Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CYP450-derived oxylipins mediate inflammatory resolution

Significance A number of lipid mediators are known to contribute to inflammatory resolution. Fatty acid metabolites of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are found in abundance; however, their roles in inflammatory resolution are not known. Targeted lipidomics revealed that CYP450-epoxy-oxylipins were present during acute inflammation and inflammatory resolution. Using mice lacking soluble epoxide hydrolase, the major metabolizing pathway for CYP450-derived fatty acid mediators, and CYP450 epoxygenase inhibition specifically during resolution, we show that CYP450-derived lipids dramatically limit the accumulation of inflammatory monocytes during resolution. Moreover, all cells of the monocyte lineage examined showed a dramatic alteration in their proresolution phenotype following epoxygenase inhibition. These findings demonstrate that the CYP450-epoxy-oxylipins pathway has a critical role in monocyte lineage recruitment and resolution activity during inflammatory resolution. Resolution of inflammation has emerged as an active process in immunobiology, with cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system being critical in mediating efferocytosis and wound debridement and bridging the gap between innate and adaptive immunity. Here we investigated the roles of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-derived epoxy-oxylipins in a well-characterized model of sterile resolving peritonitis in the mouse. Epoxy-oxylipins were produced in a biphasic manner during the peaks of acute (4 h) and resolution phases (24–48 h) of the response. The epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A (epoxI) given at 24 h selectively inhibited arachidonic acid- and linoleic acid-derived CYP450-epoxy-oxlipins and resulted in a dramatic influx in monocytes. The epoxI-recruited monocytes were strongly GR1+, Ly6chi, CCR2hi, CCL2hi, and CX3CR1lo. In addition, expression of F4/80 and the recruitment of T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells were suppressed. sEH (Ephx2)−/− mice, which have elevated epoxy-oxylipins, demonstrated opposing effects to epoxI-treated mice: reduced Ly6chi monocytes and elevated F4/80hi macrophages and B, T, and dendritic cells. Ly6chi and Ly6clo monocytes, resident macrophages, and recruited dendritic cells all showed a dramatic change in their resolution signature following in vivo epoxI treatment. Markers of macrophage differentiation CD11b, MerTK, and CD103 were reduced, and monocyte-derived macrophages and resident macrophages ex vivo showed greatly impaired phagocytosis of zymosan and efferocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes following epoxI treatment. These findings demonstrate that epoxy-oxylipins have a critical role in monocyte lineage recruitment and activity to promote inflammatory resolution and represent a previously unidentified internal regulatory system governing the establishment of adaptive immunity.
Some requisites in systems leading to hybrid formation between bacterial endotoxins.

in the original mixture [3]. Attempts to hybridize endotoxins with nontoxic acid-hydrolyzed haptenic polysaccharide of endotoxin or with native protoplasmic polysaccharide, both of which are single-chain structures, were unsuccessful [3]. Therefore, it was postulated that only endotoxins could be induced to hybridize with endotoxins in this system [3]; as a corollary to this, it was thought that all endotoxins should be able to hybridize with each other.
Nutritional Regulation of GLUT Expression, Glucose Metabolism, and Intramuscular Fat Content in Porcine Muscle

We conducted a series of investigations in order to elucidate role of nutritional status in regulating GLUT expression and energy metabolism in porcine muscle. Firstly, the role of mild undernutrition in regulating muscle GLUT gene expression and function was studied in growing pigs (3 wk of age) on a high (H) or low (L) food intake (H = 2L) at 35°C or 26°C. Low food intake selectively upregulates GLUT1 and GLUT4 gene expression; mRNA levels were elevated in longissimus dorsi (L. dorsi) and rhomboideus muscles but not in diaphragm or cardiac muscles. Our next step was to determine whether dietary lysine, a major primary limiting amino acid in diets for pigs, affects muscle GLUT4 expression. Pigs of 6 wk of age were pair-fed a control or low lysine (LL) diet. The control diet contained optimal amounts of all essential amino acids, including 1.15% lysine. The LL diet was similar but contained only 0.70% lysine. GLUT4 mRNA expression was upregulated by the LL diet in L. dorsi and rhomboideus muscles, whereas that in cardiac muscle was unaffected. GLUT4 protein abundance was also higher in rhomboideus muscle of animals on the LL diet. We conducted another investigation in order to elucidate effects of the LL diet on post-GLUT4 glucose metabolism. Activity of hexokinase was unaffected by dietary lysine levels while that of citrate synthase was higher both in L. dorsi and rhomboideus muscles of pigs fed on the LL diet. Glucose 6-phosphate content was higher in L. dorsi msucle in the LL group. Glycogen content was higher both in L. dorsi and rhomboideus muscles in the LL group. Further, we determined the effects of dietary lysine levels on accumulation of intramuscular fat (IMF) in L. dorsi muscle of finishing pigs. A low lysine diet (lysine content was 0.40%) meeting approximately 70% of the requirement of lysine was given to finishing pigs for two months. IMF contents in L. dorsi of the pigs given the low lysine diet were twice higher than those of the pigs fed on a control diet (lysine content was 0.65%). Finally, we proved that a well known effect of breadcrumbs feeding to enhance IMF of finishing pigs could be attributed to shortage of amino acids in diets including breadcrumbs.
On Delivery Delay-Constrained Throughput and End-to-End Delay in MANETs

