Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular imaging of biological samples: localization of peptides and proteins using MALDI-TOF MS.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) has been used to generate ion images of samples in one or more mass-to-charge (m/z) values, providing the capability of mapping specific molecules to two-dimensional coordinates of the original sample. The high sensitivity of the technique (low-femtomole to attomole levels for proteins and peptides) allows the study of organized biochemical processes occurring in, for example, mammalian tissue sections. The mass spectrometer is used to determine the molecular weights of the molecular in the surface layers of the tissue. Molecules desorbed from the sample typically are singly protonated, giving an ion at (M + H)+, where M is the molecular mass. The procedure involves coating the tissue section, or a blotted imprint of the section, with a thin layer of energy-absorbing matrix and then analyzing the sample to produce an ordered array of mass spectra, each containing nominal m/z values typically covering a range of over 50,000 Da. Images can be displayed in individual m/z values as a selected ion image, which would localize individual compounds in the tissue, or as summed ion images. MALDI ion images of tissue sections can be obtained directly from tissue slices following preparative steps, and this is demonstrated for the mapping of insulin contained in an islet in a section of rat pancreas, hormone peptides in a small area of a section of rat pituitary, and a small protein bound to the membrane of human mucosa cells. Alternatively, imprints of the tissue can be analyzed by blotting the tissue sections on specially prepared targets containing an adsorbent material, e.g., C-18 coated resin beads. Peptides and small proteins bind to the C-18 and create a positive imprint of the tissue which can then be imaged by the mass spectrometer. This is demonstrated for the MALDI ion image analysis of regions of rat splenic pancreas and for an area of rat pituitary traversing the anterior, intermediate, and posterior regions where localized peptides were mapped. In a single spectrum from the anterior/intermediate lobe of a rat pituitary print, over 50 ions corresponding to the peptides present in this tissue were observed as well as precursors, isoforms, and metabolic fragments.
Urban multipath detection and mitigation with dynamic 3D maps for reliable land vehicle localization

Accurate and reliable positioning is an important prerequisite for numerous vehicular applications. Localization techniques based on satellite navigation systems are nowadays standard and deployed in most commercial vehicles. When such a standalone positioning is used in challenging environments like dense urban areas, the localization performance often dramatically degrades due to blocked and reflected satellites signals. In this paper, a general and lightweight probabilistic positioning algorithm with integrated multipath detection through 3D environmental building models is presented. It will be shown that the proposed system outperforms-in terms of accuracy and integrity-existing methods without introducing additional hardware sensors. Furthermore, a benefit analysis of the suggested 3D model for tightly and loosely coupled GPS/INS sensor integration schemas is provided. Finally, the algorithm will be evaluated with real-world data collected during an urban measurement campaign.
Remediation of Ammonia-Rich Minewater in Constructed Wetlands

A three-year study of ammonia removal from minewater was carried out employing constructed wetland systems (surface flow wetland and subsurface flow wetland cells) at the former Woolley Mine in West Yorkshire, UK. The 1.4 Ha surface flow wetland (constructed in 1995) reduced the ammonia concentration from 3.5 - 4.5 mg l−1 to < 2.3 mg l−1 during the first half of the study and to essentially zero in the last year (2000 - 2001). About 25 % of contained ammonia was converted to nitrate, about 10 % was consumed by the plants and up to 30 % was converted to nitrogen gas. This maturation effect was attributed to increased depth of sludge from sedimentation of ochre, providing increased surface area for immobilisation of ammonia oxidising bacteria. The surface flow wetland finally removed 2.3 g m−2 day−1 ammonia in comparison with 3.8 g m−2 day−1 for the subsurface flow (pea gravel) wetland cells, constructed for the present work and dosed with ammonium salts. Removal of ammonia by both systems was consistent with well-established mechanisms of nitrification and denitrification. It was also consistent with ammonia removal in wastewater wetland systems, although the greater aeration in the minewater systems obviated the need for special aeration cycles. The general role of wetland plants in such aerated conditions was attributed to maintaining hydraulic conditions (such as hydraulic efficiency and hydraulic resistance of substratum in subsurface flow systems) in the wetlands and providing a suspended solids filter for minewater.
Accuracy and precision of vessel area assessment: Manual versus automatic lumen delineation based on full‐width at half‐maximum

