Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generation of Allospecific Cytolytic T-Lymphocytes Stimulated by Pure Pancreatic β-Cells in Absence of la+ Dendritic Cells

A murine mixed islet-lymphocyte coculture system (MILC) was used to quantitate the immunogenicity of a pure population of pancreatic β-cells to more clearly define whether stimulator major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class ll-positive dendritic cells are a major component leading to islet immunogenicity. Pancreatic β-cells express MHC class I antigen but not class II antigen. These experiments compared the in vitro immunogenicity of fluorescence-activated cell sorted (FACS-IV) pure β-cells (MHC class I-positive cells only) relative to unpurified dispersed islet cells (MHC class I-positive cells and class II-positive cells). The results demonstrated the surprising finding that pure DBA/2J (H-2b) pancreatic β-cells stimulated a strong cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response when exposed to C57BL/6 (H-2b) allosplenocytes in the MILC, similar to DBA/2J nonpurified dispersed islet cells. Furthermore, the stimulation of CTL by both purified β-cells and nonpurified dispersed islet cells was blocked by addition of MHC-specific anti-class I monoclonal antibody directed against stimulator MHC antigen. The data imply that the highly immunogenic MHC class II-positive passenger leukocytes present in the islets were not necessary for the generation of the immune response in the presence of MHC class l-positive β-cells. Although most of the pretreatment regimens attempting to decrease islet immunogenicity have been directed at eliminating the MHC class II-positive passenger leukocytes from the islets, this work suggests that modulation of MHC class I antigen may be an important approach.
Cascaded Multi-Level Based 6kV MVDS without Input and Output Transformers and its Control

Compared with the traditional MVDs, including two-level, three-level, hybrid and cascaded multi-level (CML) with poly-phase multi-winding transformer structure, new cascaded multi-level based 6 kV MVDs without input and output transformers is developed. Then, its corresponding multi-input and multi-output nonlinear mathematic model is built in this paper with the phase-shifted carrier pulse modulation (PSCPWM) applied. For the MVDs wider working range, input-state linearization is used to transform the proposed nonlinear model to be linear one. Consequently, the DC capacitor voltage is selected to be the feedback to achieve well voltage sharing among the series connected power units. For the purpose of modular and redundant design, decentralized coordinated control strategy is studied, which lead no message exchange among series connected power units. Furthermore, the active and inactive decouple control is realized in the rectifier of the MVDs. Mathematic simulations show the efficiency of the proposed control scheme
Partial Label Learning via Feature-Aware Disambiguation

Partial label learning deals with the problem where each training example is represented by a feature vector while associated with a set of candidate labels, among which only one label is valid. To learn from such ambiguous labeling information, the key is to try to disambiguate the candidate label sets of partial label training examples. Existing disambiguation strategies work by either identifying the ground-truth label iteratively or treating each candidate label equally. Nonetheless, the disambiguation process is generally conducted by focusing on manipulating the label space, and thus ignores making full use of potentially useful information from the feature space. In this paper, a novel two-stage approach is proposed to learning from partial label examples based on feature-aware disambiguation. In the first stage, the manifold structure of feature space is utilized to generate normalized labeling confidences over candidate label set. In the second stage, the predictive model is learned by performing regularized multi-output regression over the generated labeling confidences. Extensive experiments on artificial as well as real-world partial label data sets clearly validate the superiority of the proposed feature-aware disambiguation approach.
Combining inertial and visual sensing for human action recognition in tennis

In this paper, we present a framework for both the automatic extraction of the temporal location of tennis strokes within a match and the subsequent classification of these as being either a serve, forehand or backhand. We employ the use of low-cost visual sensing and low-cost inertial sensing to achieve these aims, whereby a single modality can be used or a fusion of both classification strategies can be adopted if both modalities are available within a given capture scenario. This flexibility allows the framework to be applicable to a variety of user scenarios and hardware infrastructures. Our proposed approach is quantitatively evaluated using data captured from elite tennis players. Results point to the extremely accurate performance of the proposed approach irrespective of input modality configuration
Solving Connectivity Problems Parameterized by Treewidth in Single Exponential Time