The real achievable performance of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), in particular the performance of such networks under practical constraints, is still largely unknown by now. As a step forward in this direction, this paper focuses on a MANET where a maximum allowed delivery delay is imposed to each packet and examines the impact of such delivery delay constraint on its real achievable performance in terms of throughput and packet end-to-end delay. We first determine the throughput capacity of the MANET to reveal the maximum possible throughput the network can support. For a given exogenous rate to each node, we then provide analysis on the achievable throughput, packet delivery ratio and packet end-to-end delay, and show how they are determined by the steady state of relay queues in the network. For the analysis of steady state of relay queues, we further develop a subtle Markov chain model based on the idea of state reduction such that state space explosion problem in the analysis can be avoided. Finally, numerical results are presented to illustrate the performance of the network and the impact brought by the delivery delay constraint.
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mapping the Fiber Architecture Remodeling in Human Myocardium After Infarction: Correlation With Viability and Wall Motion

Background— Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) provides a means for nondestructive characterization of myocardial architecture. We used DT-MRI to investigate changes in direction-dependent water diffusivity to reflect alterations in tissue integrity (trace apparent diffusion coefficients [ADCs] and fractional anisotropy [FA]), as well as indicators of remodeling of fiber helix angles, in patients after myocardial infarction. Methods and Results— Thirty-seven patients (35 men, 2 women; median age, 59) after acute myocardial infarction (median interval from onset, 26 days) were enrolled. DT-MRI was performed at the midventricular level to measure trace ADC, FA, and helix angles of myofibers. Helix angles were grouped into left-handed helical fibers, circumferential fibers, and right-handed helical fibers. Measurements were correlated with viability and regional wall motion assessed by contrast-delay-enhancement and cine MRI, respectively. The infarct zone showed significantly increased trace ADC and decreased FA than the remote zone. The percentage of left-handed helical fibers increased from the remote zone (mean±SD, 13.3±5.8%) to the adjacent zone (19.2±9.7%) and infarct zone (25.8±18.4%) (MANOVA, P=0.004). The percentage of right-handed helical fibers decreased from the remote zone (35.0±9.0%) to the adjacent zone (25.5±11.5%) and infarct zone (15.9±9.2%) (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that the percentage of left-handed helical fibers of the infarct zone was the strongest correlate of infarct size and predictor of ejection fraction. Conclusions— In vivo DT-MRI of postinfarct myocardium revealed a significant increase in trace ADC and a decrease in FA, indicating altered tissue integrity. The redistribution of fiber architecture correlated with infarct size and left ventricular function. This technique may help us understand structural correlates of functional remodeling after infarction.
A deliberative model for self-adaptation middleware using architectural dependency

A crucial prerequisite to externalized adaptation is an understanding of how components are interconnected, or more particularly how and why they depend on one another. Such dependencies can be used to provide an architectural model, which provides a reference point for externalized adaptation. In this paper, it is described how dependencies are used as a basis to systems' self-understanding and subsequent architectural reconfigurations. The approach is based on the combination of: instrumentation services, a dependency meta-model and a system controller. In particular, the latter uses self-healing repair rules (or conflict resolution strategies), based on extensible beliefs, desires and intention (EBDI) model, to reflect reconfiguration changes back to a target application under examination.
A Preliminary Test of Measurement of Joint Angles and Stride Length with Wireless Inertial Sensors for Wearable Gait Evaluation System

The purpose of this study is to develop wearable sensor system for gait evaluation using gyroscopes and accelerometers for application to rehabilitation, healthcare and so on. In this paper, simultaneous measurement of joint angles of lower limbs and stride length was tested with a prototype of wearable sensor system. The system measured the joint angles using the Kalman filter. Signals from the sensor attached on the foot were used in the stride length estimation detecting foot movement automatically. Joint angles of the lower limbs were measured with stable and reasonable accuracy compared to those values measured with optical motion measurement system with healthy subjects. It was expected that the stride length measurement with the wearable sensor system would be practical by realizing more stable measurement accuracy. Sensor attachment position was suggested not to affect significantly measurement of slow and normal speed movements in a test with the rigid body model. Joint angle patterns measured in 10 m walking with a healthy subject were similar to common patterns. High correlation between joint angles at some characteristic points and stride velocity were also found adequately. These results suggested that the wireless wearable inertial sensor system could detect characteristics of gait.
On the Size and Structure of Group Cooperation

