Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunocytochemical identification of T-cells in HIV-1 encephalitis: implications for pathogenesis of CNS disease.

T-lymphocytes enter the brain in viral encephalitides. The monoclonal antibodies UCHL1 and Leu22 are widely used to identify these cells; however, both antibodies cross-react with peripheral blood monocytes, cells ontologically related to brain macrophages and microglia. This study examines the nature of UCHL1- and Leu22-positive cells in HIV-1 encephalitis, and investigates whether they carry the gp41 epitope of HIV-1. Formalin-fixed sections of brain from eight AIDS patients were double-stained using combinations of UCHL1 and Leu22 antibodies with the lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA), a lectin that binds to microglia, macrophages, and multinucleated giant cells (MNGC), or antibody to the gp41 transmembrane protein of HIV-1 and UCHL1. Some sections were also stained with the OPD4 antibody to helper/inducer T-cells. Small round cells were single-stained for UCHL1 and Leu22 in all cases. A few cells having morphologic characteristics of microglia, macrophages, and MNGC were observed using double stains employing UCHL1 or Leu22 and RCA, or UCHL1 or Leu22 and anti-gp41. Small round cells positive for both UCHL1 or Leu22 and gp41 could represent either macrophages or lymphocytes. The presence of small round cells positive only for UCHL1 or Leu22 in double-stained sections strongly suggests that T-cells are present in the brain in HIV encephalitis. Only a few of these cells were positive with OPD4 antibody for T-helper cells. Inability to demonstrate unequivocally HIV-1-infected T-cells suggests that microglia and macrophages, not T-cells, are the more important reservoirs of retrovirus in the brain. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Quickest Sequential Multiband Spectrum Sensing With Mixed Observations

Spectrum sensing is a key technology enabling the cognitive radio system. In this paper, the problem of how to quickly and accurately find an unoccupied channel from a large amount of potential channels is considered. The cognitive radio system under consideration is equipped with a narrow band sensor, hence it can only sense those potential channels in a sequential manner. In this scenario, we propose a novel two-stage mixed-observation sensing strategy. In the first stage, which is named as scanning stage, the sensor observes a linear combination of the signals from a pair of channels. The purpose of the scanning stage is to quickly identify a pair of channels such that at least one of them is highly likely to be unoccupied. In the second stage, which is called refinement stage, the sensor only observers the signal from one of those two channels identified from the first stage, and selects one of them as the unoccupied channel. The problem under this setup is an ordered two concatenated Markov stopping time problem. The optimal solution is solved using the tools from the multiple stopping time theory. It turns out that the optimal solution has a rather complex structure, hence a low complexity algorithm is proposed to facilitate the implementation. In the proposed low complexity algorithm, the cumulative sum test is adopted in the scanning stage and the sequential probability ratio test is adopted in the refinement stage. The performance of this low complexity algorithm is analyzed when the presence of unoccupied channels is rare. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed sensing strategy can significantly reduce the sensing time when the majority of potential channels are occupied.
Tears or thinning ? Subduction structures in the Pacific plate beneath the Japanese Islands

The nature of a subduction zone at depth is affected by the evolution of its tectonic system, and the geometry of the trench line can change over time due to slab roll-back or the arrival of a distinctive feature with the incoming oceanic lithosphere. The configuration of the plate has to accommodate such changes with buckling, thinning or the formation of tears depending on the rate of influx to the trench. Tomographic imaging is commonly used to recognise the presence of such tears through marked reductions in wavespeed anomalies in localised zones. A good example is provided by Pacific plate subduction beneath the Japanese Islands. A horizontal tear in the plate below 300 km depth can be recognised at the southern end of the Izu-Bonin arc associated with the change in slab morphology to the much steeper Mariana arc. Beneath southern Honshu a break in the fast wavespeeds associated with the Pacific plate has been described as a tear based on the evidence of converted phases from the edge of the zone and tensional focal mechanisms for seismic events in the tear zone. In the north, close to the Hokkaido bend in the subduction zone, the reduction in the shear wavespeed anomaly is just as dramatic, but here the characteristics of high frequency guided waves from deep earthquakes indicate continuity of slab material with thinning of the slab. The thinned slab has less wavespeed contrast within the affected cells and so appears in the tomographic images as a weakened anomaly. The various modes of slab deformation represent different ways in which the subducted material accommodates the strains imposed by the evolution of the geometry of the subduction scenario. Not all significant reductions in wavespeed anomalies represent tears and thus it is important that such interpretations be checked against the characteristics ugh t
The relativity of bandwidth - the pursuit of truly ultra wideband radiators for communication applications

