Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a p21 ras /Raf-1/MEK-1/ERK-2-independent Pathway in Stimulation of IL-2 Gene Transcription in Human Primary T Lymphocytes*

T cell stimulation leads to triggering of signals transmitted from the cell membrane to the nucleus through TCR/CD3 proteins. Characterization of these signals largely results from the use of cell lines stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. These studies have established that activation caused a rapid increase in the formation of GTP-bound Ras, which stimulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway involving the extracellular-regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2) and activates the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) that regulates interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene transcription. In the present study, we used human primary T cells, and we investigated the intracellular signals triggered by two different anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (UCHT1 and X-35), which both strongly induce cell proliferation. We found that, in contrast to the commonly used UCHT1, X-35 activated IL-2 gene transcription without stimulation of the Raf-1/mitogen-activated ERK kinase-1 (MEK-1)/ERK-2 phosphorylation cascade; we also showed that X-35 stimulation, which triggers an ERK-2-independent pathway, does not involve activation of p21 ras . In addition to demonstrating that activation of p21 ras and of its Raf-1/MEK-1/ERK-2 effector pathway is not an event obligatorily triggered upon TCR/CD3 ligation, these results provide the first evidence of the existence of a p21 ras /ERK-2-independent pathway for IL-2 gene transcription in human primary T lymphocytes.
Building a qualitative local occupancy grid in a new vision-based reactive navigation strategy for mobile robots

Reactive navigation strategies for mobile robots base their success on the ability to discriminate obstacles from the ground in the vicinity of the robot and many of these strategies are based uniquely on the computation of quantitative information. In this paper we describe a new method to build qualitative local occupancy grids that are used in a new vision-based navigation strategy addressed to mobile robots to explore safely unknown environments. The process includes a new feature classifier based on the Inverse Perspective Transformation to discriminate object from ground points and a method to determine angle and range with respect to the camera in the world coordinate system.
Multiple posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms partner to control ethanolamine utilization in Enterococcus faecalis

Ethanolamine, a product of the breakdown of phosphatidylethanolamine from cell membranes, is abundant in the human intestinal tract and in processed foods. Effective utilization of ethanolamine as a carbon and nitrogen source may provide a survival advantage to bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract and may influence the virulence of pathogens. In this work, we describe a unique series of posttranscriptional regulatory strategies that influence expression of ethanolamine utilization genes (eut) in Enterococcus, Clostridium, and Listeria species. One of these mechanisms requires an unusual 2-component regulatory system. Regulation involves specific sensing of ethanolamine by a sensor histidine kinase (EutW), resulting in autophosphorylation and subsequent phosphoryl transfer to a response regulator (EutV) containing a RNA-binding domain. Our data suggests that EutV is likely to affect downstream gene expression by interacting with conserved transcription termination signals located within the eut locus. Breakdown of ethanolamine requires adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) as a cofactor, and, intriguingly, we also identify an intercistronic AdoCbl riboswitch that has a predicted structure different from previously established AdoCbl riboswitches. We demonstrate that association of AdoCbl to this riboswitch prevents formation of an intrinsic transcription terminator element located within the intercistronic region. Together, these results suggest an intricate and carefully coordinated interplay of multiple regulatory strategies for control of ethanolamine utilization genes. Gene expression appears to be directed by overlapping posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms, each responding to a particular metabolic signal, conceptually akin to regulation by multiple DNA-binding transcription factors.
A survey on the use and the construction of fuzzy similarity measures in image processing

Fuzzy techniques can be applied in several domains of image processing. In this paper we will give a survey on how fuzzy similarity measures can be used in establishing measures for image comparison. Objective quality measures or measures of comparison are of great importance in the field of image processing. These mea- sures serve as a tool to evaluate and to compare different algorithms designed to solve particular problems, such as noise reduction, de- blurring, compression, . Consequently these measures serve as a basis on which one algorithm is preferred to another. Furthermore, it is well-known that classical quality measures, such as the RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) or the PSNR(Peak Signal to Noise Ra- tio), do not always correspond to visual observations.
MR haptic joystick in control of virtual servo drive

In the paper the one-axis haptic joystick is proposed and described. This joystick utilizes a magnethoreological (MR) brake in order to obtain operator movement opposite force which creates feedback force. The MR brake investigations results are shown. The designed and built joystick was then connected to the computer, and used to control of prepared in Matlab/Simulink software, virtual model of electrohydraulic drive. The main equations describing this drive were shortly described. Finally the investigations stand and some results are presented.
A Computational Model of the Lexical-Semantic System Based on a Grounded Cognition Approach

