Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New insights into the mechanisms of Treg function

Purpose of reviewCD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial in controlling immunity and self-tolerance. Consequently, in transplantation, Tregs play a central role in inhibiting acute rejection and promoting allograft tolerance. A more complete understanding of Treg biology may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to enhance Treg numbers and function. Recent findingsThe maintenance of self-tolerance in nonlymphoid tissues requires the differentiation of Tregs in secondary lymphoid organs from naïve-like central Tregs into effector Tregs. Antigen and environmental cues guide this Treg differentiation, which parallels the types of adaptive immune responses taking place, allowing them to enter and function within specific nonlymphoid tissues. In addition to controlling inflammation, tissue-infiltrating Tregs unexpectedly regulate nonimmune processes, including metabolic homeostasis and tissue repair. Finally, Tregs can be directly and specifically targeted in vivo to augment their numbers or enhance their function in both secondary lymphoid organs and nonlymphoid tissues. SummaryTregs exhibit a previously unrecognized breadth of function, which includes tissue-specific specialization and the regulation of both immune and nonimmune processes. This is of particular importance in transplantation since allo-reactive memory T cells can act directly within the allograft. Thus, therapeutic approaches may need to promote Treg function in transplanted tissue, as well as in secondary lymphoid organs. Such therapy would not only prevent inflammation and acute rejection, but may also promote nonimmune processes within the allograft such as tissue homeostasis and repair.
Introduction to Autonomous Mobile Robots, Second Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the publisher. Introduction to autonomous mobile robots. -2nd ed. / Roland Siegwart, Illah R. Nourbakhsh, and Da-vide Scaramuzza. p. cm. -(Intelligent robotics and autonomous agents series) Includes bibliographical references and index. Robotics has achieved its greatest success to date in the world of industrial manufacturing. Robot arms, or manipulators, comprise a $ 2 billion industry. Bolted at its shoulder to a specific position in the assembly line, the robot arm can move with great speed and accuracy to perform repetitive tasks such as spot welding and painting (figure 1.1). In the electronics industry, manipulators place surface-mounted components with superhuman precision, making the portable telephone and laptop computer possible. Yet, for all of their successes, these commercial robots suffer from a fundamental disadvantage: lack of mobility. A fixed manipulator has a limited range of motion that depends Figure 1.1 Picture of auto assembly plant-spot welding robot of KUKA and a parallel robot Delta of SIG Dem-aurex SA (invented at EPFL [296]) during packaging of chocolates. 2 Chapter 1 on where it is bolted down. In contrast, a mobile robot would be able to travel throughout the manufacturing plant, flexibly applying its talents wherever it is most effective. This book focuses on the technology of mobility: how can a mobile robot move unsu-pervised through real-world environments to fulfill its tasks? The first challenge is locomo-tion itself. How should a mobile robot move, and what is it about a particular locomotion mechanism that makes it superior to alternative locomotion mechanisms? Hostile environments such as Mars trigger even more unusual locomotion mechanisms (figure 1.2). In dangerous and inhospitable environments, even on Earth, such teleoperated systems have gained popularity (figures 1.3-1.6). In these cases, the low-level complexities of the robot often make it impossible for a human operator to control its motions directly. The human performs localization and cognition activities but relies on the robot's control scheme to provide motion control. For example, Plustech's walking robot provides automatic leg coordination while the human operator chooses an overall direction of travel (figure 1.3). Figure 1.6 depicts an underwater vehicle that controls three propellers to stabilize the robot submarine autonomously in spite of underwater turbulence and water currents while the operator chooses position goals for the submarine to achieve. …
DNA repair in Escherichia coli mutants deficient in DNA polymerases I, II and-or 3.

E. coli mutants deficient in DNA polymerase I, in DNA polymerases I and II, or in DNA polymerase III, can efficiently and completely execute excision repair and post-replication repair of UV-damaged DNA at 43 degrees when assayed by alkaline sucrose gradients. Repair by cells deficient in polymerase I and in polymerases I and II is inhibited by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine at 43 degrees , whereas that by cells deficient in polymerase III is insensitive to the inhibitor. When both DNA polymerases I and III are deficient, both excision repair and post-replication repair are greatly reduced at 43 degrees , and the residual repair capability is inhibited by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Very little dark repair is observed in cells deficient in DNA polymerases I, II, and III, and the DNA is extensively degraded. These results suggest that either DNA polymerase I or DNA polymerase III is required for complete and efficient repair, and that when both DNA polymerases I and III are deficient, DNA polymerase II mediates a limited, incomplete dark repair of UV-damaged DNA. DNA polymerases I and III thus appear to be important enzymes in both DNA replication and DNA dark repair.
The International Journal of Biostatistics A Doubly Robust Censoring Unbiased Transformation