An overview on the design of increasingly wider bandwidth radiators that are amenable to being integrated in array configurations is presented. The initial step is represented by moderate bandwidth radiator of the cavity backed patch antennas. The bandwidth characteristics are then substantially increased by combining coplanar waveguide (CPW) feedings and profiled dipoles, the result being radiators with unprecedented performances. This type of radiators are further refined for improving their time-domain adequacy or for ensuring intrinsic filtering properties.
Strain accumulation in dense sands due to shear stress cycles

This paper investigates the response of granular materials to large numbers of shear stress cycles applied after monotonic loading to various levels of mobilized shear strength. Such stress conditions occur underneath the foundations of structures loaded by non-seismic oscillating forces, e.g. those due to wind and sea waves in tall buildings and offshore structures or induced by vibrating machines. Large numbers of load cycles can induce severe irreversible settlements of foundations and occasionally collapse, even when large safety factors are adopted with respect to bearing capacity in static conditions. Dense Toyoura sand has been used throughout the experimental investigation. Monotonic and cyclic tests have been carried out on specimens loaded in triaxial compression and extension, both in drained and undrained conditions. Specimens have undergone a large number of shear stress cycles and the conditions which cause accumulation of large deformations and even collapse have been analysed. An empirical approach for evaluating the accumulated irreversible strains is also presented.
A load profile prediction model for residential consumers in South Africa

A revised model that estimates the load profiles for residential consumers in South Africa was developed and is described in this paper. Through the NRS 034 domestic load research programme a large number of load profiles of residential consumers from various Living Standards Measure (ie LSM) classes were collected. The load profiles are further described by a set of socio demographic indicators which is obtained through a front-door survey. A model that relates the hourly customer load profiles to household income, time electrified and region was developed and the output may be used in various planning activities, e.g. electrification design, network expansion planning, long term load forecasting etc. This analysis covers all data collected to end of 2011. A software implementation of the model is available which allows the user to obtain estimates of hourly profiles for different months given a set of input parameters.
A new algorithm for the relationship between vision and ametropia

Refraction simulators used for undergraduate training at Aston University did not realistically reflect variations in the relationship between vision and ametropia. This was because they used an algorithm, taken from the research literature, that strictly only applied to myopes or older hyperopes and did not factor in age and pupil diameter. The aim of this study was to generate new algorithms that overcame these limitations. Clinical data were collected from the healthy right eyes of 873 white subjects aged between 20 and 70 years. Vision and refractive error were recorded along with age and pupil diameter. Re-examination of 34 subjects enabled the calculation of coefficients of repeatability. The study population was slightly biased towards females and included many contact lens wearers. Sex and contact lens wear were, therefore, recorded in order to determine whether these might influence the findings. In addition, iris colour and cylinder axis orientation were recorded as these might also be influential. A novel Blur Sensitivity Ratio (BSR) was derived by dividing vision (expressed as minimum angle of resolution) by refractive error (expressed as a scalar vector, U). Alteration of the scalar vector, to account for additional vision reduction due to oblique cylinder axes, was not found to be useful. Decision tree analysis showed that sex, contact lens wear, iris colour and cylinder axis orientation did not influence the BSR. The following algorithms arose from two stepwise multiple linear regressions: BSR (myopes) = 1.13 + (0.24 x pupil diameter) + (0.14 x U) BSR (hyperopes) = (0.11 x pupil diameter) + (0.03 x age) - 0.22 These algorithms together accounted for 84% of the observed variance. They showed that pupil diameter influenced vision in both forms of ametropia. They also showed the age-related decline in the ability to accommodate in order to overcome reduced vision in hyperopia.
Properties of Q-Type Calcium Channels in Neostriatal and Cortical Neurons are Correlated with β Subunit Expression

In brain neurons, P- and Q-type Ca2+ channels both appear to include a class A α1 subunit. In spite of this similarity, these channels differ pharmacologically and biophysically, particularly in inactivation kinetics. The molecular basis for this difference is unclear. In heterologous systems, alternative splicing and ancillary β subunits have been shown to alter biophysical properties of channels containing a class A α1 subunit. To test the hypothesis that similar mechanisms are at work in native systems, P- and Q-type currents were characterized in acutely isolated rat neostriatal, medium spiny neurons and cortical pyramidal neurons using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. Cells were subsequently aspirated and subjected to single-cell RT-PCR (scRT-PCR) analysis of calcium channel α1 and β (β1–4) subunit expression. In both cortical and neostriatal neurons, P- and Q-type currents were found in cells expressing class A α1subunit mRNA. Although P-type currents in cortical and neostriatal neurons were similar, Q-type currents differed significantly in inactivation kinetics. Notably, Q-type currents in neostriatal neurons were similar to P-type currents in inactivation rate. The variation in Q-type channel biophysics was correlated with β subunit expression. Neostriatal neurons expressed significantly higher levels of β2a mRNA and lower levels of β1b mRNA than cortical neurons. These findings are consistent with the association of β2a and β1b subunits with slow and fast inactivation, respectively. Analysis of α1Asplice variants in the linker between domains I and II failed to provide an alternative explanation for the differences in inactivation rates. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the biophysical properties of Q-type channels are governed by β subunit isoforms and are separable from toxin sensitivity.
Association of HFE mutations with neurodegeneration and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease and correlation with APOE

