Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generation of Adaptive Regulatory T Cells by Alloantigen Is Required for Some But Not All Transplant Tolerance Protocols

Background. Because CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the maintenance of self-tolerance, significant interest surrounds the developmental cues for thymic-derived natural Tregs (nTregs) and periphery-generated adaptive Tregs (aTregs). In the transplant setting, the allograft may play a role in the generation of alloantigen-specific Tregs, but this role remains undefined. We examined whether the immune response to a transplant allograft results in the peripheral generation of aTregs. Methods. To identify generation of aTregs, purified graft-reactive CD4+CD25− T cells were adoptively transferred to mice-bearing skin allograft. To demonstrate that aTregs are necessary for tolerance, DBA/2 skin was transplanted onto C57BL/6-RAG-1-deficient recipients adoptively transferred with purified sorted CD4+CD25− T cells; half of the recipients undergo tolerance induction treatment. Results. By tracking adoptively transferred cells, we show that purified graft-reactive CD4+CD25− T lymphocytes up-regulate Foxp3 in mice receiving skin allografts in the absence of any treatment. Interestingly, cotransfer of antigen-specific nTregs suppresses the up-regulation of Foxp3 by inhibiting the proliferation of allograft-responsive T cells. In vitro data are consistent with our in vivo data—Foxp3+ cells are generated on antigen activation, and this generation is suppressed on coculture with antigen-specific nTregs. Finally, blocking aTreg generation in grafted, rapamycin-treated mice disrupts alloantigen-specific tolerance induction. In contrast, blocking aTreg generation in grafted mice treated with nondepleting anti-CD4 plus anti-CD40L antibodies does not disrupt graft tolerance. Conclusions. We conclude that graft alloantigen stimulates the de novo generation of aTregs, and this generation may represent a necessary step in some but not all protocols of tolerance induction.
Studies on electric fields radiated from cellular phone base station antennas

Electric fields radiated from cellular phone base station antennas are investigated by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, near zone to far zone transformation technique, and experimental measurements. From results of radiation patterns, it is found that the theory of FDTD method implemented with near zone to far zone transformation technique makes a good agreement with the experiment.
Chapter 2 An overview of social networks

A society is a collection of individuals which are interrelated. At its simplest form, a society may be represented by a network or graph. The graphs that arise this way are called social networks. Examining these networks can give us insight into how we interact with each other and the world around us, and what influences our behavior or success in different areas. For instance, here are a couple of well-known examples of social networks.
Mechanical force sensors using organic thin-film transistors

The pressure dependence of pentacene (C22H14) transistors with solution-processed polyvinylphenol gate dielectric on glass substrates is investigated by applying uniaxial mechanical pressure with a needle. We found that organic thin-film transistors are sensitive to applied pressure inherently. The measurements reveal a reversible current dependence of the transfer characteristics where the drain current is switching between two states. Experimental and simulation results suggest that switch-on voltage and interface resistance are affected. The change takes seconds, hinting at trap states being responsible for the effect.
Striatal Malonate Lesions Are Attenuated in Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Knockout Mice

Abstract: Intrastriatal administration of the reversible succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor malonate produces both energy depletion and striatal lesions by a secondary excitotoxic mechanism. To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO•) in the pathogenesis of the lesions we examined malonate toxicity in mice in which the genes for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were disrupted. Malonate striatal lesions were significantly attenuated in the nNOS mutant mice, and they were significantly increased in the eNOS mutant mice. Malonate‐induced increases in levels of 2,3‐ and 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid/salicylate, markers of hydroxyl radical generation, were significantly attenuated in the nNOS knockout mice. Malonate‐induced increases in 3‐nitrotyrosine, a marker for peroxynitrite‐mediated damage, were blocked in the nNOS mice, whereas a significant increase occurred in the eNOS mice. These findings show that NO• produced by nNOS results in generation of peroxynitrite, which plays a role in malonate neurotoxicity.
Calcium and vitamin D in broiler rations.

