Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The generation of LMP2a‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes for the treatment of patients with Epstein‐Barr virus‐positive Hodgkin disease

Based upon the success of using polyclonal, Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐specific CTL lines for the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLPD), there is now considerable incentive to develop CTL directed against the sub‐dominant EBV antigens EBNA1, LMP1 and LMP2, which are expressed by the tumor cells of Hodgkin disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. To develop a system for generating LMP2a‐specific CTL in vitro, we transfected autologous immature dendritic cells (DC), which had been grown in the absence of serum, with LMP2a RNA in the presence of the cationic lipid DOTAP. This transfection method did not adversely affect the DC in terms of immunophenotyping and they expressed high levels of HLA class I and II and critical costimulatory molecules. These LMP2a+ DC, as compared to DC which had been transfected with irrelevant RNA, were shown to be highly immunostimulatory in autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions and, importantly, could stimulate the generation of CD8+ and CD4+ CTL which exclusively recognized LMP2a‐expressing targets. This specific cytotoxicity was confirmed using antibody blocking experiments and cytotoxicity assays of the separated T cell subsets. Using this DC‐based system we could also reactivate LMP2a‐specific memory in EBV‐seropositive donors whose polyclonal CTL response to LCL stimulation did not contain a LMP2a‐specific component.
Evolution of the Physiological and Neurological Capacities for Music

Neuropsychological and developmental studies suggest human musical ability has a deep evolutionary history; but we do not find evidence of the manufacture and use of instruments, with which musical behaviours have often been assumed to be equated, until 70,000 years after the advent of Homo sapiens. This anomaly is addressed by examining the evidence from the fossil record for the evolution of the physiology and neurology required for musical behaviours, with the aim of identifying the development of the physiological and neurological capacity to produce and process melody and/or rhythm. Aural and vocal sophistication appear to have developed in tandem, beginning with full bipedalism around 1.75 million years ago, until a vocal apparatus similar to the modern was present in Homo heidelbergensis 400,000–300,000 years ago. Prosodic and structural aspects of both speech and music production and processing are lateralized in the brain in similar ways suggesting evolutionarily-shared foundations for these mechanisms.
Potassium‐induced structural changes of the endoplasmic reticulum in pyramidal neurons in murine organotypic hippocampal slices

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structure is of central importance for the regulation of cellular anabolism, stress response, and signal transduction. Generally continuous, the ER can temporarily undergo dramatic structural rearrangements resulting in a fragmented appearance. In this study we assess the dynamic nature of ER fission in pyramidal neurons in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures stimulated by depolarizing concentration of potassium (50 mM). The slices were obtained from transgenic mice expressing fluorescent ER‐targeted DsRed2 protein. We employed live tissue confocal microscopy imaging with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to monitor the extent of structural rearrangements of the ER. In control slices, the ER structure was continuous. Potassium stimulation resulted in extensive fragmentation (fission), whereas return to basal potassium levels (2.5 mM) led to ER fusion and normalization of ER structure. This ER fission/fusion could be repeated several times in the same neuron, demonstrating the reversibility of the process. Blockade of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) with the antagonist D‐AP5 or removal of extracellular Ca2+ prevented depolarization‐induced ER fission. ER fission is sensitive to temperature, and decreasing temperature from 35°C to 30°C augments fission, implying that the altering of ER continuity may be a protective response against damage. We conclude that events that generate membrane depolarisation in brain tissue lead to the release of endogenous glutamate that may regulate neuronal ER continuity. The rapid and reversible NMDAR‐mediated changes in ER structure reflect an adaptive, innate property of the ER for synaptic activation as well as response to tissue stress, injury, and disease. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural Network Modeling and Prediction of Surface Roughness in Machining Aluminum Alloys

Artificial neural network is a powerful technique of computational intelligence and has been applied in a variety of fields such as engineering and computer science. This paper deals with the neural network modeling and prediction of surface roughness in machining aluminum alloys using data collected from both force and vibration sensors. Two neural network models, including a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model and a Radial Basis Function (RBF) model, were developed in the present study. Each model includes eight inputs and five outputs. The eight inputs include the cutting speed, the ratio of the feed rate to the tool-edge radius, cutting forces in three directions, and cutting vibrations in three directions. The five outputs are five surface roughness parameters. Described in detail is how training and test data were generated from real-world machining experiments that covered a wide range of cutting conditions. The results show that the MLP model provides significantly higher accuracy of prediction for surface roughness than does the RBF model.
TheDyneinGenesofParamecium tetraurelia: The Structure andExpression oftheCiliary 13and Cytoplasmic HeavyChains

