Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergistic proinflammatory interactions of microbial toxins and structural components characteristic to moisture‐damaged buildings

Indoor exposure to microbes and their structural and metabolic compounds is notoriously complex. To study proinflammatory interactions between the multiple microbial agents, macrophages derived from human THP-1 monocytic cells were exposed to several concentrations of microbial toxins alone (emodin, enniatin B, physcion, sterigmatocystin, valinomycin) and in combination with microbial structural components (bacterial lipopolysaccharide [LPS] or fungal β-glucan). While the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β to single toxins alone was modest, low-dose co-exposure with structural components increased the responses of emodin, enniatin B, and valinomycin synergistically, both at the mRNA and protein level, as measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Co-exposure of toxins and β-glucan resulted in consistent synergistically increased expression of several inflammation-related genes, while some of the responses with LPS were also inhibitory. Co-exposure of toxins with either β-glucan or LPS induced also mitochondrial damage and autophagocytosis. The results demonstrate that microbial toxins together with bacterial and fungal structural components characteristic to moisture-damaged buildings can have drastic synergistic proinflammatory interactions at low exposure levels.
Robust Filtering and Fixed-lag Smoothing for Linear Uncertain System with Single Delayed Measurement

This paper deals with the robust filtering and fixed-lag smoothing problem for linear uncertain system with single delayed measurement. The robust filter and robust smoother is derived based on the reorganized innovation analysis approach. The calculation of the robust estimator involves in solving two Riccati difference equations of the same dimension as that of the original system and one Lyapunov equation.
A New Non-Orthogonal Joint Diagonalization Algorithm with Application in ICA and BSS

Joint diagonalization is an important family of methods for ICA (independent component analysis) and BSS (blind source separation). In this paper, we present a new approach to joint diagonalization of a set of 2x2 real symmetric matrices with a general (not necessarily orthogonal) matrix. It is a non-iterative algorithm in which the joint diagonalization problem can be solved by a special eigenvector problem. Some blind source separation (BSS) simulations results demonstrate that the algorithm has a substantial improvement in the separating performance.
Arabidopsis primary microRNA processing proteins HYL1 and DCL1 define a nuclear body distinct from the Cajal body

Small regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) are encoded in long precursors and are released from them during processing by cleavage within partially duplexed stem–loop structures. In the present work we investigated the role of the Arabidopsis nuclear RNA-binding protein HYL1 and the nuclear RNase III enzyme DCL1 in processing of primary miRNA (pri-miR171a). The miR171a gene is complex, with multiple transcription start sites, as well as alternative splicing of exons and alternative polyadenylation sites. Both HYL1 and DCL1 proteins are required for processing of the major pri-miR171a, spliced and polyadenylated forms of which accumulate in plants homozygous for mutations in either gene, but not in wild-type plants. In transiently transfected Arabidopsis protoplasts, HYL1-mCherry and YFP-DCL1 fusion proteins colocalize to small nuclear bodies similar to Cajal bodies but lacking the Cajal body marker Atcoilin. The HYL1 protein coimmunoprecipitates with miR171a and miR159a precursors, indicating that it is an integral component of the precursor processing machinery. Thus, the distinct HYL1- and DCL1-containing nuclear bodies may be miRNA precursor processing sites. Alternatively, they may be assembly and storage sites for the miRNA precursor processing machinery.
A uniformly most powerful test for statistical model-based voice activity detection

This paper presents a new voice activity detection (VAD) method using the Gaussian distribution and a uniformly most powerful (UMP) test. The UMP test is employed to derive the new decision rule based on likelihood ratio test (LRT). This method requires the Rayleigh distribution for the magnitude of the noisy spectral component and the adaptive threshold estimated from the noise statistics. Experimental results show that the proposed VAD algorithm based on UMP test outperforms the conventional scheme
Pneumatically-Actuated Tunable Microlens for Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography

A pneumatically-actuated micro-lens integrated in the sample arm of a time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is presented. A 50 mum thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane is spun onto the front side of the lens. Deep-reactive ion-etching (DRIE) is applied to create the aperture of the lens. Dynamically shifting the focal length for each A-scan step enhances the axial scan length and the contrast of the backscattered interference signal of the structures beneath the surface. The successful integration of the micro-lens with an OCT system allows its use in endoscopic in-vivo applications.
Hillside study of risk and early detection in schizophrenia