This paper examines characteristics of cooperative behavior in a repeated, n-person, continuous action generalization of a Prisoner's Dilemma game. When time preferences are heterogeneous and bounded away from one, how "much" cooperation can be achieved by an ongoing group? How does group cooperation vary with the group's size and structure? For an arbitrary distribution of discount factors, we characterize the maximal average cooperation (MAC) likelihood of this game. The MAC likelihood is the highest average level of cooperation, over all stationary subgame perfect equilibrium paths, that the group can achieve. The MAC likelihood is shown to be increasing in monotone shifts, and decreasing in mean preserving spreads, of the distribution of discount factors. The latter suggests that more heterogeneous groups are less cooperative on average. Finally, we establish weak conditions under which the MAC likelihood exhibits increasing returns to scale when discounting is heterogeneous. That is, larger groups are more cooperative, on average, than smaller ones. By contrast, when the group has a common discount factor, the MAC likelihood is invariant to group size.
Understanding and Treating Pathological Narcissism

Pathological narcissism has long been considered one of the most challenging conditions to treat in psychotherapy. Given the reluctance of many narcissistic patients to enter into therapy and the unique frustrations these patients can engender in those committed to helping them, even seasoned therapists may find themselves in need of expert guidance. In this book, today's most prominent thinkers and clinical experts on pathological narcissism address the challenges facing therapists who work with narcissistic patients. They trace the history of our understanding of narcissism, from ancient myth, to Freud and subsequent psychodynamic approaches and also provide clinicians with a comprehensive guide to treatment that covers features of the disorder, diagnosis, and assessment, as well as special considerations in the vital areas of transference and countertransference. Above all, they emphasise that narcissism is an eminently treatable disorder that can be approached using a variety of therapeutic models.
Laser Ignition in Internal Combustion Engines-A Contribution to a Sustainable Environment

Sustainability with regard to internal combustion engines is strongly linked to the fuels burnt and the overall efficiency. Laser ignition can enhance the combustion process and minimize pollutant formation. This paper is on laser ignition of sustainable fuels for future internal combustion engines. Ignition is the process of starting radical reactions until a self-sustaining flame has developed. In technical appliances such as internal combustion engines, reliable ignition is necessary for adequate system performance. Ignition strongly affects the formation of pollutants and the extent of fuel conversion. This paper presents experimental results on laser-induced ignition for technical applications. Laser ignition tests were performed with the fuels hydrogen and biogas in a static combustion cell and with gasoline in a spray-guided internal combustion engine. A Nd:YAG laser with 6 ns pulse duration, 1064 nm wavelength and 1-50 mJ pulse energy was used to ignite the fuel/air mixtures at initial pressures of 1-3 MPa. Schlieren photography was used for optical diagnostics of flame kernel development and shock wave propagation. Compared to a conventional spark plug, a laser ignition system should be a favorable ignition source in terms of lean burn characteristics and system flexibility. Yet several problems remain unsolved, e.g. cost issues and the stability of the optical window. The literature does not reveal much information on this crucial system part. Different window configurations in engine test runs are compared and discussed.
M-Education: bridging the gap of mobile and desktop computing

Mobile education or M-Education is a new conceptual paradigm in the use of mobile and wireless technologies for education. M-Education encourages distributed peer collaboration over wireless devices and desktop computers to create opportunities for discovery and education in the field and community. It is a project-oriented approach that will use a wireless virtual community to facilitate the learning activities of teachers, students, and peers through collaboration in a distributed environment. M-Education is significantly different from existing mobile learning systems in that it leverages its collaborative activities from an existing desktop-based online virtual community (MOOsburg), and thus offers a range of collaboration opportunities, such as synchronous and asynchronous interactions with peers, and viewing or changes to persistent data. In this paper, an innovative use of wireless and mobile technologies in education is explored as part of a scenario-based design process.
Connectivity of Wireless Multihop Networks in a Shadow Fading Environment

This article analyzes the connectivity of multihop radio networks in a log-normal shadow fading environment. Assuming the nodes have equal transmission capabilities and are randomly distributed according to a homogeneous Poisson process, we give a tight lower bound for the minimum node density that is necessary to obtain an almost surely connected subnetwork on a bounded area of given size. We derive an explicit expression for this bound, compute it in a variety of scenarios, and verify its tightness by simulation. The numerical results can be used for the practical design and simulation of wireless sensor and ad hoc networks. In addition, they give insight into how fading affects the topology of multihop networks. It is explained why a high fading variance helps the network to become connected.
Multimicrophone signal‐processing technique to remove room reverberation from speech signals

