Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD15 immunoreactive amacrine cells in the mouse retina

The mouse retina has become an important model in vision research, mainly because of the wide availability of transgenic animals. In order to study cell function and connectivity in the inner retina, antibodies that differentially stain one cell type, or a small number of cell types, are helpful as markers. Here we characterize the CD15 (3[α1‐3]‐fucosyl‐N‐acetyl‐lactosamine)‐positive cells in the mouse retina using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. CD15 immunoreactivity was observed in two distinct types of amacrine cells and, faintly, in some cone bipolar cells. Type I CD15+ amacrine cells are GABAergic wide‐field cells that stratify in lamina 3 and 4/5 of the inner plexiform layer. Type II CD15+ amacrine cells are also GABAergic and costratify with the dopaminergic tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cells in lamina 1 of the inner plexiform layer. The densities of types I and II CD15+ amacrine cells in mid‐periphery were 258 cells/mm2 and 274 cells/mm2. Double labeling with several other markers for amacrine cell types showed that neither type belongs to another previously identified subpopulation of amacrine cells. Single‐cell RT‐PCR showed that CD15+ amacrine cells coexpress several AMPA receptors — GluR1, GluR2, and GluR4 being the most common combination. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:361–371, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Greedy deep dictionary learning for hyperspectral image classification

In this work we propose a new deep learning tool — deep dictionary learning. We give an alternate neural network type interpretation to dictionary learning. Based on this, we build a deep architecture by cascading one dictionary after the other. The learning proceeds in a greedy fashion, therefore for each level we only need to learn a single layer of dictionary — time tested tools are there to solve this problem. We compare our approach to the deep belief network (DBN) and stacked autoencoder (SAE) based techniques for hyperspectral image classification. We find that in the practical scenario, when the training data is limited, our method outperforms the more established tools like SAE and DBN.
C-terminal Truncations Destabilize the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator without Impairing Its Biogenesis

Defective cAMP-stimulated chloride conductance of the plasma membrane of epithelial cell is the hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) and results from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR. In the majority of CF patients, mutations in the CFTR lead to its misfolding and premature degradation at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Other mutations impair the cAMP-dependent activation or the ion conductance of CFTR chloride channel. In the present work we identify a novel mechanism leading to reduced expression of CFTR at the cell surface, caused by C-terminal truncations. The phenotype of C-terminally truncated CFTR, representing naturally occurring premature termination and frameshift mutations, were examined in transient and stable heterologous expression systems. Whereas the biosynthesis, processing, and macroscopic chloride channel function of truncated CFTRs are essentially normal, the degradation rate of the mature, complex-glycosylated form is 5- to 6-fold faster than the wild type CFTR. These experiments suggest that the C terminus has a central role in maintaining the metabolic stability of the complex-glycosylated CFTR following its exit from the ER and provide a plausible explanation for the severe phenotype of CF patients harboring C-terminal truncations.
Biological Correlates of Extinction Risk in Bats

We investigated patterns and processes of extinction and threat in bats using a multivariate phylogenetic comparative approach. Of nearly 1,000 species worldwide, 239 are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and 12 are extinct. Small geographic ranges and low wing aspect ratios are independently found to predict extinction risk in bats, which explains 48% of the total variance in IUCN assessments of threat. The pattern and correlates of extinction risk in the two bat suborders are significantly different. A higher proportion (4%) of megachiropteran species have gone extinct in the last 500 years than microchiropteran bats (0.3%), and a higher proportion is currently at risk of extinction (Megachiroptera: 34%; Microchiroptera: 22%). While correlates of microchiropteran extinction risk are the same as in the order as a whole, megachiropteran extinction is correlated more with reproductive rate and less with wing morphology. Bat extinction risk is not randomly distributed phylogenetically: closely related species have more similar levels of threat than would be expected if extinction risk were random. Given the unbalanced nature of the evolutionary diversification of bats, it is probable that the amount of phylogenetic diversity lost if currently threatened taxa disappear may be greater than in other clades with numerically more threatened species.
Oxidative stress in half and full Ironman triathletes.

