Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IL-33 is processed into mature bioactive forms by neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) (NF-HEV) is a chromatin-associated nuclear cytokine from the IL-1 family, which has been linked to important diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and cardiovascular diseases. IL-33 signals through the ST2 receptor and drives cytokine production in type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) (natural helper cells, nuocytes), T-helper (Th)2 lymphocytes, mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, invariant natural killer T (iNKT), and natural killer (NK) cells. We and others recently reported that, unlike IL-1β and IL-18, full-length IL-33 is biologically active independently of caspase-1 cleavage and that processing by caspases results in IL-33 inactivation. We suggested that IL-33, which is released upon cellular damage, may function as an endogenous danger signal or alarmin, similar to IL-1α or high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1). Here, we investigated the possibility that IL-33 activity may be regulated by proteases released during inflammation. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, we demonstrate that neutrophil serine proteases cathepsin G and elastase can cleave full-length human IL-331–270 and generate mature forms IL-3395–270, IL-3399–270, and IL-33109–270. These forms are produced by activated human neutrophils ex vivo, are biologically active in vivo, and have a ∼10-fold higher activity than full-length IL-33 in cellular assays. Murine IL-33 is also cleaved by neutrophil cathepsin G and elastase, and both full-length and cleaved endogenous IL-33 could be detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in an in vivo model of acute lung injury associated with neutrophil infiltration. We propose that the inflammatory microenvironment may exacerbate disease-associated functions of IL-33 through the generation of highly active mature forms.
Control Contraction Metrics: Differential L2 Gain and Observer Duality

This paper studies the use of control contraction metrics in the solution of several problems in nonlinear control. We discuss integrability conditions of controls and give concrete results for mechanical systems. We also study the relationship between existence of a metric and differential L2 gain, a form of differential dissipativity, and the use of convex optimization for robust stabilization of nonlinear systems. Finally, we discuss a ``duality'' result between nonlinear stabilization problems and observer construction, in the process giving a novel construction of a nonlinear observer.
Controlled Illumination for the Object Recognition with Projector Camera Feedback

In this paper a novel image capturing method for a solution of shading problem in computer vision is proposed. In the experiments, we performed the evaluation about the conditions of environment lighting and additional lighting and proposed controlled lighting method. Image-processing of self quotient image algorithm, histogram equalization, and luminance equalization were used for pre-processing to remove shading from a captured image for the comparative evaluation. Through the evaluation of robustness assumed appearance based method, the proposed method showed most stable results. In addition to this, the capability of the high dynamic range image reconstruction with approximation by using of projector camera system has been shown.
Temporal patterns and selectivity in the unitary responses of olfactory receptors in the tiger salamander to odor stimulation

Temporal patterns and selectivity in unitary responses of 100 single olfactory receptors in the tiger salamander to odor stimulation were investigated. An olfactometer which permitted control of stimulus concentration, duration, and flow rate was calibrated with a gas chromatograph. Stimulus pulses were monitored by recording the electroolfactogram from the surface of the olfactory epithelium. Both diphasic and triphasic spikes were recorded extracellularly. No discernible differences in types of responses, reproducibility of responses, and cross-unit distribution of spontaneous rates distinguished diphasic from triphasic units. The cross-unit selectivity in responses to the seven olfactory stimulants used and the range of odorant concentrations which effectively evoked these responses suggest variations in types and number of types of receptive sites on each cell. Temporal patterns in the unitary responses were generally less complex than those observed in the olfactory bulb. Phasic stimulations evoked phasic patterns. Tonic stimulations evoked phasic/tonic patterns. Occasionally poststimulus depressions or elevations in firing rates were observed. The nature of these patterns varied somewhat with odorant concentration for a particular unit.
A Primer on Ultrafast Fiber Lasers

Useful background You’ll find it an advantage, but not essential, to have already done the experiments on the He-Ne laser (including modelocking) and on fiber-optics (how they work as waveguides, including single-mode waveguides, and the transverse distribution of fields). A little more important is the acoustic-waveguide experiment in this same lab-room, which leads you through pulse spreading due to group-velocity dispersion. If you haven’t done the experiments, it may be useful to read the experimental guide sheets.
Cisco's speaker segmentation and recognition system

