Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidation‐specific epitopes are important targets of innate immunity

During the oxidation of LDL, a central pathophysiological component of atherogenesis, a wide variety of chemical and physical changes occur leading to the generation of oxidation‐specific neoepitopes. These epitopes are not only immunogenic, leading to adaptive humoral responses, but are also a prominent target of multiple arcs of innate immunity. The pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of innate immunity are germ line encoded, conserved by natural selection, and bind to pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) common on multiple structures. However, it is not intuitive as to why they should recognize oxidation‐specific neoepitopes. Yet it is clear that multiple macrophage scavenger receptors, which are classic PRRs, recognize oxidation‐specific epitopes, such as those found on oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Other innate proteins, such as C‐reactive protein, also bind to OxLDL. Natural antibodies (NAbs), the humoral arc of innate immunity, provide a nonredundant role in the first line of defence against pathogens, but are also believed to provide important homeostatic house‐keeping functions against self‐antigens. Our work demonstrates that oxidation‐specific epitopes, as found on OxLDL, are a major target of NAbs. In this review, we will discuss the specific example of the prototypic NAb T15/E06, which is increased in atherosclerotic mice and mediates atheroprotection, and discuss the potential role of NAbs in atherogenesis, and in inflammation in general. We also review data that oxidation‐specific epitopes are generated whenever cells undergo programmed cell death, forming a common set of PAMPs recognized by oxidation‐specific PRRs on macrophages, NAbs and innate proteins. We present the hypothesis that oxidation‐specific epitopes on apoptotic cells exerted evolutionary pressure for the conservation of these PRRs and also serve to maintain the expansion of a substantial proportion of NAbs directed to these stress‐induced self‐antigens.
Non-Linear Effects in the Formation of DNA Damage in Medaka Fish Fibroblast Cells Caused by Combined Action of Cadmium and Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation-induced formation of genomic DNA damage can be modulated by nearby chemical species such as heavy metal ions, which can lead to non-linear dose response. To investigate this phenomenon, we studied cell survival and formation of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) base modifications and double strand breaks (DSB) caused by combined action of cadmium (Cd) and gamma radiation in cultured medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) fibroblast cells. Our data show that the introduction of Cd leads to a significant decrease in the fraction of surviving cells and to increased sensitivity of cells to ionizing radiation (IR). Cd also appears to cause non-linear increases in radiation-induced yields of 8-OHG and DSB as dose-yield plots of these lesions exhibit non-linear S-shaped curves with a sharp increase in the yields of lesions in the 10–20 μM range of Cd concentrations. The combined action of ionizing radiation and Cd leads to increased DNA damage formation compared to the effects of the individual stressors. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that the presence of Cd modulates the efficiency of DNA repair systems thus causing increases in radiation-induced DNA damage formation and decreases in cell survival.
Misdiagnosis of schizophrenia in a patient with psychotic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE A case is presented of a 37-year-old black woman with a 5-year history of a chronic psychotic illness, diagnosed as schizophrenia, who presented to the emergency room complaining of a severe headache, while appearing confused and experiencing visual and auditory hallucinations. The purpose of this case study is to illustrate the way in which the appellation of schizophrenia can be misapplied in a patient with a complicated medical history and poor follow-up evaluation and treatment. BACKGROUND Patients with active psychosis are frequently unable to provide a coherent or comprehensive medical history. In the absence of obvious indications to the contrary, a diagnosis of a primary psychiatric illness is often assumed, especially if this label has been applied in the past. However, the differential diagnosis of psychosis is extensive. METHODS This patient was given a complete psychiatric and neurologic evaluation, and aspects of the history that had been lost or ignored were uncovered and reevaluated. RESULTS A diagnosis other than schizophrenia was made and another treatment, other than antipsychotic drugs, was initiated. The patient responded rapidly with improved cognitive function and resolution of her psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This case serves to illustrate how the absence of a careful clinical assessment and historical case review, in patients who have been previously labeled as schizophrenic, can perpetuate misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments. It highlights the importance, especially in patients with an incomplete medical history, of ruling out all organic causes of psychosis to avoid inappropriately labeling someone as having a psychiatric illness.
A Synthesis of the Fama-French and the Kane Models of Difference of Opinion and a Test for Disinformation in Four Financial Markets.

This article synthesizes the Fama-French and the Kane models of return behavior under conditions of investor disagreement. In Fama and French, misinformation is "noise," while Kane models purposeful misinformation. The synthesis identifies empirical tests based on the difference between the behaviors of market returns under the two possible conditions. Returns are examined in four countries - Germany, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey - to test for rejection of the Fama-French hypothesis. We reject in Mexico, Thailand and Turkey but not in Germany. This suggests passive investment may increase insider rents under conditions of poor investor protection.
Relationship between thyroid and glucocorticoid hormone receptor occupancy, growth hormone gene transcription, and mRNA accumulation.

