Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TGF-β/Smad3 Signalling Modulates GABA Neurotransmission: Implications in Parkinson’s Disease

γ-Aminobutiryc acid (GABA) is found extensively in different brain nuclei, including parts involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as the basal ganglia and hippocampus. In PD and in different models of the disorder, an increase in GABA neurotransmission is observed and may promote bradykinesia or L-Dopa-induced side-effects. In addition, proteins involved in GABAA receptor (GABAAR) trafficking, such as GABARAP, Trak1 or PAELR, may participate in the aetiology of the disease. TGF-β/Smad3 signalling has been associated with several pathological features of PD, such as dopaminergic neurodegeneration; reduction of dopaminergic axons and dendrites; and α-synuclein aggregation. Moreover, TGF-β/Smad3 intracellular signalling was recently shown to modulate GABA neurotransmission in the context of parkinsonism and cognitive alterations. This review provides a summary of GABA neurotransmission and TGF-β signalling; their implications in PD; and the regulation of GABA neurotransmission by TGF-β/Smad3. There appear to be new possibilities to develop therapeutic approaches for the treatment of PD using GABA modulators.
Properties of d- and k-type roughness in a turbulent channel flow

Roughness is classified by the so-called roughness function, which represents the downward shift of the velocity profile relative to a smooth wall. The dependence of the roughness function on the Reynolds number is discussed with the aim of clarifying the difference between d-type and k-type behaviors. This difference has been traditionally associated with the stability of the flow within the roughness elements. The present direct numerical simulation results indicate that the difference more correctly reflects the different contributions from the frictional drag and pressure drag to the total stress.
High power semiconductor disk laser with a semiconductor-dielectric-metal compound mirror

We present optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers with a thin dielectric layer placed between the semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector and the metallization interface. The approach is shown to enhance the reflectivity of the semiconductor mirror while introducing a negligible penalty to the thermal resistance of the device. The design has potential for improving the performance of semiconductor disk lasers by avoiding highly pump-absorbing metal layers and allowing thinner mirror structures. The advantages are expected to be especially prominent for material systems that employ thick thermally insulating semiconductor mirrors.
ELU, un environnement d’expérimentation pour la TA

ELU donne aux chercheurs en traitement automatique du langage (TAL) un environnement de genie linguistique base sur l'unification, dont le formalisme theoriquement valide permet d'experimenter differentes analyses et theories linguistiques pour les descriptions des langues, et il donne plus particulierement aux chercheurs en traduction automatique (TA) la possibilite d'experimenter differentes approches de la traduction. Le paradigme des grammaires d'unification est un formalisme attrayant pour le TAL parce que ses proprietes formelles sont claires et bien etablies. Si l'optique theoriquement neutre de l'environnement rejoint des preoccupations que l'on retrouve chez certains chercheurs en linguistique theorique, ELU est principalement destine a la construction de systemes prototypes de TA. Non seulement ELU est base sur l'unification, mais il exploite dans chacune de ses composantes la reversibilite des grammaires, celle des descriptions linguistiques monolingues, on peut en effet pratiquer la reversibilite des descriptions bilingues, dans la composante de transfert. Le formalisme adopte permet donc de tester l'hypothese qu'un systeme de TA peut, et donc devrait peut-etre, etre bidirectionnel.
A CD19-Anti-ErbB2 scFv Engager Protein Enables CD19-Specific CAR T Cells to Eradicate ErbB2+ Solid Cancer

The efficacy of CD19-specific CAR T cells in the treatment of leukemia/lymphoma relies, at least in part, on the unique properties of the particular CAR and the presence of healthy B cells that enhance the target cell lysis and cytokine secretion through repetitive stimulation. Here, we report to apply the same CAR to target solid tumors, such as ErbB2+ carcinoma. CD19 CAR T cells are redirected towards the ErbB2+ cells by a fusion protein that is composed of the herceptin-derived anti-ErbB2 scFv 4D5 linked to the CD19 exodomain. The CD19-4D5scFv engager enabled CD19 CAR T cells to recognize the ErbB2+ cancer cells and to suppress the ErbB2+ tumor growth. The primary killing capacity by the ErbB2-redirected CD19 CAR T cells was as efficient as by the ErbB2 CAR T cells, however, adding CD19+ B cells furthermore reinforced the activation of the CD19 CAR T cells, thereby improving the anti-tumor activities. The ErbB2-redirected CD19 CAR T cells, moreover, showed a 100-fold superior selectivity in targeting cancer cells versus healthy fibroblasts, which was not the case for the ErbB2 CAR T cells. The data demonstrate that the CD19 CAR T cells can be high-jacked by a CD19-scFv engager protein to attack specifically solid cancer, thereby expanding their application beyond the B cell malignancies.
Constraints on the thermal history of the universe from the cosmic microwave background spectrum

