Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alternatively Activated Mononuclear Phagocytes from the Skin Site of Infection and the Impact of IL-4Rα Signalling on CD4+T Cell Survival in Draining Lymph Nodes after Repeated Exposure to Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae

In a murine model of repeated exposure of the skin to infective Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, events leading to the priming of CD4 cells in the skin draining lymph nodes were examined. The dermal exudate cell (DEC) population recovered from repeatedly (4x) exposed skin contained an influx of mononuclear phagocytes comprising three distinct populations according to their differential expression of F4/80 and MHC-II. As determined by gene expression analysis, all three DEC populations (F4/80-MHC-IIhigh, F4/80+MHC-IIhigh, F4/80+MHC-IIint) exhibited major up-regulation of genes associated with alternative activation. The gene encoding RELMα (hallmark of alternatively activated cells) was highly up-regulated in all three DEC populations. However, in 4x infected mice deficient in RELMα, there was no change in the extent of inflammation at the skin infection site compared to 4x infected wild-type cohorts, nor was there a difference in the abundance of different mononuclear phagocyte DEC populations. The absence of RELMα resulted in greater numbers of CD4+ cells in the skin draining lymph nodes (sdLN) of 4x infected mice, although they remained hypo-responsive. Using mice deficient for IL-4Rα, in which alternative activation is compromised, we show that after repeated schistosome infection, levels of regulatory IL-10 in the skin were reduced, accompanied by increased numbers of MHC-IIhigh cells and CD4+ T cells in the skin. There were also increased numbers of CD4+ T cells in the sdLN in the absence of IL-4Rα compared to cells from singly infected mice. Although their ability to proliferate was still compromised, increased cellularity of sdLN from 4x IL-4RαKO mice correlated with reduced expression of Fas/FasL, resulting in decreased apoptosis and cell death but increased numbers of viable CD4+ T cells. This study highlights a mechanism through which IL-4Rα may regulate the immune system through the induction of IL-10 and regulation of Fas/FasL mediated cell death.
Variable Ordering to Improve BDD Analysis of Phased-Mission Systems With Multimode Failures

Recently, Z. Tang, and J. B. Dugan proposed a new algorithm (DEP-BDD) based on binary decision diagrams (BDD) for reliability analysis of phased-mission systems (PMS) with multimode failures. Although the variable ordering is very important from a practical point of view, it has not been treated directly. This paper develops four ordering heuristics for DEP-BDD based on two ordinary schemes, and evaluates these schemes & heuristics with hundreds of randomly generated fault trees having different sizes and structure properties. As a synthesis of the obtained performance results, we propose a heuristic selection strategy.
George O. Liber, Alexander Dovzhenko : A Life in Soviet Film

On ne s’interesse plus guere aujourd’hui en France a Dovženko qui reste sans doute le plus delaisse des grands cineastes sovietiques. La retrospective de ses films, presentee en France fin 1999, a suscite peu d’echos, comme le rappelait Francois Albera dans un penetrant hommage rendu au cineaste. Est-ce sa reputation d’artiste officiel, devoue au regime, l’apparent conformisme ideologique de ses films ou son style, empreint de lyrisme pantheiste, de naivete et d’une certaine emphase qui expli.
Accuracy of conventional cytology: results from a multicentre screening study in India

