Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airway morphology and function of rats following dermal sensitization and respiratory challenge with low molecular weight chemicals.

Local lymph node activation and increased total serum IgE levels are suggested to be predictive parameters of airway hypersensitivity caused by low molecular weight (LMW) chemicals. Whether increases of total serum IgE are indicative of actual induction of specific airway reactions (morphological and functional) after inhalation challenge was examined in the present study. In Brown Norway (BN) and Wistar rats, serum IgE concentrations were examined following topical exposure of chemicals with known diverse sensitization potential in humans: trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a dermal and respiratory sensitizer; dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), a dermal sensitizer with no known potential to cause respiratory allergy; and methyl salicylate, a skin irritant devoid of sensitizing properties. Functional and histopathological changes in the respiratory tract were examined after subsequent inhalatory challenge with these chemicals. Of the three tested chemicals, only topical exposure to TMA resulted in a significant increase in total serum IgE concentrations in the high-IgE-responding BN rat. Upon subsequent inhalatory challenge of these rats, TMA induced specific airway reactions which included a sharp decrease in respiratory rate during challenge, followed by an increase in breathing rate with a concomitant decrease in tidal volume 24 and 48 h after inhalatory challenge, and histopathological changes in the larynx and lungs of animals necropsied 48 h after challenge. Interestingly, despite low IgE levels, TMA induced histopathological changes in the larynx and lungs of Wistar rats too. Laryngeal changes were also observed in Wistar rats upon sensitization and challenge with DNCB. These data suggest that increased total serum IgE after topical sensitization is associated with immediate-type specific airway reactivity after inhalation challenge in BN rats and thus may be a valuable parameter in testing for respiratory sensitization potential of LMW compounds. Histopathological examination upon subsequent inhalation challenge of sensitized low-IgE-responders may provide information on other allergic inflammatory airway reactions.
Tourism development in the state of Kerala, India: a study of destination attractiveness

This paper describes the context and framework for assessing destination attractiveness of Kerala, an emerging tourism destination in a developing country. The study reveals its strengths and weaknesses from the demand side perspective and suggests a number of valuable implications for destination marketing efforts. Comparing an array of attractions and experience elements for the destination of Kerala, the analysis highlights the importance of specific destination attraction elements as core appeals of the destination. The analysis provides a solid theoretical rationale for the spectacular performance of Kerala tourism in recent years across a number of fronts. However, negative gaps have been observed for a few vital attraction elements, broadly suggesting the need for modifying area specific development efforts to enhance the tourists experience with these attraction elements. Based on the findings of the study, the need for a moderately different emphasis in guiding both the product and promotional development activities were identified. In addition, this paper gives a glance into the development and prospects of tourism in the state of Kerala.
Volume CT: state-of-the-art reporting.

OBJECTIVE CT has undergone generational change that has led to true volume imaging. Interpretation of volume images requires interaction between the radiologist and the volume data sets. The aim of this review is to examine postprocessing options and the evidence in the literature for changing the process of reporting to digital volume reporting. CONCLUSION Diagnostic confidence and the accuracy of interpretation of volume CT images have increased with improvements in postprocessing techniques.
Radiation exposure to the orthopaedic surgical team during fluoroscopy: "how far away is far enough?".

OBJECTIVES To correlate the amount of radiation exposure to members of the orthopaedic surgical team based on their relative positions during a simulated fluoroscopically assisted orthopaedic procedure. DESIGN Experimental study using commercially available fluoroscopic units and dosimetry badges designed to measure "eye" (ocular lens), "shallow" (hands/skin), and "deep" (whole-body) radiation exposure. SETTING Standard hospital operating room at a level one trauma center. PARTICIPANTS Dosimetry badge clusters at specified distances from a fluoroscopic x-ray beam. Represented positions were direct beam contact, surgeon (12 in/30.5 cm), first assistant (24 in/70 cm), scrub nurse (36 in/91.4 cm), and anesthesiologist (60 in/152.4 cm). INTERVENTION Dosimetry badges were systematically exposed by a protocol intended to maximize radiation scatter. A maximum time for continuous fluoroscope use was set at ten minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Radiation exposure readings from dosimetry badges processed by a commercially available dosimetry service. RESULTS Maximum readings are reported. Direct beam contact resulted in approximately 4000 mrem/minute (40 mSv/min) of radiation exposure. Deep exposure for the surgeon and first assistant was 20 mrem/min (0.2 mSv/min) and 6 mrem/min (0.06 mSv/min), respectively. Superficial exposure was 29 mrem/min (0.29 mSv/min) for the surgeon and 10 mrem/min (0.1 mSv/min) for the first assistant. Eye exposure was 10 mrem/min (0.1 mSv/min) for the surgeon and 6 mrem/min (0.06 mSv/min) for the first assistant. At the scrub nurse position, no deep or eye exposure was detected. One positive badge for shallow exposure was noted at the scrub nurse position, reflecting a 2 mrem/min (0.02 mSv/min) exposure rate. After ten minutes of continuous exposure, badges assigned to the anesthesiologist position never registered any positive readings. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that unprotected individuals working twenty-four inches (70 cm) or less from a fluoroscopic beam receive significant amounts of radiation, whereas those working thirty-six inches (91.4 cm) or greater from the beam receive an extremely low amount of radiation.
The Arf GEF GBF1 Is Required for GGA Recruitment to Golgi Membranes

