Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of Lymphocyte Apoptosis by Tumor Cell Secretion of FasL-bearing Microvesicles

The hypothesis that FasL expression by tumor cells may impair the in vivo efficacy of antitumor immune responses, through a mechanism known as ‘Fas tumor counterattack,’ has been recently questioned, becoming the object of an intense debate based on conflicting results. Here we definitely show that FasL is indeed detectable in the cytoplasm of melanoma cells and its expression is confined to multivesicular bodies that contain melanosomes. In these structures FasL colocalizes with both melanosomal (i.e., gp100) and lysosomal (i.e., CD63) antigens. Isolated melanosomes express FasL, as detected by Western blot and cytofluorimetry, and they can exert Fas-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat cells. We additionally show that melanosome-containing multivesicular bodies degranulate extracellularly and release FasL-bearing microvesicles, that coexpress both gp100 and CD63 and retain their functional activity in triggering Fas-dependent apoptosis of lymphoid cells. Hence our data provide evidence for a novel mechanism potentially operating in Fas tumor counterattack through the secretion of subcellular particles expressing functional FasL. Such vesicles may form a sort of front line hindering lymphocytes and other immunocompetent cells from entering neoplastic lesions and exert their antitumor activity.
Escherichia coli contains plasmids coding for heat-stable b, other enterotoxins, and antibiotic resistance

Plasmid DNAs obtained from 18 Escherichia coli isolates that hybridized with the heat-stable b (ST-b) enterotoxin gene probe were examined by Southern blot analysis for genes coding for heat-labile, ST-a, and ST-b enterotoxins with specific radiolabeled DNA probes. Four E. coli isolates contained plasmids coding for both heat-labile and ST-b enterotoxins, and one isolate contained a plasmid coding for ST-a and ST-b. Five of 11 isolates of antibiotic-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli isolates containing ST-b-coding DNA transferred a plasmid coding for both antibiotic resistance and ST-b to E. coli K-12, suggesting that the widespread use of antibiotics could increase the distribution of genes coding for ST-b.
Strategies for a comprehensive understanding of metabolism by aldehyde oxidase

Introduction: Aldehyde oxidase (AO) is a drug-metabolizing molybdo-flavoenzyme with profound species differences in expression and activity toward various substrates. The contribution of this enzyme to the metabolism and clearance of heterocyclic-containing xenobiotics appears to have increased in recent years, but has not always been identified prior to clinical studies. As a result, drug candidates have been negatively impacted in development. Areas covered: This review provides the most recent in vitro and in vivo strategies for the drug metabolism-pharmacokinetic (DMPK) scientist. The review details approaches for confirmation of AO as an operable metabolic pathway, estimating clearance and fraction of total metabolism, and identification of an appropriate surrogate species for human AO activity for evaluating safety of clinically relevant metabolites. Expert opinion: As the role of AO in metabolism of new drug molecules continues to emerge, it is critical that DMPK scientists have the most updated methodologies to enable formulation of a thorough experimental plan to understand the potential implications of this metabolic pathway. Whether it is higher-than-expected clearance, contributing to an unfavorable half-life, or the formation of an AO-derived disproportionate human metabolite (DHM), such a plan would serve to minimize complications or attrition of drug candidates due to unforeseen issues in the clinic.
In situ preparation of Z-scheme MoO_3/g-C_3N_4 composite with high performance in photocatalytic CO_2 reduction and RhB degradation

This research was designed for the first time to investigate the photocatalytic activities of MoO_3/g-C_3N_4 composite in converting CO_2 to fuels under simulated sunlight irradiation. The composite was synthesized using a simple impregnation-heating method and MoO_3 nanoparticles was in situ decorated on the g-C_3N_4 sheet. Characterization results indicated that the introduction of MoO_3 nanoparticles into g-C_3N_4 fabricated a direct Z-scheme heterojunction structure. The effective interfacial charge-transfer across the heterojunction significantly promoted the separation efficiency of charge carriers. The optimal CO_2 conversion rate of the composite reached 25.6 µmol/(h g_cat), which was 2.7 times higher than that of g-C_3N_4. Additionally, the synthesized MoO_3/g-C_3N_4 also presented excellent photoactivity in RhB degradation under visible-light irradiation.
Effects of Ficus carica paste on constipation induced by a high-protein feed and movement restriction in beagles

