Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Antithrombotic Effect of Angiotensin-(1-7) Involves Mas-Mediated NO Release from Platelets

The antithrombotic effect of angiotensin(Ang)-(1-7) has been reported, but the mechanism of this effect is not known. We investigated the participation of platelets and receptor Mas-related mechanisms in this action. We used Western blotting to test for the presence of Mas protein in rat platelets and used fluorescent-labeled FAM-Ang-(1-7) to determine the specific binding for Ang-(1-7) and its displacement by the receptor Mas antagonist A-779 in rat platelets and in Mas−/− and Mas+/+ mice platelets. To test whether Ang-(1-7) induces NO release from platelets, we used the NO indicator DAF-FM. In addition we examined the role of Mas in the Ang-(1-7) antithrombotic effect on induced thrombi in the vena cava of male Mas−/− and Mas+/+ mice. The functional relevance of Mas in hemostasis was evaluated by determining bleeding time in Mas+/+ and Mas−/− mice. We observed the presence of Mas protein in platelets, as indicated by Western Blot, and displacement of the binding of fluorescent Ang-(1-7) to rat platelets by A-779. Furthermore, in Mas+/+ mouse platelets we found specific binding for Ang-(1-7), which was absent in Mas−/− mouse platelets. Ang-(1-7) released NO from rat and Mas+/+ mouse platelets, and A-779 blocked this effect. The NO release stimulated by Ang-(1-7) was abolished in Mas−/− mouse platelets. Ang-(1-7) inhibited thrombus formation in Mas+/+ mice. Strikingly, this effect was abolished in Mas−/− mice. Moreover, Mas deficiency resulted in a significant decrease in bleeding time (8.50 ± 1.47 vs. 4.28 ± 0.66 min). This study is the first to show the presence of Mas protein and specific binding for Ang-(1-7) in rat and mouse platelets. Our data also suggest that the Ang-(1-7) antithrombotic effect involves Mas-mediated NO release from platelets. More importantly, we showed that the antithrombotic effect of Ang-(1-7) in vivo is Mas dependent and that Mas is functionally important in hemostasis.
Sectarianism and the Arab Spring: Framing the popular protests in Bahrain

Inspired by the events of the Arab Spring, political activists in Bahrain organized an anti-government demonstration on 14 February 2011, which resulted in the death of one protestor. Hundreds of other protests followed, and popular anger against the Sunni monarchy is still a vital issue in the Kingdom. From the earliest stages, the Bahraini government, which is closely aided by other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, framed the protests as an Iran-backed conspiracy against the Gulf in an attempt to spread Shiism and infiltrate into the region. This sectarian dimension became the dominant frame in order to discredit the cause of the mostly Shiite protestors who were asking for equal rights and job opportunities. This study investigates the different issues and sentiments framed by the commentators as well as the main online communities that were present. Despite its importance in providing a vital venue for the online public sphere and in documenting popular protests, YouTube is also a platform for schism as flaming and highly sectarian exchanges of comments are frequently made.
Speech Development by Imitation

The Double Cone Model (DCM) is a model of how the brain transforms sensory input to motor commands through successive stages of data compression and expansion. We have tested a subset of the DCM on speech recognition, production and imitation. The experiments show that the DCM is a good candidate for an artificial speech processing system that can develop autonomously. We show that the DCM can learn a repertoire of speech sounds by listening to speech input. It is also able to link the individual elements of speech to sequences that can be recognized or reproduced, thus allowing the system to imitate spoken language.
Deterministic and Probabilistic Tractography Based on Complex Fibre Orientation Distributions