For the vast majority of local problems on graphs of small tree width (where by local we mean that a solution can be verified by checking separately the neighbourhood of each vertex), standard dynamic programming techniques give c^tw |V|^O(1) time algorithms, where tw is the tree width of the input graph G = (V, E) and c is a constant. On the other hand, for problems with a global requirement (usually connectivity) the best -- known algorithms were naive dynamic programming schemes running in at least tw^tw time. We breach this gap by introducing a technique we named Cut&Count that allows to produce c^tw |V|^O(1) time Monte Carlo algorithms for most connectivity-type problems, including Hamiltonian Path, Steiner Tree, Feedback Vertex Set and Connected Dominating Set. These results have numerous consequences in various fields, like parameterized complexity, exact and approximate algorithms on planar and H-minor-free graphs and exact algorithms on graphs of bounded degree. The constant c in our algorithms is in all cases small, and in several cases we are able to show that improving those constants would cause the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis to fail. In contrast to the problems aiming to minimize the number of connected components that we solve using Cut&Count as mentioned above, we show that, assuming the Exponential Time Hypothesis, the aforementioned gap cannot be breached for some problems that aim to maximize the number of connected components like Cycle Packing.
Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetic Pregnancies

OBJECTIVE To perform comparative analyses of obstetric and perinatal outcomes between type 1 diabetic pregnancies and the general obstetric population in Sweden between 1991 and 2003. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a population-based study. Data were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry, covering >98% of all pregnancies in Sweden. A total of 5,089 type 1 diabetic pregnancies and 1,260,207 control pregnancies were included. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for group differences in maternal age, parity, BMI, chronic hypertensive disease, smoking habits, and ethnicity. RESULTS In type 1 diabetes, preeclampsia was significantly more frequent (OR 4.47 [3.77–5.31]) as was delivery by cesarean section (5.31 [4.97–5.69]) compared with results for the general population. Stillbirth (3.34 [2.46–4.55]), perinatal mortality (3.29 [2.50–4.33]), and major malformations (2.50 [2.13–2.94]) were more common in type 1 diabetic than in control pregnancies. The risk of very preterm birth (<32 gestational weeks) was also higher among type 1 diabetic women (3.08 [2.45–3.87]). The incidence of fetal macrosomia (birth weight ≥2 SD above the mean) was increased in the diabetic group (11.45 [10.61–12.36]). CONCLUSIONS Type 1 diabetes in pregnancy is still associated with considerably increased rates of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. The eightfold increased risk for fetal macrosomia in type 1 diabetic pregnancies is unexpected and warrants further investigation.
Subclinical Atherosclerosis, Endothelial Function, and Serum Inflammatory Markers in Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3 to 4

Different inflammatory markers, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and brachial intima-media thickness (bIMT) were measured in 50 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 to 4 with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and 35 age- and gender-matched controls. The bIMT was significantly increased in the patients with CKD compared with controls (0.43 mm [0.42, 0.45] vs 0.34 mm [0.32, 0.36]; P < .001). There was no significant difference in FMD between the study groups (4.7% vs 5.3%; P = .56). There were significant correlations between bIMT and high-sensitive C-reactive protein, vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 6 (P < .05). However, eGFR adjusted for age and gender was the best predictor of bIMT. In conclusion, bIMT and inflammatory markers were increased in patients with CKD compared with the controls. Furthermore, significant correlations between bIMT and inflammatory activity in patients with CKD were observed. The eGFR adjusted for age and gender was the best predictor of bIMT.
Flexural Strength of E - glass Fiber Reinforced Dental Polymer and Dental High Impact Strength Resin

Fractures of denture base polymer material are one of the most frequent reasons for repair of removable dentures. Therefore, there is a continuous strive to strengthen them, and polymer materials of high resistance to fracture are being developed. The aim of this study was to determine the flexural strength of denture base polymers reinforced with industrial E-glass fibers and high impact strength resin material using the thress point bending test. Specimens were tested after polymerization and after artificial ageing performed by storage at 37o ; ; C temperature during 28 days and thermocycling. Microscopic examination was performed to determine the quality of bonding between glass fibers and matrix. The study showed significantly higher values of flexural strength (130 – 164MPa) of glass fiber reinforced specimens compared to the un-reinforced specimens (92 – 123MPa) control group, matching those of high impact strength resin (146MPa). Between the groups of samples tested after polymerization and storage in water at 37o ; ; C during 28 days there was no statistically significant difference in flexural strength values while samples tested after thermocycling unexpectedly revealed significantly higher values. Composite materials and high impact strength resin revealed similar results of flexural strength both being acceptable for clinical use. Obtained results suggest that the increase of temperature had the effect of prolonged polymerization which resulted in a decrease of residual monomer volume, enhancing polymer mechanical properties.
A brighter past : galaxy luminosity function at high redshifts

