Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal processing of serum proteins in an albumin-deficient environment: an in vivo study of glomerulonephritis in the Nagase analbuminaemic rat.

BACKGROUND Plasma albumin has been considered as important for governing glomerular permselectivity as well as being tubulotoxic in proteinuric states. The purpose of this study was to examine glomerular permselectivity and protein clearance of plasma albumin-deficient Nagase analbuminaemic rats (NAR) in normal and proteinuric states associated with puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN) and anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN) and to compare the results with those of previous studies using Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS Glomerular permselectivity was measured using tritium-labelled polydisperse Ficoll. In vivo fractional clearance (FC) of albumin, transferrin and immunoglobulin G was measured to include both intact and degraded forms of filtered material. Endogenous protein clearance was analysed using two-dimensional electrophoresis in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. RESULTS FCs of proteins and Ficoll in control NAR were similar to those found in Sprague-Dawley rats. Despite the lack of serum albumin in NAR, proteinuria and morphological changes observed were also similar to those found in Sprague-Dawley rats, with total protein excretion increasing 6-fold in PAN rats and 4-fold in anti-GBM GN rats with respect to controls. Two-dimensional electrophoresis in combination with MALDI mass spectrometry identified the major proteins being excreted as transferrin and a group of mildly acidic proteins in the MW range 40-50 kDa, namely antithrombin III, kininogen, alpha-1-antiproteinase, haemopexin and vitamin D-binding protein. CONCLUSIONS Both diseases exhibited similar effects to those observed in Sprague-Dawley rats despite the lack of serum albumin, including inhibition of renal protein degradation. The net changes in protein FC, particularly in the range of radii of 36-55 A, could not be accounted for by changes in size selectivity as Ficoll FC was little affected by the disease states. This emphasizes the need to reassess the relative importance of changes in renal tubular handling vs changes in glomerular capillary barrier in proteinuric states. These studies also demonstrate that albumin is not a critical factor in governing glomerular permselectivity or proteinuria.
A subset of human rapidly self-renewing marrow stromal cells preferentially engraft in mice.

Controversies have arisen as to whether adult stem cells or progenitor cells from bone marrow can engraft into nonhematopoietic tissues in vivo. To resolve some of the controversies, we developed a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction-based single nucleotide polymorphism (PCR-SNP) assay for competitive engraftment of mixtures of stem/progenitor cells. We used the assay to follow engraftment in immunodeficient mice of subpopulations of the stem/progenitor cells from human bone marrow referred to as either mesenchymal stem cells or marrow stromal cells (MSCs). The engraftment into adult mice without induced tissue injury was low and variable, but there was preferential engraftment of a subpopulation of rapidly self-renewing MSCs (RS-MSCs) compared with a subpopulation of slowly renewing MSCs (SR-MSCs). After intravenous infusion, there was a tendency for the cells to engraft into the hippocampal region that was previously designated a "vascular niche. " Migration assays suggested that preferential engraftment of RS-MSCs was in part explained by their expression of CXCR4 and CX3R1, the receptors for SDF-1 and fractalkine.
Impact de la charge émotionnelle sur l’activité neurophysiologique et les processus de prise de décision : application à la conduite automobile

L’activite neurovegetative est un correlat de la charge mentale et emotionnelle, meme lorsque les stimulations sontbreves et de faible intensite. Elle est notamment sensible a la difficulte percue mais aussi a une forme particuliered’induction affective, l’injustice. Par consequent, nous avons utilise ces mesures neurovegetatives comme variablesdependantes de la charge mentale/emotionnelle subie par les conducteurs automobiles, dans des conditions plus oumoins astreignantes.Un freinage appuye induit des reponses neurovegetatives longues et amples, correlat d’une charge importante. Lafocalisation de l’attention est elevee dans des situations de conduite stressantes, necessaire pour repondre auchangement possible de la couleur d’un feu tricolore.Nous avons montre, a partir d’enregistrements magnetoencephalographiques, que sous forte contrainte temporelle,les conducteurs qui avaient tendance a enfreindre les feux presentaient une activation plus elevee au niveau ducortex dorsolateral gauche. Ils operaient en permanence un compromis entre le respect simultane du code de laroute et des consignes experimentales ce qui complexifiait la selection de la reponse motrice.L’activite vegetative s’avere etre un temoin fiable de l’activite centrale. L’activation du cortex cingulaire anterieurgauche semble etre a l’origine d’une diminution de l’activite electrodermale et cardiaque.Du fait de l’alteration de leurs capacites cognitives, les seniors pourraient devenir anxieux face a des situations deconduite pourtant considerees comme anodines pour les plus jeunes. Il est necessaire de leur dispenser desrecommandations simples afin qu’ils abordent la route plus sereinement.
Understanding youth offending: in search of 'social recognition'