This paper presents Cisco’s speaker segmentation and recognition (SSR) system, which is a part of a commercial product. Cisco SSR uses speaker segmentation and speaker recognition algorithms with a crowd sourcing approach to create speaker metadata. The speaker metadata makes the enterprise videos more accessible and more navigable by itself, and by its combination with other forms of metadata such as keywords. This paper illustrates various functional blocks of SSR and a typical user interface. The paper describes the specific implementations of speaker segmentation and recognition algorithms. The paper also describes the evaluation data and protocols plus results for both speaker segmentation and speaker recognition tasks. Speaker segmentation results show that Cisco SSR performs comparable to the state-of-the-art on RT-03F data. Speaker recognition results show that a small set of user provided labels can be effectively transferred to a continuously expanding set of videos.
Diffusion-weighted MRI of peritoneal tumors: comparison with conventional MRI and surgical and histopathologic findings--a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to evaluate the utility of single-shot spin-echo echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using a b value of 400-500 s/mm(2) for depicting peritoneal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four consecutive oncology patients underwent preoperative abdominal and pelvic MRI for tumor staging. MRI included breath-hold DWI with a b value of 400-500 s/mm(2), T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo, T2-weighted fast spin-echo, and 0- and 5-minute delayed gadolinium-enhanced imaging. At three separate sessions, two observers independently reviewed images for peritoneal tumors at 16 anatomic sites. First DWI alone was reviewed, followed by conventional MRI alone, and then conventional MRI, including DWI, was reviewed. Results of laparotomy and histopathologic evaluation were compared with MRI results. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for DWI, conventional MRI, and combined DWI and conventional MRI for peritoneal tumor depiction. RESULTS Two-hundred fifty-five sites of peritoneal tumor were proven by surgical and histopathologic findings. The combination of DWI and conventional MRI was most sensitive and accurate for peritoneal tumors, depicting 230 and 214 tumor sites for the two observers (sensitivity, 0.90, 0.84; and accuracy, 0.91, 0.88) compared with DWI alone, which depicted 182 and 182 tumor sites with sensitivity (0.71, 0.71; and accuracy, 0.81, 0.81), and conventional MRI alone, which depicted 185 and 132 tumor sites (sensitivity, 0.73, 0.52; and accuracy, 0.81, 0.72). Peritoneal tumor showed restricted diffusion on DWI and ascites was of low signal intensity, increasing tumor conspicuity. CONCLUSION Adding DWI to routine MRI improves the sensitivity and specificity for depicting peritoneal metastases. Breath-hold DWI is now routinely used in all oncology patients referred for abdominal MRI at our institution.
Uma nova metodologia para a simulao de escoamentos de fluidos viscoelsticos

Resumo: E proposta neste trabalho uma nova metodologia para resolucao das equacoes governantes de fluidos viscoelasticos, baseada no metodo dos volumes finitos, usando o arranjo co-localizado para as variaveis e malhas estruturadas. Sao utilizadas aproximacoes de alta ordem para os fluxos lineares e nao-lineares medios nas interfaces dos volumes, e para os termos nao-lineares que surgem da discretizacao das equacoes constitutivas. Nesta metodologia, os valores medios das variaveis nos volumes sao usados durante todo o procedimento de resolucao, e os valores pontuais sao obtidos ao final, atraves da deconvolucao dos valores medios. O sistema de equacoes discretizadas e resolvido de forma simultânea, pelo metodo de Newton. A metodologia e exemplificada para um problema classico em mecânica de fluidos computacional, o escoamento stick-slip, usando como equacao constitutiva o modelo de Oldroyd-B. As solucoes obtidas apresentaram boa precisao, sendo livres de oscilacoes mesmo em regioes de grandes gradientes das variaveis. Palavras-chave: Fluidos viscoelasticos, simulacao, metodo dos volumes finitos. A New Approach for Simulation of Viscoelastic Fluid Flows Abstract: In this work, a new methodology to solve the governing equations of viscoelastic fluid flows is proposed. This methodology is based on the finite-volume method with co-located arrangement of the variables, using high-order approximations for the linear and nonlinear average fluxes in the interfaces and for the nonlinear terms resulting from the discretization of the constitutive equations. In this methodology, the average values of the variable in the volumes are used during the resolution, and the point values are recovered in the post-processing step by deconvolution of the average values. The nonlinear equations, resulting from the discretization technique, are solved simultaneously, using the Newton's method. The solutions obtained are oscillation-free and accurate, as can be seen in the solution of the stick-slip flow, used as an illustrative example.
Post-processing for low bit-rate wavelet-based image coding using multiscale edge characterization

Summary form only given. At low bit rates, wavelet-based image coding is superior to most traditional block-based coding methods in that it does not introduce perceptually annoying blocking artifacts. However, the reconstructed images still suffer various coding artifacts at edges and continuous regions which are perceptually objectionable. Post-processing is an effective technique for improving image quality and, at the same time, keeping the compatibility with the existing encoder and decoder. In this work, we propose a new post-processing method for low bit-rate wavelet-based image coding using the techniques of overcomplete wavelet representation and multiscale edge characterization (Mallat 1992).
A proposal of personal information trading platform (PIT): A fair trading between personal information and incentives