It is well known that room reverberation can significantly impair one’s perception of sounds recorded by a microphone in that room. Acoustic recordings produced in untreated rooms are characterized by a hollow echolike quality resulting from not locating the microphone close to the source. In this paper we discuss a multimicrophone digital processing scheme for removing much of the degrading distortion. To accomplish this the individual microphone signals are divided into frequency bands whose corresponding outputs are cophased (delay differences are compensated) and added. Then the gain of each resulting band is set based on the cross correlation between corresponding microphone signals in that band. The reconstructed broadband speech is perceived with considerably reduced reverberation.
World-volume potentials on D-branes

By evaluating string scattering amplitudes, we investigate various low energy interactions for the massless scalars on a non-abelian Dirichlet brane. We confirm the existence of couplings of closed string fields to the world-volume scalars, involving commutators of the latter. Our results are consistent with the recently proposed non-abelian world-volume actions for Dp-branes.
Delay budget partitioning to maximize network resource usage efficiency

Provisioning techniques for network flows with end-to-end QoS guarantees need to address the interpath and intrapath load balancing problems to maximize the resource utilization efficiency. This paper focuses on the intrapath load balancing problem: How to partition the end-to-end QoS requirement of a network flow along the links of a given path such that the deviation in the loads on these links is as small as possible? We propose a new algorithm to solve the end-to-end QoS partitioning problem for unicast and multicast flows that takes into account the loads on the constituent links of the chosen flow path. This algorithm can simultaneously partition multiple end-to-end QoS requirements such as the end-to-end delay and delay violation probability bound. The key concept in our proposal is the notion of slack, which quantifies the extent of flexibility available in partitioning the end-to-end delay requirement across the links of a selected path (or a multicast tree). We show that one can improve network resource usage efficiency by carefully selecting a slack partition that explicitly balances the loads on the underlying links. A detailed simulation study demonstrates that, compared with previous approaches, the proposed delay budget partitioning algorithm can increase the total number of long-term flows that can be provisioned along a network path by up to 1.2 times for deterministic and 2.8 times for statistical delay guarantees
The Dutch Handedness Questionnaire

textabstractHandedness questionnaires typically include an item on preference for writing. However, because writing is influenced by cultural factors, this item was not included in the present 16-item Dutch-language questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 456 subjects. The item consistency of the 16 preference items was very high. Principal component analysis on the 16 items revealed one single handedness dimension. Preference for hammering showed the highest item-test correlation. The final version of the handedness inventory contains the ten items with the highest factor loadings.
Risks of Anemia in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Anemia is an common condition in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and it is often present in one quarter to half of patients at admission. Several studies have indicated that anemia is a major risk factor for worse outcomes, including increased risk of mortality and major morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Anemia is a leading reason for use of allogeneic blood transfusions. Harmful effects of anemia are often attributed to the reduced oxygen carrying capacity of blood, reduced viscosity and the resulting impaired rheologic characteristics of blood, underlying comorbidities, and the side effects of treatments given for anemia, namely, allogeneic blood transfusions. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery may be at increased risk of anemia given the often-existing cardiac comorbidities and the negative impacts of cardiopulmonary bypass. However, whether less restrictive transfusion practices are justified in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is still a matter of debate. The prevalence of anemia often increases during hospital stay, and it can persist for a long time beyond hospital discharge. Given the associated risks and available management strategies, clinicians should remain vigilant to detect and treat anemia throughout the course of care for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Critical success factors for construction ICT projects - some empirical evidence and lessons for emerging economies

SUMMARY: The application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector has evolved over several years. Organisations continue to invest in ICT in their bid to harness technology and streamline business processes. However, construction organisations continue to experience perennial problems that militate against successful implementation of IT projects. This results from cultural, organisational and other operational constraints. This paper reports on research conducted in Hong Kong SAR China, over the period 2000-2004. The research methods include a combination of industry surveys, qualitative deductive analysis, and interactions on some case study projects (i.e. interviews, in-depth discussions on, and analysis of ‘successful and failed’ projects) with different levels of construction personnel in Hong Kong SAR. Analysis shows that there are distinct characteristics and features of projects that determine their success or failure, starting from even the conceptualisation and initiation stages, and that the projects have different points of failure. The paper identifies two trajectories of IT project success and failure in construction, and the critical success factors that could be useful for IT applications in emerging economies, drawing on the personal experiences of the authors in emerging economies in Nigeria and Sri Lanka. It discuses the findings from the HKSAR study, and give recommendations in the context of learning lessons from ICT initiatives in order to improve applications in emerging economies.