Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soluble CCL5 Derived from Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Activated by Amyloid β Ameliorates Alzheimer's Disease in Mice by Recruiting Bone Marrow‐Induced Microglia Immune Responses

Microglia have the ability to eliminate amyloid β (Aβ) by a cell‐specific phagocytic mechanism, and bone marrow (BM) stem cells have shown a beneficial effect through endogenous microglia activation in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. However, the mechanisms underlying BM‐induced activation of microglia have not been resolved. Here we show that BM‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induced the migration of microglia when exposed to Aβ in vitro. Cytokine array analysis of the BM‐MSC media obtained after stimulation by Aβ further revealed elevated release of the chemoattractive factor, CCL5. We also observed that CCL5 was increased when BM‐MSCs were transplanted into the brains of Aβ‐deposited AD mice, but not normal mice. Interestingly, alternative activation of microglia in AD mice was associated with elevated CCL5 expression following intracerebral BM‐MSC transplantation. Furthermore, by generating an AD‐green fluorescent protein chimeric mouse, we ascertained that endogenous BM cells, recruited into the brain by CCL5, induced microglial activation. Additionally, we observed that neprilysin and interleukin‐4 derived from the alternative microglia were associated with a reduction in Aβ deposition and memory impairment in AD mice. These results suggest that the beneficial effects observed in AD mice after intracerebral SC transplantation may be explained by alternative microglia activation. The recruitment of the alternative microglia into the brain is driven by CCL5 secretion from the transplanted BM‐MSCs, which itself is induced by Aβ deposition in the AD brain. Stem Cells201230:1544–1555;
Automated Space/Time Scaling of Streaming Task Graph

In this paper, we describe a high-level synthesis (HLS) tool that automatically allows area/throughput trade-offs for implementing streaming task graphs (STG). Our tool targets a massively parallel processor array (MPPA) architecture, very similar to the Ambric MPPA chip architecture, which is to be implemented as an FPGA overlay. Similar to Ambric tools, our HLS tool accepts a STG as input written in a subset of Java and a structural language in the style of a Kahn Processing Network (KPN). Unlike the Ambric tools, our HLS tool analyzes the parallelism internal to each Java "node" and evaluates the throughput and area of several possible implementations. It then analyzes the full graph for bottlenecks or excess compute capacity, selects an implementation for each node, and even considers replicating or splitting nodes while either minimizing area (for a fixed throughput target), or maximizing throughput (for a fixed area target). In addition to traditional node selection and replication methods used in prior work, we have uniquely implemented node combining and splitting to find a better area/throughput trade-off. We present two optimization approaches, a formal ILP formulation and a heuristic solution. Results show that the heuristic is more flexible and can find design points not available to the ILP, thereby achieving superior results.
Antiretroviral Therapy Fails to Restore Levels of HIV-1 Restriction miRNAs in PBMCs of HIV-1-infected MSM

AbstractA number of cellular microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to have the ability to inhibit HIV-1 replication. In this study, we examined the impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on the expression of HIV-1 restriction miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1–infected men who have sex with men (MSM). Compared with male healthy donors, HIV-infected MSM had significantly lower levels of 9 HIV-1 restriction miRNAs. The treatment of HIV-1–infected MSM with cART, however, failed to restore the levels of these miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These observations suggest that the suppression of the cellular restriction miRNAs by HIV-1 may attribute to the virus latency during cART.
Performance optimisation of control channel in ForCES-based software defined network

The traditional network architecture cannot meet the growing needs of increasingly diverse network applications. The new generation network architectures, software defined network (SDN) which have features of high openness, flexibility, scalability and high controllability have widely been studied. However, a series of new problems are also produced in this new architecture, such as security problem resulted from the high openness, and performance problem resulted from the high flexibility. Currently, the researchers are mainly concentrated in the implementation and standardisation of SDN. There is no good approach to evaluate and optimise the system performance. This studies the performance problems unresolved in SDN research area, and proposed an idea and method to analyse the control channel of ForCES (Forwarding and Control Element Separation)-based SDN by using the stochastic network calculus theory. First, the architecture of ForCES-based SDN is introduced. Then, the performance model of the channel is given. Based on the model, an optimisation method to performance is detailed. This study also gives a simulation by using NS-2 (Network Simulator, Version 2) to verify the correctness and reliability of the performance model.
Antagonistic neural networks underlying differentiated leadership roles

