jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Chemokine axes and inflammatory status in metabolic syndrome. Effect of pcsk9 inhibitors in the systemic inflammation associated to familial hypercholesterolemia

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic disorder characterized by a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors and its prevalence remains increasing in Western world. It is associated to low-grade systemic inflammation, a key driver of premature atherosclerosis and the major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given that CXCL16/CXCR6, CX3CL1/CX3CR1 and CCL2/CCR2 axes have been implicated in the development of CVD, we investigated the role of these axes in leukocyte adhesion to the dysfunctional arterial endothelium in a MS model. We also performed a comprehensive analysis of different cellular and soluble immune players in patients with MS. When compared with the controls, MS patients presented a CXCR6 and CX3CR1 up-regulation in platelets and several leukocytes subsets. In both groups, leukocyte adhesion to the arterial endothelium was significantly increased after TNFalpha stimulation; however, this effect was significantly higher in MS subjects than in control subjects. Notably, leukocyte adhesion was significantly reduced by the neutralization of endothelial CXCL16, CX3CL1 or CCL2 in MS patients but not in the control group. Therefore, CXCR6 or CX3CR1 expression on immune players may constitute a new membrane-associated biomarker for adverse cardiovascular events in MS. Moreover, pharmacological modulation of CXCL16/CXCR6, CX3CL1/CX3CR1 or CCL2/CCR2 chemokine axes may positively affect cardiovascular outcome in MS. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by elevated plasma levels of LDL cholesterol, a result of enhanced LDL receptor (LDL-R) degradation and/or impairment of LDL-R/LDL binding. Given that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is involved in LDL-R degradation, during the last years, some monoclonal antibodies against human PCSK9 have been developed and demonstrated efficacy in lowering LDL plasma levels. In this study, we investigated the effect of PCSK9 silencing on endothelial dysfunction induced by TNFalpha and the impact of PCSK9 inhibitors in the systemic inflammation associated to FH. Therefore, a monoclonal antibody against PCSK9 (alirocumab) was administered for eight weeks to FH patients and different parameters were determined before and after the treatment. TNFalpha stimulation of arterial endothelial cells caused up-regulation of PCSK9. The in vitro approaches suggest that PCSK9 inhibition reduces the expression of cell adhesion molecules and membrane-bound chemokines, as well as the generation and release of soluble chemokines. Alirocumab reduced platelet and leukocyte activation, as well as CX3CR1, CXCR6 and CCR2 expression on several leukocyte subsets and decreased leukocyte adhesion in FH patients. Therefore, PCSK9 blockade might reduce endothelial dysfunction and constitute a new promising therapeutic approach in the control of FH inflammatory state, preventing further cardiovascular events in this cardiometabolic disease.
A Monostatic Forward-Looking Staring Spotlight SAR Raw Data Generation and Hybrid-Domain Image Formation Modifications Based on Extended Azimuth Nonlinear Chirp Scaling Autofocusing

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

Forward-looking staring spotlight synthetic aperture radar (FSS-SAR) offers operational advantages over conventional squinted SAR counterparts. However, due to its complex observation configuration, pixel anomalies occur when processing raw data. For instance, in the forward-looking geometry, symmetrically distributed point scatterers along the flight path have the same Doppler history, resulting in azimuth ambiguities, whereas staring observation narrows and skews the two-dimensional received spectrum, reducing signal orthogonality and causing spectral folding. As a result, not only is the Doppler frequency gradient too small to be precisely measured in the FSS-SAR mode, limiting the ability to achieve high azimuth angular resolution, but it also suffers from azimuth ambiguities when forming an image. To overcome such azimuth-variant characteristics known as inherent resolutional anomalies, a hybrid-domain image formation algorithm (IFA) based on azimuth scaling is modified here. As an approach, radiometric bias correction techniques in conjunction with an extended azimuth nonlinear chirp scaling (ANCS) algorithm capable of equalizing range space variance in the azimuth direction, which benefits from an embedded autofocusing step, have been designed for raw data processing. Given the fact that the platform experiences trajectory deviations under a real-flight condition compared to an ideal trajectory, a preprocessing motion compensation step based on Kalman filtering is included within the IFA. The entire proposed IFA solution tackled the inherent resolutional anomalies of FSS-SAR and succeeded in reconstructing the focused image without azimuthal anomalies. To further assess the IFA, a modified Cartesian back-projection algorithm was developed along with other objective evaluation scenarios, all of which confirm that the proposed hybrid-domain extended ANCS algorithm is valid for the FSS-SAR application.
Comparative study of camshift and KLT algorithms for real time face detection and tracking applications

