Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR3 by CD4+ T cells is stable during a 2-year longitudinal study but varies widely between individuals

Blockade of chemokine receptors (CKRs) has recently emerged as a possible pathway for therapeutic intervention in disease. In the present report, the expression of CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR3, associated with migration of mononuclear cells to inflamed tissue, was determined on CD4+ T cells in a 2-year longitudinal study of healthy volunteers using flow cytometry. Large interindividual variations in the expression of these receptors on CD4+ T cells were observed, whereas levels remained remarkably stable over time within subjects. The expression of CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR3 on CD4+ T cells was directly proportional to percentages of CD45ROhi/CD4+ T cells. In addition, highly significant associations between levels of CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR3 on CD4+ T cells were demonstrated in individual subjects, implying a common mechanism for regulating the expression of these CKRs on circulating T cells. These associations were not due to coexpression of CKRs on individual CD45RA−/CD4+ T cells. The results provide insight into the regulation of CKR expression on CD4+ T cells in vivo, and suggest that major fluctuations of CKR expression in individuals are uncommon.
Mesoscale spatial variability of soil‐water content in an alpine meadow on the northern Tibetan Plateau

Soil water is an important limiting factor for restoring alpine meadows on the northern Tibetan Plateau. Field studies of soil‐water content (SWC), however, are rare due to the harsh environment, especially in a mesoscale alpine‐meadow ecosystem. The objective of this study was to assess the spatial variability of SWC and the temporal variation of the spatial variability in a typical alpine meadow using a geostatistical approach. SWC was measured using a neutron probe to a depth of 50 cm at 113 locations on 22 sampling occasions in a 33.5‐hm2 alpine meadow during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons. Mean SWC in the study plot for the two growing seasons was 18.7, 14.0, 13.9, 14.3, and 14.8% for depths of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm, respectively, and SWC was significantly larger at 10 cm than at other depths. SWC was negatively correlated with its spatial variability, and the spatial variability was higher when SWC was lower. Thirty‐three sampling locations in this study plot met the requirement of accuracy of the central limit theorem. A Gaussian model was the best fit for SWC semivariance at depths of 10, 20, and 30 cm, and the spatial structural ratio was between 0.997 and 1, indicating a strong spatial dependence of SWC. The sill and range fluctuated temporally, and the nugget and spatial structural ratio did not generally vary with time. The sill was significantly positively correlated with SWC and was initially stable and then tend to increase with SWC. The nugget, range, and spatial structure ratio, however, were not correlated with SWC. These results contribute to our understanding of SWC spatial distribution and variation in alpine meadows and provide basic empirical SWC data for mesoscale model simulations, optimizing sampling strategies and managing meadows on the Tibetan Plateau.
Robust battery fuel gauge algorithm development, part 1: Online parameter estimation

In this paper, we present a novel voltage drop model for battery SOC tracking and develop a robust, realtime approach for model parameter estimation. The proposed model avoids the need to model hysteresis voltage that hard to model and estimate in practical applications. Another advantage of the proposed voltage drop model is that the parameters of the model is estimated linearly, regardless of the model complexity, i.e., number of RC elements considered in the model. We identify the presence of correlated noise that has been so far ignored in the literature and use it to enhance the accuracy of model identification. The proposed parameter approach enables a robust initialization/re-initialization strategy for continuous operation of the battery fuel gauge (BFG). The performance of the online parameter estimation scheme was evaluated through objective measures.
The energetics of starburst-driven outflows at z ∼ 1 from KMOS

