intimate partner violence among same-sex couples. Seventeen studies that met the inclusion criteria were rated using a 15-item evaluation questionnaire. The results indicated that the existing body of research examining same-sex intimate partner violence demonstrates some common methodological strengths and limitations. The authors conclude with a list of recommendations for future research based on the results of this study.
Low-dimensional carbon nanotube and graphene devices

Electronic devices in which the electrons are confined to fewer than three spatial dimensions are an important tool for physics research and future developments in computing technology. Recently discovered carbon nanotubes (1991) and graphene (2004) are intrinsically low-dimensional materials with remarkable electronic properties. Combined with semiconductor technologies they might be used to fabricate smaller devices with more complex functionality. This thesis addresses two routes towards this goal. The detection of charge transport through quantum dots using a GaAs point contact is a potential tool for quantum computation. This project aimed to fabricate and measure hybrid devices with carbon nanotube quantum dots on top of GaAs point contacts. Dispersion and AFM manipulations of nanotubes on GaAs were studied, revealing comparatively weak binding. Transport measurements indicated that GaAs induces disorder in nanotubes, creating multiple tunnel barriers. Preliminary attempts were made at CVD growth and ink-jet printing of nanotubes directly onto GaAs. Although only one atom thick, graphene is macroscopic in area and must be patterned to confine conduction; room temperature transistor behaviour requires graphene ribbons only a few nanometres wide. This work fabricated such structures using a charged AFM tip, achieving reliable cutting even on single layer graphene and feature sizes as small as 5 nm. The cutting mechanism was found to be chemical oxidation of carbon by a polarised water layer, with an activation energy determined by the energy of dissociation of water at the graphene surface. The critical variables were the voltage difference between the tip and graphene and the atmospheric humidity. An unstable solid oxide intermediate was also observed. Thermal annealing revealed the presence of a layer of water beneath flakes. Finally, EFM measurements were made of graphene at 20 mK, enabling estimates of the local carrier density and revealing spatial variations in the electronic structure on a scale consistent with electron and hole puddles.
Spectral Pollution

Unfortunately one often encounters the problem of spectral pollution: the matrix may possess eigenvalues which are unrelated to any spectral properties of the original operator. This is an important problem in several areas of applied mathematics, as is illustrated by recent papers, [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 16, 17, 20]. There are methods of detecting and resolving such problems, but they are not easy to understand and for that reason are not well appreciated. Our main result in this paper is the proof that, at least in some situations, the geometrically motivated method of Davies, [7] is mathematically equivalent to the method of Zimmermann and Mertins, [20] which is based on Lehmann’s method [14] and its extension by Goerisch [1]. We also provide various other ideas and examples to motivate the method and show how well it works.
The physiological stress response and oxidative stress biomarkers in rainbow trout and brook trout from selenium‐impacted streams in a coal mining region

Selenium (Se) is an essential element that can be toxic at concentrations slightly greater than those required for homeostasis. The main chronic toxic effects of Se in fish are teratogenic deformities, but Se can also activate the physiological stress response and redox cycle with reduced glutathione causing oxidative damage. Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, appear to be more sensitive to Se than brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis. The objective of this study was to compare the physiological stress response (plasma cortisol, glucose, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, gill Na+/K+ ATPase, cortisol secretory capacity, K and liver somatic index) and oxidative stress biomarkers (liver GSH, GPx, lipid peroxidation, vitamin A and vitamin E) in rainbow trout (RNTR) and brook trout (BKTR) collected from reference and Se‐exposed streams. The physiological stress response was not impaired (cortisol secretory capacity unchanged); although there were species differences in plasma cortisol and plasma glucose levels. Liver GSH, GPx and vitamin levels were higher in RNTR than BKTR, but lipid peroxidation levels were not different. The elevated GSH reserves may make RNTR more sensitive to Se‐induced lipid peroxidation, but this may be offset by the RNTR's higher antioxidant (GPx and vitamin) levels. Species‐specific biochemical differences may mediate differences in Se sensitivity and be used in aquatic Se risk assessments. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aspects of Facial Contrast Decrease with Age and Are Cues for Age Perception

