pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Cardioprotective mechanism of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine via S-nitrosated betadrenoceptor-2 in the LDLr−/− mice

AbstractPrevious studies from our group have demonstrated the protective effect of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) on the cardiovascular system in dyslipidemic LDLr−/− mice that develop atheroma and left ventricular hypertrophy after 15days on a high fat diet. We have shown that SNAC treatment attenuates plaque development via the suppression of vascular oxidative stress and protects the heart from structural and functional myocardial alterations, such as heart arrhythmia, by reducing cardiomyocyte sensitivity to catecholamines. Here we investigate the ability of SNAC to modulate oxidative stress and cell survival in cardiomyocytes during remodeling and correlation with β2-AR signaling in mediating this protection. Ventricular superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation was measured by HPLC methods to allow quantification of dihydroethidium (DHE) products. Ventricular histological sections were stained using terminal dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) to identify nuclei with DNA degradation (apoptosis) and this was confirmed by Western blot for cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-7 protein expression. The findings show that O2- and H2O2 production and also cell apoptosis were increased during left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). SNAC treatment reduced oxidative stress during on cardiac remodeling, measured by decreased H2O2 and O2- production (65% and 52%, respectively), and a decrease in the ratio of p-Ser1177 eNOS/total eNOS. Left ventricle (LV) from SNAC-treated mice revealed a 4-fold increase in β2-AR expression associated with coupling change to Gi; β2-ARs-S-nitrosation (β2-AR-SNO) increased 61%, while apoptosis decreased by 70%. These results suggest that the cardio-protective effect of SNAC treatment is primarily through its anti-oxidant role and is associated with β2-ARs overexpression and β2-AR-SNO via an anti-apoptotic pathway
Online optimization of casualty processing in major incident response: An experimental analysis

AbstractWhen designing an optimization model for use in mass casualty incident (MCI) response, the dynamic and uncertain nature of the problem environment poses a significant challenge. Many key problem parameters, such as the number of casualties to be processed, will typically change as the response operation progresses. Other parameters, such as the time required to complete key response tasks, must be estimated and are therefore prone to errors. In this work we extend a multi-objective combinatorial optimization model for MCI response to improve performance in dynamic and uncertain environments. The model is developed to allow for use in real time, with continuous communication between the optimization model and problem environment. A simulation of this problem environment is described, allowing for a series of computational experiments evaluating how model utility is influenced by a range of key dynamic or uncertain problem and model characteristics. It is demonstrated that the move to an online system mitigates against poor communication speed, while errors in the estimation of task duration parameters are shown to significantly reduce model utility
From Part- to Whole-Body Ownership in the Multisensory Brain

SummaryThe question of how we experience ownership of an entire body distinct from the external world is a fundamental problem in psychology and neuroscience [1–6]. Earlier studies suggest that integration of visual, tactile, and proprioceptive information in multisensory areas [7–11] mediates self-attribution of single limbs. However, it is still unknown how ownership of individual body parts translates into the unitary experience of owning a whole body. Here, we used a “body-swap” illusion [12], in which people experienced an artificial body to be their own, in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging to reveal a coupling between the experience of full-body ownership and neural responses in bilateral ventral premotor and left intraparietal cortices, and left putamen. Importantly, activity in the ventral premotor cortex reflected the construction of ownership of a whole body from the parts, because it was stronger when the stimulated body part was attached to a body, was present irrespective of whether the illusion was triggered by stimulation of the hand or the abdomen, and displayed multivoxel patterns carrying information about full-body ownership. These findings suggest that the unitary experience of owning an entire body is produced by neuronal populations that integrate multisensory information across body segments
Influence of the Resin Layer Thickness at the Interface of Hybrid Metal-composite Co-cured Joints

