Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First Space-Based Microlens Parallax Measurement: Spitzer Observations of OGLE-2005-SMC-001

We combine Spitzer and ground-based observations to measure the microlens parallax of OGLE-2005-SMC-001, the first such space-based determination since S. Refsdal proposed the idea in 1966. The parallax measurement yields a projected velocity υ̃ ~ 230 km s-1, the typical value expected for halo lenses, but an order of magnitude smaller than would be expected for lenses lying in the Small Magellanic Cloud itself. The lens is a weak (i.e., non-caustic-crossing) binary, which complicates the analysis considerably but ultimately contributes additional constraints. Using a test proposed by Assef and coworkers, which makes use only of kinematic information about different populations but does not make any assumptions about their respective mass functions, we find that the likelihood ratio is ℒhalo/ℒSMC = 20. Hence, halo lenses are strongly favored, but Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) lenses are not definitively ruled out. Similar Spitzer observations of additional lenses toward the Magellanic Clouds would clarify the nature of the lens population. The Space Interferometry Mission could make even more constraining measurements.
Ab initio modeling of resistive switching mechanism in binary metal oxides

Binary transition metal oxides TiOx, NiOx, HfOx, AlOx, TaOx have been recently proposed as possible materials for resistance change based non-volatile memory devices. Currently, a major bottleneck in determining the scalability, retention and endurance of these devices, is the lack of detailed understanding of the resistive switching mechanism. To explain the observed device characteristics the so-called filamentary models have been widely adopted and also extensively investigated theoretically. First, in order to control the forming voltage in these devices the formation energy implications of possible conductive channels has to be evaluated. Ab initio techniques have recently been applied to study conductive filamentary structures characteristic to the “ON” state (or LRS - low resistance state). Next, the atomistic descriptions of the rupturing/dissolution process into the “OFF” state of the memory operation (HRS - high resistance state) needed to be addressed. Based on quantum mechanical calculations, electron and hole trapping effects were shown to have a significant role in the switching process under applied electrical field. While hole injection into oxygen reduced transition metal oxide with a formed filament can favor the dissolution process, electron injection induces filament formation. Then, as possible ways to achieve desired device characteristics, preferential impurity doping in these types of systems has been proposed to favorably affect and control the “ON” - “OFF” transition process.
Comparison of Sleep Problems in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Sleep problems are common in spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the degree to which sleep problems differ between these distinct clinical populations has not been evaluated. In this study, we examined self-reported sleep problems in individuals with SCI and those with MS, and compared these clinical groups on the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS-SS). METHODS Participants were 1,677 individuals (SCI = 581; MS = 1,096) enrolled in longitudinal study of self-reported health outcomes in SCI and MS. Univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance examined group differences on global sleep problems and domain-specific subscales of the MOS-SS. RESULTS Individuals with SCI reported an average of 30 fewer min of sleep per night (Sleep Quantity subscale) and significantly greater difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep (Sleep Disturbance subscale) compared to individuals with MS. However, groups did not differ on global sleep problems (Sleep Problems Index 9). CONCLUSIONS Although global sleep problems are more common in SCI and MS than in the general population, these groups exhibit differing sleep problem profiles, and thus may require unique treatment approaches to address the specific domains of sleep affected. For individuals with SCI, an additional focus on increasing sleep quantity and reducing sleep disruptions may be warranted.
Deletion of ELOVL6 blocks the synthesis of oleic acid but does not prevent the development of fatty liver or insulin resistance[S]