INTRODUCTION Ultraendurance athletes who maintain a very high volume of exercise may, as a result of greater production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), be particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. PURPOSE This study sought to examine and compare pre- and postrace markers of oxidative stress in ultraendurance athletes training for, and competing in, either a half or a full Ironman triathlon. METHODS Resting and postexercise blood was sampled from 16 half Ironman triathletes, 29 full Ironman triathletes, and age-matched, relatively inactive controls. Blood was analyzed for markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration) and antioxidant status (glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities). RESULTS Compared with controls, the half Ironman triathletes had significantly (P < 0.001) higher erythrocyte GPX activity at rest, whereas the Ironman triathletes had significantly (P < 0.05) lower resting plasma MDA and significantly (P < 0.05) greater resting activities of GPX and CAT compared with controls. As a result of the half Ironman triathlon, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in MDA and significant (P < 0.05) decreases in erythrocyte GPX, SOD, and CAT activities. These changes also occurred in response to the Ironman triathlon; MDA significantly (P < 0.05) increased, and there were significant (P < 0.001) decreases in GPX, CAT, and SOD activities. Users of antioxidant supplements in both the half and full Ironman races had significantly (P < 0.05) elevated MDA after races compared with nonsupplementers. CONCLUSION The present investigation indicates that training for and competing in half and full Ironman triathlons has different effects on erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress.
Usable Authentication Mechanisms for Mobile Devices: An Exploration of 3D Graphical Passwords

Current authentication systems in mobile devices such as smart phones have many shortcomings. Users tend to use simple textual passwords such as PINs, which are easily cracked by intruders. Meanwhile, graphical passwords suffer from shoulder surfing attack. In this paper, a new authentication system using 3D graphical passwords, will be proposed and tested to offer more security for mobile devices. This authentication system allows users to interact with the 3D objects in a 3D virtual environment and these actions are tracked in the virtual environment and used to create unique passwords. Based on the previous studies of the 3D password scheme, this paper developed a simple testing program that enables users to create their own 3D password easily. At the end of the paper, some improvements of the program and this authentication system are discussed.
Combining Pest Control and Resistance Management: Synergy of Engineered Insects With Bt Crops

ABSTRACT Transgenic crops producing insecticidal toxins are widely used to control insect pests. Their benefits would be lost if resistance to the toxins became widespread in pest populations. The most widely used resistance management method is the high-dose/refuge strategy. This requires toxin-free host plants as refuges near insecticidal crops, and toxin doses intended to be sufficiently high to kill insects heterozygous for a resistant allele, thereby rendering resistance functionally recessive. We have previously shown by mathematical modeling that mass-release of harmless susceptible (toxin-sensitive) insects engineered with repressible female-specific lethality using release of insects carrying a dominant lethal ([RIDL] Oxitec Limited, United Kingdom) technology could substantially delay or reverse the spread of resistance and reduce refuge sizes. Here, we explore this proposal in depth, studying a wide range of scenarios, considering impacts on population dynamics as well as evolution of allele frequencies, comparing with releases of natural fertile susceptible insects, and examining the effect of seasonality. We investigate the outcome for pest control for which the plant-incorporated toxins are not necessarily at a high dose (i.e., they might not kill all homozygous susceptible and all heterozygous insects). We demonstrate that a RIDL-based approach could form an effective component of a resistance management strategy in a wide range of genetic and ecological circumstances. Because there are significant threshold effects for several variables, we expect that a margin of error would be advisable in setting release ratios and refuge sizes, especially as the frequency and properties of resistant alleles may be difficult to measure accurately in the field.
Fatty Acid Composition of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Fillets as Affected by Current Changes in Aquafeed Formulation