This work presents a connectionist model of the semantic-lexical system based on grounded cognition. The model assumes that the lexical and semantic aspects of language are memorized in two distinct stores. The semantic properties of objects are represented as a collection of features, whose number may vary among objects. Features are described as activation of neural oscillators in different sensory-motor areas (one area for each feature) topographically organized to implement a similarity principle. Lexical items are represented as activation of neural groups in a different layer. Lexical and semantic aspects are then linked together on the basis of previous experience, using physiological learning mechanisms. After training, features which frequently occurred together, and the corresponding word-forms, become linked via reciprocal excitatory synapses. The model also includes some inhibitory synapses: features in the semantic network tend to inhibit words not associated with them during the previous learning phase. Simulations show that after learning, presentation of a cue can evoke the overall object and the corresponding word in the lexical area. Moreover, different objects and the corresponding words can be simultaneously retrieved and segmented via a time division in the gamma-band. Word presentation, in turn, activates the corresponding features in the sensory-motor areas, recreating the same conditions occurring during learning. The model simulates the formation of categories, assuming that objects belong to the same category if they share some features. Simple exempla are shown to illustrate how words representing a category can be distinguished from words representing individual members. Finally, the model can be used to simulate patients with focalized lesions, assuming an impairment of synaptic strength in specific feature areas.
Observations on the Post-Transcriptionally Modified Nucleotides in the 16S Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid

The 16S (18S) ribosomal ribonucleic acids from a number of organisms were screened for the presence of (some of) the post-transcriptionally modified oligomers found in Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid. All prokaryotic 16S species contained all of the modified oligomers tested, with the sole exception that one such oligomer was missing in Alcaligenes faecalis. The post-transcriptional modifications in all of these oligomers except one appear to occur at the later stagesin ribosomal maturation.
The Stretch-Shortening Cycle and Plyometric Training

of 5 I recently overhead a new CrossFit trainee mention that the kipping pull-up he was being taught was “kind of cheating. ” This is a very common response that shows that many people are unaware that functional movements often require contributions of eccentric (lengthening), isometric (static), and concentric (shortening) muscle actions and that one very common power movement uses a stretch immediately prior to the muscle shortening. This pattern is called the stretch-shortening cycle, as the muscle is lengthened (while actively working) prior to shortening. Rather than cheating, kipping is just one example of an athlete utilizing this natural mechanical response. Cutting from right to left when playing a sport or performing a drop-down counter-movement before jumping are also examples of stretch-shortening cycles. Maybe I should quickly review some terminology. When a muscle is active but lengthening, the muscle action is called eccentric (“away from the center”). This is different from trying to lengthen a muscle while doing a stretch. In the latter case, the muscle is not actively trying to shorten; it is trying to relax. The opposite movement—the work of a muscle actively shortening, or contracting— is called a concentric (“toward the center”) contraction. When a muscle engages (tries to shorten) but does not change length (or produce motion) it is called an isometric contraction.
Effect of interferon‐γ on HLA Class 2 expression by antigen‐presenting cells inducing Dermatophagoides farinae‐specific interleukin‐2 responsiveness of lymphocytes in asthmatic children

As previously reported, antigen‐specific IL‐2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from patients with bronchial asthma was induced by stimulation with Dermatophagoides farinae, antigen‐specifically, in the context of HLA‐DQ antigen. We analysed the antigen‐presenting processes in the induction of IL‐2 responsiveness. Non‐adherent responder cells cultured with Df‐pulsed autologous adherent cells acquired IL‐2 responsiveness, which decreased after prolonged culture of adherent cells for 72 h before recombination with fresh autologous non‐adherent cells. HLA‐DQ expression on cultured adherent cells also decreased in parallel with the reduction of their ability to induce IL‐2 responsiveness. However, the treatment of adherent cells with IFN‐γ restored the expression of these HLA‐Class 2 antigens mainly on CD14+ antigen‐presenting cells (monocytes.), but not on CD20+ cells (B cells), which overcame the decrease of Df‐induced IL‐2 responsiveness during prolonged culture. These data suggest that IFN‐γ potentiates the up‐regulation of Df‐specific IL‐2 responsiveness, which is likely to depend on the restoration of HLA‐DQ expression on monocytes.
The Anisotropy of the AC Susceptibility of Immobilized Magnetic Nanoparticles—the Influence of Intra-Potential-Well Contribution on the AC Susceptibility Spectrum

