Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor regulates NK cell-mediated mammary tumor immunosurveillance in mice

ABSTRACT Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of anti-cancer immunity, and their activity is regulated by an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. In mice, the inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor is expressed in NK cells and recognizes the C-type lectin-related protein-b (Clr-b) ligand. NKR-P1B:Clr-b interactions represent a ‘missing-self’ recognition system to monitor cellular levels of Clr-b on healthy and diseased cells. Here, we report an important role for NKR-P1B:Clr-b interactions in tumor immunosurveillance in MMTV-PyVT mice, which develop spontaneous mammary tumors. MMTV-PyVT mice on NKR-P1B-deficient genetic background developed mammary tumors earlier than on wild-type (WT) background. A greater proportion of tumor-infiltrating NK cells downregulate expression of the transcription factor Eomesodermin (EOMES) in NKR-P1B-deficient mice compared to WT mice. Tumor-infiltrating NK cells also downregulated CD49b expression but gain CD49a expression and exhibit effector functions, such as granzyme B upregulation and proliferation in mammary tumors. However, unlike the EOMES+ NK cells, the EOMES‒ NK cell subset is unable to respond to further in vitro stimulation and exhibits phenotypic alterations associated with immune dysfunction. These alterations included increased expression of PD-1, LAG-3, and TIGIT and decreased expression of NKp46, Ly49C/I, CD11b, and KLRG-1. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating NKR-P1B-deficient NK cells exhibited an elevated dysfunctional immune phenotype compared to WT NK cells. These findings demonstrate that the NKR-P1B receptor plays an important role in mammary tumor surveillance by regulating anti-cancer immune responses and functional homeostasis in NK cells.
OBSERVATIONS OF ANISOTROPIC SCALING OF SOLAR WIND TURBULENCE

Using high-speed solar wind data recorded by the Ulysses spacecraft, we investigate and estimate the anisotropic inertial range scaling of the interplanetary magnetic field. We apply the method of the magnetic structure function (MSF), Sn(τ) = 〈|b(t + τ) − b(t)|n〉 ∝ τζ(n), to analyze the scaling of solar wind turbulence over the range from 1 s to 104 s. By sorting the fluctuations according to the direction of the local mean magnetic field, we obtain a second-order structure function in (r, Θ) coordinates that reveals the scale-dependent anisotropy of the power spectrum. The scale-dependent anisotropy of the MSF indicates that the fluctuation energy tends to cascade toward the direction perpendicular to the local field. The dependence of the MSF scaling index ζ on the direction of the local field is found to be similar to that reported in Horbury et al. and Podesta, with ζ⊥ = 0.53 ± 0.18 and ζ∥ = 1.00 ± 0.14. Furthermore, we estimate and find the scaling law between the perpendicular and parallel scales r∥ ∝ r0.614⊥, which implies the elongation along the parallel direction as the turbulence eddy evolves toward the small lengthscales. These results are in agreement with the predictions of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence theory.
Pre-Clinical Evaluation of the Hypomethylating Agent Decitabine for the Treatment of T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

Simple Summary T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a rare and aggressive lymphatic cancer, most often diagnosed in teenagers and young adults. Nowadays, patients are treated with chemotherapy or undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This can cause many short- and long-term side-effects and relapse still occurs. Therefore, finding less toxic anti-lymphoma therapies is hoped for. One epidrug of interest is decitabine, a DNA hypomethylating agent that targets the aberrant DNA methylation profile, which previously was FDA-approved for AML and MDS. With the results in this manuscript, we especially hope to provide pre-clinical proof that is necessary to include decitabine as a therapeutic agent in clinical trials for the treatment of T-LBL. Moreover, with the reported downstream effects of decitabine treatment, we hope to further increase the understanding of the working mechanisms of decitabine, which could ultimately result in better treatment protocols and associated biomarkers for T-LBL patients. Abstract T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a rare and aggressive lymphatic cancer, often diagnosed at a young age. Patients are treated with intensive chemotherapy, potentially followed by a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although prognosis of T-LBL has improved with intensified treatment protocols, they are associated with side effects and 10–20% of patients still die from relapsed or refractory disease. Given this, the search toward less toxic anti-lymphoma therapies is ongoing. Here, we targeted the recently described DNA hypermethylated profile in T-LBL with the DNA hypomethylating agent decitabine. We evaluated the anti-lymphoma properties and downstream effects of decitabine, using patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. Decitabine treatment resulted in prolonged lymphoma-free survival in all T-LBL PDX models, which was associated with downregulation of the oncogenic MYC pathway. However, some PDX models showed more benefit of decitabine treatment compared to others. In more sensitive models, differentially methylated CpG regions resulted in more differentially expressed genes in open chromatin regions. This resulted in stronger downregulation of cell cycle genes and upregulation of immune response activating transcripts. Finally, we suggest a gene signature for high decitabine sensitivity in T-LBL. Altogether, we here delivered pre-clinical proof of the potential use of decitabine as a new therapeutic agent in T-LBL.
Aquaporin-1 and Aquaporin-4 Expression in Ependyma, Choroid Plexus and Surrounding Transition Zones in the Human Brain

