Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impaired cytotoxicity associated with defective natural killer cell differentiation in myelodysplastic syndromes

Natural killer cells are well known to mediate anti-leukemic responses in myeloid leukemia but their role in myelodysplastic syndromes is not well understood. Here, in a cohort of newly diagnosed patients (n=75), widespread structural and functional natural killer cell defects were identified. One subgroup of patients (13%) had a selective deficiency of peripheral natural killer cells (count <10/mm3 blood) with normal frequencies of T and natural killer-like T cells. Natural killer cell-deficient patients were predominantly found in high-risk subgroups and deficiency of these cells was significantly associated with poor prognosis. In the second subgroup, comprising the majority of patients (76%), natural killer cells were present but exhibited poor cytotoxicity. The defect was strongly associated with reduced levels of perforin and granzyme B. Notably, natural killer cell function and arming of cytotoxic granules could be fully reconstituted by in vitro stimulation. Further phenotypic analysis of these patients revealed an immature natural killer cell compartment that was biased towards CD56bright cells. The residual CD56dim cells exhibited a significant increase of the unlicensed NKG2A−KIR− subset and a striking reduction in complexity of the repertoire of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors. Taken together, these results suggest that the widespread defects in natural killer cell function occurring in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes are mostly due to either unsuccessful or inefficient generation of mature, functionally competent natural killer cells, which might contribute to disease progression through impaired immune surveillance.
Assignment1 of the TCF-4 gene (TCF7L2) to human chromosome band 10q25.3

The TCF-4 gene (TCF7L2) is a member of the APC/ß-catenin/TCF pathway that is well known to play a crucial role in many developmental processes such as human carcinogenesis. It encodes a transcription factor that interacts functionally with ß-catenin (Korinek et al., 1997) to transactivate several target genes (He et al., 1998). We have recently shown that TCF7L2 was mutated in an A(9) coding repeat in a subset of gastrointestinal tumors showing microsatellite instability (Duval et al., 1999a and 1999b). Here, the human TCF7L2 gene was cloned from the CEPH (Centre d’Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) genomic BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) library. We showed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) that it mapped to chromosome band 10q25.3.
Real-Time Control for Autonomous Racing Based on Viability Theory

In this paper, we consider autonomous driving of miniature race cars. The viability kernel is used to efficiently generate finite look-ahead trajectories that maximize progress while remaining recursively feasible with respect to static obstacles (e.g., stay inside the track). Together with a low-level model predictive controller, this method makes real-time autonomous racing possible. The viability kernel computation is based on space discretization. To make the calculation robust against discretization errors, we propose a novel numerical scheme based on game theoretical methods, in particular the discriminating kernel. We show that the resulting algorithm provides an inner approximation of the viability kernel and guarantees that, for all states in the cell surrounding a viable grid point, there exists a control that keeps the system within the kernel. The performance of the proposed control method is studied in simulation where we determine the effects of various design choices and parameters and in experiments on an autonomous racing setup maintained at the Automatic Control Laboratory of ETH Zurich. Both simulation and experimental results suggest that the more conservative approximation using the discriminating kernel results in safer driving style at the cost of a small increase in lap time.
Barriers to involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations

Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations are spaces in which LGBTQ individuals can access support and community, yet they have received little empirical attention, particularly outside urban areas. Given the benefits of LGBTQ community involvement, this study examined the barriers to involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations. Three qualitative methods were employed: interviews, focus groups, and participant observation sessions. Thematic analyses identified eight barriers originating within the individual (managing one's LGBTQ identity, individual characteristics), organization (lack of diversity, group dynamics, lack of awareness of programs, workplace/school climate), and community (size, hostility). Implications for reducing barriers in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations are discussed.
Parametric yield in FPGAs due to within-die delay variations: a quantitative analysis

Variations in the semiconductor fabrication process results in variability in parameters between transistors on the same die, a problem exacerbated by lithographic scaling. The re-configurability of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays presents the opportunity to compensate for within-die delay variability. This paper presents three reconfiguration-based strategies for compensating within-die stochastic delay variability in FPGAs: reconfiguring the entire FPGA, relocating subcircuits within an FPGA, and reconfiguring signal paths within a design. The yield of each strategy is analysed and compared with worst-case design and statistical static timing analysis (SSTA). It is demonstrated that significant im-provements in circuit yield and timing are possible using SSTA alone, and these improvements can be enhanced by employing reconfiguration-based techniques.
A Role for galectin‐3 in renal tissue damage triggered by ischemia and reperfusion injury