Oxidative stress enhanced by transition metals such as iron forms an attractive hypothesis for neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Iron is increased in the brain in AD, but whether this is a primary abnormality or the result of secondary accumulation is unclear. Among several genetic loci associated with AD, the locus at chromosome 6p21 contains the hereditary hemochromatosis gene HFE. To determine whether a genetic predisposition to iron accumulation is associated with AD, we evaluated three hemochromatosis‐associated HFE mutations and APOE in cognitively and histopathologically evaluated subjects with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), non‐demented controls with AD‐like pathologic changes defined by Braak stage ≥ 3 (high pathology controls (HPC)), and non‐demented controls without significant histologic changes (low‐pathology controls (LPC)). In a subset, we examined ventricular (CSF) fluid F2‐isoprostane (F2‐IsoP) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Seventeen subjects demonstrated homozygous or compound heterozygous HFE mutations, 13 (9.4%) in the AD/MCI group (P = 0.019 vs. LPC) and four (20%) in the HPC group (P = 0.006, P < 0.05 with Bonferroni correction vs. LPC). In contrast, the APOE4 allele frequency was increased only in the AD/MCI patients (P < 10−3 vs. HPC, P < 10−6 vs. LPC). F2‐IsoP levels were increased in AD subjects with any HFE mutation versus wild type HFE (P = 0.027). Although confirmation is required, these findings suggest that HFE mutations are associated with increased oxidative stress and Braak stage, and that HFE and APOE genotypes are different between AD patients, high pathology and low pathology controls. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What is the right way to represent document images?

In this article we study the problem of document image representation based on visual features. We propose a comprehensive experimental study that compares three types of visual document image representations: (1) traditional so-called shallow features, such as the RunLength and the Fisher-Vector descriptors, (2) deep features based on Convolutional Neural Networks, and (3) features extracted from hybrid architectures that take inspiration from the two previous ones. We evaluate these features in several tasks (i.e. classification, clustering, and retrieval) and in different setups (e.g. domain transfer) using several public and in-house datasets. Our results show that deep features generally outperform other types of features when there is no domain shift and the new task is closely related to the one used to train the model. However, when a large domain or task shift is present, the Fisher-Vector shallow features generalize better and often obtain the best results.
Available Moisture Storage Capacity in Relation to Textural Composition and Organic Matter Content of Several Missouri Soils

Analaysis of the available moisture storage data for 271 profile horizon samples from soils of northwestern, central, eastern, and southwestern Missouri show that for these dominantly silty soils available moisture storage capacity (A.W.C.) decreases with clay and increases with silt content. Coarse silt (0.05 to 0.02 mm.) increases A.W. C. more than fine silt (0.02 to 0.002 mm.). A.W. C. also increases generally with organic matter content but since organic matter increases with coarse silt and decreases with clay the effect can be attributed to textural changes. The siltrich surface is higher in organic matter and A.W. C. than the clay-rich subsoil (particularly the clay pans). Only in a grouping of samples between 13 and 20% clay is there evidence that organic matter may improve storage, possibly by forming silt sized microaggregates in the clay. This effect is not apparent in soils dominated by fine textural components and relatively low in organic matter.
Racial Differences in HIV/AIDS Discussion Strategies and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Drug-Abusing Female Criminal Offenders

Abstract African-American female inmates are disproportionately affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with heterosexual contact as the primary mode of transmission. This could be the result of racial differences in the strategies used by women to persuade a potential sexual partner to discuss HIV/AIDS and engage in condom use. Data were collected from 336 female inmates as part of the Reducing Risky Relationships for HIV (RRR-HIV) protocol within the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) cooperative agreement. Bivariate analyses indicated that African-American drug-using women were more likely than Whites to use the rational, withdrawal, and persistence approaches to discuss HIV/AIDS with a sexual partner. Negative binomial regression models were used to identify which interpersonal discussion strategies were significant correlates of the number of the times White and African-American participants had unprotected vaginal sex in the 30 days before incarceration. Results from the multivariate model indicate that White women who are more likely to use the rational discussion strategy were 15% less likely to engage in unprotected vaginal sex; however, these findings were not replicated in the African-American sample. Findings add to the literature on racial differences in HIV/AIDS discussion strategies and sexual risk behaviors among drug-abusing female criminal offenders.
Denitrification mechanisms in the polar stratospheres