Abstract WITH the modifications that have been made in the energy content of chick starter and broiler rations the requirements for some of the nutrients may be different than those determined on the basis of diets commonly formulated some years ago. For example, the inclusion of fat in poultry rations has been shown by Biely and March (1954, 1957), Sunde (1956), and Davidson (1956) to be practicable only when the level of protein is increased to maintain a proportion between the energy level and the protein level in the diet. The relation of dietary fat and energy level to requirements of other nutrients is not so clear. Although from our present knowledge of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D interrelationships, it should be possible to define calcium requirements within fairly close limits, the calcium requirement has been reported within recent years to be as low as 0.5 percent (Simco and Stephenson, 1961) …
Effect of a multiple-site intensive care unit telemedicine program on clinical and economic outcomes: An alternative paradigm for intensivist staffing*

ObjectiveTo examine whether a supplemental remote intensive care unit (ICU) care program, implemented by an integrated delivery network using a commercial telemedicine and information technology system, can improve clinical and economic performance across multiple ICUs. DesignBefore-and-after trial to assess the effect of adding the supplemental remote ICU telemedicine program. SettingTwo adult ICUs of a large tertiary care hospital. PatientsA total of 2,140 patients receiving ICU care between 1999 and 2001. InterventionsThe remote care program used intensivists and physician extenders to provide supplemental monitoring and management of ICU patients for 19 hrs/day (noon to 7 am) from a centralized, off-site facility (eICU). Supporting software, including electronic data display, physician note- and order-writing applications, and a computer-based decision-support tool, were available both in the ICU and at the remote site. Clinical and economic performance during 6 months of the remote intensivist program was compared with performance before the intervention. Measurements and Main ResultsHospital mortality for ICU patients was lower during the period of remote ICU care (9.4% vs. 12.9%; relative risk, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.95), and ICU length of stay was shorter (3.63 days [95% CI, 3.21–4.04] vs. 4.35 days [95% CI, 3.93–4.78]). Lower variable costs per case and higher hospital revenues (from increased case volumes) generated financial benefits in excess of program costs. ConclusionsThe addition of a supplemental, telemedicine-based, remote intensivist program was associated with improved clinical outcomes and hospital financial performance. The magnitude of the improvements was similar to those reported in studies examining the impact of implementing on-site dedicated intensivist staffing models; however, factors other than the introduction of off-site intensivist staffing may have contributed to the observed results, including the introduction of computer-based tools and the increased focus on ICU performance. Although further studies are needed, the apparent success of this on-going multiple-site program, implemented with commercially available equipment, suggests that telemedicine may provide a means for hospitals to achieve quality improvements associated with intensivist care using fewer intensivists.
Transcriptome Profiling of Wheat Inflorescence Development from Spikelet Initiation to Floral Patterning Identified Stage-Specific Regulatory Genes1[OPEN]

Transcriptome analyses of key stages in wheat inflorescence development uncover molecular pathways and candidate genes that may be essential for final seed setting and yield improvement in wheat. Early reproductive development in cereals is crucial for final grain number per spike and hence the yield potential of the crop. To date, however, no systematic analyses of gene expression profiles during this important process have been conducted for common wheat (Triticum aestivum). Here, we studied the transcriptome profiles at four stages of early wheat reproductive development, from spikelet initiation to floral organ differentiation. K-means clustering and stage-specific transcript identification detected dynamically expressed homeologs of important transcription regulators in spikelet and floral meristems that may be involved in spikelet initiation, floret meristem specification, and floral organ patterning, as inferred from their homologs in model plants. Small RNA transcriptome sequencing discovered key microRNAs that were differentially expressed during wheat inflorescence development alongside their target genes, suggesting that miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms for floral development may be conserved in cereals and Arabidopsis. Our analysis was further substantiated by the functional characterization of the ARGONAUTE1d (AGO1d) gene, which was initially expressed in stamen primordia and later in the tapetum during anther maturation. In agreement with its stage-specific expression pattern, the loss of function of the predominantly expressed B homeolog of AGO1d in a tetraploid durum wheat mutant resulted in smaller anthers with more infertile pollens than the wild type and a reduced grain number per spike. Together, our work provides a first glimpse of the gene regulatory networks in wheat inflorescence development that may be pivotal for floral and grain development, highlighting potential targets for genetic manipulation to improve future wheat yields.
Temperature-Mediated Heteroduplex Analysis for Detection of pncA Mutations Associated with Pyrazinamide Resistance and Differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis by Denaturing High- Performance Liquid Chromatography