Ischemic‐reperfusion injury (IRI) triggers an inflammatory response involving neutrophils/macrophages, lymphocytes and endothelial cells. Galectin‐3 is a multi‐functional lectin with a broad range of action such as promotion of neutrophil adhesion, induction of oxidative stress, mastocyte migration and degranulation, and production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was evaluate the role of galectin‐3 in the inflammation triggered by IRI. Galectin‐3 knockout (KO) and wild type (wt) mice were subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion. Blood and kidney samples were collected at 6, 24, 48 and 120 h. Blood urea was analyzed enzymatically, while MCP‐1, IL‐6 and IL‐1β were studied by real‐time PCR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated by flow cytometry. Morphometric analyses were performed at 6, 24, 48 and 120 h after reperfusion. Urea peaked at 24 h, being significantly lower in knockout animals (wt = 264.4 ± 85.21 mg/dl vs. gal‐3 KO = 123.74 ± 29.64 mg/dl, P = 0.001). Galectin‐3 knockout animals presented less acute tubular necrosis and a more prominent tubular regeneration when compared with controls concurrently with lower expression of MCP‐1, IL‐6, IL‐1β, less macrophage infiltration and lower ROS production at early time points. Galectin‐3 seems to play a role in renal IRI involving the secretion of macrophage‐related chemokine, pro‐inflammatory cytokines and ROS production.
Scalable and Real-Time Sentiment Analysis of Twitter Data

In this paper, we present a system for scalable and real-time sentiment analysis of Twitter data. The proposed system relies on feature extraction from tweets, using both morphological features and semantic information. For the sentiment analysis task, we adopt a supervised learning approach, where we train various classifiers based on the extracted features. Finally, we present the design and implementation of a real-time system architecture in Storm, which contains the feature extraction and classification tasks, and scales well with respect to input data size and data arrival rate. By means of an experimental evaluation, we demonstrate the merits of the proposed system, both in terms of classification accuracy as well as scalability and performance.
Switching Therapy from Variable-Dose Multiple Pill to Fixed-Dose Single-Pill Combinations of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers and Thiazides for Hypertension

The efficacy and tolerability of switching therapy from free combinations of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and thiazide (A/T) to a fixed-dose of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (L/H) has not been evaluated in Japan. We examined effects of switching therapy from variable-dose multiple-pill A/T to a fixed-dose L/H on blood pressure (BP) along with medication adherence and the degree of satisfaction in 91 hypertensive outpatients (mean age, 65.2 ± 9.6 years). After 6 months, a significant BP reduction (132 ± 9/76 ± 10 vs. 126 ± 12/72 ± 11 mm Hg), along with an improvement of attaining target BP (44.0 vs. 61.5%) and that of adherence, were observed. The magnitude of BP reduction in the participants increased their degree of satisfaction more significantly than in the participants who worsened their degree of satisfaction. The estimated glomerular filtration rate and the serum uric acid (UA) level decreased slightly but significantly. The hemoglobin A1c of participants with diabetes mellitus increased slightly but significantly. In conclusion, a switch in therapy from variable-dose, multiple-pill A/T combinations to a fixed-dose, single-pill L/H was effective in decreasing BP and serum UA in Japanese clinical practice. Metabolic side effects of L/H in patients with diabetes mellitus remain to be investigated.
Causal Models for Parallel Performance Analysis

This paper proposes causal models to enhance the performance analysis of parallel processing. Causal models explicitly denote the relations among the variables involved. This makes it possible to automate the modeling task as well as to present the user a clear and understandable performance analysis. It is a flexible approach, since new environment variables can easily be integrated and performance can be estimated from incomplete knowledge. Since independency among variables is the key information, it can help the construction of a performance model that separates application and system dependency.
Wi-Fi Tracking: Fingerprinting Attacks and Counter-Measures. (Traçage Wi-Fi: Attaques par Prise d'Empreinte et Contre-Mesures)

