Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Trophoblast Cells Modulate Endometrial Cells Nuclear Factor κB Response to Flagellin In Vitro

Background Implantation is a complex process that requires a delicate cooperation between the immune and reproductive system. Any interference in the fine balance could result in embryo loss and infertility. We have recently shown that Toll-like receptor 5 activation results in a decrease of trophoblast cells binding to endometrial cells in an in vitro model of human implantation. However, little is known about the downstream signalling leading to the observed failure in implantation and the factors that modulate this immune response. Methods and Principal Findings An in vitro model of embryo implantation was used to evaluate the effect of trophoblasts and flagellin on the activation of NF-κB in endometrial cells and whether TLR5-related in vitro implantation failure is signalled through NF-κB. We generated two different NF-κB reporting cell lines by transfecting either an immortalized endometrial epithelial cell line (hTERT-EECs) or a human endometrial carcinoma cell line (Ishikawa 3-H-12) with a plasmid containing the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) under the control of five NF-κB sites. The presence of trophoblast cells as well as flagellin increased NF-κB activity when compared to controls. The NF-κB activation induced by flagellin was further increased by the addition of trophoblast cells. Moreover, blocking NF-κB signalling with a specific inhibitor (BAY11-7082) was able to restore the binding ability of our trophoblast cell line to the endometrial monolayer. Conclusions These are the first results showing a local effect of the trophoblasts on the innate immune response of the endometrial epithelium. Moreover, we show that implantation failure caused by intrauterine infections could be associated with abnormal levels of NF-κB activation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the target genes through which NF-κB activation after TLR5 stimulation lead to failure in implantation and the effect of the embryo on those genes. Understanding these pathways could help in the diagnosis and treatment of implantation failure cases.
Management of major trauma haemorrhage: treatment priorities and controversies

The severely injured trauma patient often arrives in the emergency department bleeding, coagulopathic and in need of a blood transfusion. The diagnosis and management of these patients has vastly improved with a better understanding of acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC). In the emergency setting, traditional laboratory coagulation screens are of limited use in the diagnosis and management of life‐threatening bleeding. Whole blood assays, such as thrombelastography (TEG) and rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) provide a rapid evaluation of clot formation, strength and lysis. Rapid diagnosis of ATC and aggressive haemostatic transfusion strategies utilizing early high doses of plasma are associated with improved outcomes in trauma. At present there is no accurate guide for transfusion in trauma, therefore blood and clotting products are administered on an empiric basis. Targeted transfusion therapy for major trauma haemorrhage based on comprehensive and rapid measures of coagulation e.g. TEG/ROTEM may lead to improved outcomes while optimizing blood utilization. Evidence for the clinical application of TEG and ROTEM in trauma is emerging with a number of studies evaluating their ability to diagnose coagulopathy early and facilitate goal‐directed transfusion. This review explores current controversies and best practice in the diagnosis and management of major haemorrhage in trauma.
Microarray analysis of endothelial differentially expressed genes in liver of cirrhotic rats.

BACKGROUND & AIMS There is a long-standing interest in the identification of endothelial-specific pathways for therapeutic targeting in cirrhosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate differences in gene expression patterns between liver endothelial cells (LECs) from control and cirrhotic rats by using microarrays. METHODS LECs were obtained by isopycnic centrifugation. LECs gene expression was then analyzed on high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. RESULTS Analysis of gene expression revealed that most of the differentially expressed mRNA in cirrhosis are associated with extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, antioxidant/stress response, and cell signaling. CONCLUSIONS The collective expression changes observed within some functional groups of genes indicate that LECs in cirrhotic livers may contribute to lymphangiogenesis, enhancement of fibrogenesis and inflammatory processes, changes in cell-cell interaction with up-regulation of adherens junction proteins, and alterations in the intrahepatic vascular tone because of the down-regulation of genes involved in vasodilatation.
Computationally inexpensive and effective scheme for automatic transcription of polyphonic music

We describe a computationally inexpensive but effective scheme for automatic transcription of polyphonic music. Based on a two-step strategy, tracks creation and tracks grouping, the scheme utilizes innovative comb-filtering and 'sharpening' steps to produce the desired transcription output in the form of discrete notes with temporal, pitch and amplitude attributes. Recall and precision measurements are used to analyze and quantify transcription accuracy. Promising results are achieved for the automatic transcription of both synthetic and acoustic piano music.
When planning results in loss of control: intention-based reflexivity and working-memory