AbstractAs discussed in literature, the accurate analysis of the modern co-cured joints between composite materials or between a metal and a composite material (hybrid joints) is complicated by the influence of the interface resin layer on the interface singular stress field. In such joints, in fact, there is not a proper adhesive layer and the thickness of the resin layer, that plays the role of the adhesive, is not constant due to the presence of the reinforcing fibers in the composite adherent. For this reason several authors assume that a generic co-cured joint can not be studied as a simple bi-material joint, without considering the particular characteristics of the actual resin layer. This problem is also involved into the development of reliable design methods able to give accurate predictions of the joint efficiency. In this work, by theoretical analyses performed by using the Lekhnitskii theory, numerical simulations carried out by means of the boundary element method and experimental investigations based on the combined use of the generalized Dundurs parameters and digital photoelasticity, the influence of the resin layer on the singular stress field at the interface of a generic hybrid metal-composite joint, has been investigated
Localization of antimicrobial peptides in the tunic of Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Tunicata) and their involvement in local inflammatory-like reactions

AbstractTunicates comprising a wide variety of different species synthesize antimicrobial peptides as important effector molecules of the innate immune system. Recently, two putative gene families coding for antimicrobial peptides were identified in the expressed sequence tag database of the tunicate Ciona intestinalis. Two synthetic peptides representing the cationic core region of one member of each of the families displayed potent antibacterial and antifungal activities. Moreover, the natural peptides were demonstrated to be synthesized and stored in distinct hemocyte types. Here, we investigated the presence of these natural peptides, namely Ci-MAM-A and Ci-PAP-A, in the tunic of C. intestinalis considering that the ascidian tunic is a body surface barrier exposed to constant microbial assault. Furthermore, as the tunic may represent a major route of entry for pathogen invasion after its damage we monitored the location of these peptides upon a local inflammatory-like reaction induced by injection of foreign cells. Using immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy both peptides were localized to the tunic and were massively present in granulocytes of inflamed tissue. Conclusively, antimicrobial peptides may constitute a chemical barrier within the tunic of urochordates
Determination of the structure of the X(3872) in p¯A collisions

AbstractCurrently, the structure of the X(3872) meson is unknown. Different competing models of the cc¯ exotic state X(3872) exist, including the possibilities that this state is either a mesonic molecule with dominating D0D¯⁎0+c.c. composition, a cc¯qq¯ tetraquark, or a cc¯-gluon hybrid state. It is expected that the X(3872) state is rather strongly coupled to the p¯p channel and, therefore, can be produced in p¯p and p¯A collisions at PANDA. We propose to test the hypothetical molecular structure of X(3872) by studying the D or D¯⁎ stripping reactions on a nuclear residue
Longitudinal study on the colonisation and transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pig farms

AbstractKnowledge about the dynamics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs lacks detail at the level of individual animal. The aim of our study was therefore to determine the colonisation status of MRSA in individual pigs from birth to slaughter in order to gain a better understanding of substantial factors involved in transmission. Two farrow-to-finish and two grow-to-finish herds were included in the study. A total of 1728 nasal swabs from 390 pigs and 592 environmental wipes were collected at 11 different time points.Intermittent colonisation throughout the entire production cycle was conspicuous in the tracking of MRSA in individual pigs. Almost all pigs from a MRSA-positive herd changed MRSA status several times, which implies that pigs are transiently rather than permanently colonised. We highly recommend the definition of MRSA status at herd level rather that at the level of the individual pig when considering prevention measures against MRSA. Therefore, to avoid the further spread of MRSA in countries with moderate prevalence, such as in Switzerland, defining farms as MRSA positive or MRSA negative and allowing the trade of pigs only within herds of the same status seems feasible. This will also be important for combating the further dissemination of livestock-associated (LA)-MRSA into healthcare facilities and the community via humans who have close contact with animals
HΛ3 and H‾Λ¯3 production in Pb–Pb collisions at sNN=2.76 TeV