The lysosomal trafficking of the mannose 6‐phosphate receptor and sortilin require that the Golgi‐localized, γ‐ear‐containing, ADP ribosylation factor (Arf)‐binding proteins (GGAs) be recruited to Golgi membranes where they bind a signal in the cytosolic tail of the receptors and recruit clathrin to form trafficking vesicles. GGA recruitment to membranes requires Arf1, a protein that cycles between a GDP‐bound inactive state and GTP‐bound active state. The guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) promote the formation of Arf–GTP, while the GTPase activating proteins induce hydrolysis of GTP to GDP. We provide evidence that the GEF, GBF1, colocalizes with the GGAs and interacts with the GGAs. Depletion of GBF1 or expression of an inactive mutant prevents recruitment of the GGAs to Golgi membranes and results in the improper sorting of cargo. In summary, we show that GBF1 is required for GGA recruitment to Golgi membranes and plays a role in the proper processing and sorting of lysosomal cargo.
Cooperative Autonomous Driving for Vehicular Networks

In this paper, we introduce cooperative autonomous driving algorithms for vehicular networks in urban environments that take human safety into account and are capable of performing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) collision avoidance. We argue that “flocks” are multi-agent models of vehicular traffic on roads and propose novel autonomous driving architectures for cyber-physical vehicles capable of performing autonomous driving tasks such as lane-driving, lane-changing, braking, passing, and making turns. These autonomous driving algorithms are inspired by the flocking theory of Olfati-Saber (Olfati-Saber, 2006), though, there are notable differences between autonomous driving on urban roads and flocking behavior— flocks have a single desired destination whereas most drivers on road do not share the same destination. We demonstrate that lane-driving for a vehicular network with n > 3 vehicles cannot necessarily be performed using pairwise vehicular interactions and might require triangular interactions among triplets of vehicles. The self-driving vehicles in our framework turn out to be nonlinear switching systems with discrete states that are related to the driving modes of the vehicles. Complex driving maneuvers can be performed using a sequence of mode switchings. We present several examples of driving tasks that can be effectively performed using our proposed driving algorithms.
Coupling erythropoietin secretion to mesenchymal stromal cells enhances their regenerative properties.

AIMS Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess intrinsic features that identify them as useful for treating ischaemic syndromes. Poor in vivo survival/engraftment of MSCs, however, limits their overall effectiveness. In this work, we tested whether genetically engineering MSCs to secrete erythropoietin (Epo) could represent a better therapeutic platform than MSCs in their native form. METHODS AND RESULTS MSCs from C57Bl/6 mice were retrovirally transduced with either an empty vector or one that causes the production of Epo and were then analysed for the alterations in angiogenic and survival potential. Using a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI), the regenerative potential of null MSCs and Epo-overexpressing MSCs (Epo+MSCs) was assessed using serial echocardiogram and invasive haemodynamic measurements. Infarct size, capillary density and neutrophil influx were assessed using histologic techniques. Using in vitro assays coupled with an in vivo Matrigel plug assay, we demonstrate that engineering MSCs to express Epo does not alter their immunophenotype or plasticity. However, relative to mock-modified MSCs [wild-type (WT)-MSCs], Epo+MSCs are more resilient to apoptotic stimuli and initiate a more robust host-derived angiogenic response. We also identify and characterize the autocrine loop established on MSCs by having them secrete Epo. Furthermore, in a murine model of MI, animals receiving intracardiac injections of Epo+MSCs exhibited significantly enhanced cardiac function compared with WT-MSCs and saline-injected control animals post-MI, owing to the increased myocardial capillary density and the reduced neutrophilia. CONCLUSION Epo overexpression enhances the cellular regenerative properties of MSCs by both autocrine and paracrine pathways.
A phase I study of anti‐GD3 ganglioside monoclonal antibody R24 and recombinant human macrophage‐colony stimulating factor in patients with metastatic melanoma

Background. Macrophages activated by macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF) are potent immune effector cells and can mediate both in vitro cytotoxicity and antitumor effects in vivo. A Phase I trial combining M‐CSF with R24, a mouse monoclonal antibody against GD3 ganglioside that has been shown to localize to melanoma tumors, induce inflammation at tumor sites, and result in major tumor responses in some patients with melanoma was performed.
Generalized finite sequence of fuzzy topographic topological mapping

