Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A role for CD44 in T cell development and function during direct competition between CD44+ and CD44– cells

The role of CD44 in T cell biology remains incompletely understood. Although studies using anti‐CD44 antibodies have implicated this cell adhesion molecule in a variety of important T cell processes, few T cell defects have been reported in CD44‐deficient mice. We have assessed the requirement for CD44 in T cell development and mature T cell function by analyzing mice in which CD44–/– and WT cells were produced simultaneously. In mixed (CD44–/– + CD44+/+) bone marrow chimeras, production of CD44–/– T cells was shown to be reduced compared to WT cells due to inefficient intrathymic development. In addition, mature CD44–/– CD8+ T cells generated a substantially lower response than WT T cells after infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, with the reduction in response apparent in both lymphoid and non‐lymphoid tissues. Overall, these results demonstrate a poor capacity of CD44–/– T lineage cells to compete with WT cells at multiple levels, implicating CD44 in normal T cell function.
The use of Lespedeza cuneata for natural control of gastrointestinal nematodes in Merino sheep

Lespedeza cuneata (poorman’s lucerne; sericea lespedeza), a tannin-rich perennial legume, was offered as hay to dry Merino ewes in a confined feeding experiment to evaluate the effect on the level of gastrointestinal parasite infection in sheep. Medicago sativa (a low tannin containing perennial legume) was used as the control treatment. Parameters faecal egg count (FEC), FAMACHA© scores and rectal temperatures were used. FECs were substantially lower (p = 0.05) in the Lespedeza group after 35 days, together with a trend of higher rectal temperatures, compared with the Medicago group. Although non-significant (p > 0.05), the higher rectal temperatures suggested a lower level of anaemia in the sheep on the Lespedeza ration and, therefore, a lower parasite-worm burden. However, FAMACHA© scores showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences between treatments despite the differences in FEC that were recorded, indicating that host homeostasis was possibly mediated by improved nutrition as a result of the high protein content of both experimental diets.
Year : 2007 EphA 4 signaling regulates phospholipase Cgamma 1 activation , cofilin membrane association , and dendritic spine

Specialized postsynaptic structures known as dendritic spines are the primary sites of glutamatergic innervation at synapses of the CNS. Previous studies have shown that spines rapidly remodel their actin cytoskeleton to modify their shape and this has been associated with changes in synaptic physiology. However, the receptors and signaling intermediates that restructure the actin network in spines are only beginning to be identified. We reported previously that the EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase regulates spine morphology. However, the signaling pathways downstream of EphA4 that induce spine retraction on ephrin ligand binding remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that ephrin stimulation of EphA4 leads to the recruitment and activation of phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) in heterologous cells and in hippocampal slices. This interaction occurs through an Src homology 2 domain of PLCgamma1 and requires the EphA4 juxtamembrane tyrosines. In the brain, PLCgamma1 is found in multiple compartments of synaptosomes and is readily found in postsynaptic density fractions. Consistent with this, PLC activity is required for the maintenance of spine morphology and ephrin-induced spine retraction. Remarkably, EphA4 and PLC activity modulate the association of the actin depolymerizing/severing factor cofilin with the plasma membrane. Because cofilin has been implicated previously in the structural plasticity of spines, this signaling may enable cofilin to depolymerize actin filaments and restructure spines at sites of ephrin-EphA4 contact.
Networks, Information and Economic Volatility

This thesis makes a contribution to network theory and how it applies to economics. It consists of three self-contained papers. It predominantly considers how connections between economic entities can affect economic outcomes. In particular, the first two papers examine social learning, in the one case by applying it to portfolio choice, and in the other by conducting an experiment to determine how people incorporate information from others into their beliefs to achieve economic outcomes. The final paper looks at how sectoral shocks can be transmitted through the economy through the connections between industries.The first paper, \textit{Social learning and financial markets: Can informed neighbors make up for a lack of financial acumen? }, allows financially- informed and uninformed agents to consult with each other on different social networks and examines what the benefits are to the two different groups of agents on the different networks in terms of financial investment.The second paper, \textit{Incorporating information into beliefs on networks: An experiment}, studies how agents incorporate into their beliefs information they receive from other agents. In particular, it considers whether agents use the DeGroot model or a Bayesian approach. Further, it considers how the density of network connections affects the results of consultation.The third paper, \textit{Sectoral shocks and aggregate volatility}, explores how sectoral shocks can propagate through the economy through the input-output networks. It devises a demand-side measure of industry influence and shows that such a demand-side measure is needed to fully understand the influence of industries with a case study of the Australian mining industry.
The Geometry of Grasping