This thesis, whilst taking a predominantly criminological topic as its subject matter, incorporates other sociological and social psychological debates around youth transitions, power relations, youth culture and capital. In so doing, this thesis attempts to come to terms with the wider problems faced by young people who become embroiled in offending. It argues that the transition to `adulthood' is heavily implicated in the fact that most offending occurs in late childhood and youth. This study asked 20 young women and 20 young men about why they started and stopped offending and what influenced or inhibited them in that behaviour as they grew older. What these young people suggested was that their decision to offend or not offend was very much based on their need to feel included in their social world, through friendships in childhood and through wider commitments in adulthood. The process of moving through the transitional arrangements from childhood, through youth, to adulthood seems to run parallel with the process of starting offending, maintaining such behaviour over a period of time and eventually stopping offending in favour of greater conventionality and stability. This analysis of the parallel paths between the process of youth transitions and the process of offending draws on the theoretical concepts of Pierre Bourdieu, in particular that of capital accumulation. But it goes further in suggesting the need to take into account not only capital accumulation but also capital expenditure and power imbalances power imbalances based not only on class distinctions, as Bourdieu suggests, but also on age and status.
Dynamic Anycast Routing and Wavelength Assignment in WDM Networks Using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)

Ant colony optimization (ACO) is a probabilistic technique used for solving complex computational problems, such as finding optimal routes in networks. It has been proved to perform better than simulated annealing and genetic algorithm approaches for solving dynamic problems. ACO algorithms can quickly adapt to real-time changes in the system. In this paper, we propose an ACO-based algorithm to solve the dynamic anycast routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem in wavelength-routed WDM networks. Using extensive simulations, we show that ACO-based anycast RWA significantly reduces blocking probability compared to the fixed shortest-path first (SPF) and other dynamic algorithms.
An Empirical Study of Potential-Based Reward Shaping and Advice in Complex, Multi-Agent Systems

This paper investigates the impact of reward shaping in multi-agent reinforcement learning as a way to incorporate domain knowledge about good strategies. In theory, potential-based reward shaping does not alter the Nash Equilibria of a stochastic game, only the exploration of the shaped agent. We demonstrate empirically the performance of reward shaping in two problem domains within the context of RoboCup KeepAway by designing three reward shaping schemes, encouraging specific behaviour such as keeping a minimum distance from other players on the same team and taking on specific roles. The results illustrate that reward shaping with multiple, simultaneous learning agents can reduce the time needed to learn a suitable policy and can alter the final group performance.
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND PERSISTENCE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO MATRICULATE TO THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE GRANTING INSTITUTION

Community college students, more often than not, face challenges not typical to those of traditional-aged students. They are more likely to attend part-time, tend to be the least academically prepared, more financially challenged, often working, and have a greater likelihood of being single parents. What drives these students to not only graduate from the community college, but go on to continue at four-year institutions? Also, how do these students define, or come to “make meaning” of the force that drives their persistence in higher education? The purpose of this study examines the relationship between spirituality and persistence of Illinois community college students who matriculate to the baccalaureate degree granting institution. The research questions ask the following: (1) How is spirituality defined by community college students who persist? , (2) For community college students who persist, how do they come to “make meaning” of their educational journey? , and (3) What is the relationship between spirituality and community college student persistence? The study utilized qualitative case study methodology employing three separate phases: (1) Survey Questionnaire, (2) Guided Focus Group Discussion, and (3), Face-to-Face Interviews. Responses from the survey questionnaire were coded, further segmented and used to determine those survey participants who would receive invitations for the guided focus group discussion. The guided focus group discussion was recorded and conversation transcribed so that the researcher might establish recurring patterns and emerging themes. From those focus group discussion participants, three participants were selected to take part in the face-to-face interview portion of the study. Through the course of these three phases of data collection, the researcher was able to establish valid conclusions about the relationship between spirituality and community college student persistence.
Cloning and Characterization of Surface-Localized α-Enolase of Streptococcus iniae, an Effective Protective Antigen in Mice

Streptococcus iniae is a major fish pathogen that can also cause human bacteremia, cellulitis and meningitis. Screening for and identification of protective antigens plays an important role in developing therapies against S. iniae infections. In this study, we indicated that the α-enolase of S. iniae was not only distributed in the cytoplasm and associated to cell walls, but was also secreted to the bacterial cell surface. The functional identity of the purified recombinant α-enolase protein was verified by its ability to catalyze the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGE) to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and both the recombinant and native proteins interacted with human plasminogen. The rabbit anti-rENO serum blockade assay shows that α-enolase participates in S. iniae adhesion to and invasion of BHK-21 cells. In addition, the recombinant α-enolase can confer effective protection against S. iniae infection in mice, which suggests that α-enolase has potential as a vaccine candidate in mammals. We conclude that S. iniae α-enolase is a moonlighting protein that also associates with the bacterial outer surface and functions as a protective antigen in mice.
A population-based cohort study on early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma treated with radiotherapy alone: with special reference to older patients.

