Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IFN-γ, as Secreted during an Alloresponse, Induces Differentiation of Monocytes into Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells, Resulting in FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cell Promotion1

IFN-γ has been shown to inhibit monocyte (Mo) differentiation into mature dendritic cells (DC). Because IFN-γ also plays a role in tolerance induction, we asked whether this could be related to generation of tolerogenic DC (Tol-DC). Toward this aim, we cultured Mo with GM-CSF plus IL-4 in the presence or absence of IFN-γ for 6 days and induced their maturation with TNF-α for 2 additional days. We showed that IFN-γ deviated Mo differentiation from mature DC toward Tol-DC. Indeed, IFN-γ-generated DC 1) expressed moderate levels of costimulatory molecules, but high levels of Langerin and CD123 molecules, 2) were maturation resistant, and 3) were unable to efficiently present alloantigen to T cells. More interestingly, naive CD4+ T cells primed with IFN-γ-generated DC expressed FoxP3 mRNA at high levels and exerted regulatory functions upon secondary stimulation with alloantigen. To address whether endogenously secreted IFN-γ mediates a similar effect, we used the alloreaction as a model. We showed that cell-free supernatant harvested from an HLA-mismatched, but not HLA-identical, alloresponse induced differentiation of Mo into Tol-DC able to promote regulatory T cell generation. Moreover, when supplemented with GM-CSF plus IL-4, HLA-mismatched cell-free supernatant inhibited differentiation of Mo into mature DC. Finally, by adding Abs directed against inflammatory cytokines, we demonstrated that IFN-γ plays a preponderant role in this inhibition. In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrate that exogenous or endogenous IFN-γ, as well, induces differentiation of Mo toward Tol-DC, which results in FoxP3+ regulatory T cell promotion.
Grasp and index finger reach zone during one-handed smartphone rear interaction: effects of task type, phone width and hand length

Abstract Recently, some smartphones have introduced index finger interaction functions on the rear surface. The current study investigated the effects of task type, phone width, and hand length on grasp, index finger reach zone, discomfort, and muscle activation during such interaction. We considered five interaction tasks (neutral, comfortable, maximum, vertical, and horizontal strokes), two device widths (60 and 90 mm) and three hand lengths. Horizontal (vertical) strokes deviated from the horizontal axis in the range from −10.8° to −13.5° (81.6–88.4°). Maximum strokes appeared to be excessive as these caused 43.8% greater discomfort than did neutral strokes. The 90-mm width also appeared to be excessive as it resulted in 12.3% increased discomfort relative to the 60-mm width. The small-hand group reported 11.9–18.2% higher discomfort ratings, and the percent maximum voluntary exertion of their flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, pertaining to index finger flexion, was also 6.4% higher. These findings should be considered to make smartphone rear interaction more comfortable. Practitioner Summary: Among neutral, comfortable, maximum, horizontal, and vertical index finger strokes on smartphone rear surfaces, maximum vs. neutral strokes caused 43.8% greater discomfort. Horizontal (vertical) strokes deviated from the horizontal (vertical) axis. Discomfort increased by 12.3% with 90-mm- vs. 60-mm-wide devices. Rear interaction regions of five commercialised smartphones should be lowered 20 to 30 mm for more comfortable rear interaction.
Detection of dermatophytes in healthy companion dogs and cats in eastern India

Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS), 37, K.B. Sarani, Belgachia, Kolkata-700 037, West Bengal, India; Veterinary Public Health Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh-243 122, India; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS), 37, K.B. Sarani, Belgachia, Kolkata-700 037, West Bengal, India
Review: Pathophysiology and treatment of bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate diagnosis and immediate treatment. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the most common and most aggressive pathogens of meningitis. Emerging antibiotic resistance is an upcoming challenge. Clinical and experimental studies have established a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms resulting in brain damage, sequelae and neuropsychological deficits. We summarize the current pathophysiological concept of acute bacterial meningitis and present current treatment strategies.
The S curve: A novel morphological finding in the internal carotid artery in patients with fibromuscular dysplasia