AbstractThe production of the hypertriton nuclei HΛ3 and H‾Λ¯3 has been measured for the first time in Pb–Pb collisions at sNN=2.76 TeV with the ALICE experiment at LHC. The pT-integrated HΛ3 yield in one unity of rapidity, dN/dy×B.R.(HΛ3→He3,π−)=(3.86±0.77(stat.)±0.68(syst.))×10−5 in the 0–10% most central collisions, is consistent with the predictions from a statistical thermal model using the same temperature as for the light hadrons. The coalescence parameter B3 shows a dependence on the transverse momentum, similar to the B2 of deuterons and the B3 of 3He nuclei. The ratio of yields S3=HΛ3/(He3×Λ/p) was measured to be S3=0.60±0.13(stat.)±0.21(syst.) in 0–10% centrality events; this value is compared to different theoretical models. The measured S3 is compatible with thermal model predictions. The measured HΛ3 lifetime, τ=181−39+54(stat.)±33(syst.)ps is in agreement within 1σ with the world average value
Sensitivity and specificity of different measures of adiposity to distinguish between low/high motor coordination

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the ability of different measures of adiposity to discriminate between low/high motor coordination and to evaluate the relationship between different measures of adiposity and motor coordination.MethodsThis study included 596 elementary school children aged 9 to 12 years (218 females – 47.1%). Weight, height, and waist circumference were objectively measured by standardized protocols. Body fat percentage was estimated by bioelectric impedance. Body mass index and waist-to-height ratio were computed. Motor coordination was assessed by the Körperkoordination Test für Kinder. Cardiorespiratory fitness was predicted by a maximal multistage 20 m shuttle-run test of the Fitnessgram Test Battery. A questionnaire was used to assess the maternal educational level.ResultsThe receiver operating characteristic performance of body fat percentage in females and waist circumference in males presented a slightly better discriminatory accuracy than body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in predicting low motor coordination. After adjustments, logistic regression analyses showed that body mass index (β=2.155; 95% CI: 1.164-3.992; p=0.015 for girls; β=3.255; 95% CI: 1.740-6.088; p<0.001 for males), waist circumference (β=2.489; 95% CI: 1.242-4.988; p=0.010 for girls; β=3.296; 95% CI: 1.784-6.090; p<0.001 for males), body fat percentage (β=2.395; 95% CI: 1.234-4.646; p=0.010 for girls; β=2.603; 95% CI: 1.462-4.634; p<0.001 for males) and waist-to-height ratio (β=3.840; 95% CI: 2.025-7.283; p<0.001 for males) were positively and significantly associated with motor coordination in both sexes, with the exception of waist-to-height ratio in girls (β=1.343; 95% CI: 0.713-2.528; p=0.381).ConclusionBody fat percentage and waist circumference showed a slightly better discriminatory accuracy in predicting low motor coordination for females and for males, respectively
External-injection Experiment at SPARC_LAB

AbstractAt the SPARC_LAB facility of INFN-LNF we are installing two transport lines for ultra-short electron bunches and an ultra- intense laser pulses, generated by the SPARC photo-injector and by the FLAME laser in a synchronized fashion at the tens of f s level, to co-propagate inside a hydrogen filled glass capillary, in order to perform acceleration of the electron bunch by a plasma wave driven by the laser pulse. The main aim of this experiment is to demonstrate that a high brightness electron beam can be accelerated by a plasma wave without any significant degradation of its quality. Motivations of the technical choices made and expected performances are reported
Ozone — the persistent menace: interactions with the N cycle and climate change

Tropospheric ozone is involved in a complex web of interactions with other atmospheric gases and particles, and through ecosystem interactions with the N-cycle and climate change. Ozone itself is a greenhouse gas, causing warming, and reductions in biomass and carbon sequestration caused by ozone provide a further indirect warming effect. Ozone also has cooling effects, however, for example, through impacts on aerosols and diffuse radiation.Ecosystems are both a source of ozone precursors (especially of hydrocarbons, but also nitrogen oxides), and a sink through deposition processes. The interactions with vegetation, atmospheric chemistry and aerosols are complex, and only partially understood. Levels and patterns of global exposure to ozone may change dramatically over the next 50 years, impacting global warming, air quality, global food production and ecosystem function
Guidelines for equipment and staffing of radiotherapy facilities in the European countries: Final results of the ESTRO-HERO survey

