Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell Surface Galectin-9 Expressing Th Cells Regulate Th17 and Foxp3+ Treg Development by Galectin-9 Secretion

Galectin-9 (Gal-9), a β-galactoside binding mammalian lectin, regulates immune responses by reducing pro-inflammatory IL-17-producing Th cells (Th17) and increasing anti-inflammatory Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in vitro and in vivo. These functions of Gal-9 are thought to be exerted by binding to receptor molecules on the cell surface. However, Gal-9 lacks a signal peptide for secretion and is predominantly located in the cytoplasm, which raises questions regarding how and which cells secrete Gal-9 in vivo. Since Gal-9 expression does not necessarily correlate with its secretion, Gal-9-secreting cells in vivo have been elusive. We report here that CD4 T cells expressing Gal-9 on the cell surface (Gal-9+ Th cells) secrete Gal-9 upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, but other CD4 T cells do not, although they express an equivalent amount of intracellular Gal-9. Gal-9+ Th cells expressed interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β but did not express Foxp3. In a co-culture experiment, Gal-9+ Th cells regulated Th17/Treg development in a manner similar to that by exogenous Gal-9, during which the regulation by Gal-9+ Th cells was shown to be sensitive to a Gal-9 antagonist but insensitive to IL-10 and TGF-β blockades. Further elucidation of Gal-9+ Th cells in humans indicates a conserved role of these cells through evolution and implies the possible utility of these cells for diagnosis or treatment of immunological diseases.
EVALUATION OF DEPTH CUES IN 3D SUBTITLING

Recent explosion towards 3D content-enabled devices has brought to light many issues regarding user comfort, depth perception and accessibility in media. One important element that touches these areas is subtitling. We define a pipeline to produce extruded texts for evaluating3D subtitling properties (using traditional 2D depth cues). An evaluation of current 3D tools was carried out, and the chosen platform allows us to create 3D typographies with high varied parameters (parallax, lightning). Produced subtitles were tested in full HD stereoscopic video clips. With the resulting subtitled clips, subjective perception tests were performed in order to evaluate the text’s impact on ghosting and readability in different parallax values. The results area set of rules to use when creating 3D subtitles that will provide: (i) better visual comfort, (ii) ghosting reduction (due to color gradient variations and volume), and (iii) an increment of negative parallax positioning with extrusion.
Chloride channels activated by osmotic stress in T lymphocytes

We have used whole-cell and perforated-patch recording techniques to characterize volume-sensitive Cl- channels in T and B lymphocytes. Positive transmembrane osmotic pressure (intracellular osmolality > extracellular osmolality) triggers the slow induction of a Cl- conductance. Membrane stretch caused by cellular swelling may underlie the activation mechanism, as moderate suction applied to the pipette interior can reversibly oppose the induction of Cl- current by an osmotic stimulus. Intracellular ATP is required for sustaining the Cl- current. With ATP-free internal solutions, the inducibility of Cl- current declines within minutes of whole-cell recording, while in whole- cell recordings with ATP or in perforated-patch experiments, the current can be activated for at least 30 min. The channels are anion selective with a permeability sequence of I- > SCN- > NO3-, Br- > Cl- > MeSO3- > acetate, propionate > ascorbate > aspartate and gluconate. GCl does not show voltage- and time-dependent gating behavior at potentials between -100 and +100 mV, but exhibits moderate outward rectification in symmetrical Cl- solutions. Fluctuation analysis indicates a unitary chord conductance of approximately 2 pS at -80 mV in the presence of symmetrical 160 mM Cl-. The relationship of mean current to current variance during the osmotic activation of Cl- current implies that each cell contains on the order of 10(4) activatable Cl- channels, making it the most abundant ion channel in lymphocytes yet described. The current is blocked in a voltage-dependent manner by DIDS and SITS (Ki = 17 and 89 microM, respectively, at +40 mV), the degree of blockade increasing with membrane depolarization. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of this Cl- channel are consistent with a role in triggering volume regulation in lymphocytes exposed to hyposmotic conditions.
Curves-on-Surface: A General Shape Comparison Framework

