Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MAVEN insights into oxygen pickup ions at Mars

Since Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN)'s arrival at Mars on 21 September 2014, the SEP (Solar Energetic Particle) instrument on board the MAVEN spacecraft has been detecting oxygen pickup ions with energies of a few tens of keV up to ~200 keV. These ions are created in the distant upstream part of the hot atomic oxygen exosphere of Mars, via photoionization, charge exchange with solar wind protons, and electron impact. Once ionized, atomic oxygen ions are picked up by the solar wind and accelerated downstream, reaching energies high enough for SEP to detect them. We model the flux of oxygen pickup ions observed by MAVEN SEP in the undisturbed upstream solar wind and compare our results with SEP's measurements. Model‐data comparisons of SEP fluxes confirm that pickup oxygen associated with the Martian exospheric hot oxygen is indeed responsible for the MAVEN SEP observations.
Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis of the Mobile App Ecosystem

Mobile applications (apps) have been gaining popularity due to the advances in mobile technologies and the large increase in the number of mobile users. Consequently, several app distribution platforms, which provide a new way for developing, downloading, and updating software applications in modern mobile devices, have recently emerged. To better understand the download patterns, popularity trends, and development strategies in this rapidly evolving mobile app ecosystem, we systematically monitored and analyzed four popular third-party Android app marketplaces. Our study focuses on measuring, analyzing, and modeling the app popularity distribution and explores how pricing and revenue strategies affect app popularity and developers’ income. Our results indicate that unlike web and peer-to-peer file sharing workloads, the app popularity distribution deviates from commonly observed Zipf-like models. We verify that these deviations can be mainly attributed to a new download pattern, which we refer to as the clustering effect. We validate the existence of this effect by revealing a strong temporal affinity of user downloads to app categories. Based on these observations, we propose a new formal clustering model for the distribution of app downloads and demonstrate that it closely fits measured data. Moreover, we observe that paid apps follow a different popularity distribution than free apps and show how free apps with an ad-based revenue strategy may result in higher financial benefits than paid apps. We believe that this study can be useful to appstore designers for improving content delivery and recommendation systems, as well as to app developers for selecting proper pricing policies to increase their income.
Statistical Evaluation of Test Sets Using Mutation Analysis

Evaluation of the ability of test sets for fault detection, and indirectly also evaluation of the quality of test techniques that generate those test sets, have become more of an issue in software testing. Based on mutation analysis, this paper evaluates and compares fault detection ability of test sets using statistical techniques. In this process also different mutant types (and indirectly different fault types) are considered. A case study, drawn from a large commercial web-based system, validates the approach and analyzes its characteristics.
Antigen affinity discrimination is an intrinsic function of the B cell receptor

Antibody affinity maturation, a hallmark of adaptive immune responses, results from the selection of B cells expressing somatically hypermutated B cell receptors (BCRs) with increased affinity for antigens. Despite the central role of affinity maturation in antibody responses, the molecular mechanisms by which the increased affinity of a B cell for antigen is translated into a selective advantage for that B cell in immune responses is incompletely understood. We use high resolution live-cell imaging to provide evidence that the earliest BCR-intrinsic events that follow within seconds of BCR–antigen binding are highly sensitive to the affinity of the BCR for antigen. High affinity BCRs readily form oligomers and the resulting microclusters grow rapidly, resulting in enhanced recruitment of Syk kinase and calcium fluxes. Thus, B cells are able to read the affinity of antigen by BCR-intrinsic mechanisms during the earliest phases of BCR clustering, leading to the initiation of B cell responses.
PD-1/PD-L1 expression on CD4+ T cells and myeloid DCs correlates with the immune pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation

Although immuno‐inflammatory response contributes to pathogenesis of AF, molecular and cellular mechanism in this process remains poorly understood. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that Programmed death‐1 (PD‐1)/PD‐1 ligand (PD‐L) pathway may be a potential pathway participating in AF pathogenesis. In this study, we detected the PD‐1 and PD‐L1, 2 expression on peripheral blood function cells by flow cytometry in 91 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and 35 healthy volunteers. The expression of PD‐1 on CD4+ T cells and PD‐L1 on myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) in AF patients is significantly down‐regulated compared with healthy volunteers. In addition, the extent of PD‐1/PD‐L1 down‐regulation is closely related with AF burden. More importantly, Allogeneic mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR) shows that the mDCs PD‐L1 down‐regulation is associated with increased T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) proliferation, increased type 1 effector cytokines (IL‐2 and IFN‐γ) secretion, and decreased type 2 effector cytokine (IL‐10) secretion. Then, PD‐L1 up‐regulation by the stimulation of IFN‐α can significantly convert this representation. Collectively, our report suggest that T(CD4+)/mDCs‐associated PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway plays a key role in AF immune regulation. PD‐1/PD‐L1 down‐regulation in AF patients promotes T cells function and may contribute to AF pathogenesis.
Influence of Commercial Saturated Monoglyceride, Mono-/Diglycerides Mixtures, Vegetable Oil, Stirring Speed, and Temperature on the Physical Properties of Organogels

