Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local co‐adaptation leading to a geographical mosaic of coevolution in a social parasite system

The geographical mosaic theory of coevolution predicts differences in the advance or trajectory of the coevolutionary process between local communities due to their composition and the strength of ecological selection pressures through competition and resource availability. In this study, we investigate local co‐adaptation in different populations of a social parasite. We conducted cross‐fostering experiments to test for interpopulational differences in raiding efficiency between various populations of a slave‐making ant and the defence abilities of local hosts. Here, we demonstrate that the success of raids strongly depends on the combination of populations of the parasite Harpagoxenus sublaevis and its host Leptothorax acervorum, indicating very localized coevolution. We found no absolute differences between slave‐maker populations; the outcome of an encounter depended more on whether the two opponents occur in sympatry or allopatry. Furthermore, this study supports the results of our earlier work, that the unparasitized English L. acervorum population is most aggressive against the parasite.
Some model theory of abelian groups

Abstract We study the relations between abelian groups B and C that every universal (resp. universal-existential) sentence true in B is also true in C, and give algebraic criteria for these relations to hold. As a consequence we characterize the inductive complete theories of abelian groups and prove that they are exactly the model-complete theories.
MARS: A Retrieval Tool on the Basis of Morphological Analysis

In this paper we present the system MARS which has been designed for potential database users working with retrieval systems. It is an instrument that is to assist the retriever in specifying the search queries. MARS is an aid for increasing termprecision as well as for finding previously unknown terms which are morphologically related to user search terms. This is achieved by way of linguistic procedures as opposed to conventional mechanical operations such as truncation etc. The morpheme lexicon and the morphological decomposition procedures are described briefly. MARS was put to the test in a real-world situation the results of which will be presented.
The Establishment and Promotion of the First Youth Quitline in Hong Kong Challenges and Opportunities

This study describes the establishment, promotion, and preliminary findings of a peer-led smoking cessation quitline for Chinese youth smokers in Hong Kong. The Youth Quitline targeted Chinese smokers aged 12 to 25, who smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days and were willing to leave telephone numbers for follow up. The protocol was translated from the California Smoker's Helpline and we provided toll-free telephone counseling based on motivational intervention with multiple follow-up sessions for smokers who called the service. By intention-to-treat analysis, 55% reported at least one quit attempt, and the quit rate was 22.1% (self-reported 7-day point prevalence) or 17.5% (self-reported 30-day point prevalence). The Hong Kong Youth Quitline, along with enforcement of the antismoking legislation for both youth and adults, advocacy to de-normalize smoking in the society, and appropriate publicity, could help to promote quitting among youth smokers in Hong Kong.
Production of the chemokine eotaxin‐1 in osteoarthritis and its role in cartilage degradation

The expression of the chemokine, eotaxin‐1, and its receptors in normal and osteoarthritic human chondrocytes was examined, and its role in cartilage degradation was elucidated in this study. Results indicated that plasma concentrations of eotaxin‐1 as well as the chemokines, RANTES, and MCP‐1α, were higher in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) than those in normal humans. Stimulation of chondrocytes with IL‐1β or TNF‐α significantly induced eotaxin‐1 expression. The production of eotaxin‐1 induced expression of its own receptor of CCR3 and CCR5 on the cell surface of chondrosarcomas, suggesting that an autocrine/paracrine pathway is involved in eotaxin‐1's action. In addition, eotaxin‐1 markedly increased the expressions of MMP‐3 and MMP‐13 mRNA, but had no effect on TIMP‐1 expression in chondrocytes. However, pretreatment of anti‐eotaxin‐1 antibody significantly decreased the MMP‐3 expression induced by IL‐1β. These results first demonstrate that human chondrocytes express the chemokine, eotaxin‐1, and that its expression is induced by treatment with IL‐1β and TNF‐α. The cytokine‐triggered induction of eotaxin‐1 further results in enhanced expressions of its own receptor of CCR3, CCR5, and MMPs, suggesting that eotaxin‐1 plays an important role in cartilage degradation in OA. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unconventional membrane biogenesis of large DNA viruses revealed by electron tomography

