Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overcoming the Key Challenges to Establishing Vehicular Communication: Is SDN the Answer?

Considerable development in software-based configurable hardware has paved the way for a new networking paradigm called software-defined vehicular networks (SDVNs). The distinctive features of SDN, such as its flexibility and programmability, can help fulfill the performance and management requirements for VANETs. Although several studies exist on VANET and SDN, a tutorial on SDVNs is still lacking. In this article, we initially investigate recent premier research advances in the SDVN paradigm. Then we categorize and classify SDVN concepts and establish a taxonomy based on important characteristics, such as services, access technologies, network architectural components, opportunities, operational modes, and system components. Furthermore, we identify and outline the key requirements for SDVNs. Finally, we enumerate and outline future research challenges.
Melatonin treatment restores mitochondrial function in Alzheimer’s mice: a mitochondrial protective role of melatonin membrane receptor signaling

Abstract: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is observed in mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mouse models of familial AD. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant, can prevent toxic aggregation of Alzheimer’s beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide and, when taken long term, can protect against cognitive deficits in APP transgenic mice. To study the effects of melatonin on brain mitochondrial function in an AD model, APP/PS1 transgenic mice were treated for 1 month with melatonin. Analysis of isolated brain mitochondria from mice indicated that melatonin treatment decreased mitochondrial Aβ levels by two‐ to fourfold in different brain regions. This was accompanied by a near complete restoration of mitochondrial respiratory rates, membrane potential, and ATP levels in isolated mitochondria from the hippocampus, cortex, or striatum. When isolated mitochondria from untreated young mice were given melatonin, a slight increase in respiratory rate was observed. No such effect was observed in mitochondria from aged mice. In APP‐expressing neuroblastoma cells in culture, mitochondrial function was restored by melatonin or by the structurally related compounds indole‐3‐propionic acid or N(1)‐acetyl‐N(2)‐formyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine. This restoration was partially blocked by melatonin receptor antagonists indicating melatonin receptor signaling is required for the full effect. Therefore, treatments that stimulate melatonin receptor signaling may be beneficial for restoring mitochondrial function in AD, and preservation of mitochondrial function may an important mechanism by which long term melatonin treatment delays cognitive dysfunction in AD mice.
Human factor VIII can be packaged and functionally expressed in an adeno‐associated virus background: applicability to haemophilia A gene therapy

Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) is a single‐stranded DNA parvovirus displaying several attractive features applicable to haemophilia A gene therapy, including non‐pathogenicity and potential for long‐term transgene expression from either integrated or episomal forms. We have generated and characterized two B‐domain‐deleted (BDD) fVIII mutants, deleted in residues Phe756 to Ile1679 (fVIIIΔ756–1679) or Thr761 to Asn1639 (fVIIIΔ761–1639). [35S]metabolic labelling experiments and immunoprecipitation demonstrated intact BDD‐fVIII of the predicted size in both lysates and supernatants (Mr ~ 155 kD for fVIIIΔ756–1679 and Mr ~ 160 kD for fVIIIΔ761–1639) after transient transfection into COS‐1 cells. Functional fVIII quantification appeared maximal using fVIIIΔ761–1639, as evaluated by Coatest and clotting assay (98 ± 20 mU/ml/1×106 cells and 118 ± 29 mU/ml/1×106 respectively, collection period 48 h). To bypass potential size limitations of rAAV/fVIII vectors, we expressed fVIIIΔ761–1639 using a minimal human 243 bp cellular small nuclear RNA (pHU1‐1) promoter, and demonstrated fVIII activity ~30% of that seen using CMV promoter. This BDD‐fVIII (rAAV(pHU1‐1) fVIIIΔ761–1639) can be efficiently encapsidated into rAAV (107% of wild type), as demonstrated by replication centre and DNAase sensitivity assays. A concentrated recombinant viral stock resulted in readily detectable factor VIII expression in COS‐1 cells using a maximally‐achievable MOI ~35 (Coatest 15 mU/ml; clotting assay 25 ± 2.0 mU/ml/1×106 cells). These data provide the first evidence that rAAV is an adaptable virus for fVIII delivery, and given the recent progress using this virus for factor IX delivery in vivo, provide a new approach towards definitive treatment of haemophilia A.
Action of choline on frog sartorius muscle

