Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mannan-binding lectin activates C3 and the alternative complement pathway without involvement of C2

Lectin pathway activation of C3 is known to involve target recognition by mannan-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins and generation of classical pathway C3 convertase via cleavage of C4 and C2 by MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2). We investigated C3 activation in C2-deficient human sera and in sera with other defined defects of complement to assess other mechanisms through which MBL might recruit complement. The capacity of serum to support C3 deposition was examined by ELISA using microtiter plates coated with O antigen-specific oligosaccharides derived from Salmonella typhimurium, S. thompson, and S. enteritidis corresponding to serogroups B, C, and D (BO, CO, and DO). MBL bound to CO, but not to BO and DO, and efficiently supported C3 deposition in the absence of C2, C4, or MASP-2. The existence of an MBL-dependent C2 bypass mechanism for alternative pathway-mediated C3 activation was clearly demonstrated using CO, solid-phase mannan, and E. coli LPS. MASP-1 might contribute, but was not required for C3 deposition in the model used. Independent of MBL, specific antibodies to CO supported C3 deposition through classical and alternative pathways. MBL-dependent C2 bypass activation could be particularly important in various inherited and acquired complement deficiency states.
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in Patients With a Provisional Diagnosis of Takotsubo Syndrome

Background Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) mimics acute myocardial infarction in the absence of culprit coronary artery disease and is more common in women. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) shares a predilection for women, can result in left ventricular wall motion abnormalities similar to TTS, and may manifest subtle angiographic findings. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of SCAD misdiagnosed as TTS. Methods and Results Coronary angiograms of patients presenting with a provisional diagnosis of TTS were retrospectively reviewed by an independent expert blinded to left ventriculography and the specific purpose of the study to assess for SCAD. TTS was defined using European Society for Cardiology criteria. SCAD was categorized according to the Saw angiographic classification. Among 80 women with a provisional diagnosis of TTS, 2 (2.5%) met angiographic criteria for definite SCAD. Both dissections were located in the distal left anterior descending coronary artery and classified as type 2b. The wall motion abnormality was apical in both cases. An additional 7 patients (9%) had angiography that was indeterminate for SCAD. Clinical characteristics of patients with and without SCAD were similar. Conclusions Among patients with a provisional diagnosis of TTS, definite SCAD in the left anterior descending coronary artery was present in 2.5% of cases, and coronary angiography was indeterminate for SCAD in an additional 9%. Careful review of coronary angiography may avoid missed diagnoses of SCAD in patients with myocardial infarction, nonobstructive coronary arteries, and wall motion abnormalities consistent with TTS. Intracoronary imaging maybe considered to establish a definitive diagnosis of SCAD when angiography is inconclusive.
AIDA-2020 Advanced European Infrastructures for Detectors at Accelerators Conference / Workshop Paper Comparison of 35 and 50 μ m thin HPK UFSD after neutron irradiation up to 6 ffl 10 1 5 neq

We report results from the testing of 35 μm thick Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD produced by Hamamatsu Photonics (HPK), Japan and the comparison of these new results to data reported before on 50 μm thick UFSD produced by HPK. The 35 μm thick sensors were irradiated with neutrons to fluences of 0, 1·1014, 1·1015, 3·1015, 6·1015 neq/cm2. The sensors were tested pre-irradiation and postirradiation with minimum ionizing particles (MIPs) from a 90Sr β-source. The leakage current, capacitance, internal gain and the timing resolution were measured as a function of bias voltage at -20oC and -27oC. The timing resolution was extracted from the time difference with a second calibrated UFSD in coincidence, using the constant fraction method for both. Within the fluence range measured, the advantage of the 35 μm thick UFSD in timing accuracy, bias voltage and power can be established. PACS: 29.40. Gx, 29.40. Wk, 78.47jc
Iterative sensitivity matrix-based magnetic resonance conductivity tensor imaging

Magnetic resonance conductivity tensor imaging (MRCTI) reconstructs high-resolution anisotropic conductivity images, which are proved to have critical importance in radio-oncological imaging as well as source localization fields. In the MRCTI technique, linearly independent current injections are applied to the region to be imaged and resulting magnetic flux densities are measured using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In this study, a novel iterative reconstruction algorithm based on a sensitivity matrix approach is proposed and tested using both simulated and experimental measurements. Obtained results show that the proposed technique can reconstruct anisotropic conductivity images with high and position-independent spatial resolution in addition to decreased number of current injection strategies.
Homing Behavior of Musk Turtles in a Virginia Lake

