Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-lived plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow at a constant rate from early in an immune response

Vaccines work largely by generating long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs), but knowledge of how such cells are recruited is sparse. Although it is clear that LLPCs preferentially originate in germinal centers (GCs) and relocate to survival niches in bone marrow where they can persist for decades, the issues of the timing of LLPC recruitment and the basis of their retention remain uncertain. Here, using a genetic timestamping system in mice, we show that persistent PCs accrue in bone marrow at an approximately constant rate of one cell per hour over a period spanning several weeks after a single immunization with a model antigen. Affinity-based selection was evident in persisting PCs, reflecting a relative and dynamic rather than absolute affinity threshold as evidenced by the changing pattern of VH gene somatic mutations conveying increased affinity for antigen. We conclude that the life span of persistent, antigen-specific PCs is in part intrinsic, preprogrammed, and varied and that their final number is related to the duration of the response in a predictable way. This implies that modulating vaccines to extend the duration of the GC reaction will enhance antibody-mediated protective immunity. Description Early-formed plasma cells have long-lived potential, and long-lived plasma cells are not necessarily enriched for late-stage GC emigrants. Long-lived plasma cell production High-affinity antibodies that provide durable protective immunity are produced by long-lived bone marrow plasma cells that differentiate from germinal center (GC) B cells. However, the kinetics with which these plasma cells occupy survival niches in the bone marrow after immunization is poorly understood. Robinson et al. constructed a genetic timestamping mouse model to mark plasma cells generated at specific stages of an immune response which enabled researchers to track the fate of plasma cells over time. Formation of new long-lived plasma cells started early in the GC response after immunization and progressed at a linear rate. These findings suggest that vaccine formulations that can extend the duration of the GC response will boost the number of long-lived antigen-specific plasma cells generated after immunization.
Sub-kpc star-formation law in the local luminous infrared galaxy IC 4687 as seen by ALMA

We analyze the spatially resolved (250 pc scales) and integrated star-formation (SF) law in the local luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) IC4687. This is one of the first studies of the SF law on a starburst LIRG at these small spatial scales. We combined new interferometric ALMA CO(2-1) data with existing HST/NICMOS Pa$\alpha$ narrow-band imaging and VLT/SINFONI near-IR integral field spectroscopy to obtain accurate extinction corrected SF rate (SFR) and cold molecular gas surface densities ($\Sigma_{gas}$ and $\Sigma_{SFR}$). We find that IC4687 forms stars very efficiently with an average depletion time ($t_{dep}$) of 160 Myr for the individual 250 pc regions. This is approximately one order of magnitude shorter than the $t_{dep}$ of local normal spirals and also shorter than that of main-sequence high-z objects, even when we use a Galactic $\alpha_{CO}$ conversion factor. This result suggests a bimodal SF law in the $\Sigma_{SFR} \propto \Sigma_{gas}^{N}$ representation. A universal SF law is recovered if we normalize the $\Sigma_{gas}$ by the global dynamical time. However, at the spatial scales studied here, we find that the SF efficiency (or $t_{dep}$) does not depend on the local dynamical time for this object. Therefore, an alternative normalization (e.g., free-fall time) should be found if a universal SF law exists at these scales.
Structure, kinematics and chemical enrichment patterns after major gas-rich disc–disc mergers