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-atherosclerotic vascular disease commonly affecting the renal and internal carotid arteries (ICAs). A previously unrecognized finding is a redundancy of the mid-distal ICA in FMD patients causing an ‘S’-shaped curve. Carotid artery duplex ultrasounds were reviewed in 116 FMD patients to determine S-curve prevalence. FMD patients with an S curve were matched to four control patients divided equally into two groups: (1) age and sex-matched and (2) age ≥70 and sex-matched. S curves were present in 37 (32%) FMD patients. Of these, nine (24%) had angiographic evidence of FMD in their ICA only, 13 (35%) had renal artery FMD only, and 15 (41%) had both ICA and renal FMD. Two patients in the age and sex-matched group had S curves (odds ratio 16.86, 95% CI 3.92–72.48; p<0.0001) while 12 (16.2%) patients in the age ≥70 and sex-matched group had S curves (odds ratio 2.42, 95% CI 1.16–5.03; p=0.016). In conclusion, the S curve is a novel morphological pattern of the mid-distal ICA. While the S curve may not be specific, its presence in individuals <70 years old should alert the clinician to the possibility that FMD is present.
Robust AN-Aided Beamforming Design for Secure MISO Cognitive Radio Based on a Practical Nonlinear EH Model

Energy harvesting techniques are promising in next generation wireless communication systems. However, most of the existing works are based on an ideal linear energy harvesting model. In this paper, a multiple-input single-output cognitive radio network is studied under a practical non-linear energy harvesting model. In order to improve the security of both the primary network and the secondary network, a cooperative jamming scheme is proposed. A robust artificial noise aided beamforming design problem is formulated under the bounded channel state information error model. The formulated problem is non-convex and challenging to be solved. Using ${\mathcal{ S}}\text {-Procedure} $ and the semidefinite relaxation method, a suboptimal beamforming can be obtained. Simulation results show that the performance achieved under the non-linear energy harvesting model may be better than that obtained under the linear energy harvesting model. It is also shown that the cooperation between the primary network and the secondary network can obtain a performance gain compared with that without this cooperation.
Human neoteny revisited: The case of synaptic plasticity

The process of learning requires morphological changes in the neuronal connections and the formation of new synapses. Due to the importance of memory and learning in our species, it has been suggested that the synaptic plasticity in a number of association areas is higher in the human brain than in other primates. Cortical neurons in mammals are characterized by higher metabolism, activity, and synaptic plasticity during development and the juvenile stage than in the adult. In Homo sapiens, brain development is retarded compared with other primates, especially in some association areas. These areas are characterized by the presence of neurons, which remain structurally immature throughout their lifespans and show an increase in the expression of the genes, which deal with metabolism and the activity and synaptic plasticity in adulthood. The retention of juvenile features in some adult neurons in our species has occurred in areas, which are related to episodic memory, planning, and social navigation. The increase of the aerobic metabolism in these neurons may lead, however, to higher levels of oxidative stress, therefore, favoring the development of neurodegenerative diseases which are exclusive, or almost exclusive, to humans, such as Alzheimer's disease. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[Effect of menatetrenone (V.K2) on bone mineral density and bone strength in Ca/Mg deficient rats].