BACKGROUND Combined modality treatment has reduced the risk of relapse among younger early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Older HL patients may not tolerate chemotherapy and their prognosis is less favorable. We conducted a population-based study to evaluate long-term follow-up outcome in older early-stage HL patients initially treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included 308 consecutive patients (22% were >or=60 years) diagnosed 1972-1999 (median follow-up 20 years; range 1-28). Using Cox regression models we defined risk of relapse and survival in relation to clinical factors. RESULTS 272/308 (88%) patients obtained complete remission following first-line RT alone. Among these, 42% relapsed within a median of 21 months. The relapse rate was independent of gender and age at diagnosis (median age 32 years, range 14-85); however, lymphocyte-predominant HL was associated with borderline (P=0.049) 56% decreased risk of relapse. Among patients<60 years and >or=60 years, we observed 29 (median latency 10 years, range 2-25) and 11 (median latency 3 years, range 1-10) second tumors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Older age (>or=60 years) was not associated with an increased risk of relapse following RT alone. Given the risks of iatrogenic morbidity/mortality of chemotherapy in older patients, RT alone could be an alternative first-line therapy in early-stage older HL patients.
How much should I eat? A comparison of suggested portion sizes in the UK

Abstract Objective To identify and compare suggested food portion sizes in UK schemes. Design The study collated and compared suggested portion sizes from selected UK schemes intended both for general advice and weight-loss advice. Setting Portion size schemes were included if they were relevant to the UK, provided actual portion size information, were intended for adults and were obtainable from the public domain in November 2010. Included schemes were from the food industry, non-governmental organisations and health-care professionals. Suggested portion sizes of foods occurring in at least one scheme for general advice and at least one scheme for weight loss were included. Own brand on-pack portion size labelling from a large UK-wide supermarket was added to represent portion size advice from UK food retailers. Subjects Not applicable. Results The suggested portion sizes in the weight-loss advice schemes were often concordant, as were the general advice schemes, except one general advice scheme from a non-governmental organisation which was more closely aligned with the portion sizes for weight loss. Overall there were substantial discrepancies between suggested portion sizes for muesli and crunchy breakfast cereals, rice, pasta and potatoes, meat, fish and pulses, whereas portion sizes for cooked vegetables, dried fruit, some breakfast cereals and cheese were broadly consistent. Conclusions There is a lack of consistency in the portion sizes communicated to the public. An independent and authoritative scheme of suggested portion sizes for all foods, with distinct recommendations for general advice and for weight-loss advice, could be of benefit.
BathDrum2: Percussion Instruments on a Bathtub Edge with Low-Latency Tap Tone Identification

In order to create a smart bathroom with entertainment features, we propose a playable system that can identify several tap tones on the top of a bathtub edge from differences in hand posture. BathDrum2 is a specific implementation of this system; it utilizes nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), a kind of machine learning technique, for low-latency tap tone identification and for playing assigned percussion sounds. This paper describes the system design and tap tone identifier with its signal processing and NMF. The performance evaluation of the current BathDrum2 implementation is also described.
Small and variable sperm sizes suggest low sperm competition despite multiple paternity in a lekking suboscine bird

ABSTRACT Sperm competition, whereby sperm from multiple males compete to fertilize an egg, selects for adaptations that increase fertilization success. Because fertilization success is related to sperm number, size, and quality, both interspecific and intraspecific variation in these traits are predicted to correlate with the level of sperm competition. Specifically, species and individuals that experience high sperm competition are predicted to produce more sperm per ejaculate, produce longer sperm, and exert higher quality control, resulting in reduced numbers of morphologically abnormal sperm and reduced size variation via selection for the most successful sperm phenotype. However, the causes of sperm morphological and size variation and its consequences for sperm competition remain poorly understood, especially within species. We quantified variation in sperm morphology, size, and number in the Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), a Neotropical suboscine passerine with a cooperative lek mating system. Although alpha-status males sire almost all chicks, the numbers of sperm produced per ejaculate by betas, nonterritorial adults, and subadult males were similar to those produced by alphas. Sperm counts declined with age in alphas, which may explain the decreased siring success of older alphas. Most ejaculates contained both normal helical sperm and abnormal sperm with rounded heads. The proportion of morphologically normal sperm per ejaculate was unrelated to social status or age. The coefficients of variation in sperm component length (head, tail, and total) both between and within alpha males were comparable to variation reported in passerines with low sperm competition. Total sperm length was shorter than in the majority of avian species studied to date, and cloacal protuberance and relative testis size were small. These results indicate low sperm competition, despite evidence for multiple paternity, or that sperm number rather than sperm morphology may be a major postcopulatory mediator of male reproductive success in this species. This work represents the first thorough quantification of intraspecific sperm variability in a suboscine passerine.
Cytosolic PLA2 is required for CTL-mediated immunopathology of celiac disease via NKG2D and IL-15