We used an N-body smoothed particle hydrodynamics algorithm, with a detailed treatment of star formation, supernovae feedback and chemical enrichment, to perform eight simulations of mergers between gas-rich disc galaxies. We vary the mass ratio of the progenitors, their rotation axes and their orbital parameters and analyse the kinematic, structural and chemical properties of the remnants. Six of these simulations result in the formation of a merger remnant with a disc morphology as a result of the large gas fraction of the remnants. We show that stars formed during the merger (a sudden starburst occurs in our simulation and lasts for 0.2-0.3 Gyr) and those formed after the merger have different kinematical and chemical properties. The first ones are located in the thick disc or the halo. They are partially supported by velocity dispersion and have high [alpha/Fe] ratios even at metallicities as high as [Fe/H] = -0.5. The former ones - the young component - are located in a thin disc rotationally supported and have lower [alpha/Fe] ratios. The difference in the rotational support of both components results in the rotation of the thick disc lagging that of the thin disc by as much as a factor of 2, as recently observed. We also find counter-rotating stars in both the old and young populations. A variety of structures are formed during the merger, i.e. most simulations form a ring of young stars and two simulations formed a bar. The scalelength of the thick disc is either equal to that of the thin disc or larger by factors of up to 1.60 and in six out of the eight simulations, the thin and thick discs both have exponential luminosity profiles and are nearly coplanar. We find that, while the kinematic and structural properties of the merger remnant depend strongly upon the orbital parameters of the mergers, there is a remarkable uniformity in the chemical properties of the mergers. This suggests that general conclusions about the chemical signature of gas-rich mergers can be drawn.
Investigation of The Chemical Reactions of 2, 4, 6-Trinitrophenol with Thiocyanate Ion in Acidic Condition: Kinetic Approach

The rate and overall observed chemical change of the redox reaction between 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (TNP) and thiocyanate ion (SCN–) was investigated under a constant concentration of ionic strength, [? ] and λmax = 360 nm using a spectrophotometric titration method. The research aim is to study stoichiometry, order of reaction, the influence of acid, and the effect of change in ionic concentration on the reaction speed. The stoichiometry discovered gave a 1:2 molar proportion of TNP against SCN–. The reaction is 1st - order in relation to TNP and 1st – order in relation to SCN– hence, a 2nd -order overall for the system. An acid-dependence rate constant on TNP was positive for the TNP – SCN– system. A positive salt effect was observed in the system. An increase in the concentration of added cations and anions (Mn2+, NO3− and PO43−) had no influence on the speed of the reaction. The spectroscopic and kinetic results did not show any intermediate complex emergence all through the reaction. On grounds of the experimental results attained, a presumptive mechanism in favor of an outer-sphere mechanism has been recommended.
Modeling Shape Representation in Area V4

The relative importance of boundary vs. surface features for the neural encoding of objects in the ventral visual pathway remains unclear. Theoretical work has emphasized the need for both types of information, but biologically plausible models attempting to account directly for neuronal responses in V4 have emphasized boundary orientation. To examine this, we manipulated boundary and surface properties of simple shapes to examine their influence on the representation in cortical area V4 in a combined electrophysiology and modeling study. The current best model for V4 shape selectivity is a hierarchical-Max() model that achieves translation invariance and boundary contour tuning similar to that reported in V4. We compared the ability of this model and V4 neurons to maintain their tuning across a large battery of simple shapes that were presented either in filled or outline form. We found that the model, trained only on filled shapes, maintained robust tuning for outlines. Surprisingly, we also found that most V4 neurons did not maintain their shape tuning (as measured with filled shapes) for outlines, with many revealing a complete collapse of tuning (low firing rates to all outline shapes). We retrained the model on shapes and outlines together, and found the model was unable to simultaneously be selective for filled shapes and unselective for their outlines. This indicated that the model is emphasizing orientation patterns that characterize the boundary while discarding phase information relevant to the surface fill. We used these insights to restructure the model, allowing shape-tuned V4 subunits to access phase-dependent inputs from early in the hierarchy, and found that this new architecture could explain the data. Our results suggest that boundary orientation and surface information are both maintained until at least the mid-level visual representation. We hypothesize that this arrangement is crucial for image segmentation. We have also compared the model to area V4 in terms of other important physiological properties: translation invariance and scale invariance. We find that the existing model does not achieve V4-like levels of invariance, in that shape selectivity changes substantially when stimuli are repositioned within the receptive fields or when size is altered. By manipulating the model and probing its representation at successive levels, we have gained insight into how and where translation and scale invariance breaks down. Important factors include: the normalization equations, the design of the low-level convolutional features, and receptive field density. In the workshop, I will discuss the equations and architecture of the HMAX model and how it can be altered to account for novel experimental data. I will also discuss how other convolutional and deep networks may be able to generate robust V4-like representations.
STAT-5 and STAT-6 in Breast Cancer: Potential Crosstalk With Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Can Affect Cell Proliferation and Metastasis