Microphysical simulations suggest that the time required for nitric acid particles to sediment from the stratosphere is comparable to the time required for falling ice particles to incorporate nitric acid vapor from the vapor phase. Since nitric acid particles form earlier in the winter than ice particles these simulations favor denitrification being a separate process from dehydration, with denitrification being due to nitric acid particles and dehydration due to ice particles. In our simulations, the column abundance of nitric acid is only depleted if temperatures low enough for nitric acid particles to exist extend to the altitude above which the column is measured. Such low temperatures are infrequent in the Arctic lower stratosphere, which may be the main reason that the Arctic stratospheric column shows little loss of nitric acid dining winter, while the colder Antarctic stratospheric column shows a substantial loss of nitric acid. In order to learn more about denitrification mechanisms further observational and laboratory studies are needed.
Brill's PoS Tagger with Extended Lexical Templates for Hungarian

In this paper Brill’s rule-based PoS tagger is tested and adapted to Hungarian. It is shown that the present system does not obtain as high accuracy for Hungarian as it does for English because of the structural difference between these languages. Hungarian has rich morphology, is agglutinative with inflectional characteristics and has free word order. The tagger has the greatest difficulties with parts-of-speech belonging to open classes because of their complicated morphological structure. The accuracy of tagging can be increased from 83% to 97% by changing the rule generating mechanisms, namely the lexical templates in the lexical training module.
The Modulating Effect of Personality Traits on Neural Error Monitoring: Evidence from Event-Related fMRI

The present study investigated the association between traits of the Five Factor Model of Personality (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness for Experiences, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) and neural correlates of error monitoring obtained from a combined Eriksen-Flanker-Go/NoGo task during event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging in 27 healthy subjects. Individual expressions of personality traits were measured using the NEO-PI-R questionnaire. Conscientiousness correlated positively with error signaling in the left inferior frontal gyrus and adjacent anterior insula (IFG/aI). A second strong positive correlation was observed in the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC). Neuroticism was negatively correlated with error signaling in the inferior frontal cortex possibly reflecting the negative inter-correlation between both scales observed on the behavioral level. Under present statistical thresholds no significant results were obtained for remaining scales. Aligning the personality trait of Conscientiousness with task accomplishment striving behavior the correlation in the left IFG/aI possibly reflects an inter-individually different involvement whenever task-set related memory representations are violated by the occurrence of errors. The strong correlations in the ACC may indicate that more conscientious subjects were stronger affected by these violations of a given task-set expressed by individually different, negatively valenced signals conveyed by the ACC upon occurrence of an error. Present results illustrate that for predicting individual responses to errors underlying personality traits should be taken into account and also lend external validity to the personality trait approach suggesting that personality constructs do reflect more than mere descriptive taxonomies.
First on-line isotopic characterization of N2O above intensively managed grassland

Abstract. The analysis of the four main isotopic N2O species (14N14N16O, 14N15N16O, 15N14N16O, 14N14N18O) and especially the intramolecular distribution of 15N ("site preference", SP) has been suggested as a tool to distinguish source processes and to help constrain the global N2O budget. However, current studies suffer from limited spatial and temporal resolution capabilities due to the combination of discrete flask sampling with subsequent laboratory-based mass-spectrometric analysis. Quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS) allows the selective high-precision analysis of N2O isotopic species at trace levels and is suitable for in situ measurements. Here, we present results from the first field campaign, conducted on an intensively managed grassland site in central Switzerland. N2O mole fractions and isotopic composition were determined in the atmospheric surface layer (at 2.2 m height) at a high temporal resolution with a modified state-of-the-art laser spectrometer connected to an automated N2O preconcentration unit. The analytical performance was determined from repeated measurements of a compressed air tank and resulted in measurement repeatability of 0.20, 0.12 and 0.11‰ for δ15Nα, δ15Nβ and δ18O, respectively. Simultaneous eddy-covariance N2O flux measurements were used to determine the flux-averaged isotopic signature of soil-emitted N2O. Our measurements indicate that, in general, nitrifier-denitrification and denitrification were the prevalent sources of N2O during the campaign and that variations in isotopic composition were due to alterations in the extent to which N2O was reduced to N2 rather than to other pathways, such as hydroxylamine oxidation. Management and rewetting events were characterized by low values of the intramolecular 15N site preference (SP), δ15Nbulk and δ18O, suggesting that nitrifier-denitrification and incomplete heterotrophic bacterial denitrification responded most strongly to the induced disturbances. The flux-averaged isotopic composition of N2O from intensively managed grassland was 6.9 ± 4.3, −17.4 ± 6.2 and 27.4 ± 3.6‰ for SP, δ15Nbulk and δ18O, respectively. The approach presented here is capable of providing long-term data sets also for other N2O-emitting ecosystems, which can be used to further constrain global N2O inventories.