IL-15 and NKG2D promote autoimmunity and celiac disease by arming cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to cause tissue destruction. However, the downstream signaling events underlying these functional properties remain unclear. Here, we identify cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) as a central molecule in NKG2D-mediated cytolysis in CTLs. Furthermore, we report that NKG2D induces, upon recognition of MIC+ target cells, the release of arachidonic acid (AA) by CTLs to promote tissue inflammation in association with target killing. Interestingly, IL-15, which licenses NKG2D-mediated lymphokine killer activity in CTLs, cooperates with NKG2D to induce cPLA2 activation and AA release. Finally, cPLA2 activation in intraepithelial CTLs of celiac patients provides an in vivo pathophysiological dimension to cPLA2 activation in CTLs. These results reveal an unrecognized link between NKG2D and tissue inflammation, which may underlie the emerging role of NKG2D in various immunopathological conditions and define new therapeutic targets.
Stepwise Maturation of Lytic Granules during Differentiation and Activation of Human CD8+ T Lymphocytes

During differentiation, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) acquire their killing potential through the biogenesis and maturation of lytic granules that are secreted upon target cell recognition. How lytic granule load in lytic molecules evolves during CTL differentiation and which subsets of lytic granules are secreted following activation remains to be investigated. We set up a flow cytometry approach to analyze single lytic granules isolated from primary human CTL according to their size and molecular content. During CTL in vitro differentiation, a relatively homogeneous population of lytic granules appeared through the progressive loading of Granzyme B, Perforin and Granzyme A within LAMP1+ lysosomes. PMA/ionomycin-induced lytic granule exocytosis was preceded by a rapid association of the docking molecule Rab27a to approximately half of the lytic granules. Activated CTL were found to limit exocytosis by sparing lytic granules including some associated to Rab27a. Our study provides a quantification of key steps of lytic granule biogenesis and highlights the potential of flow cytometry to study organelle composition and dynamics.
Variants of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin Member 4 in Childhood Atrioventricular Block

Background Transient receptor potential melastatin member 4 (TRPM4) is a nonselective cation channel. TRPM4 mutations have been linked to cardiac conduction disease and Brugada syndrome. The mechanisms underlying TRPM4‐dependent conduction slowing are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to characterize TRPM4 genetic variants found in patients with congenital or childhood atrioventricular block. Methods and Results Ninety‐one patients with congenital or childhood atrioventricular block were screened for candidate genes. Five rare TRPM4 genetic variants were identified and investigated. The variants were expressed heterologously in HEK293 cells. Two of the variants, A432T and A432T/G582S, showed decreased expression of the protein at the cell membrane; inversely, the G582S variant showed increased expression. Further functional characterization of these variants using whole‐cell patch‐clamp configuration showed a loss of function and a gain of function, respectively. We hypothesized that the observed decrease in expression was caused by a folding and trafficking defect. This was supported by the observation that incubation of these variants at lower temperature partially rescued their expression and function. Previous studies have suggested that altered SUMOylation of TRPM4 may cause a gain of function; however, we did not find any evidence that supports SUMOylation as being directly involved for the gain‐of‐function variant. Conclusions This study underpins the role of TRPM4 in the cardiac conduction system. The loss‐of‐function variants A432T/G582S found in 2 unrelated patients with atrioventricular block are most likely caused by misfolding‐dependent altered trafficking. The ability to rescue this variant with lower temperature may provide a novel use of pharmacological chaperones in treatment strategies.
Next Generation Modeling for Deep Water Wave Breaking and Langmuir Circulation

Abstract : The long-range goal is to improve our ability to understand and predict surface waves, wave breaking, and the transfer of momentum between the atmosphere and ocean. The objectives of our research are to use two free-surface, three-dimensional, turbulent, computational fluid dynamics models to investigate and quantify the interaction between surface waves and upper ocean turbulence. The models are to be tested in comparison with equivalent laboratory experiments conducted in the ASIST (Air-Sea Interaction Salt-Water Tank) facility at RSMAS of wave energy dissipation and momentum flux. A suite of non-intrusive techniques including Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). laser elevation gauges (LEG), an Imaging Slope Gauge (ISG) and infrared imagery are to be used. Specific objectives include quantifying the exchange of wave momentum into average currents via breaking, quantifying the vertical distribution of momentum flux, and determining the influence of pressure forces on the surface.