Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic development of glucocorticoid resistance during autoimmune neuroinflammation.

CONTEXT Glucocorticoids (GC) are powerful endogenous and therapeutic modulators of inflammation and play a critical role for controlling autoimmunity. GC resistance can be seen in patients with cell-mediated autoimmune disorders, but it is unknown whether this represents a stable trait or a state. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine whether GC resistance of T cell responses is dynamically regulated in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN This was a translational observational study. PATIENTS AND ANIMALS: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice. A cross-sectional sample of 25 patients with relapsing-remitting MS was included as well as four MS patients during pregnancy and postpartum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcome measures included GC sensitivity of T cell proliferation and GC-mediated apoptosis. RESULTS GC resistance was seen in both autoantigen-specific and nonspecific responses of T cells obtained from mice with EAE. GC resistance preceded clinical symptoms and central nervous system infiltration of immune cells. T cells obtained during EAE were resistant to GC-induced apoptosis, and this was linked to down-regulation of GC receptor-α expression. GC resistance in T cells was also seen in MS patients with radiological evidence for ongoing inflammation. GC resistance was absent in the MS patients during pregnancy, when relapse risk is decreased, but recurred postpartum, a time of increased relapse risk. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that GC resistance during autoimmune neuroinflammation is dynamically regulated. This has implications for the timing of steroid treatments and provides a putative pathway to explain the observed association between psychological stress and exacerbation of autoimmune diseases.
Teleconnection between Summer NAO and East China Rainfall Variations: A Bridge Effect of the Tibetan Plateau

Although the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), especially the antecedent NAO in winter and spring, on East Asian summer climate has been studied extensively, the possible connection from the summer NAO (SNAO) and then the Tibetan Plateau (TP) to East China summer rainfall remains unclear. This study reveals that on interannual time scales the SNAO is significantly correlated with the variations of East China summer rainfall and the thermal forcing of the TP provides an intermediate bridge effect in this Eurasian teleconnection. The SNAO primarily regulates the rainfall variability over the TP through large-scale wave trains and the TP rainfall anomalies in turn lead to a change in local diabatic heating, which excites Rossby waves to the downstream regions. To the northeast of the TP, an anomalous barotropic cyclone is formed in the nearly entire troposphere, generating low-level northerly flow anomalies over northern China. Meanwhile, the TP heating also induces low-level southerly flow anomalies over southern China. The anomalous northerly and southerly winds converge in the lower troposphere, enhancing the summer rainfall over central East China. Compared to the SNAO, the TP thermal forcing exerts a more direct impact on the variations of East China summer rainfall in the Eurasian teleconnection discussed.
Continuous‐Time Three‐Dimensional Mapping for Micro Aerial Vehicles with a Passively Actuated Rotating Laser Scanner

The ability to generate accurate and detailed three‐dimensional (3D) maps of a scene from a mobile platform is an essential technology for a wide variety of applications from robotic navigation to geological surveying. In many instances, the best vantage point is from above, and as a result, there is a growing demand for low‐altitude mapping solutions from micro aerial vehicles such as small quadcopters. Existing lidar‐based 3D airborne mapping solutions rely on GPS/INS solutions for positioning, or focus on producing relatively low‐fidelity or locally focused maps for the purposes of autonomous navigation. We have developed a general‐purpose airborne 3D mapping system capable of continuously scanning the environment during flight to produce accurate and dense point clouds without the need for a separate positioning system. A key feature of the system is a novel passively driven mechanism to rotate a lightweight 2D laser scanner using the rotor downdraft from a quadcopter. The data generated from the spinning laser is input into a continuous‐time simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) solution to produce an accurate 6 degree‐of‐freedom trajectory estimate and a 3D point cloud map. Extensive results are presented illustrating the versatility of the platform in a variety of environments including forests, caves, mines, heritage sites, and industrial facilities. Comparison with conventional surveying methods and equipment demonstrates the high accuracy and precision of the proposed solution.
Reduction in infarct size, arrhythmias and chest pain by early intravenous beta blockade in suspected acute myocardial infarction.

Four hundred seventy-seven patients suspected of having had acute myocardial infarction within less than 12 hours were randomized to receive i.v. atenolol followed by oral treatment for 10 days or to a control group. In patients with ECG changes indicative of infarction at entry, i.v. atenolol significantly reduced enzyme release by one-third and enhanced R-wave preservation. In patients without such ECG changes, treatment significantly prevented the development of infarction in a proportion of patients. There was also a significant reduction in R-on-T ectopics, repetitive ventricular arrhythmias and supraventricular arrhythmias. Treated patients had significantly greater pain relief and required fewer opiate analgesics. Significantly fewer atenolol-treated patients died by 10 days (the treatment period), had nonfatal cardiac arrests, developed heart failure, or suffered reinfarction.
Crystal structure of TNF-alpha mutant R31D with greater affinity for receptor R1 compared with R2.