We consider random design nonparametric regression when the response variable is subject to right censoring. Following the work of Fan and Gijbels (1994), a common approach to this problem is to apply what has been termed a censoring unbiased transformation to the data to obtain surrogate responses, and then enter these surrogate responses with covariate data into standard smoothing algorithms. Existing censoring unbiased transformations generally depend on either the conditional survival function of the response of interest, or that of the censoring variable. We show that a mapping introduced in another statistical context is in fact a censoring unbiased transformation with a beneficial double robustness property, in that it can be used for nonparametric regression if either of these two conditional distributions are estimated accurately. Advantages of using this transformation for smoothing are illustrated in simulations and on the Stanford heart transplant data.
TRAKS: Terrorist Related Assessment using Knowledge Similarity

Since the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, homeland security has been a major topic of both research and application. The identification and possible prevention of various contributing factors to terrorist activities, such as money laundering, identity theft, terrorist planning, etc, are in high demand. The terrorist attacks on September 11 have reinforced this area of interest dramatically. These attacks alone caused an estimated “$120 billion of damage” [1] and claimed around 3000 lives [2]. Clearly, something must be done to prevent the types of events from happening in the future.
Key Properties for Comparing Modeling Languages and Tools: Usability, Completeness and Scalability

We discuss key properties that we have focused on when designing the Model-Oriented Programming language Umple and its support tools. Usability is key because we want to enable modellers to work rapidly, make fewer mistakes, and appreciate the benefits of modeling better. Completeness in code generation with respect to UML is important because most tools omit important semantics in the code they generate. Scalability is important because we want it to be possible to develop a system of arbitrary size. In this paper we highlight some of the essentials of how we have addressed these key properties in Umple. We also discuss how these properties can be used to compare modeling approaches.
A Computational Model for Visual Selection

We propose a computational model for detecting and localizing instances from an object class in static gray-level images. We divide detection into visual selection and final classification, concentrating on the former: drastically reducing the number of candidate regions that require further, usually more intensive, processing, but with a minimum of computation and missed detections. Bottom-up processing is based on local groupings of edge fragments constrained by loose geometrical relationships. They have no a priori semantic or geometric interpretation. The role of training is to select special groupings that are moderately likely at certain places on the object but rare in the background. We show that the statistics in both populations are stable. The candidate regions are those that contain global arrangements of several local groupings. Whereas our model was not conceived to explain brain functions, it does cohere with evidence about the functions of neurons in V1 and V2, such as responses to coarse or incomplete patterns (e.g., illusory contours) and to scale and translation invariance in IT. Finally, the algorithm is applied to face and symbol detection.
The expression of adiponectin receptors Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 is associated with an intestinal histotype and longer survival in gastric carcinoma

Background: Adiponectin (ApN) is a 30 kDa adipocytokine which mediates an antineoplastic effect after binding to its receptors, Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2. The expression of these receptors has been documented in gastric cancer (GC) cell lines, but only a few data exist on their expression in GC neoplastic tissue. Aim: To investigate the expression of Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 in a series of surgically resected GCs and to assess its association with various tumour clinicopathological characteristics as well as with patient survival. Methods: Forty-nine surgically resected GCs were submitted to immunohistochemical assays for Adipo-R1, Adipo-R2 and ApN. Results: Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 immunoexpression was found in 22/49 GCs and in intestinal metaplasia areas near the tumours, whereas only slight immunoreactivity for these proteins was found in adjacent normal gastric epithelium. No ApN expression was encountered in any of the cases analysed. Adipo-R1/Adipo-R2 expression was significantly associated with an intestinal histotype of the tumours and with longer overall survival of the patients. Conclusions: Intestinal-type GCs often express Adipo-R1/R2 in association with a better prognosis. The presence of these receptors could be exploited for novel anticancer therapies based on ApN addition in GC.
Stochastic neural network control of rigid robot manipulator with passive last joint

Stochastic adaptive control of a manipulator with a passive joint which has neither an actuator nor a holding brake is investigated. Aiming at shaping the controlled manipulators dynamics to be of minimized motion tracking errors and joint accelerations, we employ the linear quadratic regulation (LQR) optimization technique to obtain an optimal reference model. Adaptive neural network (NN) control has been developed to ensure the reference model can be matched in finite time, in the presence of various uncertainties and stochastic noise. In addition, due to the stochastic noise, we transform the system equation to the Ito stochastic differential equation (SDE) form and then use the Ito formula to deal with the stochastic terms of the systems. Simulation studies show the effectiveness of the planned trajectory and the feedback control laws.
Building HMM based unit-selection speech synthesis system using synthetic speech naturalness evaluation score

