Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating osteogenic progenitors and osteoclast precursors are associated with long-term glycemic control, sex steroids, and visceral adipose tissue in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is well-known to be associated with normal bone density but, concurrently, low bone turnover and increased risk for fracture. One of the proposed mechanisms is possible derangement in bone precursor cells, which could be represented by deficiencies in circulating osteogenic progenitor (COP) cells and osteoclast precursors (OCP). The objective of our study is to understand whether extent of glycemic control has an impact on these cells, and to identify other factors that may as well. Methods This was a secondary analysis of baseline data from 51 male participants, aged 37-65 in an ongoing clinical trial at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA. At study entry serum Hemoglobin A1c was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography osteocalcin (OCN) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx) were measured by ELISA, and testosterone and estradiol by liquid-chromatography/mass-spectrometry. Areal bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score and body composition were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, while COP and OCP were measured by flow cytometry. Results When adjusted for serum testosterone, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, those with poor long-term glycemic control had significantly higher percentage of COP (p = 0.04). COP correlated positively with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume (r = 0.37, p = 0.01) and negatively with free testosterone (r = -0.28, p = 0.05) and OCN (r = -0.28, p = 0.07), although only borderline for the latter. OCP correlated positively with age, FSH, lumbar spine BMD, and COP levels, and negatively with glucose, triglycerides, and free estradiol. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that, in addition to being predictors for each other, another independent predictor for COP was VAT volume while age, glucose, and vitamin D for OCP. Conclusion Our results suggest that high COP could be a marker of poor metabolic control. However, given the complex nature and the multitude of factors influencing osteoblastogenesis/adipogenesis, it is possible that the increase in COP is a physiologic response of the bone marrow to increased osteoblast apoptosis from poor glycemic control. Alternatively, it is also likely that a metabolically unhealthy profile may retard the development of osteogenic precursors to fully mature osteoblastic cells.
Durable antibody and effector memory T cell responses in breastmilk from women with SARS-CoV-2

Background Given that only 25% of pregnant women elect to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection remains an important route of conferring protective passive immunity to breastfed infants of mothers who are not vaccinated. Methods We enrolled 30 lactating participants between December 2020 and March 2021 who had a positive PCR-test and their first COVID-19 symptoms within the previous 21 days. Participants were asked to provide serial bilateral milk samples at 12 timepoints (~ every 3 days) over a period of 35 days. A second set of samples was collected at least four months after the beginning of the first set. Participants also were asked to provide their dried blood spots and infant stool samples. All samples were tested for receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, and IgM. Milk samples were assessed for neutralizing ability against the spike protein and four SARS-CoV-2 variants: D614G, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1). Permeability of the breast epithelium was assessed by measuring the sodium to potassium ions (Na:K) in milk. Using flow cytometry, memory CD4 and CD8 T cells (CD45RO+ and CCR7+/-) and mucosal-homing CD4 and CD8 T cells (CD103+) were determined in cells from milk expressed at 35 days and at least 4 months after their first milk donation. Results Milk antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 positive participants neutralized the spike complex. Milk from 73, 90, and 53% of participants had binding reactivities to RBD-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM, respectively. In contrast to blood spots, which showed increased levels of IgG, but not IgA or IgM, the COVID-19 response in milk was associated with a robust IgA response. Twenty-seven percent of participants had increased breast-epithelium permeability, as indicated by Na:K ≥ 0.6. The percentage of CD45RO+CCR7- effector-memory T cells in the day ≥120 milk samples was significantly higher than day 35 samples (P< 0.05). Conclusions Antibodies in milk from participants with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who recovered can neutralize the spike complex. For the first time we show that breastmilk T cells are enriched for mucosal memory T cells, further emphasizing the passive protection against SARS-CoV-2 conferred to infants via breastmilk.
Genome-wide association studies for the identification of cattle susceptible and resilient to paratuberculosis

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne's disease or paratuberculosis (PTB), with important animal health and economic implications. There are no therapeutic strategies to control this disease, and vaccination with inactivated vaccines is limited in many countries because it can interfere with the intradermal test used for bovine tuberculosis detection. Thus, infected animals either get culled after a positive ELISA or fecal PCR result or die due to clinical disease. In this study, we review recent studies aimed to discover genetic markers which could help to identify and select cattle less susceptible and more resilient to PTB. In recent years, the genotyping and subsequent imputation to whole-genome sequence (WGS) has allowed the identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), quantitative trait loci (QTL), and candidate genes in the Bos taurus genome associated with susceptibility to MAP infection. In most of these genome-wide association studies (GWAS), phenotypes were based on ante-mortem test results including serum ELISA, milk ELISA, and detection of MAP by fecal PCR and bacteriological culture. Cattle infected with MAP display lesions with distinct severity but the associations between host genetics and PTB-associated pathology had not been explored until very recently. On the contrary, the understanding of the mechanisms and genetic loci influencing pathogen resistance, and disease tolerance in asymptomatic individuals is currently very limited. The identification of long-time asymptomatic cattle that is able to resist the infection and/or tolerate the disease without having their health and milk production compromised is important for disease control and breeding purposes.
Selected combinatorial research problems.