1. External and micro‐electrode measurements were made of fibre membrane potentials taken at intervals along the length of frog sartorius muscle fibres before and after adding choline. In ‘cold‐treated’ Rana pipiens which had been kept at 1‐3° C for at least 5 days, 10−3 w/v choline caused a long‐lasting depolarization of approximately 3 hr. Depolarization occurred first at the end‐plate region and spread more slowly to the end‐plate free region. The potential became equalized along the muscles during recovery.
Plasma sodium concentration: bearer of false prophecies?

Occasionally measurement of the serumn or plasma concentration of sodium may give rise to falsely low results when carried out on a flame photometer or by an indirect reading ion selective electrode. The patients at risk are those with abnormally high serum concentrations of lipid or protein. These are, however, few: initially all low sodium concentrations as measured by flame photometry should be regarded as genuine. Measurement of the sodium concentrations of large numbers of specimens of serum or plasma became possible in routine clinical chemistry laboratories some 35 years ago with the advent of the flame photometer. ' Before that, measurement of sodium was laborious, time consuming, and imprecise-and the same was true of potassium, measurement of which is equally suited to flame photometry. Indeed this technique had a virtual monopoly until suitable ion selective electrodes became available.2 As with many new techniques there are good arguments for and against change, but in this instance the physical principle of measurement differs-a fact which must be understood and taken into account by the clinical chemist. These technicalities do not usually concern or interest the clinician unless they affect the reported result to a substantial extent. Such variation may occur with measurements of serum concentrations of sodium, and both clinicians and clinical chemists need to be aware of the relevant circumstances. The measurement of sodium by flame photometry determines the number of sodium atoms in a defined unit volume of serum or plasma. The ion selective electrode, by contrast, determines the activity of sodium in the solution rather than its concentration. The concept of activity is one which is familiar to physical chemists but less so to medical scientists and clinicians. It may best be described as a measure of the number of atoms which act truly and wholly as ions in a defined unit volume of electrolytic solution. The difference between concentration and activity is reduced as the solution becomes more dilute. In other words, the difference is less in a plasma sample which has been diluted, say, 1 in 200, before measurement than in the same undiluted sample. Several factors contribute to the difference between concentration and activity, and these vary in magnitude among different specimens of plasma. The main factor of clinical relevance is the volume occupied by lipid and protein. Because lipids and proteins exclude water the volume they occupy is not 0 BRI[[SH MEL)ICAI. JOURNAL 1983. All …
Do Needle Syringe Programs Reduce HIV Infection Among Injecting Drug Users: A Comprehensive Review of the International Evidence

This first international review of the evidence that needle syringe programs reduce HIV infection among injecting drug users found that conservative interpretation of the published data fulfills six of the nine Bradford Hill criteria (strength of association, replication of findings, temporal sequence, biological plausibility, coherence of evidence, and reasoning by analogy) and all six additional criteria (cost-effectiveness, absence of negative consequences, feasibility of implementation, expansion and coverage, unanticipated benefits, and application to special populations). The Bradford Hill criteria are often used to evaluate public health interventions. The principal finding of this review was that there is compelling evidence of effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness, consistent with seven previous reviews conducted by or on behalf of U.S. government agencies. Authorities in countries affected or threatened by HIV infection among injecting drug users should carefully consider this convincing evidence now available for needle syringe programs with a view to establishing or expanding needle syringe programs to scale.
USE OF SYLLABLES BY CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL APRAXIA OF SPEECH