This paper proposes a unit-selection and waveform concatenation speech synthesis system based on synthetic speech naturalness evaluation. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) based synthetic speech naturalness evaluation system was introduced in our previous work. In this paper, the evaluation system is improved in three aspects. Finally, a unit-selection and concatenation waveform speech synthesis system is built on the base of the synthetic speech naturalness evaluation system. Optimum unit sequence is chosen through the re-scoring for the N-best path. Subjective listening tests show the proposed synthetic speech evaluation based speech synthesis system significantly outperforms the traditional unit-selection speech synthesis system.
Spontaneous Oscillatory Rhythms in the Degenerating Mouse Retina Modulate Retinal Ganglion Cell Responses to Electrical Stimulation

Characterization of the electrical activity of the retina in the animal models of retinal degeneration has been carried out in part to understand the progression of retinal degenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), but also to determine optimum stimulus paradigms for use with retinal prosthetic devices. The models most studied in this regard have been the two lines of mice deficient in the β-subunit of phosphodiesterase (rd1 and rd10 mice), where the degenerating retinas exhibit characteristic spontaneous hyperactivity and oscillatory local field potentials (LFPs). Additionally, there is a robust ~10 Hz rhythmic burst of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) spikes on the trough of the oscillatory LFP. In rd1 mice, the rhythmic burst of RGC spikes is always phase-locked with the oscillatory LFP and this phase-locking property is preserved regardless of postnatal ages. However, in rd10 mice, the frequency of the oscillatory rhythm changes according to postnatal age, suggesting that this rhythm might be a marker of the stage of degeneration. Furthermore when a biphasic current stimulus is applied to rd10 mice degenerate retina, distinct RGC response patterns that correlate with the stage of degeneration emerge. This review also considers the significance of these response properties.
Noradrenaline and Dopamine Efflux in the Prefrontal Cortex in Relation to Appetitive Classical Conditioning

We trained rats to learn that an auditory stimulus predicted delivery of reward pellets in the Skinner box. After 2 d of training, we measured changes in efflux of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) in the medial prefrontal cortex using microdialysis on the third day. Animals were subjected to a normal rewarded session and an extinction session, in which the auditory stimulus was presented alone. In the rewarded session, both NA and DA efflux were increased, but in extinction, only NA was activated. The data suggest that NA has a role in the reaction to reward-predicting stimuli, which complements that of DA.
The 19 Genomes of Drosophila: A BAC Library Resource for Genus-Wide and Genome-Scale Comparative Evolutionary Research

The genus Drosophila has been the subject of intense comparative phylogenomics characterization to provide insights into genome evolution under diverse biological and ecological contexts and to functionally annotate the Drosophila melanogaster genome, a model system for animal and insect genetics. Recent sequencing of 11 additional Drosophila species from various divergence points of the genus is a first step in this direction. However, to fully reap the benefits of this resource, the Drosophila community is faced with two critical needs: i.e., the expansion of genomic resources from a much broader range of phylogenetic diversity and the development of additional resources to aid in finishing the existing draft genomes. To address these needs, we report the first synthesis of a comprehensive set of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) resources for 19 Drosophila species from all three subgenera. Ten libraries were derived from the exact source used to generate 10 of the 12 draft genomes, while the rest were generated from a strategically selected set of species on the basis of salient ecological and life history features and their phylogenetic positions. The majority of the new species have at least one sequenced reference genome for immediate comparative benefit. This 19-BAC library set was rigorously characterized and shown to have large insert sizes (125–168 kb), low nonrecombinant clone content (0.3–5.3%), and deep coverage (9.1–42.9×). Further, we demonstrated the utility of this BAC resource for generating physical maps of targeted loci, refining draft sequence assemblies and identifying potential genomic rearrangements across the phylogeny.
FLUID RESUSCITATION IN SEVERE SEPSIS AND SEPTIC SHOCK: ALBUMIN, HYDROXYETHYL STARCH, GELATIN OR RINGER'S LACTATE-DOES IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the type of i.v. fluid administered has an impact on outcome in an animal model of septic shock. The study included 28 anesthetized, invasively monitored, mechanically ventilated female sheep (29.5 ± 4.0 kg), which received 0.5 g/kg body weight of feces into the abdominal cavity to induce peritonitis. During the surgical operation and 4 h after feces spillage, only Ringer's lactate (RL) was administered in all animals. Thereafter, animals were randomized to receive continuous infusions of RL (n = 7) alone or combined with either 20% albumin (n = 7, volume ratio to RL 1:10) or 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) (n = 7, volume ratio to RL 1:1), or gelatin alone (n= 7, no volume limitation). Fluid resuscitation was titrated to maintain pulmonary artery occlusion pressure at baseline levels throughout the experiment. No antibiotics or vasoactive drugs were administered, and animals were monitored until their spontaneous death. Hemodynamic variables were better with HES and albumin than with the other fluids, as reflected by higher stroke volume, cardiac index, and oxygen delivery (all P < 0.05). Hydroxyethyl-starch-treated animals also had lower arterial lactate concentrations (P < 0.01). However, times to develop hypotension and oliguria were similar in all groups. Blood interleukin (IL) 6 concentrations were significantly increased in all groups. The mean survival time was similar in all groups. In this clinically relevant model of prolonged septic shock, albumin and HES solution resulted in higher cardiac output, oxygen delivery, and lower blood lactate levels than gelatin and RL; however, the choice of i.v. fluid did not affect outcome.ABBREVIATIONS-RL-Ringer's lactate; HES-Hydroxyethyl starch; PAOP-Pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure; IL-Interleukin; FiO2-Inspired oxygen fraction; PaO2-Arterial partial pressure of oxygen; PaCO2-Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide; MAP-Mean arterial pressure; CI-Cardiac index; DO2-Oxygen delivery; COP-Colloid osmotic pressure; ELISA-Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; PBS-Phosphate-buffered saline; HRP-Horseradish peroxidase; SD-Standard deviation; SE-Standard error; ANOVA-Analysis of variance
H I line observations of luminous infrared galaxy mergers