Thirty-seven research problems are described, covering a wide range of combinatorial topics. Unlike Hilbert''s problems, most of these are not especially famous and they might be "do-able" in the next few years. (Problems 1-16 were contributed by Klarner, 17-26 by Chvatal, 27-37 by Knuth. All cash awards are Chvatal''s responsibility.)
«Order Promising» y conceptos asociados: revisión de significados e interpretaciones y propuesta para su clasificación.

En los mercados tan competitivos de hoy en día, para retener clientes y ganar (o, por lo menos, no perder) cuota de mercado, es muy importante poder dar rápidamente y de una forma precisa, una respuesta al pedido de un cliente [Jeong, Sim, Jeong y Kim, (2002), Welker (2003), Makatsoris, Chang y Richards (2004)]. Esto es especialmente importante en contextos e-business, donde el cliente contacta con la empresa on-line y espera una respuesta inmediata a su consulta, normalmente referida a fechas, cantidades o precios. En este sentido, el subproceso mediante el cual se comprometen los pedidos (o propuestas de pedido, si se tienen en cuenta las fases de ciclo de vida del producto, utilizadas en Alarcón, Ortiz, Alemany y Lario (2005)), denominado actualmente “order promising” (OP) o “comprometer pedidos”, se convierte en un proceso crítico [según se justifica en Alarcón, Ortiz, Alemany y Lario (2005)].
LYME DISEASE AND RELAPSING FEVER SPIROCHETES Genomics, Molecular Biology, Host Interactions and Disease Pathogenesis

Although Borrelia spirochaetes are often, but mistakenly, described as Gram-negative bacteria due to their diderm, i.e. double-membrane envelopes, a closer examination reveals significant differences in composition and architecture. Particularly striking is the lack of classical endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide. Instead, glycolipids and surface lipoproteins dominate the the host-pathogen interface, where they play important roles during transmission, persistence and ensuing pathogenic processes. A modified peptidoglycan cell wall is also emerging as a potent pathogenicity determinant, in addition to contributing to cell shape in concert with periplasmic flagella. While surface lipoproteins such as the Osps interact with a variety of ligands in different organ tissues, they are also targets of the immune response and several have emerged as vaccine candidates. Some of the identified periplasmic lipoproteins, i.e., the OppAs, are components of substrate transport complexes. Investigations into integral membrane proteins led to the identification of several Borrelia porins: P13, whose structure and function is unknown, DipA, which is specific for dicarboxylates, and P66, which has a dual role as a pore-forming outer membrane protein and adhesin. Tol homologs BesA, -B, and -C appear to form a Type I ‘channel’ to export exogenous toxic agents such as antibiotics and maintain infectivity by an
A Ground-Based Planetary Radar Array

— This white paper describes a new ground-based planetary radar capability, implemented as an array of antennas. The motivations for ground-based planetary radar are multiple, but this white paper takes the observations of asteroids as a driving case. This choice reﬂects the importance of ground-based planetary radar observations in the detection, tracking, and characterization of near-Earth asteroids, which is identiﬁed as one of NASA’s key roles in the National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan. The system architecture of a planetary radar array consists of four major subsystems—the array element, of which the antenna is a major component; the signal processing; array services and infrastructure; and operations computing and software. Each of these major subsystems is described brieﬂy, with references to previous implementations or analog systems. A life-cycle cost model is presented, which includes a contribution from the operations cost. This life-cycle cost model has multiple parameters, including antenna diameter, the transmit power at each antenna, and the number of antennas. We perform a tradespace exploration to ﬁnd optimal design points, with a design goal of meeting the previous capability of the Arecibo Observatory’s planetary radar. A strength of this architecture is that it is scalable, so that improved capabilities could be realized. at least the (factors 10). In order to achieve this goal, this white paper describes the architecture of a planetary radar system based on an array of ground antennas. These antennas, while individually smaller in diameter than the 305-m Arecibo dish, use signal processing to coherently combine the transmitted and received signals, thus achieving a larger eﬀective aperture and higher sensitivity than Arecibo. We discuss the architecture of a monostatic planetary radar system, including the performance and cost models used for high-level tradespace exploration. Finally, we apply these models to provide recommendations on the next-generation planetary radar system.
Galaxies spatially coincident with the JKCS041 X-ray emission display a red sequence at z~2.2

