Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human NK Cells Induce Neutrophil Apoptosis via an NKp46- and Fas-Dependent Mechanism

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are potent inflammatory effector cells essential to host defense, but at the same time they may cause significant tissue damage. Thus, timely induction of neutrophil apoptosis is crucial to avoid tissue damage and induce resolution of inflammation. NK cells have been reported to influence innate and adaptive immune responses by multiple mechanisms including cytotoxicity against other immune cells. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the interaction between NK cells and neutrophils. Coculture experiments revealed that human NK cells could trigger caspase-dependent neutrophil apoptosis in vitro. This event was dependent on cell–cell contact, and experiments using blocking Abs indicated that the effect was mediated by the activating NK cell receptor NKp46 and the Fas pathway. CD56-depleted lymphocytes had minimal effects on neutrophil survival, suggesting that the ability to induce neutrophil apoptosis is specific to NK cells. Our findings provide evidence that NK cells may accelerate neutrophil apoptosis, and that this interaction may be involved in the resolution of acute inflammation.
Exploring multispecies evolutionary dynamics using model microbial ecosystems

Experiments to date probing adaptive evolution have predominantly focused on studying a single species or a pair of species in isolation. In nature, on the other hand, species evolve within complex communities, interacting and competing with many other species. We developed experimental microbial ecosystems with which we can start to answer some of the fundamental questions regarding evolution in complex ecosystems. We first tested how the evolution of cooperation within a species can be affected by the presence of competitor species in an ecosystem. To achieve this, we used sucrose metabolism of budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model cooperative system that is subject to social parasitism by cheater strategies. We found that when co-cultured with a bacterial competitor, Escherichia coli, the frequency of cooperator phenotypes in yeast populations increases dramatically as compared to isolated yeast populations. These results indicate that a thorough understanding of species interactions is crucial for explaining the maintenance and evolution of cooperation in nature. Next, we wanted to explore the question of whether evolution in a multispecies community is deterministic or random. We let many replicates of a multispecies laboratory bacterial ecosystem evolve in parallel for hundreds of generations. We found that after evolution, relative abundances of individual species varied greatly across the evolved ecosystems and that the final profile of species frequencies within replicates clustered into several distinct types, as opposed to being randomly dispersed across the frequency space or converging fully. These results suggest that community structure evolution has a tendency to follow one of only a few distinct paths. Thesis supervisor: Jeff Gore Title: Assistant Professor of Physics
A general theory of interference fringes in x-ray phase grating imaging.

PURPOSE The authors note that the concept of the Talbot self-image distance in x-ray phase grating interferometry is indeed not well defined for polychromatic x-rays, because both the grating phase shift and the fractional Talbot distances are all x-ray wavelength-dependent. For x-ray interferometry optimization, there is a need for a quantitative theory that is able to predict if a good intensity modulation is attainable at a given grating-to-detector distance. In this work, the authors set out to meet this need. METHODS In order to apply Fourier analysis directly to the intensity fringe patterns of two-dimensional and one-dimensional phase grating interferometers, the authors start their derivation from a general phase space theory of x-ray phase-contrast imaging. Unlike previous Fourier analyses, the authors evolved the Wigner distribution to obtain closed-form expressions of the Fourier coefficients of the intensity fringes for any grating-to-detector distance, even if it is not a fractional Talbot distance. RESULTS The developed theory determines the visibility of any diffraction order as a function of the grating-to-detector distance, the phase shift of the grating, and the x-ray spectrum. The authors demonstrate that the visibilities of diffraction orders can serve as the indicators of the underlying interference intensity modulation. Applying the theory to the conventional and inverse geometry configurations of single-grating interferometers, the authors demonstrated that the proposed theory provides a quantitative tool for the grating interferometer optimization with or without the Talbot-distance constraints. CONCLUSIONS In this work, the authors developed a novel theory of the interference intensity fringes in phase grating x-ray interferometry. This theory provides a quantitative tool in design optimization of phase grating x-ray interferometers.
Tumor Volume Change as a Predictor of Chemotherapeutic Response in Osteosarcoma

The change in osteosarcoma tumor volume after preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and its relationship to the histopathologic response was investigated using various reproducible volumetric methods. Tumor volume was measured before and after chemotherapy in 41 patients with osteosarcoma using an ellipsoid formula in plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging measurement. Based on intraobserver and interobserver variability for the volumetric measurements of each method, three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging measurement was the most reproducible. In three-dimensional magnetic resonance measurements, the correlation of the histopathologic response with absolute and relative total tumor volume changes and extraosseous volume change were significant. The good responder group showed a greater reduction in tumor volume after chemotherapy, although there was no significant difference in pretreatment tumor volume between the good and poor responder groups. The group with a decreased or stable tumor volume represented a good histopathologic response with a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 76%, and positive predictive value of 88%. The change in tumor volume of osteosarcoma measured by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging could predict histopathologic response after three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Challenges and obstacles in robot-machining