Problem statement: Fuzzy Topographic Topological Mapping (FTTM) was developed to solve the neuromagnetic inverse problem. FTTM consisted of four topological spaces and connected by three homeomorphisms. FTTM 1 and FTTM 2 were developed to present 3-D view of an unbounded single current source and bounded multicurrent sources, respectively. FTTM 1 and FTTM 2 were homeomorphic and this homeomorphism will generate another 14 FTTM. We conjectured if there exist n elements of FTTM, then the numbers of new elements are n4-n. Approach: In this study, the conjecture was proven by viewing FTTMs as sequence and using its geometrical features. Results: In the process, several definitions were developed, geometrical and algebraic properties of FTTM were discovered. Conclusion: The conjecture was proven and some features of the sequence appear in Pascal Triangle.
Commentary: Does air pollution confound studies of temperature?

Recent high summer temperatures and heat waves, attributed to climate change, have led to increased attention to associations of ambient temperature with morbidity and mortality. temperature as a cause of mortality has been studied for centuries. However, many recent articles on this topic use analytic models and data notably different from those used in the past. Given the availability of large time series data sets, various types of time-based models have been used to characterize associations while controlling confounding and exploring effect measure modification by socioeconomic factors, housing characteristics, and other variables. many recent epidemiologic analyses of temperature effects have included measures of air pollution as explanatory variables in the analysis, yielding estimates of temperature effects that are adjusted for air pollution. In some instances, data and modeling approaches used initially for epidemiologic investigations of air pollution have been subsequently used for investigations of ambient temperature. While adjusting for air pollution in studies of temperature has become common, this practice may not always be appropriate. In this commentary, we illustrate potential relationships among temperature, air pollution, and disease on a short-term basis using directed acyclic graphs (DaGs), and we discuss implications of some possible causal structures for estimates of temperature-related health effects.
ATP Requirement for Acidic Resistance in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT ATP participates in many cellular metabolic processes as a major substrate to supply energy. Many systems for acidic resistance (AR) under extremely acidic conditions have been reported, but the role of ATP has not been examined. To clarify whether or not ATP is necessary for the AR in Escherichia coli, the AR of mutants deficient in genes for ATP biosynthesis was investigated in this study. The deletion of purA or purB, each of which encodes enzymes to produce AMP from inosinate (IMP), markedly decreased the AR. The content of ATP in these mutants decreased rapidly at pH 2.5 compared to that of the wild type. The AR was again decreased significantly by the mutation of adk, which encoded an enzyme to produce ADP from AMP. The DNA damage in the purA and purB mutants was higher than that in the wild type. These results demonstrated that metabolic processes that require ATP participate in survival under extremely acidic conditions, and that one such system is the ATP-dependent DNA repair system.
To my dear parents To Emelie and Anton with love

This thesis describes methods to obtain value–added compounds from TMPturpentine obtained from the spruce, Picea abies. The methodology focuses on biotransformations using two approaches: an oxygenation approach (i.e. oxygenation of terpene hydrocarbons by cell cultures) and an esterification approach (i.e. lipase-catalysed transesterification of vinyl acetate with terpene alcohols, and a further fractionation of the TMP-turpentine). The main constituents of the turpentine, α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene, were subjected to a P. abies suspension culture. Allylic oxidation formed the major products for α-pinene and β-pinene, which were further oxidised to their respective aldehyde or ketone. One of the minor products from α-pinene, cisverbenol, was not only transformed into verbenone but also isomerised to transverbenol. Limonene gave limonene-(1,2)-epoxide as the major product. Fractionation of monoterpenes is accomplished through physical separation methods, chromatography and distillation, and lipase-catalysed transesterification of vinyl acetate with terpene alcohols. The esters of myrtenol and trans-pinocarveol were separated from the more slowly reacting alcohols such as borneol and carveol by use of a combination of the Mucor miehei lipase and Candida antarctica lipase A as catalysts. Furthermore, the non-reacting tertiary terpene alcohols were separated from the reacting alcohols in a single step by Candida antarctica lipase A. Lipase-catalysed (Candida antarctica lipase B and Pseudomonas cepacia lipase) transesterification of vinyl acetate with sterically hindered secondary alcohols unexpectedly yielded hemiacetals or hemiacetal esters. The reaction conditions required to obtain these side products have been studied.
Apolipoprotein E genotypes in a neuropathological series from the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease

We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 allele for the neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in a clinical series of well‐characterized AD patients and controls followed longitudinally in the multicenter study of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD). In the 162 patients for whom autopsy and ApoE genotype data were available, the clinical diagnosis of AD was verified as the primary cause of dementia in 139 cases (139 of 162, or 86%). The sensitivity and specificity of the ε4 allele for AD were both 83%. The positive predictive value of the ε4 allele was very high at 97% (115 of 119); whereas, the negative predictive value was 44% (19 of 43), providing no useful information for diagnosis of AD when the ε4 allele is not present. Of the cases where AD was not considered the primary or sole cause of dementia (n = 23), 6 cases exhibited concomitant neuropathological findings of definite or probable AD and 2 of these 6 cases had at least one ε4 allele. These multicenter data extend previous obsevations reported from smaller case series of single laboratories and demonstrate that once the clinical diagnosis of AD is established, the presence of an ε4 allele reliably predicts the ultimate CERAD neuropathological diagnosis of AD. The findings also suggest that ApoE genotype information is useful clinically in bolstering diagnostic confidence when an ε4 allele is present and in identifying a group of patients for whom additional diagnostic evaluations may be warranted when the 4 allele is absent.
Being transparent or spinning the message? An experiment into the effects of varying message content on trust in government

Computer-mediated transparency is widely acknowledged to be a powerful instrument to strengthen citizen trust in government. However, government websites are often used as a convenient way to spread 'spinned' policy messages with highly positive interpretations of government policies. This paper focuses on this particular element of transparency: the extent to which a policy message contains balanced information. A truly balanced message should also mention dissenting viewpoints of government policies. This study examines the effect on trust of a balanced message compared to messages subject to varying degrees of spin. An experiment was designed to compare the effect of a very positive policy message, a slightly positive message and a message containing both positive and negative information. The results demonstrate that a balanced message on a website about government policy leads to negative evaluations of government competence to solve policy problems. Further, less spin does not positively affect the perceived honesty and benevolence of a government organization. This study suggests that showing balanced content might not be helpful when it comes to increasing trust in government, and that people might even prefer a light form of spin on government information as it provides the image that government knows what it is doing and where it is heading.
Incidence and severity of neovascularization in oxygen- and metabolic acidosis-induced retinopathy depend on rat source

Purpose. We have previously described oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and metabolic acidosis-induced retinopathy (MAIR) in the neonatal rat, both of which are analogous to human retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Given that rats of identical strain from two commercial suppliers are phenotypically different, we investigated the incidence and severity of preretinal neovascularization (NV) in rats from different suppliers using the OIR and MAIR models. Methods. Using our established models for OIR and MAIR, 400 newborn Sprague-Dawley rats, obtained from Harlan Laboratories (HSD) and Charles River Laboratories (CRSD), were raised in 16 expanded litters of 25 (6 OIR and 10 MAIR). Beginning at day 1 of life, OIR litters (3 HSD, 3 CRSD) were exposed to 7 daily cycles of hyperoxia (80% O 2, 20.5 hours) and hypoxia (10% O 2, 0.5 hours) with a gradual return to 80% O 2 over 3 hours. OIR rats were sacrificed after 5 days of room air recovery. MAIR litters (5 HSD, 5 CRSD) were raised in room air and gavaged twice daily with NH 4 Cl (10 mM/kg body weight) from day 2 through day 4. MAIR rats were sacrificed after 3 days of recovery. For both OIR and MAIR litters, retinae from left eyes were dissected, ADPase-stained, and flatmounted. Presence and severity of NV was scored and retinal vascular areas measured by a masked observer. Results. In OIR rats, the incidence of NV was higher in CRSD rats than HSD rats (73% vs. 45%, p= 0.002). NV was more severe in CRSD rats than HSD rats (median clock hours 2 vs. 0, p= 0.0001). In MAIR rats, the incidence of NV was comparable between CRSD and HSD rats (29% vs. 34%, p = 0.53) and there was no significant difference in the severity of NV. Conclusions. Sprague-Dawley rats obtained from two independent commercial sources differed in their incidence and severity of NV associated with OIR, but not with MAIR. Future genetic studies are warranted to investigate the differences between CRSD and HSD rats, which might yield further clues into the pathogenesis of ROP.
Minimally Complete Recommendations

Recent research has highlighted the benefits of completeness as a retrieval criterion in recommender systems. In complete retrieval, any subset of the constraints in a given query that can be satisfied must be satisfied by at least one of the retrieved products. Minimal completeness (i.e., always retrieving the smallest set of products needed for completeness) is also beginning to attract research interest as a way to minimize cognitive load in the approach. Other important features of a retrieval algorithm's behavior include the diversity of the retrieved products and the order in which they are presented to the user. In this paper, we present a new algorithm for minimally complete retrieval (MCR) in which the ranking of retrieved products is primarily based on the number of constraints that they satisfy, but other measures such as similarity or utility can also be used to inform the retrieval process. We also present theoretical and empirical results that demonstrate our algorithm's ability to minimize cognitive load while ensuring the completeness and diversity of the retrieved products.