Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil Integrins and Matrix Ligands and NET Release

Neutrophils are motile and responsive to tissue injury and infection. As neutrophils emigrate from the bloodstream and migrate toward a site of affliction, they encounter the tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) and thereby engage integrins. Our laboratory studies the neutrophilic response to the fungal pathogen Candida albicans either in the filamentous state of the microbe or to the purified pathogen-associated molecular pattern, β-glucan. We have gained an appreciation for the role of integrins in regulating the neutrophil anti-Candida response and how the presence or absence of ECM can drive experimental outcome. The β2 integrin CR3 (complement receptor 3; αMβ2; Mac-1; CD11b/CD18) plays an important role in fungal recognition by its ability to bind β-glucan at a unique lectin-like domain. The presence of ECM differentially regulates essential neutrophil anti-fungal functions, including chemotaxis, respiratory burst, homotypic aggregation, and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). We have shown that NET release to C. albicans hyphae or immobilized β-glucan occurs rapidly and without the requirement for respiratory burst on ECM. This is in contrast to the more frequently reported mechanisms of NETosis to other pathogens without the context of ECM, which occur after a prolonged lag period and require respiratory burst. As expected for an ECM-dependent phenotype, NETosis and other neutrophil functions are dependent on specific integrins. The focus of this review is the role of ECM ligation by neutrophil integrins as it pertains to host defense functions with an emphasis on lessons we have learned studying the anti-Candida response of human neutrophils.
A Study of Deterministic Pilot Allocation for Sparse Channel Estimation in OFDM Systems

In this letter, we investigate the deterministic pilot allocation for sparse channel estimation in OFDM systems. Based on the rule of minimizing the coherence of the DFT submatrix, we derive that the pilot design according to the cyclic different set (CDS) is optimal. However, the CDS only exists for some specific number of OFDM subcarriers. For those cases where the CDS is unavailable, we propose a scheme using discrete stochastic approximation to obtain a near-optimal pilot pattern. Simulation results demonstrate that our scheme is much faster convergent and more efficient than the exhaustive search; and it has been shown that substantial improvement for channel estimation can be achieved.
A Critical Review of Online Consumer Behavior: Empirical Research

Empirical research on online consumer theory has been examined under diverse contexts over the years. Although researchers from a variety of business disciplines have made significant progress over the past few years, the scope of these studies is rather broad, the studies appear relatively fragmented and no unifying theoretical framework is found in this area. In view of this, this study attempts to provide an exhaustive review of prior theoretical literature and to provide an integrative model of online consumer behavior. This framework not only provides us with a cohesive view of online consumer behavior, but also serves as a salient guideline for researchers in this area. The paper is concluded with a research agenda for future studies.
A Systems Theory approach to the District Central Office’s role in school-level improvement

This qualitative case study used General Systems Theory and social network analysis to explore the relationships between the members of a district central office and principals of elementary schools within an urban school district in the Midwest. Findings revealed sparse relationships between members of the district central office and principals, more opportunities for higher performing schools to participate in decision making, and few opportunities for all schools to provide feedback to the district, resulting in a centralized network structure that may inhibit the transfer of knowledge and communication, and ultimately, hinder school-level improvement efforts. Keywords: systems theory, social network analysis, district central office, reform
How to Infer from Inconsisent Beliefs without Revising?

This paper investigates, several methods for coping with inconsistency caused by multiple source information by introducing suitable consequence relations capable of inferring non trivial conclusions from an inconsistent stratified knowledge base. Some of these methods presuppose a revision step, namely a selection of one or several consistent subsets of formulas, and then classical inference is used for inferring from these subsets. Two alternative methods that do not require any revision step are studied: inference based on arguments and a new approach called safely supported inference, where inconsistency is kept local. These two last methods look suitable when the inconsistency is due to the presence of several sources of information. The paper offers a comparative study of the various inference modes under inconsistency.
Absence of Cross-Presenting Cells in the Salivary Gland and Viral Immune Evasion Confine Cytomegalovirus Immune Control to Effector CD4 T Cells