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to apply temperature-mediated heteroduplex analysis using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography to identify pyrazinamide (PZA) resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates and simultaneously differentiate between M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. Features that contributed to an optimal assay included the use of two different reference probes for the pncA gene targets from wild-type M. tuberculosis and wild-type M. bovis, optimization of the column temperature, increasing the starting concentration of the elution buffer, and reducing the rate of elution buffer increase (slope). A total of 69 strains were studied, including 48 wild-type M. tuberculosis strains (13 were PZA-resistant strains) and 21 M. bovis strains (8 were BCG strains). In all isolates tested, wild-type M. tuberculosis generated a single-peak pattern when mixed with the M. tuberculosis probe and a double-peak pattern with the M. bovis probe. In contrast, all M. bovis isolates generated a double-peak pattern when mixed with the M. tuberculosis probe and a single-peak pattern with the M. bovis probe. PZA-resistant mutant M. tuberculosis isolates generated characteristic patterns that were easily distinguishable from both wild-type M. tuberculosis and M. bovis isolates. Chromatographic patterns generated by the two reference probes allowed the rapid detection of PZA resistance with the simultaneous ability to distinguish between M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. This approach may allow the detection of drug resistance-associated mutations, with potential application to clinical and epidemiological aspects of tuberculosis control.
Privacy and incentive mechanisms in people-centric sensing networks

Leveraging on the ubiquity and increasing number of smartphone users, people-centric sensing is a new computing paradigm that enables distributed data collection by voluntary participants, using the rich sensing capabilities of smartphones. In this article we identify the challenges on two important issues for a successful people-centric sensing system, i.e., privacy and incentives, because if either there is no incentive to participate or participants' privacy is invaded, smartphone owners will be reluctant to participate. Then we review some recent works that address these two issues. Finally, we suggest directions for future work on people-centric sensing by describing several open issues.
Resolution of sleepiness and fatigue: A comparison of bupropion and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in subjects with major depressive disorder achieving remission at doses approved in the European Union

Unlike selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), bupropion may be classified as a dual noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, a difference with potential implications for the treatment of residual sleepiness and fatigue in major depressive disorder (MDD). Post-hoc analysis of subjects with remitted MDD was performed on data pooled from six double-blind, randomized trials comparing the European Union (EU)-approved dose of ≤300 mg/day bupropion with SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine or escitalopram) for the resolution of sleepiness and fatigue. Hypersomnia score was defined as the sum of scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) items 22, 23, and 24; fatigue score as HDRS item 13 score; and remission as HDRS-17≤7. Similar proportions of bupropion- and SSRI-treated subjects achieved remission at study endpoint (169/343, 49.3% vs 324/656, 49.4%; last observation carried forward (LOCF), p=0.45). Fewer bupropion-treated remitters had residual symptoms of sleepiness (32/169, 18.9% vs 104/324, 32.1%; p<0.01) and fatigue (33/169, 19.5% vs 98/324, 30.2%; p<0.05). Bupropion-treated remitters also showed greater improvement (mean change from baseline) in sleepiness (p<0.05) and fatigue scores (p<0.01) at endpoint: benefits were evident from week 2 for sleepiness (p<0.01) and week 4 for fatigue (p<0.01). Bupropion treatment at the EU-approved dose of ≤300 mg/day may offer advantages over SSRIs in the resolution of sleepiness and fatigue in remitted MDD patients.
An Open Tutorial for Beginning Ancient Greek