In this review, the authors discuss the seemingly paradoxical loss of control associated with states of high readiness to execute a plan, termed “intention-based reflexivity. ” The review suggests that the neuro-cognitive systems involved in the preparation of novel plans are different than those involved in preparation of practiced plans (i.e., those that have been executed beforehand). When the plans are practiced, intention-based reflexivity depends on the prior availability of response codes in long-term memory (LTM). When the plans are novel, reflexivity is observed when the plan is pending and the goal has not yet been achieved. Intention-based reflexivity also depends on the availability of working-memory (WM) limited resources and the motivation to prepare. Reflexivity is probably related to the fact that, unlike reactive control (once a plan is prepared), proactive control tends to be relatively rigid.
Comparison of Measured Creatinine Clearance and Clearances Estimated by Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD Formulas in Patients with a Single Kidney

There are doubts about whether the values obtained from the Cockroft-Gault (ClCG) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (GFRMDRD) formulas are comparable to the more traditional formula used to obtain the creatinine clearance from a 24-hour urine collection (ClCrm), particularly in patients with only one kidney. The present study aimed to compare these formulas in individuals with one remaining kidney after previous nephrectomy (Nx) and to verify which estimated formula correlates more closely with ClCrm. Thirty-six patients who had undergone Nx had their renal filtration analyzed with ClCG, GFRMDRD and by ClCrm. The average time after Nx was 11.6 ± 9.0 years, and the average age at the time of the study was 50.7 ± 10.6 years old (X ± SD). The results of three clearances were 81.1 ± 35.6 mL·min·m2 for ClCrm, 70.4 ± 24.0 mL·min·m2 for ClCrCG, and 71.2 ± 19.2 mL·min·m2 for GFRMDRD (with ClCrm > ClCrCG and GFRMDRD; P < .001). No difference was found between the ClCrCG and GFRMDRD values (P = .72). The data demonstrated that both estimate formulas were strongly correlated with ClCrm, although ClCrCG was more closely associated with ClCrm than GFRMDRD (ClCrCG with r2 : 0.64 and GFRMDRD with r2 : 0.34; P < .001). In conclusion, for people with only one kidney remaining after NX, our data showed that glomerular filtration rate estimation by ClCrCG is more related to the values obtained with the traditional clearance measurement based on a 24-hour urine collection test.
Fracture Mechanics Analysis of Tilted Sandwich Debond (TSD) Specimen

The Tilted Sandwich Debond (TSD) specimen has recently been introduced for characterization of debond fracture of foam core sandwich panels. A precracked sandwich specimen is attached to an incline, and debonding is achieved by loading the partially debonded top face until further crack propagation occurs. In this paper we present finite element analysis of several configurations of the TSD specimen, viz. a homogeneous and isotropic specimen, interface crack specimen, and sub-interface crack specimen. Stress intensity factors are determined using various mesh refinements over a range of tilt angles, and the mode mixity is related to the potential for crack deflection (kinking) into the core. Irrespective of the tilt angle, it was found that cracks located at the face/core interface displayed amode mixity favorable for kinking into the core. Experiments on a sandwich with a H100 PVC foam core revealed kinking at an angle in reasonable agreement with the prediction. After kinking, analysis of sub-interface crack configurations showed that the crack loading becomes highly mode I dominated, which indicates crack propagation parallel to the face/core interface, again in agreement with experimental observations. Fracture mechanics analysis of foam materials, based on assumption of homogeneous material, however, becomes questionable when the singular domain becomes comparable to the cell size of the foam.
Chromosomal radiosensitivity during the G2 cell-cycle period of skin fibroblasts from individuals with familial cancer.

We reported previously that human cells after neoplastic transformation in culture had acquired an increased susceptibility to chromatid damage induced by x-irradiation during the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Evidence suggested that this results from deficient DNA repair during G2 phase. Cells derived from human tumors also showed enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity. Furthermore, skin fibroblasts from individuals with genetic diseases predisposing to a high risk of cancer, including ataxia-telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, and xeroderma pigmentosum exhibited enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity. The present study shows that apparently normal skin fibroblasts from individuals with familial cancer--i.e., from families with a history of neoplastic disease--also exhibit enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity. This radiosensitivity appears, therefore, to be associated with both a genetic predisposition to cancer and a malignant neoplastic state. Furthermore, enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity may provide the basis for an assay to detect genetic susceptibility to cancer.
Replication in Cells of Hematopoietic Origin Is Necessary for Dengue Virus Dissemination

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen for which no vaccine or specific therapeutic is available. Although it is well established that dendritic cells and macrophages are primary sites of DENV replication, it remains unclear whether non-hematopoietic cellular compartments serve as virus reservoirs. Here, we exploited hematopoietic-specific microRNA-142 (miR-142) to control virus tropism by inserting tandem target sites into the virus to restrict replication exclusively in this cell population. In vivo use of this virus restricted infection of CD11b+, CD11c+, and CD45+ cells, resulting in a loss of virus spread, regardless of the route of administration. Furthermore, sequencing of the targeted virus population that persisted at low levels, demonstrated total excision of the inserted miR-142 target sites. The complete conversion of the virus population under these selective conditions suggests that these immune cells are the predominant sources of virus amplification. Taken together, this work highlights the importance of hematopoietic cells for DENV replication and showcases an invaluable tool for the study of virus pathogenesis.
Older Rhesus Macaque Infants Are More Susceptible to Oral Infection with Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus 89.6P than Neonates

