Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Red blood cell transfusions are associated with HLA class I but not H‐Y alloantibodies in children with sickle cell disease

Blood transfusions can induce alloantibodies to antigens on red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells and platelets, with these alloantibodies affecting transfusion and transplantation. While transfusion‐related alloimmunization against RBC antigens and human leucocyte antigens (HLA) have been studied, transfusion‐related alloimmunization to minor histocompatibility antigens (mHA), such as H‐Y antigens, has not been clinically characterized. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 114 children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and tested for antibodies to 5 H‐Y antigens and to HLA class I and class II. Few patients had H‐Y antibodies, with no significant differences in the prevalence of any H‐Y antibody observed among transfused females (7%), transfused males (6%) and never transfused females (4%). In contrast, HLA class I, but not HLA class II, antibodies were more prevalent among transfused than never transfused patients (class I: 33% vs. 13%, P = 0·046; class II: 7% vs. 8%, P = 0·67). Among transfused patients, RBC alloantibody history but not amount of transfusion exposure was associated with a high (>25%) HLA class I panel reactive antibody (Odds ratio 6·8, 95% confidence interval 2·1–22·3). These results are consistent with immunological responder and non‐responder phenotypes, wherein a subset of patients with SCD may be at higher risk for transfusion‐related alloimmunization.
Chaperone Properties of the Bacterial Periplasmic Substrate-binding Proteins*

Bacterial periplasmic substrate-binding proteins are initial receptors in the process of active transport across cell membranes and/or chemotaxis. Each of them binds a specific substrate (e.g. sugar, amino acid, or ion) with high affinity. For transport, each binding protein interacts with a cognate membrane complex consisting of two hydrophobic proteins and two subunits of a hydrophilic ATPase. For chemotaxis, binding proteins interact with specific membrane chemotaxis receptors. We report, herewith, that the oligopeptide-binding protein OppA of Escherichia coli, the maltose-binding protein MalE of E. coli, and the galactose-binding protein MglB of Salmonella typhimuriuminteract with unfolded and denatured proteins, such as the molecular chaperones that are involved in protein folding and protein renaturation after stress. These periplasmic substrate-binding proteins promote the functional folding of citrate synthase and α-glucosidase after urea denaturation. They prevent the aggregation of citrate synthase under heat shock conditions, and they form stable complexes with several unfolded proteins, such as reduced carboxymethyl α-lactalbumin and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. These chaperone-like functions are displayed by both the liganded and ligand-free forms of binding proteins, and they occur at binding protein concentrations that are 10–100-fold lower than their periplasmic concentration. These results suggest that bacterial periplasmic substrate-binding proteins, in addition to their function in transport and chemotaxis, might be implicated in protein folding and protection from stress in the periplasm.
Online Tracking Control System For Robot Manipulator Using Adaptive Fuzzy Wavelet Network

It is well known that Wavelet Networks (WN) are powerful tools for handling problems of large dimensions. The integration of Wavelet Network and Fuzzy Logic (FL) enable a tool condition monitoring system to have a high monitoring success rate and fast training feed over a wide range of cutting conditions in drilling applications. To overcome offline learning and to perform efficient tracking behavior, an Auto Tuning Adaptive Fuzzy Wavelet Network (ATAFWN) controller is proposed. It was shown that such structure don’t need offline learning to govern the system in stable regions. It can be handle also a wide range of parameter changes in comparison with the conventional controller as well as such controller is simple to configure since it doesn’t need a process model and can be easily adapted to the existing controller and plants.
First water vapor measurements over Athens , Greece , obtained by a combined Raman-elastic backscatter lidar system

REFERENCES AND LINKS [1] J. T. Houghton, Y. Ding, D. J. Griggs, N. Noguer, P. J. van der Linden, D. Xiaosu, K. Maskell, C. A. Johnson, Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Cambridge, University Press, London (2001). [2] S. H. Melfi, “Remote measurements of the atmosphere using Raman scattering” Appl. Opt. 11, 1605–1610 (1972). [3] D. N. Whiteman, S. H. Melfi, R. A. Ferrare, “Raman lidar system for the measurement of water vapor and aerosols in the Earth’s atmosphere”, Appl. Opt. 31, 3068–3081 (1992). [4] D. N. Whiteman, “Examination of the traditional Raman lidar technique. II. Evaluating the ratios for water vapor and aerosols”, Appl. Opt. 42, 2593-2608 (2003). [5] A. Ansmann, M. Riebesell, U. Wandinger, C. Weitkamp, E. Lahmann, W. Michaelis, “Combined Raman elastic-backscatter lidar for vertical profiling of moisture, aerosol extinction, backscatter, and lidar ratio”, Appl. Phys. B 55, 18-28 (1992). [6] R. A. Ferrare, S. H. Melfi, D. N. Whiteman, K. D. Evans, F. J. Schmidlin, D. O. C. Starr, “A comparison of water vapor measurements made by Raman lidar and radiosondes”, J. Ocean. Atmos. Technol. 12, 1177– 1195 (1995). [7] C. L. Parkinson, “Aqua: an Earth-observing satellite mission to examine water and other climate variables”, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote 41, 173-183 (2003). ABSTRACT:
Functions of reminiscence in later life: Predicting change in the physical and mental health of older adults over time