Objective: We conducted a multi-centre cross-sectional study in India to evaluate the accuracy of conventional cytology to detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Setting: Cross-sectional studies in Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai and Trivandrum, India, during 1999-2003. Methods: A common protocol and questionnaire were used to test 22,663 women aged 25-65 years with conventional cytology in five cross-sectional studies. Three thresholds were used to define test positivity: atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LSIL), or HSIL. All screened women were investigated with colposcopy, and biopsies were taken when necessary. The reference standard for final disease status was histology or negative colposcopy. Data from the studies were pooled to evaluate the test characteristics for the detection of histologically confirmed HSIL. Results: The test positivity rates of cytology were 8.8% at ASCUS, 6.2% at LSIL and 1.8% at HSIL thresholds, and 355 women had histologically confirmed HSIL while 74 had invasive cancer. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values at ASCUS threshold were 64.5%, 92.3%, 11.8% and 99.4% respectively. The corresponding values at LSIL threshold were 58.0%, 94.9%, 15.2% and 99.3%, while at the HSIL threshold they were 45.4%, 99.2%, 46.3% and 99.1%. The sensitivity varied between 37.8-81.3% at ASCUS , 28.9-76.9% at LSIL and 24.4-72.3% at HSIL thresholds. A significantly low sensitivity was observed in women aged 25-39 years (p<0.001). The wide variation in sensitivity across study sites persisted even after age standardisation. Conclusion: The sensitivity of cytology varied widely between the study sites. Findings from our study and other reviews indicate that sustained efforts in improving sampling, preparation and reading of cytological specimens and improvements in clinical judgement are essential to achieve concurrently high sensitivity and specificity.
Hamstring Muscle Injuries Among Water Skiers

Water skiing is associated with severe injuries to the proximal hamstring muscles. We wanted to define the mechanism of injury, describe the associated patho logic changes, determine the functional limitations of patients, and suggest measures to prevent injury. Twelve patients with water skiing-related hamstring injuries were included. Six patients were experienced skiers and six were novices. The mechanism of injury was identical in five of six novice skiers. Each sus tained the injury while attempting to get up on one or two skis from a submerged position. In contrast, the expert skiers all sustained injury secondary to a fall while skiing. Physical examination documented evi dence of complete or partial avulsion of the proximal hamstring muscle origins in all patients. In addition, six patients had magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans that confirmed the location and ex tent of the tear. Convalescence ranged from 3 months to 1.5 years before the patient could return to vigorous activities. Seven patients (58%) returned to most of their preinjury sports, albeit at a lower level. Five pa tients (42%), all with complete disruptions, were unable to run or participate in sports requiring agility. Two of these patients required delayed surgical repairs be cause of persistent functional limitations.
Prolongation of allogeneic heart graft survival in rats by administration of a peptide (a.a. 75-84) from the alpha 1 helix of the first domain of HLA-B7 01.

Allospecific T lymphocytes mediate graft rejection through specific, direct or indirect, recognition of processed determinants of foreign MHC class I molecules. Small synthetic peptides derived from highly conserved sequences of the alpha 1 helix of the first domain of certain MHC class I molecules have been shown to inhibit CTL responses in vitro and to prolong graft survival in rats when combined with subtherapeutic doses of cyclosporine. Here, we report that the survival of LEW.1W heart allografts was significantly prolonged when transplanted into congenic LEW.1A recipients treated only with a peptide corresponding to residues 75-84 of the human HLA-B7-01 molecule (B7.75-84) before transplantation. The experimental value for mean survival time (+/- SD) in untreated recipients was 13 +/- 6 days and in peptide-treated recipients was 42 +/- 27 days (P < 0.002). A total of 64% of treated recipients had a functioning graft at 30 days, while grafts were rejected in all rats belonging to the control group within this time. Within graft-infiltrating leukocytes (GIL) in B7.75-84-treated animals, the proportion of T cells was significantly lower and that of CD5-/TCR alpha beta-/CD16-/CD8+ and MHC class II+ cells concomitantly increased, as compared with nontreated animals. GIL from B7.75-84-treated animals also exhibited a dramatic decrease (approximately 70%) of allospecific and spontaneous (NK) cytotoxic activity, whereas their proliferation and IL-2 production were similar in both experimental groups. The IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-10 mRNA levels from GIL from peptide-treated recipients were similar to levels of controls, reflecting a state of activation of GIL. Perforin and granzyme A mRNA, the level of which may be modulated parallel to impaired cytotoxic functions, were at similar levels in both experimental groups. These data demonstrate that B7.75-84 significantly prolongs graft survival in LEW.1A rats when given as a single agent and suggests that a specifically decreased cytotoxic response (allospecific and spontaneous) plays a major role.
MRI versus clinical examination in diagnosing meniscal and ligamentous injuries of knee