We have carried out an extensive numerical analysis of distortions of the microwave background spectrum that can arise over a broad interval of cosmic times. The range of validity of existing analytic approximation formulae, holding for large and very small values of the Comptonization parameter y, has been assessed and the shape of distortions that can arise for intermediate values of y has been determined. From a comparison with existing spectral data we have derived upper limits to the amount of energy that could have been dissipated at each cosmic time. The effectiveness of future measurements in tightening such constraints is discussed
Glanzmann Thrombasthenia in Pakistani Patients: Identification of 7 Novel Pathogenic Variants in the Fibrinogen Receptor αIIbβ3

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited platelet disorder occurring frequently in populations with high incidence of consanguineous marriages. GT is characterized by quantitative and/or qualitative defect of the platelet αIIbβ3 (GPIIb/IIIa) receptor caused by pathogenic variants of the encoding genes: ITGA2B and ITGB3. Patients present with a moderate to severe bleeding tendency with normal platelet count. Platelets show reduced/absent aggregation for all agonists except ristocetin in light transmission aggregometry and reduced/absent αIIbβ3 expression in flow cytometry (FC). In this study, we investigated a cohort of 20 Pakistani patients and 2 families collected from the National Institute of Blood Disease, Karachi and Chughtai’s Lab, Lahore. Platelet aggregation studies, FC (platelet CD41, CD61, CD42a, CD42b) and direct sequencing of the candidate genes were performed. All patients showed altered platelet aggregation, but normal agglutination after stimulation with ristocetin. Absent/reduced αIIbβ3 receptor expression was present in the platelets of 16 patients, in 4 patients expression was borderline/normal. Candidate gene sequencing identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in 15 patients. Seven variants are novel. One patient with absent receptor expression remained without genetic finding. 13 (86.7%) of 15 patients stated consanguinity reflected by homozygosity finding in 14 (93.3%) patients.
XBRL in Progress – Financial Reporting Policy Frameworks and their Effects on the Adoption of XBRL

Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is becoming ever more important as a global standard for machine readable presentation and exchange of financial and business information. As XBRL addresses the problems of data integrity, timeliness, and reusability, it is not surprising that many countries are adopting XBRL in their reporting frameworks. Considering the benefits provided by XBRL, several countries have already mandated XBRL reports or have started voluntary XBRL programs. This paper presents XBRL projects being currently carried out around the world, and scrutinizes existing policies and financial reporting frameworks to outline the progress of XBRL adoption. The findings suggest a great heterogeneity in the adoption of XBRL and identify the financial industry as a pioneer in adopting the new reporting standard. Further, the analysis reveals three factors dominating the XBRL uptake: (1) the perceived benefits, (2) the organizational readiness, and (3) the external pressure. It can be expected that the relevance of XBRL will increase in the upcoming years and will become a stadard financial reporting framework across countries and industries.
Using geospatial social media data for infectious disease studies: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Geospatial social media (GSM) data has been increasingly used in public health due to its rich, timely, and accessible spatial information, particularly in infectious disease research. This review synthesized 86 research articles that use GSM data in infectious diseases published between December 2013 and March 2022. These articles cover 12 infectious disease types ranging from respiratory infectious diseases to sexually transmitted diseases with spatial levels varying from the neighborhood, county, state, and country. We categorized these studies into three major infectious disease research domains: surveillance, explanation, and prediction. With the assistance of advanced computing, statistical and spatial methods, GSM data has been widely and deeply applied to these domains, particularly in surveillance and explanation domains. We further identified four knowledge gaps in terms of contextual information use, application scopes, spatiotemporal dimension, and data limitations and proposed innovation opportunities for future research. Our findings will contribute to a better understanding of using GSM data in infectious diseases studies and provide insights into strategies for using GSM data more effectively in future research.
Polypyrrole Chains Decorated on CoS Spheres: A Core-Shell Like Heterostructure for High-Performance Microwave Absorption

Cobalt sulfide composites have exhibited great potential in terms of microwave absorption, owing to their low price, relatively high capacitance, and excellent electrocatalytic activity. Thus, a novel core-shell like structure comprising cobalt sulfide@polypyrrole (CoS@PPy) composite was synthesized by a facile solvothermal synthesis method and in situ polymerization. When coated by the heterostructure polypyrrole aerogel, CoS@PPy composite exhibited excellent microwave absorption properties with an optimal reflection loss (RL) of −41.8 dB at 6.96 GHz. Furthermore, the absorption bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) of 5.4 GHz could be reached at a coating thickness of 2.05 mm, probably attributing to the synergistic effect of good impedance matching, interfacial polarization, dipole polarization, and conductivity loss. Moreover, this work proposed a loss mechanism mode which probably occurred in the CoS@PPy composites. It was demonstrated that the CoS@PPy composite is a promising material in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption.
Providing emergency medical care to offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico using telemedicine