Using robots for machining, implies many advantages. By using the flexibility robots have to offer, workcells with high application versatility can be provided. Nevertheless, there are several challenges to overcome. This paper gives an overview about challenges robotic machining has already met. Besides these challenges, robot-machining still has to encounter obstacles resulting from the fact that robots have been solely handling devices so far. Furthermore, trends in robotic market are outlined by giving particular examples, emphasizing the willingness of industrial robot companies to provide robot-based machining systems.
A Novel Scheme for Fitting Subdivision Surface from Dense Triangle Mesh

In this paper, a new approach for fitting a subdivision surface from a dense triangle mesh is proposed. All feature edges and feature vertices of the original mesh model are first identified. A new featurepreserving mesh simplification algorithm is developed to further simplify the dense triangle mesh into a coarse mesh. A subdivision surface is finally fitted from a subset of the initial vertices of the dense triangle mesh. On the stage of fitting, our basic idea is to use the subdivision limit position (SLP) to adapt the control mesh of the subdivision surface to fit to the data points. Some examples are provided to demonstrate the proposed approach.
A Soft-Switching SEPIC with Multi-Output Sources

In this paper, a soft-switching single-ended-primary-inductance converter (SEPIC) with multi-output sources is proposed. The proposed SEPIC has the following advantages: (1) The conversion efficiency can be increased. To incorporate a soft-switching cell with a flyback-type, the power switches can achieve zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) and zero-current-switching (ZCS) features under turn-on transitions, resulting in reducing the switching losses and electromagnetic interference (EMI); (2) The applicability can be maximized. To apply the voltage ratio of the transformers, the proposed SEPIC has multi-output sources with step-up/down voltage functions. Finally, a prototype of the soft-switching SEPIC with multi-output sources is built and implemented. Simulated and experimental results are presented to verify the performance and the feasibility of the proposed soft-switching SEPIC with multi-output sources.
Adaptive second-order sliding mode observer for quadrotor attitude estimation

The problem studied in this paper is that of quadrotor attitude estimation using an adaptive second-order sliding mode (SM) observer. The gains are dynamically adapted to the sliding motion to ensure the convergence of observer error to the sliding manifold in the finite time. Position measurements of quadrotor are used in this adaptive SM observer to provide the pitch and roll angle estimates that are robust to the accelerometer and/or gyroscope faults. In addition, the observer is extended for the case where position measurements are corrupted by bias and noise. Simulation results illustrate the benefits of the proposed techniques compared to kalman and complementary filter.
Luxury in the information and communication technologies industry

As the retail market for information and communications technology (ICT) becomes increasingly competitive, managers and marketers face the challenge of finding ways to motivate consumers to pay more for ICT products. Studies have examined the concept of luxury in the context of retail markets; however, few have investigated how the concept applies to the ICT market. This empirical study shows that from the consumer's perspective, high-priced ICT products fall into at least two categories-luxury products and high-end products. Consumers who adopt perfection-seeking, novelty-seeking, and prestige-seeking shopping styles tend to prefer a luxury product; in addition, the consumer who desires uniqueness is likely to adopt the prestige-seeking shopping style. Consumers who adopt innovation-seeking and perfection-seeking shopping styles tend to prefer a high-end product; innovation-seeking customers are more likely to pay attention to utilitarian values and accept new brands. This study aims to help ICT firms develop and market their products.
Performance Evaluation at the Remote Site for RF Frequency Dissemination Over Fiber

In the frequency dissemination system over fiber, users can obtain highly stable RF frequency signal from one frequency source. To ensure that the stability loss of the system meets the user's need, performance evaluation for RF frequency dissemination over fiber is necessary. Considering the numerous users over fiber links and the long dissemination distance, traditional transfer quality evaluation method is not very practical, because the cost of the loop-back configuration is relatively large. In this paper, we propose a method to directly evaluate the radio frequency transfer quality via fiber links at the remote site. At the local site, the radio frequency signal is amplitude-modulated on continuous-wave lasers with two wavelengths. After multiplexing, the frequency signal is disseminated to the remote site. At the remote site, RF signal is detected from the continuous-wave optical carrier and transfer performance can be evaluated by measuring the phase fluctuation difference between two different RF signals. The remote signal does not need to be sent back to the local site. It will greatly simplify the structure of the frequency dissemination link, like in an antenna array system.
Fuzzy constraints using the enhanced entity-relationship model