Horizontal transmission of cytomegaloviruses (CMV) occurs via prolonged excretion from mucosal surfaces. We used murine CMV (MCMV) infection to investigate the mechanisms of immune control in secretory organs. CD4 T cells were crucial to cease MCMV replication in the salivary gland (SG) via direct secretion of IFNγ that initiated antiviral signaling on non-hematopoietic cells. In contrast, CD4 T cell helper functions for CD8 T cells or B cells were dispensable. Despite SG-resident MCMV-specific CD8 T cells being able to produce IFNγ, the absence of MHC class I molecules on infected acinar glandular epithelial cells due to viral immune evasion, and the paucity of cross-presenting antigen presenting cells (APCs) prevented their local activation. Thus, local activation of MCMV-specific T cells is confined to the CD4 subset due to exclusive presentation of MCMV-derived antigens by MHC class II molecules on bystander APCs, resulting in IFNγ secretion interfering with viral replication in cells of non-hematopoietic origin.
Fixation Region Overlap: A quantitative method for the analysis of fixational eye movement patterns

This article presents a new method for the quantitative analyses of fixation patterns in eye tracking data. The Fixation Region Overlap Analysis (FROA) uses thresholded spatial distributions of fixation frequency or duration to determine regions-of-interest (ROIs). The locations of these ROIs are contrasted with fixation regions of other empirically-derived, or modelled, data patterns by comparing region pixel overlap. A Monte Carlo procedure is used to assess the statistical significance of fixation region overlap based on 95% confi-dence intervals (C.I.) of the distribution of random overlap for each set of thresholded ROIs. The value of the FROA method is demonstrated by applying it to data acquired in an object recognition task to determine which of two potential models best account for the observed fixation patterns.
Adaptive streaming of audiovisual content using MPEG DASH

HTTP streaming has become a cost effective means for multimedia delivery nowadays. In this paper, we study the use of MPEG DASH standard to stream audiovisual content. We first describe a novel estimation method for connection throughput. Then, employing the extensibility feature of DASH syntax, we present a systematic method for selecting the best audio and video alternatives given the estimated throughput. The experiments show that our solution is stable to short-term fluctuations while responding quickly to large fluctuations.
Development with MDevSPICE ® and Agile Practices

Emerging medical devices are highly relying on embedded software that runs on the specific platform in real time. The development of embedded software is different from ordinary software development due to the hardware-software dependency. MDevSPICE® has been developed to provide guidance to support such development. To increase the flexibility of this framework agile practices have been introduced. This paper outlines the challenges for embedded medical device software development and the structure of MDevSPICE and suggests a suitable combination of agile practices that will help to add flexibility and address corresponding challenges of embedded medical device software development. Keywords—Agile practices, challenges, embedded software, MDevSPICE®, medical device.
Dividend-Yield Trading Strategies: Evidence from the Chinese Stock Market

Utilizing the data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges between the periods of 2005 to 2011, this paper explores whether trading strategies based on dividend-yield are effective in the Chinese stock market. Under market risk-adjusted, we find an abnormal return for the samples of cash and dual dividend-yield. However, dual dividend-yield samples only significantly display abnormal returns in the three-factor model. Finally, incorporating the price momentum into the three-factor model the abnormal returns still appear in the dual-dividend-yield samples. When the sample is further divided into high- and low-moment periods, the evidence indicates that abnormal returns mainly stem from the low-moment subsample. Therefore, we conclude that the sources of dividend yields anomaly cannot be fully explained by market, size, value, and momentum factors. Moreover, the abnormal returns can become even stronger during the low-moment period.
Colored Apparel - Relevance to Attraction in Humans

There are numerous different dyes available, many varied fashion trends, and various different ways to change/enhance physical aesthetics. Predicting color preferences and how colors and color combinations, in a shape context, stimulate certain emotions, represents a challenging prospect. Color is a critical cue for sexual signaling, but what the preferred colors actually are in humans, is difficult to predict. Understanding color preferences and perception of color within a context such as attraction, is essential for improving color forecasting and gaining a deeper understanding of color perception. The appearance of color can change based on lighting, shape, texture, and the surrounding environment and associated colors. While these provide physical color characteristics, human vision and perception contributes to how a color appears to the individual. Perception is unique to each individual and is constantly changing due to the influence of a range of variables. This can cause someone to appear visually attractive or visually unattractive. By taking into account all the variables that contribute to human studies in color perception, tailored research can continue to be undertaken to further develop a deeper understanding of color perception and human attraction regarding visual stimulation.
Clinical predictors of dysphagia and aspiration risk: outcome measures in acute stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE To use an established dysphagia clinical screening system to evaluate outcomes in acute stroke patients. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS Acute stroke patients (n = 56) consecutively referred to a speech pathology service. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes (ie, pneumonia, dietary status at discharge) in patients who were referred for a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VSS) based on results of a previously validated clinical screening system were compared with outcomes in patients who were not referred for VSS based on the clinical evaluation. RESULTS Thirty-eight of 56 patients (68%) presented with 2 or more clinical predictors of moderate to severe dysphagia and were further evaluated with VSS, whereas 18 patients (32%) had fewer than 2 clinical features and were not evaluated radiographically. Based on patient outcomes and VSS results, identification of at least 2 clinical predictors significantly distinguished patients with moderate to severe dysphagia from patients with mild dysphagia or normal swallowing. None of the patients in either group developed pneumonia while following recommendations of the clinical or dynamic swallowing evaluation, and 93% of the patients returned to a regular diet. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that clinical use of this screening system can objectively identify acute stroke patients who warrant further diagnostic studies and can safely determine which patients need no further deglutitive evaluation.
An efficient content-based image retrieval system integrating wavelet-based image sub-blocks with dominant colors and texture analysis