For the past three years, I have been developing an open online digital tutorial for Ancient Greek designed for beginners with no previous knowledge of the language. This tutorial is available online at http://daedalus.umkc. edu/ FirstGreekBook. The drill and practice exercises in this tutorial are designed to engage a broad public audience both inside and outside traditional university classroom settings. The techniques and approaches used for syntactic annotation and translation alignment that are discussed in the articles about the Perseids Platform and the Treebanking environment elsewhere in this volume have informed the pedagogical approach of this tutorial. In calendar year 2014, there were 15,178 unique visitors who viewed tutorial pages some 58,137 times. This chapter will explore patterns of data usage and describe the audiences that have been using the tutorial. Digital tutorial programs for other languages such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone successfully engage large audiences outside of traditional academic environments while most resources for the study of Ancient Greek are designed for use within traditional classrooms. An understanding of the usage patterns for this one digital tutorial will help illuminate ways that pedagogical materials can be crafted in order to engage with broader audiences. How to cite this book chapter: Rydberg-Cox, J. 2016. An Open Tutorial for Beginning Ancient Greek. In: Bodard, G & Romanello, M (eds.) Digital Classics Outside the Echo-Chamber: Teaching, Knowledge Exchange & Public Engagement, Pp. 69–82. London: Ubiquity Press. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5334/bat.e. License: CC-BY 4.0. 70 Digital Classics Outside the Echo-Chamber
Airflow Limitation and Endothelial Dysfunction. Unrelated and Independent Predictors of Atherosclerosis.

RATIONALE Lower FEV1 is associated with increased prevalence of atherosclerosis; however, causal mechanisms remain elusive. OBJECTIVES To determine if systemic endothelial dysfunction mediates the association between reduced FEV1 and increased atherosclerosis. METHODS Brachial artery endothelial function, pulmonary function, coronary artery calcium, and carotid plaque were assessed in 231 Pittsburgh SCCOR (Specialized Centers for Clinically Oriented Research) study participants; peripheral arterial endothelial function, pulmonary function, and coronary artery calcium were assessed in 328 HeartSCORE (Heart Strategies Concentrating on Risk Evaluation) study participants. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Lower FEV1 was independently associated with increased atherosclerosis in both cohorts (per 25% lower % predicted FEV1: odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-2.40; P < 0.001 for carotid plaque in SCCOR participants) (per 25% lower % predicted FEV1: OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.02-1.77; P = 0.03 for coronary artery calcium in HeartSCORE participants). Similarly, reduced endothelial function was independently associated with increased atherosclerosis in both cohorts (per SD lower endothelial function: OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01-1.67; P = 0.04 for carotid plaque in SCCOR participants) (per SD lower endothelial function: OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09-1.76; P = 0.008 and OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07-1.86; P = 0.01 for coronary artery calcium in SCCOR and HeartSCORE participants, respectively). However, there was no association between endothelial dysfunction and FEV1, FEV1/FVC, low-attenuation area/visual emphysema, and diffusing capacity in SCCOR participants, and between endothelial dysfunction and FEV1 or FEV1/FVC in HeartSCORE participants (all P > 0.05). Adjusting the association between FEV1 and atherosclerosis for endothelial dysfunction had no impact. CONCLUSIONS Endothelial dysfunction does not mediate the association between airflow limitation and atherosclerosis. Instead, airflow limitation and endothelial dysfunction seem to be unrelated and mutually independent predictors of atherosclerosis.
The CHD3 Remodeler PICKLE Associates with Genes Enriched for Trimethylation of Histone H3 Lysine 271[W][OA]