Elongation of very long chain fatty acid-like family member 6 (ELOVL6) is a fatty acyl elongase that performs the initial and rate-limiting condensing reaction required for microsomal elongation of long-chain fatty acids. Our previous in vitro studies suggested that ELOVL6 elongated long-chain saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids with chain lengths of 12 to 16 carbons. Here, we describe the generation and phenotypic characterization of Elovl6−/− mice. As predicted from the in vitro studies, livers from Elovl6−/− mice accumulated palmitic (C16:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) fatty acids and contained significantly less stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1, n-9) acids, confirming that ELOVL6 is the only enzyme capable of elongating palmitate (C16:0). Unexpectedly, Elovl6−/− mice produced vaccenic acid (C18:1, n-7), the elongated product of palmitoleate (C16:1, n-7), suggesting that palmitoleate (C16:1, n-7) to vaccenate (C18:1, n-7) elongation was not specific to ELOVL6. The only detected consequence of deleting Elovl6−/− in mice was that their livers accumulated significantly more triglycerides than wild-type mice when fed a fat-free/high-carbohydrate diet. When mice were fed a high-fat diet or ELOVL6 was deleted in ob/ob mice, the absence of ELOVL6 did not alter the development of obesity, fatty liver, hyperglycemia, or hyperinsulinemia. Combined, these results suggest that palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) and vaccenic (C18:1, n-7) acids can largely replace the roles of oleic acid (C18:1, n-9) in vivo and that the deletion of ELOVL6 does not protect mice from the development of hepatic steatosis or insulin resistance.
Role of satellite cells in altering myosin expression during avian skeletal muscle hypertrophy

This study examined whether satellite cells express an embryonic isoform of myosin upon fusion with hypertrophying muscle fibers. Anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscle hypertrophy was induced in adult chickens by weighting one wing. One and 7 days of wing‐weighting produced significant increases in ALD muscle wet weight and in the number of mature fibers expressing ventricular‐like embryonic (V‐EMB) myosin. V‐EMB myosin expression could be an event during regeneration of fibers injured by overload or part of the hypertrophy process itself. Although there was an increase in both the number of damaged fibers and the number of mature fibers expressing embryonic myosin after wing‐weighting, results from this study suggest that these two events were not necessarily related. The apparent health of fibers expressing V‐EMB myosin and the lack of correlation between the numbers of damaged and V‐EMB myosin positive fibers (r = 0.20) suggest that embryonic myosin expression in mature fibers was likely a feature of the hypertrophy process itself. The appearance of V‐EMB myosin in mature fibers 1 day after wing‐weighting suggests that the change in myosin expression did not involve satellite cells since 24 hr is too short a time to permit more than limited satellite cell fusion. The relationship between satellite cells and embryonic myosin expression was examined more closely by labeling dividing satellite cells and their progeny with 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine, and then colocalizing labeled myofiber nuclei and embryonic myosin in consecutive transverse sections of hypertrophied ALD muscle. One week of wing‐weighting resulted in marked increases in myofiber nuclear labeling index and myofiber nuclear density compared to contralateral control. V‐EMB myosin was not expressed uniformly throughout individual fibers, but rather in discrete regions of varying length. Many V‐EMB myosin positive regions had a higher labeled nuclear density than V‐EMB myosin negative regions indicating that V‐EMB myosin expression was associated with an accumulation of satellite cell progeny in a restricted area. However, it was also clear that satellite cell progeny were not the sole source of V‐EMB myosin since labeled nuclei were completely absent from 41% of the V‐EMB positive regions. Futhermore, the presence of new nuclei did not result in obligatory expression of embryonic myosin because many V‐EMB negative regions had a high labeled nuclear density. Thus, recently incorporated nuclei arising by satellite cell division are implicated as one, but not the sole source of embryonic myosin in hypertrophying muscle. These observations suggest that the non‐uniform pattern of embryonic myosin expression in hypertrophying muscle resulted from differences in nuclear activity, not necessarily the addition of new nuclei. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparaison des intentions entrepreneuriales des étudiants : France –Pays arabes