Objective: The purpose of this study was to correlate clinical and MRI findings in diagnosing ligament and meniscus tears in knee joint injuries. Material and methods: 30 cases with history of rotational injury having knee pain and recurrent swelling who were referred to Radiology Department for MRI of knee joint following injury to the knee with an age ranging from 11 to 60 years were subjected to this study. Prior to MRI, a detailed history, clinical, and local examination were done in all the subjects. MRI was carried out on . 35 Tesla Siemens Magnetom C machine using specific knee coil. and the standard protocol consisted of fat-suppressed PD in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes, T2W in axial, and sagittal plane and T1W in axial, and sagittal plane. Results: MRI had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) in diagnosing ACL tears in this study. Clinical examination had sensitivity of 88% and NPV 75% in diagnosing ACL injuries as compared to arthroscopy. There was high NPV of MR examination (96%) in diagnosing meniscus tear while the PPV of MR examination was low (71%) as compared to arthroscopy. These values were low in case of clinical examination. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is useful as a preoperative diagnostic tool in selected cases where a clinical examination cannot be performed as in acute injuries or in cases where clinical examination is inconclusive. The efficacy of MRI in diagnosing a tear varies among different intra articular structures. MRI has a high accuracy in diagnosing a tear of PCL. Sensitivity for medial meniscal tear is higher as compared to lateral meniscus and high for PCL as compared to ACL. MRI has a high positive predictive value for ACL, but has a low negative predictive value. For PCL tears, MRI has a high negative predictive value which indicates that with a negative result for PCL on MRI, a diagnostic arthroscopy can be avoided.
Oligomerization Is a Specific Requirement for Apical Sorting of Glycosyl‐Phosphatidylinositol‐Anchored Proteins but Not for Non‐Raft‐Associated Apical Proteins

Protein apical sorting in polarized epithelial cells is mediated by two different mechanisms, raft dependent and raft independent. In Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, an essential step for apical sorting of glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins (GPI‐APs) is their coalescence into high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) oligomers. Here we show that this mechanism is also functional in Fischer rat thyroid cells, which possess a different sorting phenotype compared with MDCK cells. We demonstrate that, as in MDCK cells, both apical and basolateral GPI‐APs associate with detergent‐resistant microdomains, but that only the apical proteins are able to oligomerize into HMW complexes during their passage through the medial Golgi. We also show that oligomerization is a specific requirement for apical sorting of GPI‐APs and is not used by transmembrane, non‐raft‐associated apical proteins.
La consideración de la calidad en los análisis de eficiencia. Una aplicación a la atención primaria de salud

Este articulo ofrece un analisis de eficiencia aplicado a la prestacion de los servicios de atencion sanitaria primaria en el que se incorpora, como una dimension mas del producto ofrecido por los centros de salud, la calidad de dicho producto valorada objetivamente a traves de un indicador disenado a tal fin. Al analizar conjuntamente los objetivos de eficiencia y calidad, objetivos que, aunque en algunas ocasiones se antojan contradictorios, marcan la vida diaria de los centros de salud espanoles, se busca una valoracion del comportamiento productivo de dichos centros mas amplia y proxima a la real.
A distant upstream promoter of the HNF-4alpha gene connects the transcription factors involved in maturity-onset diabetes of the young.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenic, autosomal dominant subtype of early-onset diabetes mellitus due to defective insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta-cell in humans. Five different genes have been identified including those encoding the tissue-specific transcription factors expressed in pancreatic beta-cells, i.e. HNF-4alpha (MODY1), HNF-1alpha (MODY3), IPF-1 (also known as PDX-1, MODY4) and HNF-1beta (MODY5). Analyzing the transcription of the HNF-4alpha gene, we now identify an alternative promoter, P2, which is 46 kb 5' to the previously identified P1 promoter of the human gene. Based on RT-PCR this distant upstream P2 promoter represents the major transcription site in pancreatic beta-cells, but is also used in hepatic cells. Transfection assays with various deletions and mutants of the P2 promoter reveal functional binding sites for HNF-1alpha, HNF-1beta and IPF-1, the other transcription factors known to encode MODY genes. We demonstrate the significance of this alternative promoter in a large MODY family where a mutated IPF-1 binding site in the P2 promoter of the HNF-4alpha gene co-segregates with diabetes (LOD score 3.25). These data suggest a regulatory network of the four MODY transcription factors interconnected at the distant upstream P2 promoter of the HNF-4alpha gene.
Zum Einfluss von Parteiideologie auf die Staatstätigkeit in den US-Bundesstaaten

