Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spotlight Sensing the Breaks : Cytosolic Chromatin in Senescence and Cancer

Cellular senescence constitutes a stable growth arrest characterized by DNA damage response (DDR) activation and by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). SASP, through its paracrine effects, stimulates the immune system for senescence eradication. Similarly, chemotherapy-treated cancers activate an interferon-mediated response to induce anti-tumor immunity. Recent studies now uncover a new role for the innate DNA sensing pathway in the recognition of cytosolic chromatin in senescence and cancer.
On the singularities at the tips of orthotropic wedges in plane elasticity (Part 1)

Part Two of the present paper contains more detailed studies of the subject, including cases of arbitrary symmetry. The order of singularity l changes with the change in the properties of at least one material as well as with the wedge rotation angle y and its opening angle j. Relations l n j for different sets of elastic constants corresponding to composites of epoxy resin and kevlar fiber, epoxy resin and boron fiber and real metallic cubic crystal (aluminum and tungsten) were studied. For some cases of arbitrary symmetry, modes of stress distribution for different values of l were determined. It was found that the real solutions for l are solitary in a complex plane. No complex solutions corresponding to finite elastic energy in the vicinity of a wedge tip (0 £ Re l£ 2) were found.
CD4+ T-cell Count may not be a Useful Strategy to Monitor Antiretroviral Therapy Response in HTLV-1/HIV Co-infected Patients.

BACKGROUND HTLV-1/HIV co-infection is known to elevate the CD4+ T-cell counts of treatment-naïve persons. We investigated whether HTLV-1/HIV co-infected patients continued to have elevated CD4+ T-cell counts after developing virologic failure on antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS The data is taken from a drug resistance study located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. All participants (N=383) presented for repeated CD4+ T-cell count and HIV viral load level testing between January 2006 and March 2014. We used a random-coefficient model to estimate the change in CD4+ T-cell count and HIV viral load level by HTLV-1/HIV co-infection status over time, adjusting for age, sex, and duration of virologic failure. RESULTS HTLV-1/HIV co-infected participants (n=8) had higher CD4+ T-cell counts, with a positive difference of 117.2 cells/μL at the ART initiation date (p-value=0.001), 114.7 cells/μL (pvalue< 0.001) 12 months after this date, and 112.3 cells/μL (p-value=0.005) 24 months after this date, holding all else constant. In contrast, there was no difference in the HIV viral load level by HTLV-1/HIV co-infected status throughout the observation period. CONCLUSION We show that HTLV-1/HIV co-infected participants continued to have elevated CD4+ T-cell counts after developing virologic failure on ART, despite no difference in their HIV viral load levels when compared with HIV mono-infected participants. Our results indicate that CD4+ T-cell count testing may not be a useful strategy to monitor ART response in the presence of HTLV-1/HIV co-infection.
An Evolutionary Cascade Model for Sauropod Dinosaur Gigantism - Overview, Update and Tests

Sauropod dinosaurs are a group of herbivorous dinosaurs which exceeded all other terrestrial vertebrates in mean and maximal body size. Sauropod dinosaurs were also the most successful and long-lived herbivorous tetrapod clade, but no abiological factors such as global environmental parameters conducive to their gigantism can be identified. These facts justify major efforts by evolutionary biologists and paleontologists to understand sauropods as living animals and to explain their evolutionary success and uniquely gigantic body size. Contributions to this research program have come from many fields and can be synthesized into a biological evolutionary cascade model of sauropod dinosaur gigantism (sauropod gigantism ECM). This review focuses on the sauropod gigantism ECM, providing an updated version based on the contributions to the PLoS ONE sauropod gigantism collection and on other very recent published evidence. The model consist of five separate evolutionary cascades (“Reproduction”, “Feeding”, “Head and neck”, “Avian-style lung”, and “Metabolism”). Each cascade starts with observed or inferred basal traits that either may be plesiomorphic or derived at the level of Sauropoda. Each trait confers hypothetical selective advantages which permit the evolution of the next trait. Feedback loops in the ECM consist of selective advantages originating from traits higher in the cascades but affecting lower traits. All cascades end in the trait “Very high body mass”. Each cascade is linked to at least one other cascade. Important plesiomorphic traits of sauropod dinosaurs that entered the model were ovipary as well as no mastication of food. Important evolutionary innovations (derived traits) were an avian-style respiratory system and an elevated basal metabolic rate. Comparison with other tetrapod lineages identifies factors limiting body size.
Spatio-Temporal Super-Resolution Reconstruction of Remote-Sensing Images Based on Adaptive Multi-Scale Detail Enhancement