AbstractBackground and purposeIn planning to meet evidence based needs for radiotherapy, guidelines for the provision of capital and human resources are central if access, quality and safety are not to be compromised. A component of the ESTRO-HERO (Health Economics in Radiation Oncology) project is to document the current availability and content of guidelines for radiotherapy in Europe.Materials and methodsAn 84 part questionnaire was distributed to the European countries through their national scientific and professional radiotherapy societies with 30 items relating to the availability of guidelines for equipment and staffing and selected operational issues. Twenty-nine countries provided full or partial evaluable responses.ResultsThe availability of guidelines across Europe is far from uniform. The metrics used for capital and human resources are variable. There seem to have been no major changes in the availability or specifics of guidelines over the ten-year period since the QUARTS study with the exception of the recent expansion of RTT staffing models. Where comparison is possible it appears that staffing for radiation oncologists, medical physicists and particularly RTTs tend to exceed guidelines suggesting developments in clinical radiotherapy are moving faster than guideline updating.ConclusionThe efficient provision of safe, high quality radiotherapy services would benefit from the availability of well-structured guidelines for capital and human resources, based on agreed upon metrics, which could be linked to detailed estimates of need
Analysis of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum–Causing Missense Mutants of ABCC6 In Vivo; Pharmacological Correction of the Mislocalized Proteins

Mutations in the ABCC6 gene cause soft-tissue calcification in pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) and, in some patients, generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI). PXE is characterized by late onset and progressive mineralization of elastic fibers in dermal, ocular, and cardiovascular tissues. GACI patients present a more severe, often prenatal arterial calcification. We have tested 10 frequent disease-causing ABCC6 missense mutants for the transport activity by using Sf9 (Spodoptera frugiperda) cells, characterized the subcellular localization in MDCKII (Madin–Darby canine kidney (cell line)) cells and in mouse liver, and tested the phenotypic rescue in zebrafish. We aimed at identifying mutants with preserved transport activity but with improper plasma membrane localization for rescue by the chemical chaperone 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA). Seven of the mutants were transport-competent but mislocalized in mouse liver. The observed divergence in cellular localization of mutants in MDCKII cells versus mouse liver underlined the limitations of this 2D in vitro cell system. The functionality of ABCC6 mutants was tested in zebrafish, and minimal rescue of the morpholino-induced phenotype was found. However, 4-PBA, a drug approved for clinical use, restored the plasma membrane localization of four ABCC6 mutants (R1114P, S1121W, Q1347H, and R1314W), suggesting that allele-specific therapy may be useful for selected patients with PXE and GACI
Schizophrenic neutrinos and ν-less double beta decay

AbstractWe point out a new possibility for neutrinos where all neutrino flavors can be part Dirac and part Majorana. Our primary motivation comes from an attempt to use supersymmetric seesaw models to tie inflation, baryon asymmetry of the Universe and dark matter to the neutrino sector. The idea however could stand on its own, with or without supersymmetry. We present a realization of this possibility within an S3 family symmetry for neutrino masses, where we obtain tri-bi-maximal mixing for neutrinos to the leading order. The model predicts that for the case of inverted hierarchy, the lower limit on the neutrino mass measured in neutrinoless double beta decay experiments is about a factor of two larger than the usual Majorana case
Patients with anorectal malformation and upper limb anomalies: genetic evaluation is warranted