Our aim is to relax the constraints which can be expressed in a conceptual model using the enhanced entity-relationship (EER) modelling tool, so that these constraints can be made more flexible. To do so, we use the fuzzy quantifiers which have been widely studied in the context of fuzzy sets and fuzzy consultation systems for databases. We also examine the representation of these constraints in an EER model and their practical repercussions. The constraints proposed are as follows: a fuzzy participation constraint, a fuzzy cardinality constraint, a fuzzy completeness constraint in the representation of classes and sub-classes (and categories or union types) and a fuzzy cardinality constraint in overlapping specialization. We also demonstrate how a fuzzy (min, max) notation can substitute for the fuzzy cardinality constraints. All these fuzzy constraints have a novel meaning and offer greater expressiveness in conceptual design.
Alpha-galactosylceramide as a therapeutic agent for pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

RATIONALE Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique subset of T cells that recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d molecules. Recent studies have shown that iNKT cells can protect mice against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. We sought to determine whether pharmacological activation of iNKT cells by α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) could be used to treat tuberculosis (TB). OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that α-GalCer, either alone or in combination with isoniazid, could be used to treat pulmonary TB. METHODS The ability of α-GalCer-activated iNKT cells to suppress Mtb replication was evaluated using an in vitro coculture system. To test its potency in vivo, mice infected with virulent Mtb were treated with α-GalCer alone or in combination with isoniazid. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Quantitative colony-forming unit counts were compared for both experimental systems. Our results show that α-GalCer plus isoniazid controls bacterial growth better than α-GalCer or INH alone, and single or multiple α-GalCer administrations prolong the survival of the mice infected via the aerosol route. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that α-GalCer administration can improve the outcome of Mtb infection, even when transmitted by the aerosol route. However, a combination of isoniazid and α-GalCer treatment has a synergistic effect on infection control. We conclude that more efficient treatment of TB will be achieved through a combination of classic chemotherapy and modulation of the host immune response.
2.4-GHz Absorptive MMIC Switch for Switched Beamformer Application

In this paper, a GaAs absorptive single-pole double-throw (SPDT) RF switch and its application to a 2.4-GHz switched beamformer module are presented. The proposed absorptive SPDT RF switch features low-power consumption and low insertion loss with good output matching both in the on and off states. Specifically, the measured insertion loss in the on state is less than 1 dB, and the measured input and output return losses are both better than 11.2 dB from 1.9 to 2.6 GHz. The measured output return loss in the off state is better than 15 dB, and the measured isolation is better than 24.7 dB in the same frequency range. Two proposed absorptive SPDT switches are then employed to form an absorptive single-pole four-throw RF switch, and it is integrated with a miniaturized <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> Butler matrix using the integrated passive device (IPD) technology to achieve a compact 2.4-GHz switched beamformer module with a very low profile. Specifically, the module size is 4.9 mm <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times5$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm with a thickness of only 0.4 mm. The IPD beamformer module is then used to realize a low-profile 2-D scanning antenna array, and 16 different beams in azimuth and elevation dimensions are successfully generated.
Assessing Individual Intellectual Output in Scientific Research: Mexico’s National System for Evaluating Scholars Performance in the Humanities and the Behavioral Sciences

Assessing the research of individual scholars is currently a matter of serious concern and worldwide debate. In order to gauge the long-term efficacy and efficiency of this practice, we carried out a limited survey of the operation and outcome of Mexico’s 30-year old National System of Investigators or SNI, the country’s main instrument for stimulating competitive research in science and technology. A statistical random sample of researchers listed in the area of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences—one of SNI’s first and better consolidated academic divisions comprising a wide range of research disciplines, from philosophy to pedagogy to archaeology to experimental brain research—was screened comparing individual ranks or "Levels of distinction" to actual compliance with the SNI’s own evaluation criteria, as reflected in major public databases of scholarly production. The same analysis was applied to members of a recent Review Committee, integrated by top-level researchers belonging to that general area of knowledge, who have been in charge of assessing and ranking their colleagues. Our results for both sets of scholars show wide disparity of individual productivity within the same SNI Level, according to all key indicators officially required (books issued by prestigious publishers, research articles appeared in indexed journals, and formation of new scientists), as well as in impact estimated by numbers of citations. Statistical calculation from the data indicates that 36% of members in the Review Committee and 53% of researchers in the random sample do not satisfy the official criteria requested for their appointed SNI Levels. The findings are discussed in terms of possible methodological errors in our study, of relevance for the SNI at large in relation to independent appraisals, of the cost-benefit balance of the organization as a research policy tool, and of possible alternatives for its thorough restructuring. As it currently stands SNI is not a model for efficient and effectual national systems of research assessment.
The inner of the two Muc2 mucin-dependent mucus layers in colon is devoid of bacteria