New deep z'-J data readly show a narrow red sequence co-centered with, and similary concentrated to, the extended X-ray emission of the cluster of galaxies JKCS041. The JKCS041 red sequence is 0.32+/-0.06 mag redder in z'-J than the red sequence of the zspec=1.62 IRC0218A cluster, putting JKCS041 at z<<1.62. The colour difference of the two red sequences gives a red-sequence based redshift of z=2.20+/-0.11 for JKCS041, where the uncertainty accounts for uncertainties in stellar synthesis population models, in photometric calibration and in the red sequence colour of both JKCS041 and IRC0218A clusters.
Design Space Exploration for Distributed Cyber-Physical Systems: State-of-the-art, Challenges, and Directions

Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are com-plex heterogeneous and distributed computing systems, typically integrating and interconnecting a large number of subsystems and containing a substantial number of hardware and software components. Producers of these distributed Cyber-Physical Systems (dCPS) face serious challenges with respect to designing the next generations of these machines and require proper support in making (early) design decisions to avoid expensive and time consuming oversights. This calls for efficient and scalable system-level Design Space Exploration (DSE) methods for dCPS. In this position paper, we review the current state of the art in DSE, and argue that efficient and scalable DSE technology for dCPS is more or less non-existing and constitutes a largely unchartered research area. Moreover, we identify several re-search challenges that need to be addressed and discuss possible directions for targeting such DSE technolozy for dCPS.
Flouting of Conversational Maxims Analysis of Characters and Social Contexts in "All The Bright Places" Movie

This research is carried out to investigate the types of flouting of maxims and the strategies used by the characters that occur within the background of power and social distance contexts in "All The Bright Places" movie. Moreover, this research is also aimed to reveal the reasons behind the execution of the flouting of maxims. This research is employed qualitative research. The data source of this research is presented in the form of words, phrases, and sentences containing flouting of the maxims obtained from the characters' utterances in the movie. The data were analyzed using Grice's cooperative principle theory, Cutting's theory of strategies to flout the maxims, Leech's theory of illocutionary functions of politeness, and Brown and Levinson's theory of social context. The research findings concluded that four types of flouting maxims are found in the characters' utterances: flouting the maxim of quantity, flouting the maxim of quality, flouting the maxim of manner, and flouting the maxim of relevance. Only three reasons for flouting the maxims were found of four types: competitive, collaborative, and conflictive. The most frequently used flouting maxim is flouting the maxim of quality which is aligned with the competitive reason as the most commonly used reason to flout the maxim.
“each Zoom Meeting Makes Us Happy”: Video Conferencing Experiences of Family Members of Individuals with Severe Brain Injury Undergoing Inpatient Rehabilitation during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Family involvement is recognised as an important part of the rehabilitation process for individuals suffering from brain injuries. However, in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19, healthcare institutions were obligated to implement visitor restrictions. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of family members with respect to communication based on video calls with their close relatives who were suffering from brain injuries and undergoing inpatient rehabilitation during the pandemic. We included a purposive sample of 11 participants/family members who communicated consistently with their loved ones via video conferencing as part of the occupational therapy intervention. Qualitative data was collected using a semi-structured interview. Two independent researchers performed a thematic analysis based on the data inquiry method and highlighted three main themes: (1) coping with a traumatic brain injury of a family member, (2) video conferencing experiences with a family member during rehabilitation, and (3) family resilience factors. Our study highlighted that there were changes in the daily lives of the family, as well as that family members had a strong emotional response due to the traumatic event and the inability to stay with the affected individuals in the hospital. Interactions via video conferencing proved to be significant for the participants since it provided them with an insight into the health condition of their family members, enabled their involvement in the rehabilitation process, and allowed them to monitor the recovery process. The above-mentioned factors also contributed to the resilience of participants. Our findings indicate the benefits of virtual communication and involving family members in the rehabilitation process, especially in situations where hospital visitation is impossible. © 2022, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering. All rights reserved.
The Creation of the Future: The Role of the American University

