Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local driving assistance from demonstration for mobility aids

Active assistive mobility systems are largely limited to a-priori mapped environments, whereas their reactive assistive counterparts are in general location independent and focus on the provision of collision avoidance in the immediate space surrounding the platform. This paper presents a framework capable of providing active short-term navigation, combining the intelligence of active assistance with the freedom of location independence. Demonstration data from an able expert while driving the mobility aid in a standard indoor setting is used off-line to learn reference behavioral models of navigation given perceptual information from the platform surroundings and the input controls exerted by the user while navigating. These serve as the foundation for on-line probabilistic short-term destination inference using the instantaneously available data from the user and on-board sensors. This is coupled with a real-time stochastic optimal path generation able to exploit the same short term demonstration paths from the expert with the belief they capture both the driver's awareness of the platform's physical geometry and appropriate behaviors for their surroundings. Experimental results with users of varying proficiency in a setting unvisited in training data show promise in using the framework in assisting users experiencing difficulty in safe power mobility aid use.
CD52 is synthesized in cumulus cells and secreted into the cumulus matrix during ovulation.

PROBLEM Early studies have shown that an antibody to male reproductive tissue CD52 is a pathogenic factor of infertility. The molecule contains a unique carbohydrate antigen that induces antibodies interfering with sperm function. However, the characteristic properties of CD52 in female reproductive tissues are not known. We examined the expression and localization of CD52 in mature expanded cumulus masses. METHOD OF STUDY Mouse cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from [C57B1/6; DBA/2] F1 female mice having a superovulation treatment. Human cumulus cells were obtained from infertile patients taking in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment under informed consent. CD52 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were detected using RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS CD52 mRNA was found both in the human and mouse cumulus cells. Mouse CD52 mRNA was detected in cumulus cells but not oocytes and significantly increased after ovulation. The expression of the molecule was also confirmed at the protein level. Immunostaining with anti CD52 peptide antibody revealed that CD52 is present in cumulus cells and the extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION We first showed the expression of CD52 in human cumulus cells. CD52 has some functional roles around fertilization in females as well as in males.
NAD+ Levels Control Ca2+ Store Replenishment and Mitogen-induced Increase of Cytosolic Ca2+ by Cyclic ADP-ribose-dependent TRPM2 Channel Gating in Human T Lymphocytes*

Background: Intracellular NAD+ levels ([NAD+]i) regulate important cell functions. Results: Lowering the [NAD+]i decreases, and increasing [NAD+]i enhances replenishment of ER Ca2+ stores, mitogen-induced [Ca2+]i increase, and functional responses in T cells through gating of TRPM2 by CD38-generated ADPR. Conclusion: [NAD+]i regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and immune responses in T cells. Significance: Strategies aimed at increasing [NAD+]i in T lymphocytes can potentiate immune responses. Intracellular NAD+ levels ([NAD+]i) are important in regulating human T lymphocyte survival, cytokine secretion, and the capacity to respond to antigenic stimuli. NAD+-derived Ca2+-mobilizing second messengers, produced by CD38, play a pivotal role in T cell activation. Here we demonstrate that [NAD+]i modifications in T lymphocytes affect intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis both in terms of mitogen-induced [Ca2+]i increase and of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store replenishment. Lowering [NAD+]i by FK866-mediated nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase inhibition decreased the mitogen-induced [Ca2+]i rise in Jurkat cells and in activated T lymphocytes. Accordingly, the Ca2+ content of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores was greatly reduced in these cells in the presence of FK866. When NAD+ levels were increased by supplementing peripheral blood lymphocytes with the NAD+ precursors nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, the Ca2+ content of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores as well as cell responsiveness to mitogens in terms of [Ca2+]i elevation were up-regulated. The use of specific siRNA showed that the changes of Ca2+ homeostasis induced by NAD+ precursors are mediated by CD38 and the consequent ADPR-mediated TRPM2 gating. Finally, the presence of NAD+ precursors up-regulated important T cell functions, such as proliferation and IL-2 release in response to mitogens.
Economic Assessment of Zoonoses Surveillance in a ‘One Health’ Context: A Conceptual Framework