A form closure (or complete restraint) of a solid object is a finite set of wrenches (force-moment combinations) applied on the object, with the property that any other wrench acting on the object can be balanced by a positive combination of the original ones. Intuitively, form closure is a way of defining the notion of a "firm grip" of the object (when friction is not taken into account). It has been pointed out by Reuleaux (1875) and Somoff (1897), and more recently by Lakshmin arayana (1978), that the form closure of a two-dimensional object requires at least four wrenches, and that form closure of a three-dimensional object requires at least seven wrenches. It was also conjectured that these numbers can be achieved by wrenches realizable as forces normal to the surface of the object (such wrenches are called fingers). In this paper we prove this conjecture. In particular we show that form closure of any two-dimensional bounded object with piecewise smooth boundary (except a circle) can be achieved by four fingers. For three dimensions, we prove that form closure of any bounded object with piecewise smooth boundary can be achieved with 12 fingers if and only if the object does not have a rotational symmetry (in which case, of course, form closure is not achievable, since no moment along the axis of symmetry can be opposed). We also show that, under very general conditions, form closure of three-dimensional objects without rotational symmetries can be achieved with seven fingers. Finally, we show that when Coulomb friction is taken into account, under the most relaxed assumptions three fingers are necessary and sufficient in two dimensions, and four fingers in three dimensions.
Role of individual glycoproteins of human parainfluenza virus type 3 in the induction of a protective immune response

Affinity-purified hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) glycoproteins of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (P13 virus) were used to investigate their role in the induction of a protective immune response following immunization of hamsters. The efficacy of immunization with the glycoprotein antigens was tested by challenge infection. Results of virus recovery from lungs and trachea demonstrated that although immunization with HN or F alone induced an antibody response to the respective glycoproteins, it did not provide a significant level of protection. However, immunization with a mixture of both purified glycoproteins induced higher virus-neutralizing activity in bronchial lavages and afforded complete protection from challenge infection. Similarly, incomplete protection was observed after passive transfer of monospecific rabbit antibody to the purified HN or F in baby hamsters. On the other hand, passive transfer of a mixture of antibodies to HN and F conferred a higher level of protection. Thus, the presence of antibody to both glycoproteins of P13 virus may be essential for protective immunity.
Maternal homocysteine levels and plasma lipids in gestational diabetes: is there any relationship?

The aim of the study was to investigate the possible relationship between maternal homocysteine levels and plasma lipid parameters and whether gestational diabetes can alter the serum maternal concentration of this substance. The study included 36 primigravidas divided into two groups: group A consisted of 21 healthy pregnant women with a mean gestational age of 38·2 weeks, and group B consisted of 15 diabetic women with a mean gestational age of 38·4 weeks. No difference in maternal homocysteine levels was noted between the two groups (6·006 ± 1·64 vs. 7·004 ± 1·36 µmol/L). Serum cholesterol levels and serum triglyceride levels in normal pregnant women were not statistically significantly different compared to those seen in diabetic pregnant women. Similarly, no difference was found between the two groups regarding LDL levels and atheromatic index. In women with diabetes there was a weak positive relation between plasma concentrations of homocysteine and LDL levels as well as atheromatic index, but this relation was not statisticially significant. We conclude that serum homocysteine levels are not elevated in women with gestational-onset diabetes. There was also no relation between serum concentrations of homocysteine and lipid parameters in this complication of pregnancy.
On the Chiral Ring and Vacua of ${\cal N}=1$ Adjoint SQCD

We analyze classical and quantum chiral ring relations of four dimensional N=1 adjoint SQCD with superpotential turned on for the adjoint field. In particular, for the mass deformed theory we obtain the complete on shell vacuum expectation value for various gauge invariant chiral operators and find non-trivial gaugino condensations. When approaching to massless limit nontrivial flat directions in the moduli space of vacua appear, where the Coulomb branch can be naturally classified and the Higgs branch receives quantum corrections. We argue that the solution of the chiral ring is in one-to-one correspondence with supersymmetric vacua, provided that an additional Konishi anomaly equation is included.
A comparison of the dynamics of horizontal and vertical smooth pursuit in normal human subjects.

