Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional crosstalk between dendritic cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the maintenance of immune tolerance

Peripheral immune tolerance requires a controlled balance between the maintenance of self-tolerance and the capacity to engage protective immune responses against pathogens. Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as sentinels of the immune system by sensing environmental and inflammatory signals, and play an essential role in the maintenance of immune tolerance. To achieve this, DC play a key role in dictating the outcome of immune responses by influencing the balance between inflammatory or Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cell responses. At the heart of this immunological balance is a finely regulated DC and Treg cell crosstalk whereby Treg cells modulate DC phenotype and function, and DC drive the differentiation of Foxp3+ Treg cells in order to control immune responses. This review will focus on recent advances, which highlight the importance of this bidirectional DC and Treg cell crosstalk during the induction of tolerance and organ-specific autoimmunity. More specifically, we will discuss how Treg cells modulate DC function for the suppression of inflammatory responses and how DC subsets employ diverse mechanisms to drive differentiation of Treg cells. Finally, we will discuss the therapeutic potential of tolerogenic DCs for the induction of tolerance in autoimmune diseases.
Kinetics of Escherichia coli helicase II-catalyzed unwinding of fully duplex and nicked circular DNA.

Escherichia coli helicase II (UvrD) protein can initiate unwinding of duplex DNA at blunt ends or nicks, although these reactions require excess protein. We have undertaken kinetic studies of these reactions in order to probe the mechanism of initiation of unwinding. DNA unwinding was monitored directly by using agarose gel electrophoresis and indirectly through the rate of ATP hydrolysis by helicase II in the presence of an ATP-regenerating system. In the presence of fully duplex DNA and excess helicase II, the rate of ATP hydrolysis displays a distinct lag phase before the final steady-state rate of hydrolysis is reached. This reflects the fact that ATP hydrolysis under these conditions results from helicase II binding to the ssDNA products of the unwinding reaction, rather than from an intrinsic duplex DNA-dependent ATPase activity. Unwinding of short blunt-ended duplex DNA (341 and 849 base pairs) occurs in an "all-or-none" reaction, indicating that initiation of unwinding by helicase II is rate-limiting. We propose a minimal mechanism for the initiation of DNA unwinding by helicase II which includes a binding step followed by the rate-limiting formation of an initiation complex, possibly involving protein dimerization, and we have determined the phenomenological kinetic parameters describing this mechanism. Unwinding of a series of DNA substrates containing different initiation sites (e.g., blunt ends, internal nicks, and four-nucleotide 3' vs 5' ssDNA flanking regions) indicates that the rate of initiation is slowest at nicks and, surprisingly, at ends possessing a four-nucleotide 3' ssDNA flanking region.
Normalization: An Experimental Method for Developing J-R Curves

The method of normalization has been used to develop J-R curves for metallic materials based only on analysis of load and displacement pairs in a ductile fracture test record. This method eliminates the need for crack length monitoring equipment. It not only provides a method for more easily conducting and evaluating J-R curve tests; but it could be useful for tests conducted under special conditions such as under dynamic loading. in restructive facilities such as a hot cell, or even in a facility with limited instrumentation. The method uses a normalized deformation curve which has a functional relationship resembling a power law in the beginning and a straight line later. A functional form is proposed to fit this material deformation pattern. This form was used along with the load versus displacement records to evaluate J-R curves for many materials. The results showed that the new method was a more accurate and versatile one for the assessment of the J-R curve. Compared with previous application of this method, the accuracy is remarkably improved in the beginning stages of the J-R curve where a J 1 c point is determined. The J 1 c point was analyzed on more than 60 specimens and found to be consistent with methods used in the ASTM test standards.
Relational Crowdsourcing and its Application in Knowledge Graph Evaluation