We develop a new surface matching framework to handle surface comparisons based on the mathematical analysis of curves on surfaces, and propose a unique signature for any closed curve on a surface. The signature describes not only the shape of the curve, but also the intrinsic relationship between the curve and its embedding surface; and furthermore, the signature metric is stable across surfaces sharing similar Riemannian geometry metrics. Based on this theoretical advance, we analyze and align features defined as closed curves on surfaces using their signatures. These curves segment a surface into different regions which are mapped onto canonical domains for the matching purpose. The experimental results are very promising, demonstrating that the curve signatures and the comparison framework are robust and discriminative for the effective shape comparison. Besides its utility in our current framework, we believe the curve signature will also serve as a powerful shape segmentation/mapping tool and can be used to aid in many existing techniques towards effective shape analysis
GenGIS 2: Geospatial Analysis of Traditional and Genetic Biodiversity, with New Gradient Algorithms and an Extensible Plugin Framework

GenGIS is free and open source software designed to integrate biodiversity data with a digital map and information about geography and habitat. While originally developed with microbial community analyses and phylogeography in mind, GenGIS has been applied to a wide range of datasets. A key feature of GenGIS is the ability to test geographic axes that can correspond to routes of migration or gradients that influence community similarity. Here we introduce GenGIS version 2, which extends the linear gradient tests introduced in the first version to allow comprehensive testing of all possible linear geographic axes. GenGIS v2 also includes a new plugin framework that supports the development and use of graphically driven analysis packages: initial plugins include implementations of linear regression and the Mantel test, calculations of alpha-diversity (e.g., Shannon Index) for all samples, and geographic visualizations of dissimilarity matrices. We have also implemented a recently published method for biomonitoring reference condition analysis (RCA), which compares observed species richness and diversity to predicted values to determine whether a given site has been impacted. The newest version of GenGIS supports vector data in addition to raster files. We demonstrate the new features of GenGIS by performing a full gradient analysis of an Australian kangaroo apple data set, by using plugins and embedded statistical commands to analyze human microbiome sample data, and by applying RCA to a set of samples from Atlantic Canada. GenGIS release versions, tutorials and documentation are freely available at http://kiwi.cs. dal.ca/GenGIS, and source code is available at https://github.com/beiko-lab/gengis.
Regulation of nitrogenase activity by oxygen in Azospirillum brasilense and Azospirillum lipoferum

The nitrogenase activity of the microaerophilic bacteria Azospirillum brasilense and A. lipoferum was completely inhibited by 2.0 kPa of oxygen (approximately 0.02 atm of O2) in equilibrium with the solution. The activity could be partially recovered at optimal oxygen concentrations of 0.2 kPa. In contrast to the NH4+ switch off, no covalent modification of the nitrogenase reductase (Fe protein) was involved, as demonstrated by Western-blotting and 32P-labeling experiments. However, the inhibition of the nitrogenase activity under anaerobic conditions was correlated with covalent modification of the Fe protein. In contrast to the NH4+ switch off, no increase in the cellular glutamine pool and no modification of the glutamine synthetase occurred under anaerobic switch-off conditions. Therefore, a redox signal, independent of the nitrogen control of the cell, may trigger the covalent modification of the nitrogenase reductase of A. brasilense and A. lipoferum.
On the peak radio and X-ray emission from neutron star and black hole candidate X-ray transients