We propose an integral concept for tractography to describe crossing and splitting fibre bundles based on the fibre orientation distribution function (ODF) estimated from high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI). We show that in order to perform accurate probabilistic tractography, one needs to use a fibre ODF estimation and not the diffusion ODF. We use a new fibre ODF estimation obtained from a sharpening deconvolution transform (SDT) of the diffusion ODF reconstructed from q-ball imaging (QBI). This SDT provides new insight into the relationship between the HARDI signal, the diffusion ODF, and the fibre ODF. We demonstrate that the SDT agrees with classical spherical deconvolution and improves the angular resolution of QBI. Another important contribution of this paper is the development of new deterministic and new probabilistic tractography algorithms using the full multidirectional information obtained through use of the fibre ODF. An extensive comparison study is performed on human brain datasets comparing our new deterministic and probabilistic tracking algorithms in complex fibre crossing regions. Finally, as an application of our new probabilistic tracking, we quantify the reconstruction of transcallosal fibres intersecting with the corona radiata and the superior longitudinal fasciculus in a group of eight subjects. Most current diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based methods neglect these fibres, which might lead to incorrect interpretations of brain functions.
Development of SiC multi-chip module for pulse switching at 10 kV, 100 kA

The Army Research Laboratory collaborated with Silicon Power Corporation to package sixteen parallel 9 kV, 1.0 cm2 silicon carbide (SiC) super gate turn-off thyristors (SGTOs) in a single 82 cm3 module using Silicon Power's materials and techniques from silicon packaging. The peak current switched was 84 kA for a 43-μs pulse width as measured at half-maximum. The rising slope calculated from 10-90% of the peak was 10 kA/μs, and the action under the curve was 2.6 × 105 A2s. Results encouraged further development of larger-area devices with higher 15 kV blocking in order to fully utilize the package area and create a single-layer >10 kV pulse switch. Challenges in the development of this SiC SGTO module include optimizing SiC material uniformity and device yield, controlling turn-on of sixteen parallel devices, and maximizing high-voltage blocking of the complete package.
DESIGNING A QUESTIONNAIRE TO MEASURE THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF E-LEARNING AND DETERMINING ITS PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES

Introduction: E-learning environment is one of the most common learning environments in the information era. Therefore, recognizing its associated threats and opportunities is of the highest priority. The main purpose of this study was to design a questionnaire to measure e-learning threats and opportunities and determining its psychometric properties. Materials and Methods: The present study was a sequential exploratory design with qualitativequantitative approach conducted in two steps in the second semester of the year 2013 in Guilan University of Medical Sciences. First, e-learning and its related threats and opportunities were defined based on a purposeful sampling and individual semi-structured interviews with 9 instructors and 7 students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences who had experience of elearning using a qualitative content analysis. Next, a questionnaire was designed, using the data obtained in step one. Then the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were determined regarding the face, content and construct validities and the internal consistency with 109 participants (44 teachers and 65 students). To determine construct validity, the exploratory factor analysis method was used. The qualitative data were analyzed through MAXQDAver.2010 and the quantitative data were analyzed through SPSSver.19. Results: After determining the face and content validities both quantitatively and qualitatively, we reduced the number of items in the questionnaire from 101 to 29. The maximum overall variance (30.78 %) was defined by the first 3 factors and the rest (69.22 %) was defined by the other 26 factors. The result of exploratory factor analysis in this study identified three factors: cost-learning efficacy; mental-emotional and communicational instructor-student factors; and factors related to teaching-learning. Finally, 28 items were maintained in 3 factors (α = 0.81). Conclusion: Considering the desirable validity and reliability of the questionnaire designed based on the students and instructors’ experiences, this instrument is suitable for examination of the e-learning threats and opportunities.
Human CD34-Derived Myeloid Dendritic Cell Development Requires Intact Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase–Protein Kinase B–Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling

Dendritic cells (DCs) are composed of different subsets that exhibit distinct functionality in the induction and regulation of immune responses. The myeloid DC subsets, including interstitial DCs and Langerhans cells (LCs), develop from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors via direct DC precursors or monocytes. The molecular mechanisms regulating DC development are still largely unknown and mostly studied in mice. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) regulates multiple processes in myeloid cells. This study investigated the role of PI3K signaling in the development of human CD34-derived myeloid DCs. Pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K or one of its downstream targets mTOR reduced interstitial DC and LC numbers in vitro. Increased activity of this signaling module by introduction of constitutively active protein kinase B (PKB/c-Akt) increased the yields of human DC precursors in vitro as well as in transplanted β2-microglobulin−/− NOD/SCID mice in vivo. Signaling inhibition during differentiation did not affect the acquisition of a DC phenotype, whereas proliferation and survival strongly depended on intact PI3K–PKB–mTOR signaling. Interestingly, however, this pathway became redundant for survival regulation upon terminal differentiation, which was associated with an altered expression of apoptosis regulating genes. Although dispensable for costimulatory molecule expression, the PI3K–PKB–mTOR signaling module was required for other important processes associated with DC function, including Ag uptake, LPS-induced cytokine secretion, CCR7 expression, and T cell stimulation. Thus, PI3K–PKB–mTOR signaling plays a crucial role in the development of functional CD34-derived myeloid DCs. These findings could be used as a strategy to manipulate DC subset distribution and function to regulate immunity.
How Much Information Does a Human Translator Add to the Original?

We ask how much information a human translator adds to an original text, and we provide a bound. We address this question in the context of bilingual text compression: given a source text, how many bits of additional information are required to specify the target text produced by a human translator? We develop new compression algorithms and establish a benchmark task.
Recursive ultrasound imaging

Presents a new imaging method, applicable for both 2D and 3D imaging. It is based on Synthetic Transmit Aperture Focusing, but unlike previous approaches a new frame is created after every pulse emission. The elements from a linear transducer array emit pulses one after another. The same transducer element is used after N/sub xmt/ emissions. For each emission the signals from the individual elements are beam-formed in parallel for all directions in the image. A new frame is created by adding the new RF lines to the RF lines from the previous frame. The RF data recorded at the previous emission with the same element are subtracted. This yields a new image after each pulse emission and can give a frame rate of, for example, 5000 images/sec. The paper gives a derivation of the recursive imaging technique and compares simulations for fast B-mode imaging with measurements. A low value of N/sub xmt/ is necessary to decrease the motion artifacts and to make flow estimation possible. The simulations show that for N/sub xmt/=13 the level of grating lobes is less than -50 dB from the peak, which is sufficient for B-mode imaging and flow estimation. The measurements made with an off-line experimental system having 64 transmitting channels and 1 receiving channel, confirmed the simulation results. A linear array with a pitch of 208.5 /spl mu/m, central frequency f/sub otr/=7.5 MHz and bandwidth BW=70% was used. The signals from 64 elements were recorded, beam-formed and displayed as a sequence of B-mode frames, using the recursive algorithm. An excitation with a central frequency f/sub otr/=5 MHz (/spl lambda/=297 /spl mu/m in water) was used to obtain the point spread function of the system. The -6 dB width of the PSF is 1.056 mm at axial distance of 39 mm. For a sparse synthetic transmit array with N/sub xmt/=22 the expected grating lobes from the simulations are -53 dB down from the peak value at, positioned at /spl plusmn/28/spl deg/. The measured level was -51 dB at /spl plusmn/27/spl deg/ from the peak. Images obtained with the experimental system are compared to the simulation results for different sparse arrays. The application of the method for 3D real-time imaging and blood-velocity estimations is discussed.
Intravital Imaging of the Kidney Using Multiparameter Multiphoton Microscopy