Crystal structures have been determined of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and its R31D mutant that preferentially binds to TNF receptor R1 with more than seven times the relative affinity of binding to receptor R2. Crystals of the wild-type TNF were of space group P4(1)2(1)2 and had unit cell dimensions of a = b = 94.7 and c = 117.4 A. Refinement of the structure gave an R-factor of 22.3% at 2.5 A resolution. The crystals of TNF R31D mutant diffracted to 2.3 A resolution, and were of identical space group to the wild type with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 95.4 and c = 116.2 A, and the structure was refined to an R-factor of 21.8%. The trimer structures of the wild-type and mutant TNF were similar with a root mean square (r.m.s.) deviation of 0.56 A for Calpha atoms; however, the subunits within each trimer were more variable with an average r.m.s. deviation of 1.00 A on Calpha atoms for pairwise comparison of subunits. Model complexes of TNF with receptors R1 and R2 have been used to predict TNF-receptor interactions. Arg31 in all three subunits of wild-type TNF is predicted to form an ionic interaction with the equivalent glutamic acid in both receptors R1 and R2. Asp31 of the TNF R31D mutant is predicted to interact differently with the two receptors. The side chain of Asp31 in two subunits of the TNF mutant is predicted to form hydrogen bond interactions with Ser59 or Cys70 of R1, while it has no predicted interactions with R2. The loss of three strong ionic interactions of Arg31 and the electrostatic repulsion of Asp31 with Glu in the receptors is consistent with the reduced binding of the R31D mutant to both receptors relative to wild-type TNF. The replacement of these ionic interactions by two weaker hydrogen bond interactions between Asp31 of the R31D mutant and R1, compared with no interactions with R2, is in agreement with the observed preferential binding of the R31D mutant to R1 over R2. Analysis of the structure and function of receptor-discriminating mutants of TNF will help understand the biological role of TNF and facilitate its use as an antitumor agent.
Current Status of Dominant Pelagic Fish Species Caught by Purse Seine in the Eastern Sulu Sea and the Basilan Strait

Data collection was conducted in four (4) pre-identified fish landing sites in Zamboanga City. Sampling was conducted every other two days of the month with the third day as a rest day. The strategies used included interviews with fishers and/or boat captains to determine fishing grounds, type of gear used, total catch, and the number of fishing days. Two data collectors per site determine the species, length (total length if small, and fork length on larger fish), and the weight measurements from the one kilo of samples extracted from the total catch. Results show that the CPUE for the whole commercial fisheries subsector averaged 10,890.5 kg/ day while the purse seine, which is the most prevalent gear employed, had a higher average CPUE of 14,142 kg/day. Its monthly CPUE was highest in April at 19,800.28 kg/day and lowest in December at 9,624.83 kg/day. The total catch of the commercial subsector for 2013 was 22,855,452.85 kg with April registering the highest at 4,116,650.9 kg and lowest in December at 313,980 kg. Overall, Sardinella lemuru constituted 45.89% of the total commercial sector production for 2013, followed by Amblygaster sirm at 13.19%, Selar crumenophthalmus at 8.93%, Rastrelliger kanagurta at 8.81% and Decapterus macrosomaat 8.17%. The most exploited species was Decapterus macrosoma caught by Purse Seine with an E value of 0.71, followed by Sardinella lemuru with 0.59, Amblygaster sirm with 0.57, and Rastrelliger kanagurta with 0.51. The species Selar crumenophthalmus has the lowest E value at 0.38. The maximum length (Lmax) of S. lemuru, A. sirm, R. kanagurta, and D. macrosoma are much higher than the published values of length at first maturity of subject species. Decapterus macrosoma, S. lemuru, A. sirm, and R. kanagurta all have higher fishing mortality than natural mortality suggestive of overexploitation. Amblygaster sirm and Rastrelliger kanagurta caught by purse seine were both captured before maturity with L25 values of 15.0 cms and 19.0 cm respectively while Sardinella lemuru and Decapterus macrosoma were already matured when captured with values of 15.0 cm and 19.0 cm, respectively. Fishing pressure on the most dominant species, S. lemuru, is high and its maximum length has gone down by as much as 23% over the past decade.
Climate change impact assessment on three major crops in the north-central region of Bangladesh using DSSAT