THE CREATION OF THE FUTURE: THE ROLE OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY By Frank H. T. Rhodes Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 265 pp., 2001 ISBN: 0-8014-3937X Frank Rhodes is a realist and a dreamer, an idealist and a doer. With a long list of credentials and accomplishments, he is also a strong leader in America's education community. In his book, The Creation of the Future: The Role of the American University, he has created an inspiring blueprint for the future of higher education. This book is full of facts, ideas, plans, guidance, inspiration, vision, metrics, details, stories, and questions. Rhodes is a master architect, teacher and scholar. His inspirational book contains material for every reader - members of the academy (faculty, students, administrators, leaders, funders, inside observers), and all others (citizens, general readers, government leaders, global observers) as well. Rhodes is also a master writer. His writing flows steadily through the terrain of the university landscape, inspiring the reader to ride along with him, taking in all the sights and sounds of higher education's surging rapids and dangerous shoals. In case you haven't realized it by now, I loved this book. Rhodes makes many compelling statements about the American university. Some examples: "Universities are communities of debate and discovery. "Universities are human creations, full of human imperfection, with as much sloth, envy, malice, and neglect as any other community and rather more [than] their share of pettiness, arrogance, and pride. But it is to assert that the universities, with all their imperfections, represent the crucible within which our future will be formed. The university promotes neither political action nor government policy, but it provides the knowledge and data on which both are developed. Because knowledge has become the dominant economic force, the importance of the university can only grow and its influence increase in the new millennium. " Rhodes' major point is that universities must broaden both their perspective and their role in society to foster a community perspective and interdisciplinary thinking. He notes that "without community, knowledge becomes idiosyncratic: The lone learner, studying in isolation, is vulnerable to narrowness, dogmatism, and untested assumption, and learning misses out on being expansive and informed, contested by opposing interpretations, leavened by differing experience, and refined by alternative viewpoints. Without community, personal discovery is limited. " Rhodes believes that every institution needs a focus, yet "today's university has no acknowledged center. …
The current applications of cell-free fetal DNA in prenatal diagnosis of single-gene diseases: A review

Abstract Prenatal diagnosis of hereditary diseases has substantially altered the way medical geneticists are helping families affected by genetic disorders. However, the risk of miscarriage and fear of invasive diagnostic procedures may discourage many couples from seeking prenatal diagnosis. With the discovery of maternal plasma cell-free fetal DNA, prenatal diagnosis has entered a new era of progress. Cell-free DNA is released during normal physiological functions as well as through the cell death programs of apoptosis and necrosis. It can be found in the plasma and other body fluids. Although this method has the advantage of being noninvasive, it is still rather expensive and requires advanced hardware and comprehensive data analysis. Promising implications of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis methods for the diagnosis of common trisomy disorders have paved the way for the development of more complicated assays of single-gene disorders. Relative mutation dosage and relative haplotype dosage are the most widely implemented assays for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of single-gene disorders. However, each assay has its own advantages and disadvantages. Relative mutation dosage is based on the droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique which includes quantification features of real-time PCR assays. Relative haplotype dosage is based on next-generation sequencing that includes analysis of the maternal and paternal genome followed by sequencing of maternal plasma cell-free DNA. Co-amplification at a lower denaturation temperature PCR is another approach that is based on forming heteroduplexes between alleles to selectively amplify paternal mutations. In this review, we have described the most common noninvasive prenatal diagnosis approaches and compared their applications in genetic disorder diagnosis with different inheritance patterns.
Impacts of Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Links on Driving Comfort under Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

Although automated vehicles could release drivers from the driving task, there are still passengers sitting in the vehicle. It is required that the driving comfort of passengers should be guaranteed. Cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) vehicle is of the one important type of automated vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications with various communication links. Different V2V communication links might have different driving comfort. Then, this paper focuses on exploring which link type for CACC vehicles is better from the perspective of improving driving comfort. To deal with this, car-following models of manual-driven vehicles (MDV) and CACC vehicles were first described. Then, simulations were performed using these car-following models, in which various CACC feedback link types, CACC penetration rates, and flow scenarios were taken into consideration. Simulations outputted microcosmic trajectory data of vehicles, based on which the driving comfort was evaluated using the comfort index described by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 2631-1. From the driving comfort perspective, simulation results suggest that CACC should monitor the immediately preceding vehicle and the third vehicle ahead when CACC penetration rates are less than approximately 50%. Additionally, if CACC penetration rates exceed 50%, the better choice is that CACC receives feedback links from two immediately successive vehicles ahead.
Long-Term Testosterone Treatment Improves Fatty Liver and Kidney Function with Safe Outcomes on Cardio-, Metabolic and Prostate Health in Men with Hypogonadism. Prospective Controlled Studies

Long-Term Testosterone Treatment Improves Fatty and with Safe Men with Prospective Abstract Hypogonadism is receiving recognition for being a risk factor for fatty liver and impaired kidney function [1,2]. Emerging data, summarized here, suggest that long-term treatment with testosterone undecanoate injection may improve both liver and kidney function as well as metabolic deterioration with favorable safety profile on metabolism and prostate health [3,4].