Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Workers of the World’? A Digital Approach to Classify the International Scope of Belgian Socialist Newspapers, 1885–1940

Socialism has always been strongly related to internationalism, yet the attitude towards and expression of internationalism has likely changed throughout the years. Events such as the First World War, the post-war revival of institutionalized internationalism and the increasing geopolitical tensions during the Interwar Period are likely to impact the degree of internationalism found in socialism. In this paper, we use digital tools to search for expressions of ‘banal’ internationalism and cosmopolitanism in Belgian socialist discourse from 1885 until 1940 by text mining two socialist newspapers: the French journal Le Peuple and the Dutch Vooruit. The goal is to highlight some of the difficulties encountered in collecting and processing the relevant data, and to showcase two potential analyses once the data has been acquired and prepared: a study of the most frequent locations throughout time via Named-entity recognition (NER) and a collocation analysis to study international and cosmopolitan sentiments.
Streptococcal β Protein Has Separate Binding Sites for Human Factor H and IgA-Fc*

The group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most important cause of life-threatening bacterial infections in newborn infants. Protective immunity to GBS infection is elicited by several surface proteins, one of which, the β protein, is known to bind human IgA-Fc. Here, we show that the β protein also binds human factor H (FH), a negative regulator of complement activation. Absorption experiments with whole human plasma demonstrated binding of FH to a GBS strain expressing β protein but not to an isogenic β-negative mutant. This binding was due to a direct interaction between β and FH, as shown by experiments with purified proteins. Inhibition tests and studies with β fragments demonstrated that FH and IgA-Fc bind to separate and nonoverlapping regions in β. Heparin, a known ligand for FH, specifically inhibited the binding between β and FH, suggesting that FH has overlapping binding sites for β and heparin. Bacteria-bound FH retained its complement regulatory activity, implying that β-expressing GBS may use bound FH to evade complement attack. The finding that β protein binds FH adds to a growing list of interactions between human pathogens and complement regulatory proteins, supporting the notion that these interactions are of general importance in bacterial pathogenesis.
An Overview of 3GPP Release-15 Study on Enhanced LTE Support for Connected Drones

Cellular connectivity to low altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has received significant interest recently, which has led to a 3GPP study on enhanced LTE support for connected UAVs in Release 15. The objective of the study is to investigate the capability of LTE networks for providing connectivity to UAVs. In this article, we provide an overview of the key findings of the 3GPP Release 15 study item. We first introduce UAV connectivity requirements and performance evaluation scenarios defined in the study. We then discuss radio channel models and the key identified challenges of using LTE networks to provide connectivity to UAVs. We summarize potential solutions to address the challenges, including interference detection and mitigation techniques, mobility enhancements, and UAV identification. Finally, we also shed light on the key features standardized during the Release 15 work item and provide directions for future work in the area of 5G NR.
An innovative energy-saving in-flight melting technology and its application to glass production

Abstract The conventional method used for glass melting is air-fuel firing, which is inefficient, energy-intensive and time-consuming. In this study, an innovative in-flight melting technology was developed and applied to glass production for the purposes of energy conservation and environmental protection. Three types of heating sources, radio-frequency (RF) plasma, a 12-phase alternating current (ac) arc and an oxygen burner, were used to investigate the in-flight melting behavior of granulated powders. Results show that the melted particles are spherical with a smooth surface and compact structure. The diameter of the melted particles is about 50% of that of the original powders. The decomposition and vitrification degrees of the prepared powders decrease in the order of powders prepared by RF plasma, the 12-phase ac arc and the oxygen burner. The largest heat transfer is from RF plasma to particles, which results in the highest particle temperature (1810 °C) and the greatest vitrification degree of the raw material. The high decomposition and vitrification degrees, which are achieved in milliseconds, shorten the melting and fining times of the glass considerably. Our results indicate that the proposed in-flight melting technology is a promising method for use in the glass industry.
Rosuvastatin attenuates angiotensin II-induced neointimal formation after stent implantation in the rat