The recent spread of everyday-carried Wi-Fi-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets and wearable devices) comes with a privacy threat to their owner, and to society as a whole. These devices continuously emit signals which can be captured by a passive attacker using cheap hardware and basic knowledge. These signals contain a unique identifier, called the MAC address. To mitigate the threat, device vendors are currently deploying a countermeasure on new devices: MAC address randomization. Unfortunately, we show that this mitigation, in its current state, is insufficient to prevent tracking. To do so, we introduce several attacks, based on the content and the timing of emitted signals. In complement, we study implementations of MAC address randomization in some recent devices, and find a number of shortcomings limiting the efficiency of these implementations at preventing device tracking. At the same time, we perform two real-world studies. The first one considers the development of actors exploiting this issue to install Wi-Fi tracking systems. We list some real-world installations and discuss their various aspects, including regulation, privacy implications, consent and public acceptance. The second one deals with the spread of MAC address randomization in the devices population. Finally, we present two tools: an experimental Wi-Fi tracking system for testing and public awareness raising purpose, and a tool estimating the uniqueness of a device based on the content of its emitted signals even if the identifier is randomized.
Validity of using a fixed analog input for evaluating the SEU sensitivity of a flash analog-to-digital converter

The single-event upset (SEU) rate in a flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) AD9058 on board a space experiment varied by more than an order of magnitude, depending on the input. A pulsed laser aided in elucidating the reasons, which were found to be the result of the unique design of the AD9058.
TimeAdapt: timely execution of dynamic software reconfigurations

Real-time embedded systems such as those in the avionics, automotive and robotics domains run in highly complex and unstable environments. These systems need to be adaptive in order to maintain required levels of quality of service in dynamic environments. Dynamic software reconfiguration mechanisms support adaptations in such environments without the need to restart the system. However, the highly dynamic nature of real-time embedded systems in unstable environments raises new challenges for reconfiguration, such as the need for timely execution. Current programming frameworks and middleware for real-time embedded systems either do not address dynamic reconfiguration at all, or omit timeliness from consideration. In this paper we present TimeAdapt that supports the execution of reconfigurations on component-based real-time applications in a timely manner. The system design follows a three-tiered approach: For each reconfiguration, a probability is estimated as to whether the given time bound can be met. If the probability is high enough (as specified by the application), the reconfiguration is scheduled for execution as a real-time task. TimeAdapt also includes a reconfiguration specification language and a component model that supports dynamic reconfigurations on its elements.
Hardware Dependability in the Presence of Soft Errors

Using formal verification for designing hardware designs free from logic design bugs has been an active area of research since the last 15 years. Technology has matured and we have a choice of formal tools such as model checkers, equivalence checkers, and a range of theorem provers. Hardware reliability and fault tolerance has been studied for a long time as well, and some good solutions in the form of redundancy are available for making hardware resilient against faults. However, understanding the impact of a particular kind of fault known as a single-event-upset (SEU) or a transient fault especially in the context of low-power design is not well understood, and therefore achieving adequate tolerance for low-power processors against SEUs is still very much an open problem. A significant bottleneck in this has been the traditional fault injection methodology whereby the impact of a fault is analysed whilst a processor is running a specific binary program image. Thus the true impact of the fault is limited by the shadow of the particular program. Another key problem has been the modification of the original design to incorporate fault injection hardware. Thus, the design being checked for faults is different from the original design. In this paper we report on our experiences on studying transient fault injection on a 32 bit multi-cycle RISC processor using the formal specification and verification framework of Symbolic Trajectory Evaluation (STE). Our approach offers the benefit of studying fault injection by not modifying the original design and doing it in a program independent way. The vulnerability of the processor is assessed in terms of its architecural features, which is possible due to symbolic model checking.
Food colors and behavior.

Nonetheless, some research can be misleading and misinform the public on the effects of AFCs in children. A 2007 placebo-controlled study published in the Lancet journal reported that food coloring led to ‘increased hyperactivity’ in the pediatric population at large [19]. Yet, despite this study’s media attention, the authors’ conclusions were deceptive and incorrect. Not only was the effect size of the dietary challenge relatively modest (effect size of 0.2), but it was activity level, rather than hyperactivity, that was measured. Therefore, ‘increased hyperactivity’ was not an accurate description. (p. 761)
SYSTEMIC PARADIGM & SEAM PARADIGM

