Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neutrophils Regulate Airway Responses in a Model of Fungal Allergic Airways Disease1

Neutrophils infiltrate airway walls in patients with allergic airway diseases and in animal models of these illnesses, but their contribution to the pathogenesis of airway allergy is not established. We hypothesized that, in a mouse model of airway allergy to the ubiquitous environmental mold, Aspergillus fumigatus, airway neutrophils contribute to disease severity. Ab-mediated neutrophil depletion resulted in reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling, whereas conditional transgenic overexpression of the neutrophil chemotactic molecule, CXCL1, in airway walls resulted in worsened allergic responses. This worsened phenotype was associated with a marked increase in the number of airway neutrophils but not other lung leukocytes, including eosinophils and lymphocyte subsets, and depletion of neutrophils in sensitized mice with transgenic overexpression of CXCL1 resulted in attenuated airway responses. The number of lung neutrophils correlated with lung matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity both in the context of neutrophil depletion and with augmented neutrophil recruitment to the airways. Although wild-type and MMP-9-deficient neutrophils homed to the inflamed airways to a similar extent, transfer of wild-type, but not MMP-9-deficient, neutrophils to MMP-9-deficient animals resulted in augmented allergic airway responses. Taken together, these data implicate neutrophils in the pathogenesis of fungal allergic airway disease.
ISS as a Platform for Optical Remote Sensing of Ecosystem Carbon Fluxes: A Case Study Using HICO

Data from the hyperspectral imager for coastal ocean (HICO), mounted on the International Space Station (ISS), were used to develop and test algorithms for remotely retrieving ecosystem productivity. Twenty-six HICO images were used from four study sites representing different vegetation types: grasslands, shrubland, and forest. Gross ecosystem production (GEP) data from eddy covariance were matched with HICO-derived spectra. Multiple algorithms were successful relating spectral reflectance with GEP, including: spectral vegetation indices (SVI), SVI in a light-use efficiency model framework, spectral shape characteristics through spectral derivatives and absorption feature analysis, and statistical models leading to multiband hyperspectral indices from stepwise regressions and partial least squares regression. Successful algorithms were able to achieve r2 better than 0.7 for both GEP at the overpass time and daily GEP. These algorithms were successful using a diverse set of observations combining data from multiple years, multiple times during growing season, different times of day, with different view angles, and different vegetation types. The demonstrated robustness of the algorithms presented in this study over these conditions provides some confidence in mapping spatial patterns of GEP, describing variability within fields, as well as the regional patterns. The ISS orbit provides periods with multiple observations collected at different times of the day within a period of a few days. Diurnal GEP patterns were estimated comparing the half-hourly average GEP from the flux tower against HICO estimates of GEP (r2 = 0.87) if morning, midday, and afternoon observations were available.
Simple threshold estimation for a 1-bit ADC in a low complex IR-UWB receiver

This paper proposes a simple threshold estimation algorithm for a 1-bit ADC in a 1-bit IR-UWB receiver which uses binary output of the 1-bit ADC instead of measuring energy level of received signals. Theoretical model and computer simulation show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is similar to that of theoretically optimum one.
Susruta of ancient India.

It is interesting that while in Hindu medicine, cataract was defined by Susruta as opacity due to derangement of the intraocular fluid, subsequent history is full of fantasies and prejudices concerning its nature. Duke Elder[1] All in all Susruta must be considered the greatest surgeon of the pre medieval period. A.O. Whipple[2]
Marker Identification and Classification of Cancer Types Using Gene Expression Data and SIMCA

Summary Objectives: High-throughput technologies are radically boosting the understanding of living systems, thus creating enormous opportunities to elucidate the biological processes of cells in different physiological states. In particular, the application of DNA micro-arrays to monitor expression profiles from tumor cells is improving cancer analysis to levels that classical methods have been unable to reach. However, molecular diagnostics based on expression profiling requires addressing computational issues as the overwhelming number of variables and the complex, multi-class nature of tumor samples. Thus, the objective of the present research has been the development of a computational procedure for feature extraction and classification of gene expression data. Methods: The Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) approach has been implemented in a data mining scheme, which allows the identification of those genes that are most likely to confer robust and accurate classification of samples from multiple tumor types. Results: The proposed method has been tested on two different microarray data sets, namely Golub’s analysis of acute human leukemia [1] and the small round blue cell tumors study presented by Khan et al. [2]. The identified features represent a rational and dimensionally reduced base for understanding the biology of diseases, defining targets of therapeutic intervention, and developing diagnostic tools for classification of pathological states. Conclusions: The analysis of the SIMCA model residuals allows the identification of specific phenotype markers. At the same time, the class analogy approach provides the assignment to multiple classes, such as different pathological conditions or tissue samples, for previously unseen instances.
A Single Site (Ser16) Phosphorylation in Phospholamban Is Sufficient in Mediating Its Maximal Cardiac Responses to β-Agonists*

