Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Up-regulation of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein at the onset of articular cartilage degeneration in a transgenic mouse model of osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the suitability of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) as a marker for articular cartilage degeneration in a transgenic mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from the knee joints of transgenic Del1 mice, which harbor a short deletion in a type II collagen transgene, and of their nontransgenic littermates was used to monitor changes in COMP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels during cartilage degeneration. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of COMP in articular cartilage, and serum levels of COMP were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS Transient up-regulation of COMP mRNA was seen in articular cartilage of transgenic Del1 mice at the onset of OA lesions at the age of 3 months. Compared with nontransgenic controls, COMP immunostaining of articular cartilage in 3-9-month-old transgenic mice was increased, especially at the border of uncalcified and calcified cartilage. There was also a change from predominantly interterritorial to pericellular/territorial deposition of COMP. This difference persisted until the age of 15 months, when the nontransgenic controls also demonstrated articular cartilage degeneration and increased COMP immunostaining. Increased serum levels of COMP were seen in Del1 mice at the age of 4 months, correlating temporally with the onset of cartilage degeneration. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that upregulation of COMP mRNA and redistribution of the protein are characteristic of the early stages of articular cartilage degeneration in the transgenic mouse model in which OA results from a dominant-negative mutation in the type II collagen gene. The data provide additional support for the notion that COMP is a useful marker for altered cartilage metabolism in developing OA.
Styles of Regulation: The Choice of Approach to Utility Regulation in Central and Eastern Europe

Since 1990, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been under considerable pressure to develop explicit regulatory institutions. Initially, the main pressure for this policy came from the World Bank and other international lending agencies. Indeed, the requirement for an independent regulator was often included as an explicit loan condition by lending agencies. Subsequently, and in practice more importantly, there was the pressure for transparent regulation arising from the need to provide an effective basis for private investment and privatisation. More recently, there has been the impetus from desired accession to the European Union (EU) and the need to meet the terms of the relevant EU Directives. Before 1990, in all CEE economies, the economic regulation of utilities (including energy, telecommunications, etc) was not at all recognised as a separate activity. It was carried out along with policy and the ownership/management of the state-owned enterprises by the relevant Government Ministries. Indeed, the regulation of eg investment and prices was not recognised as at all separate from policy or from the running or financing of the enterprises. The dominant forces involved were typically the Communist Party leadership and the senior managers of the relevant enterprises (the nomenklatura) who paid little weight to commercial factors. As a result of these factors, the CEE countries have had to start from the very beginning in developing regulatory functions for utilities - just as in the financial sector and other parts of the economy. In addition, there has been considerable competition from supporters of different regulatory models. Thus, not surprisingly, USAID assistance has tended to promote the US model of rule-based, legally-driven regulation; UK assistance and companies has tended to promote independent but less formal regulation; Continental European countries and companies have tended to urge caution on the development of explicit, independent regulatory institutions, and so on. Perhaps more importantly, potential foreign investors and privatisation purchasers have also been active lobbyists for their preferred style of regulation and, even more so, for their preferred degree of liberalisation. The energy and other companies involved in activities in CEE countries, not surprisingly, also tend to advocate the style of regulation of their home country. This tendency does, though, have some interesting exceptions, as we shall demonstrate below. In consequence, we can see that, over the last decade, CEE countries have seen a competition among external forces over the relative merits of the various different approaches to utility regulation as used in Western Europe, North America and elsewhere.
How impaired is mind-reading in high-functioning adolescents and adults with autism?

Difficulties in understanding the mental states of others are considered to be a core cognitive feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Traditional false-belief tasks were not suitable to measure mind-reading in adolescents and adults with ASD and were replaced by so-called more “advanced” tasks. A first series of tasks included the presentation of static stimuli in the visual or auditory modality. More recently, more dynamic, naturalistic tasks were developed. The most ecologically valid task to measure mind-reading is probably the empathic accuracy paradigm. Research with advanced mind-reading tests has demonstrated that high-functioning adults with ASD should not be underestimated since they may have good and in some cases very good mind-reading skills. Impairments are most obvious when an unstructured, dynamic and naturalistic task is being used.
Sensor pattern noise based source anonymization

In today's digital world, images are utilized as a method of communication in all spheres of life. Counter Forensics is the art and science of impeding and misleading forensic analysis of digital images. Camera sensor pattern noise is efficient in blind image source device identification. In this paper, we deliver an attack on digital images, where we completely remove the traces of sensor pattern noises of their source devices, so as to deceive forensic investigations. Next, we substitute the sensor pattern of a given image with that of a different (wrong) source device, such that it now appears to the forensic analyst, that the image was produced by device B, whereas originally it was produced by A. Our experimental results prove that high correlation is achieved between a tampered image and a wrong device, suggesting considerably high degree of anonymity, hence misleading forensics investigation.
TAP1‐independent loading of class I molecules by exogenous viral proteins