Two experiments were carried out using 7-week-old male Wistar rats. Exp. 1: Rats in the intact group were fed with normal diet (0.5% Ca, 0.09% Mg). Ca/Mg deficient rats were fed low Ca (0.01%) diets containing 0.003, 0.015 or 0.09% Mg for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the bone mineral density (BMD) and maximum load in the femur were decreased in Ca/Mg deficient rats, but this was not dependent on dietary Mg concentration. The elasticity, stiffness, and Mg concentration in the femur of these rats were also decreased and Ca deposition in the kidney were increased, compared to those of normal rats, which were related to Mg concentration in the diet. From these results, Mg may play an important role in qualitative changes in bone (i.e., reduced stiffness). Exp. 2: We investigated the effects of V.K2 on the changes in BMD and bone strength in femur induced by low Ca/Mg (0.01%/0.003%) diet for 8 weeks. Compared to the intact group, Ca and Mg levels in serum and femur and cortical thickness, cortical area, and maximum load of the femoral midshaft were decreased in the Ca/Mg-deficient group. In these rats, PTH in the serum and renal Ca concentration were increased. In V.K2-treated rats, these changes in the serum Ca, Mg and PTH levels and the renal Ca concentration were improved. V.K2 also improved the decrease in maximum load in spite of no influence on the cortical thickness, cortical area and Mg concentration in the femur. These findings suggest that V.K2 may affect the qualitative change in bone.
Importance of the Infusion Rate for the Plasma Expanding Effect of 5% Albumin, 6% HES 130/0.4, 4% Gelatin, and 0.9% NaCl in the Septic Rat*

Objectives:To compare the plasma volume (PV) expanding effect of a fast infusion rate with that of a slow infusion rate of a fixed volume of 5% albumin, of the synthetic colloids, 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and 4% gelatin, and of 0.9% NaCl in a rat sepsis model and to compare the plasma-expanding effect among these fluids. Design:Prospective, randomized animal study. Setting:University hospital laboratory. Subjects:One hundred and twelve adult male rats. Interventions:Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and incision followed by closure of the abdomen. After 3 hrs, an infusion of the PV expander under study was started at a volume of 12mL/kg for the colloids and of 48mL/kg for 0.9% NaCl, either for 15 mins or for 3 hrs. A control group underwent the same experimental procedure but no fluid was given. Measurements and Main Results:Three hours after start of the infusion (end of experiment), the plasma-expanding effect was better with a slow than a fast infusion rate for the colloids, especially albumin, but the NaCl groups did not differ significantly from the control group. The PV for the control group was 28.7±3mL/kg. In the slow and the fast infusion groups, it was 38.9±4.3 and 32.6±4.2mL/kg for albumin (p < 0.001), 32.9±4.3 and 29.5±4.4mL/kg for hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (p < 0.05), 31.8±3.9 and 28.2±4.1mL/kg for gelatin (p < 0.05), and 31.8±5.3 and 30.7±6.6mL/kg for NaCl (n.s), respectively. Conclusions:The study showed that the PV expansion by a colloid was greater when given at a slow than at a fast infusion rate, an effect more pronounced for albumin. This difference was not seen for NaCl. The PV-expanding effect was poor for NaCl and better for albumin than for the other colloids.
The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy.

BACKGROUND Head louse infestations are prevalent worldwide. Over the past 20-25 years, 15-20% of all children in Israel between 4 and 13 years of age have been infested with head lice. This is mainly due to the existence of ineffective pediculicides on the market. OBJECTIVE To examine the pediculicidal efficacy and safety of a natural remedy ("Chick-Chack") and to compare it in an open clinical study with a known pesticide spray. METHODS The natural remedy, which contains coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil, was applied to the hair of infested children three times at 5 day intervals. Each treatment lasted for 15 minutes. The control pediculicide was a spray formulation containing permethrin, malathion, piperonyl butoxide, isododecane and propellant gas, which was applied twice for 10 minutes with a 10 day interval between applications. RESULTS Of 940 children, aged 6-14 years, from six schools in Jerusalem who were examined for head louse infestation, 199 (21.2%) were infested with lice and eggs, while 164 (17.4%) were infested only with nits. Altogether, 119 children were randomly treated with either the natural remedy or the control product. Treatment was successful with the natural remedy in 60 children (92.3%) and with the control pediculicide in 59 children (92.2%). There were no significant side effects associated with either formulation. CONCLUSIONS The natural remedy was very effective in controlling louse infestations under clinical conditions and caused no serious side effects.
Can Lorentz transformations be determined by the null Michelson-Morley result?