The emergence of two distinct leadership roles, the task leader and the socio-emotional leader, has been documented in the leadership literature since the 1950s. Recent research in neuroscience suggests that the division between task-oriented and socio-emotional-oriented roles derives from a fundamental feature of our neurobiology: an antagonistic relationship between two large-scale cortical networks – the task-positive network (TPN) and the default mode network (DMN). Neural activity in TPN tends to inhibit activity in the DMN, and vice versa. The TPN is important for problem solving, focusing of attention, making decisions, and control of action. The DMN plays a central role in emotional self-awareness, social cognition, and ethical decision making. It is also strongly linked to creativity and openness to new ideas. Because activation of the TPN tends to suppress activity in the DMN, an over-emphasis on task-oriented leadership may prove deleterious to social and emotional aspects of leadership. Similarly, an overemphasis on the DMN would result in difficulty focusing attention, making decisions, and solving known problems. In this paper, we will review major streams of theory and research on leadership roles in the context of recent findings from neuroscience and psychology. We conclude by suggesting that emerging research challenges the assumption that role differentiation is both natural and necessary, in particular when openness to new ideas, people, emotions, and ethical concerns are important to success.
Perception of TQM Implementation and Perceived Cost of Poor Quality: A Case Study of Local Automotive Company’s Supplier

The confirmatory of Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation is most vital in quality management. This paper focuses on employees' perceptions towards TQM implementation in a local automotive company supplier. The objectives of this study are first and foremost to determine the perception of TQM implementation among the staff, and secondly to ascertain the correlation between the variables, and lastly to identify the relative influence of the 10 TQM variables on the cost of poor quality (COPQ). The TQM implementation is perceived to be moderate. All correlation is found to be significant and five variables having positively moderate to high correlation. Out of 10 variables, quality system improvement, reward and recognition and customer focus influence the perceived COPQ. This study extended a discussion on these three variables contribution to TQM in general and the human resource development in the organization. A significant recommendation to lowering costs of internal error, such as trouble shooting and scraps are also discussed. Certain components of further research that would add value to this study have also been suggested and perhaps could be implemented at policy-level initiatives. Keywords—Cost of poor quality, correlation, total quality management, variables.
Partial, multi-scale precomputed radiance transfer

This paper presents a real-time global illumination method for quasi-static scenes illuminated by arbitrary, dynamic light sources. In order to maintain real-time frame-rates, the light transport problem is decomposed to low-frequency and high-frequency parts. The part that has low-frequency characteristics both in the temporal and in the spatial domains is pre-computed. Due to the low-frequency properties this solution can be compressed by clustered PCA without significant reduction of the accuracy. The spatial high-frequency but temporal low-frequency parts are pre-computed on small-scale using a modified ambient occlusion/obscurances method. The temporally high-frequency components are obtained on the fly. This way we can combine the advantages of pre-computation aided methods and real-time rendering.
Does an impaired flow mediated vasodilatation predict hypertension in offspring hypertensive parents?

The vascular endothelium is an essential organ that exerts important roles in the cardiovascular system. Not only does it control underlying smooth muscle tone, but it also modulates other functions such as activation of leucocytes and platelets, the coagulation cascade, vascular permeability, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Vascular smooth muscle tone is continuously regulated by a delicate balance of vasodilating (that is, nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin, and endothelium derived hyperpolarising factor) and contracting (that is, endothelin-1, thromboxane A2, prostaglandin H2, and superoxide anion) substances. Dysfunction of the endothelium is generally expressed by either a decreased release of these vasodilators, or increased production of endothelium derived vasoconstrictors, or both. Human essential hypertension has been associated with alterations in endothelial function. Indeed, most studies have shown blunted forearm and coronary blood flow responses to muscarinic agonists, along with a preserved response to sodium nitroprusside. Furthermore, inhibition of NO synthase has suggested that basal NO mediated vasodilatation is abnormal in patients with essential hypertension. In addition, measurement of a specific biochemical marker of the L-arginine-NO pathway—conversion of L-[15N]2-arginine to [15N] nitrate—has shown that the basal production of NO is decreased in essential hypertension. Flow mediated vasodilatation is a useful index of endothelial function.1 It measures the change in the calibre of conductance arteries (that is, brachial, radial or femoral artery) during reactive hyperaemia, a manoeuvre that increases …
Accidental hypoglycaemia caused by an arterial flush drug error: a case report and contributory causes analysis

In 2008, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) issued a Rapid Response Report concerning problems with infusions and sampling from arterial lines. The risk of blood sample contamination from glucose‐containing arterial line infusions was highlighted and changes in arterial line management were recommended. Despite this guidance, errors with arterial line infusions remain common. We report a case of severe hypoglycaemia and neuroglycopenia caused by glucose contamination of arterial line blood samples. This case occurred despite the implementation of the practice changes recommended in the 2008 NPSA alert. We report an analysis of the factors contributing to this incident using the Yorkshire Contributory Factors Framework. We discuss the nature of the errors that occurred and list the consequent changes in practice implemented on our unit to prevent recurrence of this incident, which go well beyond those recommended by the NPSA in 2008.
Measurement-Based Characterizations of On-Body Channel in the Human Walking Scenario

In Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), on-body channels undergo temporal variations predominantly because of the body motion and shadowing of tissue. This paper focuses on a common human activity, walking, to explore the characteristics of the dynamic on-body propagation channel. A customized portable wireless sounder is built and utilized to collect the original on-body channel data both for the indoor and outdoor environments. We focus on exploring the second-order statistics of the on-channel data during walking, including the temporal autocorrelation, the cross- correlation and the path loss discrepancy between the two correlated links. This channel characterization facilitates more efficient designs and evaluations of WBAN systems, including more efficient network resource allocation and more efficient deployment of cooperative communication.
EWS/FLI Mediates Transcriptional Repression via NKX2.2 during Oncogenic Transformation in Ewing's Sarcoma

EWS/FLI is a master regulator of Ewing's sarcoma formation. Gene expression studies in A673 Ewing's sarcoma cells have demonstrated that EWS/FLI downregulates more genes than it upregulates, suggesting that EWS/FLI, and/or its targets, function as transcriptional repressors. One critical EWS/FLI target, NKX2.2, is a transcription factor that contains both transcriptional activation and transcriptional repression domains, raising the possibility that it mediates portions of the EWS/FLI transcriptional signature. We now report that microarray analysis demonstrated that the transcriptional profile of NKX2.2 consists solely of downregulated genes, and overlaps with the EWS/FLI downregulated signature, suggesting that NKX2.2 mediates oncogenic transformation via transcriptional repression. Structure-function analysis revealed that the DNA binding and repressor domains in NKX2.2 are required for oncogenesis in Ewing's sarcoma cells, while the transcriptional activation domain is completely dispensable. Furthermore, blockade of TLE or HDAC function, two protein families thought to mediate the repressive function of NKX2.2, inhibited the transformed phenotype and reversed the NKX2.2 transcriptional profile in Ewing's sarcoma cells. Whole genome localization studies (ChIP-chip) revealed that a significant portion of the NKX2.2-repressed gene expression signature was directly mediated by NKX2.2 binding. These data demonstrate that the transcriptional repressive function of NKX2.2 is necessary, and sufficient, for the oncogenic phenotype of Ewing's sarcoma, and suggest a therapeutic approach to this disease.
Effects of PCV7 and PCV13 on invasive pneumococcal disease and carriage in Stockholm, Sweden

The effects of pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCVs) need to be investigated. In Stockholm County, Sweden, PCV7 was introduced in the childhood immunisation programme in 2007 and changed to PCV13 in 2010. Over 90% of all invasive isolates during 2005–2014 (n=2336) and carriage isolates, 260 before and 647 after vaccine introduction, were characterised by serotyping, molecular typing and antibiotic susceptibility, and serotype diversity was calculated. Clinical information was collected for children and adults with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The IPD incidence decreased post-PCV7, but not post-PCV13, in vaccinated children. Beneficial herd effects were seen in older children and adults, but not in the elderly. The herd protection was more pronounced post-PCV7 than post-PCV13. PCV7 serotypes decreased. IPD caused by PCV13 serotypes 3 and 19A increased post-PCV7. Post-PCV13, serotypes 6A and 19A, but not serotype 3, decreased. The serotype distribution changed in carriage and IPD to nonvaccine types, also in nonvaccinated populations. Expansion of non-PCV13 serotypes was largest following PCV13 introduction. Serotype diversity increased and nonvaccine clones emerged, such as CC433 (serotype 22F) in IPD and CC62 (serotype 11A) in carriage. In young children, meningitis, septicaemia and severe rhinosinusitis, but not bacteraemic pneumonia, decreased. Pneumococcal vaccination leads to expansion of new or minor serotypes/clones, also in nonvaccinated populations. New or minor serotypes/clones expanded, also in nonvaccinated populations, affecting future vaccine strategies http://ow.ly/VA9EO
Study and application on automatic tagging algorithm of image semantic information