Within eukaryotic cells membrane compartments are closed entities and their dynamics underlie regulated fission and fusion reactions. Since enveloped viruses acquire their membrane from the host, virus budding may underlie similar processes. However, some time ago we showed that the poxvirus vaccinia virus (VACV) uses a different, unconventional, pathway of membrane assembly. Using cryo-EM and electron tomography (ET) we concluded that VACV assembles a single, open, membrane, shaped into a sphere by the viral scaffold protein [1]. By combining EM immuno-labeling with ET we could show that the open membrane is derived from small open membranes that accumulate close, and are connected, to the assembling virion (see Figure 1C). Since lipid analysis of the isolated, purified virus suggested that the viral membrane is derived from the ER [2], we postulated that the small open membranes are the result of rupture of ER elements [1]. VACV is a member of the nucleo cytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs). We analyzed whether other members of this family also use the unconventional membrane assembly pathway as to search for common denominators. Indeed both Mimivirus [3] and African swine fever virus (ASFV; [4]) use open membrane intermediates to create a single open membrane shaped by their respective scaffold protein. The images below illustrate some of our results.
Cytokine secretion induced by superantigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lamina propria lymphocytes, and intraepithelial lymphocytes

Superantigens are potent inducers of T-cell proliferation and induce a broad range of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), gamma interferon, and interleukin 2 (IL-2). In the present study, we compared the abilities of different staphylococcal superantigens (staphylococcal enterotoxin B [SEB], staphylococcal enterotoxin E [SEE], and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 [TSST-1]) to stimulate distinct cytokine profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL), and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL). One million PBMC, LPL, and IEL were stimulated with various concentrations of superantigen (10 to 0.001 ng/ml) for 24, 48, and 72 h. Maximum cytokine production by PBMC, LPL, and IEL was observed for all three superantigens at 48 h at a concentration of 1 ng/ml. In PBMC, SEE and TSST-1 stimulated more IL-2 and gamma interferon than SEB. SEE and TSST-1 also stimulated more TNF and IL-4 production than SEB. In contrast, SEB stimulated more IL-6 than either SEE or TSST-1. In LPL, there was no SEE-induced IL-2 or IL-4 production, but IL-6, TNF, and gamma interferon were induced. SEB similarly induced no IL-2 or gamma interferon from the LPL, but IL-4, IL-6, and TNF were detected. TSST-1 stimulation of LPL resulted in IL-2 and TNF production but no IL-4, IL-6, or gamma interferon. In IEL, SEE induced no IL-2, IL-4, or gamma interferon but produced IL-6 and TNF, while SEB stimulation resulted in no IL-2 or gamma interferon but did result in detectable IL-4, IL-6, and TNF. Taken together, these data indicate that there are significant differences in the cytokine profiles induced by superantigens in LPL and IEL compared with those in PBMC, and these differences may relate to differences in activation requirements.
Cerebrovascular and Brain Microanatomy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats with Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetes

The influence of hypertension associated with diabetes on cerebrovascular and frontal cortex or hippocampus microanatomy was investigated in 20‐week‐old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in which diabetes was induced by treatment with streptozotocin (STZ) and in control or STZ‐diabetic age‐matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. At the beginning of experiment, systolic pressure values were similar in WKY rats either control, or exposed to STZ and remarkably higher in control or STZ‐treated SHR . Systolic pressure values increased in the different animal groups examined along the course of experiment. Blood glucose levels were increased in either STZ–WKY rats or ‐SHR compared to WKY rats and SHR respectively. The main changes occurring in pial and intracerebral arteries of SHR and STZ–SHR were thickening of the arterial wall accompanied by luminal narrowing. In medium sized pial arteries of STZ–WKY rats luminal narrowing and a decreased thickness of arterial wall were noticeable. Intracerebral arteries of STZ–WKY diabetic rats showed a not homogeneous sensitivity of different sized branches. The volume of zones III and IV of frontal cortex was decreased in SHR and STZ–SHR compared to control WKY rats. The number of nerve cells in these cerebrocortical layers was decreased to a similar extent in SHR, STZ–WKY rats or STZ–SHR compared to control WKY rats. In dentate gyrus, followed by the CA1 subfield of hippocampus, decreased volume and number of neurons were found in SHR and STZ–SHR compared to control WKY rats. The occurrence of astrogliosis was observed in hypertensive, diabetic or hypertensive plus diabetic rats. The above findings indicate the occurrence of cerebrovascular and brain microanatomical changes in SHR and to a lesser extent in STZ–diabetic rats compared to control normotensive and normoglicemic WKY rats. Association of hypertension and diabetes caused more pronounced changes than in the single disease models. These results support the view that hypertension and diabetes affect the structure of cerebrovascular tree and of brain and that association of the two diseases results in an increased risk of target‐organ damage, involving brain.
Behavioral Changes in Unilaterally 6‐Hydroxy‐Dopamine Lesioned Rats After Transplantation of Differentiated Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Without Morphological Integration