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

Face detection and tracking is one of the emerging research areas in the image analysis and computer vision systems. This face detection and tracking helps local security forces to investigate crime incidents. This paper describes a face tracking framework that is capable of tracking a face in real time rapidly frame by frame. Camshift algorithm and KLT algorithm implemented and a comparison study between these two algorithms has been described in this paper. A real time video is experimented using these two algorithms for face detection and tracking. The experimental results show that the KLT algorithm performance is better than the Camshift algorithm in detecting the face and tracking the face. In this article it has been shown how the KLT algorithm proved to be better tracking algorithm than Camshift algorithm.
Data Security for Connected Governments and Organisations

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

Digital ecosystems have grown rapidly over the years, and governments are investing in digital provision for their processes and services. Despite the advantages of distributed technologies, there are many security issues as well that result in breaches of data privacy with serious impact including legal and reputational implications. To deal with such threats, government agencies need to thoughtfully improve their security defences to protect data and systems by using automation and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as easing the data security measures including early warning of threats and detection. This study provides a comprehensive view of AI and automaton to highlight challenges and issues concerning data security and suggests steps to combat the issues. The authors demonstrate the role of AI-driven security tools and automation to mitigate the impact of data breaches to also propose recommendations for government agencies to enhance their data security protection.
Circulating antibody to transcobalamin II causing retention of vitamin B12 in the blood

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract A patient with recurrent pulmonary abscess, weight loss, and alcoholism was found to have extremely high serum vitamin B12 and unsaturated vitamin B12-binding capacity (UBBC) levels. While transcobalamin (TC) II was also increased, most of his UBBC was due to an abnormal binding protein which carried greater than 80% of the endogenous vitamin B12 and was not found in his saliva, granulocytes, or urine. This protein was shown to be a complex of TC II and a circulating immunoglobulin (IgGkappa and IgGlambda). Each IgG molecule appeared to bind two TC II molecules. The reacting site did not interfere with the ability of TC II to bind vitamin B12, but did interfere with its ability to transfer the vitamin to cells in vitro. The site was not identical to that reacting with anti-human TC II antibody produced in rabbits. Because of this abnormal complex, 57Co-vitamin B12 injected intravenously was cleared slowly by the patient. However, no metabolic evidence for vitamin B12 deficiency was demonstrable, although the patient initially had megaloblastic anemia apparently due to folate deficiency. The course of the vitamin B12-binding abnormalities was followed over 4 yr and appeared to fluctuate with the status of the patient's illness. The IgG-TC II complex resembled one induced in some patients with pernicious anemia by intensive treatment with long-acting vitamin B12 preparations. The mechanism of induction of the antibody formation in our patient is unknown.
COVID‐19, adaptative immune response and metabolic‐associated liver disease

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract Metabolic diseases are associated with a higher risk of a severer coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) course, since fatty liver is commonly associated with metabolic disorders, fatty liver itself is considered as a major contributor to low‐grade inflammation in obesity and diabetes. Recently a comprehensive term, metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), has been proposed. The hepatic inflammatory status observed in MAFLD patients is amplified in presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Intestinal dysbiosis is a powerful activator of inflammatory mediator production of liver macrophages. The intestinal microbiome plays a key role in MAFLD progression, which results in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. Therefore, patients with metabolic disorders and COVID‐19 can have a worse outcome of COVID‐19. This literature review attempts to disentangle the mechanistic link of MAFLD from COVID‐19 complexity and to improve knowledge on its pathophysiology.
Compact Quantum Dots Photoligated with Multifunctional Zwitterionic Coating for Immunofluorescence and Imaging