The genes encoding two Paramecium dynein heavy chains, DHC-6 and DHC-8, have been cloned and sequenced. Sequence-specific antibodies demonstrate that DHC-6 encodes ciliary outer arm ,3-chain and DHC-8 encodes a cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain. Therefore, this study is the first opportunity to compare the primary structures and expression of two heavy chains representing the two functional classes of dynein expressed in the same cell. Deciliation of paramecia results in the accumulation of mRNA from DHC-6, but not DHC-8. Nuclear run-on transcription experiments demonstrate that this increase in the steady state concentration of DHC-6 mRNA is a consequence of a rapid induction of transcription in response to deciliation. This is the first demonstration that dynein, like other axonemal components, is transcriptionally regulated during reciliation. Analyses of the sequences of the two Paramecium dyneins and the dynein heavy chains from other organisms indicate that the heavy chain can be divided into three regions: 1) the sequence of the central catalytic domain is conserved among all dyneins; 2) the tail domain sequence, consisting of the N-terminal 1200 residues, differentiates between axonemal and cytoplasmic dyneins; and 3) the N-terminal 200 residues are the most divergent and appear to classify the isoforms. The organization of the heavy chain predicts that the variable tail domain may be sufficient to target the dynein to the appropriate place in the cell.
Interobserver and Intraobserver Agreement of Lenke and King Classifications for Idiopathic Scoliosis and the Influence of Level of Professional Training

Study design. This is a blinded study of radiographs by observers with different levels of professional training. Objectives. To determine whether the level of professional training on nonmeasured and premeasured radiographs would affect reliability of Lenke’s and King’s classifications for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. Both classification systems have been studied for their reliability, mainly by observers with a high level of experience in orthopedics and scoliosis surgery using premeasured radiographs. Methods. Examination of radiographs of 60 operative cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was performed. On 5 occasions, 3 observers with a completely different degree of professional training measured and classified preoperative radiographs according to Lenke’s or King’s criteria. The results were determined by calculating the interobserver and intraobserver agreement and were quantified using two-rater and multirater kappa statistics. Results. The Lenke and King classifications demonstrated poor to fair interobserver and good intraobserver agreement on nonmeasured radiographs. Both classifications demonstrated good to excellent interobserver agreement on premeasured radiographs. Conclusions. The results confirm that both classifications have a good reliability. On nonmeasured radiographs, the degree of professional training and the measurement process seem to influence the outcome. On premeasured radiographs, the interobserver agreement does not seem to be influenced by the level of professional training.
Older Homebound Women: Negotiating Reliance on a Cane or Walker

Canes and walkers are commonly characterized as assistive devices that serve the same purpose: as walking aides. These general views were reappraised and tempered in this descriptive phenomenological study with 40 older women (aged 85 to 98 years) who were unable to leave their homes without help. The purpose was to describe the phenomena of negotiating reliance on canes and walkers as walking devices and the lifeworld context underlying each phenomenon. Relative to lifeworld, there were differences between coming to terms with using a cane and coming to terms with using a walker. Data revealed similarities and distinctions between the basic intentions of relying on canes and walkers and the associated purposes served by canes and walkers. Participants did not view either device as consistently assistive. Findings evoke opportunities for dialogue among older persons, scholars, practitioners, and designers of these devices about coming to terms with such devices and relying on them.
Separate pathways of maturation of the major structural proteins of vesicular stomatitis virus

Cell fractionation and protein electrophoresis were used to study the intracellular sites of synthesis and intermediate structures in the assembly of the virion proteins of vesicular stomatitis virus. Each of the three major virion proteins assembled into virions through a separable pathway. The nucleocapsid (N) protein was first a soluble protein and later incorporated into free, cytoplasmic nucleocapsids. A small amount of N protein was bound to membranes at later times, presumably representing either nucleocapsids in the process of budding or completed virions attached to the cell surface. The matrix (M) protein also appeared to be synthesized as a soluble protein, but was then directly incorporated into membranous structures with the same density as whole virus. Very little M protein was ever found in membranes banding at the density of plasma membranes. The M protein entered extracellular virus very quickly, as though it moved directly from a soluble state into budding virus. In contrast, the glycoprotein (G) was always membrane bound; it appeared to be directly inserted into membranes during its synthesis. Glycosylation of the G protein was completed only in smooth membrane fractions, possibly in the Golgi apparatus. After a minimum time of 15 min following its synthesis, G protein was incorporated into the surface plasma membrane, from which it was slowly shed into virions. These multiple processing steps probably account for its delayed appearance in virus. From this work it appears that the three major structural proteins come into the surface budding structure through independent pathways and together they coalesce at the plasma membrane to form the mature virion.
The effects of frequency and duration of controlled passive mobilization on tendon healing