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gelator, vegetable oil, stirring speed, and temperature on the physical properties of obtained organogels. They were prepared under varying independent conditions and applying a fractional experimental design. From there a rheological characterization was developed. The physical characterization also included polarized light microscopy and calorimetric analysis. Once these data were obtained, X-Ray diffraction was applied to selected samples and a microstructure lattice was confirmed. Commonly, the only conditions that affect crystallization have been analyzed (temperature, solvent, gelator, and cooling rate). We found that stirring speed is the most important parameter in the organogel preparation.
Development of the vertebrate central nervous system: formation of the neural tube

The developmental process of neurulation involves a series of coordinated morphological events, which result in conversion of the flat neural plate into the neural tube, the primordium of the entire central nervous system (CNS). Failure of neurulation results in neural tube defects (NTDs), severe abnormalities of the CNS, which are among the commonest of congenital malformations in humans. In order to gain insight into the embryological basis of NTDs, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, it is necessary to understand the morphogenetic processes and molecular mechanisms underlying neural tube closure. The mouse is the most extensively studied mammalian experimental model for studies of neurulation, while considerable insight into underlying developmental mechanisms has also arisen from studies in other model systems, particularly birds and amphibians. We describe the process of neural tube formation, discuss the cellular mechanisms involved and highlight recent findings that provide links between molecular signaling pathways and morphogenetic tissue movements. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of Class I HLA T Cell Control Epitopes for West Nile Virus

The recent West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in the United States underscores the importance of understanding human immune responses to this pathogen. Via the presentation of viral peptide ligands at the cell surface, class I HLA mediate the T cell recognition and killing of WNV infected cells. At this time, there are two key unknowns in regards to understanding protective T cell immunity: 1) the number of viral ligands presented by the HLA of infected cells, and 2) the distribution of T cell responses to these available HLA/viral complexes. Here, comparative mass spectroscopy was applied to determine the number of WNV peptides presented by the HLA-A*11:01 of infected cells after which T cell responses to these HLA/WNV complexes were assessed. Six viral peptides derived from capsid, NS3, NS4b, and NS5 were presented. When T cells from infected individuals were tested for reactivity to these six viral ligands, polyfunctional T cells were focused on the GTL9 WNV capsid peptide, ligands from NS3, NS4b, and NS5 were less immunogenic, and two ligands were largely inert, demonstrating that class I HLA reduce the WNV polyprotein to a handful of immune targets and that polyfunctional T cells recognize infections by zeroing in on particular HLA/WNV epitopes. Such dominant HLA/peptide epitopes are poised to drive the development of WNV vaccines that elicit protective T cells as well as providing key antigens for immunoassays that establish correlates of viral immunity.
Integrated Characterisation of Envisat Ozone Profile Data Using Ground-Based Network Data

We report an integrated validation study of ozone profile data measured by the three Envisat ozone profilers, Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars (GOMOS), Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS), and Scanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY). The study is based on pseudo-global comparisons with correlative data collected by the Atmospheric Chemistry Validation Team for Envisat (ACVT-GBMCD). The study concludes to a reasonable quality and consistency of Envisat profiles when adequate data selection (e.g. dark limb GOMOS data only) and vertical ranges are envisaged. Global structures, seasonal variations and pointing errors are further investigated.
High and Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation Induce Different Secretome Profiles in a Human Skin Model

It is postulated that secreted soluble factors are important contributors of bystander effect and adaptive responses observed in low dose ionizing radiation. Using multidimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based proteomics, we quantified the changes of skin tissue secretome – the proteins secreted from a full thickness, reconstituted 3-dimensional skin tissue model 48 hr after exposure to 3, 10 and 200 cGy of X-rays. Overall, 135 proteins showed statistical significant difference between the sham (0 cGy) and any of the irradiated groups (3, 10 or 200 cGy) on the basis of Dunnett adjusted t-test; among these, 97 proteins showed a trend of downregulation and 9 proteins showed a trend of upregulation with increasing radiation dose. In addition, there were 21 and 8 proteins observed to have irregular trends with the 10 cGy irradiated group either having the highest or the lowest level among all three radiated doses. Moreover, two proteins, carboxypeptidase E and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 were sensitive to ionizing radiation, but relatively independent of radiation dose. Conversely, proteasome activator complex subunit 2 protein appeared to be sensitive to the dose of radiation, as rapid upregulation of this protein was observed when radiation doses were increased from 3, to 10 or 200 cGy. These results suggest that different mechanisms of action exist at the secretome level for low and high doses of ionizing radiation.
The k−3 and k−5/3 Energy Spectrum of Atmospheric Turbulence: Quasigeostrophic Two-Level Model Simulation