To evaluate the accuracy and precision of manual and automatic blood vessel diameter measurements, a quantitative comparison was conducted, using both phantom and clinical 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) data. Since diameters are often manually measured, which likely is influenced by operator dependency, automatic lumen delineation, based on the full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM), could improve these measurements.
Differential expression and novel permeability properties of three aquaporin 8 paralogs from seawater-challenged Atlantic salmon smolts

SUMMARY Aquaporins may facilitate transepithelial water absorption in the intestine of seawater (SW)-acclimated fish. Here we have characterized three full-length aqp8 paralogs from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Bayesian inference revealed that each paralog is a representative of the three major classes of aqp8aa, aqp8ab and aqp8b genes found in other teleosts. The permeability properties were studied by heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and the expression levels examined by qPCR, immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, and immunoblotting of membrane fractions from intestines of SW-challenged smolts. All three Aqp8 paralogs were permeable to water and urea, whereas Aqp8ab and -8b were, surprisingly, also permeable to glycerol. The mRNA tissue distribution of each paralog was distinct, although some tissues such as the intestine showed redundant expression of more than one paralog. Immunofluorescence microscopy localized Aqp8aa(1+2) to intracellular compartments of the liver and intestine, and Aqp8ab and Aqp8b to apical plasma membrane domains of the intestinal epithelium, with Aqp8b also in goblet cells. In a control experiment with rainbow trout, immunoelectron microscopy confirmed abundant labeling of Aqp8ab and -8b at apical plasma membranes of enterocytes in the middle intestine and also in subapical vesicular structures. During SW challenge, Aqp8ab showed significantly increased levels of protein expression in plasma-membrane-enriched fractions of the intestine. These data indicate that the Atlantic salmon Aqp8 paralogs have neofunctionalized on a transcriptional as well as a functional level, and that Aqp8ab may play a central role in the intestinal transcellular uptake of water during SW acclimation.
肿瘤相关成纤维细胞促进肺癌细胞表达PD-L1

背景与目的 肿瘤相关成纤维细胞（tumor-associated fibroblasts, TAF）是肿瘤微环境的重要组成部分，可抑制免疫细胞的功能。 在肿瘤免疫中CD8+T细胞发挥重要的作用，T细胞膜表面程序性死亡因子1（programmed death factor 1, PD-1），与其配体PD-L1（programmed death factor ligand 1, PD-L1）结合对T细胞的激活起负调节作用。 本研究旨在探讨TAF对肺癌细胞PD-L1表达的影响。 方法 我们以肺癌细胞株H1975、H520和TAF细胞进行Transwell非接触式共培养48 h的H1975、H520细胞为实验组，单独培养的H1975、H520细胞为对照组，两组培养条件一致。 倒置显微镜计数实验组和对照组H1975、H520细胞数、流式细胞仪分别检测实验组和对照组肺癌细胞PD-L1的蛋白表达率、RT-PCR分别检测实验组和对照组肺癌细胞PD-L1 mRNA的表达。 结果 每100 μm2细胞计数，H1975细胞实验组为（46±21）个，对照组为（16±5）个（P < 0.05）；H520细胞实验组为（38±10）个，对照组为（12±5）个（P < 0.05）。 PD-L1蛋白表达率，H1975细胞实验组为（20.93%±3.54%），对照组为（12.58%±2.52%）（P < 0.05）；H520细胞实验组（19.26%±3.04%），对照组为（11.60%±2.65%）（P < 0.05）。 mRNA表达水平，H1975细胞实验组为（16.45±1.25）pg/mL，对照组为（7.78±1.27）pg/mL（P < 0.05）；H520细胞实验组为（15.38±2.02）pg/mL，对照组为（7.20±1.58）pg/mL（P < 0.05）。 结论 TAF促进肺癌细胞株H1975、H520的生长，增强细胞株PD-L1表达。
The Use of Efficiency Linear Programs for Sensitivity Analysis in Medical Decision Making