Automatic construction of large knowledge graphs (KG) by mining web-scale text datasets has received considerable attention over the last few years, resulting in the construction of several KGs, such as NELL, Google Knowledge Vault, etc. These KGs consist of thousands of ‘predicate-relations’ (e.g., isPerson, isMayorOf ) and millions of their instances (e.g., (Bill de Blasio, isMayorOf, New York City)). Estimating accuracy of such automatically constructed KGs is a challenging problem due to their size and diversity. Even though crowdsourcing is an obvious choice for such evaluation, the standard single-task crowdsourcing, where each predicate in the KG is evaluated independently, is very expensive and especially problematic if the budget available is limited. We show that such approaches are sub-optimal as they ignore dependencies among various predicates and their instances. To overcome this challenge, we propose Relational Crowdsourcing (RelCrowd), where the tasks are created while taking dependencies among predicates and instances into account. We apply this framework in the context of evaluation of large-scale KGs and demonstrate its effectiveness through extensive experiments on real-world datasets.
Experimental measurements for VoIP with network coding in IEEE 802.11

Over the last decade, VoIP has had a fast growth particularly in Small Office Home Office environments overloading the wireless accesses in the last mile. Network Coding schemes have advantageous features for throughput performance but VoIP is a delay critical service requiring fast routing algorithms. In this paper, we design, implement and measure experimental values for a network coding based VoIP phone calls in 802.11. Our proposed method is achieved by a new packet format compliant with current protocols that facilitates the exchange of linearly combined packets. Servers and user agents are implemented in C code and tests for up to 10 VoIP phone calls have been performed under wireless networks. Results have shown that network coding is a feasible methodology for up to 6 pairs of users with a notably throughput performance gain.
Supervised and Unsupervised Neural Network for Classification of Satellite Images

This paper is of classification of remote sensed Multispectral satellite images using supervised and unsupervised neural networks. Feature extraction techniques like mean, variance and standard deviation are used. Higher resolution causes higher spectral variability within a class and lessens the statistical separability among different classes in a traditional pixel-based classification. Several methods of image classification exist and a number of fields apart from remote sensing like image analysis and pattern recognition make use of a significant concept. The combination of multiple classifiers is done for designing high performance pattern classification systems.
[Gemcitabine in advanced stage soft tissue sarcoma: a phase II study].

PURPOSE To assess the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine in locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma patients (pts). PATIENTS AND METHODS Gemcitabine was administered on days 1, 8, 15 every 4 weeks at a dose of 1.000/1.250 mg/m2, respectively, in pretreated or not pretreated pts. RESULTS Eighteen pts entered this phase II trial; sixteen had been previously treated with anthracyclines and ifosfamide. A partial response was observed in a woman with fibrous malignant istocytoma, whereas in 7 pts the disease remained stable. Median time to progression was 4 months. The treatment was well tolerated. Grade 4 toxicity was not observed. CONCLUSIONS These results do not suggest that gemcitabine, in the dose and schedule used in this trial, may be of value in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas.
SSIM performance limitation of linear equalizers

The performance limitation of linear equalizers is studied for the structural similarity (SSIM) criteria. Given a blurring filter and an image with zero mean, the closed form formula is obtained to compute the maximal SSIM index and the corresponding optimal linear equalizer. The formula shows that the equalizer with maximal SSIM index is equal to the one with minimal mean square error (MSE) multiplied by a positive real number. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the theoretical results.
The configuration of DNA replication sites within the Trypanosoma brucei kinetoplast