A partir d'une grille de lecture derivee du modele psychosocial du comportement planifie d'Ajzen, nous etudions les determinons des intentions entrepreneuriales affichees par les etudiants en France et dans trois pays arabes, Algerie, Liban et Tunisie. Nous observons que les niveaux mesures de ces intentions sont tres differents d'un pays a l'autre et nous essayons d'expliquer ces divergences a partir des elements qui, selon le modele retenu, sont a la base de ces intentions : attitude envers la creation d'entreprises, normes sociales et controle comportemental percu. Pour ce faire, nous proposons, en utilisant des techniques d'analyse des donnees, quatre facteurs (perception de la gestion du temps dans la vision de l'entrepreneuriat ; projection dans le future professionnel ; gout du risque dans la vie professionnel ; capacite percue) qui structurent les intentions entrepreneuriales des etudiants, ainsi qu'une typologie qui montre des comportements quant aux intentions entrepreneuriales bien caracterisees et distinctes, entre d'une part, la France, et d'autre part, les autres pays.
ACTH Inhibits bTREK-1 K+ Channels through Multiple cAMP-dependent Signaling Pathways

Bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells express bTREK-1 K+ channels that set the resting membrane potential and function pivotally in the physiology of cortisol secretion. Inhibition of these K+ channels by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cAMP is coupled to depolarization and Ca2+ entry. The mechanism of ACTH and cAMP-mediated inhibition of bTREK-1 was explored in whole cell patch clamp recordings from AZF cells. Inhibition of bTREK-1 by ACTH and forskolin was not affected by the addition of both H-89 and PKI(6–22) amide to the pipette solution at concentrations that completely blocked activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in these cells. The ACTH derivative, O-nitrophenyl, sulfenyl-adrenocorticotropin (NPS-ACTH), at concentrations that produced little or no activation of PKA, inhibited bTREK-1 by a Ca2+-independent mechanism. Northern blot analysis showed that bovine AZF cells robustly express mRNA for Epac2, a guanine nucleotide exchange protein activated by cAMP. The selective Epac activator, 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP, applied intracellularly through the patch pipette, inhibited bTREK-1 (IC50 = 0.63 μM) at concentrations that did not activate PKA. Inhibition by this agent was unaffected by PKA inhibitors, including RpcAMPS, but was eliminated in the absence of hydrolyzable ATP. Culturing AZF cells in the presence of ACTH markedly reduced the expression of Epac2 mRNA. 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP failed to inhibit bTREK-1 current in AZF cells that had been treated with ACTH for 3–4 d while inhibition by 8-br-cAMP was not affected. 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP failed to inhibit bTREK-1 expressed in HEK293 cells, which express little or no Epac2. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to the well-described PKA-dependent TREK-1 inhibition, ACTH, NPS-ACTH, forskolin, and 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP also inhibit these K+ channels by a PKA-independent signaling pathway. The convergent inhibition of bTREK-1 through parallel PKA- and Epac-dependent mechanisms may provide for failsafe membrane depolarization by ACTH.
Histopathologic pattern and clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To investigate the histopathologic pattern and clinical features of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society consensus classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING Two thousand-bed, university-affiliated, tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Eighteen patients with RA who underwent surgical lung biopsy (SLBx) for suspected ILD. METHOD SLBx specimens were reviewed and reclassified by three lung pathologists according to the ATS/European Respiratory Society classification. Clinical features and follow-up courses for the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern and the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern were compared. RESULTS The histopathologic patterns were diverse: 10 patients with the UIP pattern, 6 patients with the NSIP pattern, and 2 patients with inflammatory airway disease with the organizing pneumonia pattern. RA preceded ILD in the majority of patients (n = 12). In three patients, ILD preceded RA; in three patients, both conditions were diagnosed simultaneously. The majority (n = 13) of patients had a restrictive defect with or without low diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)) on pulmonary function testing; 2 patients had only low (D(LCO)). The UIP and NSIP groups were significantly different in their male/female ratios (8/2 vs 0/6, respectively; p = 0.007) and smoking history (current/former or nonsmokers, 8/2 vs 0/6; p = 0.007). Many of the patients with the UIP pattern had typical high-resolution CT features of UIP. Five patients with the UIP pattern died, whereas no deaths occurred among patients with the NSIP pattern during median follow-up durations of 4.2 years and 3.7 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The histopathologic type of RA-ILD was diverse; in our study population, the UIP pattern seemed to be more prevalent than the NSIP pattern.
Levels of interleukin 1 beta in tissue from sites of active periodontal disease.