We have experimentally verified the ac susceptibility model by Shliomis and Stepanov which accounts for the anisotropy caused by the different directions of the easy axes of the magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) cores with respect to the applied ac magnetic field. To experimentally access the anisotropy, single-core MNPs were immobilized in the absence of a magnetic field, thus causing random orientations of easy axes, and in a static magnetic field of 170 mT, thus orienting the nanoparticles’ easy axes either parallel or perpendicular to the ac field. In agreement with theory, the real part of the sample with easy axes aligned perpendicularly to the ac field is constant while the imaginary part is zero. In contrast, the real part of the sample with parallel-oriented easy axes decays with increasing frequency. The susceptibility spectra of the sample with random orientation of easy axes are in between the other two cases according to $\chi (\omega ) = (\chi _{\textrm {II}}(\omega ) + 2\chi _{\bot }(\omega ))$ /3. This anisotropic behavior also explains why the real part of suspensions of thermally blocked MNPs does not drop down to zero at high frequencies but to a finite value. This value allows one to independently estimate the effective anisotropy constant of MNPs.
Simple Control Schme of Three-Level PWM Converter Connecting Wind Turbine with Grid

This paper proposes a simple direct power control using space vector modulation (DPC-SVM) for three-phase threelevel neutral point clamped (3L-NPC) PWM converter connecting a wind turbine generator with grid. The active and reactive power are used as the control variables instead of the currents applied in conventional control method. Moreover, grid voltage sensors are replaced by a virtual flux (VF) estimator. The theoretical principle of this method as well as the synthesis of the active and reactive power controllers are discussed. It is shown that the proposed method exhibits several features as: simple and robust algorithm as well as simple tuning procedure of PI power controllers. Furthermore the paper presents a LCL-filter design, which fulfils IEEE-SCR 20-50 recommendation. Simulation results have proven an excellent performance and verified the validity of the proposed system.
TUDCA slows retinal degeneration in two different mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa and prevents obesity in Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 1 mice.

PURPOSE To evaluate and compare the protective effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on photoreceptor degeneration in different models of retinal degeneration (RD) in mice. METHODS Bbs(M390R/M390R) mice were injected subcutaneously twice a week, from P40 to P120, and rd10 mice were injected every 3 days from P6 to P38 with TUDCA or vehicle (0.15 M NaHCO(3)). Rd1 and rd16 mice were injected daily from P6 to P30 with TUDCA or vehicle. Retinal structure and function were determined at multiple time points by electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histology. RESULTS The amplitude of ERG b-waves was significantly higher in TUDCA-treated Bbs1 and rd10 animals than in controls. Retinal thickness on OCT was slightly greater in treated Bbs1 animals than in the controls. Histologically, outer segments were preserved, and the outer nuclear layer was significantly thicker in the treated Bbs1 and rd10 mice than in the controls. Bbs1(M390R/M390R) mice developed less obesity than the control Bbs1(M390R/M390R) while receiving TUDCA. The Rd1 and rd16 mice showed no improvement with TUDCA treatment, and the rd1 mice did not have normal weight gain during treatment. CONCLUSIONS TUDCA treatment preserved ERG b-waves and the outer nuclear layer in Bbs1(M390R/M390R) mice, and prevented obesity assessed at P120. TUDCA treatment preserved ERG b-waves and the outer nuclear layer in the rd10 mice to P30. TUDCA is a prime candidate for treatment of humans with retinal degeneration, especially those with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, whom it may help not only with the vision loss, but with the debilitating obesity as well.
Hospital-integrated general practice: a promising way to manage walk-in patients in emergency departments.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The inappropriate use and overcrowding of emergency departments (EDs) by walk-in patients are well-known problems in many countries. The current study aimed to determine whether ambulatory walk-in patients could be treated more efficiently in a new hospital-integrated general practice (HGP) for emergency care services compared to a traditional ED. METHODS We conducted a pre-post comparison before and after the implementation of a new HGP. Participants were walk-in patients attending the ED of a city hospital in Zurich. Main outcome measures were differences in total process time, time intervals between stages of care and diagnostic resources used. RESULTS The median process time from admission to discharge was 120 minutes in the ED [interquartile range (IQR): 80-165] versus 60 minutes in the HGP (IQR: 40-90) (P < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio of receiving any additional diagnostics was 1.86 (95% confidence interval 1.06-3.27; P = 0.032) for ED doctors versus general practitioners (GPs) when controlling for patients' age, sex and injury-related medical problems. CONCLUSION The HGP is an efficient way to manage walk-in patients with regard to process time and utilization of additional diagnostic resources. The involvement of GPs in the HGPs should be considered as a promising model to overcome the inappropriate use of resources in EDs for walk-in patients who can be treated by ambulatory care.
Finite-Time Stability of Linear Time-Varying Systems: Analysis and Controller Design

The note deals with the finite-time analysis and design problems for continuous-time, time-varying linear systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions and a sufficient condition for finite-time stability are devised. Moreover, sufficient conditions for the solvability of both the state and the output feedback problems are stated. Such results require the feasibility of optimization problems involving Differential Linear Matrix Inequalities. Some numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The effects of excluding patients from the analysis in randomised controlled trials: meta-epidemiological study