Image annotation is an indispensable step in the process of CBIR (content-based image retrieval). It comprehensively considered both features of the image visual and text messages, which can improve the accuracy of the content-based image retrieval and make image search system more accurate when getting target image. Based on the study about the mainstream technology of the current image mark methods, using CMRM algorithm as machine learning model, this paper realized an image semantic automatic tagging module by combining training methods of image texture characteristics and image retrieval technologies based on color. The merger of this module and early results of CBIR enabled the combination of content-based retrieval and keyword retrieval. It made some improvements to the retrieval performance and narrowed the gap of semantics. Experimental results demonstrated that this project can to a certain extent help users more precisely retrieve to their target images more precise.
Generating Tailored, Comparative Descriptions in Spoken Dialogue

We describe an approach to presenting information in spoken dialogues that for the first time brings together multi-attribute decision models, strategic content planning, state-of-the-art dialogue management, and realization which incorporates prosodic features. The system selects the most important subset of available options to mention and the attributes that are most relevant to choosing between them, based on the user model. It also determines how to organize and express descriptions of selected options and attributes, including determination of information structure and rhetorical structure at the level of content planning, resulting in descriptions which, we hypothesize, are both memorable and easy for users to understand.
Efficient Batch Processing of Related Big Data Tasks using Persistent MapReduce Technique

The data generated by today's enterprises has been increasing at exponential rates in size from most recent couple of years. Also, the need to process and break down the substantial volumes of data has likewise expanded. In order to handle this enormous amount of data and to analyze the same, an open-source usage of Apache system, Hadoop is utilized now-a-days. Hadoop presented a utility computing model which offer replacement of traditional databases and processing techniques. Scalability and high availability of MapReduce makes it the first choice for big data analysis. This paper provides a brief introduction to HDFS and MapReduce. After studying them in detail, it later made to work on related tasks and store the cached result of mapper function which can be used as an input for general reducers. By this additional triggering agent, we were able to achieve the analysis result in approximately half the actual time.
Mechanical Properties and Fracture Surface Morphology of Dehp and Dinch Based Vinyl Plastisols

Owing to the relevance of plasticized PVC in the industrial plastic transformation sector, mainly in such sectors as interior decoration (furniture, wood) toys, household goods, shoes, auxiliary sectors, etc., this material makes an interesting study subject from the perspective of quality improvement, benefits, and versatility. The present study analyzes the fracture behavior of vinyl plastisols. With this objective, a low-toxicity plasticizer derived from dicarboxilate di-isononyl-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate,- DINCH and another plasticizer derived from ftalate, diethylhexyl phthalate — DEHP, widely employed at an industrial level, albeit with toxicity problems, has been used. The basis of this study is an analysis of the effects of the DINCH and DEHP plasticizers used, and their concentration in the fracture of the plastisol in order to optimize the service response of the material. This is conducted by means of a study of the fracture morphologies of the plastisols, in order to determine the mechanisms which cause the crack and to carry out a classification of the resulting topography of the fracture. This is directly linked to the plasticizer concentration, to the type of plasticizer used, and to the mechanical response obtained from the material.
Structure synthesis and singularity analysis of a parallel manipulator based on selective actuation

A parallel manipulator (PM) based on 3-limb design termed a selectively actuated parallel manipulator (SA-PM) is proposed. The end-effector of the manipulator can produce 3-DOF spherical motion, 3-DOF translation, 3-DOF hybrid motion, or complete 6-DOF spatial motion depending on the types of the actuation (rotary or linear) chosen for the actuators. The manipulator architecture decouples translation and rotation of the end-effector for individual control. The structure synthesis of SA-PM is achieved using the line geometry. A Lego model of the SA-PM is built for the constructibility and preliminary study. Singularity analysis of the SA-PM based on geometry is presented for all actuation schemes to facilitate the kinematic design of the manipulator. Because of the decoupled motion, the SA-PM has a great potential for high precision motion alignment and assembly, especially in micro- or nano-motion stage design.
Social inequalities in health by individual and household measures of social position in a cohort of healthy people

Study objective: It is increasingly recognised that different dimensions of social inequality may be linked to health by different pathways. Furthermore, factors operating at the individual level such as employment conditions may affect health in a different way from household level factors. The paper examines the associations between self rated health and four measures of social position— occupational class, household social advantage, personal and household income. Design: Multilevel logistic regression models were used to predict self rated health using longitudinal data from the British Household panel survey (BHPS) with respondents nested within households. Separate analyses were carried out for economically active and inactive respondents. Setting: Interview based surveys of adults living within households that are representative of British households. Participants: Adult respondents from the BHPS. Main results: Occupational class has relatively strong effects on the self rated health of the economically active, although household level factors also seem to influence their health. Household social advantage has relatively strong effects on the self rated health of the economically inactive. Conclusions: The paper found evidence in support of the view that different dimensions of social inequality have different pathways to self rated health. There are unexplained similarities in health between household members, which require further investigation.