The temporal relationship between the occupancy of the thyroid hormone (3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3)) and glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) receptors and the rate of growth hormone (GH) gene transcription and mRNA accumulation were investigated. The GC line of cultured rat pituitary tumor cells was used in these studies. The rate of GH gene transcription was measured by elongation of in vivo initiated RNA chains in isolated nuclei using radioactive precursors and hybridization of labeled transcripts to immobilized GH gene sequences. T3 receptor occupancy was directly proportional to the rate of GH gene transcription during the initial phase of hormone induction. These results suggest that a single occupied receptor is sufficient to fully activate the gene and that the unoccupied receptor resides close to the gene regulatory site. A decrease in GH gene transcription rapidly followed the initial increase in activity. This decrease occurred in the absence of new protein synthesis and was not accompanied by a proportional decrease in the level of occupied T3 receptor. An analysis of dexamethasone activation of GH gene transcription found maximum stable binding of occupied receptor to nuclei within 5 min of hormone addition, while transcription of the gene did not become fully activated until 30 to 60 min later. Transcription of the gene then declined to a rate 2 to 3 times that observed before addition of dexamethasone. These results suggest that at least one relatively slow molecular step precedes glucocorticoid hormone-receptor enhancement of gene transcription and that a second molecular event later attenuates the response. The simultaneous addition of both hormones produced two peaks of enhanced transcription, each apparently due to the separate effects of the hormones. GH mRNA levels were closely linked to the rate of transcription of the gene under all induction conditions. Comparison of the rates of decay of GH mRNA in cells cultured in the presence or the absence of hormones suggests that GH mRNA is much more stable when T3 is present. The glucocorticoid responses of the gene were consistently obtained only in the presence of T3. These results and the transcriptional synergism of the two hormones suggest a direct interaction of the occupied receptors at their regulatory sites. The transcriptional effects of glucocorticoids were observed only in about half the experiments performed in the absence of T3. When transcriptional activation did not occur, GH mRNA usually still increased 24 h after hormone treatment was begun, but not early in the induction. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Contrasting the Impacts of Combat and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief Missions on the Mental Health of Military Service Members

Abstract We study the differential impacts of combat and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) missions on the mental health of U.S. Marine Corps members. The deployment experiences of any individual Marine are plausibly random conditional on the observable characteristics which are used to assign Marines into units. Leveraging this exogenous variation, we compare the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide deaths among Marines who deployed to either Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) or HA/DR missions between 2001 and 2011. We find that the hazard of PTSD is close to eight times higher among Marines returning from OEF/OIF compared to those never deployed, and just 1.33 times higher among those returning from HA/DR (and never participated in OEF/OIF). Those returning from OEF/OIF missions are 1.81 times more likely than those never deployed to die by suicide when they were still active duty, and the hazard increases to almost 3 after they have left the military. In contrast, we find no difference in the hazards of suicide death between those that deployed to only HA/DR missions and non-deployed Marines.
A hierarchical framework for complex networks robustness analysis to errors

Robustness analysis is concerned with the capability of a Complex Network, or System, to handle damaging events. It can consider errors or malicious attacks and is performed by simulating parts removals and quantifying such removals impact. Traditionally, errors are sampled with an assumption of equal failure probabilities for all susceptible system' parts. However, today engineered systems are becoming even more heterogeneous, with complex structure and dynamics. This paper introduces a hierarchical framework for robustness analysis to contemplate the structural complexity by respecting the different type of elements that constitute engineered systems. The proposed framework have two layers. The first is a Sampling Layer that uses models from Reliability Engineering to distinguish the process of failure for each type of element during random errors simulations. The second is a Performance Layer that uses the simulations from Sampling Layer to quantify the removals impacts. Samples from a Brazilian Power Distribution System are used as a test case to demonstrate the Hierarchical framework. The results are similar with the traditional robustness analysis when the relation between impact and removals is analyzed. In addition, a new analysis by considering the time variable added by the Sampling Layer is possible. By choosing a specific time window for comparing samples robustness, is possible to obtain different results. In our samples, the most vulnerable sample in a single day time window is a robust sample when considering only the impact versus removals. We conclude this manuscript with some aspects that should be explored in future research, as the use of covariates and rare events simulation techniques to focus on the low-probability high impact events.
Factors Associated with Caries Increment: A Longitudinal Study from 18 Months to 5 Years of Age