UTMB is developing with industrial partners the "24/7 telemedicine triage project" to provide emergency medical care to offshore oil and gas rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil and gas industry is second only to the US department of defense in the number of employees stationed in remote areas. Providing medical care to such populations is logistically complex and expensive. In addition, emergency evacuation is often time-consuming and poses risks for both patients and medical crews. By utilizing high-resolution videoconferencing technology, through a satellite communication, patient visits will be conducted in real time and will provide more informed decisions about the need for more extensive treatment, thereby reducing unnecessary evacuations. In addition, patients who require evacuation will receive a higher standard of care while waiting for transport to a medical facility. UTMB physicians report that 39% of all patients from offshore facilities treated in the emergency department, could have been successfully treated through telemedicine without being evacuated to a hospital. The telemedicine project will employ standard procedures for medical triage, in which patients are directed to appropriate medical experts based on their symptoms or type of injury.
Towards classification of -dimensional integrable equations. Integrability conditions I

In this paper we attempt to extend the symmetry approach (well developed in the case of (1 + 1)-dimensional equations) to the (2 + 1)-dimensional case. Presence of nonlocal terms in symmetries and conservation laws is the main feature of integrable (2 + 1)-dimensional equations. We have introduced a concept of quasi-local functions to characterize nonlocalities. We have found a few first integrability conditions for a class of scalar equations in terms of quasi-local functions and have demonstrated that they are suitable for testing integrability.
On Multi‐Model Assessment of Complex Degradation Paths: The Fate of Diclofenac and Its Transformation Products

We present a methodology to quantify the impact of model structure and parametric uncertainty on formulations targeting biotransformation processes of Emerging Contaminants in subsurface water resources. The study is motivated by recognizing that modeling of bio‐mediated reactions of recalcitrant compounds in soil and aquifers is plagued by uncertainty. At the same time, process‐based models often require the parameterization of complex physico‐chemical processes, a situation which is exacerbated by the paucity of direct observations. Thus, assessment and formulation of modeling tools capable to balance complexity and reliability is a key challenge. The modeling strategy proposed here aims at pairing and applying a suite of quantitative tools starting from a prior diagnosis of multiple uncertainty sources and leading to parameter estimation and model selection in the presence of a limited number of observations. The methodology is illustrated through application to a multi‐step, reactive scenario involving biotransformation of the pharmaceutical diclofenac (DCF) in groundwater. Our framework includes four plausible models. These are obtained through successive simplifications of a recently developed highly complex model. Such simplifications are accomplished consistent with the results of a comprehensive Multi‐Model Global Sensitivity Analysis. The latter allows ranking the levels of influence of system processes on model outputs by incorporating the effects of model formulation and parametric uncertainties. The kinetic of the loop‐initiating process (DCF nitrosation, linked to the temporal evolution of N‐cycle components) is documented as dominating in explaining the variability of model outputs of environmental interest. Model discrimination criteria suggest that a simplified counterpart of the reference model is favored to interpret available data. Our modeling approach can assist interpretation and prototyping of a wide range of contaminant biotransformation models. The latter is a key objective also for the purpose of developing credible (environmental) risk assessment tools and designing experimental sampling campaigns.
On the size and power of normalized autocorrelation coefficients

Tests based on normalized autocorrelation coefficients have been commonly used by applied researchers to examine the randomness of economic and financial time series. This paper investigates via Monte Carlo simulation the finite-sample properties of these tests for randomness, paying special attention to empirical sizes and power levels. Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that parametric autocorrelation coefficients suffer from severe size distortions, namely their empirical sizes are often too small in the case of nonnormal distributions. However, these size distortions are well corrected by nonparametric autocorrelation coefficient proposed previously. Moreover, the power levels of the nonparametric test are very close to those of the parametric tests in commonly used samples, suggesting that there is no noticeable loss from using this ‘robust autocorrelation’ test in the area of testing for the randomness of a time series. On the whole, results strongly favour the use of the nonparametric autocorrelation coefficient in empirical applications.
A new tunable dual-band metamaterial absorber with wide-angle TE and TM polarization stability

In this research, a new tunable dual-band metamaterial absorber with wide-angle TE and TM polarization stability is proposed. The designed absorber exhibits two high absorption peaks at 5.1 and 8.5 GHz with absorption peaks of 96 and 97%, respectively. The unit cell consists of a metallic background plane and two closed rings including two groups of T-shaped resonators, separated by a low-cost dielectric layer with thickness of 0.9 mm. By tuning the distance between the T-shaped structures and closed ring, the corresponding two resonance frequencies can be effectively separated with high absorption over 95% while keeping the closed ring unchanged. The simulated results demonstrate that the designed absorber has good characteristics of high absorption rates, polarization-insensitiveness and wide angle of incident waves. A waveguide experiment is performed to verify the good agreement between the simulated and measured results.
Making Multiculturalism: Boundaries and Meaning in U.S. English Departments