Intravital optical microscopy provides a powerful means of studying the cell biology in the most physiologically relevant setting. The ability of multiphoton microscopy to collect optical sections deep into biological tissues has opened up the field of intravital microscopy to high-resolution studies of multiple organs. Presented here are examples of how two-photon microscopy can be applied to intravital studies of kidney physiology and the study of disease processes. These include studies of cell vitality and apoptosis, fluid transport, receptor-mediated endocytosis, blood flow, and leukocyte trafficking. Efficient two-photon excitation of multiple fluorophores permits comparison of multiple probes and simultaneous characterization of multiple parameters. Two-photon microscopy can now provide a level of investigation previously unattainable in intravital microscopy, enabling kinetic analyses and physiological studies of the organs of living animals with subcellular resolution. Therefore, application of this technology will provide direct visualization of organ-specific and cell-specific responses to an array of stimuli and therapeutic approaches, enhancing our understanding and treatment of disease processes.
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Lens Search. I. Candidate Selection Algorithm

We present an algorithm for selecting a uniform sample of gravitationally lensed quasar candidates from low-redshift (0.6 < z < 2.2) quasars brighter than i = 19.1 that have been spectroscopically identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Our algorithm uses morphological and color selections that are intended to identify small- and large-separation lenses, respectively. Our selection algorithm only relies on parameters that the SDSS standard image processing pipeline generates, allowing easy and fast selection of lens candidates. The algorithm has been tested against simulated SDSS images, which adopt distributions of field and quasar parameters taken from the real SDSS data as input. Furthermore, we take differential reddening into account. We find that our selection algorithm is almost complete down to separations of 1″ and flux ratios of 10-0.5. The algorithm selects both double and quadruple lenses. At a separation of 2″, doubles and quads are selected with similar completeness, and above or below 2″ the selection of quads is better or worse, respectively, than for doubles. Our morphological selection identifies a nonnegligible fraction of single quasars: to remove these we fit images of candidates with a model of two point sources and reject those with unusually small image separations and/or large magnitude differences between the two point sources. We estimate the efficiency of our selection algorithm to be at least 8% at image separations smaller than 2″, comparable to that of radio surveys. The efficiency declines as the image separation increases because of larger contamination from stars. We also present the magnification factor of lensed images as a function of the image separation, which is needed for accurate computation of magnification bias.
Comparison of Antibody Repertoires against Staphylococcus aureus in Healthy Individuals and in Acutely Infected Patients

ABSTRACT The management of staphylococcal diseases is increasingly difficult with present medical approaches. Preventive and therapeutic vaccination is considered to be a promising alternative; however, little is known about immune correlates of protection and disease susceptibility. To better understand the immune recognition of Staphylococcus aureus by the human host, we studied the antistaphylococcal humoral responses in healthy people in comparison to those of patients with invasive diseases. In a series of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses performed using 19 recombinant staphylococcal cell surface and secreted proteins, we measured a wide range of antibody levels, finding a pronounced heterogeneity among individuals in both donor groups. The analysis revealed marked differences in the antibody repertoires of healthy individuals with or without S. aureus carriage, as well as in those of patients in the acute phase of infection. Most importantly, we identified antigenic proteins for which specific antibodies were missing or underrepresented in infected patients. In contrast to the well-described transient nature of disease-induced antistaphylococcal immune response, it was demonstrated that high-titer antistaphylococcal antibodies are stable for years in healthy individuals. In addition, we provide evidence obtained on the basis of opsonophagocytic and neutralizing activity in vitro assays that circulating antistaphylococcal serum antibodies in healthy donors are functional. In light of these data we suggest that proper serological analysis comparing the preexisting antibody repertoires of hospitalized patients with different outcomes for nosocomial staphylococcal infections could be extremely useful for the evaluation of candidate vaccine antigens in addition to protection data generated with animal models.
Inferring Time-Delayed Causal Gene Network Using Time-Series Expression Data