Constipation is one of the most common functional digestive complaints worldwide. We investigated the laxative effects of figs (Ficus carica L) in a beagle model of constipation induced by high protein diet and movement restriction. The experiments were consecutively conducted over 9 weeks divided into 3 periods of 3 weeks each. All 15 beagles were subjected to a non-treatment (control) period, a constipation induction period, and a fig paste treatment period. We administered fig paste (12 g/kg daily, by gavage) for 3 weeks following a 3-week period of constipation induction in dogs. Segmental colonic transit time (CTT) was measured by counting radiopaque markers (Kolomark) using a radiograph performed every 6 h after feeding Kolomark capsules, until capsules were no longer observed. Fig paste significantly increased fecal quantity in constipated dogs, and segmental CTT was also reduced following fig paste administration. There were no significant differences in feed intake, water intake, body weight, or blood test results, between the constipation and fig paste administration periods. Our results demonstrate that fig is an effective treatment for constipation in beagles. Specifically, stool weight increased and segmental CTT decreased. Fig pastes may be useful as a complementary medicine in humans suffering from chronic constipation.
Multi-Product Firms and Flexible Manufacturing in the Global Economy

We present a new model of multi-product …rms (MPFs) and ‡exible manufacturing and explore its implications in partial and general equilibrium. International trade integration aects the scale and scope of MPFs through a competition eect and a demand eect. We demonstrate how MPFs adjust in the presence of single-product …rms and in heterogeneous industries. Our results are in line with recent empirical evidence and suggest that MPFs in conjunction with ‡exible manufacturing play an important role in the impact of international trade on product diversity.
Performance Prediction of Nonbinary Forward Error Correction in Optical Transmission Experiments

In this paper, we compare different metrics to predict the error rate of optical systems based on nonbinary forward error correction (FEC). It is shown that an accurate metric to predict the performance of coded modulation based on nonbinary FEC is the mutual information. The accuracy of the prediction is verified in a detailed example with multiple constellation formats and FEC overheads, in both simulations and optical transmission experiments over a recirculating loop. It is shown that the employed FEC codes must be universal if performance prediction based on thresholds is used. A tutorial introduction into the computation of the thresholds from optical transmission measurements is also given.
Fine Mapping of the Interaction between C4b-Binding Protein and Outer Membrane Proteins LigA and LigB of Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans

The complement system consists of more than 40 proteins that participate in the inflammatory response and in pathogen killing. Complement inhibitors are necessary to avoid the excessive consumption and activation of this system on host cells. Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by spirochetes from the genus Leptospira. Pathogenic leptospires are able to escape from complement activation by binding to host complement inhibitors Factor H [FH] and C4b-binding protein (C4BP) while non-pathogenic leptospires are rapidly killed in the presence of fresh serum. In this study, we demonstrate that complement control protein domains (CCP) 7 and 8 of C4BP α-chain interact with the outer membrane proteins LcpA, LigA and LigB from the pathogenic leptospire L. interrogans. The interaction between C4BP and LcpA, LigA and LigB is sensitive to ionic strength and inhibited by heparin. We fine mapped the LigA and LigB domains involved in its binding to C4BP and heparin and found that both interactions are mediated through the bacterial immunoglobulin-like (Big) domains 7 and 8 (LigA7-8 and LigB7-8) of both LigA and LigB and also through LigB9-10. Therefore, C4BP and heparin may share the same binding sites on Lig proteins.
A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Intravenous-Ibuprofen (IV-Ibuprofen) for Treatment of Pain in Post-Operative Orthopedic Adult Patients