We present an analysis of the gas outflow energetics from KMOS observations of ˜ 529 main-sequence star-forming galaxies at z ˜ 1 using broad, underlying Hα and forbidden lines of [N II] and [S II]. Based on the stacked spectra for a sample with median star-formation rates and stellar masses of SFR = 7 M⊙ / yr and M⋆ = (1.0 ± 0.1) × 1010 M⊙ respectively, we derive a typical mass outflow rate of \dot{M}_wind = 1-4 M⊙ yr-1 and a mass loading of \dot{M}_wind / SFR = 0.2-0.4. By comparing the kinetic energy in the wind with the energy released by supernovae, we estimate a coupling efficiency between the star formation and wind energetics of ɛ ˜ 0.03. The mass loading of the wind does not show a strong trend with star-formation rate over the range ˜ 2-20 M⊙ yr-1, although we identify a trend with stellar mass such that dM / dt / SFR ∝ M_\star ^{0.26± 0.07}. Finally, the line width of the broad Hα increases with disk circular velocity with a sub-linear scaling relation FWHMbroad ∝ v0.21 ± 0.05. As a result of this behavior, in the lowest mass galaxies (M_\star ≲10^{10} M⊙), a significant fraction of the outflowing gas should have sufficient velocity to escape the gravitational potential of the halo whilst in the highest mass galaxies (M_\star ≳10^{10} M⊙) most of the gas will be retained, flowing back on to the galaxy disk at later times.
The Prittlewell Prince: The Discovery of a Rich Anglo-Saxon Burial in Essex [Book Review]

Review(s) of: The Prittlewell Prince: The Discovery of a Rich Anglo-Saxon Burial in Essex, by Museum of London Archaeology Service, (London, Museum of London Archaeology Service, 2004) paperback, 44 pages, RRP 3.95, ISBN 1 901992 52 7.
Dissociation of two distinct luteotropic effects of prolactin: regulation of luteinizing hormone-receptor content and progesterone secretion during pregnancy.

The roles of the pituitary and placenta in pregnant rats and, more specifically, the effects of prolactin and rat placental lactogen on luteal cell function were examined. Hypophysectomy, but not hysterectomy, on day 9 of pregnancy, caused serum progesterone concentrations to decrease 90% and luteal cell LH receptor content to drop 35% by 24 h suggesting pituitary support of luteal cell function at this time. Hypophysectomy and hysterectomy on day 9 effected a similar change in progesterone. The decrease in LH receptor, which was not seen until 48 h, could be prevented by daily administration of prolactin (250 μg/day) or serum of day 12 pregnant rats (2 ml/day). The drop in progesterone production was reduced by the administration of prolactin or PRS alone but was completely prevented by combining prolactin treatment with estradiol (100 μg/day in sesame oil). Hysterectomy on day 12 of pregnancy caused serum progesterone to decrease within 72 h. LH receptor content remained unchanged on day 15 of pregnancy.
Effect of Oxyethylene Moieties in Hydrogenated Castor Oil on the Pharmacokinetics of Menatetrenone Incorporated in O/W Lipid Emulsions Prepared with Hydrogenated Castor Oil and Soybean Oil in Rats

Lipid emulsions with particle sizes of 190–270 nm were prepared with soybean oil (SO) and a series of hydrogenated castor oils (HCOs) with various oxyethylene numbers, and the effect of oxyethylene numbers of HCOs on the pharmacokinetics of menatetrenone incorporated into the lipid emulsions was studied in rats. Plasma half-life of menatetrenone after administration as the lipid emulsions prepared by HCO with 10 oxyethylene units (SO/HCO10) was similar to that after the administration as SO/egg yolk phosphatides (SO/EYP), but was shorter than that as the lipid emulsions prepared by HCOs with >20 oxyethylene units (SO/HCO20, SO/HCO30, SO/HCO60 and SO/HCO100). Menatetrenone incorporated in SO/HCO10, SO/HCO20 and SO/HCO60 was not taken up by the blood cells in vitro, and the plasma level of menatetrenone incorporated in SO/HCO10 was similar to that of triglycerides, suggesting that menatetrenone was not released from the oil particles even after entering the circulation. Menatetrenone uptake by the liver for SO/HCO10 was similar to that for SO/EYP, while those for SO/HCO20, SO/HCO30, SO/HCO60 and SO/HCO100 was less than that for SO/EYP. These findings clearly demonstrate that 20 oxyethylene units in HCOs is the minimum requirement for the prolongation of the plasma circulation time of menatetrenone incorporated in SO/HCOs.
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR DNA DIRECT EXTRACTION FROM BRAZILIAN AGRICULTURAL SOIL