A total of 19 luminous infrared galaxy mergers, with $L_{\rm IR} \ga 2 10^{11} L_{\odot}$, for $H_0=75$ km s -1 Mpc -1 , have been observed in the H i line at Nancay and four of them were observed at Arecibo as well. Of these 19, ten had not been observed before. Six were clearly detected, one of which for the first time. The objective was to statistically sample the H i gas mass in luminous infrared mergers along a starburst merger sequence where the molecular CO gas content is already known. We also searched the literature for H i data and compared these with our observations.
Directed Forgetting of Happy and Angry Faces: The Effects of Facial Emotion and Sex on Recognition Memory for Facial Identity

The literature on directed forgetting – which refers to forgetting the specified information intentionally – has almost exclusively focused on either emotional words or pictures. Consequently, little is known about the impact of facial stimuli that demand more complex cognitive processing than words or pictures. A pilot study was conducted to obtain norm ratings on 152 facial images portraying neutral, happy and angry emotions. From this set of facial stimuli, 96 faces were selected for the main study. In the main study, 75 female participants were presented with 48 faces individually with equal number of happy and angry and, male and female faces. Half the faces were followed by a cue to remember and the remaining half a cue to forget. Following which, all participants were presented with emotionally neutral faces and asked to indicate if they had seen the face or not, including those they were previously told to forget. Results demonstrated that directed forgetting effects were significantly modulated by facial emotions and sex of faces. Specifically, forgetting costs (i.e., impaired memory for to-be-forgotten faces) were eliminated for angry faces and male faces. Given the literature that has documented happy face advantages in remembering (e.g., D'Argembeau, Van der Linden, Comblain, & Etienne, 2003), our findings suggest that forgetting of emotional faces may implicate potentially different mechanisms from those underlying remembering. The findings also imply the important role of emotional
Expression of MAL, an Integral Protein Component of the Machinery for Raft-mediated Apical Transport, in Human Epithelia

The MAL protein is the only integral membrane protein identified as being an essential component of the machinery necessary for apical transport in the canine MDCK cell line, a paradigm of polarized epithelial cells. To characterize the range of human epithelia that use MAL-mediated pathways of transport, we performed an immunohistochemical survey of normal tissues using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for the MAL protein. For comparison, different types of carcinoma were also analyzed. MAL, with a characteristic strong supranuclear granular distribution, was detected in specific types of normal epithelial cells throughout the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, and in exocrine and endocrine glands. Absorptive cells (e.g., enterocytes), and many different types of specialized secretory cells, either organized in discrete clusters (e.g., endocrine cells in the pancreas), gathered together in an endocrine gland (e.g., thyroid), interspersed with other cells in glands (e.g., parietal cells), or dispersed singly among other cells (e.g., type 2 pneumocytes) were positive for MAL. We also analyzed a series of epithelial renal and thyroid tumors and found alterations dependent on the particular histological type of tumor. These results open potential applications of the anti-MAL antibody for the characterization of neoplastic tissue.
Packet Coding for Strong Anonymity in Ad Hoc Networks

Several techniques to improve anonymity have been proposed in the literature. They rely basically on multicast or on onion routing to thwart global attackers or local attackers respectively. None of the techniques provide a combined solution due to the incompatibility between the two components, as we show in this paper. We propose novel packet coding techniques that make the combination possible, thus integrating the advantages in a more complete and robust solution