This study was designed to determine the effects of frequency and duration of controlled passive motion on the healing flexor tendon following primary repair. Adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups based on frequency of controlled passive motion. In one group, motion was applied manually at a frequency of 12 cycles/min for 5 min/day; in the other group, a continuous passive motion machine was used to apply motion at a lower frequency of 1 cycle/min for 60 min/day, making the number of cycles each day for both groups identical. Gliding function and tensile properties of repaired tendons were evaluated biomechanically at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Results showed that gliding function in both groups was similar, but tensile properties, as represented by linear slope, ultimate load, and energy absorption, were significantly improved in the higher frequency group. It was concluded that frequency of controlled passive motion rehabilitation is a significant factor in accelerating the healing response following tendon repair, and higher frequency‐controlled passive motion has a beneficial effect.
Carotenoid composition in 'Ataulfo' mango and their bioavailability and bioconversion to vitamin A.

'Ataulfo' mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most produced and consumed fruits in Mexico. This mango cultivar is claimed as a good source of carotenoids, however, its carotenoid profile has not been determined. In addition, bioaccesibility and bioavailability of carotenoids from fresh mangoes have not been tested. The present work included three experimental sections. In the first section the carotenoid profile of 'Ataulfo' mango was determined. The profile was composed of 25 carotenoids, and three were the most abundant. Then, the content of the major carotenoids was monitored during postharvest fruit ripening and correlated with the internal and external color values. The lowest and highest contents of all-trans-β-carotene, all-trans-violaxanthin dibutyrate and 9-cis-violaxanthin dibutyrate (major carotenoids) during the ripening process of 'Ataulfo' mangoes were 2.5-39.7, 0.2-15 and 0.2-7.5 μg/g FW, respectively. The content of the evaluated carotenoids highly correlated with external and internal a * and h° color values. Equations (R 2 =0.86-0.94) to predict the content of the major carotenoids in 'Ataulfo' mangoes on the basis of their internal and external color values were obtained. In the second experimental section, the pulp of 'Ataulfo' mango at several stages of ripening was subjected to simulated in vitro digestion in absence or presence of chicken baby food (CBF), as dietary fat source, and the micellarization of β-carotene (BC) was evaluated. The micellarization of BC during simulated digestion significantly increased as the fruit ripened and when CBF was mixed with mango before digestion. BC-rich micelles generated during the digestion of fully ripened fruit and CBF were used to test the uptake of micellarized BC by monolayers of Caco-2 cells. Such cells incorporated 17% of BC contained in the test medium. In the last experimental section, vitamin A depleted rats (Wistar) were fed with cubes of fresh carrots or 'Ataulfo' mango pulp for 2 weeks. Both test meals provided the same amount of BC. After repletion the liver retinol was higher in the group fed with 'Ataulfo' mango (1642.3 μg retinol/liver) than in the group fed with carrots (1285.1 μg retinol/liver), suggesting that BC from 'Ataulfo' mango is more bioavailable than that from carrots. The obtained results demonstrated that 'Ataulfo' mango possesses a high content of BC, which is bioavailable and bioconverted to vitamin A.
Culture and Negotiation

This article develops a model of how culture affects negotiation processes and outcomes. It begins with a description of negotiation from a Western perspective: confrontational, focused on transactions or the resolution of disputes, evaluated in terms of integrative and distributive outcomes. It proposes that power and information processes are fundamental to negotiations and that one impact of culture on negotiations is through these processes. The cultural value of individualism versus collectivism is linked to goals in negotiation; the cultural value of egalitarianism versus hierarchy is linked to power in negotiation; and the cultural value for high versus low context communication is linked to information sharing in negotiation. The article describes why inter-cultural negotiations pose significant strategic challenges, but concludes that negotiators who are motivated to search for information, and are flexible about how that search is carried out, can reach high-quality negotiated outcomes. Cet arti.
Construction and characterization of a fimZ mutant of Salmonella typhimurium

The Salmonella typhimurium fimA gene is controlled by several ancillary fim genes. One of these genes, fimZ, appears to be involved in increasing the expression of fimA. A fimZ mutant of S. typhimurium was constructed by allelic exchange, and this mutant was found to be nonfimbriate. The fimZ mutant demonstrated decreased levels of fimA expression compared with the parental strain when both were grown under conditions favoring fimbrial expression. An examination of the predicted amino acid sequence, deduced from the nucleotide sequence of fimZ, indicated that the FimZ polypeptide possessed a DNA binding motif. Bacterial lysates, derived from strains transformed with recombinant plasmids possessing a fimZ gene, demonstrated DNA binding activity with a fragment containing the fimA promoter. Lysates without a FimZ polypeptide did not exhibit any binding activity. These data are consistent with FimZ being a transcriptional activator of fimA, and FimZ acts by binding to the promoter region.
Anxiety disorders in older Puerto Rican primary care patients.