Background Signal transducers and activators of transcription 5a and 6 (STAT5a and STAT6) play a critical role in tumorigenesis of mammary glands. Based on previous studies, the breast cancer is largely dependent on hormone receptors. Consequently, it is very interesting to decipher the relationship between the STAT5a and STAT6 expression and the molecular distribution of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in mammary tumors. Methods Our study analyzed the expression of STAT5a and STAT6, ERα, ERβ and PR in 40 breast tumor tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, the Ki-67 and HER2 status were detected using immunohistochemistry. Results STAT5a and STAT6 were retained in the majority of the cases studied. Increasing of STAT5a and STAT6 is significantly associated with ERs and PR. The coexpression of both STAT5a and STAT6 with ERs and PR is associated with high tumor grades. Moreover, the coexpression of STAT5a and STAT6 with ERα and PR is associated with a high proliferation index. In addition, (STAT6 + ERβ+) and (STAT6 + PR+) breast cancer subgroups are associated with lymph node infiltration (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions Our study results provide an interaction between STAT5a and STAT6 with ERs and PR inducing cell proliferation. Coexpression of STAT5a and STAT6 with ERs and PR can predict sensibility to hormonal therapy.
effect of phonated breathing on oxygen uptake during and after submaximal cycling

Purpose: Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) exhalation during exercise is reported to improve body adaptation to exercise and enhance the exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Wearing mouthguards results in lower oxygen consumption and increased performance by increasing PEP in athletes. Airway resistance during expiration can be manipulated by phonation. Thus, the aim of our study was to examine the effects of phonated breathing on cardiopulmonary adaptation to moderate exercise and subsequent recovery. Methods: 26 young healthy participants conducted the same moderate steady cycling protocol using three different breathing patterns: spontaneous breathing (BrP1), phonated breathing pronouncing the sound “h” (BrP2) and phonated breathing pronouncing the sound “sh” (BrP3). Heart rate, oxygen consumption, CO2 production, respiratory rate, tidal volume, respiratory exchange ratio and ventilatory equivalents were measured (Cosmed, Italy) before, during and 20 minutes after cycling. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with significance level p<0.05. Results: The analysis revealed no significant differences related to the breathing economy; respiratory rate was increased, and tidal volume decreased with spontaneous breathing compared to both phonated breathing patterns during exercise; no effect of BrPs on cardiopulmonary parameters was found in recovery. Conclusion: Our results do not confirm the assumption that PEP breathing improves exercise economy probably because of the low exercise intensity applied. Further studies should be conducted at higher exercise loads or in patients with pulmonary dysfunction.
Expanding associations in the Vela-Puppis region

Context. The Vela-Puppis region is known to host the Vela OB2 association as well as several young clusters featuring OB and pre-main-sequence stars. Several spatial and kinematic subgroups have been identified in recent years. Aims. By grouping stars based on their positions and velocity, we can address the question of the dynamical history of the region and the mechanisms that drove stellar formation. The Gaia DR2 astrometry and photometry enables us to characterise the 3D spatial and 3D kinematic distribution of young stars and to estimate the ages of the identified components. Methods. We used an unsupervised classification method to group stars based on their proper motions and parallax. We studied the expansion rates of the different identified groups based on 3D velocities and on corrected tangential velocities. We used theoretical isochrones to estimate ages. Results. The young stars can be separated into seven main groups of different ages and kinematical distribution. All groups are found to be expanding, although the expansion is mostly not isotropic. Conclusions. The size of the region, the age substructure, and the anisotropic expansion rates are compatible with a prolonged period of star formation in a turbulent molecular cloud. The current kinematics of the stars cannot be explained by internal processes alone (such as gas expulsion).
The Role of Ca2+ Sparks in Force Frequency Relationships in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