In the present study the syllabic organization of utterances from children with DAS is compared to that of normally speaking children by extracting the course of the second formant (F2) across and within syllables. The utterances of children with DAS show more variability within as well as between subjects. There are no syllable boundary effects found in the formant trajectories of either the normally speaking children, nor the children with DAS. However there is a clear effect of shifting syllable boundary in the error percentages and error patterns of the /sx/-sequences produced by children with DAS. These results suggest that children with DAS show deviant coordination of syllabic gestures, and that they experience difficulties in restoring syllable programs.
Topoisomerase I peptide-loaded dendritic cells induce autoantibody response as well as skin and lung fibrosis

Abstract DNA Topoisomerase I (TopoI) is a candidate autoantigen for diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) associated with fatal lung disease. Dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. However, the possibility that TopoI-loaded DCs are involved in the initiation and/or perpetuation of dcSSc has not been explored. Here, we show that immunization with TopoI peptide-loaded DCs induces anti-TopoI autoantibody response and long-term fibrosis. Mice were repeatedly immunized with unpulsed DCs or DCs loaded with either TOPOIA or TOPOIB peptides, selected from different regions of TopoI. At week 12 after initial DC immunization, TOPOIA DCs but not TOPOIB DCs immunization induced mixed inflammation and fibrosis in lungs and skin. At a late time point (week 18), both TOPOIA DCs and TOPOIB DCs groups displayed increased alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in lungs and dermis along with skin fibrosis distal from the site of injection when compared with unpulsed DCs. Both TopoI peptide-DC-immunized groups developed IgG2a anti-TopoI autoantibody response. At week 10, signs of perivascular, peribronchial, and parenchymal pulmonary inflammation were already observed in the TOPOIA DCs group, together with transient elevation in bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts, IL-17A expression, and CXCL4 production, a biomarker of early human dcSSc. Collectively, TopoI peptide DCs induce progressive autoantibody response as well as development of protracted skin and lung dcSSc-like disease. Pronounced lung inflammation, transient IL-17A, and CXCL4 expression precede fibrosis development. Our immunization strategy, that uses self immune system and autoantigen, will help to further investigate the pathogenesis of this complex autoimmune disorder with unmet medical needs.
Geometric alignment and chromatic calibration of serial radiographic images.

OBJECTIVE To develop software for automated registration and intensity calibration of serial dental radiographs for the analysis of longitudinal changes in bone density. METHODS Serial dental radiographs were acquired using a positioning device designed to minimize projection divergence. Each radiograph included an image of a standardized aluminium wedge. The radiographs were scanned on a flatbed scanner (AGFA Duo Scan) with a spatial resolution of 300 dpi, and pixel intensity coded in 16-bit grey scale. The intensity was calibrated using serial images of selected areas with defined thickness of the aluminium wedge. A robust B-splines multiresolution registration algorithm was implemented to overcome the acquisition misalignment. Radiographs, taken before and after periodontal therapy, were subtracted to assess bone density evolution. RESULTS The intensity calibration decreased the maximum intensity variations between serial radiographs from 30+/-17% to 1+/-1% (mean+/-standard deviation), and improved the visual comparison between the radiographs. The registration stage allowed correcting the misalignment of the radiographs on the scanner screen and superimposing the radiography contents. The observed residual motion was about 0.02+/-0.01 mm. CONCLUSION Very user-friendly software was developed. The manipulator needs to scan the radiographs only one time. The software performs all subsequent processing steps.
Lung Fibrosis-associated Surfactant Protein A1 and C Variants Induce Latent Transforming Growth Factor β1 Secretion in Lung Epithelial Cells*