Background The Hillside Study of Risk and Early Detection in Schizophrenia is a prospective study of young probands (ages 14–28) and their at-risk siblings (ages 14–24). A major goal is the identification of early predictors of illness that will facilitate intervention. The project design and pilot study are discussed. Method Fifteen adolescents were compared to 14 typical age-of-onset adults, all undergoing their first hospitalisation for schizophrenia. Results There were no differences between adolescents and adults on any of the measures administered (i.e. attention, eye tracking, neurocognitive or clinical). In addition, for the sample overall, no association was found between neurocognitive functions and clinical state, either at admission or after treatment. Conclusions Individuals with adolescent onset of schizophrenia are considered to be representative of schizophrenia in general. Furthermore, neurocognitive deficits and clinical symptoms are concluded to be two independent classess of risk indicators.
Functional impairment of rat enterochromaffin-like cells by interleukin 1 beta.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Histamine-producing enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells play an integrative role in the regulation of acid secretion. Decreased mucosal histamine concentrations and increased levels of interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 have been detected in the gastric mucosa inflamed with Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of isolated ECL cells to these cytokines. METHODS Enriched rat gastric ECL cells (85%-95%) were cultured for 2-4 days. RESULTS Polymerase chain reaction showed IL-1 and IL-6, but not IL-8 receptors, in ECL cell complementary DNA. Positive receptor staining with biotinylated IL-1 beta corresponded to ECL cell enrichment (92%). IL-6 and IL-8 had no effect on histamine secretion. IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) stimulated basal histamine secretion and nitric oxide production within 60 minutes and cyclic guanosine monophosphate production within 20 minutes. Pretreatment for 20 minutes with IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) attenuated gastrin-stimulated histamine secretion by 40%-50%, reversed by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (10 U/ mL). Pretreatment for 20 minutes with IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) completely inhibited gastrin-stimulated (1 nmol/L) histidine decarboxylase activity. IL-1 beta (2 U/mL, 60 minutes) increased lactate dehydrogenase release to 25% of cell content. Cells pretreated with IL-1 beta did not respond to gastrin after a further 48-hour culture and showed decreased histamine content. CONCLUSIONS ECL cells appear to express IL-1 receptors. IL-1 beta causes sustained functional impairment of ECL cells in vitro.
Introducing high‐flow nasal cannula to the neonatal transport environment

We are encouraged to see that other neonatal transport services are using High-Flow nasal cannula (HFNC) respiratory support during neonatal transport as outlined by Brunton et al (1). The experiences appear to be broadly similar across the two services, however, due to the central location of the neonatal transport base and the well served road network in the East of England region air transports are not conducted. Despite the increasing numbers of articles relating to HFNC use in neonatal units and consensus statements on best practice there is a relative paucity of data relating to its use on transport (2,3). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Biofilm Layers Affect the Treatment Outcomes of NaF and Nano-hydroxyapatite

During caries formation, dental biofilms function not only as acid producers but also as reservoirs and diffusion barriers for active caries-preventive components. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biofilms as a stagnant layer on the efficacy of NaF and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA). Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans C180-2 were formed on the surfaces of artificially demineralized enamel in an active attachment biofilm model. After 2 days of biofilm formation, the model was subjected to a pH-cycling schedule, together with a control group without biofilms. Specimens were treated for 5 min twice daily with water, a 10% nHA slurry, or 18.4 mM NaF. At the end of the pH-cycling period, the biofilms were removed for the determination of the viable counts, the lactic acid production, and the calcium content. The mineral changes in the demineralized enamel blocks were analyzed by transversal microradiography. No differences in the biofilm viable counts and lactic acid production were found in the different treatment groups. The mean calcium content of the biofilms in the nHA group was 60.7 ± 15.3 mmol/g wet weight, which was approximately 8-fold higher than in the other 2 groups. The application of NaF resulted in net remineralization, but in the presence of a biofilm, net demineralization was observed. In contrast, nHA treatment reduced further demineralization compared with the water treatment, but the presence of a biofilm enhanced this effect. In conclusion, the presence of biofilms clearly influenced the treatment outcomes of anticaries products. Biofilms could either enhance or impede their efficacy. This result implies that biofilms should be included in the in vitro tests for the preclinical screening of caries-protective agents.
A social vaccine? Social and structural contexts of HIV vaccine acceptability among most-at-risk populations in Thailand

Abstract A safe and efficacious preventive HIV vaccine would be a tremendous asset for low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings, which bear the greatest global impact of AIDS. Nevertheless, substantial gaps between clinical trial efficacy and real-world effectiveness of already licensed vaccines demonstrate that availability does not guarantee uptake. In order to advance an implementation science of HIV vaccines centred on LMIC settings, we explored sociocultural and structural contexts of HIV vaccine acceptability among most-at-risk populations in Thailand, the site of the largest HIV vaccine trial ever conducted. Cross-cutting challenges for HIV vaccine uptake – social stigma, discrimination in healthcare settings and out-of-pocket vaccine cost – emerged in addition to population-specific barriers and opportunities. A ‘social vaccine’ describes broad sociocultural and structural interventions – culturally relevant vaccine promotion galvanised by communitarian norms, mitigating anti-gay, anti-injecting drug user and HIV-related stigma, combating discrimination in healthcare, decriminalising adult sex work and injecting drug use and providing vaccine cost subsidies – that create an enabling environment for HIV vaccine uptake among most-at-risk populations. By approaching culturally relevant social and structural interventions as integral mechanisms to the success of new HIV prevention technologies, biomedical advances may be leveraged in renewed opportunities to promote and optimise combination prevention.
Biochemical and pathological changes in the male rat kidney and bladder following exposure to continuous 900-MHz electromagnetic field on postnatal days 22–59*