Field: Chemistry (Physical Sciences)

Integration of nanomaterials with biotechnology requires the development of optimized coating strategies that provide extended colloidal stability and compact size, while allowing controllable surface coupling of the nanocrystals to target biomolecules [1] , [2] . Here, we detail the design and optimization of a set of multicoordinating ligands that combine the benefits of mixed coordination (thiol and imidazole) with molecular-scale zwitterion motifs, yielding sterically stabilized and compact nanocrystals ( Fig. 1 ) [3] – [5] . These QDs present a controllable number of azide groups for easy conjugation to biomolecules via click chemistry. The polymer coating is characterized using several complementary analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, to extract estimates of the hydrodynamic size and the surface ligand density. Conjugating the resulting QDs to antitropomyosin receptor kinase B antibody (α-TrkB), or to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has allowed successful labeling of the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in pyramidal neurons within cortical tissue. It has also allowed visual monitoring of BDNF-induced activation of TrkB signaling in live neuronal cells ( Fig. 1 ) [4] .
Analysis of atypical helical CT features of focal nodular hyperplasia

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Objective To evaluate the atypical helical computed tomography ( CT) features of focal nodular hyperplasia ( FNH). Methods Helical CT images of 32 cases with 37 lesions were reviewed retrospectively which were confirmed as FNH by histopathology or clinic. Results The size of 14 lesions was less than 3 cm, 23 lesions was larger than 3 cm; pseudo capsules were found in 7 lesions; 22 lesions had center scars, the size of 20 lesions among them was larger than 3 cm. The densities of all lesions were higher than those of hepatic parenchyma in hepatic arterial phase, 31 lesions were enhanced homogeneously in hepatic arterial phase. Conclusion Multiple lesions, presence of a pseudo capsule, lacking of central scar, heterogeneous enhancement in hepatic arterial phase are atypical helical CT features of FNH. The various CT features are correlative with the pathologic types and the lesion size.
Radionuclide Content and Risk Assessment of some Environmental Samples from Gold Mines at Mokuro-Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Field: Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)

Mining and processing of natural resources has being in existence from the beginning of early years with little or no consideration to the possible radiation and contamination being posed into the environment. Using NaI (TI) gamma ray spectrometer, the activity concentration of naturally occurringÂ radionuclides were determined in soil, rock and water samples from Mokuro gold mines in Osun State, Nigeria. The average activity concentrations of Â 40K, 238U and 232Th in soil samples were 362.39 Â± 83.88, 21.42 Â± 6.68 and 17.99 Â± 6.68 Bq/kg while in rock samples were 412.62 Â± 91.18, 24.61 Â± 8.58 and 19.40 Â± 6.76 Bq/kg respectively. Â For water samples, the mean activity concentrations were in the range of 8.65 Â± 4.16 Bq/L, 7.71 Â± 3.42 Bq/L, and 102.44 Â± 30.50 Bq/L respectively. The annual effective dose contributed by 238U, 232Th and 40K varied from 0.84mSv/y to 0.93mSv/y with an average value 0.88 mSv/y while 232Th varied from 0.018 mSv/y to 0.020 mSv/y with average value 0.019 mSv/y and 40K varied from 0.22 mSv/y to 0.25 mSv/y with an average value 0.233 mSv/y. The 238U contribution to the Annual Effective Dose was very high compared with 232Th and 40K.. The calculated mean of absorbed dose (ADR), Annual Effective Dose (AED), Radium equivalent dose rate (Raeq), Internal and External Hazard Indices in the study area were less than the world averages and the limit recommended by ICRP for all water samples. The data obtained provided the baseline concentration and also indicated that continuous exploration could lead to contamination and eventually be hazardous. .
An in vitro assay to screen for translation inhibitors

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Protein synthesis is the ultimate outcome of gene expression which, in turn, is regulated by several translation factors. We attempted to identify substances that can inhibit the translation process in vitro when the outcome protein is luciferase. To this end, we developed a sensitive cell-free protein synthesis assay using luciferase as the reporter. The synthesis of luciferase increased proportionately as mRNA was added to a 15-μl reaction medium in concentrations ranging from 5 ng to 500 ng. The maximum amount of luciferase was synthesized when the media were incubated at 25°C for 40 min. The concentration of each compound that inhibited luciferase production by 50% (IC 50 ) was calculated. Hygromycin, puromycin, and cycloheximide yielded an IC 50 of 0.008, 0.8, and 0.7 μg/ml, respectively. A filtrate of Streptomyces spp. isolates inhibited protein synthesis up to 5-fold when added to the in vitro translation assay mixture.
Color stability of bulk-fill composites exposed to different beverages and the effect of whitening dentifrices

Field: Dentistry (Health Sciences)

Objectives: Discoloration of resin-based composites by colored solutions is a common problem in dentistry and use of whitening dentifrices is becoming increasingly popular.However, it is not clear if whitening dentifrices can remove stains from bulk-fill composite resins.Material and Methods: we evaluated the discoloration of two bulk-fill composite resins (3M Filtek Bulk Fill, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill) aged using 10,000 thermocycles (5°C-55°C) and on exposure to several common beverages, including cola, coffee, red wine, and water, and the amount of reduction of discoloration after brushing with whitening dentifrices.The colors of all specimens before and after storage in the solutions and after brushing were measured by colorimetry based on the CIE Lab system and the differences in color calculated.The data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significant difference test. Results:The restorative material, staining agent, and the interaction between these two factors were found to play a significant role in color changes.Water consistently showed the lowest ΔE* value of all the staining agents, red wine showed the highest ΔE value with Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, and coffee showed the highest ΔE value with Filtek Bulk Fill.After staining, brushing with whitening dentifrices (Crest 3D White, Crest 3D White Accelerator) was associated with decreased ΔE values compared with those obtained after staining, but with no significant difference between the dentifrice groups (p>0.05). Conclusions:Although whitening dentifrices cannot remove all discoloration of composites caused by common beverages, they can be used to reduce it.
Intracellular calcium release induced by histamine releasers and its inhibition by some antiallergic drugs.

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

When rat mast cells loaded with fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Quin 2 were exposed to either compound 48/80 (0.1 micrograms/mL) or substance P (2 microM) at 37 degrees C for 30 seconds in a Ca-free medium, a marked increase of Quin 2 fluorescence was noticed, indicating that Ca2+ was released from the intracellular Ca store. The pixel values of the whole cell image were displayed in a three dimensional projection. When mast cells were exposed to 48/80, the fluorescent increase was reflected as an increase of height and spreading of the image. When 0.01 to 1 mM of db-cAMP was pretreated for five minutes, an increase of Quin 2 fluorescence was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. Theophylline pretreatment also showed a preventive effect at 1 to 5 mM. A marked inhibition of the Quin 2 signal was induced by pretreatment with 0.01 mM of terfenadine (63.4% inhibition) or ketotifen (26.6% inhibition). Disodium cromoglycate also showed a similar inhibitory effect. In the measurement of the order parameters of liposomes, the addition of either terfenadine or ketotifen into the lipids increased the parameter value, indicating they provide the membrane stabilizing action.
Association between anatomical distribution of symptomatic peripheral artery disease and cerebrovascular disease