The Nastrom‐Gage energy spectrum of atmospheric turbulence as a function of wavelength is simulated here with a two-level quasigeostrophic (QG) model. This simple model has no topography, no direct wave forcing, and no small-scale forcing, nor any kind of gravity wave generation. The two-level model does, however, allow for the simple mechanism of baroclinic energy injection at the large (synoptic) scales as the model atmosphere relaxes to a specified north‐south ‘‘radiative equilibrium’’ temperature gradient. It also has a small sink of energy at the small scales due to subgrid hyperdiffusion; this attempts to model the small-scale sink not resolved by the two-level QG model, in particular, enhanced viscous dissipation in atmospheric fronts. The magnitude and shape of the observed energy spectrum, with its characteristic k23 power-law behavior in the synoptic and subsynoptic scales (from several thousand to about eight hundred kilometers) and the characteristic k25/3 behavior in the mesoscales (less than about six hundred kilometers), are reproduced convincingly in the model. The picture that emerges for the energy spectrum of atmospheric turbulence from a few kilometers to tens of thousands of kilometers is actually quite simple. The potential energy of the mean flow, which is derived from solar heating with no scale dependence, is transferred selectively to the long synoptic scales of motion via the mechanism of (nonlinear) baroclinic instability. The injected energy moves both upscale, to the planetary waves where it is damped by Ekman damping, and also downscale, through the short synoptic waves, through the mesoscales, to the short mesoscales, where it can be damped by viscous dissipation. There is no need for dynamics other than QG to produce the spectrum. (However, the present work cannot be used to rule out other explanations, such as gravity wave generation, or a separate energy source at the small scales.)
Distributive, collective and "everything"in between: interpretation of universal quantifiers in child and adult language

In this paper we studied the interpretation of sentences with the Dutch universal quantifiers alle (all) and elke (each) in collective, distributive and cumulative situations. In the first experiment, 25 adults and 30 children from 5 and 6 years old performed a truth-value judgement task. Adults and children show similar interpretations for collective and distributive, but perform different for cumulative. As a follow-up we performed a preference task. Participants gave their preferences for the three situations for both quantifiers. Children, regardless of the quantifier, prefer the distributive situation. Adults have a strong preference for distributive for elke, showing a wider range of interpretation for alle. These data clearly indicate that Dutch children do not yet have acquired the full range of restrictions for the quantifiers alle and elke.
Central blood pressure and its amplification: a final breakthrough or do we need more?

This editorial refers to ‘Establishing reference values for central blood pressure and its amplification in a general healthy population and according to cardiovascular risk factors’[†][1], by A. Herbert et al. , on page 3122. Blood pressure is one of the cardinal risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures are measured at the level of the brachial artery, positioned at a mid-thoracic level with an adequately sized cuff and bladder. Treatment of arterial hypertension with lifestyle and drugs has become one of the cornerstones of contemporary cardiology. Subjects and patients should all have office blood pressures <140/90 mmHg. Office blood pressure measurements have to be complemented by out-of-office measurements in order to rely on frequent rather than punctual measurements.1 These non-invasive cuff brachial pressures underestimate invasively measured blood pressures,2 but nevertheless are the firm ground of evidence-based medicine, while invasive pressures are not. During the last decades, we have witnessed important research on properties of the arterial tree and on distortion of the pressure waveform from the central aorta to the brachial and radial artery. This distortion was attributed to wave travel and wave reflection.3 This explains why the radial pressure wave is much more peaked than the central aortic or carotid pressure wave, and has a higher systolic pressure. Overall, the minimum (diastolic) and mean blood pressure values change little from one location to the other. On this physiological basis, researchers compute central-to-peripheral pressure amplification and central systolic pressure. Emerging evidence suggests that central pressure is better related to future cardiovascular events than is brachial pressure, and responds differently to certain drugs.4 The idea … [1]: #fn-2
Tactile function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy compared to typically developing children