The potential consequences of climate change emanated from global warming are very alarming; the greatest concern is the potentially disastrous consequences on crop agriculture and food security in many parts of the world. Bangladesh is a country highly susceptible to climate change, but information in this regard is still inadequate. This study investigated the effects of climate change on three major crops – wheat, potato and rice – in the north-central region of Bangladesh. Two climate change scenarios, A2 and B2, of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were generated by employing MAGICC/SCENGEN model together with the observed climate data of the region. The growth and yield of the crops were simulated using DSSAT CERES-Wheat, SUBSTOR-Potato and CERES-Rice models under the present and projected future changing climatic conditions. For a predicted 5.32oC increase in temperature in the year 2100, the yield of wheat, rice and potato would decrease by 47.6%, 67.8% and 38.6%, respectively. The increased temperature would accelerate physiological maturity of the crops as reflected by their reduced length of growing season (LGS) by 1.20% to 18.5%. The reduced LGS would reduce seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) of the crops by shortening time-span for ET generation. Due to dominant yield reduction over ET reduction, the water use efficiency (WUE) for grain/tuber and biomass yields would decrease with the changing climate. The reduced crop yields are an indicative of a potential future risk of food security in Bangladesh. The results of this study can therefore guide to adopt coping mechanisms in the light of climate change to ensure future food security of the country. Keywords: climate change, DSSAT, MAGICC/SCENGEN model, CERES model, SUBSTOR model, growing season length, crop-water use DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe. 20181104.3331 Citation: Rahman A, Mojid M A, Banu S. Climate change impact assessment on three major crops in the north-central region of Bangladesh using DSSAT. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(4): 135-143.
Impact of Loss Synchronization on Reliable High Speed Networks: A Model Based Simulation

Contemporary nature of network evolution demands for simulation models which are flexible, scalable, and easily implementable. In this paper, we propose a fluid based model for performance analysis of reliable high speed networks. In particular, this paper aims to study the dynamic relationship between congestion control algorithms and queue management schemes, in order to develop a better understanding of the causal linkages between the two. We propose a loss synchronization module which is user configurable. We validate our model through simulations under controlled settings. Also, we present a performance analysis to provide insights into two important issues concerning 10 Gbps high speed networks: (i) impact of bottleneck buffer size on the performance of 10 Gbps high speed network and (ii) impact of level of loss synchronization on link utilization-fairness tradeoffs. The practical impact of the proposed work is to provide design guidelines along with a powerful simulation tool to protocol designers and network developers.
Ego Depletion Impairs Implicit Learning

Implicit skill learning occurs incidentally and without conscious awareness of what is learned. However, the rate and effectiveness of learning may still be affected by decreased availability of central processing resources. Dual-task experiments have generally found impairments in implicit learning, however, these studies have also shown that certain characteristics of the secondary task (e.g., timing) can complicate the interpretation of these results. To avoid this problem, the current experiments used a novel method to impose resource constraints prior to engaging in skill learning. Ego depletion theory states that humans possess a limited store of cognitive resources that, when depleted, results in deficits in self-regulation and cognitive control. In a first experiment, we used a standard ego depletion manipulation prior to performance of the Serial Interception Sequence Learning (SISL) task. Depleted participants exhibited poorer test performance than did non-depleted controls, indicating that reducing available executive resources may adversely affect implicit sequence learning, expression of sequence knowledge, or both. In a second experiment, depletion was administered either prior to or after training. Participants who reported higher levels of depletion before or after training again showed less sequence-specific knowledge on the post-training assessment. However, the results did not allow for clear separation of ego depletion effects on learning versus subsequent sequence-specific performance. These results indicate that performance on an implicitly learned sequence can be impaired by a reduction in executive resources, in spite of learning taking place outside of awareness and without conscious intent.
Control of self-motion in dynamic fluids: fish do it differently from bees

To detect and avoid collisions, animals need to perceive and control the distance and the speed with which they are moving relative to obstacles. This is especially challenging for swimming and flying animals that must control movement in a dynamic fluid without reference from physical contact to the ground. Flying animals primarily rely on optic flow to control flight speed and distance to obstacles. Here, we investigate whether swimming animals use similar strategies for self-motion control to flying animals by directly comparing the trajectories of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) moving through the same experimental tunnel. While moving through the tunnel, black and white patterns produced (i) strong horizontal optic flow cues on both walls, (ii) weak horizontal optic flow cues on both walls and (iii) strong optic flow cues on one wall and weak optic flow cues on the other. We find that the mean speed of zebrafish does not depend on the amount of optic flow perceived from the walls. We further show that zebrafish, unlike bumblebees, move closer to the wall that provides the strongest visual feedback. This unexpected preference for strong optic flow cues may reflect an adaptation for self-motion control in water or in environments where visibility is limited.
Vascular access sites for acute renal replacement in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Several temporary venous catheterizations are sometimes required for acute renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study compares first and second catheterizations in the femoral and jugular veins in terms of patient safety. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A crossover study from the catheter-dialysis randomized study (Cathedia), which was conducted among 736 critically ill adults requiring RRT, was performed. Catheter insertion complications, catheter-tip colonization, catheter dysfunction and urea reduction ratio (URR) were analyzed considering the crossover and longitudinal designs. RESULTS This study analyzed 134 patients who underwent two different sites of catheterization, 57 and 77 of whom were initially randomized in the femoral and jugular site, respectively. Using anatomic landmarks, time to insert a femoral catheter was shorter (P=0.01) and more successful (P=0.003) compared with catheterization in the jugular site. Time to catheter-tip colonization at removal was not significantly different between the two sites of insertion (median, 14 days in both groups; hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-1.59; P=0.96), as well as time to dysfunction. URRs were analyzed from 395 dialysis sessions (n=48 patients). No significant difference (P=0.49) in mean URR was detected between sessions performed through femoral (n=213; 50.9%) and jugular (n=182; 49.5%) dialysis catheters. CONCLUSIONS These results validate prior results of this study group and extend external validity to the second catheter used for RRT in the ICU. Femoral and internal jugular acute vascular access sites are both acceptable for RRT therapy in the ICU.
Impact of Tillage and Residue Management on Water and Thermal Regimes of a Sandy Loam Soil under Pigeonpea-Wheat Cropping System