O solo e um ecossistema caracterizado pela sua grande complexidade e heterogeneidade, que o torna de dificil estudo, especialmente em relacao a sua comunidade microbiana. Atualmente, ferramentas da biologia molecular tem sido utilizadas para o estudo de biodiversidade e descoberta de novas especies, principalmente por meio da avaliacao dos genes microbianos. A extracao direta do DNA do solo e um importante passo nesse tipo de estudo, porem a maioria das tecnicas desenvolvidas e aplicada para solos de clima temperado e poucos estudos tem sido feitos para o desenvolvimento de metodos para aplicacao em solos brasileiros. Por esse motivo, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar nove diferentes tecnicas para extracao direta de DNA de solo sob cultura de cana-de-acucar, em cultivo orgânico e convencional e propor modificacoes que resultem maior rendimento de DNA e menor custo. Bandas de DNA foram observadas somente com tres tecnicas (Selbach, Direito e kit comercial), duas delas ja testadas anteriormente para solos tropicais. Os melhores resultados quanto ao rendimento em DNA (µg.g-1 solo) foram obtidos com os protocolos de Selbach e do kit comercial, porem estes resultados nao diferiram estatisticamente daqueles obtidos com o protocolo aqui criado e proposto. Os melhores rendimentos em DNA foram encontrados em solo sob cultivo orgânico provavelmente devido a maior biomassa microbiana. O protocolo proposto apresentou melhores resultados em rendimento de DNA independentemente do solo utilizado e mostrou-se de mais facil execucao e de menor custo.
Multi-dimensional modeling of atmospheric copper-sulfidation corrosion on non-planar substrates.

This report documents the author's efforts in the deterministic modeling of copper-sulfidation corrosion on non-planar substrates such as diodes and electrical connectors. A new framework based on Goma was developed for multi-dimensional modeling of atmospheric copper-sulfidation corrosion on non-planar substrates. In this framework, the moving sulfidation front is explicitly tracked by treating the finite-element mesh as a pseudo solid with an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation and repeatedly performing re-meshing using CUBIT and re-mapping using MAPVAR. Three one-dimensional studies were performed for verifying the framework in asymptotic regimes. Limited model validation was also carried out by comparing computed copper-sulfide thickness with experimental data. The framework was first demonstrated in modeling one-dimensional copper sulfidation with charge separation. It was found that both the thickness of the space-charge layers and the electrical potential at the sulfidation surface decrease rapidly as the Cu{sub 2}S layer thickens initially but eventually reach equilibrium values as Cu{sub 2}S layer becomes sufficiently thick; it was also found that electroneutrality is a reasonable approximation and that the electro-migration flux may be estimated by using the equilibrium potential difference between the sulfidation and annihilation surfaces when the Cu{sub 2}S layer is sufficiently thick. The framework was then employed to model coppermore » sulfidation in the solid-state-diffusion controlled regime (i.e. stage II sulfidation) on a prototypical diode until a continuous Cu{sub 2}S film was formed on the diode surface. The framework was also applied to model copper sulfidation on an intermittent electrical contact between a gold-plated copper pin and gold-plated copper pad; the presence of Cu{sub 2}S was found to raise the effective electrical resistance drastically. Lastly, future research needs in modeling atmospheric copper sulfidation are discussed. « less
Clinical outcomes of reirradiation of brain metastases from small cell lung cancer with Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery.

PURPOSE To analyze outcomes of reirradiation with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for patients with brain metastases from small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed the clinical outcomes of 27 patients with brain metastases from SCLC treated with CyberKnife® robotic radiosurgery (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate local control (LC), intracranial control (IC), and overall survival (OS). The Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) prognostic index was determined with a Cox Regression analysis to model predictors of outcome. RESULTS The median follow-up from SRS was 12 months (2-24 months). Nine patients (32.1%) had Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) scores 0-1 and 19 patients (67.9%) had GPA scores 1.5-2.5. 19 patients (70%) received whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) and 8 patients (30%) received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). The median SRS dose was 20.5 Gy (15-24 Gy) in 1 fraction. Actuarial LC at 6 months and 12 months was 76.5% and 76.5%, respectively. New metastases outside the treated area developed in 60% of assessable patients at a median 3.5 months; 78% received previous WBRT. The median OS was 3 months from SRS with actuarial 6-month and 12-month rates of 25% and 3.6%, respectively. On multivariate analysis no factors were associated with LC, IC, or OS. CONCLUSIONS SRS for reirradiation of brain metastases from SCLC is safe and achieves local tumor control in the majority of patients. Despite SRS, these patients are at high risk of distant brain failure.
Innovation is not enough: climates for initiative and psychological safety, process innovations, and firm performance