Objective. Transplantation of fetal mesencephalic cells into the striatum has been performed in about 350 patients with Parkinson's disease and has been intensively studied in rat models of Parkinson's disease. Limited access to this material has shifted the focus toward embryonic stem (ES) cells. The grafting of undifferentiated ES cells to 6‐hydroxy‐dopamine (6‐OHDA)‐lesioned rats leads to behavioral improvements but may induce teratoma‐like structures. This risk might be avoided by using more differentiated ES cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate differentiated mouse ES cells regarding their in vivo development and fate after transplantation in the striatum in the 6‐OHDA rat model and the behavioral changes induced after transplantation.
The future of critical care

Purpose of reviewThis review will examine the current scenario of critical care medicine and describe trends for the future. Recent findingsCritical care is facing increasing demands due to an aging population and the relative lack of intensivists. Quality and healthcare costs are becoming day-to-day issues. The future will see an increasing use of protocols, virtual consultations, and regionalized care for more complex and common diseases such as trauma and acute lung injury. Intensivists will be skeptical due to difficulties in demonstrating benefits of any new drug, ventilator, monitor, or laboratory test, when added to basic, life-saving treatments. We do not believe that a ‘magic bullet’ is soon to come, and emphasis will be placed on cost restraining. Computers will have an increasing presence in critical care, now eased by a user group that is increasingly adept at using them. However, ICUs will still rely on human resource, making the myth of a fully automated ICU bed unlikely. SummaryThe future of ICU will rely on management and teamwork. The costs of critical care will be restrained through the use of better management, guidelines, and skepticism regarding new technologies and drugs. Policy makers will help society build better strategies for critical care services.
In Vitro Relationship of CD4 Cells From Type I Diabetic Patients and Xenogeneic β-Cell Membranes