Age is a primary social dimension. We behave differently toward people as a function of how old we perceive them to be. Age perception relies on cues that are correlated with age, such as wrinkles. Here we report that aspects of facial contrast–the contrast between facial features and the surrounding skin–decreased with age in a large sample of adult Caucasian females. These same aspects of facial contrast were also significantly correlated with the perceived age of the faces. Individual faces were perceived as younger when these aspects of facial contrast were artificially increased, but older when these aspects of facial contrast were artificially decreased. These findings show that facial contrast plays a role in age perception, and that faces with greater facial contrast look younger. Because facial contrast is increased by typical cosmetics use, we infer that cosmetics function in part by making the face appear younger.
Species introduction promotes hybridization and introgression in Coregonus: is there sign of selection against hybrids?

Species introductions are considered one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss via ecological interactions and genetic admixture with local fauna. We examined two well‐recognized fish species, native whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and introduced vendace (Coregonus albula), as well as their morphological hybrids in a single lake to test for selection against hybrids and backcrosses in the wild. A representative random subsample of 693 individuals (27.8%) was taken from the total catch of coregonids. This subsample was examined with the aim to select c. 50 individuals of pure whitefish (n = 52), pure vendace (n = 55) and putative hybrid (n = 19) for genetic analyses. The subsequent microsatellites and mitochondrial (mt) DNA analyses provided compelling evidence of hybridization and introgression. Of the 126 fish examined, four were found to be F1, 14 backcrosses to whitefish and seven backcrosses to vendace. The estimates of historical gene flow suggested higher rates from introduced vendace into native whitefish than vice versa, whereas estimates of contemporary gene flow were equal. Mitochondrial introgression was skewed, with 18 backcrosses having vendace mtDNA and only three with whitefish mtDNA. Hybrids and backcrosses had intermediate morphology and niche utilization compared with parental species. No evidence of selection against hybrids or backcrosses was apparent, as both hybrid and backcross growth rates and fecundities were high. Hybrids (F1) were only detected in 2 year‐classes, suggesting temporal variability in mating between vendace and whitefish. However, our data show that hybrids reached sexual maturity and reproduced actively, with backcrosses recorded from six consecutive year‐classes, whereas no F2 individuals were found. The results indicate widespread introgression, as 10.8% of coregonids were estimated to be backcrosses.
Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis with antiviral agents in solid organ transplantation: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of antiviral agents to prevent, in solid organ transplant recipients, cytomegalovirus infection and symptomatic disease and to decrease the incidence of acute rejection, graft loss, and death. METHODS Of the studies identified, 13 met the following inclusion criteria: prospective randomized study, in adults or pediatric recipients of a solid organ transplant, where one group in the study received a prophylactic treatment with acyclovir and/or ganciclovir begun before the cytomegalovirus infection and a control group was not treated or receive placebo. RESULTS Prophylactic treatment was found to be associated with a significant decrease of cytomegalovirus disease compared with placebo or no treatment, using the logarithm of relative risk method (relative risk=0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.62; P-value for chi-square association <0.001). Prophylactic treatment decreased also the rate of cytomegalovirus infection (relative risk=0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.88; P<0.001). Our analysis failed to show a significant decrease of graft loss, acute rejection, and death in the prophylactic treatment group. Subgroup analysis based on the type of antiviral agent (acyclovir or ganciclovir) and on the type of organ (kidney or liver) gave comparable results. CONCLUSION The use of antiviral agents for the prevention of cytomegalovirus disease and cytomegalovirus infection in solid organ transplantation is supported by this meta-analysis.
Empirical Bayes for Learning to Learn

We present a new model for studying mul-titask learning, linking theoretical results to practical simulations. In our model all tasks are combined in a single feedforward neu-ral network. Learning is implemented in a Bayesian fashion. In this Bayesian framework the hidden-to-output weights, being speciic to each task, play the role of model parameters. The input-to-hidden weights, which are shared between all tasks, are treated as hyperparameters. Other hyper-parameters describe error variance and correlations and priors for the model parameters. An important feature of our model is that the probability of these hyperparam-eters given the data can be computed ex-plicitely and only depends on a set of suu-cient statistics. None of these statistics scales with the number of tasks or patterns, which makes empirical Bayes for multitask learning a relatively straightforward optimization problem. Simulations on real-world data sets on single-copy newspaper and magazine sales illustrate properties of multitask learning. Most notably we derive experimental curves for \learning to learn" that can be linked to theoretical results obtained elsewhere.
Simplifying Many-Core-Based Heterogeneous SoC Programming With Offload Directives

Multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MPSoC) are evolving into heterogeneous architectures based on one host processor plus many-core accelerators. While heterogeneous SoCs promise higher performance/watt, they are programmed at the cost of major code rewrites with low-level programming abstractions (e.g, OpenCL). We present a programming model based on OpenMP, with additional directives to program the accelerator from a single host program. As a test case, we evaluate an implementation of this programming model for the STMicroelectronics STHORM development board. We obtain near-ideal throughput for most benchmarks, very close performance to hand-optimized OpenCL codes at a significantly lower programming complexity, and up to 30× speedup versus host execution time.
Low-dose radiation induces antitumor effects and erythrocyte system hormesis.

OBJECTIVE Low dose radiation may stimulate the growth and development of animals, increase life span, enhance fertility, and downgrade the incidence of tumor occurrence.The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumor effect and hormesis in an erythrocyte system induced by low-dose radiation. METHODS Kunming strain male mice were subcutaneously implanted with S180 sarcoma cells in the right inguen as an experimental in situ animal model. Six hours before implantation, the mice were given 75mGy whole body X-ray radiation. Tumor growth was observed 5 days later, and the tumor volume was calculated every other day. Fifteen days later, all mice were killed to measure the tumor weight, and to observe necrotic areas and tumor-infiltration-lymphoreticular cells (TILs). At the same time, erythrocyte immune function and the level of 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3- DPG) were determined. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of EPO and VEGFR of tumor tissues. RESULTS The mice pre-exposed to low dose radiation had a lower tumor formation rate than those without low dose radiation (P < 0.05). The tumor growth slowed down significantly in mice pre-exposed to low dose radiation; the average tumor weight in mice pre-exposed to low dose radiation was lighter too (P < 0.05). The tumor necrosis areas were larger and TILs were more in the radiation group than those of the group without radiation. The erythrocyte immune function, the level of 2,3-DPG in the low dose radiation group were higher than those of the group without radiation (P < 0.05). After irradiation the expression of EPO of tumor tissues in LDR group decreased with time. LDR-24h, LDR-48h and LDR-72h groups were all statistically significantly different from sham-irradiation group. The expression of VEGFR also decreased, and LDR-24h group was the lowest (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Low dose radiation could markedly increase the anti-tumor ability of the organism and improve the erythrocyte immune function and the ability of carrying O2. Low-dose total body irradiation, within a certain period of time, can decrease the expression of hypoxia factor EPO and VEGFR, which may improve the situation of tumor hypoxia and radiosensitivity of tumor itself.
Investigation of DNA spectral conformational changes and polymer buffering capacity in relation to transfection efficiency of DNA/polymer complexes.

PURPOSE The relation between transfection efficiency of DNA/polymer complexes and DNA conformational alterations is investigated. The buffering capacity of several synthetic polymers is also studied to relate their performance in transfection efficiency. METHODS The cationic polymer/DNA interaction was evaluated by measuring the alteration of DNA secondary structures in solution before and after the addition of polymer with ATR-FTIR technique. The degree of protonation in aqueous cationic polymers is varied upon pH and different structures. A polymer capable of protonation acts like a proton sponge to react with H+ in titration with HCl. This characteristic was evaluated in relation to transfection efficiency because the capacity would help the release of endocytotic DNA from endosome/lysosome on its way to expression. RESULTS IR results show that the antisymmetric PO2- vibration of DNA (at 1224 cm-1) shifts toward lower frequencies in complexation with PEI or PLLys (these polymers are able to transfect DNA). By contrast, the antisymmetric PO2- vibration of DNA in presence of PDAMA or dextran (these polymers are poor in DNA transfection) shows a shifting to higher frequencies or no alteration was observed. Interestingly, the polymers with best performance in transfection efficiency are in this order: PEI>PDMAEMA>PLLys>PDAMA>dextran which is in the same order as their polymer buffering capacity. These facts indicate polymers possessing better buffering capacity could result in higher transfection efficiency. Also, we have demonstrated in this paper that the alteration in the antisymmetric PO(2)(-) stretching vibration in the IR spectra is sensitive to the binding of cationic polymers with DNA and the transfection efficiency of the formed complexes. These findings are useful for the developing polymer-based gene delivery systems with better in vitro and in vivo performance. NOVELTY OF THE WORK: this work establishes a rational relation between transfection efficiency of DNA/polymer complexes and DNA conformational alterations. Also, the buffering capacity of polymers is found to be closely related to their performance in transfection efficiency.
Signal processing at 250 MHz using high-performance FPGA's