Background: Mutations in the genes encoding surfactant proteins have been found in patients with lung disease. Results: The relative contribution of UPR-dependent or independent induction of latent TGF-β secretion differs for surfactant variants. Conclusion: Expression of certain SP-A1 and SP-C variants leads to increased latent TGF-β secretion. Significance: Drugs that inhibit TGF-β may be especially beneficial to a molecularly defined group of patients. Missense mutations of surfactant proteins are recognized as important causes of inherited lung fibrosis. Here, we study rare and common surfactant protein (SP)-A1 and SP-C variants, either discovered in our familial pulmonary fibrosis cohort or described by others. We show that expression of two SP-A1 (R219W and R242*) and three SP-C (I73T, M71V, and L188Q) variant proteins lead to the secretion of the profibrotic latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in lung epithelial cell lines. The secreted TGF-β1 is capable of autocrine and paracrine signaling and is dependent upon expression of the latent TGF-β1 binding proteins. The dependence upon unfolded protein response (UPR) mediators for TGF-β1 induction differs for each variant. TGF-β1 secretion induced by the expression of the common SP-A1 R219W variant is nearly completely blocked by silencing the UPR transducers IRE-1α and ATF6. In contrast, the secretion of TGF-β1 induced by two rare SP-C mutant proteins (I73T and M71V), is largely unaffected by UPR silencing or by the addition of the small molecular chaperone 4-phenylbutyric acid, implicating a UPR-independent mechanism for these variants. Blocking TGF-β1 secretion reverses cell death of RLE-6TN cells expressing these SP-A1 and SP-C variants suggesting that anti-TGF-β therapeutics may be beneficial to this molecularly defined subgroup of pulmonary fibrosis patients.
Evaluation and classification of syntax information usage in determining short text semantic similarity

This paper outlines and categorizes ways of using syntax information in a number of algorithms for determining short text semantic similarity. Algorithm performance was evaluated using the results of a paraphrase detection test on the Microsoft Research Paraphrase Corpus. Among the described algorithms and approaches to using syntax information we identify those best suited for application in languages with limited electronic linguistic tools and, with that goal in mind, we propose a new algorithm classification.
Evaluation of progress made by dairy and beef herds enrolled in the Minnesota Johne's Disease Control Program.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate progress made by cattle herds in the control of paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) through participation in the Minnesota Johne's Disease Control Program (MNJDCP). DESIGN Retrospective records analysis. SAMPLE POPULATION Data for dairy and beef herds participating in the MNJDCP. PROCEDURES Data for the MNJDCP were collected for analyses. Outcome measures included changes in numbers of participating cattle producers, risk assessment scores, and within-herd seroprevalence of Johne's disease by year of program participation. RESULTS Results revealed steady increases in program participation by cattle producers in Minnesota over time, with > 30% of dairy producers and 2% of beef producers in the state participating by the end of 2006. Despite risk of introduction of Johne's disease to cattle herds through continued introduction of cattle from other herds, dairy and beef herds in the Management Program of the MNJDCP reduced their on-farm risk assessment scores during the program. Dairy herds in the Management Program reduced their mean within-herd seroprevalence 1.1% during the first year, 2.6% during the first 2 years, and 4.0% during the first 3 years of program participation. Significant within-herd seroprevalence reduction was also detected for beef herds that participated in the Management Program for at least 3 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study revealed a reduction in the risk of withinherd transmission of Johne's disease and seroprevalence over time in dairy and beef herds in the Management Program of the MNJDCP. This is consistent with a positive effect of the program for the control of Johne's disease in cattle.
Not an HIV cure, but encouraging new directions.

The history of infectious diseases frequently includes people who were resistant to a pathogen. Such a phenomenon helped the Spanish, who had resistance to smallpox, in their conquest of South America, but not the Aztecs or the Incas, who had no resistance to smallpox and were decimated by the virus.1 Microbial resistance involves adaptive (acquired) immunity (e.g., the HLA subtype) or innate (natural) immunity resulting from the genetic makeup of the host.2 With the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its known destruction of the immune system, resistance to infection and disease was not initially expected. However, certain people — long-term .
The hypocretin–orexin system regulates cocaine self‐administration via actions on the mesolimbic dopamine system