The aquafeed industry is facing the lack of availability of fish meal and oil. The need of an economic and environmental sustainability has increased the use of plant-derived oils. In order to provide an overview of which ingredients are the most frequently used in GSB diet and as they affect the lipid composition of aquafeeds, we analyzed 26 feed samples collected from farmers. At the same time, 44 farmed GSB were analyzed to compare the fatty acid (FA) composition with 21 wild GSB and 46 GSB farmed in 2005. Twenty-four different ingredients were declared in the analyzed feeds. Fish meal and oil were present in all samples, even if they were not the principal protein and lipid source in the analyzed feeds. If we consider the FA n-3/n-6 ratio, feeds presented a range from the lowest value of 0.35, to the maximum of 2.26. Concerning fish FA, 2014farmed GSB presented an increased difference with wild GSB, if compared with those reared in 2005, due to the higher presence of oleic and linoleic acid. Our study confirms the increase of use of plant ingredients in aquafeeds and the decrease of the fish meal and oil inclusion in feeds.
The Roc domain of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 is sufficient for interaction with microtubules

Mutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the leading cause of genetically inherited Parkinson's disease (PD). Although this multidomain protein has been shown to have both GTPase and kinase activities through the Roc and MAPKKK domains, respectively, the protein–protein interactions and pathways involved in LRRK2‐mediated signaling remain elusive. Utilizing a combination of protein pull‐down assays, mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy, this study identifies and describes the interaction between LRRK2 and microtubules. The Roc or GTPase‐like domain of LRRK2 is sufficient for interaction with α/β‐tubulin heterodimers. This interaction occurs in a guanine nucleotide‐independent manner, suggesting that tubulin might not be an effector of the LRRK2 GTPase domain. The R1441C pathogenic mutation, located within the Roc domain, retains interaction with α/β‐tubulin heterodimers, suggesting that disruption of this interaction likely is not the mechanism whereby the R1441C mutation leads to disease. At a subcellular level, endogenous LRRK2 protein was found to colocalize with α/β‐tubulin in primary hippocampal neurons. These findings are significant in that they link LRRK2 with microtubules, a structural component of the cell that is critically involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dendritic Cell-Targeted Vaccinations: A Promising Immunotherapeutic Approach to Cancer Treatment

Immunotherapy is an emergent form of cancer therapy that offers new and innovative techniques that work to enhance the body’s natural ability to defend itself against harm. This thesis seeks to explore the efficacy of vaccines that target dendritic cells as one particular form of immunotherapy. Vaccination has the potential to provide antigen (Ag) that is accessible to be processed by dendritic cells, deliver the antigen to the dendritic cells, encourage dendritic cell maturation and further promote the ability of dendritic cells to present antigen to effector cells to encourage a tumor antigen-specific immune response. There are several different elements in the process of achieving these ends including delivery of antigen to dendritic cells in-vivo or ex-vivo, antigen selection, antigen-carrier use, addition of adjuvants and the targeting of antigen to dendritic cells through soluble mediators. These different components of dendritic cell-directed vaccinations will be detailed and reviewed in order to understand the efficacy and immune-stimulating potential of possible vaccines. Additionally, through a series of experiments, we were able to determine that primed dendritic cells dramatically increased production of proinflammatory cytokines after micro-particle endocytosis. These preliminary tests demonstrate that the tumor-Ag conjugated micro-particle matures dendritic cells to promote and activate an immune response. The results of the experiments that were performed and analysis of the various methods available for DC vaccination indicates that this method of cancer therapy has extensive potential and requires further testing to enhance efficacy and manufacturability of the vaccines.
Characterization and clinical course of hepatobiliary carcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Objective. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) confers a high risk of development of hepatobiliary carcinoma (HBC). The aim of the study was to identify indicators and risk factors for developing HBC in PSC patients. Material and methods. Thirty-nine PSC patients with HBC at time of HBC diagnosis were compared with 101 PSC patients without HBC at time of acceptance for liver transplantation. Results. Eighteen of these patients (46.2%) developed HBC within one year after diagnosis of PSC. In PSC patients with HBC male gender, nicotine abuse, long duration of inflammatory bowl disease (IBD), clinical symptoms, elevation of CA 19-9, as well as dominant bile duct stenosis were significantly more frequent (p<0.05) compared with the PSC control group. A cross-validated sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 97%, respectively, for the detection of HBC was obtained using the following parameters: weight loss, elevation of CA 19-9 ≥ 200 kU/l, and dominant bile duct stenosis. Conclusions. HBC is not necessarily a late complication of end-stage PSC. A long history of IBD, male gender, and nicotine abuse are risk factors for the development of HBC. In particular, CA 19-9, body-weight and dominant bile duct stenosis are valuable indicators in detecting HBC in PSC patients.
Platelet storage in synthetic media lacking glucose and bicarbonate