Presentation of peptides derived from endogenous proteins on class I molecules needs functional TAP peptide transporters. To reveal whether class I‐associated presentation of exogenous proteins also required the presence of TAP transporters, we assessed in vitro the ability of spleen cells and macrophages from TAP1‐deficient mice (TAP1−/−) to present peptides derived from exogenous recombinant viral proteins on their class I molecules. We found that recombinant glycoand nucleoprotein from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and nucleoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus were presented as efficiently by TAP1 −/− cells as by control cells. Peptide regurgitation was not involved. Since particulate, nonreplicating antigens can efficiently prime anti‐viral cytotoxic T cells in vivo, this new, TAP‐independent pathway of class I‐associated antigen presentation may be applicable for vaccine strategies.
Bioavailability in soils

In this chapter we review and discuss the commonly used phrase or concept "bioavailability". This concept is key to Risk Assessment as it assesses what proportion of a contaminant present at a contaminated site is available for uptake by organisms and is thus potentially able to cause harm. Whilst this is a relatively straightforward concept the reader will discover that in reality life is not that simple. We start by reviewing the different definitions of bioavailability currently in use. We go on to discuss how soil properties impact on the bioavailability of both metal, metalloid and organic contaminants. Next we review the different methods people currently use to determine bioavailability, concentrating on chemical extractions, but also covering modelling approaches. We conclude that a precise definition of bioavailability equally applicable to all different contaminated sites, contaminants and organisms is unlikely to be achieved. Similarly, a single chemical extraction is unlikely to give a universal measure of bioavailability. However, the message is not all doom and gloom. On a contaminant by contaminant or species by species level chemical extractions and other measurement techniques can accurately predict bioavailability. Modelling techniques are constantly improving and offer hope for the future in terms of predicting bioavailability. At present however, the best method of determining the amount of contaminant available for uptake by an organism is to measure the concentration of the contaminant in the organism. Even this method, however, is open to question as organisms can and have evolved methods of regulating metal uptake.
Cancer in old age—is it inadequately investigated and treated?

The proportion of the United Kingdom population over 75 years of age will increase from around 7% to nearly 11% in the next 50 years, with a disproportionate rise in those over 85 years. There will be a large increase in the number of elderly patients with cancer Already over one third of cancers are diagnosed in people over 75, yet we do not know how best to investigate and treat cancers in these patients. Many clinical trials have used arbitrary upper age limits. Even trials in allegedly elderly subjects start at age 65. Very few studies include large numbers of old (over 75) or very old (over 85) people.1 The role and effectiveness of many cancer treatments is therefore not evidence based in those most affected. Studies of cancer care in elderly patients show fewer diagnostic and staging procedures and less treatment with advancing age. Disease specific survival rates decline with age.2–6 This is illustrated by data from the Yorkshire Cancer Registry on histological confirmation (a useful marker for the adequacy of investigation), receipt of definitive treatment, and relative survival in relation to age group (table). 7 The Yorkshire Cancer Registry is one of the registries used in the Eurocare study. It covers a population of 3.7 million, constituting 7.2% of the total population of England and Wales. View this table: Proportion (%) of cancers confirmed by histology, cancer patients with no definitive treatment, and cancer patients surviving five years, by age group, Yorkshire 1989-93 #### Summary points Although more than a third of cancers are diagnosed in people over 75, this group is less extensively investigated and receives less treatment than younger patients 75 year old women and 75 year old men have life expectancies of 11.1 years and 8.5 years respectively Reduced levels of intervention are not wholly explained …
Two stage sub-wavelength motion correction in human microvasculature for CEUS imaging

The structure of microvasculature cannot be resolved using clinical B-mode or contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging due to the fundamental diffraction limit at clinical ultrasound frequencies. It is possible to overcome this resolution limitation by localizing individual microbubbles through multiple frames and forming a super-resolved image. However, ultrasound super-resolution creates its unique problems since the structures to be imaged are on the order of 10s of μm. Tissue movement much larger than 10 μm is common in clinical imaging, which can significantly reduce the accuracy of super-resolution images created from microbubble locations gathered through hundreds of frames. This study investigated an existing motion estimation algorithm from magnetic resonance imaging for ultrasound super-resolution imaging. Its correction accuracy is evaluated using simulations with increasing complexity of motion. Feasibility of the method for ultrasound super-resolution in vivo is demonstrated on clinical ultrasound images. For a chosen microvessel, the super-resolution image without motion correction achieved a sub-wavelength resolution; however after the application of proposed two-stage motion correction method the size of the vessel was reduced to half.
Using Earth Station Time Synchronization System to Achieve Large-Capacity Communication under the Constraint of High-Precision Ranging