Objective To determine whether pre- and post-operative administration of intravenous ibuprofen (IV-ibuprofen) can significantly decrease pain and morphine use when compared with placebo in adult orthopedic surgical patients. Design This was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Setting This study was completed at eight hospitals; six in the United States and two in South Africa. Patients A total of 185 adult patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Interventions Patients were randomized to receive either 800 mg IV-ibuprofen or placebo every 6 hours, with the first dose administered pre-operatively. Additionally, all patients had access to intravenous morphine for rescue. Outcome Measures Efficacy of IV-ibuprofen was demonstrated by measuring the patient's self assessment of pain using a visual analog scale (VAS; assessed with movement and at rest) and a verbal response scale (VRS). Morphine consumption during the post-operative period was also assessed. Results In the immediate post-operative period, there was a 25.8% reduction in mean area under the curve-VAS assessed with movement (AUC-VASM) in patients receiving IV-ibuprofen (P < 0.001); a 31.8% reduction in mean AUC-VAS assessed at rest (AUC-VASR; P < 0.001) and a 20.2% reduction in mean VRS (P < 0.001) compared to those receiving placebo. Patients receiving IV-ibuprofen used 30.9% less morphine (P < 0.001) compared to those receiving placebo. Similar treatment emergent adverse events occurred in both study groups and there were no significant differences in the incidence of serious adverse events. Conclusion Pre- and post-operative administration of IV-ibuprofen significantly reduced both pain and morphine use in orthopedic surgery patients in this prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Towards Best Region Search for Data Exploration

The increasing popularity and growth of mobile devices and location-based services enable us to utilize large-scale geo-tagged data to support novel location-based applications. This paper introduces a novel problem called the best region search (BRS) problem and provides efficient solutions to it. Given a set O of spatial objects, a submodular monotone aggregate score function, and the size a x b of a query rectangle, the BRS problem aims to find a x b rectangular region such that the aggregate score of the spatial objects inside the region is maximized. This problem is fundamental to support several real-world applications such as most influential region search (eg. the best location for a signage to attract most audience) and most diversified region search (eg. region with most diverse facilities). We propose an efficient algorithm called SliceBRS to find the exact answer to the BRS problem. Furthermore, we propose an approximate solution called CoverBRS and prove that the answer found by it is bounded by a constant. Our experimental study with real-world datasets and applications demonstrates the effectiveness and superiority of our proposed algorithms.
Notice of RetractionPurification of Riparian Sward-Buffer on Agricultural Runoff Pollutant

Agricultural runoff caused great pollution on water environment. In present study, contraposing the purification efficiency for 3 kinds of sward-buffer to runoff pollutant. The results showed that: Exposed riparian land has no reduce effect for SS in runoff, and the ratio for a 19 meter one is above 80%, the most efficacious sward is Cynodon dactylon, the reduce ratio can reach 84%, and the following are Trifolium repens and Festuca Arundinacea, the reduce ratio of which are respectivly 81% and 73%; when the influent TN concentration is lower than 10 mg·L-1, the effluent TN concentration of seepage water of four buffer strips all lower than 2 mg·L-1, which all reach the Grade V of Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards (Chinese EPA, 2002); when the influent TP concentration is almost 0.9~1.0 mg·L-1, the effluent TP concentration of seepage water of four buffer strips is almost 0.08~0.34 mg·L-1, which all lower than Grade V of Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards (Chinese EPA, 2002); through the simulating formula, the optimal width for 3 kind of sward-buffer is 16.1~20.4m when the the decrease ratio of ss is 80%, in which Cynodon dactylon is the most efficacious one.
Critical care nurses' knowledge and practice of delirium assessment.