Sensitivity analysis in most medical problems is a complex process involving repeated cal culations that can be computationally cumbersome, and its results are only approximate. The authors present a linear program-based approach that reveals the optimum strategies in a decision problem when event probabilities are not known exactly but their value ranges are available. Its application in a clinical decision-making situation is demonstrated. The approach promises to provide a flexible, precise, and computationally efficient technique for sensitivity analysis in medical decision making. Key words: efficiency linear programs; de cision making; sensitivity analysis. (Med Decis Making 1990;10:116-125)
Mathematical skills in Prader-Willi Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES This paper investigates mathematical skills in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), a pathological condition because of congenital alterations of chromosome pair 15. The following questions were addressed: (1) Are mathematical skills in PWS relatively more impaired with respect to other cognitive functions (as has been repeatedly but anecdotally reported)? ; and (2) What is the nature of the mathematical impairment? METHODS The first study employed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and an extensive battery of cognitive tasks for which norms are known. Both batteries include a mathematical section. The second study used a theoretically motivated series of mathematical tasks specifically designed to individually assess the different cognitive components underlying mathematical skills. RESULTS Mathematical skills were found to be the most impaired cognitive abilities together with short-term memory capacity. No specific mathematical domain was seen to be unaffected in PWS participants. The clearest deficits observed concern 'syntactic' processes in number transcoding, multiplication, number facts retrieval and calculation procedures. CONCLUSION Failure of mathematical skills is the most distinctive feature in the cognitive profile of PWS. However, to determine whether this is indeed a specific pattern of performance related to PWS, results must be compared with those obtained with patients manifesting other genetic disorders.
Happiness and time perspective as potential mediators of quality of life and depression in adolescent cancer

Given the increase in 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, current psycho‐oncology literature is focusing on finding correlates and predictors to their positive psychosocial adjustment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two potential mediators to adolescent cancer survivors' quality of life (QOL) and depressive symptomology. Procedure: Adolescent cancer survivors (N = 50; 50% males; mean diagnosis age, 13.7; mean age at study, 20.2) were surveyed, testing the mediation effects of their happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale) and past‐negative time perspective (Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory) on QOL (PedsQL 4.0) and depressive symptomology (CES‐D). Independent variables included gender and treatment intensity.
Coaching through smart objects

We explore the ways in which smart objects can be used to cue actions as part of coaching for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) following brain damage or injury, such as might arise following a stroke. In this case, appropriate actions are cued for a given context. The context is defined by the intention of the users, the state of the objects and the tasks for which these objects can be used. This requires objects to be instrumented so that they can recognize the actions that users perform. In order to provide appropriate cues, the objects also need to be able to display information to users, e.g., by changing their physical appearance or by providing auditory output. We discuss the ways in which information can be displayed to cue user action.
Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Motor Cortex in Cerebral Palsy: A Study Protocol.

PURPOSE To assess the best electrode position of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with treadmill training in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS Thirty children with cerebral palsy were randomly allocated to 3 groups: (1) treadmill training combined with anodal electrode positioned over the primary motor cortex in the region of the dominant hemisphere and the cathode positioned in the supraorbital region contralateral to anode; (2) sham anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex and sham cathode over the contralateral supraorbital region combined with treadmill training; (3) treadmill training combined with the anodal electrode positioned over the primary motor cortex in the region of the injured hemisphere and the cathode positioned contralateral to anode over the primary motor cortex. Evaluations of gait, balance, quality of life, and electromyographic activity were performed. DISCUSSION This is the protocol for an intervention study investigating electrode position to achieve improved function.
Immigrant Suicide Rates as a Function of Ethnophaulisms: Hate Speech Predicts Death