Objective To examine whether excluding patients from the analysis of randomised trials are associated with biased estimates of treatment effects and higher heterogeneity between trials. Design Meta-epidemiological study based on a collection of meta-analyses of randomised trials. Data sources 14 meta-analyses including 167 trials that compared therapeutic interventions with placebo or non-intervention control in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee and used patient reported pain as an outcome. Methods Effect sizes were calculated from differences in means of pain intensity between groups at the end of follow-up, divided by the pooled standard deviation. Trials were combined by using random effects meta-analysis. Estimates of treatment effects were compared between trials with and trials without exclusions from the analysis, and the impact of restricting meta-analyses to trials without exclusions was assessed. Results 39 trials (23%) had included all patients in the analysis. In 128 trials (77%) some patients were excluded from the analysis. Effect sizes from trials with exclusions tended to be more beneficial than those from trials without exclusions (difference −0.13, 95% confidence interval −0.29 to 0.04). However, estimates of bias between individual meta-analyses varied considerably (τ2=0.07). Tests of interaction between exclusions from the analysis and estimates of treatment effects were positive in five meta-analyses. Stratified analyses indicated that differences in effect sizes between trials with and trials without exclusions were more pronounced in meta-analyses with high between trial heterogeneity, in meta-analyses with large estimated treatment benefits, and in meta-analyses of complementary medicine. Restriction of meta-analyses to trials without exclusions resulted in smaller estimated treatment benefits, larger P values, and considerable decreases in between trial heterogeneity. Conclusion Excluding patients from the analysis in randomised trials often results in biased estimates of treatment effects, but the extent and direction of bias is unpredictable. Results from intention to treat analyses should always be described in reports of randomised trials. In systematic reviews, the influence of exclusions from the analysis on estimated treatment effects should routinely be assessed.
Error Evaluation on K- Means and Hierarchical Clustering with Effect of Distance Functions for Iris Dataset

In Data clustering (a sub field of Data mining), k-means and hierarchical based clustering algorithms are popular due to its excellent performance in clustering of large data sets. This paper presents two different comparative studies which includes various Data Clustering algorithms for analyzing best one with minimum clustering error. The foremost objective of this paper is to divide the data objects into k number of different clusters with homogeneity and the each cluster should be heterogeneous to each other. However, these both algorithms (K-Mean and Hierarchical) are not free with the errors. In this paper, firstly various distance has been considered for these two algorithms for comparing and analyzing the best distance methods to solve the existing problems.
Influence of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad Resection during Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background To enhance surgical exposure, resection of the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) is usually a routine procedure in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether IPFP resection during TKA impairs clinical outcome. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the influence of IPFP resection on primary TKA. Methods Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched up to August 2016 to identify relevant studies. All clinical studies comparing IPFP resection (IPFP-R) and IPFP preservation (IPFP-P) in patients undergoing primary TKA were obtained. The meta-analysis was performed with Revman 5.3 and STATA 12.0 software. The weighted mean was estimated by using random effects (RE) models with 95% CIs, heterogeneity was assessed using the H statistic and the inconsistency index (I2). Results Seven studies involving 2,734 patients (3,258 knees) were included. IPFP resection trended to increase the incidence of postoperative anterior knee pain within 2 months postoperatively, compared with patients in whom the IPFP was preserved (odds ratio [OR]s 2.12[0.95, 4.73], p = 0.07). An increased incidence of anterior knee pain was observed in the IPFP resection group > 12 months postoperatively, but the difference was not significant (OR, 3.69 [0.81, 16.82], p = 0.07). In addition, a trend towards more shortening of the patellar tendon was also observed in the IPFP-R group. No significant results were found regarding postoperative knee function. Conclusion These results suggest that preserving the IPFP may be superior to IPFP resection in patients undergoing primary TKA, due to the relatively lower rate of anterior knee pain after short-term follow-up.
A Unified Framework for the Analysis of Path Selection Based DF Cooperation in Wireless Systems

This paper considers path selection based decode- and-forward (DF) cooperation for wireless communication in which the source chooses either of the direct source-destination or source-relay- destination links for signal transmission. A novel aspect of the work under consideration is that it proposes a comprehensive unified framework, which is applicable for several PHY layer schemes, unlike comparative works in existing literature which are restricted to specific PHY layer schemes and thus cannot be generalized. An asymptotic generalized bound is derived for the end-to-end symbol error rate performance for cooperation over arbitrarily distributed source-destination, source-relay, relay-destination fading links. Also, the ensuing diversity order as well as optimal source-relay power allocation is derived for cooperative communication. The flexibility arising from the unified nature of the proposed framework is demonstrated by illustrating its applicability across a wide range of disparate systems such as MIMO-OSTBC, Joint Transmit- Receive Antenna Path Selection (JTRAPS), and Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Communication (HSTC). Simulation results are presented in the end to validate the performance of the system.