Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Chemokine Receptor CXCR6 Evokes Reverse Signaling via the Transmembrane Chemokine CXCL16

Reverse signaling is a signaling mechanism where transmembrane or membrane-bound ligands transduce signals and exert biological effects upon binding of their specific receptors, enabling a bidirectional signaling between ligand and receptor-expressing cells. In this study, we address the question of whether the transmembrane chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16, CXCL16 is able to transduce reverse signaling and investigate the biological consequences. For this, we used human glioblastoma cell lines and a melanoma cell line as in vitro models to show that stimulation with recombinant C-X-C chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6) or CXCR6-containing membrane preparations induces intracellular (reverse) signaling. Specificity was verified by RNAi experiments and by transfection with expression vectors for the intact CXCL16 and an intracellularly-truncated form of CXCL16. We showed that reverse signaling via CXCL16 promotes migration in CXCL16-expressing melanoma and glioblastoma cells, but does not affect proliferation or protection from chemically-induced apoptosis. Additionally, fast migrating cells isolated from freshly surgically-resected gliomas show a differential expression pattern for CXCL16 in comparison to slowly-migrating cells, enabling a possible functional role of the reverse signaling of the CXCL16/CXCR6 pair in human brain tumor progression in vivo.
Dendritic Cells and Their Role in Allergy: Uptake, Proteolytic Processing and Presentation of Allergens

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen presenting cells to activate naïve T cells, which results in the case of Type 1 allergies in a Type 2 helper T cell (Th2)-driven specific immune response towards allergens. So far, a number of different subsets of specialized DCs in different organs have been identified. In the recent past methods to study the interaction of DCs with allergenic proteins, their different uptake and processing mechanisms followed by the presentation to T cells were developed. The following review aims to summarize the most important characteristics of DC subsets in the context of allergic diseases, and highlights the recent findings. These detailed studies can contribute to a better understanding of the pathomechanisms of allergic diseases and contribute to the identification of key factors to be addressed for therapeutic interventions.
Adaptive Secure Transmission for RF-EH Untrusted Relaying with Alien Eavesdropping

An adaptive cooperative scheme is proposed to improve the security of a wireless-powered relay network. A source node sends data to a destination node in the presence of an amplify-and-forward untrusted relay node and an alien eavesdropper where both are assumed to attempt to decode the source’s information signal. The source uses a fraction of its transmit power to send a jamming signal to keep its information confidential. To save energy, the energy-harvesting relay node transmits with the minimum power level that ensures secure transmissions. We derive a closed-form upper bound on the system’s secrecy outage probability. The proposed cooperative scheme is more efficient than the conventional scheme, where once the relay has accumulated sufficient energy, it assists the source’s information transmission.
Persistence of Amygdala‐Hippocampal Connectivity and Multi‐Voxel Correlation Structures During Awake Rest After Fear Learning Predicts Long‐Term Expression of Fear

&NA; After encoding, memories undergo a process of consolidation that determines long‐term retention. For conditioned fear, animal models postulate that consolidation involves reactivations of neuronal assemblies supporting fear learning during postlearning “offline” periods. However, no human studies to date have investigated such processes, particularly in relation to long‐term expression of fear. We tested 24 participants using functional MRI on 2 consecutive days in a fear conditioning paradigm involving 1 habituation block, 2 acquisition blocks, and 2 extinction blocks on day 1, and 2 re‐extinction blocks on day 2. Conditioning blocks were preceded and followed by 4.5‐min rest blocks. Strength of spontaneous recovery of fear on day 2 served as a measure of long‐term expression of fear. Amygdala connectivity primarily with hippocampus increased progressively during postacquisition and postextinction rest on day 1. Intraregional multi‐voxel correlation structures within amygdala and hippocampus sampled during a block of differential fear conditioning furthermore persisted after fear learning. Critically, both these main findings were stronger in participants who exhibited spontaneous recovery 24 h later. Our findings indicate that neural circuits activated during fear conditioning exhibit persistent postlearning activity that may be functionally relevant in promoting consolidation of the fear memory.
Comparison between low-cost marker-less and high-end marker-based motion capture systems for the computer-aided assessment of working ergonomics