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether suicide rates among ethnic immigrant groups were predicted by the ethnophaulisms, or the hate speech, used to refer to those ethnic immigrant groups. Methods: Data were obtained for 10 European ethnic immigrant groups during the 1950s. These 10 European ethnic immigrant groups accounted for approximately 40% of all immigration into the United States during this time period. Both the suicide rates for these ethnic immigrant groups in the United States and suicide rates for those ethnic immigrant groups in their countries of origin were derived. The complexity and valence of ethnophaulisms used to refer to these ethnic immigrant groups were derived from the historical record of hate speech in the United States. Results: Consistent with previous research, immigrant suicide rates were strongly correlated with origin suicide rates. As expected, the suicide rates for ethnic immigrant groups in the United States were significantly predicted by the negativity of the ethnophaulisms used to refer to those ethnic immigrant groups. This pattern was obtained even after taking into account the suicide rates for those ethnic immigrant groups in their countries of origin, and even after taking into account the size of those ethnic immigrant groups. Conclusions: This study found support for the expectation that suicide rates among ethnic immigrant groups would be predicted by the hate speech directed toward those ethnic immigrant groups.
Phylogeny, Diversity, Distribution, and Host Specificity of Haemoproteus spp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) of Palaearctic Tortoises

A complex wide‐range study on the haemoproteid parasites of chelonians was carried out for the first time. Altogether, 811 samples from four tortoise species from an extensive area between western Morocco and eastern Afghanistan and between Romania and southern Syria were studied by a combination of microscopic and molecular‐genetic methods. Altogether 160 Haemoproteus‐positive samples were gathered in the area between central Anatolia and eastern Afghanistan. According to variability in the cytochrome b gene, two monophyletic evolutionary lineages were distinguished; by means of microscopic analysis it was revealed that they corresponded to two previously described species—Haemoproteus anatolicum and Haemoproteus caucasica. Their distribution areas overlap only in a narrow strip along the Zagros Mts. range in Iran. This fact suggests the involvement of two different vector species with separated distribution. Nevertheless, no vectors were confirmed. According to phylogenetic analyses, H. caucasica represented a sister group to H. anatolicum, and both of them were most closely related to H. pacayae and H. peltocephali, described from South American river turtles. Four unique haplotypes were revealed in the population of H. caucasica, compared with seven haplotypes in H. anatolicum. Furthermore, H. caucasica was detected in two tortoise species, Testudo graeca and Testudo horsfieldii, providing evidence that Haemoproteus is not strictly host‐specific to the tortoise host species.
Decreased Fibrogenesis After Treatment with Pirfenidone in a Newly Developed Mouse Model of Intestinal Fibrosis