Abstract For nine weeks during the summer of 2002, a mark and recapture technique was used to study homing behavior of Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) living in Lake Matoaka, VA. During the first three weeks of the study, 119 turtles (83 male, 36 female) were captured using unbaited crabpots, then marked and displaced from the site of capture. Turtles were displaced 100 m across open water 4 m deep, 520 m along the same shore, or 550 m across open water. For the last six weeks of the study, 110 turtles (65 males, 45 females) were captured and released with no displacement. Overall, 39% (49/126) of males and 21% (15/71) of females in this study were captured more than once. Seventy-five of 118 recaptures (64%) were at the site of most recent release (sedentary behavior) and 11 recaptures (9%) were at neither the original nor most recent site of capture (non-homing behavior). Thirty-four of 118 recaptures of displaced turtles (29%) occurred at the site of original capture, and 31 (91%) of these movements were made by males, a significant difference in homing behavior between males and females during the time of the study. Neither distance nor open water significantly impeded turtle homing.
Chlamydia trachomatis Induces Expression of IFN-γ-Inducible Protein 10 and IFN-β Independent of TLR2 and TLR4, but Largely Dependent on MyD881

IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) is a chemokine important in the attraction of T cells, which are essential for resolution of chlamydial genital tract infection. During infections with Gram-negative bacteria, the IP-10 response mediated through type I IFNs usually occurs as a result of TLR4 stimulation by bacterial LPS. However, we found that levels of IP-10 in genital tract secretions of Chlamydia trachomatis-infected female wild-type mice were similar to those of infected TLR2- and TLR4-deficient mice but significantly greater than those of infected MyD88-deficient mice. We investigated the mechanism of IP-10 and IFN-β induction during chlamydial infection using mouse macrophages and fibroblasts infected ex vivo. The induction of IP-10 and IFN-β was unchanged in Chlamydia-infected TLR2- and TLR4-deficient cells compared with wild-type cells. However, infection of MyD88-deficient cells resulted in significantly decreased responses. These results suggest a role for MyD88-dependent pathways in induction of IP-10 and IFN-β during chlamydial infection. Furthermore, treatment of infected macrophages with an endosomal maturation inhibitor significantly reduced chlamydial-induced IFN-β. Because endosomal maturation is required for MyD88-dependent intracellular pathogen recognition receptors to function, our data suggest a role for the intracellular pathogen recognition receptor(s) in induction of IFN-β and IP-10 during chlamydial infection. Furthermore, the intracellular pathways that lead to chlamydial-induced IFN-β function through TANK-binding kinase mediated phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IFN regulatory factor-3.
Bundled Scheduling of Parallel Real-Time Tasks

Due to increasing demand for computational power, parallel processing is becoming important for real-time systems. The community has proposed and analyzed several task models and scheduling schemes for parallel applications. Gang scheduling, where all threads of the same task are required to run concurrently, can lead to significant execution time improvements for tightly-synchronized applications. However, existing work on real-time gang scheduling for the rigid model assumes that the number of threads of a parallel task remains constant during its execution, which is not the case for many applications. In this paper, we introduce a novel task model where each task is divided into a sequence of segments called bundles, each requiring a different number of cores, and the threads within each bundle are gang scheduled on an identical multiprocessor. We then derive a sufficient schedulability analysis for sporadic bundled tasks under fixed-priority scheduling. Our evaluation reveals that the proposed model can significantly improve schedulability compared to the rigid model while being competitive with non-gang global thread scheduling and federated scheduling.
Improved fuel moisture prediction in non-native tropical Megathyrsus maximus grasslands using Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived vegetation indices

The synergistic impacts of non-native grass invasion and frequent human-derived wildfires threaten endangered species, native ecosystems and developed land throughout the tropics. Fire behaviour models assist in fire prevention and management, but current models do not accurately predict fire in tropical ecosystems. Specifically, current models poorly predict fuel moisture, a key driver of fire behaviour. To address this limitation, we developed empirical models to predict fuel moisture in non-native tropical grasslands dominated by Megathyrsus maximus in Hawaii from Terra Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based vegetation indices. Best-performing MODIS-based predictive models for live fuel moisture included the two-band Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI2) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Live fuel moisture models had modest (R2=0.46) predictive relationships, and outperformed the commonly used National Fire Danger Rating System (R2=0.37) and the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (R2=0.06). Dead fuel moisture was also best predicted by a model including EVI2 and NDVI, but predictive capacity was low (R2=0.19). Site-specific models improved model fit for live fuel moisture (R2=0.61), but limited extrapolation. Better predictions of fuel moisture will improve fire management in tropical ecosystems dominated by this widespread and problematic non-native grass.
A comparison of inbred lines derived by doubled haploidy and single seed descent in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare)