For companies to be more competitive, they need to align their business and IT resources. Enterprise Architecture is the discipline whose purpose is to align more effectively the strategies of enterprises together with their processes and their resources (business and IT). Enterprise architecture is complex because it involves different types of practitioners with different goals and practices during the lifecycle of the required changes. Enterprise Architecture can be seen as an art and is largely based on experience. But Enterprise Architecture does not have strong theoretical foundations. As a consequence, it is difficult to teach, difficult to apply, and does not have true computer-supported tool. This lack of tool is unfortunate as such tools would make the discipline much more practical. This paper presents how system sciences, by defining the concept of the systemic paradigm, can provide these theoretical foundations. It then gives a concrete example of the application of these foundations by presenting the SEAM paradigm. With the systemic paradigm, the enterprise architects can improve their understanding of the existing methodologies, and thus find explanations for the practical problems they encounter. With the SEAM paradigm, architects can use a methodology that alleviates most of these practical problems and can be supported by a tool.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Mandibular Asymmetry in an Adult Population.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mandibular asymmetry and investigate some associated factors. METHODS Tomographic images of 952 individuals aged from 18 to 75 years old were analyzed. The investigated outcome was mandibular asymmetry. The explanatory variables included gender, age, absence of posterior teeth, and sagittal jaw relationship of the individuals. Statistical analyses included the chi-squared and the Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS Mandibular asymmetry was present in 17.4% of the sample (95% confidence interval 15.2-20.0). In the bivariate analysis, there was an association between the variables age and sagittal jaw relationship with mandibular asymmetry (P = 0.026 and P = 0.018, respectively). However, in the adjusted regression model, the association with age was not maintained, occurring only an association between sagittal jaw relationship and mandibular asymmetry (P = 0.045), with significant difference between individuals with skeletal Class II and skeletal Class III (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION Mandibular asymmetry was not independently associated with sex, age, or absence of posterior teeth. The only verified independent association was between mandibular asymmetry and sagittal jaw relationship.
Evaluation of a coupled laser inertial navigation system for pedestrian tracking

This paper evaluates a previously presented method for indoor pedestrian tracking using inertial sensing and a laser scanner (Light Detection and Ranging LIDAR). The zero velocity updating technique [2], which is used to enhance the performances of an inertial sensing sensor mounted on the foot, cannot observe heading, resulting in a horizontal position drift. A LIDAR mounted on the head is used as a complementary technique to correct heading. The well known Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm [5] is adapted to treat captured laser scans at given instances that we call middle of foot stance phases. The detection process of those instances is presented, which is followed by a LIDAR-inertial coupling: the corrected position delivered by the ICP algorithm is forwarded as a position fix to the extended Kalman filter, treating the inertial sensor data on the foot, and thus compensates its drift. After presenting the tracking algorithm and the system description, a visual and numerical evaluation is carried out to assess the presented tracking system with regard to stability and accuracy.
Human and mouse adipose-derived cells support feeder-independent induction of pluripotent stem cells

Although adipose tissue is an expandable and readily attainable source of proliferating, multipotent stem cells, its potential for use in regenerative medicine has not been extensively explored. Here we report that adult human and mouse adipose-derived stem cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells with substantially higher efficiencies than those reported for human and mouse fibroblasts. Unexpectedly, both human and mouse iPS cells can be obtained in feeder-free conditions. We discovered that adipose-derived stem cells intrinsically express high levels of pluripotency factors such as basic FGF, TGFβ, fibronectin, and vitronectin and can serve as feeders for both autologous and heterologous pluripotent cells. These results demonstrate a great potential for adipose-derived cells in regenerative therapeutics and as a model for studying the molecular mechanisms of feeder-free iPS generation and maintenance.
Quality control in oocytes by p63 is based on a spring-loaded activation mechanism on the molecular and cellular level

Mammalian oocytes are arrested in the dictyate stage of meiotic prophase I for long periods of time, during which the high concentration of the p53 family member TAp63α sensitizes them to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. TAp63α is kept in an inactive and exclusively dimeric state but undergoes rapid phosphorylation-induced tetramerization and concomitant activation upon detection of DNA damage. Here we show that the TAp63α dimer is a kinetically trapped state. Activation follows a spring-loaded mechanism not requiring further translation of other cellular factors in oocytes and is associated with unfolding of the inhibitory structure that blocks the tetramerization interface. Using a combination of biophysical methods as well as cell and ovary culture experiments we explain how TAp63α is kept inactive in the absence of DNA damage but causes rapid oocyte elimination in response to a few DNA double strand breaks thereby acting as the key quality control factor in maternal reproduction. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.13909. 001
Leveraging the crowd for creating wireframe-based exploration of mobile design pattern gallery

The use of mobile device is becoming more popular than before. There are many designers entering the area of mobile app design and development. However, due to the limitation of the screen size and context of use, it becomes extremely difficult for non-experienced designers or developers to make a good mobile application design. This paper introduces a wireframe-based matching technique to help people seek relevant mobile UI design examples for inspirations. We leveraged the wisdom of the crowd for creating coherent mappings between wireframes and design examples. Furthermore, we constructed a mobile UI design gallery for designers to explore inspiring examples in the wireframing stage.