Background:Fibrosis as a common problem in patients with Crohn's disease is a result of an imbalance toward excessive tissue repair. At present, there is no specific treatment option. Pirfenidone is approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with both antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. We subsequently investigated the impact of pirfenidone treatment on development of fibrosis in a new mouse model of intestinal fibrosis. Methods:Small bowel resections from donor mice were transplanted subcutaneously into the neck of recipients. Animals received either pirfenidone (100 mg/kg, three times daily, orally) or vehicle. Results:After administration of pirfenidone, a significantly decreased collagen layer thickness was revealed as compared to vehicle (9.7 ± 1.0 versus 13.5 ± 1.5 µm, respectively, **P < 0.001). Transforming growth factor–&bgr; and matrix metalloproteinase–9 were significantly decreased after treatment with pirfenidone as confirmed by real-time PCR (0.42 ± 0.13 versus 1.00 ± 0.21 and 0.46 ± 0.24 versus 1.00 ± 0.62 mRNA expression level relative to GAPDH, respectively, *P < 0.05). Significantly decreased transforming growth factor–&bgr; after administration of pirfenidone was confirmed by Western blotting. Conclusion:In our mouse model, intestinal fibrosis can be reliably induced and is developed within 7 days. Pirfenidone partially prevented the development of fibrosis, making it a potential treatment option against Crohn's disease–associated fibrosis.
Dyspnoea related to pre-excitation during sinus rhythm as a new indication for catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND Patients with pre-excitation without arrhythmic symptoms are diagnosed as Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern. AIM To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with a WPW pattern and reported dyspnoea. METHODS Five patients (four adults and one adolescent, all female, age 33 ± 15 years) with a WPW pattern were referred due to dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. None had a history of paroxysmal syncope, pre-syncope, dizziness or palpitation. Before and after RFA, additional tests were used to exclude organic diseases of the pulmonary vessels, heart and lung, as well as bronchial hyperreactivity and metabolic diseases. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), echocardiography, time of forced expiration, baseline dyspnoea index (BDI), and transition dyspnoea index (TDI) were included into an objective evaluation of breath pattern. RESULTS In all investigated patients, no arrhythmia was inducible during the electrophysiology study. The time of forced expiration increased immediately after RFA from 15.8 ± 2.9 to 29.2 ± 4.4 s (p < 0.001). The BDI score before RFA was 6.7 ± 1.9 and the TDI score after RFA showed a significant improvement: 8.0 ± 1.2 (p < 0.05). CPET revealed significant improvement in cardiopulmonary capacity after RFA in all cases: peak oxygen consumption [mL/kg/min]: 31.1 ± 7 vs. 42.6 ± 9.6 (p = 0.014); peak exercise minute ventilation [L/min]: 60.0 ± 19.9 vs. 82.0 ± 27 (p = 0.006); peak exercise tidal volume [L]: 1.56 ± 0.25 vs. 2.04 ± 0.24 (p = 0.002); ratio dead space/tidal volume at the end of exercise: 28 ± 2.6 vs. 25 ± 2.3 (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Dyspnoea during sinus rhythm in women with pre-excitation may be considered to be an evaluation criterion before RFA.
Detecting policy preferences and dynamics in the UN general debate with neural word embeddings

Foreign policy analysis has been struggling to find ways to measure policy preferences and paradigm shifts in international political systems. This paper presents a novel, potential solution to this challenge, through the application of a neural word embedding (Word2vec) model on a dataset featuring speeches by heads of state or government in the United Nations General Debate. The paper provides three key contributions based on the output of the Word2vec model. First, it presents a set of policy attention indices, synthesizing the semantic proximity of political speeches to specific policy themes. Second, it introduces country-specific semantic centrality indices, based on topological analyses of countries' semantic positions with respect to each other. Third, it tests the hypothesis that there exists a statistical relation between the semantic content of political speeches and UN voting behavior, falsifying it and suggesting that political speeches contain information of different nature then the one behind voting outcomes. The paper concludes with a discussion of the practical use of its results and consequences for foreign policy analysis, public accountability, and transparency.
Exposure to pets and the risk of allergic symptoms during the first 2 years of life.

BACKGROUND Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding the influence of household pets on the development of allergic diseases in childhood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this birth cohort study was to analyze the relationship between pet ownership at time of birth and the prevalence of atopic diseases approximately 2 years later. METHODS A few days after the delivery of their babies, we asked 3132 mothers of German nationality whether they kept household pets like dogs, cats, or birds. Two years later, we asked whether their children had developed bronchial asthma, eczema, or hay fever. We then used logistic regression models to analyze whether there was an association between the development of allergic reactions among the children and pet ownership at the time of birth. RESULTS In families without a history of atopic disease, the prevalence of asthma and eczema among 2-year-old children was significantly lower in those families that owned a dog at the time the children were born (odds ratio [OR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.83). In contrast, in families with a history of atopic disease, early dog exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of asthma and eczema in 2-year-old children (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.95-2.15). Comparable analyses assessing the influence of cats and birds in the home showed no effect on the development of atopic diseases in early childhood. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the findings of several earlier studies suggesting a negative association between dog ownership and the development of atopic diseases in early childhood, although the effect was only observed in families without a history of atopic disorders.