Personal information is a valuable asset for service providers. They need personal information for several reasons such as target advertising and personalization. Many methods are used to collect personal information from consumers. However, sometimes more personal information than is needed is collected. Since consumers are now more concerned about their privacy, service providers are finding it a lot more difficult to collect consumer's personal information, which results in less benefit for both consumers and service providers. In this study, we propose a new personal information trading platform that provides benefit to both service providers and consumers. We present the platform design, functions and benefits, a proposed trading model, and the balanced personal information tradeoff model, which is used to measure the balance between the incentive to the service provider and the personal information of the consumer.
Cognitive Constrained Pulse Shaping for UWB Systems

The interference induced by UWB communication on systems operating in the frequency range between 0 and 10.6GHz is the main reason why the essential role in these systems' design is played by the pulse shape selection. That's why an accurate shaping choice can lead to avoid severe performance reduction and to guard systems coexistence. To this end, FCC (and ETSI in the near future) gave strict indications about the spectral limits to be respected, so as to define, as the purpose of UWB systems realization, the compliance with this spectral mask. The, widely used, choice of Gaussian-like pulses is, however, largely suboptimal from a power emission point of view since they are unable to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Goal of this contribution is to achieve a good compromise, in a cognitive way, between spectral emission, rate and synchronization errors robustness, via a modified version of the Parks-McClellan method, considering channel impairments due to its frequency-selective nature, to the inter-pulse interference and in-band interference.
Emergence of Serotype IV Group B Streptococcus Adult Invasive Disease in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, Is Driven by Clonal Sequence Type 459 Strains

ABSTRACT Serotype IV group B Streptococcus (GBS) is emerging in Canada and the United States with rates as high as 5% of the total burden of adult invasive GBS disease. To understand this emergence, we studied the population structure and assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility of serotype IV isolates causing adult invasive infection in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, between 2010 and 2014. Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine multilocus sequence typing information and identify genes encoding antimicrobial resistance in 85 invasive serotype IV GBS strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by standard methods. Strain divergence was assessed using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Serotype IV strains were responsible for 16.9% of adult invasive GBS infections in Manitoba and Saskatchewan during the period. The majority of serotype IV isolates (89%) were clonally related, tetracycline-, erythromycin-, and clindamycin-resistant sequence type 459 (ST459) strains that possessed genes tetM and ermTR. Genome comparisons between ST459 and serotype V ST1 GBS identified several areas of recombination in an overall similar genomic background. Serotype IV ST459 GBS strains are expanding and causing a substantial percentage of adult invasive GBS disease. This emergence may be linked to the acquisition of resistance to tetracycline, macrolides, and lincosamides.
Needlestick and sharps injuries among nursing students.

AIMS This paper reports the first investigation of the prevalence and nature of needlestick injuries among Australian nursing students. BACKGROUND Needlestick and sharps injuries are the most efficient method of transmitting blood-borne pathogens between patients and healthcare staff. Although nurses are known to be a high-risk subgroup for these events, nursing students may be at even greater risk due to their limited clinical experience. Despite this fact, the epidemiology of needlestick and sharps injuries among nursing students has not been clearly elucidated in Australia. METHODS A questionnaire-based methodology adapted from other international investigations was conducted among nursing students. We recruited a complete cross-section of students from a large university nursing school in North Queensland, Australia, in March 2004, and analysed needlestick and sharps events as a percentage of all students and also as a proportion of all cases. Risk factors were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS From a group of 319 students, 274 successfully completed questionnaires were obtained (overall response rate 85.9%). A total of 38 students (13.9%) reported a needlestick or sharps injury during the previous 12 months. By causative item, 6.2% of students had been injured by a normal hollow-bore syringe needle, 3.6% by a glass item and 3.3% by an insulin syringe needle. Regarding prior usage, 81.6% of all injuring items were unused, 15.8% had been used on a patient and the status of 2.6% was unknown. Most needlestick injuries occurred either in the nursing laboratory (45%) or the teaching hospital (37%). Opening the needle cap was the most common causative event (28% of all cases). A total of 39.5% of needlestick injuries were not reported. The main reason for non-reporting was that the item was unused (42%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that students in the third year were 14.8 times more likely to have experienced a needlestick injury than their counterparts in other years (odds ratio 14.8, 95% confidence interval 5.2-50.3, P < 0.01). These injury rates were higher among Australian nursing students than in other international studies. CONCLUSIONS Although hepatitis B vaccination coverage among the students was excellent, it is important that the principles of infection-control training and reporting of all needlestick and sharps continue to be emphasized throughout undergraduate nursing education.
Renal cell carcinoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 2%–3% of all adultmalignancies, representing the seventh most common cancer inmen and the ninth most common cancer in women [1]. Worldwide, there are ∼209000 new cases and 102000 deathsper year. The incidence of all stages of RCC has increased overthe past several years, contributing to a steadily increasing mor-tality rate per unit population. Active and passive cigarettesmoking is an established risk factor for RCC as well as hyper-tension. However, anti-hypertensive medications such as diure-tics are not independently associated with RCC development.RCC also appears to be more common in patients with obesity,end-stage renal failure, acquired renal cystic disease and tuber-ous sclerosis.Approximately 2%–3% of RCC are hereditary and severalautosomal dominant syndromes are described, each with a dis-tinct genetic basis and phenotype, the most common one beingVon Hippel Lindau disease.In recent years, many new genes associated with RCC havebeen reported (such as PBRM1, SETD2, BAP1). Their roles inpathogenesis and as prognostic biomarkers are currently underinvestigation.
Plant Interactions Alter the Predictions of Metabolic Scaling Theory