In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler PICKLE (PKL) determines expression of genes associated with developmental identity. PKL promotes the epigenetic mark trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) that facilitates repression of tissue-specific genes in plants. It has previously been proposed that PKL acts indirectly to promote H3K27me3 by promoting expression of the POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX2 complex that generates H3K27me3. We undertook expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses to further characterize the contribution of PKL to gene expression and developmental identity. Our expression data support a critical and specific role for PKL in expression of H3K27me3-enriched loci but do not support a role for PKL in expression of POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX2. Moreover, our chromatin immunoprecipitation data reveal that PKL protein is present at the promoter region of multiple H3K27me3-enriched loci, indicating that PKL directly acts on these loci. In particular, we find that PKL is present at LEAFY COTYLEDON1 and LEAFY COTYLEDON2 during germination, which is when PKL acts to repress these master regulators of embryonic identity. Surprisingly, we also find that PKL is present at the promoters of actively transcribed genes that are ubiquitously expressed such as ACTIN7 and POLYUBIQUITIN10 that do not exhibit PKL-dependent expression. Taken together, our data contravene the previous model of PKL action and instead support a direct role for PKL in determining levels of H3K27me3 at repressed loci. Our data also raise the possibility that PKL facilitates a common chromatin remodeling process that is not restricted to H3K27me3-enriched regions.
Idiopathic dural optic nerve sheath calcification

A 58-year-old African American man presented to the ophthalmic oncology clinic after referral from a community physician who noted bilateral calcified lesions of the optic nerves on a CT scan performed for dizziness (figure 1). The patient reported no recent change in his vision and had no complaints. His dizziness had resolved spontaneously by the time of our encounter. He denied headache, visual field changes and diplopia. He reported having a normal eye exam 2 years previously. His past medical history included only hyperlipidaemia and osteoarthritis. He denied any history of malignancy or kidney disease. Figure 1 CT scan of the brain performed for dizziness shows bilateral calcifications along the optic nerve within the orbit (A). The study also showed extensive intracranial dural calcification (B). Physical examination revealed 20/15 vision bilaterally, normal intraocular pressures, equal and reactive pupils with no afferent pupillary defect, normal motility and alignment and no proptosis. Both optic nerves had a normal appearance with no swelling, pallor or cupping. The remainder of his funduscopic examination was normal. There were no visual field defects. Colour vision was assessed with Ishihara plates and was normal. He then underwent B-scan ultrasonography to assess his optic nerves (figure 2). …
Enzymatic production of L‐serine with a feedback control system for formaldehyde addition

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) in the form of crude extract from a recombinant strain of Klebsiella aerogenes was used for the production of L‐serine from glycine and formaldehyde (HCHO). A stirred tank bio‐reactor with a continuous feed of HCHO (37%) was employed. Since the performance of the serine bioreactor was heavily dependent on how HCHO was fed, an automatic feedback control system was developed for HCHO delivery utilizing the phenomenon of formol titration. This control procedure was based on the following circumstance: as a bioconversion proceeded, if the rate of HCHO feed was balanced by the rate of serine synthesis so that HCHO concentration was maintained near zero, then there was no pH change in the bioreactor. Once the rate of HCHO addition exceeded that of serine synthesis, the HCHO concentration built up and the excess HCHO reacted with the amino group of an amino acid (e.g. glycine or serine) to produce a Schiff base and a proton which lowered the pH. A pH controller detected and relayed this pH change to the on–off switch of the HCHO feed pump. Thus, HCHO infusion stopped when the pH was lower than the set point, which was the initial pH of the reaction. With this control system, the maximum concentration of HCHO that was reached in the bioreactor was only 1mM–3.3mM depending on the pH and amino acid composition in the bioreactor. Moreover, a decrease in pH also signaled the use of a slower feed rate at which HCHO was to be, delivered once the pH resumed its initial value after excess HCHO was consumed by the reaction. Employing this control system, we have optimized the performance of the serine bioreactor to give a serine titer of 450 g/L with an 88% molar conversion of glycine at a volumetric serine productivity of 8.9 g/L/h.