University of Haifa

About: University of Haifa is a education organization based out in Haifa, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 7558 authors who have published 27141 publications receiving 711629 citations. The organization is also known as: Haifa University & Universiṭat Ḥefah.

Saturated-efferocytosis generates pro-resolving CD11b low macrophages: modulation by resolvins and glucocorticoids.

Abstract: During the resolution phase of inflammation, apoptotic leukocytes are efferocytosed by macrophages in a nonphlogistic fashion that results in diminished responses to bacterial moieties and production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Complement receptor 3 and pro-resolving lipid mediators promote the engulfment of apoptotic leukocytes by macrophages. Here, we present evidence for the emergence of pro-resolving, CD11b(low) macrophages in vivo during the resolution of murine peritonitis. These macrophages are distinct from the majority of peritoneal macrophages in terms of their functional protein expression profile, as well as pro-resolving properties, such as apoptotic leukocyte engulfment, indifference to TLR ligands, and emigration to lymphoid organs. Notably, we also found macrophages convert from the CD11b(high) to the CD11b(low) phenotype upon interaction with apoptotic cells ex vivo. In addition, we found that the pro-resolving lipid mediators resolvin E1 and D1, and the glucocorticoid dexamethasone regulated pro-resolving macrophage functions in vivo. This regulation culminated in a novel pro-resolving function, namely reducing the apoptotic leukocyte ingestion requirement for CD11b(low) macrophage generation. These new phenotype and molecular pathway markers define the new satiated macrophage. Thus, we suggest that satisfying efferocytosis generates CD11b(low) macrophages that are essential for complete nonphlogistic containment of inflammatory agents and the termination of acute inflammation.

The Trouble with Algorithmic Decisions An Analytic Road Map to Examine Efficiency and Fairness in Automated and Opaque Decision Making

Abstract: We are currently witnessing a sharp rise in the use of algorithmic decision-making tools. In these instances, a new wave of policy concerns is set forth. This article strives to map out these issues, separating the wheat from the chaff. It aims to provide policy makers and scholars with a comprehensive framework for approaching these thorny issues in their various capacities. To achieve this objective, this article focuses its attention on a general analytical framework, which will be applied to a specific subset of the overall discussion. The analytical framework will reduce the discussion to two dimensions, every one of which addressing two central elements. These four factors call for a distinct discussion, which is at times absent in the existing literature. The two dimensions are (1) the specific and novel problems the process assumedly generates and (2) the specific attributes which exacerbate them. While the problems are articulated in a variety of ways, they most likely could be reduced to two bro...

The Role of Vowels in Reading Semitic Scripts: Data from Arabic and Hebrew.

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of vowels and context on readingaccuracy of skilled adult native Arabic speakers in Arabic and inHebrew, their second language. Their reading comprehension was alsotested in Arabic and Hebrew texts as a function of vowels. Theparticipants (n = 65) read fully vowelized and unvowelized lists ofArabic words, and vowelized and unvowelized paragraphs of Arabic.Further, they, read pointed and unpointed lists of Hebrew words, andpointed and unpointed paragraphs of Hebrew. They were also administeredtwo stories, one in Arabic and one in Hebrew, in two reading conditions,a fully vowelized and unvowelized Arabic story and a pointed andunpointed Hebrew story. The results revealed a significant effect forvowels and for context across all reading conditions in Arabic andHebrew. The surprising result was that the vowelized texts in Arabic andthe pointed and unpointed texts in Hebrew were comprehendedsignificantly better. Further, Pearson correlation procedures andmultiple regression analysis indicated no positive significantrelationship between oral reading accuracy results and silent readingcomprehension results. These findings are explained throughcharacteristics of the Semitic languages Arabic and Hebrew, and thetriliteral/quadriliteral-root model is suggested toexplain reading in unvowelized/unpointed texts in Semitic languages.

Detailed Exploration of Face-related Processing in Congenital Prosopagnosia: 1. Behavioral Findings

Abstract: We show that five individuals with congenital prosopagnosia (CP) are impaired at face recognition and discrimination and do not exhibit the normal superiority for upright over inverted faces despite intact visual acuity, low-level vision and intelligence, and in the absence of any obvious neural concomitant. Interestingly, the deficit is not limited to faces: The CP individuals were also impaired at discriminating common objects and novel objects although to a lesser extent than discriminating faces. The perceptual deficit may be attributable to a more fundamental visual processing disorder; the CP individuals exhibited difficulty in deriving global configurations from simple visual stimuli, even with extended exposure duration and considerable perceptual support in the image. Deriving a global configuration from local components is more critical for faces than for other objects, perhaps accounting for the exaggerated deficit in face processing. These findings elucidate the psychological mechanisms underlying CP and support the link between configural and face processing.