This paper describes an application in high-performance signal processing using reconfigurable computing engines: a 250 MHz cross correlator for radio astronomy. Experimental results indicate that complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) field programmable gate arrays (FPGA's) can perform useful computation at 250 MHz. The notion of an "event horizon" for FPGA's leads to clear design constraints for high-speed application developers, and can be applied to a variety of real-time signal processing algorithms. Recent estimates indicate that higher performance FPGA's available early in 1998 can attain speeds of over 300 MHz using 20% fewer logic elements than current designs. The results of this design work provide important clues on how to improve FPGA architectures for signal processing at hundreds of MHz. Direct routing channels between logic elements can significantly increase performance. Routing architectures with four-way symmetry allow for rotations and reflections of subcircuits needed for optimal packing density. Experimental results indicate that clock buffering often limits the top speed of the FPGA. Wave pipelining of the clock distribution network may improve FPGA performance.
Selection strategies for newly registered blood donors in European countries.

BACKGROUND Two selection strategies for newly-registered blood donors are available: a single-visit selection called the standard selection procedure (SSP), and a two-stage selection named predonation and donation screening (PDS). This study reviews the selection strategies for newly-registered donors currently applied in European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected data on donor selection procedures, blood donation, laboratory screening and HIV, HCV and HBV positive donors/donations from 2010 to 2013 in 30 European countries by using questionnaires. We grouped the countries according to the applied selection strategy, and for each country, we calculated the 4-year prevalence of confirmed positive results indicating the presence of overall and recent HIV, HCV and HBV infections among first-time and repeat donations and among newly-registered donors. RESULTS Most of the 24 countries (80%) apply the SSP strategy for selection of newly-registered donors. Twenty-two countries (73.3%) employ a nucleic acid amplification testing in addition to the mandatory serological screening. The survey confirms a higher overall prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV infections among first-time donations and newly-registered donors than among repeat donations. In contrast, the prevalence of recently acquired HIV and HCV infections was lower among first-time donations and newly-registered donors than among repeat donations, but higher for recent HBV infections (6.7/105 vs 2.6/105 in the SSP setting and 4.3/105 vs 0.5/105 in one country using PDS). The relatively low numbers of infected donors selected by PDS impeded accurate assessment of the prevalence of recent infections in first-time donations. DISCUSSION The data from European countries provide inconclusive evidence that applying PDS reduces the risk of donations being made in the diagnostic window of first-time donors. The impact of PDS on the risk of window-period donations and blood donor management needs further investigation.
Parental risk management in relation to offspring defence: bad news for kids

Do parents defend their offspring whenever necessary, and do self-sacrificing parents really exist? Studies recognized that parent defence is dynamic, mainly depending on the threat predators pose. In this context, parental risk management should consider the threat to themselves and to their offspring. Consequently, the observed defence should be a composite of both risk components. Surprisingly, no study so far has determined the influence of these two threat components on parental decision rules. In a field experiment, we investigated parental risk taking in relation to the threat posed to themselves and their offspring. To disentangle the two threat components, we examined defence behaviours of parent blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus towards three different predators and during different nestling developmental stages. Nest defence strategies in terms of alarm call intensity and nearest predator approach differed between the three predators. Defence intensity was only partly explained by threat level. Most importantly, parental risk management varied in relation to their own, but not offspring risk. Parent defence investment was independent of nestling risk when parents followed a high-risk strategy. However, parents considered nestling as well as parental risk when following a low-risk strategy. Our findings could have general implications for the economy of risk management and decision-making strategies in living beings, including humans.