The kinetoplast is a concatenated network of circular DNA molecules found in the mitochondrion of many trypanosomes. This mass of DNA is replicated in a discrete "S" phase in the cell cycle. We have tracked the incorporation of the thymidine analogue 5-bromodeoxyuridine into newly replicated DNA by immunofluorescence and novel immunogold labeling procedures. This has allowed the detection of particular sites of replicated DNA in the replicating and segregating kinetoplast. These studies provide a new method for observing kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) replication patterns at high resolution. The techniques reveal that initially the pattern of replicated DNA is antipodal and can be detected both on isolated complexes and in replicating kDNA in vivo. In Trypanosoma brucei the opposing edges of replicating kDNA never extend around the complete circumference of the network, as seen in other kinetoplastids. Furthermore, crescent-shaped labeling patterns are formed which give way to labeling of most of the replicating kDNA except the characteristic midzone. The configuration of these sites of replicated DNA molecules is different to previous studies on organisms such as Crithidia fasciculata, suggesting differences in the timing of replication of mini and maxicircles and/or organization of the replicative apparatus in the kinetoplast of the African trypanosome.
New reusable elastomer electrodes for assessing body composition

The development of telemedicine requires finding solutions of reusable electrodes for use in patients' homes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relevance of reusable elastomer electrodes for measuring body composition. We measured a population of healthy Caucasian (n = 17). A measurement was made with a reference device, the Xitron®, associated with AgCl Gel electrodes (Gel) and another measurement with a multifrequency impedancemeter Z-Metrix® associated with reusable elastomer electrodes (Elast). We obtained a low variability with an average error of repeatability of 0.39% for Re and 0.32% for Rinf. There is a non significantly difference (P T-test > 0.1) about 200 ml between extracellular water Ve measured with Gel and Elast in supine and in standing position. For total body water Vt, we note a non significantly difference (P T-test > 0.1) about 100 ml and 2.2 1 respectively in supine and standing position. The results give low dispersion, with R2 superior to 0.90, with a 1.5% maximal error between Gel and Elast on Ve in standing position. It looks possible, taking a few precautions, using elastomer electrodes for assessing body composition.
Serum Procalcitonin for Predicting Significant Infections and Mortality in Pediatric Oncology.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of serum procalcitonin (PCT) level at admission in predicting significant infections and deaths among children on chemotherapy presenting with fever. METHODS Children with clinically significant (CSI) and microbiologically documented (MDI) infections were identified using standard definitions. Association of PCT with CSI, MDI and mortality was analyzed. RESULTS We evaluated 821 febrile episodes in 316 children. CSI, MDI and deaths were seen in 40.9%, 20.1% and 2.9%, respectively. PCT levels ranged from 0.05-560ng/mL. Median PCT was higher in episodes with CSI (0.80 vs. 0.28) and MDI (0.71 vs. 0.34) (P<0.001). PCT ≥0.7ng/mL optimally predicted CSI (AUC-0.740) and MDI (AUC-0.636). Relative risk of mortality for PCT ≥5ng/mL was 7.1. PCT ≥0.7ng/mL had poor sensitivity (45-55%) but good specificity and NPV (70-90%). PCT was elevated in nearly half of documented viral and fungal infections. CONCLUSION PCT predicts significant infections and mortality in pediatric oncology but it has poor sensitivity to guide clinical decisions.
G-Finder: routing programming questions closer to the experts

Programming forums are becoming the primary tools for programmers to find answers for their programming problems. Our empirical study of popular programming forums shows that the forum users experience long waiting period for answers and a small number of experts are often overloaded with questions. To improve the usage experience, we have designed and implemented G-Finder, both an algorithm and a tool that makes intelligent routing decisions as to which participant is the expert for answering a particular programming question. Our main approach is to leverage the source code information of the software systems that forums are dedicated to, and discover latent relationships between forums users. Our algorithms construct the concept networks and the user networks from the program source and the forum data.We use programming questions to dynamically integrate these two networks and present an adaptive ranking of the potential experts. Our evaluation of G-Finder, using the data from three large programming forums, takes a retrospective view to check if G-Finder can correctly predict the experts who provided answers to programming questions. The evaluation results show that G-Finder improves the prediction precision by 25% to 74%, compared to related approaches.
Building Components Made from Recycled Plastics

