Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate numerical modeling of the TARA reflector system

The radiation pattern of the large parabolic reflectors of the Transportable Atmospheric RAdar system (TARA), developed at Delft University of Technology, has been accurately simulated. The electric field integral equation (EFIE) formulation has been applied to a model of the reflectors including the feed housing and supporting struts, discretised using the method of moments. Because the problem is electrically large (the reflector has a diameter of 33/spl lambda/) and nonsymmetrical, this lead to a badly conditioned linear system of approximately half a million unknowns. In order to solve this system, an iterative solver (generalized minimum residual method) was used, in combination with the multilevel fast multipole method. Because of the bad conditioning, the system could only be solved by using a huge preconditioner. A new block-incomplete LU preconditioner (ILU) algorithm has been employed to allow for efficient out-of-computer core memory preconditioning.
Translational Research in Acute Lung Injury and Pulmonary Fibrosis Rikkunshito ameliorates bleomycin-induced acute lung injury in a ghrelin-independent manner

Tsubouchi H, Yanagi S, Miura A, Iizuka S, Mogami S, Yamada C, Hattori T, Nakazato M. Rikkunshito ameliorates bleomycininduced acute lung injury in a ghrelin-independent manner. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 306: L233–L245, 2014. First published November 27, 2013; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00096. 2013. —Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical syndrome consisting of acute respiratory failure associated with extensive pulmonary infiltrates. The pathological characterization of ALI includes injuries of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), alveolar neutrophilic infiltration, and increases in proinflammatory cytokines, which cause destruction of the alveolar capillary barrier and subsequent devastating lung fibrosis. Rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, is widely used for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and is known to stimulate ghrelin secretion. The therapeutic effects of RKT on organ inflammation and fibrosis remain unknown. We investigated the pharmacological potential of RKT in the treatment of ALI by using a bleomycin-induced ALI model in mice. RKT or distilled water (DW) was given to mice daily starting 12 h after bleomycin administration. The RKT-treated mice showed a definitively higher survival rate than the DW-treated mice after injury. They also had smaller reductions in body weight and food intake. The amelioration of neutrophil alveolar infiltration, pulmonary vascular permeability, induction of proinflammatory cytokines, activation of the NFB pathway, apoptosis of AECs, and subsequent lung fibrosis were notable in the RKT-treated mice. RKT administration increased the plasma ghrelin levels in wild-type mice, and it also mitigated the ALI response in both ghrelin-deficient mice and growth hormone secretagogue receptordeficient mice after lung injury. Our results indicate that RKT administration exerts protective effects against ALI by protecting the AECs and regulating lung inflammation independently of the ghrelin system, and they highlight RKT as a promising therapeutic agent for the management of this intractable disease.
Mechanical properties and oxidation behavior of micro-alloyed iron aluminides

Es wurden drei mikrolegierte FeAl Guss-Legierungen mit 27, 33 und 39 at. % Aluminium bezuglich ihres Oxidationsverhaltens und ihrer mechanischen Eigenschaften untersucht. Die aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht drei interessantesten Aspekte, die im Folgendem genannt werden, bilden neben der mikrostrukturellen Charakterisierung der Legierungen die Grundlage dieser Arbeit: Oxidationsverhalten, Plastizitat bei Raumtemperatur als Funktion der Dehnrate und Kriechverhalten wurden detailliert untersucht.
TCR engagement negatively affects CD8 but not CD4 CAR T cell expansion and leukemic clearance

TCR engagement induces CD8 CAR T cell exhaustion and poor in vivo functionality in mice. A tale of two receptors Although there has been an explosion of research on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, most preclinical studies use transduced human T cells in immunodeficient mice so that the clinical products can be evaluated. However, the endogenous T cell receptors (TCRs) on the human cells are unable to be activated by peptides presented in mouse MHC. To determine how CAR activity is affected by TCR engagement, Yang et al. used a CAR targeting CD19 and multiple types of transgenic T cells in immunocompetent mice. Exposure of CD8 CAR T cells to the antigen recognized by the TCR led to T cell exhaustion, apoptosis, and lack of efficacy; this phenomenon was not observed for CD4 CAR T cells. Their findings demonstrate how considering T cell biology could further improve CAR T cell therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)–expressing T cells induce durable remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies. CARs are synthetic constructs that, when introduced into mature T cells, confer a second, non–major histocompatibility complex–restricted specificity in addition to the endogenous T cell receptor (TCR). The implications of TCR activation on CAR T cell efficacy has not been well defined. Using an immunocompetent, syngeneic murine model of CD19-targeted CAR T cell therapy for pre–B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in which the CAR is introduced into T cells with known TCR specificity, we demonstrate loss of CD8 CAR T cell efficacy associated with T cell exhaustion and apoptosis when TCR antigen is present. CD4 CAR T cells demonstrate equivalent cytotoxicity to CD8 CAR T cells and, in contrast, retain in vivo efficacy despite TCR stimulation. Gene expression profiles confirm increased exhaustion and apoptosis of CD8 CAR T cells upon dual receptor stimulation compared to CD4 CAR T cells and indicate inherent differences between CD4 and CD8 CAR T cells in the use of T cell–associated signaling pathways. These results provide insights into important aspects of CAR T cell immune biology and indicate opportunities to rationally design CAR constructs to optimize clinical efficacy.
Constant-round coin-tossing with a man in the middle or realizing the shared random string model