Inferring gene regulatory network (GRN) from the microarray expression data is an important problem in Bioinformatics, because knowing the GRN is an essential first step in understanding the inner workings of the cell and the related diseases. Time delays exist in the regulatory effects from one gene to another due to the time needed for transcription, translation, and to accumulate a sufficient number of needed proteins. Also, it is known that the delays are important for oscillatory phenomenon. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a causal gene network model, preferably as a function of time. In this paper, we propose an algorithm CLINDE to infer causal directed links in GRN with time delays and regulatory effects in the links from time-series microarray gene expression data. It is one of the most comprehensive in terms of features compared to the state-of-the-art discrete gene network models. We have tested CLINDE on synthetic data, the in vivo IRMA (On and Off) datasets and the [1] yeast expression data validated using KEGG pathways. Results show that CLINDE can effectively recover the links, the time delays and the regulatory effects in the synthetic data, and outperforms other algorithms in the IRMA in vivo datasets.
An Investigation on the Novel Use of High-Power Three-Level Converter Topologies to Improve Light-Load Efficiency in Low Power DC/DC Full-Bridge Converters

In this letter, the properties of three-level dc/dc converters when used as switch-mode power supplies are investigated to see how they compare to those of two-level converters and to see if they can be used to improve light load efficiency. The letter compares the two converters and uses experimental results to make conclusions about light load efficiency.
Immortalizing the complexity of cancer metastasis: Genetic features of lethal metastatic pancreatic cancer obtained from rapid autopsy

The virtual lack of well-characterized metastatic pancreatic cancer tissues for study has limited systematic studies of the metastatic process of this deadly disease. To address this important issue, we have instituted a rapid autopsy protocol for the collection of high quality tissues from patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, called the Gastrointestinal Cancer Rapid Medical Donation Program (GICRMDP). At the time of preparation of this manuscript, 20 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and one patient with metastatic colon cancer have undergone a rapid autopsy in association with the GICRMDP. The average time interval achieved for these 21 patients was 8.0 hours, with more than 500 individual samples of matched high quality primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer tissues, peritoneal/pleural fluid and blood obtained so far. For the first four patients in which the autopsy was performed in
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Prevent Type 1 Diabetes in Murine Models

Effective immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D) relies on active induction of peripheral tolerance. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a critical role in suppressing immune responses in various pathologic settings via multiple mechanisms, including expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this study, we investigated whether MDSCs could act as APCs to induce expansion of Ag-specific Tregs, suppress T cell proliferation, and prevent autoimmune T1D development. We found that MDSC-mediated expansion of Tregs and T cell suppression required MHC-dependent Ag presentation. A murine T1D model was established in INS-HA/RAG−/− mice in which animals received CD4-HA-TCR transgenic T cells via adoptive transfer. We found a significant reduction in the incidence of diabetes in recipients receiving MDSC plus HA, but not OVA peptide, leading to 75% diabetes-free mice among the treated animals. To test further whether MDSCs could prevent diabetes onset in NOD mice, nondiabetic NOD/SCID mice were injected with inflammatory T cells from diabetic NOD mice. MDSCs significantly prevented diabetes onset, and 60% of MDSC-treated mice remained diabetes free. The pancreata of treated mice showed significantly lower levels of lymphocyte infiltration in islet and less insulitis compared with that of the control groups. The protective effects of MDSCs might be mediated by inducing anergy in autoreactive T cells and the development of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs. Thist study demonstrates a remarkable capacity of transferred MDSCs to downregulate Ag-specific autoimmune responses and prevent diabetes onset, suggesting that MDSCs possess great potential as a novel cell-based tolerogenic therapy in the control of T1D and other autoimmune diseases.
Efficient Inferencing of Compressed Deep Neural Networks

Large number of weights in deep neural networks makes the models difficult to be deployed in low memory environments such as, mobile phones, IOT edge devices as well as "inferencing as a service" environments on cloud. Prior work has considered reduction in the size of the models, through compression techniques like pruning, quantization, Huffman encoding etc. However, efficient inferencing using the compressed models has received little attention, specially with the Huffman encoding in place. In this paper, we propose efficient parallel algorithms for inferencing of single image and batches, under various memory constraints. Our experimental results show that our approach of using variable batch size for inferencing achieves 15-25\% performance improvement in the inference throughput for AlexNet, while maintaining memory and latency constraints.