The problem being investigated was to develop an economical, environmentally friendly, and quality panel made from recycled plastics. The objective of this work was to contribute to decontaminating the environment, and to solving the housing shortage in our country. The developed products were panels for housing and equipment. They were manufactured by recycling plastic materials from food, perfumery or cleaning packaging, waste production from factories due to failures in sheet thickness or ink application. It thus contributes to decontaminating the environment, since most of this waste is buried in municipal land without any use, or accumulated and burned in landfills, causing environmental degradation. The technical properties of these panels were established by laboratory testing. A comparison was made between their main technical properties and other conventional panels made with wood particles, available in the is panel does not swell under water, unlike conventional panels. The percentage of water absorption is lower than that of conventional panels. The flexural resistance is is almost equal to that of an uncoated particle board. The density is higher than that of conventional panels made with wood particles. The components obtained have environmental advantages with regard to other conventional ones, since they reduce plastic waste that causes pollution, instead of using up natural resources.
The NAFLD fibrosis score: A noninvasive system that identifies liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and advanced liver fibrosis are at the highest risk for progressing to end‐stage liver disease. We constructed and validated a scoring system consisting of routinely measured and readily available clinical and laboratory data to separate NAFLD patients with and without advanced fibrosis. A total of 733 patients with NAFLD confirmed by liver biopsy were divided into 2 groups to construct (n = 480) and validate (n = 253) a scoring system. Routine demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were analyzed by multivariate modeling to predict presence or absence of advanced fibrosis. Age, hyperglycemia, body mass index, platelet count, albumin, and AST/ALT ratio were independent indicators of advanced liver fibrosis. A scoring system with these 6 variables had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 and 0.82 in the estimation and validation groups, respectively. By applying the low cutoff score (−1.455), advanced fibrosis could be excluded with high accuracy (negative predictive value of 93% and 88% in the estimation and validation groups, respectively). By applying the high cutoff score (0.676), the presence of advanced fibrosis could be diagnosed with high accuracy (positive predictive value of 90% and 82% in the estimation and validation groups, respectively). By applying this model, a liver biopsy would have been avoided in 549 (75%) of the 733 patients, with correct prediction in 496 (90%). Conclusion: a simple scoring system accurately separates patients with NAFLD with and without advanced fibrosis, rendering liver biopsy for identification of advanced fibrosis unnecessary in a substantial proportion of patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:846–854.)
Effect of Sidewall Morphology on the Fracture and Fatigue Properties of Polysilicon Structural Films

This study highlights the difference in the sidewall morphology of n+-typepolysilicon films from two popular microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)processes and its effect on fracture and fatigue properties. Atomic force andtransmission electron microscopy show that thick silicon oxides (20 ± 5 nm) arefound in PolyMUMPs films, caused by galvanic corrosion from the presence ofgold on the chip, whereas in SUMMiT films a much thinner (3.5 ± 1.0 nm) nativeoxide was observed. These thicker oxide layers, in combination with differencesin sidewall roughness (14 ± 5 nm for PolyMUMPs and 10 ± 2 nm for SUMMiT),have a significant effect on the fracture and fatigue properties of polysiliconstructures; this is shown by measuring fracture strength (3.8 ± 0.3 GPa forPolyMUMPs and 4.8 ± 0.2 GPa for SUMMiT) and stress-lifetime high-cyclicfatigue curves
Cellular Interaction and Cytotoxicity of the Iowa Mutation of Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-IIowa) Amyloid Mediated by Sulfate Moieties of Heparan Sulfate*