We compared horizontal and vertical smooth pursuit recorded with a scleral contact lens technique at multiple sinusoidal frequencies (0.2-1.6 Hz) and peak velocities (12.5-100 degrees.s-1) in 10 normal subjects. The gain was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) and the harmonic distortion significantly lower (p less than 0.05) for horizontal pursuit compared to vertical pursuit for all stimuli except the lowest frequency and peak velocity. Both horizontal and vertical pursuit exhibited a phase lag that was minimal at lower frequencies but reached a mean of about 37 degrees at 1.6 Hz. This difference between horizontal and vertical pursuit could be explained by current models of the smooth pursuit system if one postulates a lower saturation level of retinal error velocity for vertical pursuit compared to horizontal pursuit.
Regulation of calcium in salivary gland secretion.

Neurotransmitter-regulation of fluid secretion in the salivary glands is achieved by a coordinated sequence of intracellular signaling events, including the activation of membrane receptors, generation of the intracellular second messenger, inositol 1,4,5, trisphosphate, internal Ca2+ release, and Ca2+ influx. The resulting increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) regulates a number of ion transporters, e.g., Ca2+-activated K+ channel, Na+/K+/2Cl- co-transporter in the basolateral membrane, and the Ca2+-activated Cl- channel in the luminal membrane, which are intricately involved in fluid secretion. Thus, regulation of [Ca2+]i is central to the regulation of salivary acinar cell function and is achieved by the concerted activities of several ion channels and Ca2+-pumps localized in various cellular membranes. Ca2+ pumps, present in the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane, serve to remove Ca2+ from the cytosol. Ca2+ channels present in the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane facilitate rapid influx of Ca2+ into the cytosol from the internal Ca2+ stores and from the external medium, respectively. It is well-established that prolonged fluid secretion is regulated via a sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i that is primarily achieved by the influx of Ca2+ into the cell from the external medium. This Ca2+ influx occurs via a putative plasma-membrane-store-operated Ca2+ channel which has not yet been identified in any non-excitable cell type. Understanding the molecular nature of this Ca2+ influx mechanism is critical to our understanding of Ca2+ signaling in salivary gland cells. This review focuses on the various active and passive Ca2+ transport mechanisms in salivary gland cells--their localization, regulation, and role in neurotransmitter-regulation of fluid secretion. In addition to a historical perspective of Ca2+ signaling, recent findings and challenging problems facing this field are highlighted.
Spatiotemporal analysis of the late ERP responses to deviant stimuli.

We used a novel application of principal components analysis (spatiotemporal PCA) to decompose the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) obtained with a dense electrode array, with the purpose of elucidating the late ERP components elicited by deviant stimuli under "attend" and "ignore" conditions. First, a "spatial" PCA was performed to identify a set of scalp distributions (spatial factors or "virtual electrodes") that accounted for the spatial variance in the data set. The data were expressed as spatial factor scores or "virtual ERPs" measured at each of the virtual electrodes. These virtual ERPs were submitted to a "temporal" PCA, yielding a set of temporal factors or "virtual epochs. " Statistical analyses of the temporal factor scores found that (1) attended deviant stimuli elicited the P300 and Novelty P3 components, the latter being largest for highly salient nontargets: (2) "ignored" deviants elicited a small Novelty P3, and depending on the primary task, a small P300: and (3) the classical Slow Wave consisted of separate frontal-negative and posterior-positive components.
Photomodulation of proliferation and differentiation of stem cells by the visible and infrared light.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this article is to review experimental studies of visible and infrared light irradiation of human and animal stem cells (SCs) in vitro and in vivo to assess photobiomodulation effects on their proliferation and differentiation. BACKGROUND DATA The clinical application of light irradiation remains controversial, primarily because of the complexity of the rational choice of irradiation parameters. In laboratories, the theoretical justification underlying the choice of irradiation parameters also remains a challenge. METHODS A systematic review was completed of original research articles that investigated the effects of light irradiation on human and animal SCs in vitro and in vivo (to June 2014). Relevant articles were sourced from PubMed and MEDLINE(®). The search terms were laser (light) therapy (irradiation), stem cells, and phototherapy, stem cells. RESULTS The analysis revealed the importance of cell type when choosing the cell irradiation parameters. The influence of wavelength on the SC proliferation rate seemed to be nonsignificant. The high values of increased proliferation or differentiation were obtained using high power density, low energy density, and short exposure time. SC exposure to light without inducers did not lead to their differentiation. The maximum differentiation was achieved using irradiation parameters different from the ones needed to achieve the maximum proliferation of the same cells. CONCLUSIONS Increased power density and reduced energy density were needed to increase the SC response. Based on the analysis, we have presented a graph of the cell response to generalized photostimulus, and introduced the concepts of "photostress" and "photoshock" to describe the stages of this response.
THE RE‐DO PHARYNGEAL FLAP

Twelve patients with persistent hypernasal speech after a previous pharyngeal flap operation had a second pharyngeal flap operation performed by the high-attached technique. Six of them achieved complete or near complete correction of hypernasality in connected speech. Four showed speech improvement of a lesser degree. Two patients had no significant improvement.
Inappropriate use of daily mortality analyses to estimate longer-term mortality effects of air pollution.