ObjectiveWe investigated the efficacy of oral rosuvastatin treatment to reduce in-stent neointima formation, both in the absence and presence of high levels of the proproliferative substance angiotensin II (Ang II). BackgroundDrawbacks of current drug-eluting stents include inhibition of reendothelialization, induction of abnormal coronary endothelial function, and, most importantly, late in-stent thrombosis. Statin treatment might be a more subtle approach, with known beneficial vascular effects. MethodsWistar rats were allocated to four treatment groups by two consecutive randomization steps: one to allocate rosuvastatin 0.047% (wt/wt) supplemented rat chow, and one to implant an osmotic minipump releasing Ang II (200 ng/kg). Stents were implanted in the abdominal aorta in all groups. After 4 weeks, in-stent neointima formation and vascular function in the thoracic aorta were determined. ResultsIn the absence of Ang II, rosuvastatin reduced neointima formation by 23% as compared with control (0.66±0.06 versus 0.51±0.02 mm2; P<0.05). The presence of Ang II enhanced neointimal area by 30%. This was inhibited to the same extent by rosuvastatin (0.88±0.06 versus 0.67±0.03 mm2; P<0.05). In parallel, rosuvastatin improved endothelial-dependent vasodilatation, both in the presence and absence of high levels of Ang II. ConclusionAng II infusion increases in-stent neointima formation and decreases endothelial function. We now provide evidence that rosuvastatin effectively inhibits in-stent neointima formation and in parallel improves endothelial dilator function, both in the presence and absence of high Ang II levels.
Important Role of Endothelial Caveolin-1 in the Protective Role of Endothelium-dependent Hyperpolarization Against Nitric Oxide-Mediated Nitrative Stress in Microcirculation in Mice.

AIMS Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) play important roles in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. We have previously demonstrated that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) plays diverse roles depending on vessel size, as a NO generating system in conduit arteries and an EDH-mediated system in resistance arteries, for which caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is involved. However, the physiological role of endothelial Cav-1 in microvessels remains to be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS We newly generated endothelium-specific Cav-1-knockout (eCav-1-KO) mice. eCav-1-KO mice showed loss of endothelial Cav-1/eNOS complex and had cardiac hypertrophy despite normal blood pressure. In eCav-1-KO mice, as compared to wild-type controls, the extent of eNOS phosphorylation at inhibitory Thr495 was significantly reduced in mesenteric arteries and the heart. Isometric tension and Langendorff-perfused heart experiments showed that NO-mediated responses were enhanced, whereas EDH-mediated responses were reduced in coronary microcirculation in eCav-1-KO mice. Immunohistochemistry showed increased level of 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP), a marker of nitrative stress, in the heart from eCav-1-KO mice. S-guanylation of cardiac H-Ras in eCav-1-KO mice was also significantly increased compared with wild-type controls. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that eCav-1 is involved in the protective role of EDH against nitrative stress caused by excessive NO to maintain cardiac microvascular homeostasis.
The predisposition to inspiratory upper airway collapse during partial neuromuscular blockade.