In a rosette assay, 63 patients with recent-onset type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus had a higher (P < .001) number of lymphocytes adhering to rat insulinoma RINm5F cells (diabetic rosettes) than 153 healthy control (background rosettes) or 20 nondiabetic subjects with other organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, lymphocytes from diabetic patients displayed a highly correlated (r = .97, P < .001) binding on two different xenogeneic β-cell lines (RIN and hamster insulinoma HIT cells). This phenomenon was not found on a panel of seven non β-cell lines (e.g., exocrine pancreatic cells, endocrine cells). By increasing lymphocyte-to-RIN ratios (0.25:1 to 30:1), the supernumerary RIN-adherent lymphocytes from diabetic patients, expressed as the percentage of lymphocytes involved in conjugates, were only detectable at lower ratios (0.25:1 to 4:1), and their binding efficiency was two times higher than that of control lymphocytes. This efficiency fell at higher ratios (>4:1) to the level of background rosettes that remained constant through the ratio scale. This specific RIN-rosette formation was abrogated when lymphocytes from diabetic patients were preabsorbed on β-cells (either HIT or RIN) but not on non-β-cells, whereas preabsorption of control lymphocytes did not modify the number of background rosettes. In addition, diabetic rosettes, but not background rosettes, were inhibited by competition with RIN membrane extracts but not by non-β-cell extracts. Moreover, diabetic rosettes were inhibited during blocking experiments with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) but not with unrelated MoAbs. Finally, diabetic rosettes were abolished after depletion of CD3+ or CD4+ cells but remained after elimination of CD8+ or CD16+ cells. Enrichment experiments confirmed the implication of CD3+/CD4+ cells but not of B-lymphocytes. Thus, CD3+/CD4+ cells from diabetic patients specifically recognize xenogeneic β-cell membrane antigens. This reinforces our hypothesis that diabetic rosettes are markers of cellular immunity in type I diabetes.
Improved Lanczos algorithms for blackbox MRS data quantitation.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been shown to be a potentially important medical diagnostic tool. The success of MRS depends on the quantitative data analysis, i.e., the interpretation of the signal in terms of relevant physical parameters, such as frequencies, decay constants, and amplitudes. A variety of time-domain algorithms to extract parameters have been developed. On the one hand, there are so-called blackbox methods. Minimal user interaction and limited incorporation of prior knowledge are inherent to this type of method. On the other hand, interactive methods exist that are iterative, require user involvement, and allow inclusion of prior knowledge. We focus on blackbox methods. The computationally most intensive part of these blackbox methods is the computation of the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a Hankel matrix. Our goal is to reduce the needed computational time without affecting the accuracy of the parameters of interest. To this end, algorithms based on the Lanczos method are suitable because the main computation at each step, a matrix-vector product, can be efficiently performed by means of the fast Fourier transform exploiting the structure of the involved matrix. We compare the performance in terms of accuracy and efficiency of four algorithms: the classical SVD algorithm based on the QR decomposition, the Lanczos algorithm, the Lanczos algorithm with partial reorthogonalization, and the implicitly restarted Lanczos algorithm. Extensive simulation studies show that the latter two algorithms perform best.
Fractionated radiation and hyperthermia: Experimental and clinical studies

The effect of fractionated radiation and hyperthermia was experimentally studied in a C3H mammary carcinoma and its surrounding skin. Simultaneous radiation and heat (42.5 C—60 minutes) with one or five fractions gave thermal enhancement ratios (TER) of approximately 2.5 in both tumor and surrounding skin, and no improved therapeutic effect was obtained. Five fractions of sequential treatment with heating four hours after radiation reduced the tumor TER to about 1.4, but when 72 hours were allowed between the fractions, no thermal enhancement of the skin was observed. Thus, an improved therapeutic ratio was observed. Clinically, the combined treatment was studied in 12 patients with 49 metastases from malignant melanoma treated with different schedules of radiation and hyperthermia (approximately 43 C for 30 minutes). Simultaneous treatment with three fractions in eight days gave TER values in the skin between 1.2–1.4, but a similar effect was found in the tumor. Three fractions of sequential treatment in eight days did not produce any thermal enhancement of the skin response, but still presented an apparent gain of the tumor response, and so seemed to increase the therapeutic effect. Based on these findings, the strategy for further clinical use of combined hyperthermia and radiation is discussed.
Biased Photoresponse Analysis of Al–ZnO Heterojunctions with n- and p-Type Silicon

Al–ZnO/(n)Si and Al–ZnO/(p)Si heterojunction structures were fabricated by RF-sputtering of Al–ZnO thin film on Si substrates and their electrical and photoresponse properties were comparatively analyzed. The Al–ZnO/(n)Si heterojunction exhibited excellent diode behavior with an equivalent barrier height of 0.72 eV and an rectification ratio of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$6.7 \times 10^{3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at ±0.5 V, while no rectifying behavior was observed for Al–ZnO/(p)Si device. Illuminated I–V analysis performed with different light intensities revealed excellent photoresponse properties and the strong dependence of the photocurrent on external bias for both Al–ZnO/(n)Si and Al–ZnO/(p)Si structures. The Al–ZnO/(n)Si structure requires smaller reverse bias than Al–ZnO/(p)Si for similar photoresponse. Based on dark I–V, illuminated I–V, and the energy band diagrams, photoresponse mechanisms were explained. In order to further understand the photoresponse mechanisms, quantum efficiency measurements were carried out, with applied external voltage bias. A general descriptive model was presented for the first time for the photogenerated current density in both Al–ZnO/(n)Si and Al–ZnO/(p)Si heterojunctions at different voltage bias.
Multiple Wideband Acoustic Source Tracking in 3-D Space Using a Distributed Acoustic Vector Sensor Array