Calcium sparks are the elementary Ca2+ release events in excitation-contraction coupling that underlie the Ca2+ transient. The frequency-dependent contractile force generated by cardiac myocytes depends upon the characteristics of the Ca2+ transients. A stochastic computational local control model of a guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocyte was developed, to gain insight into mechanisms of force-frequency relationship (FFR). This required the creation of a new three-state RyR2 model that reproduced the adaptive behavior of RyR2, in which the RyR2 channels transition into a different state when exposed to prolonged elevated subspace [Ca2+]. The model simulations agree with previous experimental and modeling studies on interval-force relations. Unlike previous common pool models, this local control model displayed stable action potential trains at 7 Hz. The duration and the amplitude of the [Ca2+]myo transients increase in pacing rates consistent with the experiments. The [Ca2+]myo transient reaches its peak value at 4 Hz and decreases afterward, consistent with experimental force-frequency curves. The model predicts, in agreement with previous modeling studies of Jafri and co-workers, diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum, [Ca2+]sr, and RyR2 adaptation increase with the increased stimulation frequency, producing rising, rather than falling, amplitude of the myoplasmic [Ca2+] transients. However, the local control model also suggests that the reduction of the L-type Ca2+ current, with an increase in pacing frequency due to Ca2+-dependent inactivation, also plays a role in the negative slope of the FFR. In the simulations, the peak Ca2+ transient in the FFR correlated with the highest numbers of SR Ca2+ sparks: the larger average amplitudes of those sparks, and the longer duration of the Ca2+ sparks.
Salivary Endocannabinoid Profiles in Chronic Orofacial Pain and Headache Disorders: An Observational Study Using a Novel Tool for Diagnosis and Management

The endocannabinoid system is involved in physiological and pathological processes, including pain generation, modulation, and sensation. Its role in certain types of chronic orofacial pain (OFP) has not been thoroughly examined. By exploring the profiles of specific salivary endocannabinoids (eCBs) in individuals with different types of OFP, we evaluated their use as biomarkers and the influence of clinical parameters and pain characteristics on eCB levels. The salivary levels of anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), and their endogenous breakdown product arachidonic acid (AA), as well as the eCB-like molecules N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA), were assessed in 83 OFP patients and 43 pain-free controls using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Patients were grouped by diagnosis: post-traumatic neuropathy (PTN), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), temporomandibular disorder (TMD), migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), and burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Correlation analyses between a specific diagnosis, pain characteristics, and eCB levels were conducted. Significantly lower levels of 2-AG were found in the TN and TTH groups, while significantly lower PEA levels were found in the migraine group. BMS was the only group with elevated eCBs (AEA) versus the control. Significant correlations were found between levels of specific eCBs and gender, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), BMI, pain duration, and sleep awakenings. In conclusion, salivary samples exhibited signature eCBs profiles for major OFP disorders, especially migraine, TTH, TN, and BMS. This finding may pave the way for using salivary eCBs biomarkers for more accurate diagnoses and management of chronic OFP patients.
Global substorm effect and convection jet under the conditions of continuous external driving: multi-spacecraft observations on December 22-23, 1996.

Multipoint observations by ground-based stations and a eet of ISTP satellites allowed us to study the plasma processes in di erent regions of the near-Earth space during a very interesting interval on December 22{23, 1996 which was characterized by 20 hour southward IMF Bz and almost constant solar wind pressure 1:2 nPa. Five substorm events were observed during this interval of continuous external driving. Several global e ects of these substorms are described. In particular, comparison of measurements in the plasma sheet on both anks showed (1) the similar loading/unloading processes in the tail correlated with substorm development, and (2) a strong bursty convection concentrated in a narrow ( Y 15RE) channel. Observations show also that earthward bursty bulk ows (BBF) on both satellites likely coincide with appearance of auroral activity at the footpoints of corresponding satellites but there is no correlation between these ows observed on both anks. ) Presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop Coordinated Studies of the Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Interaction: Interball Observations, held on September 7{11, 1998 in Kosice, Slovakia.
Equilibrium model prediction for the scatter in the star-forming main sequence