Phospholamban (PLB) can be phosphorylated at Ser16 by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and at Thr17 by Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase during β-agonist stimulation. A previous study indicated that mutation of S16A in PLB resulted in lack of Thr17 phosphorylation and attenuation of the β-agonist stimulatory effects in perfused mouse hearts. To further delineate the functional interplay between dual-site PLB phosphorylation, we generated transgenic mice expressing the T17A mutant PLB in the cardiac compartment of the null background. Lines expressing similar levels of T17A mutant, S16A mutant, or wild-type PLB in the null background were characterized in parallel. Cardiac myocyte basal mechanics and Ca2+ kinetics were similar among the three groups. Isoproterenol stimulation was associated with phosphorylation of both Ser16 and Thr17 in wild-type PLB and Ser16 phosphorylation in T17A mutant PLB, whereas there was no detectable phosphorylation of S16A mutant PLB. Phosphorylation of Ser16 alone in T17A mutant PLB resulted in responses of the mechanical and Ca2+ kinetic parameters to isoproterenol similar to those in wild-type myocytes, which exhibited dual-site PLB phosphorylation. However, those parameters were significantly attenuated in the S16A mutant myocytes. Thus, Ser16 in PLB can be phosphorylated independently of Thr17 in vivo, and phosphorylation of Ser16 is sufficient for mediating the maximal cardiac responses to β-adrenergic stimulation.
Awareness of Illness in Schizophrenia and Outpatient Treatment Adherence

We present a brief measure of awareness of illness in schizophrenia and test whether awareness is related to perceived need for and adherence to outpatient psychiatric treatment. A prospective design assessed treatment adherence, awareness of the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, symptoms, neurocognitive status, and substance abuse at baseline and 6-month follow-up in 89 persons with schizophrenia. Results indicate that persons with greater awareness perceived greater need for outpatient treatment and evidenced better adherence to outpatient treatment when adherence and awareness were measured concurrently. Awareness was not related to adherence at 6-month follow-up. In addition, neurocognitive impairment was associated with lower overall adherence to treatment when reported by collaterals at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Neurocognitive impairment was, however, associated with higher self-reported adherence to medication, which suggests that neurocognitive status may bias adherence reporting in persons with schizophrenia.
Cognitive maps in children and men.

KOSSLYN, STEPHEN M. ; PICK, HERBERT L. , JR.; and FARIELLO, GRIFFIN R. Cognitive Maps in Children and Men. CmLD DEVELOPMENT, 1974, 45, 707-716. This experiment examined factors which systematically distort children's and adults' memory for spatial relations. Children and adults learned where a set of objects belonged in an experimental space. The space was divided into quadrants by 2 transparent and 2 opaque barriers. After learning where the objects belonged, Ss ranked from memory the distances between all pairs of objects. Cognitive maps then were reconstructed by applying multidimensional scaling techniques to these data. Children perceived objects separated by both types of barriers as farther apart than objects separated by the same distance with no barrier. Adults' perception, in contrast, seemed distorted only in the case where objects were separated by opaque barriers. A distance with an interposed opaque barrier was perceived by the adults as greater than the same distance with a transparent barrier or no barrier.
Rapid classification of phenylketonuria genotypes by analysis of heteroduplexes generated by PCR‐amplifiable synthetic DNA

We describe a rapid and simple method for phenylketonuria genotyping which identifies five point mutations within exon 12 of the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. The method involves PCR amplification of the target exon and hybridization with a PCR‐amplifiable synthetic DNA (universal heteroduplex generator, UHG). The UHG contains identifiers consisting of nucleotide substitutions and/or deletions, contiguous with known mutation sites within the target exon. DNA heteroduplexes are resolved by nondenaturing polyacrylamide minigel electrophoresis. Individual mutant genotypes are identified by characteristic banding patterns, in either homozygous or heterozygous states. The method may potentially be applied to rapid genotyping of any mutation or series of mutations within PCR‐amplifiable genetic material. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Continuous Fixed Bed Reactor Application for Decolourization of Textile Effluent by Adsorption on NaOH Treated Eggshell