The choroid plexus (CP) is a structure in the brain ventricles that produces the main part of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is covered with specialized cells which show epithelial characteristics and are the site of the blood–CSF barrier. These cells form a contiguous cell sheet with ventricle-lining ependymal cells which are known to express aquaporin-4 (AQP4). In contrast, CP epithelial cells express aquaporin-1 (AQP1) apically. We investigated the expression patterns of aquaporins in the CP-ependyma transition from human body donors using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Ependymal cells and subependymal astrocytes at the base of the CP showed a particularly high AQP4 immunoreactivity. Astrocytic processes formed a dense meshwork or glial plate around the blood vessels entering the CP. Interestingly, some of these astrocytic processes were in direct contact with the CP stroma, which contains fenestrated blood vessels, separated only by a basal lamina. Electron microscopy confirmed the continuity of the subastrocytic basal lamina with the CP epithelium. We also probed for components of the AQP4 anchoring dystrophin–dystroglycan complex. Immunolabeling for dystrophin and AQP4 showed an overlapping staining pattern in the glial plate but not in previously reported AQP4-positive CP epithelial cells. In contrast, dystroglycan expression was associated with laminin staining in the glial plate and the CP epithelium. This suggests different mechanisms for AQP4 anchoring in the cell membrane. The high AQP4 density in the connecting glial plate might facilitate the transport of water in and out of the CP stroma and could possibly serve as a drainage and clearing pathway for metabolites.
Efficient Optosensing of Hippuric Acid in the Undiluted Human Urine with Hydrophilic “Turn-On”-Type Fluorescent Hollow Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Microparticles

The development of complex biological sample-compatible fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with improved performances is highly important for their real-world bioanalytical and biomedical applications. Herein, we report on the first hydrophilic “turn-on”-type fluorescent hollow MIP microparticles capable of directly, highly selectively, and rapidly optosensing hippuric acid (HA) in the undiluted human urine samples. These fluorescent hollow MIP microparticles were readily obtained through first the synthesis of core-shell-corona-structured nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)-labeled hydrophilic fluorescent MIP microspheres by performing one-pot surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization on the preformed “living” silica particles and subsequent removal of their silica core via hydrofluoric acid etching. They showed “turn-on” fluorescence and high optosensing selectivity and sensitivity toward HA in the artificial urine (the limit of detection = 0.097 μM) as well as outstanding photostability and reusability. Particularly, they exhibited much more stable aqueous dispersion ability, significantly faster optosensing kinetics, and higher optosensing sensitivity than their solid counterparts. They were also directly used for quantifying HA in the undiluted human urine with good recoveries (96.0%–102.0%) and high accuracy (RSD ≤ 4.0%), even in the presence of several analogues of HA. Such fluorescent hollow MIP microparticles hold much promise for rapid and accurate HA detection in the clinical diagnostic field.
Locating the Mandibular Lingula Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Literature Review

This study aimed to review the literature on adult mandibular lingula (ML) locations and related distances determined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A search was conducted for studies on CBCT using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The search results were limited to studies published between 1970 and 2021. The inclusion criteria were the investigation of ML location, CBCT, and participants aged ≥18 years. Eligible studies were examined for the distances from the lingual tip to the anterior ramus border, posterior ramus border, sigmoid notch, inferior ramus border, and occlusal plane. Eight studies on CBCT qualified for inclusion in the study. The mean distances from the ML to the anterior ramus border were 15.57 to 20 mm. In most of these, the ML was located above the occlusal plane. No significant differences were observed in the location and related distances for the ML among patients of different sexes, ethnicities, or skeletal patterns.
Rough-wall boundary layers in adverse pressure gradients