AIMS The aim of this study was to examine perceived barriers to assessment of delirium for critical care nurses, and the impact of education on their knowledge and practice. BACKGROUND Delirium is a significant problem in critical care, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Many authors have found variations in assessment by critical care nurses, but there has been limited analysis of the reasons for this. Education on the topic improves knowledge and practice, but the best approach has not been examined. DESIGN A questionnaire survey design. METHODS A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to critical care nurses (n=31) at a district general hospital. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS Knowledge and practice were variable, but correlation was seen between nursing band and years of experience with better scores. Any type of education led to significantly improved scores. Several barriers to assessment were found, with the most common being lack of knowledge and difficulty in assessing intubated patients. CONCLUSION It is essential to improve practice in delirium assessment and management. Education is vital to improve the knowledge and practice of critical care nurses regarding delirium.
Cross-Field Joint Image Restoration via Scale Map

Color, infrared, and flash images captured in different fields can be employed to effectively eliminate noise and other visual artifacts. We propose a two-image restoration framework considering input images in different fields, for example, one noisy color image and one dark-flashed near infrared image. The major issue in such a framework is to handle structure divergence and find commonly usable edges and smooth transition for visually compelling image reconstruction. We introduce a scale map as a competent representation to explicitly model derivative-level confidence and propose new functions and a numerical solver to effectively infer it following new structural observations. Our method is general and shows a principled way for cross-field restoration.
Modeling first impressions from highly variable facial images

Significance Understanding how first impressions are formed to faces is a topic of major theoretical and practical interest that has been given added importance through the widespread use of images of faces in social media. We create a quantitative model that can predict first impressions of previously unseen ambient images of faces (photographs reflecting the variability encountered in everyday life) from a linear combination of facial attributes, explaining 58% of the variance in raters’ impressions despite the considerable variability of the photographs. Reversing this process, we then demonstrate that face-like images can be generated that yield predictable social trait impressions in naive raters because they capture key aspects of the systematic variation in the relevant physical features of real faces. First impressions of social traits, such as trustworthiness or dominance, are reliably perceived in faces, and despite their questionable validity they can have considerable real-world consequences. We sought to uncover the information driving such judgments, using an attribute-based approach. Attributes (physical facial features) were objectively measured from feature positions and colors in a database of highly variable “ambient” face photographs, and then used as input for a neural network to model factor dimensions (approachability, youthful-attractiveness, and dominance) thought to underlie social attributions. A linear model based on this approach was able to account for 58% of the variance in raters’ impressions of previously unseen faces, and factor-attribute correlations could be used to rank attributes by their importance to each factor. Reversing this process, neural networks were then used to predict facial attributes and corresponding image properties from specific combinations of factor scores. In this way, the factors driving social trait impressions could be visualized as a series of computer-generated cartoon face-like images, depicting how attributes change along each dimension. This study shows that despite enormous variation in ambient images of faces, a substantial proportion of the variance in first impressions can be accounted for through linear changes in objectively defined features.
Renal Overexpression of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α as Adaptive Response to a High Salt Diet

In the kidney, a high salt intake favors oxidative stress and hypoxia and causes the development of fibrosis. Both atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) exert cytoprotective effects. We tested the hypothesis that renal expression of ANP and HIF-1α is involved in a mechanism responding to the oxidative stress produced in the kidneys of rats chronically fed a high sodium diet. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a normal salt (0.4% NaCl) (NS) or a high salt (8% NaCl) (HS) diet for 3 weeks, with or without the administration of tempol (T), an inhibitor of oxidative stress, in the drinking water. We measured the mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urinary sodium excretion (UVNa). We evaluated the expression of ANP, HIF-1α, and transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) in renal tissues by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The animals fed a high salt diet showed increased MAP and UVNa levels and enhanced renal immunostaining of ANP, HIF-1α, and TGF-β1. The administration of tempol together with the sodium overload increased the natriuresis further and prevented the elevation of blood pressure and the increased expression of ANP, TGF-β1, and HIF-1α compared to their control. These findings suggest that HIF-1α and ANP, synthesized by the kidney, are involved in an adaptive mechanism in response to a sodium overload to prevent or attenuate the deleterious effects of the oxidative stress and the hypoxia on the development of fibrosis.
Regression From Uncertain Labels and Its Applications to Soft Biometrics