The analytic "equilibrium model" for galaxy evolution using a mass balance equation is able to reproduce mean observed galaxy scaling relations between stellar mass, halo mass, star formation rate (SFR) and metallicity across the majority of cosmic time with a small number of parameters related to feedback. Here we aim to test this data-constrained model to quantify deviations from the mean relation between stellar mass and SFR, i.e. the star-forming galaxy main sequence (MS). We implement fluctuation in halo accretion rates parameterised from merger-based simulations, and quantify the intrinsic scatter introduced into the MS under the assumption that fluctuations in star formation follow baryonic inflow fluctuations. We predict the 1-sigma MS scatter to be ~ 0.2 - 0.25 dex over the stellar mass range 10^8 Mo to 10^11 Mo and a redshift range 0.5 3, as well as by averaging over shorter timescales. The contribution from merger-induced star formation is generally small, around 5% today and 10 - 15% during the peak epoch of cosmic star formation. These results are generally consistent with available observations, suggesting that deviations from the MS primarily reflect stochasticity in the inflow rate owing to halo mergers.
A VLA H92α Recombination Line Study of the Arched Filament H II Complex Near the Galactic Center

The Very Large Array has been used at 8.3 GHz in the DnC and CnB array configurations to carry out an H92α recombination line study of the ionized gas in the Arched Filaments H II complex, which defines the western edge of the Galactic center Radio Arc. The Arched Filaments consist of a series of curved filamentary ridges which extend over 9′ × 6′ (22 × 16 pc) and are intersected in two places by linear, nonthermal, magnetic filaments. The H92α observations cover the entire Arched Filaments region using a four-field mosaic, with an angular resolution of 12. ″8 × 8. ″10; an additional higher resolution (3.″6 × 2.″7) field was imaged in the SW portion of the H II complex. High-resolution continuum images are also presented. The H92α line properties of the ionized gas (line-to-continuum ratio, FWHM line width, T) are consistent with photoionization from hot stars and consistent with the physical properties of other Galactic center H II regions. The LTE electron temperatures vary only slightly across the entire extent of the source and have an average value of 6200 K. The velocity field is very complex, with velocities ranging from +15 to -70 km s-1 and the majority of velocities having negative values. Large velocity gradients (2–7 km s-1 pc-1, with gradients in some regions larger than 10 km s-1 pc-1) occur along each of the filaments, with the velocities becoming increasingly negative with decreasing distance from the Galactic center. The negative velocities and the sense of the velocity gradients can be understood in terms of the orbital path of the underlying molecular cloud about the Galactic center. The magnitudes of the velocity gradient are consistent with the cloud residing on an inner, elongated orbit which is due to the Galaxy's stellar bar, or with a radially infalling cloud. The ionization of the Arched Filaments can be accounted for completely by the massive Arches stellar cluster, which consists of more than 150 O stars and produces a few ×1051 photons s-1. This cluster is likely to be located 10–20 pc from the Arched Filaments, which can explain the uniformity of ionization conditions in the ionized gas.
The Emergence and Dynamics of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in a New Endemic Region in Southern Germany

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most important viral tick-borne infection in Europe and Asia. It is emerging in new areas. The mechanisms of emergence are fairly unknown or speculative. In the Ravensburg district in southern Germany, TBE emerged, mainly over the last five years. Here, we analyzed the underlying epidemiology in humans. The resulting identified natural foci of the causal TBE virus (TBEV) were genetically characterized. We sampled 13 potential infection sites at these foci and detected TBEV in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) at eight sites. Phylogenetic analysis spurred the introduction of at least four distinct TBEV lineages of the European subtype into the Ravensburg district over the last few years. In two instances, a continuous spread of these virus strains over up to 10 km was observed.