The paper deals with the comparison between a high-end marker-based acquisition system and a low-cost marker-less methodology for the assessment of the human posture during working tasks. The low-cost methodology is based on the use of a single Microsoft Kinect V1 device. The high-end acquisition system is the BTS SMART that requires the use of reflective markers to be placed on the subject's body. Three practical working activities involving object lifting and displacement have been investigated. The operational risk has been evaluated according to the lifting equation proposed by the American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The results of the study show that the risk multipliers computed from the two acquisition methodologies are very close for all the analysed activities. In agreement to this outcome, the marker-less methodology based on the Microsoft Kinect V1 device seems very promising to promote the dissemination of computer-aided assessment of ergonomics while maintaining good accuracy and affordable costs. Practitioner's Summary: The study is motivated by the increasing interest for on-site working ergonomics assessment. We compared a low-cost marker-less methodology with a high-end marker-based system. We tested them on three different working tasks, assessing the working risk of lifting loads. The two methodologies showed comparable precision in all the investigations.
Maternal separation induces long-term effects on monoamines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels on the frontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus: differential effects after a stress challenge

The maternal separation (MS) paradigm is a well-known animal model that resembles the stress of early adverse life experiences and produces structural and functional abnormalities when animals are adults. The present study analyzed the effect of MS, in adult mice, on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine (DA) levels, and the turnover rate in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and amygdala, and brain regions that are associated with emotion. Also, the effects of MS in depression-like responses in adult mice were studied. The results showed that MS from postnatal day 8–21 induces depression-like behaviors. In MS mice, the three brain areas showed differential responses in 5-HT, DA, and BDNF concentrations both in basal levels and when animals were challenged with an acute stressor in adulthood. Specifically, under basal conditions, MS increased monoamine and BDNF levels in the hippocampus and amygdala, but decreased these levels in the frontal cortex. In MS, but not in control mice, the amygdala responded to the stress challenge, whereas the frontal cortex showed no response. Finally, the hippocampus showed increased 5-HT and DA activity, but not increased BDNF after the stress challenge in MS mice. The present results support the theory of the hypofunctionality of the frontal cortex and hyperactivity of mesolimbic areas in depression-like conditions.
Theoretical prediction for thermal expansion coefficients of unidirectional fiber‐reinforced composites with variable elliptical cross‐sections

A three-dimensional theoretical model is established to predict the coefficients of thermal expansion for unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites. Based on ellipse cross-sections to approach to the actual state of transversely isotropic fibers, this thermo-elastic mechanics analysis reveals the influence of fiber azimuth angular variation, which is superior to other known theoretical solutions. Taking different material systems and some other theoretical solutions into consideration, we could find the theoretical predictions are consistent with the results of the finite element method and existing experiments and the proposed model offers better agreements. Particularly, we focus on the overflow phenomenon of the transverse coefficient at low fiber volume fractions, contributing to developing fiber-reinforced composite designability. For adapting to irregular fiber shape, this article is innovative with the fiber shape factor concept as the main point of cross-section shape effect. POLYM. COMPOS. , 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mathematical Document Categorization with Structure of Mathematical Expressions

A mathematical document is a document subjected to mathematical communication, for example, a math paper and discussion in online Q&A community. Mathematical document categorization (MDC) is a task to classify mathematical documents to mathematical categories, e.g. probability theory and set theory. This task is an important task for supporting user search on recent wide-spreaded digital libraries and archiving services. Although Mathematical expressions (ME) in the document could bring an essential information as being in a central part of communication especially in math fields, how to utilize ME for MDC has not been matured. In this paper, we propose the classi cation method based on text combined with structures of ME, which are supposed to re ect conventions and rules specific to a category. Also, we present document collections built for evaluating the MDC systems, with investigation on categorial settings and its statistics. We demonstrate classi cation results that our proposed method outperforms existing methods with state-of-the-art ME modeling on F-measure.
Pseudobasin of attraction for combinatorial dynamical systems: theory and its application to combinatorial optimization

In this brief, a concept of a pseudobasin (a generalized concept of a basin of attraction) for a class of combinatorial dynamical system is introduced. A fairly comprehensive theory of its algebraic and topological structure is developed. A systematic method to solve a combinatorial optimization problem is also developed. Utilizing the theoretical results of pseudobasin, the convergence of the proposed method to a so-called stable local minimum is given.
Facilitators and Barriers of Heart Surgery Discharge: Patients’ and Nurses’ Narrative Accounts