This paper contributes to the discussion on contingencies of process innovations by focusing on and introducing organizational-level constructs of climate for initiative and psychological safety. We argue that process innovations, defined as deliberate and new organizational attempts to change production and service processes, need to be accompanied by climates that complement the adoption and implementation of such innovations. Our study of 47 mid-sized German companies examines the relation between process innovations, climates for initiative and psychological safety, and firm performance. Results show that climates for initiative and psychological safety were positively related to two measures of firm performance—longitudinal change in return on assets (holding prior return on assets constant) and firm goal achievement—and moderated the relation between process innovations and firm performance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corona pulse sequence analysis at DC voltage

The high voltage diagnostics must follow the actual state of the industry devices and the problems related to diagnostics methods. One of the diagnostic methods necessary to be solved at this time is the partial discharge detection, diagnostics and analyses in HVDC systems. There is no standardized method for detection of partial discharges in HVDC systems supplied with DC voltage. The presented study shows the application of pulse sequence analysis to analyse the partial discharges at DC voltage. There has been prepared the experiment with typical corona arrangement, needle-plane, to study and analyse the partial discharges at DC voltage. The measured data at DC voltage are compared to data measured at the same arrangement at AC voltage. The pulse sequence analysis has been applied for both AC and DC voltage and the data are plotted and compared. The aim of the study is to present the connection of pulse sequence data of apparent charge and pulse time differences between AC and DC.
Cell loss asymptotics in buffers fed with a large number of independent stationary sources

We derive asymptotically exact expressions for buffer overflow probabilities and cell loss probabilities for a finite buffer which is fed by a large number of independent and stationary sources. The technique is based on scaling, measure change and local limit theorems and extends the results of Courcoubetis and Weber (see J. Appl. Prob., vol.33, no.3, p.886-903, 1996) on buffer overflow asymptotics. We discuss the cases when the buffers are of the same order as the transmission bandwidth as well as the case of bufferless multiplexers. Moreover we show that the results hold for a wide variety of traffic sources including on/off sources with heavy-tailed distributed on periods which are typical candidates for so-called "self-similar" inputs showing that the asymptotic cell loss probability behaves in much the same manner for such sources as for Markovian type of sources which has important implications for statistical multiplexing. The paper concludes with comparison of the theoretical results with simulations.
Vegetated Filter Strip Removal of Cattle Manure Constituents in Runoff

Pasture runoff can contribute to elevated concentrations of nutrients, solids, and bacteria in downstream waters. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of vegetative filter strip (VFS) length on concentrations and transport of nitrogen, phosphorus, solids and fecal coliform in runoff from plots treated with cattle manure. Three plots with dimensions of 2.4 ×30.5 m were used. The upper 12.2 m of each plot was treated with cattle manure, while the lower 18.3 m acted as a VFS. Runoff produced by rainfall simulators was sampled at VFS lengths of 0, 6.1, 12.2, and 18.3 m and analyzed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), ammonia N, nitrate N, total phosphorus (P), ortho-P, fecal coliforms, total suspended solids and other parameters. The VFS significantly reduced concentrations and mass transport of incoming solids, fecal coliform, and most nutrient forms, particularly P. The relationships among VFS length, concentration and mass transport were well-represented by first-order exponential decay functions. Approximately 75% of incoming total Kjeldahl N, total P, ortho-P, and total suspended solids was removed within the first 6.1 m of the filter strips. Runoff concentrations of fecal coliform concentrations entering the filter strips were as high as 2 ×107 FC/100 mL; after a filter length of 6.1 m, however, the runoff exhibited no measurable concentration of fecal coliforms. This experiment suggests that even relatively short filter strips can markedly improve quality of runoff from grassed areas receiving cattle manure.
Congenital heart defects: The patients who die