There is a great need of developing efficient content-based image retrieval systems (CBIR) because of the availability of large image databases. Three new image retrieval systems to retrieve the images using color and texture features are proposed. The image is divided into equal sized non-overlapping tiles. The discrete wavelet transform, HSV color feature, cumulative color histogram, dominant color descriptor (DCD) and Gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) are applied to image partitions. An integrated matching scheme based on Most Similar Highest Priority (MSHP) principle is used to compare the query and database images. The adjacency matrix of a bipartite graph is formed using the sub-blocks of query and images in the database. The proposed techniques indeed outperform other retrieval schemes in terms of average precision and average recall. The developed techniques are able to perform scale, translation, and rotation invariant matching between images. In the future, we need to reduce the semantic gap between the local features and the high-level user semantics to achieve higher accuracy.
Seeing Through Fishers’ Lenses

Insights from traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of the marine environment are difficult to integrate into conventional science knowledge (CSK) initiatives. Where TEK is integrated into CSK at all, it is usually either marginalized or restricted to CSK modes of interpretation, hence limiting its potential contribution to the understanding of social-ecological systems. This study uses semi-directive interviews, direct observations, and structured open-ended questionnaires (n = 103) to explore TEK of marine ecological changes occurring within the Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania, and factors contributing to these changes. It illuminates TEK insights that can be valuable in parallel with CSK to provide a more nuanced understanding of ecological changes. In some areas, fishers observed coral reef growth, increased fish abundance, and increased sea temperatures, whereas in others, they reported decreases in sea level, coral cover, fish abundance, catch composition, catch quantities, and fish size. They associated these changes with interrelated factors emanating from environmental processes, conservation outcomes, marketing constraints, population dynamics, and disappearance of cultural traditions. Utilizing TEK without restricting it to CSK modes of interpretation has the potential to improve CSK initiatives by promoting complementarity and mutual enrichment between the two kinds of knowledge, thereby contributing new insights that may enhance adaptive management and resilience in social-ecological systems.
Multiplex bead analysis of vitreous and serum concentrations of inflammatory and proangiogenic factors in diabetic patients

Purpose To investigate the role of inflammatory and angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, we determined, in diabetic patients and controls, vitreous and serum concentrations of interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, regulated upon activation, normal T-expressed and secreted (RANTES), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Methods We recruited 36 probands with type 2 diabetes mellitus (15 noninsulin-dependent and 21 insulin-dependent) and 69 normal controls. Using Cytometric Bead Array Technology, we measured vitreous and serum concentrations of IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, and VEGF. Results In diabetic patients the mean vitreous levels of IP-10, MCP-1 and VEGF were significantly higher compared normal controls. [IP-10 (pg/mL) 254.84 +/−311.67 versus 78.90 +/− 67.94 (p<0.001); MCP-1 (pg/mL) 1127.14 +/− 738.91 versus 700.80 +/−419.21 (p=0.002); VEGF (pg/mL) 954.98 +/− 2315.09 versus 37.90 +/− 28.51(p<0.001)]. Vitreous levels of VEGF correlated with vitreous levels of both IP-10 and MCP-1 (p<0.05). MIP-1β, RANTES, and VEGF mean serum levels were significantly raised in diabetic probands while IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1α serum levels showed no significant elevation compared to controls [IP-10 (pg/mL) 346.20 +/− 287.36 versus 328.74 +/−352.35 (p=0.88); MCP-1(pg/mL) 133.10 +/− 89.10 versus 141.47 +/− 222.15 (p=0.50); MIP-1β (pg/mL) 184.40 +/− 100.20 versus 139.56 +/− 151.38 (p=0.003); RANTES (pg/mL) 51336.23 +/− 19940.31 versus 33629.2 +/− 33301.0 (p=0.002); VEGF (pg/mL) 304.88 +/− 257.52 versus 154.45 +/− 114.78 (p<0.001)]. Conclusions Our results suggest that in diabetics, there is an upregulation of IP-10, MCP-1, and VEGF in the vitreous and an upregulation of MIP-1β, RANTES, and VEGF in the serum. These findings support the concept of an angiogenic and inflammatory element in the development of diabetic retinopathy.
Epidemiologic features of the first MERS outbreak in Korea: focus on Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the epidemiologic features of the confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital, where the outbreak first began, in order to identify lessons relevant for the prevention and control of future outbreaks. METHODS: The patients’ clinical symptoms and test results were collected from their medical records. The caregivers of patients were identified by phone calls. RESULTS: After patient zero (case #1) was admitted to Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital (May 15-May 17), an outbreak occurred, with 36 cases between May 18 and June 4, 2015. Six patients died (fatality rate, 16.7%). Twenty-six cases occurred in the first-generation, and 10 in the second-generation. The median incubation period was five days, while the median period from symptom onset to death was 12.5 days. While the total attack rate was 3.9%, the attack rate among inpatients was 7.6%, and the inpatients on the eighth floor, where patient zero was hospitalized, had an 18.6% attack rate. In contrast, caregivers and medical staff showed attack rates of 3.3% and 1.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The attack rates were higher than those of the previous outbreaks in other countries. The outbreak spread beyond Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital when four of the patients were moved to other hospitals without appropriate quarantine. The best method of preventing future outbreaks is to overcome the vulnerabilities observed in this outbreak, such as ward crowding, patient migration without appropriate data sharing, and the lack of an initial broad quarantine.
Ultrasonographic measurement of antral area for estimating gastric fluid volume in parturients.