Purpose: Tactile deficits have been understudied in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) using a limited range of tactile assessments. This study aims to characterize performance across a comprehensive battery of tactile registration and perception assessments in children with UCP and typically developing children (TDC). Methods: Fifty-two children with UCP (Gross Motor Function Classification System I = 34, II = 18; Manual Ability Classification System I = 36, II = 16) and 34 TDC were assessed using Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments (tactile registration), and single-point localization, double simultaneous, static and moving two-point discrimination, stereognosis, and texture perception (tactile perception). Results: Children with UCP performed consistently worse with their impaired hand than their unimpaired hand (Z = 2.77–5.61; p < 0.005). Both hands of children with UCP performed worse than either hand of TDC (Z = −2.08 to 5.23; p = 0.037–< 0.001). Forty percent of children with UCP had tactile registration and perception deficits, 37% had perception deficits only and 23% had no tactile deficit. The larger the tactile registration deficit, the poorer the performance on all tactile perceptual tests (r = 0.568–0.670; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Most children with UCP demonstrate poor tactile perception and over one-third also demonstrate poor tactile registration. We contend that tactile dysfunction may contribute to functional impairment and is a possible target for intervention. Implications for Rehabilitation: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent physical disability in childhood, with an incidence of approximately 2 cases per 1000 live births; about 35% of children with CP have unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Assessment and treatment has been focused on the motor impairment; however, it is known that children with UCP are also likely to have sensory impairment. Understanding the nature and severity of sensory, specifically tactile, impairment in children with UCP will assist therapists to direct treatment accordingly and possibly impact the motor impairment.
Fractal dimension in software networks

A large number of real networks are characterized by two fundamental properties: they are small world and scale-free. A recent paper demonstrated that the structure of many complex networks is also self-similar under a length-scale transformation, and calculated their fractal dimension using the “box counting” method. We studied nine large object-oriented software systems, finding that the graphs associated to these networks are self-similar. We also studied the time evolution of the fractal dimension during system growth, finding a significant correlation between the fractal dimension and object-oriented complexity metrics known to be correlated with software fault-proneness. Thus, in software systems the fractal dimension could be considered as a measure of internal complexity, and consequently of the system quality.
LORETA Z-score Neurofeedback-Effectiveness in Rehabilitation of Patients Suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury

This is a multi-case study involving sixty-seven patients diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that were subjected to Z-score neurofeedback (NFB) therapy. Most of the patients were diagnosed with mild TBI and treated within the first year after brain injury. A few patients were diagnosed with more severe TBI and treated after one year or later following their head injury incident. Most of the patients complained of headaches and cognitive problems while some of them also suffered from dizziness and overlapping depression. Those who complained of cognitive problems were subjected to analysis with computerized cognitive testing (NeuroTrax, Inc.) before and after ten sessions of NFB. During the NFB therapy the subjective response from patients was collected in order to discern whether or not there was an improvement of their symptoms. In addition, QEEG maps were completed before each NFB session initiation in order to see an objective improvement of QEEG abnormalities. Subsequent analysis revealed that 59 out of 67 patients (88%) noticed subjective improvement of their symptoms within 10 sessions of NFB therapy, out of which most of them reported an improvement after only 1-3 NFB sessions. 54 patients also had an objective improvement of QEEG maps (80%) manifesting as reduction of excessive beta activity and/or normalization of delta or theta power. 45 patients completed prior and post NFB neurocognitive testing with 34 patients (76%) having significant cognitive enhancement (Global Cognitive Score increased between 3-30 points). These results are very encouraging and indicate high potential of Z-score LORETA NFB rehabilitation of patients suffering from TBI.
Université catholique de Louvain

High-level carbapenem resistance is worryingly increasing in clinical isolates and is often attributed to carbapenemase expression. This study aimed to determine the mechanisms leading to high-level meropenem resistance in six carbapenemase-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and seven carbapenemase-positive isolates from patients suffering from hospitalacquired pneumonia (HAP). MICs were determined in the absence or presence of l-arginine or glycine– glutamate as competitive substrates for OprD (OccD1) or OpdP (OccD3), respectively, or the efflux pump inhibitor Phe-Arg β-naphthylamide (PAβN). β-Lactamases were screened by phenotypic tests and/or PCR. The oprD gene and its promoter were sequenced; protein expression was evidenced by SDS-PAGE.mexA, mexX, mexC and mexE transcripts were evaluated by real-time and semiquantitative PCR. Meropenem/ imipenem MICs were 64–128/16–32 mg/L and 128/128–256 mg/L in CF and HAP isolates, respectively; PAβN reduced meropenemMICs to 4–16 mg/L only and specifically in CF isolates; porin competitors had no effect on MICs. All isolates showed an increase in transcription levels of mexA,mexX and/ormexC and mutations in oprD leading to production of truncated proteins. AmpC-type cephalosporinases were overexpressed in CF isolates and VIM-2 was expressed in HAP isolates. Antibiotic exclusion from bacteria by concomitant efflux and reduced uptake is sufficient to confer high-level resistance to meropenem in isolates overexpressing AmpC-type cephalosporinases. As efflux is preponderant in these isolates, it confers a paradoxical phenotype where meropenem is less active than imipenem. Concomitant susceptibility testing of both carbapenems and rapid elucidation of the most probable resistance mechanisms is thus warranted. © 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.