Eine neue Studie zeigt den Einfluss von Parteiideologie auf Wirtschaftspolitik in den US-Bundesstaaten auf. Demokraten haben die Staatstatigkeit ausgeweitet; Republikaner haben sie zuruckgefahren. Insbesondere haben Republikaner die Arbeitsmarkte dereguliert. Problemlos implementiert werden konnen die Politik­unterschiede aber nur, wenn es keine geteilten Mehrheitsverhaltnisse zwischen Exekutive und Legislative gibt.
Effect of inclusion level of linseed on the nutrient utilisation of diets for growing broiler chickens

Abstract 1. Diets containing linseed at inclusions of 0, 80, 120 and 160 g/kg were evaluated for digestibility of nutrients and AME n content with male broiler chickens. 2. Increasing the concentration of linseed decreased the retention of nitrogen and the digestibility of amino acids, crude fat and fatty acids of diets. 3. Dietary AME n (MJ/kg) was also affected by the rate of inclusion of linseed, values decreasing from 14.39 to 12.49. 4. In general, a linear regression model explained the relationship between dietary linseed content and nutritive parameters. However, the quadratic response found for the digestibility of several amino acids and fatty acids indicated a non-additive change in their digestibility. 5. Viscosity of jejunal digesta was markedly increased by each increment of linseed in the diets. This is attributable to the presence of mucilage in linseed and it might explain many of the results obtained in this study.
Predicting NRA Ratings from Congressional Speeches

We implemented machine learning models to predict the rating the NRA would give a congressperson based on one of their speeches in Congress. Using data from 2011 through 2016, we used a frequency-based featurization for the speeches to perform this 4-category classification task. Out of three Naive Bayes methods and an SVM, the SVM performed the best, with 60.2% accuracy. We compare this to a multinomial logistic regression without using speech data based on party, state, age, and gender, which achieves 96.3% accuracy.
Behavioral study of the surrogate model-aware evolutionary search framework

The surrogate model-aware evolutionary search (SMAS) framework is an emerging model management method for surrogate model assisted evolutionary algorithms (SAEAs). SAEAs based on SMAS outperform several state-of-the-art SAEAs using other model management methods and show promising results in real-world computationally expensive optimization problems. However, there is little behavioral study of the SMAS framework, and appropriate rules for its search strategy, training data selection and key parameter selection for different types of problems have not been provided yet. In this paper, with a newly proposed training data selection method, the SMAS framework's behaviour with different search strategies and training data selection methods is investigated. The empirical rules in terms of problem characteristics are obtained and the method to construct an SAEA based on the SMAS framework is updated. Experiments using 24 widely used benchmark test problems and the test problems in the CEC 2014 competition of computationally expensive optimization are carried out, which validate the proposed empirical rules.
Coûts de transaction et efficience des marchés d'options : tests empiriques sur le marché français