Background: The G26R apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-IIowa) mutation causes familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Results: ApoA-IIowa amyloid cellular interaction and cytotoxicity depended on cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). Enzymatic remodeling of HS by extracellular sulfatase mitigated cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Sulfate moieties of cell surface HS are critical for mediating apoA-I amyloid cytotoxicity. Significance: Enzymatic remodeling of HS may be a novel concept for regulating actions of amyloid on cells. The single amino acid mutation G26R in human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) is associated with familial amyloid polyneuropathy III. ApoA-I carrying this mutation (apoA-IIowa) forms amyloid fibrils in vitro. Heparan sulfate (HS) is a glycosaminoglycan that is abundant at the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Although HS and its highly sulfated domains are involved in aggregation of amyloid-β and accumulate in cerebral amyloid plaques of patients with Alzheimer disease and mouse models of this disease, the role of HS in familial amyloid polyneuropathy III has never been addressed. Here, we used cell models to investigate the possible role of HS in the cytotoxicity of apoA-IIowa amyloid. Wild-type CHO cells, but not pgsD-677 cells, an HS-deficient CHO mutant, demonstrated uptake of apoA-IIowa amyloid after incubation with the amyloid. Addition of sulfated glycosaminoglycans to culture media prevented interaction with and cytotoxicity of apoA-IIowa amyloid to CHO cells. Elimination of cell surface HS or inhibition of HS sulfation with chemical reagents interfered with interaction of apoA-IIowa amyloid with CHO cells. We also found that cellular interaction and cytotoxicity of apoA-IIowa amyloid were significantly attenuated in CHO cells that stably expressed the human extracellular endoglucosamine 6-sulfatases HSulf-1 and HSulf-2. Our results thus suggest that cell surface HS mediates cytotoxicity of apoA-IIowa amyloid and that enzymatic remodeling of HS mitigates the cytotoxicity.
A Survey of Opportunistic Networks

We define an opportunistic network as one type of challenged networks where network contacts are intermittent or where link performance is highly variable or extreme. In such a network, there does not exist a complete path from source to destination for most of the time. In addition, the path can be highly unstable and may change or break quickly. Therefore, in order to make communication possible in an opportunistic network, the intermediate nodes may take custody of data during the blackout and forward it when the connectivity resumes. In this paper, we discuss some research challenges in an opportunistic network.
Tightly coupled positioning and multipath radio channel tracking

Radio-based localization is an active research topic with a range of applications. In this paper, we focus on localization of a radio receiver equipped with an inertial measurement unit. The localization is performed while simultaneously constructing a map of the small-scale fading pattern in the local radio environment. The map in our case is a ray-trace-based multipath channel model. This solution is enabled by sensor fusion of information from the channel estimation data and the inertial sensors, and it does not assume knowledge of, e.g., transmitter locations. The sensor data are fused in a recursive state space model that combines the kinematic motion model with the ray-based radio channel model, and the state vector is estimated using a particle filter. The choice of the particle filter is justified by the multimodal characteristics of the posterior likelihood distributions that follow from the nonlinearities of the problem. The work is assuming a single receiver antenna, but the approach can be transferred to multiple-antenna systems. We study the performance of the approach under realistic assumptions, based on the performance of today's low-cost inertial sensors and radio systems, including accelerometer and gyroscope noise and radio receiver frequency error and noise. Simulations show significant improvement in long-term positioning performance, evaluated against dead reckoning. The work is concluded with experiments that serve as the proof of concept for the proposed technique, using no extra equipment compared to what can be found in a modern cellular phone.
New Low-Leakage Power-Rail ESD Clamp Circuit in a 65-nm Low-Voltage CMOS Process

A new low-leakage power-rail electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuit designed with consideration of the gate leakage issue has been proposed and verified in a 65-nm low-voltage CMOS process. Consisting of the new low-leakage ESD-detection circuit and the ESD clamp device of a substrate-triggered silicon-controlled rectifier, the new proposed power-rail ESD clamp circuit realized with only thin-oxide (1-V) devices has a very low leakage current of only 116 nA at room temperature (25°C ) under the power-supply voltage of 1 V. Moreover, the new proposed power-rail ESD clamp circuit can achieve ESD robustness of over 8 kV, 800 V, and over 2 kV in human-body-model, machine-model, and charged-device-model ESD tests, respectively.