ABSTRACT Objective: Research has repeatedly shown that reminiscence affects the mental health and well-being of older adults contemporaneously and over time. Cross-sectional research also points to a link between reminiscence and physical health. The direction of this relationship is unclear, however. Does physical health affect how and why older adults think of themselves in the past? Or conversely, do various functions of reminiscence affect both mental and physical health now, and in future? Methods: Online responses were collected from a primarily Canadian sample of 411 older adults at three time points, separated by eight months on average. Participants responded to the Reminiscence Functions Scale at baseline and reported their health conditions, perceived state of health, life satisfaction, and psychological distress at subsequent points of measurement. A structural equation model was computed to identify direct and indirect associations between reminiscence functions and health over time. Results: Self-negative reminiscence functions at baseline (T1) predicted physical health 8 months later (T2), whereas self-positive reminiscence functions at T1 predicted both physical health and psychological distress at T2. The associations among self-positive functions and subsequent physical and mental health were maintained over time. Additionally, longitudinal crossover was observed in which psychological distress at T2 predicted physical health at T3, controlling for physical and mental health at T2. Conclusions: Findings confirm longitudinal associations among reminiscence functions and subsequent indicators of health. For older adults, this extends to both physical and mental health. Future research should examine the physiological mechanisms by which autobiographical memory affects health over time.
Reconfigurable planar filters

Electronically reconfigurable or tunable microwave filters are attracting more attention for research and development because of their increasing importance in improving the capability of current and future wireless systems. For instance, emerging ultrawideband (UWB) technology requires the use of a wide radio spectrum. However, the frequency spectrum as a resource is valuable and limited, so the spectrum is always being used for several purposes, which means it is full of unwanted signals when an operation such as a UWB wireless system is concerned. In this case, existing undesired narrowband radio signals, which vary from place to place and from time to time, may interfere with the UWB system's range. A solution for this is to introduce an electronically switchable or tunable narrow rejection band (notch) within the passband of a UWB bandpass filter. Such an electronically reconfigurable filter is also desired for wideband radar or electronic warfare systems. This paper discusses the development of electronically reconfigurable filter types.
Roles of long noncoding RNAs in chromosome domains

The cell nucleus is highly organized and functionally compartmentalized. Double‐stranded naked DNA is complexed with core histones and assembled into nucleosomes and chromatin, which are surrounded by nuclear domains composed of RNAs and proteins. Recently, three‐dimensional views of chromosome organization beyond the level of the nucleosome have been established and are composed of several layers of chromosome domains. Only a small portion of the human genome encodes proteins; the majority is pervasively transcribed into noncoding RNAs whose functions are under intensive investigation. Importantly, the questions of how nuclear retained noncoding RNAs play roles in orchestrating the chromatin structure that have been addressed. We discuss the novel noncoding RNA clusters, Eleanors, which are derived from a large chromatin domain. They accumulate at the site of their own transcription to form RNA clouds in the nucleus, and they activate gene expression in the chromatin domain. Noncoding RNAs have emerging roles in genome regulation that are integrated into the spatial organization of chromatin and the nucleus. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1384. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1384
Responsabilidad social: unvalor añadido para lasempresas, un criterio dediscriminación positiva paralos consumidores

Pública, Social y Cooperativa ISSN: 0213-8093 ciriec@uv.es Centre International de Recherches et d'Information sur l'Economie Publique, Sociale et Coopérative Organismo Internacional Ceballo Sierra, Ana Isabel Responsabilidad social: un valor añadido para las empresas, un criterio de discriminación positiva para los consumidores CIRIEC-España, Revista de Economía Pública, Social y Cooperativa, núm. 53, noviembre, 2005, pp. 65-77 Centre International de Recherches et d'Information sur l'Economie Publique, Sociale et Coopérative Valencia, Organismo Internacional
Management of chronic middle ear effusion with prednisone combined with trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole

Fifty-three patients were enrolled and evaluable in a randomized, double-blinded controlled clinical trial comparing prednisone for 7 days plus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) for 30 days vs. TMP/SMZ alone in treating chronic middle ear effusion (MEE). Clearing of the effusion in both ears or in one when only one was involved was called complete resolution; clearing in one of two effected ears was called partial resolution. The outcomes 2 weeks after initiation of therapy of 26 patients initially treated with prednisone plus TMP/SMZ were complete resolution in 20, partial resolution in three, and unchanged in three. The outcomes in 27 patients initially treated with TMP/SMZ alone were complete resolution in eight, partial resolution in three, unchanged in 13 and development of acute otitis media in three (P<0.01 for complete resolution). Two weeks after initiation of therapy, patients with a MEE that failed to clear were crossed over to the alternative regimen. Overall 29 of 41 patients (71%) who received oral prednisone plus TMP/SMZ initially or after the crossover had complete resolution of their middle ear effusion at 2 weeks after starting prednisone and TMP/SMZ. Five of 35 (14%) patients treated with prednisone plus TMP/SMZ and one of six (17%) patients treated with TMP/SMZ alone who had complete resolution at 4 weeks required subsequent referrals for tympanostomy tubes. A course of prednisone for 7 days plus TMP/SMZ for 30 days with monthly follow-up should be considered in children with MEE persisting beyond 6–8 weeks before referral for tympanostomy tube placement.
Experimental models of Rett syndrome based on Mecp2 dysfunction

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder predominantly occurring in females with an incidence of 1:10,000 births and caused by sporadic mutations in the MECP2 gene, which encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein-2, an epigenetic transcription factor that binds methylated DNA. The clinical hallmarks include a period of apparently normal early development followed by a plateau and then subsequent frank regression. Impaired visual and aural contact often lead to an initial diagnosis of autism. The characterization of experimental models based on the loss-of-function of the mouse Mecp2 gene revealed that subtle changes in the morphology and function of brain cells and synapses have profound consequences on network activities that underlie critical brain functions. Furthermore, these experimental models have been used for successful reversals of RTT-like symptoms by genetic, pharmacological and environmental manipulations, raising hope for novel therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of life of RTT individuals.
Psychosis and physical aggression in probable Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and type of psychotic symptoms in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease and to test whether there is a relationship between specific psychotic symptoms and episodes of physical aggression. METHOD From 209 patients with possible or probable Alzheimer's disease who had been assessed in a research clinic every 6 months for up to 4.5 years, 181 subjects with probable Alzheimer's disease were selected for study. On the basis of the summary note for each visit in the patients' charts, the presence of delusions, hallucinations, misidentifications, and episodes of physical aggression was determined. Data regarding psychotic symptoms and aggression were available for 170 and 169 subjects, respectively. RESULTS Delusions had been reported for 74 (43.5%) of the patients and were the most frequent psychotic symptom; persecutory delusions were the most common type. Physical aggression had been noted for 50 (29.6%) of the patients. Delusions and misidentifications frequently preceded and were significantly associated with episodes of physical aggression. The presence of delusions was a significant predictor of physical aggression but accounted for only 3.5% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that delusions are a risk factor for physical aggression in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease who have moderate to severe cognitive impairment. As delusions accounted for only a small percentage of the variance, further research is needed to identify other variables that may be significant predictors of physical aggression in this population.
Enhanced bioproduction of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate from 1 wheat straw lignocellulosic hydrolysates 2 3

6 IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco 7 Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal 8 BiotrendInovação e Engenharia em Biotecnologia, S.A. , Biocant Park, Núcleo 04 Lote 2, 9 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal 10 CIIEM-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, ISCSEM, Campus Universitário, 11 Quinta da Granja, 2829–511 Monte de Caparica, Portugal 12 Abstract 13
A feasibility study of digital single-operator cholangioscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic procedure (with videos)

Abstract Recently, the novel SpyGlass DS Direct Visualization system (SPY DS) has become available. This system offers several advantages over the conventional SPYGlass system. This study evaluated the clinical feasibility and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for biliary disorder using SPY DS. In this retrospective study, consecutive patients who had biliary disorder were enrolled between November 2015 and February 2016. All patients could not be diagnosed or treated by standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in our hospital or at another hospital. A total of 28 consecutive patients (21 men and 7 women; median age, 73 years; age range, 55–87 years) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Among them, diagnostic procedure was performed in 20 patients, and 8 patients underwent therapeutic procedures. The technical success rate for diagnostic procedures was 100% (20/20). Diagnostic accuracy was 100% (19/19). The technical success rate for therapeutic procedures was 88% (7/8). Among these 8 patients, 4 patients with common bile duct stones underwent electrohydraulic lithotripsy. One patient successfully underwent guidewire insertion to remove a migrated plastic stent. The 3 remaining patients underwent SPY DS to insert a guidewire for left bile duct obstruction and for posterior bile duct branch. In the patient who underwent guidewire insertion for left hepatic bile duct obstruction cause by primary sclerosing cholangitis, we could not advance the guidewire into the left hepatic bile duct. No adverse events were seen. Median SPY DS insertion time was 21 min (range, 8–32 min). Single-operator cholangioscopy using SPY DS was feasible and had a marked clinical impact in patients with biliary disease. Additional case reports and prospective studies are needed to examine further applications of this system.
Resistance angle sensor based tree diameter gauge