Metabolic scaling theory (MST) is an attempt to link physiological processes of individual organisms with macroecology. It predicts a power law relationship with an exponent of −4/3 between mean individual biomass and density during density-dependent mortality (self-thinning). Empirical tests have produced variable results, and the validity of MST is intensely debated. MST focuses on organisms’ internal physiological mechanisms but we hypothesize that ecological interactions can be more important in determining plant mass-density relationships induced by density. We employ an individual-based model of plant stand development that includes three elements: a model of individual plant growth based on MST, different modes of local competition (size-symmetric vs. -asymmetric), and different resource levels. Our model is consistent with the observed variation in the slopes of self-thinning trajectories. Slopes were significantly shallower than −4/3 if competition was size-symmetric. We conclude that when the size of survivors is influenced by strong ecological interactions, these can override predictions of MST, whereas when surviving plants are less affected by interactions, individual-level metabolic processes can scale up to the population level. MST, like thermodynamics or biomechanics, sets limits within which organisms can live and function, but there may be stronger limits determined by ecological interactions. In such cases MST will not be predictive.
Persistent Increased DNA-Binding and Expression of Serum Response Factor Occur with Epilepsy-Associated Long-Term Plasticity Changes

We have previously shown that NMDA receptor activation during status epilepticus (SE) is required to produce epilepsy in in vitro and in vivo models. As in human symptomatic epilepsy, the epilepsy in these models is permanent, suggesting that the pathological activation of NMDA receptors causes permanent plasticity changes in the brain. Ca2+influx through NMDA receptors is known to transiently activate a key transcription factor, serum response factor (SRF). Thus, we investigated whether this factor, in terms of its expression and ability to bind to the consensus serum response element, was altered long term in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy. In hippocampal nuclear extracts, SRF binding to DNA was significantly increased over saline-injected control rats at 24 hr and at 8 weeks after the onset of SE. This increase was shown to be the result of significantly elevated levels of SRF. DNA binding was also persistently increased in the cortical, but not in the cerebellar, extracts. Hippocampal expression of SRF was localized to neurons using immunohistochemistry. NMDA receptor activation during SE was required for these changes to take place, and the spontaneous seizures seen in epileptic rats did not appear to be responsible for the increase in SRF. The results demonstrate that SRF is persistently elevated after SE in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy and support the theory that long-term gene changes in this model occur and are associated with the long-lasting plasticity changes that are initiated during epileptogenesis.
Health News # 511-Acid Rain , Climate Warming , Ozone Depletion are Related September 11 , 1996

Dramatic changes have been shown to occur in lake ecosystems exposed to the same intensities of UV-B as those found in eastern Canada today. These changes are caused by UV-B's ability to inhibit photosynthesis in floating plants down to depths of several meters. In other words, the photosynthesis of floating plants (phytoplankton) is reduced by increasing UV-B. The deeper the UV-B penetrates into a lake, the more photosynthesis is reduced. Photosynthesis is the process whereby bluegreen plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, thus creating the bottom-most layer of the world's food chains. A meter is 39 inches.
TDOA assisted RSSD localization in UWB

This paper considers ultra-wideband (UWB) based localization of mobile users in indoor environment. Because of severe multipath indoor localization still presents a challenging issue and UWB is often considered as technology enabling precise localization. Typically for UWB Time of Flight (TOF) based approaches like Time of Arrival (TOA) or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) are applied. Recently also localization based on Received Signal Strength (RSS) is gaining more interest, where position of the transmitting device is calculated based on the RSS on several Base Stations (BS) with known positions. To perform the positioning the transmit power must be known. This paper considers Received Signal Strength Difference (RSSD) based positioning, which does not require the knowledge of the transmit power. The positioning is further assisted with TDOA measurement. It is shown that including only one single TDOA information improves the localization performance significantly.