We have compiled and analysed reports from the literature of (quasi-)simultaneous observations of X-ray transients at radio and X-ray wavelengths and compared them with each other and with more unusual radio-bright sources such as Cygnus X-3, GRS 1915+105 and Circinus X-1. There exists a significant (>97 per cent likelihood) positive (rank) correlation between the peak X-ray flux PX and radio flux density PR for the black hole candidate (BHC) systems, and a marginally significant positive (rank) correlation for the neutron star (NS) systems. This is further evidence for a coupling between accretion and outflows in X-ray binary systems, in this case implying a relation between peak disc-accretion rate and the number of synchrotron-emitting electrons ejected. However, we also show that the distribution of ‘radio loudness’, PR/PX, is significantly different for the two samples, in the sense that the BHCs generally have a higher PR/PX ratio. The origin of this discrepancy is uncertain, but probably reflects differences in the energetics and/or radiative efficiency of flows around the neutron stars and black holes; we briefly discuss some of these possibilities. Furthermore, the data for the two recently discovered ‘fast transients’ (FTs), XTE J0421+560/CI Cam and SAX J1819.3−2525/V4641 Sgr are entirely compatible with the distribution of BHCs. As at least three of the BHCs and both FTs have been directly resolved into mildly relativistic jets, it seems likely that such outflows are the origin of the radio emission in all BHC and FT transients, and probably also for the NS transients. We further note that the range of X-ray and radio fluxes observed from the unusual superluminal source GRS 1915+105 is also entirely compatible with the distribution for transients, implying that there is nothing special about the physics of jet formation in that system. We conclude that these data point to the formation of a mildly relativistic jet whose luminosity is a function of the accretion rate in the majority, if not all, X-ray transient outbursts, but whose relation to the observed X-ray emission is dependent on the nature of the accreting compact object.
Coding of Serial Order by Neostriatal Neurons: A “Natural Action” Approach to Movement Sequence

The neostriatum controls behavioral sequencing, or action syntax, as well as simpler aspects of movement. Yet the precise nature of the neostriatums role in sequencing remains unclear. Here we used a “natural action” approach that combined electrophysiological and neuroethological techniques. We identified neostriatal neurons that code the serial order of natural movement sequences of rats. During grooming behavior, rats emit complex but highly predictable species-specific sequences of movements, termed “syntactic chains. ” Neuronal activity of 41% of cells in the dorsolateral and ventromedial neostriatum coded the sequential pattern of syntactic chains. Only 14% coded simple motor properties of grooming movements. Neurons fired preferentially during syntactic chains compared with similar grooming movements made in different sequential order or to behavioral resting. Sequential coding differed between the dorsolateral and ventromedial neostriatum. Neurons in the dorsolateral site increased firing by 116% during syntactic chains, compared with only a 30% increase by neurons in the ventromedial site, and dorsolateral neurons showed strongest coding of grooming syntax by several additional criteria. These data demonstrate that neostriatal neurons code abstract properties of serial order for natural movement and support the hypothesis that the dorsolateral neostriatum plays a special role in implementing action syntax.
Prime Suspects: The Influence of Local Television News on the Viewing Public

Local television news is the public's primary source of public affairs information. News stories about crime dominate local news programming because they meet the demand for 'action news. " The prevalence of this type of reporting has led to a crime narrative or "script" that includes two core elements: crime is violent and perpetrators of crime are non-white males. We show that this script has become an ingrained heuristic for understanding crime and race. Using a multi-method design, we assess the impact of the crime script on the viewing public. Our central finding is that exposure to the racial element of the crime script increases support for punitive approaches to crime and heightens negative attitudes about African-Americans among white, but not black, viewers. In closing, we consider the implications of our results for intergroup relations, electoral politics, and the practice of journalism. ocal television news is America's principal window on the world. Surveys of television viewing (e.g., Roper-Starch 1994), hours of daily programming (Papper and Gerhard 1999) and the actual share of the viewing audience captured by local newscasts (Hess 1991), all demonstrate the dominance of local news. In fact, people can watch live local news almost anytime-mornings, afternoons, evenings, prime time, and late night. As the amount of news time has increased, so too has competition between stations. The drive for audience ratings pushes local news organizations to favor an "action news" format. Stories about crime provide several necessary ingredients for the successful marketing of news-concrete events with powerful impact on ordinary people, drama and emotion, and, above all, attention-getting visuals. The special attraction of television to crime is reflected in the content of local television news. In a recent study of fifty-six different cities, crime was the most prominently featured subject in the local news (Klite, Bardwell, and Salzman 1997). In some cities, crime accounted for more than 75 percent of all news coverage. We argue that local news coverage of crime follows a standard script that features two distinct elements. First, crime is violent. Armed bank robberies, homicides, "home invasions," car)ackings, and gang-related activities are now staples of local news. The second element of the crime script is the presence of a particular suspect. Episodic reporting requires a regular "cast" of characters the most prominent of which is the suspect. Given the visual nature of the medium, the importance of the suspect to the script means that crime news is often accompanied by racial imagery (Campbell,
Young people's perceptions of tobacco packaging: a comparison of EU Tobacco Products Directive & Ireland's Standardisation of Tobacco Act

Objectives To measure young people's perceptions of tobacco packaging according to two current pieces of legislation: The EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and Ireland's Public Health (Standardisation of Tobacco Products) Act. Design Within-subject experimental cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of secondary school students. School-based pen and paper survey. Setting 27 secondary schools across Ireland, randomly stratified for size, geographic location, gender, religious affiliation and school-level socioeconomic status. Data were collected between March and May 2014. Participants 1378 fifth year secondary school students aged 16–17 in Ireland. Main outcome measures Young people's perceptions of attractiveness, health risk and smoker characteristics of packs according to EU and Irish branding and packaging guidelines. Results Packs with more branding elements were thought to be healthier than standardised packs for Silk Cut (χ2=158.58, p<0.001), Marlboro (χ2=113.65, p<0.001), and Benson and Hedges (χ2=137.95, p<0.001) brands. Generalized estimating equation binary regressions found that gender was a significant predictor of pack attractiveness for Silk Cut, with females being more likely to find the EU packs attractive (β=−0.45, p=0.007). Gender was a significant predictor for females with regards to the perceived popularity of the Silk Cut brand (β=−0.37, p=0.03). Conclusions The removal of brand identifiers, including colour, font and embossing, reduces the perceived appeal of cigarette packs for young people across all three tested brands. Packs standardised according to Irish legislation are perceived as less attractive, less healthy and smoked by less popular people than packs which conform to the EU TPD 2014 guidelines.
Model-based control of slugging flow: An experimental case study

In this paper, we compare two solutions for suppressing slug flow in pipes conveying a diphasic fluid by active feedback control of the outlet (production) choke. Conventionnaly, a non-collocated PI controller is used to stabilize the measured inlet pressure. Unfortunately, this method lacks robustness to changes in operating conditions and reveals difficult to calibrate. In this work, we propose a model-based approach to design a nonlinear state-feedback control law based on a first principles model of the slugging phenomenon. A theoretical proof of convergence of the closed-loop model is provided, as well as an experimental validation of these results on a mid-scale testbench.
Strong Convexity in Stochastic Programs with CompleteRecourse II : Partially Random Right-Hand Side

We establish a veriiable suucient condition for strong convexity of the expected recourse as a function of the tender variable in a two-stage stochastic program with linear recourse. Generalizing a former result where all components of the second-stage right-hand side vector were random we treat the case where only a subvector of the right-hand side is random. As prerequisite, a reened analysis of the polyhedral complex of lineality regions of the second-stage value function is carried out. The suucient condition for strong convexity allows to widen the class of recourse models for which certain quantitative results on stability and asymptotic convergence of optimal solutions are valid.
Lean-Agile-Flexibility Supply Chain Strategy and Supply Chain Performance in Malaysian Automotive Industry

–The development of automotive in Malaysia has started more than 25 years ago. The positive developments in the industry, which some extent were influenced by the automotive technology management that have been practice by Japan automotive companies. Recently, the selection of the right aspect in the Supply Chain Strategy (SCS) parallel to with the implementation of SCS is widely believed that it can improve the Supply Chain Performance (SCP) in automotive industry. The purpose of this paper are to identify the SCS and SCP measures for Malaysian Automotive Industry and to develop research model of the SCS and SCP measures relationship for Malaysian Automotive Industry. As a result, these researches are to investigating what does SCS contributes to SCP in Malaysian Automotive Industry. A structural relationship model using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) has been proposed. This model will be used to study the relationship between SCS and SCP in Malaysian automotive industries. Based on the proposed conceptual model and reviewed, research hypotheses are being developed. The research concludes with suggest future research
New Requirements Imposed by MMR-BS to Relay Link

Release The contributor grants a free, irrevocable license to the IEEE to incorporate material contained in this contribution, and any modifications thereof, in the creation of an IEEE Standards publication; to copyright in the IEEE’s name any IEEE Standards publication even though it may include portions of this contribution; and at the IEEE’s sole discretion to permit others to reproduce in whole or in part the resulting IEEE Standards publication. The contributor also acknowledges and accepts that this contribution may be made public by IEEE 802.16.
Differential effects of heparin, fibronectin, and laminin on the phosphorylation of basic fibroblast growth factor by protein kinase C and the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is synthesized as a phosphoprotein by both bovine capillary endothelial and human hepatoma cells in culture. Because basic FGF is characterized by its high affinity for heparin and its association in vivo with the extracellular matrix, we examined the possibility that the phosphorylation of this growth factor by purified protein kinase C (PK-C) and the catalytic subunit of cAMP- dependent protein kinase-A (PK-A) can be modulated by components of the extracellular matrix. Heparin and other glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) inhibit the ability of PK-C to phosphorylate basic FGF. In contrast, heparin can directly increase the phosphorylation of basic FGF by PK-A. While fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV have no effect on the ability of PK-C to phosphorylate basic FGF, they all can inhibit the effects of PK-A. Thus, there is a differential effect of extracellular matrix-derived proteins and GAGs on the phosphorylation of basic FGF. The enhanced phosphorylation of basic FGF that is mediated by heparin is associated with a change in the kinetics of the reaction and the identity of the amino acid targeted by this enzyme. The amino acids that are targeted by PK-C and PK-A have been identified by phosphopeptide analyses as Ser64 and Thr112, respectively. In the presence of heparin, basic FGF is no longer phosphorylated by PK-A at the usual PK-A consensus site (Thr112), but instead is phosphorylated at the canonical PK-C site (Ser64). Accordingly, heparin inhibits the phosphorylation of basic FGF by PK-C presumably by masking the PK-C dependent consensus sequence surrounding Ser64. Thus, when basic FGF is no longer phosphorylated by PK-A in the receptor binding domain (Thr112), it loses the increased receptor binding ability that characterizes PK-A phosphorylated basic FGF. The results presented here demonstrate three novel features of basic FGF. First, they identify a functional effect of the binding of heparin to basic FGF. Second, they establish that the binding of heparin to basic FGF can induce structural changes that alter the substrate specificity of protein kinases. Third, and perhaps most important, the results demonstrate the existence of a novel interaction between basic FGF, fibronectin, and laminin. Although the physiological significance of this phosphorylation is not known, these results clearly suggest that the biological activities of basic FGF are regulated by a complex array of biochemical interactions with the proteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans present in the extracellular milieu and the cytoplasm.
The dubious success of export subsidies for wheat

N MAY 15, 1985, the U.S. Depan’tment of Agrculture intm’oduced an export subsidy program called the Expomt Enhancement Pi-ogram (EEP). The progr’amnn’s mnnaimn goal is to increase U.S. agricultur-al expor-ts. ’ ‘The pr’ogr-am also is intemnded to induce European Community EC) r-eductions in agr-icultural subsidies during the cun’r-ent r-ound of nnultilateral tr’ade negotiations underthe Gener-al Agm’eennemnt on Tar ifs amnd Trade (GAiT).
Visual tracking with online discriminative learning

We treat tracking as a binary classification task in order to distinguish between an object to be tracked and the background. We propose to integrate an online learning based total-error-rate minimization method (OTER) with an observation model of particle filter for visual tracking. The particle filter is modeled using an affine dynamic model and an observation model. The observation model is constructed using the OTER classifier for binary pattern classification. The proposed method is empirically evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively using several publicly available video sequences.