Aims: To register mortality and causes of death in patients with congenital heart defects (CHDs). Methods: Prospective population‐based observational study. Results: 553 infants with CHD (1.1% of live born) were observed for 1–22 y (median 10 7/12 y). Sixty‐four died (11.6%), of whom 32 (50%) died during the first 4 wk, and 51 (79.7%) during the first year of life. Of the total neonatal deaths in the population (3 per 1000), CHDs occurred in 21.5%. Mortality for children with CHDs was not significantly different between the cohorts born in 1982–1991 and 1992–2002, for either neonatal deaths or deaths later on (p>0.05). Out of 170 patients in whom therapeutic procedures (surgery, catheter interventions) were undertaken, 34 (20%) died. Nine cases (1.6%) died with unrecognized CHDs; seven of these on the first day of life with severe extracardiac malformations. In 50 (78.1%) cases, death was judged to be caused directly or indirectly from the CHD, and in 14 (21.9%) from extracardiac malformations or other conditions.
Principles for designing programming exercises to minimise poor learning behaviours in students

In most introductory programming courses tasks are given to students to complete as a crucial part of their study. The tasks are considered important because they require students to apply their knowledge to new situations. However, often the tasks have not been considered as a vehicle that can direct learning behaviours in students. This paper aims to encourage academics to start thinking about the tasks they set, in particular it explores characteristics of programming tasks that affect student learning and understanding in a first year undergraduate course as part of a degree in Computer Science at Monash University. Attention is paid to features of programming tasks that led to three poor learning behaviours: Superficial Attention, Impulsive Attention and Staying Stuck. The data gathered for this study which describe the students' engagement in the tasks are provided by students and tutors. The paper concludes with a list of generic improvements to be considered when formulating programming exercises to minimise poor learning behaviours in students.
RegionsProteins: Identification of Two Functional Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Spike Baculovirus Displaying Severe Acute Activator Protein-1 by Recombinant Induction of IL-8 Release in Lung Cells via

The inﬂammatory response and the intracellular signaling pathway induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) were studied in lung epithelial cells and ﬁbroblasts. SARS-CoV spike (S) protein-encoding plasmid induced activations of IL-8 promoter and AP-1, but not NF- (cid:1) B in these cells. Mutation of the AP-1, not the (cid:1) B site, abolished the SARS-CoV S protein-induced IL-8 promoter activity. IL-8 release was effectively induced by vAtEpGS688, a baculovirus exhib-iting the aa 17–688 fragment of S protein, and this induction was attenuated by the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 Ab. Recombinant baculovirus expressing different deletion and insertion fragments identiﬁed the functional region of S protein from aa 324–688 (particularly the N-terminal aa 324–488 and the C-terminal aa 609–688), which is responsible for IL-8 production. Activations of AP-1 DNA-protein binding and MAPKs after vAtEpGS688 transduction were demonstrated, and SARS-CoV S protein-induced IL-8 promoter activity was inhibited by the speciﬁc inhibitors of MAPK cascades. These results suggested that the S protein of SARS-CoV could induce release of IL-8 in the lung cells via activations of MAPKs and AP-1. The identiﬁcation of the functional domain for IL-8 release will provide for the drug design on targeting speciﬁc sequence domains of S protein responsible for initiating the inﬂammatory response. The Journal of Immunology, 2004, 173: 7602–7614. epithelial cells (A549 and NCI-H520) and lung ﬁbroblasts (HFL-1 and MRC-5), and the transcription factor involved are studied. Effects of transient transfections of the SARS-CoV S protein-en-coding plasmid on the IL-8 promoter, AP-1, and NF- (cid:1) B were examined. A recombinant baculovirus containing 688-aa length of SARS-CoV S protein (vAtEpGS688), which could transduce the lung cells via expressing the S protein on its surface, was used as a tool for measuring IL-8 release. Our results showed that SARS-CoV S protein induced AP-1 activation and up-regulated IL-8 release. A functional region of the S protein, aa 324–688, was identiﬁed as being essential for the induction of IL-8 release. The intracellular signaling pathway was closely examined, and it was found that MAPKs and AP-1, but not NF- (cid:1) B, were activated.