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect on male rat kidney and bladder tissues of exposure to 900-megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) applied on postnatal days 22–59, inclusive. Materials and methods: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 21 days, were used. These were divided equally into one of three groups, control (CG), sham (SG) or EMF (EMFG). CG was not exposed to any procedure. SG rats were kept inside a cage, without being exposed to the effect of EMF, for 1 h a day on postnatal days 22–59, inclusive. EMFG rats were exposed to continuous 900-MHz EMF for 1 h a day under the same conditions as those for the SG rats. Rats were sacrificed on postnatal day 60, and the kidney and bladder tissues were removed. Tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome for histomorphological evaluation. The TUNEL method was used to assess apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also used for the kidney tissue. Oxidant/antioxidant parameters were studied in terms of biochemical values. Results: The findings showed that tissue malondialdehyde increased in EMFG compared to CG and SG in both kidney (p = 0.004 and p = 0.004, respectively) and bladder tissue (p = 0.004, p = 0.006, respectively), while catalase and glutathione levels decreased compared to CG (p = 0.004; p = 0.004, respectively) and SG (p = 0.004; p = 0.004, respectively). In the EMF group, pathologies such as dilatation and vacuolization in the distal and proximal tubules, degeneration in glomeruli and an increase in cells tending to apoptosis were observed in kidney tissue. In bladder tissue, degeneration in the transitional epithelium and stromal irregularity and an increase in cells tending to apoptosis were observed in EMFG. Additionally, EMFG samples exhibited glomerular capillary degeneration with capillary basement membranes under TEM. Conclusions: We conclude that continuous exposure to the effect of 900-MHz EMF for 1 h a day on postnatal days 22–59, inclusive, causes an increase in oxidative stress and various pathological changes in male rat kidney and bladder tissues.
Acute Case-Fatality Rates of Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Japanese Population: Takashima Stroke and AMI Registry, 1989–2005

Background Few comprehensive stroke and acute myocardial infarction registries of long duration exist in Japan to illustrate trends in acute case-fatality of stroke and acute myocardial infarction with greater precision. We examined 17-year case-fatality rates of stroke and acute myocardial infarction using an entire community-monitoring registration system to investigate trends in these rates over time in a Japanese population. Methods Data were obtained from the Takashima Stroke and AMI Registry covering a stable population of approximately 55 000 residents of Takashima County in central Japan. We divided the total observation period of 17 years into four periods, 1989–1992, 1993–1996, 1997–2000, and 2001–2005. We calculated gender, age-specific and age-adjusted acute case-fatality rates (%) of stroke and acute myocardial infarction across these four periods. Results During the study period of 1989–2005, there were 341 fatal cases within 28 days of onset among 2239 first-ever stroke events and 163 fatal cases among 433 first-ever acute myocardial infarction events. The age-adjusted acute case-fatality rate of stroke was 14·9% in men and 15·7% in women. The age-adjusted acute case-fatality rate of acute myocardial infarction was 34·3% in men and 43·3% in women. The age-adjusted acute case-fatality rates of stroke and acute myocardial infarction showed insignificant differences across the four time periods. The average annual change in the acute case-fatality rate of stroke (–0·2%; 95% CI: −2·4–2·1) and acute myocardial infarction (2·7%; 95% CI: −0·7–6·1) did not change significantly across the study years. Conclusions The acute case-fatality rates of stroke and acute myocardial infarction have remained stable from 1989 to 2005 in a rural and semi-urban Japanese population.
Further Validation of an Electromagnetic Macro Model for Analysis of Propagation Path Loss in Cellular Networks Using Measured Driving-Test Data