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Aim Peripheral arterial disease is frequently associated with significant atherosclerosis of other vascular beds. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible association between peripheral arterial disease segment-specific disease burden and cerebrovascular disease. Methods Two-hundred and twenty-six patients with clinically symptomatic peripheral arterial disease from the prospective PureASO registry were followed up after revascularization. The breadth of peripheral arterial disease was quantified at the time patients entered the study. The segment-specific peripheral arterial disease burden was correlated to cerebrovascular disease and imaging findings during a five-year follow-up. Results At five years, cerebrovascular disease-free survival after lower limb revascularization was 31%. Patients with peripheral arterial disease involving the crural arteries had significantly more ischemic degenerative changes at brain imaging ( p = 0.031), whereas patients with aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal segment peripheral arterial disease had more significant (>50% uni- or bilaterally) internal carotid artery stenosis compared to patients with crural peripheral arterial disease ( p = 0.006). According to Cox regression analyses, crural arteries burden was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR 2.07, CI 95% 1.12–3.28, p = 0.021) and cerebrovascular events (adjusted HR 1.97, CI 95% 1.19–3.26, p = 0.008). Conclusions Present results suggest that atherosclerosis burden at different lower limb artery segments is associated with defined cerebrovascular disease. This further suggests that risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms are congruent across particular vascular beds.
Isolated fourth ventricle as a complication of ventricular shunting

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

✓ Signs of cerebellar dysfunction combined with signs suggestive of shunt malfunction developed in three children with obstructive hydrocephalus. Shunt function was normal. In all cases, the cerebellar signs persisted and computerized tomography scans revealed enlargement of the fourth ventricle. Shunting of the fourth ventricle returned the patients to normal function.
Contemporary Issues in International Arbitration and Mediation: The Fordham Papers (2011)

Field: Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)

The 2011 volume of Contemporary Issues in International Arbitration and Mediation - The Fordham Papers is a collection of important works in the field written by the speakers at the 2011 Fordham Law School Conference on International Arbitration and Mediation. The 26 papers are organized into the following five parts: Keynote Presentation: George Bermann Part I: Investor-State Arbitration, R. Doak Bishop, Margrete Stevens, Alexis Mourre, Lucy F. Reed, Giorgio Francesco Mandelli. Part II: Complex International Commercial Arbitration, Gerald Aksen, James E. Castello, Rocio Digon, Bernard Hanotiau, Dr. Julian D M Lew QC, Pedro J. Martinez-Fraga. Part III: New Rules in International Arbitration, Jason Fry, Victoria Shannon, Catherine Kessedjian, David W. Rivkin, Catherine A. Rogers, Arthur W. Rovine. Part IV: Arbitration in the BRIC Countries, Grant Hanessian, Joaquim de Paiva Muniz, Roman Khodykin, Zia Moody, Shreyas Jayasimha, Andrew Aglionby. Part V: Mediation, Simeon Baum, Jeremy Lack, Joseph T. McLaughlin, Jacqueline Nolan-Haley, Brian Speers, Colin Caughey, Nathan Witkin.
Oral pathology case: congenital epulides

Field: Dentistry (Health Sciences)

A one month-old girl was referred to our department due a neoformation of the mandible. The excisional biopsy of the lesion revealed a congenital epulides of the newborn. This is an uncommon lesion, easy to diagnose, as it has a typical appearance and localisation. Surgical treatment is the option, namely when it impairs feeding, swallowing or breathing.
Dynamic response of a beam supported with variable gear to base excitations

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

The beam supported with gear having nonlinearly varying stiffness characteristics is analyzed to study vibration transfer characteristics. The gear attached at the end of the beam was considered as rotational spring and damper having angular dependent variation. The dynamic characteristics of the gear were determined by the contact point between the gear teeth. The displacement-dependent properties of the gear had an effect on vibration transmissibility of the beam system. The computational simulation based on the spectral element method (SEM) was used with several variables (the dynamic characteristics of the gear, the gear design, and excitation level). The validity was verified by comparison with the measured results. The vibration of the beam was strongly influenced by the gear-pair. These results can be utilized to design the optimal gear-pair system for minimizing undesirable vibration.