This paper considers the problem of tracking multiple acoustic sources in 3-D space using a distributed acoustic vector sensor array. Unlike the existing two-stage localization approach, which estimates the direction of arrival of the source at each sensor first and then triangulate a 3-D position, a particle filtering approach is developed to directly fuse the signals collected from distributed sensors. To enhance the tracking performance and constrain the computational complexity, an information filter is developed to approximate the optimal importance sampling. Since the position state of the source is linear with the velocity state, a Rao-Blackwellization step is employed to marginalize out the velocity component. In addition, the posterior Cramér-Rao bound is developed to provide a lower performance bound for the distributed tracking system. Both the numerical study and simulations show that the proposed tracking approach significantly outperforms the two-stage localization approaches for 3-D position estimation.
Matching Spatial Ontologies - A Challenge of Formalization

Ontology matching can be defined as the process of defining a set of functions for specifying correspondences between candidate concepts in order to discover similarities between two ontologies; it can be processed by exploiting a number of different techniques. In this paper, we present an approach of merging spatial ontologies which consists of three processes: “matching process”, “mapping process” and “merging process” and we focus on the matching process. Indeed we consider three kind of matching: semantic matching, topologic matching and geometric matching. For each type of matching, we formally define functions for specifying correspondences between candidate concepts.
BDCM: a novel B‐cell line with genetic and functional similarity to dendritic cells

Summary. We describe a B‐cell line, BDCM, which arose spontaneously from culture of a pheresis product from a patient with M5a myeloid leukaemia. Cell growth was associated with autocrine activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat‐1) transcription factor. Although the cells expressed several B‐cell surface markers and had a rearranged immunoglobin J region, they also exhibited several characteristics associated with dendritic cells. These included extensive surface projections, cross‐priming ability and strong T cell‐stimulating capability. In addition, the cytokine production profile of BDCM cells was nearly identical to that of mature monocyte‐derived dendritic cells.
Analysis of dual polarization battery model for grid applications

With worldwide growth of battery technologies in renewable energy production, the selection of battery model has become an important factor for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to be deployed in a grid environment. It is essential to understand the battery type and the model, to achieve a coordinated control of the performance of BESS, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and load management, including battery applications such as ramp control, frequency response, voltage response, emergency backup, transmission and distribution capacity utilization and peak load leveling, when connected to the grid. Recent studies showed that the battery capacity utilization is based on the battery discharge characteristics. In this paper, two types of battery models such as `stacked cell model' and `single cell model' of a 1 MWh Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) battery are taken into consideration to study the discharge characteristics. The approach is based on the use of the Dual Polarization Model (one of the Electrical Equivalent Circuit Models also called as Two Time Constant Model) in building the above mentioned battery models. The purpose of this paper is to build and simulate the battery models in Power Systems Computer Aided Design (PSCAD). Also the battery models are compared and analyzed on their performance during faults when connected to the resistive load at 1C discharge rate. The `single cell model' is constructed using the electrical equivalent circuit to build the 1 MWh battery module. In an attempt to simulate the `stacked cell model', initially one cell of the battery rated at 4.12 V, 60 Ah is modeled in PSCAD and then the cells are connected in series and parallel to build the model of 1 MWh battery module. The key results include the modeling of single cell and stacked cell models of the 1 MWh battery. The discharge characteristics of the battery models rated at 960V, 1200 Ah will be analyzed for the faults applied near the resistive load. The models will be tested for node compatibility, compilation issues and the response effectiveness when connected to the resistive load. Thus, the research paper will perform a comparative analysis of the simulation results of the two battery models in terms of discharge characteristics, speed, performance, stability and compatibility.