Background:Optimal patient recovery from open-heart surgery relies on effective discharge planning and education. However, the nature of the discharge experience has not been clearly described. Objective:The study purpose is to explore patients’ and nurses’ narrative accounts of the facilitators and barriers of heart surgery discharge. Methods:A qualitative study was employed using a narrative methodology that elicited and analyzed stories. This research was conducted in a large, urban hospital in Ontario, Canada. A total of 17 patients and nurses were recruited. Five female and 5 male patients were recruited from a preoperative clinic. Ages ranged from 37 to 80 years. Seven nurses were recruited from inpatient cardiovascular units. They had 2 to 19 years of cardiovascular nursing experience. Semistructured, narrative-based interviews were conducted. Two interviews were conducted with each patient at 1 week after discharge and at 4 to 6 weeks. One interview was conducted with each nurse. Results:Findings indicate that although the preoperative period was identified as an effective time for discharge preparation, the patient’s cognitive capacity was limited during the postoperative phase of surgery. Both nurses and patients also found that insufficient time impeded the discharge process and limited individualized discussions. The structured and standardized delivery of discharge information affected patients’ capacity to apply it to the particularities in their own lives and homes. The fostering of therapeutic relationships created a space where patients felt comfortable sharing their concerns and nurses learned more about patients and thus could better tailor the discharge approach. Conclusions:Study recommendations include group and scenario-based education in which patients and nurses brainstorm about how to apply the discharge information to the particularities of patients’ lives and homes. Provision of support needs to be bolstered during the home period, where patients have timely opportunities to discuss their concerns and questions with practitioners or possibly peers.
Reading LINEs within the cocaine addicted brain

Long interspersed element (LINE)‐1 (L1) is a type of retrotransposon capable of mobilizing into new genomic locations. Often studied in Mendelian diseases or cancer, L1s may also cause somatic mutation in the developing central nervous system. Recent reports showed L1 transcription was activated in brains of cocaine‐treated mice, and L1 retrotransposition was increased in cocaine‐treated neuronal cell cultures. We hypothesized that the predisposition to cocaine addiction may result from inherited L1s or somatic L1 mobilization in the brain.
The effect of glutaraldehyde cross-linker on structural and biocompatibility properties of collagen-chondroitin sulfate electrospun mat

Abstract The collagen with glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate can potentially be used in many soft tissue engineering applications since the scaffolds mimic the structure and biological function of native extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we designed woven and aligned collagen-chondroitin sulfate mats by electrospinning method. The electrospun mats cross-linked with glutaraldehyde vapor at different times, the cross-linked mats became more biostable and were resistant to collagenase degradation. Cellular results with corneal epithelial cells showed that bioviability was reduced in cross-linked mats with glutaraldehyde. Characteristics such as high surface area of nanofibers, biodegradability, and orientation of fibers may maximize cell-ECM interaction and promote tissue regeneration faster than other conventional scaffolds. The cross-linked collagen-chondroitin sulfate electrospun mats can be used in tissue engineering, especially in soft tissue regeneration.
Sign Language Video Processing for Text Detection in Hindi Language

Sign language is a way of expressing yourself with your body language, where every bit of ones expressions, goals, or sentiments are conveyed by physical practices, for example, outward appearances, body stance, motions, eye movements, touch and the utilization of space. Non-verbal communication exists in both creatures and people, yet this article concentrates on elucidations of human non-verbal or sign language interpretation into Hindi textual expression. The proposed method of implementation utilizes the image processing methods and synthetic intelligence strategies to get the goal of sign video recognition. To carry out the proposed task implementation it uses image processing methods such as frame analysing based tracking, edge detection, wavelet transform, erosion, dilation, blur elimination, noise elimination, on training videos. It also uses elliptical Fourier descriptors called SIFT for shape feature extraction and most important part analysis for feature set optimization and reduction. For result analysis, this paper uses different category videos such as sign of weeks, months, relations etc. Database of extracted outcomes are compared with the video fed to the system as a input of the signer by a trained unclear inference system.
A model of topological mapping of space in bat hippocampus

The mammalian hippocampus plays a key role in spatial learning and memory, but the exact nature of the hippocampal representation of space is still being explored. Recently, there has been a fair amount of success in modeling hippocampal spatial maps in rats, assuming a topological perspective on spatial information processing. In this article, we use the topological approach to study the formation of a 3D spatial map in bats, which produces several insights into neurophysiological mechanisms of the hippocampal spatial leaning. First, we demonstrate that, in order to produce accurate maps of the environment, place cell should be organized into functional groups, which can be interpreted as cell assemblies. Second, the model suggests that the readout neurons in these cell assemblies should function as integrators of synaptic inputs, rather than detectors of place cells' coactivity, which allows estimating the integration time window. Lastly, the model suggests that, in contrast with relatively slow moving rats, suppressing θ‐precession in bats improves the place cells capacity to encode spatial maps, which is consistent with the experimental observations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The placebo effect and its clinical associations in gambling disorder.