Tillage and crop residue management are the most critical components of the cultivation, which significantly affect the soil-plant-water relations. Conservation tillage (CT) aims to improve soil condition and conserve soil water, although limited information is available on seasonal variation of soil water and temperature under cropping systems. A medium duration (6 years) experiment with different tillage and residue management option on a sandy loam soil in pigeonpea-wheat cropping system was selected to monitor the changes in soil structure through adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), and the subsequent impact on soil water and thermal regimes over the growing period of wheat crop. Treatments were: conventional tillage with incorporation of previous crop residue (CT+R); conventional tillage with residue removal (CT-R); no-tillage with residue retained over surface as mulch (NT+R); and no-tillage with residue removed (NT-R). The impact was quantified in terms of change in basic soil physical parameters viz., bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (as Cone Index, CI) and porosity, and their effect on soil water dynamics, and seasonal and diurnal soil temperature. At the initial growth stages (9 to 51 DAS), NT+R and NT-R recorded 5–10 per cent higher BD at 0–10 cm layer, but was comparable with CT+R and CT-R at the later stages. Soil pore ( 30 μm) and meso-(5–30 μm) pore volumes had marginal differences. A sub-surface (10–20 cm) hard layer (CI 1.7–1.9 MPa) was omnipresent, although omission of tillage resulted in marginal reduction in CI at this layer. Marginally higher macro-pores in NT systems caused higher initial rate of infiltration and the cumulative infiltration. Throughout the growing season of wheat, NT+R retained higher soil water than other tillage-residue combinations [17% (0 to 48), 11% (−5 to 32), and 14% (−2 to 36), higher compared to NT-R, CT+R and CT-R]. Soil water content in NT+R was also higher by 20% (−5 to 41) before irrigation cycles. Similarly, soil temperature was the most regular in NT+R, even at 3 cm depth due to the presence of surface residue and higher amount of soil water. The difference between temperatures at 10 am and 3: 30 pm was 2.9 (0.2–6.3)°C in NT+R, compared to 3.8 (0.2–7)°C in NT-R, 4 (0.8–8)°C in CT+R, and 3.1 (0.7–5.5)°C in CT-R. Therefore, role of tillage and crop residues in modifying soil physical environment and maintaining better soil water and thermal conditions have been clearly documented.
Patterns of expiratory and inspiratory activation for thoracic motoneurones in the anaesthetized and the decerebrate rat

The nervous control of expiratory muscles is less well understood than that of the inspiratory muscles, particularly in the rat. The patterns of respiratory discharges in adult rats were therefore investigated for the muscles of the caudal intercostal spaces, with hypercapnia and under either anaesthesia or decerebration. With neuromuscular blockade and artificial ventilation, efferent discharges were present for both inspiration and expiration in both external and internal intercostal nerves. This was also the case for proximal internal intercostal nerve branches that innervate only internal intercostal and subcostalis muscles. If active, this region of muscle in other species is always expiratory. Here, inspiratory bursts were almost always present. The expiratory activity appeared only gradually and intermittently, when the anaesthesia was allowed to lighten or as the pre‐decerebration anaesthesia wore off. The intermittent appearance is interpreted as the coupling of a slow medullary expiratory oscillator with a faster inspiratory one. The patterns of nerve discharges, in particular the inspiratory or biphasic activation of the internal and subcostalis layers, were confirmed by observations of equivalent patterns of EMG discharges in spontaneously breathing preparations, using denervation procedures to identify which muscles generated the signals. Some motor units were recruited in both inspiratory and expiratory bursts. These patterns of activity have not previously been described and have implications both for the functional role of multiple respiratory oscillators in the adult and for the mechanical actions of the muscles of the caudal intercostal spaces, including subcostalis, which is a partly bisegmental muscle.