ABSTRACT Earlier primate studies revealed that oral transmission of immunodeficiency viruses can occur at all ages [R. M. Ruprecht et al., J. Infect. Dis. 179(Suppl. 3):S408-S412, 1999]. Using a stock of pathogenic simian-human immunodeficiency virus, SHIV89.6P, we compared the 50% animal infectious dose needed to achieve systemic infection after oral challenge in newborn and older infant or juvenile rhesus macaques. Unexpectedly, the older monkeys required a 150-fold-lower virus challenge dose than the neonates (P = 3.3 × 10−5). In addition, at least 60,000 times more virus was needed to achieve systemic infection in neonates by the oral route than by the intravenous route (P < 1 × 10−5). Thus, route of inoculation and age are important determinants of SHIV89.6P infectivity in rhesus macaques.
Scalable and scalably-verifiable sequential synthesis

This paper describes an efficient implementation of sequential synthesis that uses induction to detect and merge sequentially-equivalent nodes. State-encoding, scan chains, and test vectors are essentially preserved. Moreover, the sequential synthesis results are sequentially verifiable using an independent inductive prover similar to that used for synthesis, with guaranteed completeness. Experiments with this sequential synthesis show effectiveness. When applied to a set of 20 industrial benchmarks ranging up to 26 K registers and up to 53 K 6 -LUTs, average reductions in register and area are 12.9% and 13.1% respectively while delay is reduced by 1.4%. When applied to the largest academic benchmarks, an average reduction in both registers and area is more than 30%. The associated sequential verification is also scalable and runs about 2times slower than synthesis. The implementation is available in the synthesis and verification system ABC.
Effects of RTM Mold Temperature and Vacuum on the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy/Glass Fiber Composite Plates

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of mold temperature, application of vacuum at resin exit ports, and initial resin temperature on the mechanical properties of epoxy matrix woven glass fiber reinforced composite specimens produced by resin transfer molding (RTM). For this purpose, six mold temperatures (25, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120°C), two initial resin temperatures (15 and 28°C), and vacuum (0.03 bar) and without vacuum (~1 bar) conditions are utilized. Specimens are characterized by ultrasonic C-scan inspection, mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, and impact), thermal analyses (ignition loss and TGA) and scanning electron microscopy. It is observed that mechanical properties of the specimens produced at a mold temperature of 60°C with the application of vacuum and initial resin temperature of 28°C proved to be the highest (e.g., 16, 26, and 43% higher tensile strength, flexural strength, and Charpy impact toughness, respectively, compared to the lowest values attained with mold temperatures other than 60°C while other variables are kept constant). It has been shown that application of vacuum contributes to the final mechanical properties of the produced composites by lowering the percentage of `voids'. In fact, without the application of vacuum, the deteriorations in mechanical properties are as high as 26% loss in Charpy impact toughness and 5% losses in tensile and flexural strength. Additionally, lowering the initial resin temperature is shown to alter mechanical properties (e.g., 14, 12, and 18% losses in tensile strength, flexural strength, and Charpy impact toughness, respectively, when the initial resin temperature is decreased from 28 to 15°C).
Polyurethane‐Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites Prepared by In‐Situ Polymerization with Electroactive Shape Memory

In‐situ polymerization was employed to achieve well‐dispersed carbon nanotube‐reinforced polyurethane composites. In‐situ polymerization showed predominant as primarily dispersal of carbon nanotubes in the matrix polymer according to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results suggested that the addition of multi walled nanotubes (MWNTs) into polyurethane increased the rate of crystallization, this effect being more significant in polyurethane (PU)‐MWNT composite, which was prepared by an in‐situ polymerization process. The composites obtained by in‐situ polymerization showed enhanced mechanical properties as well as good electroactive shape memory. The original shape of the sample was almost recovered with bending mode when an electric field of 50 V was applied.
Power quality disturbance classification using the inductive inference approach

This paper presents a novel approach for the classification of power quality disturbances. The approach is based on inductive learning by using decision trees. The wavelet transform is utilized to produce representative feature vectors that can accurately capture the unique and salient characteristics of each disturbance. In the training phase, a decision tree is developed for the power quality disturbances. The decision tree is obtained based on the features produced by the wavelet analysis through inductive inference. During testing, the signal is recognized using the rules extracted from the decision tree. The classification accuracy of the decision tree is not only comparable with the classification accuracy of artificial Neural networks, but also accounts for the explanation of the disturbance classification via the produced if. then rules.
General and Specific Contributions of RAN to Reading and Arithmetic Fluency in First Graders: A Longitudinal Latent Variable Approach