Collaboration between animal and public health sectors has been highlighted as a means to improve the management of zoonotic threats. This includes surveillance systems for zoonoses, where enhanced cross‐sectoral integration and sharing of information are seen as key to improved public health outcomes. Yet, there is a lack of evidence on the economic returns of such collaboration, particularly in the development and implementation of surveillance programmes. The economic assessment of surveillance in this context needs to be underpinned by the understanding of the links between zoonotic disease surveillance in animal populations and the wider public health disease mitigation process and how these relations impact on the costs and benefits of the surveillance activities. This study presents a conceptual framework of these links as a basis for the economic assessment of cross‐sectoral zoonoses surveillance with the aim of supporting the prioritization of resource allocation to surveillance. In the proposed framework, monetary, non‐monetary and intermediate or intangible cost components and benefit streams of three conceptually distinct stages of zoonotic disease mitigation are identified. In each stage, as the final disease mitigation objective varies so does the use of surveillance information generated in the animal populations for public health decision‐making. Consequently, the associated cost components and benefit streams also change. Building on the proposed framework and taking into account these links, practical steps for its application are presented and future challenges are discussed.
Influence of Position and Size of Substituents on the Mechanism of Partitioning: A Thermodynamic Study on Acetaminophens, Hydroxybenzoic Acids, and Parabens

The objective of the present investigation was to study the influence of size, nature, and topology of substituents on the thermodynamic characteristics of sublimation, fusion, solubility, solvation, and partitioning processes of some drug and druglike molecules. Thermodynamic functions of sublimation process 2-acetaminophen and 3-acetaminophen were obtained on the basis of temperature dependencies of vapor pressure by the transpiration method. Thermodynamic characteristics of solubility processes in water, n-octanol, and n-hexane were calculated from the temperature dependencies of solubility using the solubility saturation method. For evaluation of fusion parameters, differential scanning calorimetry was used. A new approach to distinguishing specific and nonspecific energetic terms in the crystal lattice was developed. Specific and nonspecific solvation terms were distinguished using the transfer from the “inert” n-hexane to the other solvents. For the acetaminophen compounds and for some related drug molecules, the correlation between melting points and a parameter describing the ratio between specific and nonspecific interaction in the crystal lattices was obtained. A diagram enabling analysis of the mechanism of the partitioning process was applied. It was found that for isomers of benzoic acids and for acetaminophens, the position of substituents affects the mechanism of the partitioning process but not the extent of partitioning ($$\Delta G_{{\text{tr}}}^{\text{0}}$$ values). In contrast to this, an increased size of substituents (parabens) leads to essential changes in $$\Delta G_{{\text{tr}}}^{\text{0}}$$ values, but the mechanism of the partitioning process stays the same.
An Argument on Why the City Should Contribute to the Library Budget in a Means Similar to Corporate Funding of R&D

T he public library budget needs to become a function of the city’s budget similar to corporate set-asides for research and development (R&D) expenses. The R&D model posits that public libraries will enrich, entertain, and educate the residents to become better persons, to obtain better paying jobs, and to be able to pay local taxes and be productive citizens. At the library, there occurs an exchange of ideas with others and a “cross-leveling” of knowledge. From using library resources and meeting with like-minded persons, people leave with and are exposed to new ideas and ways to apply them in their lives. This improvement manifests itself in demonstrable ways, and as ideas are relayed to others, the process starts over. Baskerville and Dulipovici, in their 2006 work “The Theoretical Foundations of Knowledge Management,” illustrate the information creation process. In it, persons share knowledge to create concepts and build archetypes, which leads to a cross-leveling of knowledge.1 Once they have then articulated this knowledge, there is an exchange of ideas with others, which starts the process over again. Building upon concepts put forth by Nonaka and Konno (1998), Nonanka and Takeuchi (1995), and Nonanka and Toyama (2003), Baskerville and Dulipovici also show a flow of processes whereby socializations and combinations of ideas lead to expansion.2 It is at the point of expansion where information is internalized and externalized, and the process begins anew. The public library, as a community center, can be a prime place of expansions of thought and knowledge. These processes of transformation can be considered similar to the corporate R&D process, as they foster and encourage ideas that can be used for advancement. Every good corporation sets aside monies for R&D that will in turn bring in future revenue. Similarly, by helping persons to become educated and develop skills, the library serves to generate human resource to a community. These residents possess abilities to earn more, volunteer more, and care more about the communities, and in general contribute more to the city. Such a higher achieving population is more likely to support community projects through their work and taxes. This is a kind of civic R&D, and when a certain amount of the city budget is set aside annually for library expenses to meet this goal, positive outcomes in the present and the basis for success in future endeavors are enhanced. Corporate R&D Needs
Stimulation of human and mouse erythrocyte Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransport by osmotic shrinkage does not involve AMP‐activated protein kinase, but is associated with STE20/SPS1‐related proline/alanine‐rich kinase activation