There are many problems in existing reconstruction-based super-resolution algorithms, such as the lack of texture-feature representation and of high-frequency details. Multi-scale detail enhancement can produce more texture information and high-frequency information. Therefore, super-resolution reconstruction of remote-sensing images based on adaptive multi-scale detail enhancement (AMDE-SR) is proposed in this paper. First, the information entropy of each remote-sensing image is calculated, and the image with the maximum entropy value is regarded as the reference image. Subsequently, spatio-temporal remote-sensing images are processed using phase normalization, which is to reduce the time phase difference of image data and enhance the complementarity of information. The multi-scale image information is then decomposed using the L0 gradient minimization model, and the non-redundant information is processed by difference calculation and expanding non-redundant layers and the redundant layer by the iterative back-projection (IBP) technique. The different-scale non-redundant information is adaptive-weighted and fused using cross-entropy. Finally, a nonlinear texture-detail-enhancement function is built to improve the scope of small details, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) is used as an iterative constraint. Ultimately, high-resolution remote-sensing images with abundant texture information are obtained by iterative optimization. Real results show an average gain in entropy of up to 0.42 dB for an up-scaling of 2 and a significant promotion gain in enhancement measure evaluation for an up-scaling of 2. The experimental results show that the performance of the AMED-SR method is better than existing super-resolution reconstruction methods in terms of visual and accuracy improvements.
Natural Killer Cell Evasion Is Essential for Infection by Rhesus Cytomegalovirus

The natural killer cell receptor NKG2D activates NK cells by engaging one of several ligands (NKG2DLs) belonging to either the MIC or ULBP families. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL16 and UL142 counteract this activation by retaining NKG2DLs and US18 and US20 act via lysomal degradation but the importance of NK cell evasion for infection is unknown. Since NKG2DLs are highly conserved in rhesus macaques, we characterized how NKG2DL interception by rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) impacts infection in vivo. Interestingly, RhCMV lacks homologs of UL16 and UL142 but instead employs Rh159, the homolog of UL148, to prevent NKG2DL surface expression. Rh159 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and retains several NKG2DLs whereas UL148 does not interfere with NKG2DL expression. Deletion of Rh159 releases human and rhesus MIC proteins, but not ULBPs, from retention while increasing NK cell stimulation by infected cells. Importantly, RhCMV lacking Rh159 cannot infect CMV-naïve animals unless CD8+ cells, including NK cells, are depleted. However, infection can be rescued by replacing Rh159 with HCMV UL16 suggesting that Rh159 and UL16 perform similar functions in vivo. We therefore conclude that cytomegaloviral interference with NK cell activation is essential to establish but not to maintain chronic infection.
Mitigating Bystander Privacy Concerns in Egocentric Activity Recognition with Deep Learning and Intentional Image Degradation

Recent advances in wearable camera technology and computer vision algorithms have greatly enhanced the automatic capture and recognition of human activities in real-world settings. While the appeal and utility of wearable camera devices for human-behavior understanding is indisputable, privacy concerns have limited the broader adoption of this method. To mitigate this problem, we propose a deep learning-based approach that recognizes everyday activities in egocentric photos that have been intentionally degraded in quality to preserve the privacy of bystanders. An evaluation on 2 annotated datasets collected in the field with a combined total of 84,078 egocentric photos showed activity recognition performance with accuracy between 79% and 88% across 17 and 21 activity classes when the images were subjected to blurring (mean filter k=20). To confirm that image degradation does indeed raise the perception of bystander privacy, we conducted a crowd sourced validation study with 640 participants; it showed a statistically significant positive relationship between the amount of image degradation and participants' willingness to be captured by wearable cameras. This work contributes to the field of privacy-sensitive activity recognition with egocentric photos by highlighting the trade-off between perceived bystander privacy protection and activity recognition performance.
Indirect Influences, Links Ranking, and Deconstruction of Networks

The PWP map was introduced by the second author as a tool for ranking nodes in networks. In this work we extend this technique so that it can be used to rank links as well. Applying the Girvan-Newman algorithm a ranking method on links induces a deconstruction method for networks, therefore we obtain new methods for finding clustering and core-periphery structures on networks.
Emotions and E-participation of Young People: A Preliminary Study

The following paper presents a quantitative content analysis of blog posts of selected discussions on a EU wide e-participation platform with the goal of showing that emotional writing is an indicator for the frequency of participation in online deliberations. The platform analyzed for this research has been designed to bring young people in contact with stakeholders and politicians in order to discuss politically relevant topics for young people in Europe. We argue that political participation is motivated by emotions that should be reflected in the blog posts of users. We theorize that more emotional users will also be more active on the platform. Although there have been significant data limitations, our paper indicates that emotions have a positive effect on political e-participation.
Robust Input Design for Resonant Systems Under Limited A Priori Information