The goal of these studies was to develop a cost‐effective medium for the storage at 22 +/− 2 degrees C of platelets for transfusion. Platelet concentrates were prepared from platelet‐rich plasma in a standard fashion and resuspended in 55 mL of medium. Residual plasma was 14.4 +/− 4.3 percent of the final suspending solution. The use of a simple solution containing electrolytes and citrate, but no glucose or bicarbonate, was associated with a drop in pH to the range of 6.0 to 6.6, as a result of the production of lactic acid from the platelet glycogen and glucose present in residual plasma. When 25 mM (25 mmol/L) sodium phosphate was included as a buffer, the drop in pH was retarded, but the range throughout storage was still 6.5 to 6.8. Nonetheless, platelets stored for 5 days in this phosphate‐containing medium showed satisfactory maintenance of many in vitro variables. However, there was a 10 to 35 percent reduction of in vivo recovery after isotopic labeling. There was no significant reduction in subsequent mean cell life. Because of the in vivo abnormalities, these media are not recommended for use at the present time. However, the results are encouraging and suggest that further research may lead to a satisfactory, cost‐effective medium.
Characteristic Analysis on Overhang Effect in Axial Flux PM Synchronous Motors with Slotted Winding

This paper deals with an overhang effect of permanent magnet (PM) in the new type axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor (AFPMSM) with a double-sided air-gap. 3-D electromagnetic finite element method (FEM) is used to calculate the air-gap magnetic flux density, back electromagnetic force (EMF) and the cogging torque according to the variation of the overhang angle. From the results, we can confirm the overhang effect quantitatively which improves the performance of the AFPM motor
2.4 GHz High IIP3 and Low-Noise Down-conversion Mixer

A RF mixer with low-voltage high performance for 2.4 GHz ISM band applications is presented. The novel topology mixer leads to better performance in terms of linearity, noise and power consumption for low supply voltage. Designed in TSMC 0.18mum CMOS technology, the mixer achieves: 9.3dB power conversion gain; 7.4dB noise figure; 8dBm input third-order intercept point (IIP3); and only 3.4mW of power consumption from a 1V supply voltage
Experimental infection of Common Terns with Tern virus: Influenza Virus A/Tern/South Africa/1961

Experimental infection of captive Common Terns with Influenza virus A/Tern/South Africa/1961 reproduced the disease seen in the 1961 epizootic during which Tern virus was originally isolated. Infected terns excreted virus in their droppings. At death a viraemia was present but immunofluorescent studies determined the sites at which virus reproduction occurred. A Swift Tern suffered no ill effect from the injection of Tern virus but developed HI antibodies. The role of migrant sea-birds in spreading avian influenza is briefly discussed.
The Deniable Truth of Sustainable Forestry