We normally live in symbiosis with ∼1013 bacteria present in the colon. Among the several mechanisms maintaining the bacteria/host balance, there is limited understanding of the structure, function, and properties of intestinal mucus. We now demonstrate that the mouse colonic mucus consists of two layers extending 150 μm above the epithelial cells. Proteomics revealed that both of these layers have similar protein composition, with the large gel-forming mucin Muc2 as the major structural component. The inner layer is densely packed, firmly attached to the epithelium, and devoid of bacteria. In contrast, the outer layer is movable, has an expanded volume due to proteolytic cleavages of the Muc2 mucin, and is colonized by bacteria. Muc2−/− mice have bacteria in direct contact with the epithelial cells and far down in the crypts, explaining the inflammation and cancer development observed in these animals. These findings show that the Muc2 mucin can build a mucus barrier that separates bacteria from the colon epithelia and suggest that defects in this mucus can cause colon inflammation.
The Evaluation of Anorectal Dysfunction in Paediatric Faecal Incontinence

Voluntary control of continence and defaecation is achieved during the first few years of development in children. Its acquisition can be delayed or sometimes secondarily lost through variations in the progression of developmental maturation, but also as a consequence of organic disease and dysfunction. The psychological impact of faecal incontinence can be devastating and yet it can be extremely difficult to treat effectively.
Paris and Stanford at EPE 2017: Downstream Evaluation of Graph-based Dependency Representations

We describe the STANFORD-PARIS and PARIS-STANFORD submissions to the 2017 Extrinsic Parser Evaluation (EPE) Shared Task. The purpose of this shared task was to evaluate dependency graphs on three downstream tasks. Through our submissions, we evaluated the usability of several representations derived from English Universal Dependencies (UD), as well as the Stanford Dependencies (SD), Predicate Argument Structure (PAS), and DM representations. We further compared two parsing strategies: Directly parsing to graph-based dependency representations and a two-stage process of first parsing to surface syntax trees and then applying rule-based augmentations to obtain the final graphs. Overall, our systems performed very well and our submissions ranked first and third. In our analysis, we find that the two-stage parsing process leads to better downstream performance, and that enhanced UD, a graph-based representation, consistently outperforms basic UD, a strict surface syntax representation, suggesting an advantage of enriched representations for downstream tasks.
Vehicle Positioning Using 5G Millimeter-Wave Systems

Recent growth in traffic and the resulting congestion and accidents has increased the demand for vehicle positioning systems. Existing global navigation satellite systems were designed for line of sight environments and thus accurately determining the location of a vehicle in urban areas with tall buildings or regions with dense foliage is difficult. Fifth generation (5G) cellular networks provide device-to-device communication capabilities which can be exploited to determine the real-time location of vehicles. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmission is regarded as a key technology for 5G networks. This paper examines vehicle positioning using 5G mmWave signals. Both a correlation receiver and an energy detector are considered for timing estimation. Furthermore, fixed and dynamic thresholds for energy detection are examined. It is shown that a correlation receiver can provide excellent ranging accuracy but has high computational complexity, whereas an energy detector has low computational complexity and provides good ranging accuracy. Furthermore, the Gaussian raised-cosine pulse (RCP), Gaussian pulse, and Sinc-RCP impulse radio waveforms provide the best performance.
Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of HCV isolates from China reveals a new subtype, designated 6u

Full length genome sequences were characterized for three novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates (here named DH012, DH014, and DH028). The complete genomes were all isolated from injecting drug users (IDUs) who were co‐infected with HIV‐1 and lived in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, which neighbors Myanmar. The three genomes are 9,443–9,470 nt in length and each contains a single open reading frame (ORF) of 9,069 nt long. Pairwise comparisons indicated nucleotide similarities of 97.9–98.6% among the three isolates, and similarities of 72.4–75.0% between the three isolates and 20 reference strains (representing HCV subtypes 6a–6q and 6t plus two unassigned genotype 6 isolates km41 and gz52557). Phylogenetic analyses demostrated that the three isolates formed a tight and well‐supported monophyletic cluster in the genotype 6 clade. No evidence of viral recombination was found using similarity plots and bootscanning analyses. Based on the current HCV classification criteria, we have assigned the three isolates to a new subtype, 6u. Although another “6u” isolate D83 has been reported very recently, it is subtypically distinct from the three isolates we described here. Because its designation does not meet the criteria described in the updated HCV nomenclature proposal, this “6u” isolate should be reclassified. J. Med. Virol. 80:1740–1746, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.