This study was undertaken to investigate whether the mechanism of increased Na+–K+–2Cl− (NKCC1) cotransporter activity by osmotic shrinkage involved AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. AMPK was found to phosphorylate a recombinant GST‐dogfish (1–260) NKCC1 fragment at Ser38 and Ser214, corresponding to Ser77 and Ser242 in human NKCC1, respectively. Incubation of human erythrocytes with 20 μm A769662 AMPK activator increased Ser242 NKCC1 phosphorylation but did not stimulate 86Rb+ uptake. Under hypertonic conditions in human red blood cells (RBCs) incubated with 0.3 m sucrose, NKCC1 activity increased as measured by bumetanide‐sensitive 86Rb+ uptake and AMPK was activated. However, there was no effect of AMPKα1 deletion in mouse RBCs on the increased rate of 86Rb+ uptake induced by hyperosmolarity. AMPK activation by osmotic shrinkage of mouse RBCs was abrogated by 10 μm STO‐609 CaMKKβ inhibitor, but incubation with STO‐609 did not affect the increase in 86Rb+ uptake induced by hyperosmolarity. Osmotic shrinkage of human and mouse RBCs led to activation loop phosphorylation of the STE20/SPS1‐related proline/alanine‐rich kinase (SPAK) at Thr233, which was accompanied by phosphorylation of NKCC1 at Thr203/207/212, one of which (Thr207) is responsible for cotransporter activation. Therefore, phosphorylation‐induced activation of NKCC1 by osmotic shrinkage does not involve AMPK and is likely to be due to SPAK activation.
Asymptotic Backstepping Stabilization of an Underactuated Surface Vessel

This brief addresses the problem of controlling the planar position and orientation of an autonomous underactuated surface vessel. Under realistic assumptions, we show, first, that there exists a natural change of coordinates that transforms the whole dynamical system into a cascade nonlinear system, and, second, the control problem of the resulting system can be reduced to the stabilization of a third-order chained form. A time-invariant discontinuous feedback law is derived to guarantee global uniform asymptotic stabilization of the system to the desired configuration. The construction of such a controller is based on the backstepping design approach. A simulation example is included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach
Low protein diets delay end-stage renal disease in non diabetic adults with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND Since more than fifty years, low protein diets are proposed to patients with kidney failure. However, the effects of these diets in preventing severe renal failure and the need for maintenance dialysis is still controversial. OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of low protein diets in delaying the need to start maintenance dialysis. SEARCH STRATEGY Medline and Embase search from January 1966 through June 1999. Congress abstracts (American Society of Nephrology since 1990, European Dialysis Transplant Association since1985, International Society of Nephrology since 1987). Direct contacts with investigators. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials comparing two different levels of protein intake in adult patients suffering from moderate to severe renal failure, followed for at least one year. Exclusion of patients with diabetic nephropathy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Seven trials selected over 40 studies since 1975. A total of 1494 patients analysed, 753 receiving a reduced protein intake and 741 a larger protein intake. Collection of the number of "renal death" being the need for starting dialysis, the death of a patient or the transplantation of a kidney during the trials. MAIN RESULTS 242 renal deaths were recorded, 101 in the low protein diet and 141 in the larger protein diet group, giving an odds ratio of low protein to control of 0.62 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.46 to 0.83 (p<0.001, Peto odds ratio). To spare one extra renal death, 17 patients need to be treated (NNT) with a low protein diet for approximately two years. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Reducing protein intake in patients with chronic renal failure do reduce the occurence of renal death by about 40% as compared with larger or unrestricted protein intake and therefore should be warmly recommended to patients. The optimal level of protein intake cannot be deduced from the present work. However, based on other nutritional studies perfomed in patients having chronic renal failure, we recommend a protein intake of 0.6 g/kg/day and an energy intake no less than 35 kcal/kg/day. Skilled dietitian survey should be offered to closely monitor these values and the patient's nutritional status.
Diet and prevalence of atopic eczema in 6 to 7-year-old schoolchildren in Spain: ISAAC phase III.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic skin disease, has increased substantially in recent decades, and different factors have been implicated in its etiology. Although dietary habits are being investigated, few conclusive findings have been reported. Nevertheless, increased consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a diet poor in antioxidants have been related to AD. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between AD, the intake of different foods, and the effect of a Mediterranean diet among Spanish schoolchildren aged 6 to 7. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study with 20 106 schoolchildren aged 6-7 years from 10 different areas of Spain. The participation rate was 76.50%. The prevalence of AD was assessed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and the criteria of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology. To calculate the Mediterranean diet score, we classified food into 2 groups: Mediterranean food, including fruit, seafood, vegetables, pulses, cereals, pasta, rice, and potatoes; and non-Mediterranean food, including meat, milk, and fast food. RESULTS Milk was negatively associated with AD. Butter and nuts also were negatively associated, although statistical significance was only reached when these foods were consumed 3 or more times a week. CONCLUSIONS We found no association between the Mediterranean diet score and AD and a positive association between AD and obesity.
The infant mirror neuron system studied with high density EEG