RATIONALE Partial neuromuscular transmission failure by acetylcholine receptor blockade (neuromuscular blockade) or antibody-mediated functional loss (myasthenia gravis), even with a magnitude of muscle weakness that does not evoke respiratory symptoms, can evoke dysphagia and decreased inspiratory airflow, and increases the risk of susceptible patients to develop severe pulmonary complications. OBJECTIVES To assess whether impaired neuromuscular transmission predisposes individuals to inspiratory upper airway collapse, we assessed supraglottic airway diameter and volume by respiratory-gated magnetic resonance imaging, upper airway dilator muscle function (genioglossus force and EMG), and changes in lung volume, respiratory timing, and peripheral muscle function before, during, and after partial neuromuscular blockade in healthy, awake volunteers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Partial neuromuscular blockade (train-of-four [TOF] ratio: 0.5 and 0.8) was associated with the following: (1) a decrease of inspiratory retropalatal and retroglossal upper airway volume to 66 +/- 22 and 82 +/- 12% of baseline, which was significantly more intense in the retropalatal area; (2) an attenuation of the normal increase in anteroposterior upper airway diameter during forced inspiration to 74 +/- 18% of baseline; (3) a decrease in genioglossus activity during maximum voluntary tongue protrusion to 39 +/- 19% (TOF, 0.5) and 73 +/- 29% (TOF, 0.8) of baseline; and (4) no effects on upper airway size during expiration, lung volume, and respiratory timing. CONCLUSIONS Thus, impaired neuromuscular transmission, even to a degree insufficient to evoke respiratory symptoms, markedly impairs upper airway dimensions and function. This may be explained by an impairment of the balance between upper airway dilating forces and negative intraluminal pressure generated during inspiration by respiratory "pump" muscles.
Caries and Periodontitis: Contesting the Conventional Wisdom on Their Aetiology

We review the literature on the oral microbiome and the role of the microbiota in the development of dental caries and periodontitis. While most research has been focused on identifying one or more specific determinants of these diseases, the results have provided limited predictive value and have not been able to explain the variation in the distribution of these diseases observed in epidemiological or clinical studies. Drawing on existing knowledge about the nature of the oral microbiota, we suggest that a stochastic model based on the Weiner process provides simple and parsimonious explanations for the pathogenesis of both caries and periodontitis, making few assumptions, and providing explanations for phenomena that have hitherto proved difficult, or have required complex arguments, to explain. These diseases occur as the result of the dental hard tissues and periodontal tissues integrating the random “noise” caused by normal metabolic activities of commensal microorganisms in the dental biofilm. The processes that result in the progression and regression of caries and periodontitis may be considered as “natural,” rather than pathological, even if, when left unchecked over long periods of time, they can result in the development of pathologies. The likelihood of progression or regression can be influenced by other determinants, but these processes will nevertheless occur in the absence of such influences. The distributional characteristics of the model approximate the findings of epidemiological studies indicating that, for both caries and periodontitis, there will be few sites affected in the early period after the eruption of the permanent dentition, but in those older there is an almost linear relationship with increasing age; furthermore, the longer a site survives without being affected, the less likely that it will be affected. We discuss the clinical and public health importance of these findings.
Cross-reactivity of pollen and food allergens: soybean Gly m 4 is a member of the Bet v 1 superfamily and closely resembles yellow lupine proteins

In many cases, patients allergic to birch pollen also show allergic reactions after ingestion of certain fruits or vegetables. This observation is explained at the molecular level by cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies induced by sensitization to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 with homologous food allergens. As IgE antibodies recognize conformational epitopes, a precise structural characterization of the allergens involved is necessary to understand cross-reactivity and thus to develop new methods of allergen-specific immunotherapy for allergic patients. Here, we report the three-dimensional solution structure of the soybean allergen Gly m 4, a member of the superfamily of Bet v 1 homologous proteins and a cross-reactant with IgE antibodies originally raised against Bet v 1 as shown by immunoblot inhibition and histamine release assays. Although the overall fold of Gly m 4 is very similar to that of Bet v 1, the three-dimensional structures of these proteins differ in detail. The Gly m 4 local structures that display those differences are also found in proteins from yellow lupine with known physiological function. The three-dimensional structure of Gly m 4 may thus shed some light on the physiological function of this subgroup of PR10 proteins (class 10 of pathogenesis-related proteins) and, in combination with immunological data, allow us to propose surface patches that might represent cross-reactive epitopes.
A look at oil spill detection and identification using SAR