In the present study, we opted for a longitudinal design and examined rapid automatized naming (RAN) performance from two perspectives. In a first step, we examined the structure of RAN performance from a general cognitive perspective. We investigated whether rapid naming measures (e.g., digit RAN and color RAN) reflect a mainly domain-general factor or domain-specific factors. In a second step, we examined how the best fitting RAN model was related to reading and arithmetic outcomes, assessed several months later. Finally in a third step we took a clinical perspective and investigated specific contributions of RAN measures to reading and arithmetic outcomes. While RAN has emerged as a promising predictor of reading, the relationship between RAN and arithmetic has been less examined in the past. Hundred and twenty-two first graders completed seven RAN tasks, each comprising visually familiar stimuli such as digits, vowels, consonants, dice, finger-numeral configurations, objects, and colors. Four months later the same children completed a range of reading and arithmetic tasks. From a general descriptive perspective, structural equation modeling supports a one-dimensional RAN factor in 6- to -7-year-old children. However, from a clinical perspective, our findings emphasize the specific contributions of RANs. Interestingly, alphanumeric RANs (i.e., vowel RAN) were most promising when predicting reading skills and number-specific RANs (i.e., finger-numeral configuration RAN) were most promising when predicting arithmetic fluency. The implications for clinical and educational practices will be discussed.
Exceptions and exception handling in computerized information processes

Exceptions, situations that cannot be correctly processed by computer systems, occur frequently in computer-based information processes. Five perspectives on exceptions provide insights into why exceptions occur and how they might be eliminated or more efficiently handled. We investigate these perspectives using an in-depth study of an operating information process that has frequent exceptions. Our results support the use of a total quality management (TQM) approach of eliminating exceptions for some exceptions, in particular, those caused by computer systems that are poor matches to organizational processes. However, some exceptions are explained better by a political system perspective of conflicting goals between subunits. For these exceptions and several other types, designing an integrated human-computer process will provide better performance than will eliminating exceptions and moving toward an entirely automated process.
The multistage approach to information extraction in degraded document images

Global and local adaptive thresholding techniques have been shown effective on particular types of documents. None produces consistently good results on all types of documents. In this paper a novel method, called the multistage-approach, is presented and compared against some existing single-stage algorithms. The multistage approach recursively breaks down an image into sub-regions using quad-tree decomposition and extracts local features from each sub-region until an appropriate thresholding method can be applied to each sub-region. Quantitative analysis using word recall and on 300 degraded historical images obtained from the Library of Congress demonstrate the method is superior to any existing single methods.
Extrinsic vs. intrinsic noises in phage lambda genetic switch

Noises in biological modeling may be classified into two kinds: intrinsic noise, which derives from the variability in dominant molecular interaction and is responsible for the given phenomenon, and extrinsic noise, which arises from other sources, like fluctuations in the environment and so on. Phage lambda is a simple model organism that exhibits important noisy characteristics. It lives in either lysogenic state or lytic state after infecting a bacterium, that is determined by a genetic switch. The mathematical modeling of this genetic switch typically only considers intrinsic noise, though a previous study by one of present authors suggested the critical role of extrinsic noise. In the present study by comparing theoretical results of phage lambda in lysogeny with experiment data, we first achieve good numerical agreements of five constrains of phage lambda for averaged variables. This success indicates that current dominant molecular agents are right. In addition, we confirm the existence of extrinsic noise in lambda genetic switch and find it surprisingly large. This finding calls for an extension of the current mathematical model to better describe the noises. We also point out some possible sources of extrinsic noise.
The action potential in end-plate and extrajunctional regions of rat skeletal muscle.

In the innervated rat diaphragm muscle, the maximum rate of rise of the action potential was approximately 20 % greater in the end-plate region as compared to non-junctional areas. This difference in rate of rise was maintained for a period of at least 14 days after denervation. Desensitization of the post-junctional membrane by carbachol or irreversible blockade of the cholinergic receptor system by use of a toxin from Naja naja siamcnsis failed to reduce this difference. When TTX (10-6M) was added to the bathing fluid, action potentials could no longer be elicited from innervated fibres; a sodium-dependent local response remained in most fibres, however, but only in the end-plate region. After surgical denervation, the action potential becomes partially resistant to the blocking action of TTX, and it was found that the action potential in the end-plate region was more resistant than that in non-junctional areas. The results show the presence of TTX-insensitive ionophores situated in the postjunctional membrane of innervated and denervated muscle fibres. It is suggested that these TTX-insensitive sites contribute to the observed greater rate of rise of action potentials elicited from these areas.