Interleukin 1 beta is a potent bone resorptive cytokine which also mediates soft tissue destruction through the stimulation of prostaglandin production, and the induction of collagenase and other proteases. This constellation of activities suggests a role for IL-1 beta in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. Levels of IL-1 beta were therefore determined in tissue obtained from (1) diseased, active (2) diseased, inactive and (3) healthy sites from 12 patients with destructive adult periodontitis. Disease activity was defined as attachment loss of greater than or equal to 2.5 mm, as determined by sequential probing and the tolerance method. IL-1 beta was extracted from homogenates of tissue biopsies taken at surgery, and levels were quantified by ELISA. IL-1 beta was found to be present in most patient tissue samples, with levels ranging from 0-82 ng/ml. Disease active sites had higher IL-1 beta levels (p less than 0.05) than inactive and healthy sites. Diseased inactive sites were divided into 2 groups, those losing small amounts of attachment (0.5-2.0 mm, worsening sites) and those which showed no change or attachment gain (stable sites). Stable diseased sites had IL-1 beta levels which were comparable to those found in healthy sites, and which were significantly different from active sites (p less than 0.02). Worsening sites had IL-1 beta levels intermediate between the levels in stable and active sites. Detection of disease activity occurred more frequently at sites with IL-1 beta levels greater than 25 ng/ml (p less than 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fat Embolism Among Patients with Hip and Long Bone Fractures in Albania

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and the effectiveness of treatment of fat embolism in patients with hip and long bone fractures (femur and tibia) in Albania. Methods: 229 patients (68% men) with combined hip and long bone fractures (femur and tibia) hospitalized at the Orthopedics-Traumatology Services of the University Center “Mother Teresa” during 2004-2006 were included in the study. Patients were classified into three groups based on astrupogram data: PaO2<60mmHg, 65mmHg75mmHg. Chi square test was used to compare fracture differences between men and women and the effectiveness of combined use of metilprednisolon and anticoagulants vs. anticoagulants alone. Results: Poly traumas combined with femur fracture were more frequent in 2005. These combined poly traumas combined were more frequent among men than women (P<0.001). Remarkably, femur fractures were more frequent among men than women (9:1). Coli femur fractures peaked in the age-group 76-85 years. In general, poly traumas were less frequent in the older age groups, with a peak between 36-55 years, being more frequent among men, but the difference was not statistically significant. Fractures of coli femur and those of tibia were more frequent in 2006, while in 2004 femur fractures were more frequent. In almost all age groups fractures of coli femur were more frequent, followed by fractures of femur and tibia. In general, poly traumas were more frequent among men than women, ranging from 6:1 for fractures of femur to 2:1 for tibia fractures. The incidence of fat embolism ranged from 4.9% to 8.9% for the period 2004-2006. Among fat embolism patients, 100% of them had tachycardia, 88.2% had petechia, 84% tachipnea, 23.5% cyanosis and blood sputum, and 41.2% obnubilation. In general, during 2004-2006 the frequency of combined use of metilprednisolon and anticoagulants has increased. Conclusions: Clinical diagnosis remains the most important element for the detection of fat embolism syndrome. The incidence of fat embolism was 8-9 times higher than the rates reported in literature. This finding is linked with trauma gravity in Albania. Combined use of metilprednisolon with anticoagulants seems to be more effective than use of anticoagulants alone in preventing fat embolism (P<0.05) and patients using the combined therapy have experienced milder forms of disease. Therefore, the combined treatment should be preferred over the single treatment for the prevention of fat embolism.
Performance study in dispersion compensation techniques with Duobinary format at different bit rates