Smooth- and rough-wall boundary layers and fully developed pipe and duct flow investigations are reviewed. It is shown that the effect of roughness on the flow away from the wall can be accounted for by using an equivalent viscosity νe. This viscosity is thought to depend only on the variables at the wall, such as shear stress τ0, fluid density ρ, viscosity μ and the roughness size and geometry and that the relationship between these variables is the same for both boundary layers and duct flow. However, experiments to date have been confined to the ‘rough régime’ and to boundary layers with a zero pressure gradient. Experiments were performed and the results show that the above finding can be extended to boundary layers with adverse pressure gradients in the rough régime. A general method for measuring the local boundary-layer characteristics, with roughness and pressure gradients present, is developed.
Closed‐loop input shaping control of vibration in flexible structures using discrete‐time sliding mode

Input shaping technique is widely used in reducing or eliminating residual vibration of flexible structures. It is easy to implement and achieve the exact elimination of the residual vibration if the dynamics of the system are known accurately. However, it is not very robust to parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. In this paper, a closed‐loop input shaping method is developed for reducing or eliminating residual vibration of flexible structure systems with parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. The algorithm is based on input shaping control and discrete‐time sliding mode control. It is shown that the proposed scheme guarantees closed‐loop system stability, and yields good performance and robustness in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances as well. The selection of switching surface and the existence of sliding mode are two important issues, which have been addressed. The knowledge of upper bound of uncertainties is not required. Furthermore, it is shown that increasing the robustness to parameter uncertainties does not lengthen the duration of the impulse sequence. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed closed‐loop input shaping control scheme. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On two new X-ray sources in the SMC and the high luminosities of the Magellanic X-ray sources

The discovery of two new X-ray sources, SMC X-2 and SMC X-3, in the Small Magellanic Cloud is reported. They have hard spectra, and their luminosities in the energy range 2-11 keV are 1.0 and 0.7 by 10 to the 38th power erg/sq cm per sec, respectively. It is shown that the luminosity distribution of the known Magellanic X-ray sources, which are now nine in number, is shifted toward higher luminosities with respect to that of similar sources in the Galaxy, and that the cause of the shift is probably an underabundance of heavy elements in the material accreted by the X-ray sources.
Image coding using vector quantization in the wavelet transform domain

A two-step scheme for image compression that takes into account psychovisual features in space and frequency domains is proposed. A wavelet transform is first used in order to obtain a set of orthonormal subclasses of images; the original image is decomposed at different scales using a pyramidal algorithm architecture. The decomposition is along the vertical and horizontal directions and maintains the number of pixels required to describe the image at a constant. Second, according to Shannon's rate-distortion theory, the wavelet coefficients are vector quantized using a multiresolution codebook. To encode the wavelet coefficients, a noise-shaping bit-allocation procedure which assumes that details at high resolution are less visible to the human eye is proposed. In order to allow the receiver to recognize a picture as quickly as possible at minimum cost, a progressive transmission scheme is presented. The wavelet transform is particularly well adapted to progressive transmission. <<ETX>>
Cancer Care Team’s Management of Clinical Alerts Generated by Electronically Collected Patient Reported Outcomes: We Could Do Better

Electronically administered patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) are effective digital health tools for informing clinicians about cancer patients’ symptoms and facilitating timely patient-centred care. This paper describes the delivery of healthcare activities supported by the PROMPT-Care model, including ePROMs generated clinical alerts, cancer care team (CCT) response to alerts, and patients’ perceptions of the CCT response and ePROMs system. This mixed-methods study includes cancer patients from four cancer therapy centres in New South Wales, Australia. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected regarding clinical alert activity, CCT response, and patient perceptions of the CCT responses and ePROMs system. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. Of the 328 participants whose care was informed by the digital health tool, 70.8% (n = 233) generated at least one alert during the trial period, with 877 alerts generated in total. Although 43.7% (n = 383) were actioned by the CCT, at least 80% of participants found follow-up CCT phone calls beneficial, with multiple benefits confirmed in interviews. The cancer care delivery arm of the PROMPT-Care trial involving clinical alerts to the CCT was positively perceived by most participants, resulting in a diverse range of benefits. However, further work is required, informed by implementation science, to improve the percentage of actioned clinical alerts.
Working Memory Capacity Depends on Attention Control, but Not Selective Attention

Working memory and attention are interrelated constructs that are sometimes even considered indistinguishable. Since attention is not a uniform construct, it is possible that different types of attention affect working memory capacity differently. To clarify this issue, we investigated the relationship between working memory capacity and various components of attention. The sample consisted of 136 healthy adult participants aged 18 to 37 years (M = 20.58, SD = 2.74). Participants performed tasks typically used to assess working memory (operation span, change detection, simple digit span, and adaptive digit span tasks), selective attention (visual search task), and attention control (Stroop and antisaccade tasks). We tested several models with working memory and attention, either as a unitary factor or being divided into selective attention and attention control factors. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model with three latent variables—working memory capacity, attention control, and selective attention—fit the data best. Results showed that working memory and attention are distinct but correlated constructs: working memory capacity was only related to attention control, whereas attention control was related to both constructs. We propose that differences in working memory capacity are determined only by the ability to maintain attention on the task, while differences in the ability to filter out non-salient distractors are not related to working memory capacity.
Inference from a Deterministic Population Dynamics Model for Bowhead Whales