Accurate measurement of the tree diameter is important for the production and scientific research of forestry. The paper developed a resistance angle sensor based on tree diameter gauge, which provided a resolution to some difficulties in tree diameter measuring, such as big trees and trees with spine. The height measuring module based on ultrasonic sensor made it easy to find the best position for tree diameter measurement. The tree diameter gauge has the advantage of digital indication, automatic data storage and USB interface and is of high practical value.
NRR: a nonholonomic random replanner for navigation of car-like robots in unknown environments

SUMMARY In this paper, a new sensor-based approach called nonholonomic random replanner (NRR) is presented for motion planning of car-like mobile robots. The robot is incrementally directed toward its destination using a nonholonomic rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm. At each iteration, the robot's perceived map of the environment is updated using sensor readings and is used for local motion planning. If the goal was not visible to the robot, an approximate path toward the goal is calculated and the robot traces it to an extent within its sensor range. The robot updates its motion to goal through replanning. This procedure is repeated until the goal lies within the scope of the robot, after which it finds a more precise path by sampling in a tighter Goal Region for the nonholonomic RRT. Three main replanning strategies are proposed to decide when to perform a visibility scan and when to replan a new path. Those are named Basic, Deliberative and Greedy strategies, which yield different paths. The NRR was also modified for motion planning of Dubin's car-like robots. The proposed algorithm is probabilistically complete and its effectiveness and efficiency were tested by running several simulations and the resulting runtimes and path lengths were compared to the basic RRT method.
On a Wing and a Prayer: An Assessment of Modularized Crew Resource Management Training for Health Care Professionals

Introduction: Evidence suggests that Crew Resource Management (CRM), a form of team training, is beneficial. In CRM training, participants learn individual portable team skills such as communication and decision making through group discussion and activities. However, the usual 1‐day course format is not always compatible with health care organizational routines. A modular training format, while theoretically sound, is untested for interprofessional team training. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for modularized CRM training to be delivered to a group of interprofessional learners. Method: Modularized CRM training, consisting of two 2‐hour workshops, was delivered to health care workers in an Australian tertiary hospital. Kirkpatrick's evaluation model provided a framework for the study. Baseline attitude surveys were conducted prior to each workshop. Participants completed a written questionnaire at the end of each workshop that examined their motivations, reactions to the training, and learner demographics. An additional survey, administered 6 weeks post training, captured self‐assessed behavior data. Results: Twenty‐three individuals from a range of professions and clinical streams participated. One in 5 participants (22%) reported that they translated teamwork skills to the workplace. While positive about the workshop format and content, many respondents identified personal, team, and organizational barriers to the application of the workshop techniques. Discussion: CRM training when delivered in a modular format has positive outcomes. Following the training, some respondents overcame workplace barriers to attempt to change negative workplace behavior. This progress provides cautious optimism for the potential for modular CRM training to benefit groups of interprofessional health staff.
Dose-dependence of PTH-related peptide-1 on the osteogenic induction of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro

Abstract Parathyroid hormone (PTH), an 84-amino acid peptide, is an endocrine hormone that is secreted by parathyroid glands. PTH performs important functions in calcium regulation and bone remodeling. The PTH (1–34) named teriparatide, a 34-amino acid peptide derived from the N-terminus of PTH, conserves most of the functions of PTH, specifically the osteogenic capability. However, teriparatide is only used by injection and exhibits short duration. In addition, this PTH could not thoroughly expose active sites. In this study, a novel PTH-related peptide (designated PTHrP-1) derived from the N-terminus of PTH was added into the complete medium at different concentrations of PTHrP-1 (0, 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL) to induce the MC3T3-E1 cells. PTHrP-1 was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. Cell morphology, cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and ALP activity, osteocalcin concentration, and collagen type I (Col-I), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA expression by RT-PCR and protein expression by western blotting were observed and detected. The purity of the PTHrP-1 was 95.14%, and the PTHrP-1 can induce MC3T3-E1 cells into osteoblasts, thus improving ALP activity and OCN concentration, and increasing Col-I, OPN, and OCN mRNA expression and protein expression in MC3T3-E1 cell cultures. The PTHrP-1 proved to be an ideal active peptide. In addition, the osteogenic ability of PTHrP-1 at 200 and 100 ng/mL concentrations was not significantly different but significantly higher than 50 and 0 ng/mL groups. Results indicate that PTHrP-1 is a kind of active peptides that exhibits good biocompatibility with MC3T3-E1 cells and could improve cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, PTHrP-1, at the preferable concentration of 100 ng/mL, could effectively promote MC3T3-E1 cells into osteoblasts.