Fixed bed adsorption has become a frequently used industrial application in wastewater treatment processes. Various low cost adsorbents have been studied for their applicability in treatment of different types of effluents. In this work, the intention of the study was to explore the efficacy and feasibility for azo dye, Acid Orange 7 (AO7) adsorption onto fixed bed column of NaOH Treated eggshell (TES). The effect of various parameters like flow rate, initial dye concentration, and bed height were exploited in this study. The studies confirmed that the breakthrough curves were dependent on flow rate, initial dye concentration solution of AO7 and bed depth. The Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and Adams and Bohart models were analysed to evaluate the column adsorption performance. The adsorption capacity, rate constant and correlation coefficient associated to each model for column adsorption was calculated and mentioned. The column experimental data were fitted well with Thomas model with coefficients of correlation R ≥0.93 at different conditions but the Yoon–Nelson, BDST and Bohart–Adams model (R2=0.911), predicted poor performance of fixed-bed column. The (TES) was shown to be suitable adsorbent for adsorption of AO7 using fixed-bed adsorption column. Keywords—Adsorption models, acid orange 7, bed depth, breakthrough, dye adsorption, fixed-bed column, treated eggshell.
Endometrial stem/progenitor cells

Human endometrium regenerates and regresses with each menstrual cycle under hormonal control throughout a woman's reproductive life. The cyclical regeneration and remodeling potentials allude to the existence of stem/progenitor cells in the endometrium. There is increasing evidence that human endometrium contains small numbers of stem‐like cells capable of self‐renewal, multiple differentiation and tissue reconstitution. Although the precise identity of endometrial stem/progenitor cells remains elusive, these cells are thought to play pivotal role(s) in the physiological remodeling and regeneration of the human endometrium and also in the pathogenesis of endometrium‐associated diseases, such as endometriosis.
Socioeconomic Status and Obesity Gradient over Age: New Evidence from China

This paper presents a systematic analysis of the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on overweight and obesity in China and investigates how and why the SES-obesity gradient differs with age. Using a longitudinal sample drawn from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), I find that body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with SES during early childhood but becomes inversely related to childhood SES as children age into adulthood. Estimation results show that children from low SES families are less likely to be overweight or obese than their median and high SES peers. The results from subsamples stratified by living area reveal that the SES gaps of obesity are generally larger for urban residents than rural residents. Females are significantly less likely to be overweight than males in China. The SES during childhood has independent effects after controlling for respondents’ contemporaneous SES. The relationship between the contemporaneous SES of a male adult and his chance of being overweight or obese is significantly positive, while the contemporaneous SES of a female adult is negatively related to her chance of being overweight or obese.
DIRECT MONITORING METHODS OF OVERHEAD LINE CONDUCTOR TEMPERATURE

Article history: Received: 8.3. 2016. Received in revised form: 5.10. 2016. Accepted: 10.10. 2016. The concept of conductor temperature monitoring has gained in importance with development of advanced electricity networks whose main objective is to increase the capacity, efficiency and reliability of modern power systems. The methods applied to the conductor temperature monitoring of overhead lines can be roughly classified as direct and indirect. In direct methods for conductor temperature monitoring, the temperature is measured directly or by measuring a particular conductor parameter, which is temperature dependent such as sag, tension, conductor resistance, conductor distance from the ground, etc. In indirect methods for the conductor temperature monitoring, the conductor temperature is obtained by applying a specific mathematical model that as an input uses the measured values of weather parameters and line current. Basically, this paper focuses on the issues of direct methods for conductor temperature monitoring, thus providing an analysis of advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Detection and Characterization of Avian Leukosis Virus in Marek's Disease Vaccines

Abstract Avian leukosis virus (ALV) infection in chickens is known to induce increased mortality, tumors, delayed growth, and suboptimal egg production. Countries importing specified pathogen-free eggs, vaccines, and poultry breeding stock require freedom of infection or contamination with ALV in such products among other avian pathogens. Recently, ALV was found as a contaminant in a limited number of commercial poultry vaccines, even after routine quality assurance procedures cleared the vaccines for commercialization. The contaminated vaccines were promptly withdrawn from the market, and no direct detrimental effects were reported in poultry vaccinated with such vaccines. We describe herein the characterization in vitro of the contaminant viruses. All exogenous viruses detected in four vaccine lots belong to subgroup A of ALV based on cell receptor interaction, subgroup-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), envelope gene sequencing, and virus neutralization. A combination of thermal treatment and serial dilutions of the contaminated vaccines facilitated detection of contaminating ALVs in cell culture coupled with antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subgroup-specific PCR readily detected ALV-A directly in the contaminated vaccines but not in naive vaccines or cell controls. Our methods are proposed as complementary procedures to the currently required complement fixation for avian leukosis test for detection of ALV in commercial poultry vaccines.
The Vocal Tract in Singing