Recent evidence suggests that the hypocretin–orexin system participates in the regulation of reinforcement processes. The current studies examined the extent to which hypocretin neurotransmission regulates behavioral and neurochemical responses to cocaine, and behavioral responses to food reinforcement. These studies used a combination of fixed ratio, discrete trials, progressive ratio and threshold self‐administration procedures to assess whether the hypocretin 1 receptor antagonist, SB‐334867, reduces cocaine self‐administration in rats. Progressive ratio sucrose self‐administration procedures were also used to assess the extent to which SB‐334867 reduces responding to a natural reinforcer in food‐restricted and food‐sated rats. Additionally, these studies used microdialysis and in vivo voltammetry in rats to examine whether SB‐334867 attenuates the effects of cocaine on dopamine signaling within the nucleus accumbens core. Furthermore, in vitro voltammetry was used to examine whether hypocretin knockout mice display attenuated dopamine responses to cocaine. Results indicate that when SB‐334867 was administered peripherally or within the ventral tegmental area, it reduced the motivation to self‐administer cocaine and attenuated cocaine‐induced enhancement of dopamine signaling. SB‐334867 also reduced the motivation to self‐administer sucrose in food‐sated but not food‐restricted rats. Finally, hypocretin knockout mice displayed altered baseline dopamine signaling and reduced dopamine responses to cocaine. Combined, these studies suggest that hypocretin neurotransmission participates in reinforcement processes, likely through modulation of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Additionally, the current observations suggest that the hypocretin system may provide a target for pharmacotherapies to treat cocaine addiction.
A new inward rectifier potassium channel gene (KCNJ15) localized on chromosome 21 in the Down syndrome chromosome region 1 (DCR1).

The Down syndrome chromosome region-1 (DCR1) on subband q22.2 of chromosome 21 is thought to contain genes contributing to many features of the trisomy 21 phenotype, including dysmorphic features, hypotonia, and psychomotor delay. Isolation, mapping, and sequencing of trapped exons and captured cDNAs from cosmids of this region have revealed the presence of a gene (KCNJ15) encoding a potassium (K+) channel belonging to the family of inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels. The amino acid sequence deduced from the 1125-bp open reading frame indicates that this gene is a member of the Kir4 subfamily; it has been named Kir4.2. It is expressed in kidney and lung during human development and in several adult tissues including kidney and brain. After Kir3.2 (GIRK2), Kir4.2 is the second K+ channel gene of this type described within the DCR1.
Combining Ar ion milling with FIB lift‐out techniques to prepare high quality site‐specific TEM samples

Focused ion beam (FIB) techniques can prepare site‐specific transmission electron microscopy (TEM) cross‐section samples very quickly but they suffer from beam damage by the high energy Ga+ ion beam. An amorphous layer about 20–30 nm thick on each side of the TEM lamella and the supporting carbon film makes FIB‐prepared samples inferior to the traditional Ar+ thinned samples for some investigations such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). We have developed techniques to combine broad argon ion milling with focused ion beam lift‐out methods to prepare high‐quality site‐specific TEM cross‐section samples. Site‐specific TEM cross‐sections were prepared by FIB and lifted out using a Narishige micromanipulator onto a half copper‐grid coated with carbon film. Pt deposition by FIB was used to bond the lamellae to the Cu grid, then the coating carbon film was removed and the sample on the bare Cu grid was polished by the usual broad beam Ar+ milling. By doing so, the thickness of the surface amorphous layers is reduced substantially and the sample quality for TEM observation is as good as the traditional Ar+ milled samples.
How much intravenous contrast is needed in FDG-PET/CT?

Summary: Intravenous, iodinated contrast agents are used routinely for CT (ceCT) imaging but only applied reluctantly for FDGPET/ CT due to possible artefacts. Only for few oncological PET/CT indications, the role of IV contrast agent has been clarified. Essentially, if any knowledge regarding vascular structures or tumour invasion into adjacent structures are needed, a ceCT as part of the combined PET/CT exam should be implemented. However, for some indications like lymphoma, contrast seems not to be necessary. Therefore, imaging procedures for the use of IV contrast for PET/CT have to be adapted individually for each FDG-PET/CT indication to especially reduce unnecessary radiation burden to the patient.