Oil spill which enter the marine environment from numerous sources is a significant pollutant that severely degrades sea ecosystem with profound and catastrophic effect. In recognition of the need for timely oil spill containment and risk mitigation, an effective tool is required to provide rapid response in oil spill disaster management. This paper is authored with the aims to provide quick grasp into the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in oil spill detection and identification. The paper is structured into five section: Section 1 introduces the scenario and problems associated with oil spill; Section 2 provides overview of different technology used in detecting the oil slick; Section 3 explains why SAR is the important tool in oil spill monitoring; Section 4 sum up the commonly used algorithms; Section 5 discusses the current limitation and outlook of SAR sensor and Section 6 summarises the paper.
Classification transfer for qualitative reasoning problems

We study formalisms for temporal and spatial reasoning in the modern context of Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs). We show how questions on the complexity of their subclasses can be solved using existing results via the powerful use of primitive positive (pp) interpretations and pp-homotopy. We demonstrate the methodology by giving a full complexity classification of all constraint languages that are first-order definable in Allen's Interval Algebra and contain the basic relations (s) and (f). In the case of the Rectangle Algebra we answer in the affirmative the old open question as to whether ORD-Horn is a maximally tractable subset among the (disjunctive, binary) relations. We then generalise our results for the Rectangle Algebra to the r-dimensional Block Algebra.
Evaluation and Treatment of Medial Collateral Ligament and Medial-sided Injuries of the Knee

Injuries to the medial side of the knee are not always isolated injuries of the superficial medial collateral ligament. Medial-sided injuries can also involve the deep medial collateral ligament, the posteromedial corner, or the medial meniscus. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful adjunct to the physical examination; however, the extent of medial-sided injuries is frequently underappreciated on these images. An understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the medial side of the knee and a thorough physical examination aids the physician in determining the full extent of injury and helping the physician to treat each unique injury pattern.
Comparison of flutter device and chest physical therapy in the treatment of cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation

Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is recommended for the clearance of bronchial secretions in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The Flutter® valve (Scandipharm, Birmingham, AL) has been introduced as an alternative method to CPT for airway mucus clearance. The objective of this study was to compare the short‐term effects of CPT and the Flutter® valve on pulmonary function and exercise tolerance in patients with cystic fibrosis. Twenty‐three patients, 5 to 21 years of age, were randomized to receive one of two interventions: CPT or the Flutter® valve, upon admission to the hospital for a 2‐week treatment of pulmonary exacerbation. Pulmonary function testing (PFTs) and the 6‐min walk test were performed on admission, day 7, and day 14 of hospitalization.
Natural killer p46High expression defines a natural killer cell subset that is potentially involved in control of hepatitis C virus replication and modulation of liver fibrosis

Natural killer (NK) cells play a role in the early control and natural course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. NK cell function is regulated by a multitude of receptors, including activating NKp46 receptor. However, reports on NKp46 in hepatitis C are controversial. Therefore, we investigated the hepatic recruitment and function of NKp46(+) NK cells, considering differential surface expression of NKp46 resulting in NKp46High and NKp46Dim subsets. Intra‐ and extrahepatic NK‐cell subsets from HCV‐infected patients were characterized by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic activity and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) secretion were studied using K‐562, P815, and primary hepatic stellate cells as targets. Anti‐HCV activity of NK‐cell subsets was studied using the replicon system. Density of NKp46 surface expression clearly segregated NKp46Dim and NKp46High subsets, which differed significantly with respect to the coexpression of maturation markers and NK‐cell receptors. More important, NKp46High NK cells showed a higher cytolytic activity and stronger IFN‐γ secretion than NKp46Dim NK cells. Accordingly, NKp46High NK cells efficiently blocked HCV replication in vitro. Blocking experiments confirmed an important role for the NKp46 receptor. Furthermore, we found an intrahepatic accumulation of NKp46High NK cells. Of note, high cytolytic activity of NKp46High NK cells was also confirmed in the intrahepatic NK‐cell population, and the frequency of intrahepatic NKp46High NK cells was inversely correlated with HCV‐RNA levels and fibrosis stage. Conclusions: NKp46High expression defines a specific NK‐cell subset that may be involved in both the suppression of HCV replication and HCV‐associated liver damage underpinning the role of NK cells in the immunopathogenesis of HCV. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Nitration of angiotensin II by .NO2 radicals and peroxynitrite. .NO protects against .NO2 radical reaction.