Background: Identifying the early determinants of risk for dental caries would be useful in its primary prevention. Subjects and Methods: All children at the age of 18 months in one health care area were invited in the screening test for mutans streptococci (MS) and their caretakers interviewed for the study purposes. The 366 children who met the inclusion criteria were clinically examined after 42 months. Results: At the age of 5 years ± 6 months, in 79 (21.6%) children the 42-month caries increment was >0. In the multivariate regression analysis, the strongest correlation was found with MS detected in the oral biofilm. Of the reported background factors the blue-collar occupation of the caretaker, child’s sugar use, night feeding, use of other thirst quenchers than water and father’s reported poor oral health were significantly correlated with the child’s caries increment. Conclusion: The oral health of a child is strongly related to the lifestyle and the oral health habits of the caretakers during the first years.
Influence of water content on the aging performance of natural ester-paper insulation

Natural ester dielectric fluid is now available as substitute for conventional mineral oil and has already been widely used in distribution transformers. The influence of water content on the aging performance of natural ester-paper insulation is compared with that of mineral oil-paper insulation. Sealed stainless vessels containing copper, insulating paper with different initial water content and dielectric fluid (camellia oil based natural ester and mineral oil) were aged at 130 °C for 80 days. The degree of polymerization (DP) of paper, furfural concentration in oil and acid number in oil were measured during the aging. The results show that the water could accelerate the aging of insulating paper in both natural ester and mineral oil, while the degradation rate of insulating paper in natural ester is much lower than that in mineral oil. The mechanism of the slower degradation rate in natural ester is discussed.
Nanomolar ouabain augments caffeine-evoked contractions in rat arteries.

Chronic parenteral administration of ouabain to normal rats raises plasma ouabain concentrations to low nanomolar levels and induces hypertension [C. M. Yuan, P. Manunta, J. M. Hamlyn, S. W. Chen, E. Bohen, J. Yeun, F. J. Haddy, and M. B. Pamnani. Hypertension 22: 178-187, 1993 and see also M. P. Blaustein. Am. J. Physiol. 264 (Cell Physiol. 33): C1367-C1387, 1993]. To determine whether rat arteries are sensitive to these low ouabain levels, we tested the effects of various ouabain concentrations on caffeine-evoked contractions (CEC) in rat aortic and small mesenteric artery rings. CEC amplitude was used as a measure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content. Ouabain increased CEC in aortic as well as mesenteric artery rings, but the effects in the aorta were difficult to quantitate because the CEC were often oscillatory. Mesenteric artery, under control conditions and after sensitization with 10-30 nM phenylephrine (PE), exhibited biphasic ouabain dose-CEC response curves. Low concentrations of ouabain (0.1-10 nM) caused small significant increases in CEC, but a further effect was observed only with > or = 10 microM ouabain. PE shifted the ouabain dose-response curve toward lower ouabain concentrations; conversely, ouabain shifted the PE dose-response curve toward lower PE concentrations. It appears that nanomolar concentrations of ouabain can influence vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictors. We conclude that rat vascular smooth muscle contains both high- and low-affinity ouabain receptors, possibly corresponding to Na+ pumps with alpha 3- and alpha 1-subunit isoforms, respectively. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The relationship between stereopsis and monocular optokinetic optokinetic nystagmus after infantile cataracts.

PURPOSE Visual deprivation disrupting binocular development, such as that occurring with congenital cataract, is reported to cause asymmetric monocular optokinetic nystagmus (MOKN), as well as poor sensory and motorfusional outcome. We wanted to determine if symmetric MOKN could develop in cases of congenital cataract with good fusional outcome. METHODS We tested MOKN (with video and electro-oculographic recordings) and stereoacuity on 5 patients with good visual acuity and satisfactory ocular alignment after surgery for congenital cataract. RESULTS Stereoacuity was better than 50 seconds of arc in 1 case of monocular cataract and 2 cases of bilateral cataract. These case patients had symmetric MOKN. In a monocular cataract case, symmetric MOKN was observed in spite of questionable stereoacuity (at least 500 arc/s). One patient showed asymmetric MOKN, despite good visual acuity, and stereoacuity of 200 arc/s. CONCLUSIONS Patients with congenital cataract can have symmetric MOKN and good stereopsis. These cases suggest that MOKN symmetry develops along with good stereopsis, but the quality of stereopsis necessary for development of MOKN symmetry remains unclear.
Temporal and spatial analyses on distribution of NO2 column density in Yangtze Delta region