SUMMARY Samples of F, inbred lines, derived by doubled haploidy (DH) and single seed descent (SSD) from five spring barley crosses were compared for agronomic characters. It was shown that, over this range of diverse crosses, inbreds derived by either technique could surpass the better parent or even the heterotic F,. The means of the DH and SSD were, however, different for a number of characters, as well as differing from the mid-parent value. It was concluded that these differences stemmed from the presence of interacting genes showing linkage disequilibrium, although there was no unambiguous test to distinguish this from differential survival during the production of inbreds. This view was further supported by the finding that the DH sample, which tends to preserve existing linkages, produced a higher proportion of lines exceeding the better scoring parent when compared with the SSD population.
A New Empirical Approach to Calculating Flood Frequency in Ungauged Catchments: A Case Study of the Upper Vistula Basin, Poland

The aim of the work was to develop a new empirical model for calculating the peak annual flows of a given frequency of occurrence (QT) in the ungauged catchments of the upper Vistula basin in Poland. The approach to the regionalization of the catchment and the selection of the optimal form of the empirical model are indicated as a novelty of the proposed research. The research was carried out on the basis of observation series of peak annual flows (Qmax) for 41 catchments. The analysis was performed in the following steps: statistical verification of data; estimation of Qmax flows using kernel density estimation; determination of physiographic and meteorological characteristics affecting the Qmax flow volume; determination of the value of dimensionless quantiles for QT flow calculation in the upper Vistula basin; verification of the determined correlation for the calculation of QT flows in the upper Vistula basin. Based on the research we conducted, we found that the following factors have the greatest impact on the formation of flood flows in the upper Vistula basin: the size of catchment area; the height difference in the catchment area; the density of the river network; the soil imperviousness index; and the volume of normal annual precipitation. The verification procedure that we performed made it possible to conclude that the developed empirical model functions correctly.
Development and validation of a preoperative nomogram for predicting positive surgical margins after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Background Positive surgical margins are independent risk factor for biochemical recurrence, local recurrence, and distant metastasis after radical prostatectomy. However, limited predictive tools are available. This study aimed to develop and validate a preoperative nomogram for predicting positive surgical margins after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Methods From January 2010 to March 2016, a total of 418 patients who underwent LRP without receiving neoadjuvant therapy at Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively involved in this study. Clinical and pathological results of each patient were collected for further analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression (backward stepwise method) were used for the nomogram development. The concordance index (CI), calibration curve analysis and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the performance of our model. Results Of 418 patients involved in this study, 142 patients (34.0%) had a positive surgical margin on final pathology. Based on the backward selection, four variables were included in the final multivariable regression model, including the percentage of positive cores in preoperative biopsy, clinical stage, free prostate specific antigen (fPSA)/total PSA (tPSA), and age. A nomogram was developed using these four variables. The concordance index (C-index) of the nomogram was 0.722 in the development cohort and 0.700 in the bootstrap validations. The bias-corrected calibration plot showed a limited departure from the ideal line with a mean absolute error of 2.0%. In decision curve analyses, the nomogram showed net benefits in the range from 0.2 to 0.7. Conclusion A nomogram to predict positive surgical margins after LRP was developed and validated, which could help urologists plan surgical procedures.
Application of Thermal Imaging and PWC170 Test for the Evaluation of the Effects of a 30-Week Step Aerobics Training

Abstract The aim of this paper is to verify whether step aerobics training (SAT) has an impact on the temperature of deep muscles of the spine of young, healthy subjects and if there exists a relationship between the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and thermal results. The study was conducted in a group of 21 subjects of both sexes, aged 20.2 ± 0.38. The step aerobics training sessions lasted 30 weeks, one training session per week, 60 minutes per session. Thermograms of the spine were taken with the use of an infrared thermographic camera. Instrumental measurements included BMI, vital capacity of the lungs, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). After a 30-weeklong SAT, a statistically significant increase in the average temperature of the muscles of the thoracic and lumbar spine was observed in subjects of both sexes (1.2◦C and 1.28◦C, respectively, p < 0.05). At the same time, VO2max increased from 42.98 ml/kg/min to 43.6 ml/kg/min in male subjects and from 40.4 ml/kg/min to 41.1 ml/kg/min in female subjects (p > 0.05). The relationship between VO2max and temperature of the muscles of the thoracic and lumbar spine after the 30th SAT was not statistically significant (r = - 0.28; p = 0.226; r = - 0.11; p = 0.634, respectively). The study showed that a 30-weeklong step aerobics training (SAT) had a positive impact on thermoregulation of apparently healthy male and female subjects aged 20. Furthermore, it can be safely assumed that thermography may be used as a non-invasive method of examination of the thermoregulation mechanism of SAT participants.
Visualisation of key splitting milestones to support interventions