The so-called principle of relativity is able to fix a general coordinate transformation which differs from the standard Lorentzian form only by an unknown speed which cannot in principle be identified with the light speed. Based on a reanalysis of the Michelson-Morley experiment using this extended transformation we show that such unknown speed is analytically determined regardless of the Maxwell equations and conceptual issues related to synchronization procedures, time and causality definitions. Such a result demonstrates in a pedagogical manner that the constancy of the speed of light does not need to be assumed as a basic postulate of the special relativity theory since it can be directly deduced from an optical experiment in combination with the principle of relativity. The approach presented here provides a simple and insightful derivation of the Lorentz transformations appropriated for an introductory special relativity theory course.
Internet use and its addiction level in medical students

Objective To compare the Internet addiction levels between male and female medical students. Methods One hundred medical students (male: 50, female: 50) aged 17–30 years were included in a cross-sectional study. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess their Internet addiction level. Additionally, a self-designed questionnaire was used to identify the various purposes of Internet use among the students. The Internet addiction score (based on the Internet Addiction Test) was compared between male and female students by using the Mann–Whitney U test (p≤0.05). After knowing their addiction level, we interviewed students to know if Internet use had any bad/good impact on their life. Results The Internet Addiction Test scores obtained by the students were in the range of 11–70. Out of 100 students, 21 (male: 13, female: 8) were found to be slightly addicted to the Internet. The remaining 79 students were average online users. There was no significant difference between male and female students in the addiction level (score). However, males were more addicted than females. The major use of Internet was to download and watch movies and songs and to communicate with friends and family (76/100). Some students (24/100) used the Internet to assess information that helped them in their educational and learning activities. Some students mentioned that overuse of the Internet lead to insufficient amounts of sleep and affected their concentration levels in the classroom during lectures. Conclusion Medical students are experiencing problems due to Internet overuse. They experience poor academic progress and lack of concentration while studying. The main use of the Internet was for entertainment and to communicate with friends and family.
Elevation of Glycoprotein Fucose in Diabetes Mellitus

The pattern of serum protein-bound carbohydrate elevation in diabetes mellitus has been investigated. Cation exchange chromatography on individual sera was followed by serial separation technics on diabetic and control serum pools. The protein-bound hexose elevation could be accounted for by elevated levels of several serum glycoproteins, especially haptoglobin, α1-acid glycoprotein, and α1-antitrypsin. In contrast, only a small portion of the fucose increase could be accounted for by the elevated glycoprotein levels. Fractionation of the serum proteins revealed the fucose increase to be produced by more than one glycoprotein. When ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography were combined to produce elution areas in which only one glycoprotein could be recognized immunologically, a pattern emerged. Three glycoproteins, whose major common source is the liver parenchymal cell, had increased fucose levels, while three immune globulins, not produced by this cell, had normal fucose levels. The demonstration of increased fucose content only in glycoproteins formed by liver cells suggests a metabolic basis for increased serum protein-bound fucose, and a mechanism relating increased hepatic gluconeogenesis and associated cytoplasmic oxidation-reduction changes to increased fucose synthesis is postulated.
Sweating responses to isometric hand‐grip exercise and forearm muscle metaboreflex in prepubertal children and elderly

What is the central question of this study? Non‐thermal factors (e.g. muscle metaboreflex) contribute to the sweating response during exercise. Although it is well recognized that the sweating responses caused by core temperature elevation in prepubertal children and the elderly are attenuated compared with young adults, it is unknown whether non‐thermal sweating is also attenuated in these populations. What is the main finding and its importance? The non‐thermal sweating response during isometric hand‐grip exercise and isolated muscle metaboreflex were attenuated in prepubertal children compared with young adults in a non‐uniform manner over the body, but only during the muscle metaboreflex in the elderly. This may explain the maturation‐ and ageing‐related decline of sweating during exercise.
Separation-Individuation , Family Cohesion , and Adjustment to College : Measurement Validation and Test of a Theoretical Model