In this paper, we investigate two soft-biometric problems: (1) age estimation and (2) pose estimation, within the scenario where uncertainties exist for the available labels of the training samples. These two tasks are generally formulated as the automatic design of a regressor from training samples with uncertain nonnegative labels. First, the nonnegative label is predicted as the Frobenius norm of a matrix, which is bilinearly transformed from the nonlinear mappings of a set of candidate kernels. Two transformation matrices are then learned for deriving such a matrix by solving two semidefinite programming (SDP) problems, in which the uncertain label of each sample is expressed as two inequality constraints. The objective function of SDP controls the ranks of these two matrices and, consequently, automatically determines the structure of the regressor. The whole framework for the automatic design of a regressor from samples with uncertain nonnegative labels has the following characteristics: (1) the SDP formulation makes full use of the uncertain labels, instead of using conventional fixed labels; (2) regression with the Frobenius norm of matrix naturally guarantees the nonnegativity of the labels, and greater prediction capability is achieved by integrating the squares of the matrix elements, which to some extent act as weak regressors; and (3) the regressor structure is automatically determined by the pursuit of simplicity, which potentially promotes the algorithmic generalization capability. Extensive experiments on two human age databases: (1) FG-NET and (2) Yamaha, and the Pointing'04 head pose database, demonstrate encouraging estimation accuracy improvements over conventional regression algorithms without taking the uncertainties within the labels into account.
Ontogenetic Change in the Antigenic Specificity of the Chick Spleen

increase to a steady level for spring and summer and a sharp decline in the fall. There is no seasonal closure of the vagina or regression of the uterus. To determine relative ages of rats, the size at which 50 per cent of the rats have the third molar erupted (64 gm.) or the skull ossified (98 gm.) or the vagina perforated (102 gm.) or follicles ovulated (153 gm.) or placental scars present (318 gm.) may be calculated.
Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor Is a Novel Prognostic Factor for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose: Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is a nucleus-targeted growth factor playing an important role in the development and progression of cancers. This study investigated the correlation of HDGF expression and prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Patients and Methods: HDGF expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines was analyzed by Western blotting. HDGF expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for 50 patients with primary ductal carcinoma of the pancreas (33 male and 17 female) ranging in age from 48 to 80 years (median, 65 years) receiving surgical treatment. Cancer cells showing stronger staining than the noncancerous ducts were regarded as positive. Cases showing positive staining in <90% and >90% of tumor cells were regarded as HDGF labeling index (LI) levels 1 and 2, respectively. HDGF LI was determined separately for the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Results: Western blotting showed HDGF expression in pancreatic cancer cells similar to that of hepatic cell lines. Twenty-three (46%) and 27 (54%) cases and 22 (44%) and 28 (56%) cases showed HDGF LI levels 1 and 2 for the nucleus and the cytoplasm, respectively. Patients with nuclear HDGF LI level 1 showed a significantly better 5-year survival rate (37.0%) than those with level 2 (6.8%; P = 0.023). No significant difference was observed in the cytoplasmic HDGF LI classification. Multivariate analysis revealed nuclear HDGF LI to be an independent prognosticator. Conclusions: These findings suggest that HDGF could be a novel prognostic factor for pancreatic ductal carcinoma.
SCHUR MULTIPLIERS AND SPHERICAL FUNCTIONS ON HOMOGENEOUS TREES

Let X be a homogeneous tree of degree q + 1 (2 ≤ q ≤ ∞) and let ψ : X × X → ℂ be a function for which ψ(x, y) only depends on the distance between x, y ∈ X. Our main result gives a necessary and sufficient condition for such a function to be a Schur multiplier on X × X. Moreover, we find a closed expression for the Schur norm ||ψ||S of ψ. As applications, we obtaina closed expression for the completely bounded Fourier multiplier norm ||⋅||M0A(G) of the radial functions on the free (non-abelian) group 𝔽N on N generators (2 ≤ N ≤ ∞) and of the spherical functions on the q-adic group PGL2(ℚq) for every prime number q.