BACKGROUND The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the performance of ultrasonographic gastric antral area (GAA) to predict gastric fluid volumes of >0.4, >0.8 and >1.5 ml kg(-1), in fasted women in established labour. METHODS A first ultrasound examination of the antrum was performed, in order to confirm gastric vacuity by using a qualitative score. Baselines GAA measurements were obtained in both supine and right lateral decubitus positions. Thereafter, parturients were allowed to drink clear fluids only. Measurement of GAA was repeated 15 min after last fluid intake, in both supine and right lateral positions. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to determine the accuracy of GAA to diagnose ingested volumes of >0.4, >0.8 and >1.5 ml kg(-1). RESULTS Data from forty parturients were analysed. The areas under the ROC curves ranged from 80% to 86%. The cut-off value for antral area measured in supine position, to detect a volume >0.4 ml kg(-1), was 387 mm(2), with a sensitivity of 87%, a specificity of 70% and a negative predictive value of 85%. A cut-off value of 608 mm(2) predicted a fluid volume >1.5 ml kg(-1), with a specificity of 94%, a sensitivity of 75% and a negative predictive value of 92%. CONCLUSIONS This study provides cut-off values for GAA that could be used in addition to the qualitative assessment of the antrum to define a full stomach in labouring patients.
Four years on: a longitudinal study assessing the impact of a virtual community of practice

This paper explores the long term impact of a virtual learning community (VLC) from the perspective of community members and their employing organization. It argues that membership potentially has a significant impact on individual identities and careers, and that managed communities provide an important means for strategic workforce development. The study evaluates the impact of membership of a VLC over a four year period within the context of the theoretical frameworks of communities of practice and identity theory. The concept of boundary crossing is also explored in relation to VLCs. The paper considers the benefits to host organisations in supporting structured VLCs as a means of enabling workforce development and supporting change and innovation.
The Vertebrate Visual System

There are four outstanding features of this work which the reviewer believes will stand as a monumental classic. These are the historic, anatomic, pathologic, and biologic aspects of the vertebrate visual system. The author’s approach was primarily anatomic. Therefore, this section describes in minute detail the gross and microscopic structures concerned with the visual pathways which center chiefly on man, apes, and monkeys. Naturally, there is some repetition concerning the retina and optic radiation from the author’s previous works. However, the 418 pages devoted to these and other structures portray the system as a whole in an orderly fashion and with considerable new material, including a detailed account of the blood supply and drainage. The most helpful part of the anatomic portion deals with the general theory of the organization of the nervous systems and visual functions. Here one finds in review an interpretation of neuronal patterns, especially retinal elements. Biographic sketches with photographs of those who have made significant contributions to this phase of the subject are scattered throughout this section. The first section of this book deals historically with the study of the visual system. In dealing with the pathologic and biologic sections, the historical aspect is also stressed as each topic of discussion is brought into focus.