Abstract Optimal input design typically depends on the unknown system parameters that need to be identified. In this paper we consider robust input design for resonant systems that may span over a large frequency band. The concept is to use classical D-optimal design combined with a robust excitation signal which guarantees the same estimate variance regardless of resonance frequency. Simulations show that the proposed signal has the desired properties.
Increasing Service Life of Reinforced Concrete Structures in Marine Environment by Water Repellent Treatment

Capillary absorption is a powerful mechanism to transport water and aggressive chemical compounds dissolved in water deep into the pore space of concrete in a short time. At a later stage chlorides and sulfates migrate further by the comparatively slow process of diffusion. The quick ingress of aqueous salt solutions into concrete can be reduced if not suppressed totally by water repellent treatment. Then the long lasting process of diffusion cannot take place. There are two basically different techniques of water repellent treatment: (a) the surface can be impregnated by a water repellent agent such as silane or (b) a water repellent agent can be added to the fresh mix to produce integral water repellent concrete. In this contribution it is shown that chloride penetration into concrete can be significantly reduced by water repellent treatment. It will also be shown that capillary action of fine cracks, which necessarily would reduce the expected service life, can be inactivated by water repellent treatment. It follows that service life of reinforced concrete structures in marine environment can be extended significantly by water repellent treatment.
Where does the One-Repetition Maximum Exist on the Force-Velocity Relationship in Squat?

Abstract The aim was to determine the position of the one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat point on the force-velocity (F-V) relationship obtained during squat jump (SJ). Ten healthy athletes performed a 1RM squat during which ground reaction force and lower-limb extension velocity were measured, and six loaded SJs to determine individual F-V relationship. The goodness of fit of the linear F-V relationship with or without the 1RM point was tested. The vertical and horizontal coordinates were determined relative to the theoretical maximal force (F0) and the highest loaded SJ (load of 44.5±4.6% 1RM). The goodness of fit of the individual F-V relationship did not differ with or without the 1RM condition, even if the 1RM point was slightly below the curve (−5±5%, P=0.018). The 1RM point can be considered as a point of the F-V relationship. The velocity (0.22±0.05 m.s−1) of the 1RM point corresponded to ~30% of the velocity reached during the highest loaded SJ. The force developed in the 1RM condition was ~16% higher than during the highest loaded SJ and ~11% lower than F0. This finding underlines the difference between F0 and the 1RM condition.
The Energy Cost of Running with the Ball in Soccer

Abstract Running with the ball is a soccer-specific activity frequently used by players during match play and training drills. Nevertheless, the energy cost (EC) of on-grass running with the ball has not yet been determined. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the EC of constant-speed running with the ball, and to compare it with the EC of normal running. Eight amateur soccer players performed two 6- min runs at 10 km/h on artificial turf, respectively with and without the ball. EC was measured with indirect calorimetry and, furthermore, estimated with a method based on players’ accelerations measured with a GPS receiver. The EC measured with indirect calorimetry was higher in running with the ball (4.60±0.42 J/kg/m) than in normal running (4.19±0.33 J/kg/m), with a very likely moderate difference between conditions. Instead, a likely small difference was observed between conditions for EC estimated from GPS data (4.87±0.07 vs. 4.83±0.08 J/kg/m). This study sheds light on the energy expenditure of playing soccer, providing relevant data about the EC of a typical soccer-specific activity. These findings may be a reference for coaches to precisely determine the training load in drills with the ball, such as soccer-specific circuits or small-sided games.
Reactions to Both Nonionic Iodinated and Gadolinium-Based Contrast Media: Incidence and Clinical Characteristics.

OBJECTIVE The objective or our study was to assess the incidence rate and clinical characteristics of allergiclike reactions in patients who received both nonionic iodinated contrast medium (ICM) and gadolinium-based contrast medium (GBCM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Acute allergiclike reactions in patients who received both ICM and GBCM to nonionic ICM or GBCM injections during a 5-year period were analyzed. Allergy preparation was not administered when patients received a different type of contrast material. Acute allergiclike reactions to both ICM and GBCM were evaluated. RESULTS Of 302,858 contrast injections (155,234 ICM and 147,624 GBCM) during a 5-year period, 1006 (752 ICM and 254 GBCM) acute allergiclike contrast reactions were reported. The overall rate of reaction to ICM was 0.48% (95% CI, 0.45-0.52%), and the overall rate of reaction to GBCM was 0.17% (95% CI, 0.15-0.19%). A total of 19,237 patients received at least one ICM injection and one GBCM injection, with a total of 56,310 injections (19,237 initial injections and 37,073 subsequent injections). Nine patients had reactions to both ICM and GBCM with the primary reaction rate of 9/19,237 (incidence rate, 0.047%; 95% CI, 0.044-0.050%), and the secondary reaction rate of 9/37,073 (incidence rate, 0.024%; 95% CI, 0.023-0.026%). All secondary reactions in patients who had a reaction to both ICM and GBCM were mild. None of the patients required medication for the treatment of the secondary reaction. CONCLUSION An allergiclike reaction to both nonionic ICM and GBCM was an extremely rare event that presented as a mild acute reaction without significant clinical consequences despite the fact that an allergy preparation was not administered.
The Genetic Polymorphisms and Colonization Process of Olive Fly Populations in Turkey