Email: ettl@uw.edu Let’s start with the deniable truth—at present sustainable forestry is rare or localized. This is apparent when looking at global scales but also at regional and local scales. Globally, deforestation and land conversion continue. There is less forest each year (-5.2 million ha yr-1), and conversion of frontier (primary, or ancient) forests to second growth forests of shorter rotations of non-native species and lower tree diversity is common (-40 million ha 2000-2010, FAO 2010). The extraction of historic timber has been used to build economies from one part of the planet to another. This is deniable because in a global economy, timber use and extraction are often disconnected. Deniable because we have defined sustainable forestry so broadly that we can all agree that it is “good” without having a common understanding of the term. Finally, deniable because forestry operates on rotations that exceed human life experiences and expectancies, meaning any collapse of a system comes long after generations who initiated the process.
Droits de l'homme et pratiques soignantes : textes de référence : 1948-1998

Cinquante annees apres l'adoption de la Declaration universelle des droits de l'homme par l'Assemblee generale de l'ONU, la communaute des soignants. constituee au service de la personne malade et de la societe dans le cadre de l'Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris se devait de consacrer a sa maniere l'hommage qui convient a ce texte determinant. Les realites quotidiennes de la vie dans notre institution nous investissent de responsabilites humaines exceptionnelles. Repondre par des actes et dans un engagement constant aux sollicitations les plus fortes, qu'un homme exprime a un homme, c'est comprendre la valeur inalienable et la signification morale de droits (qui) decoulent de la dignite inherente a la personne humaine . Dans ce livre Droits de l'homme et pratiques soignantes propose par l'Espace ethique de l'Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, le recueil et la presentation des textes elabores par la communaute internationale a la suite de la Declaration universelle des droits de l'homme relevent d'un ordonnancement qui s'efforce de favoriser une approche accessible et utile de ces grandes references. Jacques Robert, Marc Agi, Jean-Francois Mattei et Noelle Lenoir introduisent les differents chapitres.
Occupational Therapy Predischarge Home Visits in Acute Hospital Care: A Randomized Trial

To determine whether an enhanced occupational therapy discharge planning intervention that involved pre‐ and postdischarge home visits, goal setting, and follow‐up (the HOME program) would be superior to a usual care intervention in which an occupational therapy in‐hospital consultation for planning and supporting discharge to home is provided to individuals receiving acute care.
Hormonal and biochemical determinants of trabecular microstructure at the ultradistal radius in women and men.

CONTEXT Using high-resolution three-dimensional peripheral quantitative computed tomography (3D-pQCT) imaging, we recently described sex and age effects on bone microstructure at the ultradistal radius in men and women. Although bone volume/tissue volume decreased with age in both sexes, changes in trabecular number (TbN) and thickness (TbTh) in men were complex, with evidence for conversion of thick trabeculae into more numerous, thinner trabeculae in young men. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to define the relationship between hormonal and bone turnover variables and trabecular microstructure at the ultradistal radius. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study in the general community that included 205 women and 269 men, aged 21-97 yr. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured correlation of bone volume/tissue volume, TbN, TbTh, and trabecular separation with hormonal and bone turnover variables. RESULTS In young men (20-39 yr), TbTh and TbN were associated with serum IGF-I levels (r = 0.31, P < 0.05 and r = -0.35, P < 0.01, respectively). No associations were found between sex steroid levels (bioavailable estradiol or testosterone) or biochemical markers of bone turnover and trabecular parameters in young men or women. By contrast, in elderly men and women (>60 yr), sex steroids were the most consistently associated with trabecular microstructure, and bone turnover markers were variably associated with these parameters. CONCLUSIONS In young men, the apparent conversion of thick trabeculae into more numerous, thinner trabeculae is most closely associated with declining IGF-I levels. By contrast, sex steroids are the major hormonal determinants of trabecular microstructure in elderly men and women.
Total homocysteine and cardiovascular disease

Abstract. Nygård O, Vollset SE, Refsum H, Brattström L, Ueland PM (University of Bergen, Norway; County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden). Total homocysteine and cardiovascular disease (Review). J Intern Med 1999; 246: 425–454.