Abstract We consider the problem of inference about a quantity of interest given different sources of information linked by a deterministic population dynamics model. Our approach consists of translating all the available information into a joint premodel distribution on all the model inputs and outputs and then restricting this to the submanifold defined by the model to obtain the joint postmodel distribution. Marginalizing this yields inference, conditional on the model, about quantities of interest, which can be functions of model inputs, model outputs, or both. Samples from the postmodel distribution are obtained by importance sampling and Rubin's SIR algorithm. The framework includes as a special case the situation where the pre-model information about the outputs consists of measurements with error; this reduces to standard Bayesian inference. The results are in the form of a sample from the postmodel distribution and so can be examined using the full range of exploratory data analysis techniques. M.
The use of artificial neural network in the classification of pulse-echo and TOFD ultra-sonic signals

The present work evaluates the application of artificial neural networks for pattern recognition of ultrasonic signals using pulse-echo and TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) techniques in weld beads. In this study pattern classifiers are implemented by artificial neural network of backpropagation type using MATLAB®. The ultrasonic signals acquired from pulse-echo and TOFD were introduced, separately, in the artificial neural network with and without preprocessing. The preprocessing was only used to smoothen the signal improving the classification. Four conditions of weld bead were evaluated: lack of fusion (LF), lack of penetration (LP), porosity (PO) and non-defect (ND). The defects were intentionally inserted in a weld bead of AISI 1020 steel plates of 20 mm thickness and were confirmed using radiographic tests. The results obtained show that it is possible to classify ultrasonic signals of weld joints by the pulse-echo and TOFD techniques using artificial neural networks. The results showed a performance superior a 72% of success for test. Although the preprocessing of the signal improved the classification performance of the signals acquired by the TOFD technique considerably, the same didn't happen with the signals acquired by the pulse-echo technique.
Permeability Assessment of a High-Throughput Mucosal Platform

Permeability across cellular membranes is a key factor that influences absorption and distribution. Before absorption, many drugs must pass through the mucus barrier that covers all the wet surfaces of the human body. Cell-free in vitro tools currently used to evaluate permeability fail to effectively model the complexity of mucosal barriers. Here, we present an in vitro mucosal platform as a possible strategy for assessing permeability in a high-throughput setup. The PermeaPad 96-well plate was used as a permeability system and further coupled to a pathological, tridimensional mucus model. The physicochemical determinants predicting passive diffusion were determined by combining experimental and computational approaches. Drug solubility, size, and shape were found to be the critical properties governing permeability, while the charge of the drug was found to be influential on the interaction with mucus. Overall, the proposed mucosal platform could be a promising in vitro tool to model the complexity of mucosal tissues and could therefore be adopted for drug-permeability profiling.
The Initial mass function and stellar birthrate in the solar neighborhood

We examine the initial mass function (IMF) and time history of the stellar birthrate in the solar neighborhood assuming a time-independent IMF. The present-day mass function is constructed from the luminosity function, and a discussion of all the relevant observational quantities (luminosity function, mass-luminosity relation, scale heights, correction for non--main-sequence stars, and correction for main-sequence brightening) and the associated uncertainties is given. The observed total mass is not in serious disagreement with the dynamical mass (Oort limit) when the uncertainties are considered, and so there is no strong evidence for a local ''missing mass'' problem. The primary constraint on the birthrate history is the requirement that the derived IMF not exhibit an unphysical discontinuity at the mass where the main-sequence lifetime equals the age of the galactic disk. Considering the above uncertainties, the average past birthrate may be at most about 5 times larger or 3 times smaller than the present bithrate according to this constraint, and we favor a variation of less than a factor of 2. A discussion of 12 secondary constraints on the birthrate history is given, and it is concluded that these constraints are either consistent with the continuity constraint or else indeterminate. Ther is, inmore » particular, no evidence for a birthrate which depends on the square of the mean gas density. If the birthrate depends on some power of the mean gas density, the exponent must be small (< or approx. =0.5). Theoretical models for the birthrate history are also examined. Tables of various useful quantities such as cumulative number and mass distributions, present birthrates, and mass consumption rates are given. « less