The CDMA earth station time synchronization networks using GEO satellite transponder are based on Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer. The spectrum of the ranging and communication signals is overlap, and each signal power is equal. As the effect of multiple access interference, the equivalent carrier to noise ratio of the earth station received signal is not linear growth with the increase of single signal transmission power, but exist a maximum. The maximum value of equivalent carrier to noise ratio of the received signal decreases when the number of earth station increases, which will reduce the ranging accuracy and increase the bit error rate, so the capacity of system communication reduced. To solve this problem, we propose a new method in the condition of fixed transponder bandwidth. First, it uses the signal processing method of parallel interference cancellation in the receiver to suppress the multiple access interference. Second, in the aspect of the system design, under the premise of ensuring high-ranging accuracy, appropriately reducing the spreading code rate, and partially separating the spectrum of the ranging signals and communication signals. After separating the spectrum, the user number of each spectrum is half of the total user numbers. It reduces the multiple access interference of the received signal in each spectrum. It obtained the optimal spread code rate by analyzing in this paper. It only need eliminate the multiple access interference within a single spectrum after separate the spectrum. As the absence of eliminating the multiple access interference between two spectrums, comparing with directly using parallel interference cancellation, the received equivalent carrier to noise ratio decreased to less than 1dB after interference cancellation, while the computational complexity reduced to one-third of the original.
Pars plana vitrectomy in patients with intermediate uveitis

Objective: To describe the effect of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with intermediate uveitis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical course and visual outcome following pars plana vitrectomy in patients with intermediate uveitis. Results: Thirty-two patients (43 eyes) were included in the study. Pars plana vitrectomy was combined with cataract surgery in 22 of 43 eyes. The intermediate uveitis was associated with sarcoidosis in 16 eyes and multiple sclerosis in five eyes, and was idiopathic in 22 eyes. The mean (±SD) follow-up was 45.6 (±38) months (range: 6–146 months). In 19 of 43 eyes (44.1%), there was improvement in the course of uveitis, allowing the discontinuation of immunosuppressive treatment in seven patients. Cystoid macular edema resolved in 12 of 37 eyes (32.4%). Forty of 43 eyes achieved a better or retained their initial visual acuity. The remaining three eyes deteriorated by two or more lines in the Snellen chart due to the progression of cataract, chronic cystoid macular edema, and glaucomatous optic atrophy, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that pars plana vitrectomy may have a beneficial effect on the course of uveitis and the associated complications of cystoid macular edema, thereby reducing the need for long-term immunosuppression. Pars plana vitrectomy combined with simultaneous cataract surgery can improve the visual outcome in these patients.
Resilience of the Present Climate to Antarctic Sea-Ice Loss

The role played by Southern Hemisphere sea-ice in global climate is explored using an Earth system climate model of intermediate complexity. An ensemble of experiments is analysed where freshwater forcing equivalent to a complete 100 year meltback of Southern Hemisphere sea-ice is applied to a model run that simulates the present climate. This freshwater forcing acts to mildy subdue Southern Ocean deep overturning, reducing mean AABW export by 0.5 Sv in the ensemble average. The decreased vertical overturning cools the surface waters thereby increasing sea-ice volume, and thus forming a negative feedback that stabilises Antarctic sea-ice. In contrast, the reduced vertical overturn warms sub-surface waters in the Southern Ocean which, combined with the imposed freshening, results in a reduction in the meridional steric height gradient and hence a slow-down of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). The reduction in ACC strength is, however, only modest at 1.5 Sv. These responses are thus of only weak magnitude, and the system recovers to its original state over time-scales of decades. An extreme scenario experiment with essentially instantaneous addition of this meltwater load shows similar results, indicating the limited response of the climate system to the freshening implied by Antarctic sea-ice melt. Experiments are also examined where sea-ice is removed either by suppressing its formation or by artificially adding heat to the sea-ice. In both cases sea-ice exhibits a resilience to being removed, due to the fact that the atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain favourable for ice formation at high southern latitudes. The case in which ice formation is supressed is more effective at removing sea-ice, but allows the surface waters to cool to below freezing, and hence to become unphysical. In the case when an artificial heat flux is applied, sea-ice loss only occurs once sufficient heat is added to the ice to heat the atmosphere or ocean as well, hence reducing the rate of sea-ice formation. Once the artificial heat flux is removed, the mean climate state recovers to its original condition 2
High volume fly ash mixes supplemented with colloidal Nano Silica