BACKGROUND Although gambling disorder is prevalent and functionally impairing, no FDA-approved medications exist for its treatment. The ability of clinical trials to detect the benefits of active treatment has been hindered by an unusually high placebo response. Virtually nothing is known about baseline clinical characteristics that might predict placebo response in those with gambling disorder. METHODS Participants (N = 152) assigned to placebo were pooled from multiple double-blind trials of gambling disorder. Participants were classified as placebo responders or non-responders based on a cut-off of 35% reduction in symptom severity on the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale. Baseline group differences were characterized using t tests and equivalent non-parametric tests as appropriate. RESULTS Fifty-one percent of individuals assigned to placebo showed a significant clinical response. Compared with non-responders, placebo responders remained in treatment for significantly longer, were more likely to report "enjoyment" as a trigger for gambling, and were less likely to state that "boredom" or "loneliness" triggered their gambling. Placebo responders and non-responders did not differ significantly in age, sex, age at symptom onset, baseline symptom severity, comorbidities, or likelihood of having received a previous treatment. CONCLUSIONS Predictors of placebo response for gambling disorder appear markedly different from those reported for other mental illnesses.
Semidefinite Optimization Approaches for Satisfiability and Maximum-Satisfiability Problems

Semidefinite optimization, commonly referred to as semidefinite programming, has been a remarkably active area of research in optimization during the last decade. For combinatorial problems in particular, semidefinite programming has had a truly significant impact. This paper surveys some of the results obtained in the application of semidefinite programming to satisfiability and maximum-satisfiability problems. The approaches presented in some detail include the ground-breaking approximation algorithm of Goemans and Williamson for MAX-2-SAT, the Gap relaxation of de Klerk, van Maaren and Warners, and strengthenings of the Gap relaxation based on the Lasserre hierarchy of semidefinite liftings for polynomial optimization problems. We include theoretical and computational comparisons of the aforementioned semidefinite relaxations for the special case of 3-SAT, and conclude with a review of the most recent results in the application of semidefinite programming to SAT and MAX-SAT.
Expansion microscopy: beyond limits

The power of resolution of conventional light microscopy is physically limited by the wavelength of the visible light. This was well established by Abbe almost 150 years ago (1873). Resolution is the ability to recognise two structures as separate entities. The theoretical limit of light microscopy, i.e., the smallest distance (SD) separating two structures that can be recognised by conventional microscopes, can be determined by this mathematical equation:
Media Quality Assessment by Perceptual Gaze-Shift Patterns Discovery

Quality assessment is an indispensable technique in a large body of media applications, i.e., photo retargeting, scenery rendering, and video summarization. In this paper, a fully automatic framework is proposed to mimic how humans subjectively perceive media quality. The key is a locality-preserved sparse encoding algorithm that accurately discovers human gaze shifting paths from each image or video clip. In particular, we first extract local image descriptors from each image/video, and subsequently project them into the so-called perceptual space. Then, a nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm is proposed that represents each graphlet by a linear and sparse combination of the basis ones. Since each graphlet is visually/semantically similar to its neighbors, a locality-preserved constraint is encoded into the NMF algorithm. Mathematically, the saliency of each graphlet is quantified by the norm of its sparse codes. Afterward, we sequentially link them into a path to simulate human gaze allocation. Finally, a probabilistic quality model is learned based on such paths extracted from a collection of photos/videos, which are marked as high quality ones via multiple Flickr users. Comprehensive experiments have demonstrated that: 1) our quality model outperforms many of its competitors significantly, and 2) the learned paths are on average 89.5% consistent with real human gaze shifting paths.
Age‐adjusted D‐dimer cut‐off leads to more efficient diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in the emergency department: a comparison of four assays

Essentials Age‐adjusted D‐dimer cut‐offs decrease the false positives in the elderly. Four D‐dimer assays were compared in venous thromboembolism outpatients in an emergency ward. Age‐adjusted cut‐off resulted in improved specificity with maintained sensitivity for all assays. There was a substantial decrease in false positive results, especially in the older population.
Rhesus monkeys and baboons develop clotting factor VIII inhibitors in response to porcine endothelial cells or islets

Xenotransplantation of porcine organs holds promise of solving the human organ donor shortage. The use of α‐1,3‐galactosyltransferase knockout (GTKO) pig donors mitigates hyperacute rejection, while delayed rejection is currently precipitated by potent immune and hemostatic complications. Previous analysis by our laboratory suggests that clotting factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors might be elicited by the structurally restricted xenoantibody response which occurs after transplantation of either pig GTKO/hCD55/hCD59/hHT transgenic neonatal islet cell clusters or GTKO endothelial cells.