We present the first constant-round non-malleable commitment scheme and the first constant-round non-malleable zero-knowledge argument system, as defined by Dolev, Dwork and Naor (1991). Previous constructions either used a non-constant number of rounds, or were only secure under stronger setup assumptions. An example of such an assumption is the shared random string model where we assume all parties have access to a reference string that was chosen uniformly at random by a trusted dealer. We obtain these results by defining an adequate notion of non-malleable coin-tossing, and presenting a constant-round protocol that satisfies it. This protocol allows us to transform protocols that are non-malleable in (a modified notion of) the shared random string model into protocols that are non-malleable in the plain model (without any trusted dealer or setup assumptions). Observing that known constructions of a non-interactive non-malleable zero-knowledge argument systems in the shared random string model (De Santis et. al., 2001) are in fact non-malleable in the modified model, and combining them with our coin-tossing protocol we obtain the results mentioned above. The techniques we use are different from those used in previous constructions of non-malleable protocols. In particular our protocol uses diagonalization and a non-black-box proof of security (in a sense similar to Barak's zero-knowledge argument (2001)).
A SNARE Complex Unique to Seed Plants Is Required for Protein Storage Vacuole Biogenesis and Seed Development of Arabidopsis thaliana[W][OA]

The SNARE complex is a key regulator of vesicular traffic, executing membrane fusion between transport vesicles or organelles and target membranes. A functional SNARE complex consists of four coiled-coil helical bundles, three of which are supplied by Q-SNAREs and another from an R-SNARE. Arabidopsis thaliana VAMP727 is an R-SNARE, with homologs only in seed plants. We have found that VAMP727 colocalizes with SYP22/ VAM3, a Q-SNARE, on a subpopulation of prevacuolar compartments/endosomes closely associated with the vacuolar membrane. Genetic and biochemical analyses, including examination of a synergistic interaction of vamp727 and syp22 mutations, histological examination of protein localization, and coimmunoprecipitation from Arabidopsis lysates indicate that VAMP727 forms a complex with SYP22, VTI11, and SYP51 and that this complex plays a crucial role in vacuolar transport, seed maturation, and vacuole biogenesis. We suggest that the VAMP727 complex mediates the membrane fusion between the prevacuolar compartment and the vacuole and that this process has evolved as an essential step for seed development.
Plasma Heme Oxygenase-1 Levels Distinguish Latent or Successfully Treated Human Tuberculosis from Active Disease

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is associated with oxidative stress and the induction of host anti-oxidants to counteract this response. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a critical promoter of cytoprotection in diverse disease models including mycobacterial infection. Nevertheless, the pattern of expression of HO-1 in human tuberculosis has not been studied. Here, we examine expression of HO-1 in M. tuberculosis-exposed and -infected individuals and test its ability to distinguish active from latent and successfully treated TB cases. In addition, we assess correlations between plasma levels of HO-1 and cytokines closely associated with the immunopathogenesis of TB. Methods Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of levels of HO-1, acute phase proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines were performed in plasma samples from individuals with active pulmonary, extra-pulmonary or latent TB infection and healthy controls as part of a prospective cohort study in South India. Results Systemic levels of HO-1 were dramatically increased in individuals with active pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and particularly those with bilateral lung lesions and elevated bacillary loads in sputum. HO-1 levels effectively discriminated active from latent tuberculosis with higher predictive values than either C-reactive protein or serum amyloid protein. Moreover, there was a marked reduction in HO-1 levels in active TB cases following anti-tuberculous therapy but not in those who failed treatment. Pulmonary TB patients displaying the highest concentrations of HO-1 in plasma exhibited significantly elevated plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-10, interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 and diminished levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Conclusion These findings establish HO-1 levels as a potentially useful parameter for distinguishing active from latent or treated pulmonary tuberculosis, that is superior in this respect to the measurement of other acute inflammatory proteins.
Recall of lecture information: a question of what, when and where