Ce travail est consacre a l'etude empirique de l'efficience du contrat d'option sur indice CAC 40 (PXL) au moment de l'introduction du Master Share CAC 40, le tracker visant a repliquer l'indice CAC 40. Nous avons envisage l'efficience du contrat d'option sous le prisme de la compatibilite des primes observees avec les relations d'arbitrage. La mise en oeuvre des strategies associees a ces relations necessite des prises de position naturellement soumises a des couts de transaction et au risque de liquidite. La premiere partie de la these est consacree a l'estimation globale de ces couts pour la replication de l'indice CAC 40. Les tests des relations d'arbitrage sont menes dans une deuxieme partie. L'utilisation de donnees haute-frequence nous a permis de construire les strategies d'arbitrage sur la base de l'ensemble des transactions effectivement enregistrees sur le MONEP pendant un an et d'eviter ainsi tout biais d'asynchronie. Ex post, l'introduction du tracker semble avoir entraine une amelioration de la verification des differentes relations. Les tests menes ex ante confirment ce resultat tout en reproduisant autant que possible les conditions d'execution en vigueur sur le marche. En particulier, le " temps de retour a l'efficience ", nouvelle mesure de l'efficience informationnelle du marche developpee ici, souligne l'impact positif de la cotation du tracker sur l'efficience du marche. Le temps de persistance des deviations se reduit en effet de plus de moitie suite a son introduction
Usos didácticos del wiki en educación secundaria

En los ultimos tiempos estamos asistiendo a la aparicion de un conjunto de aplicaciones informaticas que estan haciendo cambiar el uso tradicional de Internet en los entornos educativos. Entre estas herramientas, y tal vez entre las mas desconocidas, aunque, tambien, muy utiles, se encuentran el wiki. El articulo que a continuacion se presenta expone un diseno didactico puesto en marcha para trabajar los conceptos de energia entre el alumnado de educacion secundaria.
Phase noise analysis in FMCW radar systems

Phase noise in radar transmitters is known to raise the noise floor around large targets, making impossible the detection & tracking of small targets nearby. This paper presents phase-noise modelling techniques, with a focus on homodyne FMCW radars, to accurately predict the level of phase noise expected in the radar display. Phase noise models of the sub-systems inside a typical radar are presented. We also discuss the cancellation of phase noise in coherent radar systems for short-ranges and analyse the situation for longer ranges. Practical measurements from a millimetre-wave radar system are presented to validate the theoretical modelling.
Bio-inspired controllers for dynamic walking : CPG enhanced with minimal feedback

Many of today’s successful biped robots are controlled based on the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) method, which generates robust locomotion for flat-footed bipeds on a controlled environment. These controllers usually generate slow gaits with a low energy efficiency which do not look natural or human-like. In contrast, Passive Dynamic Walkers [2], [5] are fast, efficient and resemble human walking. Motivated by these capabilities, different passivity-mimicking dynamic walkers [1], [2], [3], [8] have been developed. Most published works deal only with dynamic walking over flat terrain and only a handful investigate the effects of varying slopes on gait stability, usually remaining within the range of ±5◦ even when using complex models with knees or a torso. Goswami et al. developed a passivity mimicking controller that uses continuous feedback to maintain a predefined energy level and progression speed. This controller allowed a compass biped model to walk on slopes of up to +12◦. Stable, dynamical gaits that are robust to disturbances can be generated by central pattern generators (CPGs), as shown in studies of animal locomotion [6]. CPGs are networks of coupled oscillators whose outputs are converted into control signals that drive the different muscles. CPGs are especially suited to control legged robots since they can take advantage of the robot’s inertia and allow for free dynamic motion of the robot, utilizing minimal periodic actuation during the gait.
The Role of Practice in Dual-Task Performance: Toward Workload Modeling a Connectionist/Control Architecture

The literature on practice effects and transfer from single- to dual-task performance is briefly reviewed. The review suggests that single-task training produces limited transfer to dual-task performance. Past theoretical frameworks to explain multitask performance are reviewed. A connectionist/control architecture for skill acquisition is presented. The architecture involves neural-like units at the micro level of processing, with information transmitted between modules at the macro level. Simulations within the architecture exhibit five phases of skill acquisition. Dual-task interference and performance are predicted as a function of the phase of practice a skill has reached. Seven compensatory activities occur in the architecture during dual-task training that do not appear in single-task training, including (1) shedding and delaying tasks and preloading buffers, (2) letting go of high-workload strategies, (3) utilizing noncompeting resources, (4) multiplexing over time, (5) shortening transmissions. (6) converting interference from concurrent transmissions, and (7) chunking of transmissions. Future research issues suggested by the architecture are discussed.