In this work comparative study is carried for high speed duo binary transmitter with different dispersion compensation schemes for long haul optical communication. These techniques are applied to duo binary system, which operates at bit rates of 10, 15 and 20, 25,30Gbps bit rates. The dispersion compensation schemes tested are Pre-compensation & Post-compensation, symmetrical configuration1&symmetrical configuration 2, optical phase conjugation, FBG compensation, double hybrid fiber& dispersion fiber managed for long haul optical communication. Eye opening is better at 10Gbps bit rate optical transmission with all dispersion compensation techniques tested. It is found that for higher bit rates dispersion managed fiber and next one FBG compensation shows better performance metrics like eye opening bit error rate and factor Q as compared to other dispersion compensation schemes. It is also observed that for low input laser power transmission performance metrics are much better for all dispersion schemes and at higher laser input power transmission performance metrics are degraded.
cGAS Senses Human Cytomegalovirus and Induces Type I Interferon Responses in Human Monocyte-Derived Cells

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections of healthy individuals are mostly unnoticed and result in viral latency. However, HCMV can also cause devastating disease, e.g., upon reactivation in immunocompromised patients. Yet, little is known about human immune cell sensing of DNA-encoded HCMV. Recent studies indicated that during viral infection the cyclic GMP/AMP synthase (cGAS) senses cytosolic DNA and catalyzes formation of the cyclic di-nucleotide cGAMP, which triggers stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and thus induces antiviral type I interferon (IFN-I) responses. We found that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) as well as monocyte-derived DC and macrophages constitutively expressed cGAS and STING. HCMV infection further induced cGAS, whereas STING expression was only moderately affected. Although pDC expressed particularly high levels of cGAS, and the cGAS/STING axis was functional down-stream of STING, as indicated by IFN-I induction upon synthetic cGAMP treatment, pDC were not susceptible to HCMV infection and mounted IFN-I responses in a TLR9-dependent manner. Conversely, HCMV infected monocyte-derived cells synthesized abundant cGAMP levels that preceded IFN-I production and that correlated with the extent of infection. CRISPR/Cas9- or siRNA-mediated cGAS ablation in monocytic THP-1 cells and primary monocyte-derived cells, respectively, impeded induction of IFN-I responses following HCMV infection. Thus, cGAS is a key sensor of HCMV for IFN-I induction in primary human monocyte-derived DC and macrophages.
Radio Channel Modelling Using Stochastic Propagation Graphs

In this contribution the radio channel model proposed in [1] is extended to include multiple transmitters and receivers. The propagation environment is modelled using random graphs where vertices of a graph represent scatterers and edges model the wave propagation between scatterers. Furthermore, we develop a closed form analytical expression for the transfer matrix of the propagation graph. It is shown by simulation that impulse response and the delay-power spectrum of the graph exhibit exponentially decaying power as a result of the recursive scattering structure of the graph. The impulse response exhibits a transition from specular to diffuse signal contributions as observed in measurements.
Usability of online grocery systems: a focus on errors

Recording of errors in regards to the usability of systems has traditionally focused on safety-critical systems and business support systems. This study applies Zapf et al.'s 'Taxonomy of Errors' to a non-work related context, an Online Grocery System. The taxonomy was found to show that similar types of errors were made by all users of such systems. However, the number of errors that were recorded by different user groups varied. This finding was in contrast to previous studies, and supported the common perception that beginner users make a greater number of errors than more experienced users.
Estudio situacional comparativo de las drogodependencias

Transversal and retrospective study with a sample of 284 drug addicts belonging to four different ecological contexts: hospitalised, imprisoned, living in a commune, living in freedom leading a more or less normal way of life. Diverse variables are analysed according to: sociopersonal factors, past and present drug consume, sanitary aspects, perspectives for the future, and self-concept of the drug addict.
Personality, Well-being and Heterogeneous Valuations of Income and Work

Using Australian longitudinal data and a random coefficient approach, this paper investigates whether personality traits explain the heterogeneity in these valuations. We find that differences in subjective well-being are driven by Emotional Stability. Women's valuations of income depend on their score of Openness to Experience and men significantly differ in their valuations of work across the spectrum of Emotional Stability and Conscientiousness. Our study directly tests predictions of Self-Determination Theory and contributes to the debate on the assumption of homogeneous agents in economic theory.