We examined the relation between adolescent separation-individuation, family cohesion, and college adjustment. A large sample of college students was split into two groups. One group was used to determine whether several measures of separation-individuation were measuring different dimensions of individuation. Two related factors, labeled Positive Separation Feelings and Independence From Parents, emerged from an exploratory factor analysis of the measures. A theoretical model, derived from psychodynamic and family systems perspectives of separationindividuation, was tested on the second group of subjects. The model specified that college adjustment would be predicted by family cohesion, positive separation feelings, and independence from parents. The results indicated that the Positive Separation Feelings factor was a better predictor of college adjustment than Independence From Parents or Family Cohesion.
Chemical Bonding in Quasicrystals: Known Facts and Current Perspectives

Quasicrystals are a class of ordered solids made of typical metallic atoms but they do not exhibit the physical properties usually signaling the presence of metallic bonding and their electrical and thermal transport properties resemble a more semiconductor-like than metallic character. In this paper I first review a number of experimental results and numerical simulations suggesting that the origin of the unusual properties of these compounds can be traced back to two main features. For one thing, we have the formation of covalent bonds among certain atoms grouped into clusters at a local scale. Thus, the nature of chemical bonding among certain constituent atoms should play a significant role in the onset of non-metallic physical properties of quasicrystals bearing transition-metal elements. On the other hand, the self-similar symmetry of the underlying structure gives rise to the presence of an extended chemical bonding network due to a hierarchical nesting of clusters. This novel structural design leads to the existence of quite diverse wave functions, whose transmission characteristics range from extended to almost localized ones. Finally, the potential of quasicrystals as thermoelectric materials is discussed on the basis of their specific transport properties.
Controlling the “uncontrollable”: Faking effects on the affect misattribution procedure

ABSTRACT In two experiments, the impact of faking on the affect misattribution procedure (AMP) was examined. Results revealed that faking influences both the overall means and the convergent validity of AMP effects in terms of correlations with self-report measures. Faking effects were very selective in that they affected fake-prime trials only, for which AMP effects were significant, but reversed in direction, while AMP effects for non-fake trials remained intact. Importantly, neither strategic advice nor prior task experience was a necessary prerequisite for successful faking. The discussion focuses on possible processes underlying successful faking in the AMP.
Measuring Non-Gaussianity by Phi-Transformed and Fuzzy Histograms

Independent component analysis (ICA) is an essential building block for data analysis in many applications. Selecting the truly meaningful components from the result of an ICA algorithm, or comparing the results of different algorithms, however, is nontrivial problems. We introduce a very general technique for evaluating ICA results rooted in information-theoretic model selection. The basic idea is to exploit the natural link between non-Gaussianity and data compression: the better the data transformation represented by one or several ICs improves the effectiveness of data compression, the higher is the relevance of the ICs. We propose two different methods which allow an efficient data compression of non-Gaussian signals: Phi-transformed histograms and fuzzy histograms. In an extensive experimental evaluation, we demonstrate that our novel information-theoretic measures robustly select non-Gaussian components from data in a fully automatic way, that is, without requiring any restrictive assumptions or thresholds.
CVR assessment in UK residential LV networks considering customer types

The effectiveness of Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) in reducing energy consumption depends on the instantaneous load composition in the network which is affected by the types of customers. This work investigates the benefits from adequately considering residential customer types and their corresponding time-varying models in obtaining realistic CVR estimations. A Monte Carlo-based methodology for CVR assessment considering demand uncertainties is presented and applied to two real UK residential LV networks which have two types of customers: Domestic Unrestricted (no storage heaters) and Economy 7 (with a meter providing fixed hours of supply for storage heaters). The results show that the adequate modelling of Economy 7 customers, i.e., considering the resistive nature and fixed period of operation of the corresponding storage heaters, leads to larger energy reductions. Consequently, considering only Domestic Unrestricted models in LV networks with high proportions of Economy 7 customers can significantly underestimate the potential CVR benefits.