In this paper we report on a study in which both immediate and long‐term (4‐month delay) recall of lecture information was tested in a group of preclinical medical students. Comparisons were made of the recall of visually and verbally presented lecture information and of information presented during different time periods in the lecture. A clear superiority of visual information over verbal information was found in both immediate and long‐term recall. Information presented between the fifteenth and thirtieth minutes of the lecture was recalled best whereas the worst recall was found for information presented in the first 15 minutes. The seating position of the student in the lecture theatre was also found to be associated with the level of immediate recall but this may well be a reflection of motivational factors which determine where students choose to sit rather than of seating position per se. The overall pattern of results indicate that the level of recall of lecture information by medical students is therefore a function of what type of information is presented, when during the lecture it is presented and where the student sits in the lecture theatre.
Implication of Negative Entropy Flow for Local Rainfall

The relation between the atmospheric entropy flow field and local rainfall is examined in terms of the theory of dissipative structures. In this paper, the entropy balance equation in a form suitable for describing the entropy budget of the Earth’s atmosphere is derived starting from the Gibbs relation, and, as examples, the entropy flows of the two severe weather events associated with the development of an extratropical cyclone and a tropical storm are calculated, respectively. The results show that negative entropy flow (NEF) has a significant effect on the precipitation intensity and scope with an apparent matching of the NEF’s pattern with the rainfall distribution revealed and, that the diagnosis of NEF is able to provide a good indicator for precipitation forecasting.
Designing Anti-Binge Drinking Prevention Messages: Message Framing vs. Evidence Type

ABSTRACT We investigated whether presenting anti-binge drinking health campaign messages in different message framing and evidence types influences college students’ intention to avoid binge drinking, based on prospect theory (PT) and exemplification theory. A 2 (message framing: loss-framed message/gain-framed message) X 2 (evidence type: statistical/narrative) between-subjects factorial design with a control group was conducted with 156 college students. College students who were exposed to the loss-framed message condition exhibited a higher level of intention to avoid binge drinking in the near future than those who did not see any messages (the control group). This finding was mainly among non-binge drinkers. Regardless of evidence type, those who were exposed to the messages exhibited a higher level of intention to avoid binge drinking than those in the control group. This is also mainly among non-binge drinkers. We also found the main effects of message framing and evidence type on attitude toward the message and the main effect of message framing on attitude toward drinking.
Communication issues within high performance computing grids

This paper presents several ideas pertaining to desirable properties associated with protocols for moving large amounts of data over a grid of high performance computers. The protocol enhancements are discussed in terms of their scalability and identifying sources of potential protocol redundancy. In the context of this paper it is scalability as it relates to the transport of increasingly larger amounts of data over grid computing networks. Specifically we address efficacy in moving large data sets between nodes on a grid interconnected over a Wide Area Network (WAN) in terms of increasing the basic packet size and better suited to transport protocols. In addition we introduce a means of better evaluating error detection models as functions of increased packet size.
REG Ialpha protein may function as a trophic and/or anti-apoptotic factor in the development of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Although a significant amount of regenerating gene (REG) Ialpha protein is present not only in normal gastric mucosa but also in gastric cancer tissues, its pathophysiologic role in gastric cancer development remains unclear. We investigated REG Ialpha protein expression in early gastric cancers, and examined whether cytokines are responsible for REG Ialpha gene expression and whether REG Ialpha protein has a trophic and/or an antiapoptotic effect on gastric cancer cells. METHODS Early gastric cancer specimens were analyzed histologically using immunohistochemistry for REG Ialpha protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The effects of cytokines on REG Ialpha promoter activity and its messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in AGS (a kind of gastric cancer cell line) cells were examined by luciferase reporter assay and Northern blot analysis, respectively. Effects of REG Ialpha protein on cell growth and H2O2-induced apoptosis in AGS cells were examined by 3,-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphatase nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays, respectively. RESULTS REG Ialpha-positive early gastric cancers showed a significantly higher PCNA labeling index and more severe inflammatory cell infiltration in adjacent gastric mucosa than the negative cancers. REG Ialpha gene expression and its promoter activity were enhanced by interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-6. REG Ialpha protein promoted cell growth and cell resistance to H2O2-induced apoptosis in AGS cells. These effects were abolished by concomitant treatment with anti-REG Ialpha antibody. REG Ialpha protein enhanced Akt phosphorylation and Bcl-xL expression in AGS cells. CONCLUSIONS REG Ialpha gene is inducible by cytokine stimulation and its gene product may function as a mitogenic and/or an antiapoptotic factor in the development of early gastric cancer.
Inhibition of Alpha Interferon Signaling by Hepatitis B Virus