Abstract The mirror neuron system has been suggested to play a role in many social capabilities such as action understanding, imitation, language and empathy. These are all capabilities that develop during infancy and childhood, but the human mirror neuron system has been poorly studied using neurophysiological measures. This study measured the brain activity of 6-month-old infants and adults using a high-density EEG net with the aim of identifying mirror neuron activity. The subjects viewed both goal-directed movements and non-goal-directed movements. An independent component analysis was used to extract the sources of cognitive processes. The desynchronization of the mu rhythm in adults has been shown to be a marker for activation of the mirror neuron system and was used as a criterion to categorize independent components between subjects. The results showed significant mu desynchronization in the adult group and significantly higher ERP activation in both adults and 6-month-olds for the goal-directed action observation condition. This study demonstrate that infants as young as 6 months display mirror neuron activity and is the first to present a direct ERP measure of the mirror neuron system in infants.
Nitrous Oxide as a Marker for Irrigating Fluid Absorption

Objective: To study whether tracer amounts of a gas, nitrous oxide (N[Formula: See Text]O), might be a suitable marker for absorption of irrigating fluid during endoscopic procedures. Material and Methods: N[Formula: See Text]O was dissolved to a concentration of 10% in a commercially available irrigating fluid containing 3% mannitol and 1% ethanol. Seven experiments involving administration of the fluid via either the i.v. or i.p. route were performed in three pigs under general anesthesia. The N[Formula: See Text]O concentration and, in one pig, the ethanol concentration, were measured in the expired breath. Results: The N[Formula: See Text]O method readily detected i.v. bolus injections of 2, 10 and 20 ml quantities of irrigating fluid. Continuous administration of the fluid over a 20-min period showed that the N[Formula: See Text]O concentration increased and decreased very rapidly when the infusions were turned on and off, while a quasi-steady state was reached after ≈2 min. The maximum breath N[Formula: See Text]O concentration during a 600-ml infusion was 0.05%. The breath ethanol concentration rose as fast as the N[Formula: See Text]O level but decreased more slowly when the infusion was turned off. As with ethanol, the N[Formula: See Text]O responses were much slower when the fluid was given by i.p. infusion, and the maximum concentration was only one-third of that during i.v. infusion. Conclusions: Dissolving N[Formula: See Text]O in irrigating fluid offers the possibility of detecting an administered fluid volume in the exhaled breath in the same way as for ethanol. The advantages of N[Formula: See Text]O include better resolution, lower toxicity and rapid elimination.
Regeneration of myelin sheaths of normal length and thickness in the zebrafish CNS correlates with growth of axons in caliber

Demyelination is observed in numerous diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the endogenous regenerative process of remyelination can replace myelin lost in disease, and in various animal models. Unfortunately, the process of remyelination often fails, particularly with ageing. Even when remyelination occurs, it is characterised by the regeneration of myelin sheaths that are abnormally thin and short. This imperfect remyelination is likely to have implications for the restoration of normal circuit function and possibly the optimal metabolic support of axons. Here we describe a larval zebrafish model of demyelination and remyelination. We employ a drug-inducible cell ablation system with which we can consistently ablate 2/3rds of oligodendrocytes in the larval zebrafish spinal cord. This leads to a concomitant demyelination of 2/3rds of axons in the spinal cord, and an innate immune response over the same time period. We find restoration of the normal number of oligodendrocytes and robust remyelination approximately two weeks after induction of cell ablation, whereby myelinated axon number is restored to control levels. Remarkably, we find that myelin sheaths of normal length and thickness are regenerated during this time. Interestingly, we find that axons grow significantly in caliber during this period of remyelination. This suggests the possibility that the active growth of axons may stimulate the regeneration of myelin sheaths of normal dimensions.
Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein Regulates cspE, an Early Cold-Inducible Gene, in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT cspE, a member of the cspA family of cold shock proteins in Escherichia coli, is an early cold-inducible protein. The nucleic acid melting ability and transcription antiterminator activity of CspE have been reported to be critical for growth at low temperature. Here, we show that the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), a global regulator involved in sugar metabolism, upregulates cspE in E. coli. Sequence analysis of the cspE upstream region revealed a putative CRP target site centered at −61.5 relative to the transcription start. The binding of CRP to this target site was demonstrated using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. The presence of this site was shown to be essential for PcspE activation by CRP. Mutational analysis of the binding site indicated that the presence of an intact second core motif is more important than the first core motif for CRP-PcspE interaction. Based on the promoter architecture, we classified PcspE as a class I CRP-dependent promoter. This was further substantiated by our data demonstrating the involvement of the AR1 domain of CRP in PcspE transcription. Furthermore, the substitutions in the key residues of the RNA polymerase α-subunit C-terminal domain (α-CTD), which are important for class I CRP-dependent transcription, showed the involvement of 265 and 287 determinants in PcspE transcription. In addition, the deletion of crp led to a growth defect at low temperature, suggesting that CRP plays an important role in cold adaptation.