Using the conditional luminosity function - the luminosity distribution of galaxies in a dark matter halo as a function of the halo mass - we present an empirical model to describe the redshift evolution of the rest B-band galaxy luminosity function (LF). The model is compared to various estimates of the LF, in rest UV and B bands, out to a redshift of 6, including estimates of LFs of galaxy types separated to red and blue galaxies. Using the observed LFs out to ∼ 5, we present a general constraint on the redshift evolution of the central galaxy-halo mass relation. The increase in the number density of luminous galaxies, at the bright end of the LF, can be explained as due to a brightening of the luminosity of galaxies present in dark matter halo centres, relative to the luminosity of central galaxies in similar mass haloes today. The lack of strong evolution in the faint end of the LF, however, argues against a model involving pure-luminosity evolution at all halo mass scales. The increase in luminosity at the bright end compensates the rapid decline in the number density of massive haloes as the redshift is increased. The decline in group to cluster-mass dark matter haloes out to a redshift of ∼2 is not important as the central galaxy luminosity flattens at halo masses around 10 13 M ○. At redshifts ∼2-3, however, the density of bright galaxies begins to decrease due to the rapid decline in the number density of dark matter haloes at mass scales around and below 10 13 M ○. Based on a comparison of our predictions to the measured ultraviolet (UV) LF of galaxies at redshifts ∼3, we estimate the probability distribution of halo masses to host Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). This probability for galaxies brighter than AB-absolute magnitudes of -21, with a number density of ∼5 x 10 -3 h 3 Mpc -3 , peaks at a halo mass of ∼7 x 10 11 h -1 M ○. with a 68 per cent confidence level of (4-21) x 10 11 h -1 M ○. These estimates are consistent with the mass estimates for LBGs using two-point clustering statistics and recent estimates of halo masses based on spectroscopic observations. For galaxies brighter than AB-absolute magnitudes of -21 at z ∼ 6, the halo mass scale is a factor of ∼2 smaller; the LF predictions at z ∼ 6 are consistent with measured estimates in the literature. Based on the models, we also predict the LF of galaxies at redshifts greater than 6 and also the bias factor of galaxies at redshifts greater than 3; these predictions will soon be tested with observational data. In general, to explain high-redshift LFs, galaxies in dark matter haloes around 10 12 M ○. must increase in luminosity by a factor of ∼4-6 between today and redshift of 6.
Schizophrenia Gene Expression Profile Reverted to Normal Levels by Antipsychotics

Background: Despite the widespread use of antipsychotics, little is known of the molecular bases behind the action of antipsychotic drugs. A genome-wide study is needed to characterize the genes that affect the clinical response and their adverse effects. Methods: Here we show the analysis of the blood transcriptome of 22 schizophrenia patients before and after medication with atypical antipsychotics by next-generation sequencing. Results: We found that 17 genes, among the 21 495 genes analyzed, have significantly-altered expression after medication (p-value adjusted [Padj] <0.05). Six genes (ADAMTS2, CD177, CNTNAP3, ENTPD2, RFX2, and UNC45B) out of the 17 are among the 200 genes that we characterized with differential expression in a previous study between antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and controls (Sainz et al., 2013). This number of schizophrenia-altered expression genes is significantly higher than expected by chance (Chi-test, Padj 1.19E-50), suggesting that at least part of the antipsychotic beneficial effects is exerted by modulating the expression of these genes. Interestingly, all six of these genes were overexpressed in patients and reverted to control levels of expression after treatment. We also found a significant enrichment of genes related to obesity and diabetes, known adverse affects of antipsychotics. Conclusions: These results may facilitate understanding of unknown molecular mechanisms behind schizophrenia symptoms and the molecular mechanisms of antipsychotic drugs.
Circularly polarized slotted substrate integrated waveguide array with low axial ratio over wide angles

A circularly polarized slotted substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) array antenna is presented. This array is based on a new type of circularly polarized (CP) slot radiator presenting good circular polarization performances for left-hand and right-hand circular polarization (LHCP, RHCP). The capabilities of this new type of slot of maintaining good circular polarization radiation performances for beams scanned over a large angle range have been verified. A Rotman lens has been designed to feed a 15 slotted waveguides array generating a set of independent beams covering the ±60° angle range. Each slotted waveguide contains 16 annular slots.
VLSI implementation of a soft bit-flipping decoder for PG-LDPC codes

Implementation of high throughput VLSI chips for low-density parity-check codes has been considered very difficult especially when the row or column weight of the code is high. In this paper, a projective-geometry (PG) LDPC code is implemented in VLSI employing the proposed soft bit flipping (SBF) algorithm. The SBF algorithm requires only simple interconnections, but its error correcting performance is close to the sum-product algorithm (SPA). Parallel processing architecture is employed for increasing the throughput. With the (1057, 813) PG-LDPC code, the implemented 4-bit SBF decoder consumes only a small area of 2.5mm2 while providing 6.5Gbps and good performance close to the floating-point SPA by 0.6dB at the frame error rate of 10−4.
A Grounded Theory: Realising family potential through choice of schooling

x CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 1 Foundation of the Study 2 Purpose of the Study 3 Research Objectives 4 Definition of Non-Government Schooling 4 Context of School Choice 5 Historical Context 6 Eastern Colonies 6 Swan River Colony 7 Penal Labour in Western Australia 9 Sectarianism 9 The Return of State Aid 11 Political Context 12 Sociological Context 16 Parental Involvement 17 Funding School Choice 20 Theological Context of Catholic Schooling 23 The Roots of Catholic Education 23 The Value of Religious Based Education 24 Supporting Structures 26 Modern Developments 29 Rationale for the Chosen Methodology 31 Significance of the Study 32 CHAPTER 2 – METHODOLOGY 34 Grounded Theory Method 36 Epistemology of Grounded Theory 38 Use of literature in the Grounded Theory Method 41 Research Design 43 Criticisms of Grounded Theory 47 Strengths of Grounded Theory 48
Knowledge discovery in high-dimensional data: case studies and a user survey for the rank-by-feature framework

Knowledge discovery in high-dimensional data is a challenging enterprise, but new visual analytic tools appear to offer users remarkable powers if they are ready to learn new concepts and interfaces. Our three-year effort to develop versions of the hierarchical clustering explorer (HCE) began with building an interactive tool for exploring clustering results. It expanded, based on user needs, to include other potent analytic and visualization tools for multivariate data, especially the rank-by-feature framework. Our own successes using HCE provided some testimonial evidence of its utility, but we felt it necessary to get beyond our subjective impressions. This paper presents an evaluation of the hierarchical clustering explorer (HCE) using three case studies and an e-mail user survey (n=57) to focus on skill acquisition with the novel concepts and interface for the rank-by-feature framework. Knowledgeable and motivated users in diverse fields provided multiple perspectives that refined our understanding of strengths and weaknesses. A user survey confirmed the benefits of HCE, but gave less guidance about improvements. Both evaluations suggested improved training methods
The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein CIZ reduces adult bone mass by inhibiting bone morphogenetic protein–induced bone formation

Osteoporosis is a major health problem; however, the mechanisms regulating adult bone mass are poorly understood. Cas-interacting zinc finger protein (CIZ) is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that localizes at cell adhesion plaques that form where osteoblasts attach to substrate. To investigate the potential role of CIZ in regulating adult bone mass, we examined the bones in CIZ-deficient mice. Bone volume was increased and the rates of bone formation were increased in CIZ-deficient mice, whereas bone resorption was not altered. CIZ deficiency enhanced the levels of mRNA expression of genes encoding proteins related to osteoblastic phenotypes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as osterix mRNA expression in whole long bones. Bone marrow cells obtained from the femora of CIZ-deficient mice revealed higher ALP activity in culture and formed more mineralized nodules than wild-type cells. CIZ deficiency enhanced bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)–induced osteoblastic differentiation in bone marrow cells in cultures, indicating that BMP is the target of CIZ action. CIZ deficiency increased newly formed bone mass after femoral bone marrow ablation in vivo. Finally, BMP-2–induced bone formation on adult mouse calvariae in vivo was enhanced by CIZ deficiency. These results establish that CIZ suppresses the levels of adult bone mass through inhibition of BMP-induced activation of osteoblasts.
Effects of transplanted GDNF gene modified marrow stromal cells on focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of transplanted glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) modified marrow stromal cells (MSCs) on an experimental ischemic brain injury based on the behavioral, morphological, and immunohistochemical observations. Methods: The MSCs from four-week newborn rats were cultured in vitro. The cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model was established in adult Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats by using the suture method. Three days after model establishment, the animals were injected with prepared MSCs via their caudal veins. The animals were then divided into a sham-operation group, ischemia group, MSCs transplantation group, or GDNF+ MSCs transplantation group and were scored for their neurobehavioral manifestations at 3, 14, and 28 days after the transplantation was performed. At this time, the survival condition of intracerebral transplanted cells was measured by laser confocal microscopy while the effect of transplantation on the Generic Digital Beam Former (GDNF) expression in the ischemic brain tissue was evaluated. Results: The MSCs cells transfected with GDNF gene were characterized by green fluorescence. Three days after the transplantation, the animals that underwent the cell transplantation showed significantly better behavioral data than the controls. Fourteen days after transplantation, the animals transplanted with GDNF gene modified MSCs were better than those transplanted with common MSCs. As compared with common MSCs transplantation, GDNF+MSCs transplantation was significantly more effective in reducing apoptotic cell volume and enhancing Bcl-2 expression, which was favorable for the ischemic brain injury. Conclusions: Transplanted GDNF modified MSCs can improve the nervous function and have a protective effect on the ischemic brain injury through reducing apoptotic cell volume and enhancing the expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2.