ABSTRACT Alpha interferon (IFN-α) and pegylated IFN-α (pegIFN-α) are used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Unfortunately, only a minority of patients can be cured. The mechanisms responsible for hepatitis B virus (HBV) resistance to pegIFN-α treatment are not known. pegIFN-α is also used to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). As with chronic hepatitis B, many patients with chronic hepatitis C cannot be cured. In CHC, IFN-α signaling has been found to be inhibited by an upregulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). PP2A inhibits protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), the enzyme that catalyzes the methylation of the important IFN-α signal transducer STAT1. Hypomethylated STAT1 is less active because it is bound by its inhibitor, PIAS1. In the present work, we investigated whether similar molecular mechanisms are also responsible for the IFN-α resistance found in many patients with chronic hepatitis B. We analyzed the expression of PP2A, the enzymatic activity of PRMT1 (methylation assays), the phosphorylation and methylation of STAT1, the association of STAT1 with PIAS1 (via coimmunoprecipitation assays), the binding of activated STAT1 to interferon-stimulated response elements (via electrophoretic mobility shift assays), and the induction of interferon target genes (via real-time RT-PCR) in human hepatoma cells expressing HBV proteins as well as in liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis B and from controls. We found an increased expression of PP2A and an inhibition of IFN-α signaling in cells expressing HBV proteins and in liver biopsies of patients with CHB. The molecular mechanisms involved are similar to those found in chronic hepatitis C.
Detection of Shiga-Like Toxin (stx1 andstx2), Intimin (eaeA), and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) Hemolysin (EHEC hlyA) Genes in Animal Feces by Multiplex PCR

ABSTRACT A multiplex PCR was developed for the rapid detection of genes encoding Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (stx1 andstx2), intimin (eaeA), and enterohemolysin A (hlyA) in 444 fecal samples derived from healthy and clinically affected cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. The method involved non-solvent-based extraction of nucleic acid from an aliquot of an overnight culture of feces in EC (modified) broth. The detection limit of the assay for both fecal samples and pure cultures was between 18 and 37 genome equivalents. stx1and hlyA were the most commonly encountered virulence factors.
The Feedback Effect of Hedging in Illiquid Markets

This paper analyzes the influence of dynamic trading strategies on the prices in financial markets. After a thorough discussion of the modeling issues involved we derive the modification of the stochastic process of the underlying asset that follows from the presence of dynamic trading strategies. We analyze the nonlinear effects and the feedback from prices to trading strategy. The pricing, hedging, and replication of options in the context of illiquid markets is discussed and a nonlinear partial differential equation for an option replication strategy is derived. Finally the effects of one of the most popular trading strategies---Put-option replication---on the price of the underlying asset are illustrated using numerical simulations.
Bone morphogenetic protein-6 promotes osteoblastic prostate cancer bone metastases through a dual mechanism.

Prostate cancer frequently metastasizes to bone where it forms osteoblastic lesions through unknown mechanisms. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are mediators of skeletal formation. Prostate cancer produces a variety of BMPs, including BMP-6. We tested the hypothesis that BMP-6 contributes to prostate cancer-induced osteosclerosis at bone metastatic sites. Prostate cancer cells and clinical tissues produced BMP-6 that increased with aggressiveness of the tumor. Prostate cancer-conditioned medium induced SMAD phosphorylation in the preosteoblast MC3T3 cells, and phosphorylation was diminished by anti-BMP-6 antibody. Prostate cancer-conditioned medium induced mineralization of MC3T3 cells, which was blocked by both the BMP inhibitor noggin and anti-BMP-6. Human fetal bones were implanted in severe combined immunodeficient mice and after 4 weeks, LuCaP 23.1 prostate cancer cells were injected both s.c. and into the bone implants. Anti-BMP-6 or isotype antibody administration was then initiated. Anti-BMP-6 reduced LuCaP 23.1-induced osteoblastic activity, but had no effect on its osteolytic activity. This was associated with increased osteoblast numbers and osteoblast activity based on bone histomorphometric evaluation. As endothelin-1 has been implicated in bone metastases, we measured serum endothelin-1 levels but found they were not different among the treatment groups. In addition to decreased bone production, anti-BMP-6 reduced intraosseous, but not s.c. , tumor size. We found that BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, and BMP-7 had no direct effect on prostate cancer cell growth, but BMP-2 and BMP-6 increased the in vitro invasive ability of prostate cancer cell. These data show that prostate cancer promotes osteoblastic activity through BMP-6 and that, in addition to its bone effects, suggest that BMPs promote the ability of the prostate cancer cells to invade the bone microenvironment.