To react with peptides, nitric oxide.NO has to be activated by oxidation, or by coupling with superoxide (O.-2) thereby producing peroxynitrite. In the course of.NO oxidation,. NO2 free radicals and N2O3 may be formed. Using gamma-irradiation methods, we characterized the products formed by these nitrogen oxides with angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is specifically nitrated at its tyrosinyl residue by.NO2 or peroxynitrite. Equimolecular amounts of each reagent in K+/Pi solutions at pH 7.4 led to 56% and 5% nitration yields, respectively. Nitrogen oxides produced by autoxidation of.NO, as well as.NO2 under.NO, reacted only with the arginine residue, giving a mixture of peptides containing citrulline, a N-(hydroxylamino-cyanamido-) instead of guanido group, and a conjugated diene derived from an arginine side-chain. However, nitrosation reactions by N2O3 occurred only when the initial concentration of.NO2 was 10 times that able to react with angiotensin II. Thus, in this case.NO appears to protect against.NO2 action.
Comparison of new triton X-100- and tween-ether-treated split-treated vaccines in children

Split-product vaccines (SPVs) combine the desirable properties of no systemic reactogenicity and adequate immunogenicity when two doses are given. We compared a new Triton X-100 SPV (Connaught Laboratories, Inc.) with the commercially available Tween-ether SPV (Parke-Davis & Co.) in 76 children and young adults 2 to 25 years old; there were 39 and 37, respectively, in each vaccine group. Both vaccines contained influenza A/Brazil/78, A/Texas/77, and B/Hong Kong/72 (7 microgram of hemagglutinin for each strain); two doses were administered 1 month apart. Among persons seronegative by the hemagglutination inhibition test, the geometric mean antibody titers rose to approximately 100 after the first vaccination for influenza A/Brazil/78 and A/Texas/77. For B/Hong Kong/72, however, seronegative recipients developed lower geometric mean titers of approximately 32 after one immunization. Against the new B/Singapore/79 strain neither SPV stimulated adequate cross-reacting hemagglutination inhibition antibody (geometric mean titers of approximately 10). In conclusion, the new Triton X-100 SPV appears to be comparable to the ether-treated SPV in primed subjects. Further studies in unprimed children should be done to confirm this impression. In addition, it would be advisable to study other dosage regimens in unprimed children with these SPVs.
Long term behavioural outcome after neonatal arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

Aims: To evaluate behavioural outcome and quality of life in children aged 8–14 years after neonatal arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. Methods: Sixty children operated as neonates with combined deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and low flow cardiopulmonary bypass were evaluated at age 7.9–14.3 years by the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the Inventory for the Assessment of the Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents (IQCL). Results: Parent reported behavioural outcome on all CBCL problem and competence scores was worse, whereas quality of life on self reported IQCL scores was not reduced compared to the normal population. On multivariate analysis, severe preoperative hypoxia was related to parent reported social problems; peri- and postoperative cardiocirculatory insufficiency was associated with internalising, externalising, attention, and total behavioural problems. Reduced expressive language was associated with total behavioural problems, and poor academic achievement was related to parent reported deficits in school performance. Impaired neurological status and reduced endurance capacity both predicted self reported stress by illness. Conclusions: The neonatal arterial switch operation with combined circulatory arrest and low flow bypass is associated with parent reported long term behavioural impairment, but not with self reported general reduction in quality of life. This discrepancy may be a result of different perception of illness. In our experience, increased risk of long term psychosocial maladjustment after neonatal corrective cardiac surgery is related to the presence of neurological impairment and reduced endurance capacity.