The paper presents an approach to help staff responsible for running courses by identifying key milestones in the educational process, where the paths of successful and unsuccessful students started to split. By identifying these milestones in the already finished courses, this information can be used to plan the interventions in the next runs. This is achieved by finding the earliest time when the differences in behaviour or key performance metrics of unsuccessful students start to become significant. We demonstrate this approach in two case studies, one focused on a course level analysis and the latter on a whole academic year. This suggests its generic nature and possible applicability in various Learning Analytics scenarios.
Two Half-Truths Make a Whole? On Bias in Self-Reports and Tracking Data

The pervasive use of mobile information technologies brings new patterns of media usage, but also challenges to the measurement of media exposure. Researchers wishing to, for example, understand the nature of selective exposure on algorithmically driven platforms need to precisely attribute individuals’ exposure to specific content. Prior research has used tracking data to show that survey-based self-reports of media exposure are critically unreliable. So far, however, little effort has been invested into assessing the specific biases of tracking methods themselves. Using data from a multimethod study, we show that tracking data from mobile devices is linked to systematic distortions in self-report biases. Further inherent but unobservable sources of bias, along with potential solutions, are discussed.
Multiscale Habitat Selection and Refuge Use of Common Kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula, in Southwestern Georgia

Abstract The Common Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula, is thought to be experiencing population declines in the southeastern portion of its geographic range. However, limited information exists regarding the natural history and habitat requirements of the species in this region. We conducted a radio-telemetry study to investigate habitat selection in L. getula at multiple scales in southwestern Georgia. At the home range scale, L. getula did not show habitat selection. However, at the study-area scale, L. getula selected for natural pine and hardwood forest types over other available habitats. At the microhabitat scale, L. getula were found in locations with more coarse woody debris and woody vegetation than random sites. Lampropeltis getula primarily used small mammal (Peromyscus spp.) burrows and stumpholes as below ground refuge sites. We demonstrate that habitat selection of L. getula is complex and occurs at multiple scales.
Bacterial blotch disease of the cultivated mushroom Agaricus bisporus: screening, isolation and characterization of bacteria antagonistic to the pathogen (Pseudomonas tolaasii)

Bacteria, mainly pseudomonads, were isolated from mushroom farms and from soil and plant materials. They were screened for antagonism to Pseudomonas tolaasii, the cause of bacterial blotch of mushroom, using an exclusion zone assay against a bacterial lawn of the pathogen. Selected potential antagonists were identified by the API system and whole cell fatty acid profiles. These strains were tested further in the white line test and host pathogenicity test with mushroom caps. Some of the antagonists have been stable in their aggressiveness over 1 year and several transfers during storage on nutrient agar.
Economic Science, Endangered Species, and Biodiversity Loss

Abstract: Although economic analysis can be used to argue for preservation of species and habitats, many natural assets represent inferior investments in society's asset portfolio. We demonstrate this for the case of ancient temperate rainforests and minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata). For both rainforests and whales, we determined their value for harvest and balanced this against society's valuation of the preserved stock. For the market and nonmarket data available, we then determined how much rainforest and how many minke whales global society should keep in its asset portfolio. Although ecologists increasingly attempt to justify preservation of biological assets on economic grounds, we argue that this might be a dangerous approach to take. Ultimately, it may be necessary to reexamine the ethical foundations for conservation of nature and biodiversity, including the economist's use of utilitarianism. We suggest that the safe minimum standard approach may prove useful in practice.
Rôle de l'hyperactivité sympathique dans la physiopathologie du syndrome métabolique

L’existence d’une relation entre les troubles cardio-metaboliques composant le syndrome metabolique et une hyperactivite sympathique est bien admise dans la litterature sans que la relation causale entre ces deux entites soit clairement definie. Nos travaux sur un modele murin d’hyperactivite sympathique constitutive (deletion partielle et/ou complete du transporteur de recapture de la noradrenaline) ont permis de mettre en evidence le role de celle-ci dans le developpement de troubles glucidiques : 1) Une augmentation de l’activite sympathique est un facteur suffisant pour le developpement de troubles glucidiques precoces associant une intolerance au glucose a une hyperinsulinemie basale sans hyperglycemie. 2) Ces desordres seraient dus a un retard de secretion d’insuline en reponse au glucose, probablement consecutif a une sous-expression du transporteur GLUT2. Ces resultats montrent que l’hyperactivite sympathique chronique pourrait constituer un facteur pronostic permettant le diagnostic precoce de patients a risque de developper des troubles de l’homeostasie glucidique et ouvre des perspectives dans le traitement du diabete de type 2.