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, is the most important pest of olives in olive growing regions worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean basin and North America. Despite the economic importance of the olive fly, the colonization route of this species is unclear. We used nuclear microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA to provide information about the population structure and invasion route of olive fly populations in Turkey, as representative of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Adult fly samples were collected from 38 sublocations covering all olive growing regions in Turkey. The simple sequence variability data revealed a significant genetic variability in olive fly populations and a certain degree of differentiation between Mediterranean and Aegean populations. Mediterranean populations harbor higher levels of microsatellite variation than Aegean populations, which points to the eastern part of the Mediterranean as the putative source of invasion. mtDNA results suggest olive flies from the western part of Turkey are closely related to Italo-Aegean flies of the Mediterranean basin and the olive fly populations have invaded the northern part of the Mediterranean basin through western Turkey. In addition, finding specific American haplotypes in high frequencies might indicate that Turkey is the possible source of American olive fly populations. In order to more precisely characterize the population structure and invasion routes of this organism, more DNA-based sequence analysis should be carried out worldwide.
Dietary Cholesterol Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Multiple epidemiologic studies have evaluated the relationship between dietary cholesterol and lung cancer risk, but the association is controversial and inconclusive. A meta-analysis of case-control studies and cohort studies was conducted to evaluate the relationship between dietary cholesterol intake and lung cancer risk in this study. A relevant literature search up to October 2017 was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Sinomed, and VIP Journal Integration Platform. Ten case-control studies and six cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the risk estimates were pooled using either fixed or random effects models. The case-control studies with a total of 6894 lung cancer cases and 29,736 controls showed that dietary cholesterol intake was positively associated with lung cancer risk (Odds Ratio = 1.70, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.43–2.03). However, there was no evidence of an association between dietary cholesterol intake and risk of lung cancer among the 241,920 participants and 1769 lung cancer cases in the cohort studies (Relative Risk = 1.08, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.94–1.25). Due to inconsistent results from case-control and cohort studies, it is difficult to draw any conclusion regarding the effects of dietary cholesterol intake on lung cancer risk. Carefully designed and well-conducted cohort studies are needed to identify the association between dietary cholesterol and lung cancer risk.
Density-Dependent Compensatory Growth in Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in Nature

Density-dependence is a major ecological mechanism that is known to limit individual growth. To examine if compensatory growth (unusually rapid growth following a period of imposed slow growth) in nature is density-dependent, one-year-old brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) were first starved in the laboratory, and then released back into their natural stream, either at natural or at experimentally increased population density. The experimental trout were captured three times over a one-year period. We found no differences in growth, within the first month after release (May-June), between the starved fish and the control group (i.e. no evidence of compensation). During the summer however (July-September), the starved fish grew more than the control group (i.e. compensation), and the starved fish released into the stream at a higher density, grew less than those released at a natural density, both in terms of weight and length (i.e. density-dependent compensation). Over the winter (October-April), there were no effects of either starvation or density on weight and length growth. After the winter, starved fish released at either density had caught up with control fish in body size, but recapture rates (proxy for survival) did not indicate any costs of compensation. Our results suggest that compensatory growth in nature can be density-dependent. Thus, this is the first study to demonstrate the presence of ecological restrictions on the compensatory growth response in free-ranging animals.
DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING BASED MODELING OF ROCK FAILURE IN MESO-SCALE

Digital image processing technique is introduced into Rock Failure Process Analysis code and a new micromechanical analysis method of rock failure is established. By extracting the information of microstructure of rock in meso-scale, image data are fed into RFPA analysis. This method enjoys the advantage of failure process analysis of RFPA2D. Using a granite rock as an example, this paper illustrates the process of micromechanical analysis of rock failure. The results show that the digital image processing based RFPA2D method is an effective method to study micromechanical behavior of rock in meso-scale.