For those of us in the field ofeducation, multiculturalism has always felt as if it were an exclusive part of our domain. Multiculturalism, we would argue, has to do with working closely with schools and teachers and K-12 students to promote respect, understanding, and empathy as a means of preparing children to live and work successfully in an increasingly diverse society (Miller, 2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002). Ranked high among our heroes are Sonia Nieto (1999, 2003), Vivian Gussin Paley (1996,2000), and James Banks (2000, 2003)-people who have made it their life's work to bring the message of cross-cultural understanding and a strong sense of equity and socialjustice to the classrooms and school children of the United States. Thus, it was somewhat disconcerting to read the opening paragraph of Bethany Bryson's book, Making Multiculturalism: Boundaries and Meaning in U.S. English Departments:
THE COMPARISON OF THE SENSITIVITIES OF SIMILAR EXPERIMENTS. MODEL II OF THE ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE

The appropriate scale of measurement may not be apparent in many experimental situations and this is particularly true when subjective appraisals of samples are required. In this paper we consider the possibility that two scales of measurement, or two experimental techniques, are under consideration. Preliminary experimentation may be required to decide on the better of the two scales of measurement. The better scale of measurement, or the more sensitive one, is by definition the one that better demonstrates treatment effects (Model I of the analysis of variance) or the existence of a between-treatments component of variance (Model II), depending on the model used. We assume preliminary experimentation in the form of two parallel exoeriments, appropriate for use of analysis of variance, that are distinct and independent in probability but which use similar experimental designs with separate samples from the same treatments. Cochran [1943] and Carlin, Kempthorne, and Gordon [1956] have discussed this situation earlier as have the present authors. This paper is not directly concerned with the relationships that may exist between two scales. Various such relationships are discussed by Cochran and, when the form of a functional association between scales is known, special techniques for comparing the sensitivities of the scales may be devised. The usual situation appears to be the one in which scales are monotonically related but in which the relationship is otherwise unknown. In order to have meaningful experiments where
Ultrafast exciton dynamics in highly oriented polydiacetylene films

The nonlinear optical response in uniaxially oriented films of poly[1.6‐di(N‐carbazolyl)‐2, 4‐hexadiyne], epitaxially grown on a potassium acid phthalate single crystal, has been measured by femtosecond pump and probe. A fast initial relaxation and the formation of long‐lived species at high excitation intensities have been observed. A high third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibility of 2×10−7 esu has been estimated at 627 nm. The effects of sample orientation on the relaxation dynamics have also been investigated.
The Aftermath of Disproportionality Citations: Situating Disability-Race Intersections in Historical, Spatial, and Sociocultural Contexts

We used a situated approach to examine the aftermath of citations for racial disparities in special education and discipline. The study was conducted in one suburban school district and examined staff’s interpretations and responses to multiple disproportionality citations. We found that historical, spatial, and sociocultural contexts mediated stakeholders’ interpretations and reactions to citations and the consequences of their responses. Our findings demonstrate how a history of race relations in the district and the community as well as spatial opportunity structures shaped disability and discipline racial disparities; the consequences of a damaged imagery for multiply marginalized youth and their families in explanations of disproportionality citations; and the shortcomings of the district’s symbolic and predominately color-evasive responses as a consequence of ambiguous federal and state policy mandates.
Association of High-risk Human Papillomavirus Titer and Pathogenic Co-infections with Cervical Tissue Cytopathology

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are one of the first viral organisms acknowledged to causing carcinogenesis. Among gynecologic cancers, Pap smear represents a gold standard diagnostic procedure for precancerous cervical lesions. It is efficiently interpreted through a standardized reporting system; The Bethesda System, which aids in distinguishing squamous categories from other entities. Co-infections with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could exacerbate cervical lesion severity caused by initial HPV infection as co-infections can lead to distinct reprogramming of host cells and genome integrity. The intricate pathways and effect of the unique cellular microenvironment that HPV and co-infecting STIs create that cause local inflammation and eventually cervical lesion progression will be reviewed in this manuscript. Besides, it is also crucial to consider HPV viral load and distinguish its correlation with cervical lesion severity. Varying amounts of viral titer and its impact on cervical lesions could indicate a mutagenic transformation of the human host cells and HPV. Thus, this review aims to discuss the correlation of co-infections and viral titer on cervical lesion severity and its progression to cancer. Based on these factors, clear clinical reasoning with more effective treatment plans and specific diagnostics can be achieved.