Based on the remote sensing data of GOME and SCIMACHY, the paper analyzes the variation trend, temporal and spatial characteristics of NO2 column density from Apr. 1996 to Nov. 2009 in Yangtze Delta region. Besides that, seasonal analyses are also taken. In this session, a whole year is divided into dry season and rainy season. In spatial analyses, the paper emphasizes on the difference between NO2 column density over the land and the sea located in study area. In addition, some comparative analyses are carried out on monthly average data of NO2 column density and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, in order to explore the relationship between the 2 factors and influence of NO2 in global carbon cycling, as a part of research on global change. The research result shows that: (1) From 1996 to 2009, the NO2 column density over Yangtze Delta Region increases, with some fluctuation. (2) The value of NO2 column density has a higher value in the beginning and the end of the year, while it gets lower in the middle of a year. The value that in dry season is apparently higher than that in rainy season. (3)The spatial analyses show that the column density over land is higher than that over sea on average. Though changing consistently, temporal change of column density over land has a little lag behind that over the sea. (4) The spatial distribution pattern of the value in study area is relatively stable. The place in city of Nanjing, almost all of southern part of Jiangsu Province and Shanghai has a high value, and the place with a low value is in southern part of Zhejiang Province and open sea area to the east of Zhejiang Province. The value in other part of study area is moderate. (5) The variation trend of NO2 column density and Chl-a concentration is almost opposite. Also, it can be proved that there is no linear relationship between the two parameters.
In vitro and in vivo CT imaging using bismuth sulfide modified with a highly biocompatible Pluronic F127

Probe bismuth sulfide modified with Pluronic F127 (Bi2S3-PF127), which has high biocompatibility and dispersibility, is synthesized using triblock copolymer Pluronic F127 to modify hydrophobic Bi2S3 nanoparticles that are prepared by a hot injection method. TEM results show that most of the probe has a length of about 14.85 ± 1.70 nm and a breadth of about 4.79 ± 0.63 nm. After injected into the tail vein of a mouse, the probe has obvious CT contrast enhancement capability from x-ray CT imaging results. Meanwhile, the probe’s in vivo toxicity is also studied. It is found that hematoxylin and eosin stains of major organs have no change. A biochemical analysis (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) prove the probe has no adverse effects. The results of a blood analysis (white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelet count) are also normal. The biological distribution of Bi by ICP-AES shows that most of nanoparticles are cleaned out after injection 48 h, and the circulation half-life of the probe is 5.0 h, suggesting that Bi2S3-PF127 has a long circulation and indicating that the Bi2S3-PF127 probe has good biocompatibility and safety.
Power control and modeling of a solar-ultra capacitor hybrid energy system for stand-alone applications

This paper proposes the integration of photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems for sustained power generation. In this proposed system, whenever the PV system cannot completely meet load demands, the super capacitor provides power to meet the remaining load. A power management strategy is designed for the proposed system to manage power flows between PV systems and ultracapacitor(UC). The main works of this paper is to design PV systems with storage strategies and to analyze dynamic model proposed for a PV-UC hybrid power generation system. In this paper, the simulation models for the hybrid energy system are developed using Matlab/Simulink, SimPowerSystems and Matlab/state flow tool. The system performances are verified by carrying out simulation studies using practical load demand profile and real weather data.
Decision support for response selection in maritime law enforcement

In the context of maritime law enforcement (MLE), a human operator is typically required to make a variety of counter-threat decisions following the detection and evaluation of threats at sea. These decisions reside within a so-called response selection process during which MLE resources, such as patrol vessels, military vessels and armed helicopters, have to be dispatched to intercept maritime vessels that are deemed potential threats. Because the number of potential maritime threats can be overwhelming and the nature of the decision process is typically complex, the quality of resource assignment decisions can be improved significantly by providing maritime operators with computerised decision support. A generic, semi-automated MLE response selection and resource routing decision support system (DSS) is designed in this dissertation. This DSS is capable of assisting human operators in spatio-temporal resource dispatch decision making so that MLE resources may be employed effectively and efficiently. These decisions are made based on kinematic vessel-related data obtained from associated threat detection and threat evaluation systems, as well as subjective input data contributed by MLE response selection operators. Fully automated decision making is therefore not pursued; the aim of this study is to establish a support tool for an operator. Multiple response selection objectives are accommodated in the proposed DSS in a generic manner, so as to provide users of the system with the freedom of configuring their own, preferred goals. This generic DSS design is populated with examples of models capable of performing the functions of the various constituent parts of the system, and their workability is tested and demonstrated by solving the MLE response selection problem in the context of two realistic, but simulated, MLE scenarios. The MLE DSS proposed in this dissertation may be used in future to assist maritime operators in their complex decision making processes. In particular, operators may use it as a guideline to validate and/or justify their decisions, especially when the level of uncertainty pertaining to the observed maritime scenario is high and/or only parts of the problem may be resolved by hand. Use of this system in a real-world context is expected to reduce the stress levels of operators typically associated with difficult decisions, while simultaneously improving the overall quality of MLE decisions in an integrated fashion. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za