Since cement manufacturing causes 7– 8% of total global CO2 emissions, attempts have been made to minimize cement consumption. One method is to introduce pozzolans, commonly fly ash (FA), as supplementary materials to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The main drawback of incorporating FA into cement is the reduction of early strength in concrete. This can be countered by incorporating Nano silica (NS) into the FA - OPC mix. Workability, compressive strength (3, 7, 28 & 100 day), sorptivity and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) testing was carried out on cement paste specimens with FA replacements from 0% to 70% and NS percentages from 0 to 6%. All mixes were prepared with a 0.4 water binder ratio and a superplasticizer dosage to achieve equal workability for all mixes. Results showed that workability reduces with the increase of NS. Also, for a given %NS, compressive strength reduces with the increase of FA for early age strength, while 30% FA replacement gives optimum strength at 100 days. A 3% NS content for constant %FA gives optimum strength beyond 28 days. Sorptivity too is lowest at 30% FA replacement with 3% NS. Therefore 30% FA replacement with 3% NS gives optimum performance for both strength and durability. The mix with 50% FA replacement and 3% NS (a genuinely HVFA mix) is promising as a practically useful mix. The TGA enables us to obtain the Calcium Hydroxide (CH) consumed for pozzolanic reactions; this is used to validate a model that explains the strength variations in these mixes.
Quasi-steady state power law model for flow of (La0·85Sr0·15)0·9MnO3 ceramic slurry in tape casting

Abstract One of the most common ways used to produce multilayer ceramics is tape casting. In this process, the wet tape thickness is one of the single most determining parameters affecting the final properties of the product, and it is therefore of great interest to be able to control it. In the present work, the flow in the doctor blade region of a slurry containing (La0·85Sr0·15)0·9MnO3 (LSM) material is described with a simple quasi-steady momentum equation in combination with an Ostwald–de Waele power law constitutive equation. Based on rheometer experiments, the constants in the Ostwald–de Waele power law are identified for the considered LSM material and applied in the analytical solution for the tape thickness. This solution is then used for different values of substrate velocity and doctor blade height and compared with experimental findings of the wet tape thickness, and good agreement is found.
“What sceptics believe”: The effects of information and deliberation on climate change scepticism

Scepticism about climate change now appears a pervasive social phenomenon. Research to date has examined the different forms that scepticism can take, from outright denial to general uncertainty. Less is known about what climate sceptics value and believe beyond their climate change doubt, as well as how “entrenched” such beliefs are. In response, this paper discusses research into public reactions to projected climate change in the Australian Capital Region. Using Q Methodology and qualitative data, it outlines five discourses of scepticism and explores the impact regional-scale climate scenarios and a deliberative forum had on these discourses. Results show that both forms of intervention stimulate “discourse migration” amongst research participants. However, migrations are rarely sustained, and sceptical positions are infrequently dispelled outright, suggesting the relationship between climate scepticism, broader beliefs, and the methods used to inform and debate about climate change, are pivotal to comprehending and addressing this issue.
Power spectrum analysis and heart rate variability in Stage 4 and REM sleep: evidence for state‐specific changes in autonomic dominance

SUMMARY The present study investigated autonomic activity during NREM and REM sleep stages and wakefulness by spectral analysis of heart rate variability. The results demonstrated that NREM sleep in humans was characterized by a widely different autonomic activation pattern than REM sleep: high parasympathetic activity was found in NREM, while REM was characterized by attenuated vagal tone, and augmented sympathetic activity. The overall pattern during wakefulness showed an intermediate position between NREM and REM patterns; parasympathetic activity was lower than in NREM and higher than in REM, with an opposite trend for sympathetic activity.
Simultaneous Lightness Contrast with Double Increments

In this paper we demonstrate the existence of simultaneous lightness contrast in displays in which the target patches are both more luminant than their surrounds. These effects are not predicted by theories of lightness that assume that the highest luminance in a scene is perceived as white, and anchors all the other luminances. We show that the strength of double-increment illusions depends crucially on the luminance of both the surrounds and the target patches. Such luminance prerequisites were not met in previous studies, which explains why simultaneous contrast with incremental targets has so far been regarded as extremely weak or nonexistent.