Precise control of the vocal tract configuration is of critical importance for producing the desired acoustic characteristics of singing. The pattern of acoustic resonances generated by a given vocal tract shape influences vowel identity, voice quality (timbre), and, to some degree, the spectral characteristics of the voice excitation source itself. This chapter is broadly focused on how the vocal tract shape can be tuned (i.e., modified) in subtle ways to enhance the signal radiated from a singer to an audience. Specifically, the vocal tract shape contributions to the “singing formant,” enhancement of vibrato, and harmonic/formant alignment are discussed.
SAT and CP - Parallelisation and Applications

In this thesis, we consider the parallelisation and application of SAT and CP solvers. In the first chapter, we consider SAT, the decision problem of propositional logic. We discuss details of the implementations of SAT solvers, and show how to improve upon existing sequential solvers. Furthermore, we discuss the parallelisation of these solvers with a focus on the communication of intermediate results within a parallel solver. The second chapter is concerned with Contraint Programing (CP) with learning. Contrary to classical Constraint Programming techniques, this incorporates learning mechanisms as they are used in the field of SAT solving. We present results from parallelising CHUFFED, a learning CP solver. In the final chapter, we discuss Sorting Networks, which are data oblivious sorting algorithms. Their independence of the input data lends them to parallel implementation. We consider the question how many parallel sorting steps are needed to sort some inputs, and present both lower and upper bounds for several cases.
A comparative study of morphological changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats treated with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or a calcium‐channel blocker

It is not clear whether some pathological changes in hypertension are directly pressure‐dependent, or hormonally induced, or both. The aortic arch has apparently never before been studied for those changes. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of controlling angiotensin II (Ang II) and/or blood pressure (BP), directly at the inception of hypertension, on the aortic arch, the left ventricle of the heart (LV), and the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. An angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI, enalapril) and a calcium‐channel blocker (nifedipine) were used for 21 weeks. After treatment, rats were assessed for arterial plasma renin activity (PRA). The LV, aortic arch, and kidneys were then excised for the determination of organ and tissue weight in some of the animals, while in others the aortic arch was fixed in situ and processed for microscopic analysis. Both enalapril and nifedipine levelled BP in the SHRs to almost normal values. Enalapril was able to prevent the increase in LV and kidney weights (p=0.04 wet, p<0.001 dry; p<0.001 wet and dry, respectively) and the increase in the weight of the aortic arch and in the thickness of its media (p<0.001 wet and dry; p<0.001, respectively) seen in untreated SHRs. This was associated with a larger lumen diameter (p<0.001) and a lower media to lumen ratio (p=0.01). In contrast, nifedipine did not prevent any of the changes described. Neither nifedipine nor enalapril treatment had any effects on PRA in either rat strain. Our results support previous observations that BP is not the only factor causing some of the pathological changes in hypertension; tissue Ang II level may also play a major role. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radio-channel characterization of an over-sea communication

This paper presents comprehensive experimental results obtained from narrowband and wideband radio-channel measurements in a maritime environment at 5.8 GHz. From continuous-wave (CW) measurement data, large scale distance-power curves and path-loss exponents of a practical scenario are determined. Other relevant parameters, such as the mean excess delay, and the coherence bandwidth are extracted from the wideband-measurement data. Results show a propagation behavior that is specific for these environments.
Loughborough University Institutional Repository Determinants of relative skeletal maturity in South African children

• This is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Bone. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be re ected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A de nitive version was subsequently published at: http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.bone. 2011.10. 029.
SEMANTIC COHERENCE AND DISTRIBUTIONAL LEARNING 3 Semantic coherence facilitates distributional learning 1

Computational models have shown that purely statistical knowledge about words’ linguistic contexts is sufficient to learn many properties of words, including syntactic and semantic category. For example, models can infer that “postman” and “mailman” are semantically similar because they have quantitatively similar patterns of association with other words (e.g., they both tend to occur with words like “deliver”, “truck”, “package”). In contrast to these computational results, artificial language learning experiments suggest that distributional statistics alone do not facilitate learning of linguistic categories. However, experiments in this paradigm expose participants to entirely novel words, whereas real language learners encounter input that contains some known words that are semantically organized. In three experiments, we show that (1) the presence of familiar semantic reference points facilitates distributional learning and (2) this effect crucially depends both on the presence of known words and the adherence of these known words to some semantic organization.
Protective e¡ectof ions against cell death induced byacid stress in Saccharomyces

Protective e¡ectof ions against cell death induced byacid stress in Saccharomyces Gilzeane dos Santos Sant’Ana, Lisvane da Silva Paes, Argentino F. Vieira Paiva, Luciano Gomes Fietto, Antônio Helvécio Totola, Maria J. Magalhães Trópia, Denise Silveira-Lemos, Cândida Lucas, Juliana L. Rangel Fietto, Rogelio L. Brandão & Ieso de Miranda Castro Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular (LBCM), Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Farmácia, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquı́mica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil; Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil; and Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Biologia (CB-UM), Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal