Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Carbohydrate-Glycosphingolipid Interaction between a β-(1–3)-Glucan Immunomodulator, PGG-glucan, and Lactosylceramide of Human Leukocytes*

The immunomodulator Betafectin® PGG-glucan is a homopolymer of glucose derived from yeast cell walls which has been demonstrated to enhance leukocyte anti-infective activity in vitro and in vivo, without the induction of proinflammatory cytokines. We report here the purification of a PGG-glucan-binding element from human leukocytes and its identification as lactosylceramide, a major glycosphingolipid of neutrophils, which includes the CDw17 epitope. The binding of radiolabeled PGG-glucan to purified lactosylceramide was saturable, specific, and time- and temperature-dependent. Lactosylceramides from human leukocytes were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography in order to analyze the effect of ceramide structure on binding. A variety of fatty acid chain lengths with varying degrees of unsaturation were found to support binding to radiolabeled PGG-glucan. However, dl-lactosylceramides containing dihydrosphingosine did not bind. Radiolabeled PGG-glucan bound several other neutral glycosphingolipids with a terminal galactose, including galactosylceramide, globotriaosylceramide, and gangliotetraosylceramide. The binding of radiolabeled PGG-glucan to lactosylceramide was not inhibited by glycogen, dextran, mannan, pustulan, laminarin, or a low molecular weight β-(1–3)-glucan, but was inhibited by high molecular weight β-(1–3)-glucans and by a monoclonal antibody to lactosylceramide. Although this glycosphingolipid has been shown in numerous reports to bind various microorganisms, this represents the first report of lactosylceramide binding to a macromolecular carbohydrate.
Revealing the “Secret Garden”: The Informal Dimensions of Political Recruitment

Candidate selection and recruitment has been notably described as the “secret garden” of politics—an obscure process, often hidden from view, that is regulated largely by internal party rules, informal practices, and power relationships (cf. Gallagher and Marsh 1988). In this contribution, we contend that informal party practices and their gendered consequences are critically important for understanding the continuity of male political dominance and female underrepresentation. Rather than make a strict separation between formal and informal rules in the recruitment process, we argue that gender politics scholars must instead identify and empirically investigate the specific combinations of such rules that impact upon women's and men's political participation in parties. The proposed approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the bounded nature and variable outcomes of institutional innovation and party change.
OPTIMAL COVARIANCES IN RISK MODEL AGGREGATION

Abstract: Portfolio risk forecasts are often made by estimating an asset or factor covariance matrix. Practitioners commonly want to adjust a global covariance matrix encompassing several sub-markets by individually correcting the sub-market diagonal blocks. Since this is likely to result in the loss of positive semi-definiteness of the overall matrix, the off-diagonal blocks must then be adjusted to restore that property. Since there are many ways to do this adjustment, this leads to an optimization problem of Procrustes type. We discuss two solutions: a closed form solution using an adapted norm, and a fast iterative approach due to Koschat and Swayne.
LESBIAN EXCLUSION: 'I DIDN'T LEARN IT IN A COGNISANT SENSE, I ABSORBED IT THROUGH MY SKIN'

This article explores the ways in which a group of women in a study about lesbian health negotiated their sexual identity over time. This occurred through experiences of exclusion, being rendered unrecognisable as lesbian subjects and by embodying normalising and homophobic discourses that produce lesbianism as deviant. Many of the experiences related by the women happened early in their lives, but the impact remained with them in the present. These experiences affect the ways in which they negotiated the health care system and their own sexual subjectivity. The paper draws on the work of queer theorist Judith Butler in relation to survivable subjects, intelligible genders and domains of speakability. It concludes by drawing attention to the implications for this in clinical practice.
Level of High Sensitive C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin in Pregnant Women with Mild and Severe Preeclampsia

Background: In this study, we compare the level of two inflammatory markers, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), in pregnant women with mild and severe preeclampsia (PE) and women with normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: In this case–control study, normal pregnant women and pregnant women with PE were enrolled. Pregnant women with diagnosed PE were selected as case group and classified into two groups with mild and severe PE. Serum samples for measurement of hs-CRP and PCT were obtained and compared in studied groups. Results: In this study, 50 normal pregnant women and 59 pregnant women with PE, 26 (44.1%) mild, and 33 (55.9%) severe were studied. Mean of hs-CRP and PCT was higher in pregnant women with PE than normal pregnant women (7.71 ± 6.19 vs. 5.44 ± 3.94, P = 0.02 for hs-CRP and 0.05 ± 0.03 vs. 0.04 ± 0.01, P = 0.001 for PCT). Area under curve for hs-CRP and PCT was 0.611 and 0.646, respectively. The optimal cut-off point for hs-CRP was 5.24 with a sensitivity of 62.7% and a specificity of 56%. The optimal cut-off point for PCT was 0.042 with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 54%. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that higher level of hs-CRP and PCT in pregnant women with PE than those with normal pregnancy could potentially explain the exaggerated inflammation in PE. Regarding significantly increased level of hs-CRP in severe PE than mild PE, we could suggest that hs-CRP is more appropriate marker for investigating pregnant women with severe PE, and its clinical usefulness is superior to PCT in this regard.
The Photooxidation of Uric Acid by Anacystis nidulans.

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On the Structural Context and Identification of Enzyme Catalytic Residues

Enzymes play important roles in most of the biological processes. Although only a small fraction of residues are directly involved in catalytic reactions, these catalytic residues are the most crucial parts in enzymes. The study of the fundamental and unique features of catalytic residues benefits the understanding of enzyme functions and catalytic mechanisms. In this work, we analyze the structural context of catalytic residues based on theoretical and experimental structure flexibility. The results show that catalytic residues have distinct structural features and context. Their neighboring residues, whether sequence or structure neighbors within specific range, are usually structurally more rigid than those of noncatalytic residues. The structural context feature is combined with support vector machine to identify catalytic residues from enzyme structure. The prediction results are better or comparable to those of recent structure-based prediction methods.
Derechos lingüísticos y proceso penal.

The aim of this article is to argue that the right to use their own language in court is a fundamental right protected by Chilean law, intrinsically linked to due process and equality. It argues about the value of culture in a multicultural society and justification for differential treatment of persons belonging to indigenous minorities. The conclusions reflect on the notion of community standards multicultural and oral trials must meet to respect the fundamental rights of the indigenous languages mood involved in criminal proceedings.
Optimal Linear Non-Regenerative Multi-Hop MIMO Relays with MMSE-DFE Receiver at the Destination

In this paper, we study multi-hop non-regenerative multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay communications with any number of hops. We design the optimal source precoding matrix and the optimal relay amplifying matrices for such relay network where a nonlinear minimal mean-squared error (MMSE)-decision feedback equalizer (DFE) is used at the destination node. We first derive the structure of the optimal source and relay matrices. Then based on the link between most commonly used MIMO system design objectives and the diagonal elements of the MSE matrix, we classify the objective functions into two categories: Schur-convex and Schur-concave composite objective functions. We show that when the composite objective function is Schur-convex, the MMSE-DFE receiver together with the optimal source and relay matrices enable an arbitrary number of source symbols to be transmitted at one time, and yield a significantly improved BER performance compared with non-regenerative MIMO relay systems using linear receivers at the destination. We also show that for Schur-concave composite objective functions, the optimal source and relay matrices, and the optimal feed-forward matrix at the destination node jointly diagonalize the multi-hop MIMO relay channel, and thus in such case, the nonlinear MMSE-DFE receiver is essentially equivalent to a linear MMSE receiver.
A SEARCH FOR ADDITIONAL PLANETS IN THE NASA EPOXI OBSERVATIONS OF THE EXOPLANET SYSTEM GJ 436

We present time series photometry of the M dwarf transiting exoplanet system GJ 436 obtained with the Extrasolar Planet Observation and Characterization (EPOCh) component of the NASA EPOXI mission. We conduct a search of the high-precision time series for additional planets around GJ 436, which could be revealed either directly through their photometric transits or indirectly through the variations these second planets induce on the transits of the previously known planet. In the case of GJ 436, the presence of a second planet is perhaps indicated by the residual orbital eccentricity of the known hot Neptune companion. We find no candidate transits with significance higher than our detection limit. From Monte Carlo tests of the time series, we rule out transiting planets larger than 1.5 R⊕ interior to GJ 436b with 95% confidence and larger than 1.25 R⊕ with 80% confidence. Assuming coplanarity of additional planets with the orbit of GJ 436b, we cannot expect that putative planets with orbital periods longer than about 3.4 days will transit. However, if such a planet were to transit, we would rule out planets larger than 2.0 R⊕ with orbital periods less than 8.5 days with 95% confidence. We also place dynamical constraints on additional bodies in the GJ 436 system, independent of radial velocity measurements. Our analysis should serve as a useful guide for similar analyses of transiting exoplanets for which radial velocity measurements are not available, such as those discovered by the Kepler mission. From the lack of observed secular perturbations, we set upper limits on the mass of a second planet as small as 10 M⊕ in coplanar orbits and 1 M⊕ in non-coplanar orbits close to GJ 436b. We present refined estimates of the system parameters for GJ 436. We find P = 2.64389579 ± 0.00000080 d, R⋆ = 0.437 ± 0.016 R☉, and Rp = 3.880 ± 0.147 R⊕. We also report a sinusoidal modulation in the GJ 436 light curve that we attribute to star spots. This signal is best fit by a period of 9.01 days, although the duration of the EPOCh observations may not have been long enough to resolve the full rotation period of the star.
To Hold Me Is To Love Me: The Role of Touch in the Endowment Effect

We investigate the role of physical touch in the endowment effect – namely, whether physical characteristics of a product (i.e., whether it is fun-to-touch), along with individual differences in preference for touch, moderate the effect’s size. Sellers who are able to touch endowed items assign a higher selling price than those who don’t, suggesting that physical touch does play an important role in endowment. Analysis of both item characteristics and participants’ responses to the Need for Touch (NFT) scale suggest that it is the sensory experience associated with fun-to-touch items that supports this increase in valuation.
A Place for Motivational Interviewing in Probation

Motivational interviewing (MI) was developed by Miller in the early 1980s. From the beginning MI emphasised the counterproductive nature of the confrontational intervention models that were well established in the addiction field at that time.This article briefly outlines the key ideas that underpin the MI approach before looking at the possible place for this approach within the framework of the criminal justice system. Three questions are considered: 1. Is MI compatible with the philosophy, ethos and approach of the probation services in Ireland? 2. Does MI fit with the â? ~what worksâ? T movement in probation? 3. What is the position regarding the diffusion of MI within probation services?
Effects of technetium-99 methylenediphosphonate on cytokine-induced activation of retro-ocular fibroblasts from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of technetium-99 methylenediphosphonate (99Tc-MDP) on cell proliferation, hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis and the expressions of human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on cultured retro-ocular fibroblasts (RFs) from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. METHODS After two to seven passages, cultured RFs were incubated for 72 h with interferon-γ (100 U/ml), interleukin-1 (100 U/ml) or tumour necrosis factor-α (100 U/ml) in the presence of 99Tc-MDP. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1. RF proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. HA synthesis was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS At base conditions, the percentage of positive cells of HLA-DR and ICAM-1 on RFs was 6.70±3.06% and 5.29±3.02%, respectively, and the synthesis of HA was 337.8±42.7 ng/ml. Compared with basal values, 72-h incubation with cytokine significantly enhanced the expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1, and HA synthesis. 99Tc-MDP (1 ng/ml) had little effect on cytokine-induced HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression, and HA synthesis. When the concentration ranged from 10 to 100 ng/ml, 99Tc-MDP inhibited cytokine-induced RF activation in a dose-dependent manner. 99Tc-MDP also inhibited the proliferation of RFs in a dose-dependent manner. It was also found that 99Tc-MDP had the same effect on cytokine-induced RFs and skin fibroblasts from patients with normal individual conditions. CONCLUSIONS 99Tc-MDP could inhibit cytokine-induced activation of RFs derived from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Real-time Monitoring Technique Using SFC Classifier in NFV Environment

Network services which handle large-scale traffic require stability and security for the network. Traffic management for efficient traffic processing is also becoming an important issue. NFV (Network Function Virtualization) architecture has been developed to provide a flexible and effective framework to handle this issue and SFC (Service Function Chaining) technique which can configure a single network service by combining network traffic with requirements has been studied. In this paper, we propose a monitoring technique using RCC (Recyclable Counter with Confinement) based SFC classifier for efficient traffic management in SFC. The proposed technique can manage network security functions efficiently for abnormal traffic changing in real time and makes managing traffic better.
Disturbed voluntary motor activity in schizophrenic disorder

Synopsis Although motor features associated with schizophrenic disorders have been reported often, they have never been well understood and, since the introduction of neuroleptic drugs, they have been largely neglected. We report that disturbed voluntary motor activity occurs frequently among schizophrenics, is especially associated with features of formal thought disorder, but also with affective blunting, neurologic ‘soft’ signs. Certain motor and thinking abnormalities in schizophrenics may have a common pathogenetic basis.
EMPIRICAL STUDY ON PERSONAL MOTIVATION OF UGC IN Q&A COMMUNITY

Based on the existed literature and in-depth interviews, this paper puts forward a theoretical model of relationship between the users' personal motivation and UGC (User Generated Content) performance in QA while input cost is in an obvious negative correlation with QA while the affiliation need, the power need and external reward can be predictors of Q&A quality. Cost has no predictive function on the performance of the generated contents (Q&A quality or Q&A quantity).
Empirical Measurement of Freeway Oscillation Characteristics

A country-specific analysis of freeway traffic oscillations was conducted. Loop detector data from sites in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom were analyzed. With the use of a method applied in previous work, traffic oscillations were identified in all three countries. Calculation of the cross-correlation coefficient revealed that they traveled upstream at speeds of about 19 to 20 km/h at the U.S. site, 16 km/h at the German site, and 14 km/h on the U.K. freeway. Similar magnitudes were found in the literature verifying the hypothesis that they propagated faster in the United States than in Germany. Furthermore, an oscillation frequency was identified by calculation of the data's autocorrelation. However, since the oscillation frequency was likely to be site specific, conclusions regarding general differences between the frequencies measured in different countries cannot yet be made. For the sites analyzed, it was found that oscillations appeared every 8 to 12 min on the M4 (U.K. site), every 10 to 30 min on the A9 (German site), and every 3 to 6 min on OR-217 (U.S. site). Although the magnitudes of the latter two countries were supported by the literature, further empirical research on several different sites should be pursued to draw final conclusions.
Application of S-Curve methodology for forecasting of V2X communications and autonomous vehicle research

There is an important research concentration in the areas of V2X communication and autonomous vehicles. However, it is important to understand for companies, possible commercialization trend for these technologies to program their research strategies and investments. In this article, an attempt is made to determine the technology development trend for the related fields using S-Curve methodology and investigation of related articles. A short list of areas of research is also given.
Repair of type I endoleak by chimney technique after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Endovascular aneurysm repair is a minimally invasive, durable and effective alternative to open surgery for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, in patients who do not have an adequate sealing zone, open surgical repair is required, which may increase mortality and morbidity. An alternative treatment in patients with challenging anatomy is the so-called "chimney graft" technique. Here, we describe a case using the chimney graft technique for treatment of juxtarenal type I endoleak followed by a previous conventional stent graft insertion to the AAA with good results.
Active distribution network integrated planning incorporating distributed generation and load response uncertainties

Summary form only given: This paper presents a model for active distribution systems expansion planning based on Genetic Algorithms, where Distributed Generation (DG) integration is considered together with conventional alternatives for expansion, such as, rewiring, network reconfiguration, installation of new protection devices, etc. The novel approach of planning DG integration together with network expansion is a requirement for the modern active distribution network. However, the uncertainties related to DG power generation and load response growth must be taken into account in order to plan a safe system at a minimum cost. Thus, two different methodologies for uncertainties incorporation through the use of multiple scenarios analysis are proposed and compared. The multiple objectives optimization algorithm applied in the model takes into account the costs of reliability, losses, power imported from transmission, and network investments.
Virtual reality in assembly simulation: collision detection, simulation algorithms, and interaction techniques

Computer Graphik Edition is issued by Zentrum fur graphische Datenverarbeitung e.V. (ZGDV, Computer Graphics Center). Publications include current developments in research and application of Computer Graphics. This book presents frameworks, algorithms, and techniques in order to make the application of virtual reality for virtual prototyping feasible. The contributions are in the following areas: high-level specification of virtual environments, efficient interaction metaphors and frameworks, real-time collision detection and response, physically-based simulation, tracking, and virtual prototyping application development. A framework for authoring virtual environments is proposed. The main premise for the proposed framework is that it should be easy for non-computer scientists to author virtual environments. Therefore, the concept of actions, events, inputs, and objects is introduced. These entities can be combined to virtual environments by the event-based approach.Collision detection is one of the enabling technologies for all kinds of physically-based simulation and for virtual prototyping. This book proposes a collision detection pipeline as a framework for collision detection modules. Subsequently, several algorithms for all stages of the collision detection modules. Subsequently, several algorithms for all stages of the collision detection pipeline are developed and evaluated. Interaction in virtual environments comprises many different aspects: device handling, processing input data, navigation, interaction paradigms, and physically-based object behavior. For all of them, techniques, frameworks, or algorithms are presented in this book, with a particular emphasis on their application to virtual prototyping. Finally, virtual prototyping is discussed in general, while the virtual assembly simulation application is described in more detail. All frameworks and algorithms have been implemented in the commercial VR system Virtual Design II.