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                  171141.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of genetic disorders in anorectal malformation (ARM) patients with upper limb anomalies to that in ARM patients with other associated anomalies. A retrospective case study was performed in two pediatric surgery centers. All patients born between 1990 and 2012 were included. VACTERL (vertebral defects (V), anal atresia (A), cardiac malformations (C), tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia (TE), renal dysplasia (R), and limb anomalies (L)) was defined as at least three components present. We included 700 ARM patients: 219 patients (31 %) had isolated ARM, 43 patients (6 %) had a major upper limb anomaly, and 438 patients (63 %) had other associated anomalies. The most prevalent upper limb anomalies were radial dysplasia (n = 12) and hypoplastic thumb (n = 11). Ten of the 43 patients (23 %) with an upper limb anomaly were diagnosed with a genetic disorder-nine also met the VACTERL criteria-vs. 9 % of ARM patients with other anomalies (p = 0.004, chi-squared test). CONCLUSION: Genetic disorders are twice as frequently diagnosed in ARM patients with upper limb anomalies than in those with other anomalies. As they also frequently meet the VACTERL criteria, it is important to consider VACTERL as a diagnosis per exclusionem. Genetic counseling is certainly warranted in these patients. WHAT IS KNOWN: * Anorectal malformations (ARMs) often co-occur with other congenital anomalies, including upper limb anomalies, mainly of pre-axial origin. * Co-occurrence of ARMs and upper limb anomalies is seen in disorders such as Townes-Brocks syndrome, Fanconi anemia, and VACTERL association. What is New: * ARM patients with a major upper limb anomaly-with or without other congenital anomalies-have a twofold greater chance of a genetic disorder than have non-isolated ARM patients without upper limb anomalies. * Not all upper limb anomalies in ARM patients are part of the VACTERL association; a workup for genetic evaluation is proposed
Postglacial relative sea-level changes in northwest Iceland : evidence from isolation basins, coastal lowlands and raised shorelines.

Relative sea-level (RSL) data provide constraints on land uplift associated with former ice loading and can be used to differentiate between contrasting ice unloading scenarios. Isolation basin, coastal lowland and geomorphological evidence is employed to reconstruct RSL changes in northwest (NW) Iceland, which may have experienced contrasting uplift patterns. Under local (NW) uplift, highest RSL would be expected in central Vestfirðir, whereas highest RSL would be closest to the main ice-loading centre under regional (central Iceland) uplift. Four new RSL records are presented based on 16 sea-level index points and 4 limiting ages from sites principally focussed along a transect away from central Iceland. The new RSL records highlight spatial variability of Holocene RSL changes and provide constraints on deglaciation. There is an increase in marine limit elevation with proximity to the proposed principal ice loading centre in central Iceland. Highest recorded marine limit shorelines are found in Hrútafjörður-Heggstaðanes (southeast), the lowest in Hlöðuvík and Rekavík bak Látrum (north), and at an intermediate elevation in Reykjanes-Laugardalur (central Vestfirðir). Evidence from Breiðavik-Látrar records early rapid deglaciation in Breiðafjörður or a complex interplay of multiple uplift centres. RSL fell rapidly following deglaciation in several locations as a result of the quick response of the Icelandic lithosphere to unloading. The RSL data along the transect show an uplift pattern consistent with extensive regional glaciation emanating from central Iceland, which could have implications for ice sheet configuration and patterns of deglaciation, glacio-isostatic adjustment modelling and the volume of meltwater input into the North Atlantic
Learning what matters – Sampling interesting patterns

In the field of exploratory data mining, local structure in data can be described by patterns and discovered by mining algorithms. Although many solutions have been proposed to address the redundancy problems in pattern mining, most of them either provide succinct pattern sets or take the interests of the user into account—but not both. Consequently, the analyst has to invest substantial effort in identifying those patterns that are relevant to her specific interests and goals.
To address this problem, we propose a novel approach that combines pattern sampling with interactive data mining. In particular, we introduce the LetSIP algorithm, which builds upon recent advances in 1) weighted sampling in SAT and 2) learning to rank in interactive pattern mining. Specifically, it exploits user feedback to directly learn the parameters of the sampling distribution that represents the user’s interests.
We compare the performance of the proposed algorithm to the state-of-the-art in interactive pattern mining by emulating the interests of a user. The resulting system allows efficient and interleaved learning and sampling, thus user-specific anytime data exploration. Finally, LetSIP demonstrates favourable trade-offs concerning both quality–diversity and exploitation–exploration when compared to existing methods.status: publishe