BACKGROUND To avoid the usual problems of multi-population correlation studies of air pollution and mortality, and for reasons of convenience, daily time-series mortality studies within single populations have recently become popular in air pollution epidemiology. Such studies describe how the short-term distribution of deaths relates to short-term fluctuations in air pollution levels. The regression-based risk coefficients from these acute-effects studies have been widely used to estimate the excess annual mortality within a population with a specified average level of air pollution. Such calculations are inappropriate. Since daily time-series data provide no simple direct information about the degree of life-shortening associated with the excess daily deaths (many of which are thought to be due to exacerbation of well-advanced disease, especially cardiovascular disease), such data cannot contribute to the estimation of the effects of air pollution upon chronic disease incidence and long-term death rates. Yet it is that category of effect that is of most public health importance. CONCLUSION Such effects are best estimated from long-term cohort studies that incorporate good knowledge of local (or personal) exposure to air pollutants and of potential confounders. Time-series studies, properly evaluated, can identify the existence of acute toxic effects of transient peak levels of air pollution; they are thus useful for monitoring acute toxicity and for identifying the most noxious pollutants. However, to quantify the long-term health impacts of air pollution we cannot use acute-effects data.
DUST PROCESSING IN SUPERNOVA REMNANTS: SPITZER MIPS SPECTRAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTION AND INFRARED SPECTROGRAPH OBSERVATIONS

We present Spitzer Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS) spectral energy distribution (SED) and Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) observations of 14 Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) previously identified in the GLIMPSE survey. We find evidence for SNR/molecular cloud interaction through detection of [O i] emission, ionic lines, and emission from molecular hydrogen. Through blackbody fitting of the MIPS SEDs we find the large grains to be warm, 29–66 K. The dust emission is modeled using the DUSTEM code and a three-component dust model composed of populations of big grains (BGs), very small grains (VSGs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. We find the dust to be moderately heated, typically by 30–100 times the interstellar radiation field. The source of the radiation is likely hydrogen recombination, where the excitation of hydrogen occurred in the shock front. The ratio of VSGs to BGs is found for most of the molecular interacting SNRs to be higher than that found in the plane of the Milky Way, typically by a factor of 2–3. We suggest that dust shattering is responsible for the relative overabundance of small grains, in agreement with the prediction from dust destruction models. However, two of the SNRs are best fitted with a very low abundance of carbon grains to silicate grains and with a very high radiation field. A likely reason for the low abundance of small carbon grains is sputtering. We find evidence for silicate emission at 20 μm in their SEDs, indicating that they are young SNRs based on the strong radiation field necessary to reproduce the observed SEDs.
Stretchable, transparent and wearable sensor for multifunctional smart skins

This paper reports a novel active body motion sensor with PDMS-AgNWs structure, which is not only highly sensitive to detect body static gestures by strain-resistance response, but also self-powered to recognize both body and prosthesis motion based on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction synchronously for the first time. By attaching the sensor on human skin or robot surface directly, the motion of the relative surface could be reconstructed simultaneously. Particularly, the sensor could work as functional part of smart skins and wearable devices for its great stretchability and transparency.
Comparison of the influences of adrenocortical hormones on the growth and involution of lymphatic organs.

PRELIMINARY investigations of the acute involution of lymphatic organs induced by administration of cortisone demonstrated that the hormone-induced involution of lymphatic tissue was a response of the continuous variate type (Santisteban, 1953). Accordingly, more detailed studies were performed to ascertain whether the regression relationships of certain lymphatic organs could be employed to elucidate further the quantitative interrelationships of amounts and molecular structures of certain adrenocortical hormones to the growth and involution of lymphatic organs. Although the method presented here might be adapted to various types of bioassay procedures, the emphasis in these studies has been directed towards establishing the comparative potencies and structural activity relationships of those adrenocortical hormones which were known to have the capacity to induce acute lymphatic organ involution (reviewed by Dougherty, 1952). Other steroid hormones which have been reported by various authors to produce g.