Received signal level measurements are frequently used to check the performance and the quality of service (QOS) inside the coverage area in cellular networks. These expensive, time-consuming measurements are carried out using actual driving tests to assess the coverage area of a base station for a given cell, and to thus evaluate the quality of service. In a driving-test measurement system, a receiving antenna is placed on top of a vehicle. The vehicle is then driven along radial and circular lines around the base station, to measure the received power and thus assess the quality of service. These driving-test measurements are also used to tune the empirical models in the radio-planning tools that have to be employed for various types of environments. This model tuning is a lengthy procedure. In this paper, it is shown that an electromagnetic macro modeling of the environment can provide simulation results comparable to the data one would obtain in an actual driving-test measurement for a cellular environment. The input parameters for the electromagnetic macro model can be generated using only the physical parameters of the environment, such as the height of the transmitting and receiving antennas over the ground, their tilts towards the ground, and the electrical parameters of the ground. Such analysis can provide realistic plots for the received power as functions of the separation distance between the receiving and the transmitting base-station antennas. The novelty of the electromagnetic-analysis technique proposed in this paper lies in its ability to match the macro-model-based simulation results and the driving-test measurements without any statistical or empirical curve fitting or an ad hoc choice of a reference distance. In addition, a new concept, called the proper route, is introduced to enhance the analysis of the measured data. A Method-of-Moments-based integral-equation-solver code has been used to simulate the effects of the macro parameters of the environment on the propagation-path loss of the signals emanating from a base-station antenna. The perfect match between the simulation results and the driving-test data was illustrated by monitoring the signal levels from some cellular base stations in western India and Sri Lanka, and then comparing the observed results with the simulated results. The goal here is to illustrate that these numerical simulation tools can accurately predict the propagation path loss in a cellular environment without tweaking some non-physical models based on statistical modeling or heuristic assumptions.
Incentive compatibility and procedural invariance testing of the one-and-one-half-bound dichotomous choice elicitation method: distinguishing strategic behaviour from the anchoring heuristic

The contingent valuation method for estimating willingness to pay for public goods typically adopts a single referendum question format which is statistically inefficient. As an alternative, Cooper, Hanemann and Signorello (2002) propose the 'one-and-one-half bound' (OOHB) format allowing researchers to question respondents about both a lower and higher limit upon project costs, thereby securing substantial statistical efficiency gains. These bounds are presented prior to the elicitation of responses thereby avoiding the negative 'surprise' induced by an unanticipated second question. However, this approach conflicts with the Gibbard-Satterthwaite result that only a single referendum format question is incentive compatible. The OOHB method may therefore be liable to strategic behaviour or reliance upon the anchoring heuristic observed in other repeated response elicitation formats. In a first formal test of the method we show that it fails crucial tests of procedural invariance and induces strategic behaviour amongst responses.
Surveillance colonoscopies for colorectal polyps – too often, too many! An Audit at a Large District General Hospital

Introduction The British society of Gastroenterologists (BSG) have laid down guidelines for surveillance colonoscopies in patients with large bowel adenomatous polyps. However, numerous studies have shown the gross over‐utilization of colonoscopic services in their management. We audited our practice of polyp management and looked at guideline compliance amongst patients on our colonoscopic surveillance list.
Babbling milestones and beyond: early speech development in CI children

Prelinguistic babbling is investigated in a group of nine infants with a cochlear implant. The infants’age at activations of the device ranges from 6 to 21 months. All children start babbling after a relatively short interval of zero to four months after activation of the CI, so that the youngest subjects’ onset of babbling occurs at a chronological age comparable to that of normally hearing infants. The youngest CI infants start babbling before they acquire their first manual signs, but infants implanted at a later age show the reverse order of acquisition.
Decision latitude, job strain, and myocardial infarction: a study of working men in Stockholm. The SHEEP Study Group. Stockholm Heart epidemiology Program.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the role of decision latitude and job strain in the etiology of a first myocardial infarction. METHODS Eligible case patients were all full-time working men 45 to 64 years of age who suffered a first myocardial infarction during the period January 1992 to January 1993 in the greater Stockholm region. Referents were selected from the general population. Participation rates were 82% (case patients) and 75% (referents). RESULTS Both inferred and self-reported low decision latitude were associated with increased risk of a first myocardial infarction, although this association was weakened after adjustment for social class. A decrease in inferred decision latitude during the 10 years preceding the myocardial infarction was associated with increased risk after all adjustments, including chest pain and social class. The combination of high self-reported demands and low self-reported decision latitude was an independent predictor of risk after all adjustments. CONCLUSIONS Both negative change in inferred decision latitude and self-reported job strain are important risk indicators in men less than 55 years of age and in blue-collar workers.
Collating and delivering of traffic information in intelligent transportation systems

Traditional traffic information collection bears some disadvantages, such as high-concentrated system load, low-usage of network, limited network pavement and heavy operation cost. Therefore, this paper proposes to design a brand new traffic information collection system based on wireless sensor networks, in which the distributed treatment of traffic information collection is realized. This paper puts forward the area of traffic information collection system based on wireless sensor network and discusses the potential problems in the implementation and related resolution strategies.