OBJECTIVE Authors examined the frequency and comorbidity of anxiety disorders among aging Puerto Ricans seen in primary care. METHODS A group of 303 middle-aged and older low-socioeconomic-status Puerto Ricans attending primary-care clinics were surveyed, using a Spanish-language diagnostic interview. RESULTS Twenty-four percent of participants met probable DSM criteria for at least one anxiety disorder in the previous year, especially generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, and panic attacks. Psychiatric comorbidity was common; the occurrence of most anxiety disorders increased the conditional risk of a comorbid disorder from 5- to 30-fold. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest a need to screen at-risk patients in primary care settings serving this population.
A Novel Method for Unsupervised and Supervised Conversational Message Thread Detection

Efficiently detecting conversation threads from a pool of messages, such as social network chats, emails, comments to posts, news etc., is relevant for various applications, including Web Marketing, Information Retrieval and Digital Forensics. Existing approaches focus on text similarity using keywords as features that are strongly dependent on the dataset. Therefore, dealing with new corpora requires further costly analyses conducted by experts to find out new relevant features. This paper introduces a novel method to detect threads from any type of conversational texts overcoming the issue of previously determining specific features for each dataset. To automatically determine the relevant features of messages we map each message into a three dimensional representation based on its semantic content, the social interactions in terms of sender/recipients and its timestamp; then clustering is used to detect conversation threads. In addition, we propose a supervised approach to detect conversation threads that builds a classification model which combines the above extracted features for predicting whether a pair of messages belongs to the same thread or not. Our model harnesses the distance measure of a message to a cluster representing a thread to capture the probability that a message is part of that same thread. We present our experimental results on seven datasets, pertaining to different types of messages, and demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in the detection of conversation threads, clearly outperforming the state of the art and yielding an improvement of up to a 19%.
Serologic Evidence of Chicken Infectious Anemia in Commercial Chicken Flocks in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Sera samples from seven poultry farms in southwest Nigeria consisting of 7 broiler, 10 pullet, 1 layer, 1 cockerel, and 1 broiler breeder flocks were tested for the presence of chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) antibodies using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Eleven of the 20 flocks (55%) and six out of seven (86%) farms were positive for CIAV antibodies. The seroprevalence largely depended on the age of the flocks. Seroprevalence was higher within the older pullet and layer flocks (83%–100%) than in the younger broiler flocks (0%–83%). In essence, all flocks older than 6 to 8 wk became infected. This is the first report of serologic evidence of CIAV in Subsaharan Africa. Since Southwest Nigeria is the main port of entry of imported chicken and the hub of major poultry breeders, the disease can probably be found throughout the country and beyond. Further studies are necessary to assess economic losses due to CIAV and the cost benefit of countermeasures.
Serum soluble toll‐like receptor 2: a novel biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and lupus‐related cardiovascular dysfunction

To assess the serum levels of soluble toll‐like receptor (sTLR2) as an endogenous negative regulator of TLR2 signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, to investigate the correlation between sTLR2 and SLE disease activity index (SELDAI), SLE‐related cardiovascular risk factors and ventricular dysfunction and to evaluate the effect of different therapeutic regimens on serum sTLR2 levels.
Enhanced association mechanism for IEEE 802.15.4 networks

The use of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is considerably increasing, mainly due to their inherent low cost and wide range of applications. The formation of a WSN is driven by a request-based procedure that associates sensor nodes to a PAN (Personal Area Network) coordinator. In the IEEE 802.15. 4 standard, the communication exchanges between a node willing to join the network and the PAN coordinator follows a CSMA/CA protocol. In this paper, we propose a set of specific improvements for the enhancement of the nodes joining procedure. The goal is to reduce the time spent in the association process, minimizing the time spent to deploy the network. A simulation assessment of the proposed set of improvements was performed using the OMNeT++/Castalia simulator, comparing their usage with the default mechanism defined by the IEEE 802.15. 4 standard. The achieved results demonstrate that an adequate definition of the parameters of the CSMA/CA protocol significantly reduces the duration of the association procedure.
Does Competition Eliminate Discrimination? Evidence from the Commercial Sex Market in Singapore

The street sex worker market in Geylang, Singapore is highly competitive. Clients can search legally at negligible cost. Sex workers discriminate based on client ethnicity despite an excess supply of sex workers. Workers are more (less) likely to approach and ask a higher (lower) price of Caucasians (Bangladeshis), based on their perceived willingness to pay. They avoid Indians, set a significantly higher price and are less likely to reach an agreement with them, suggesting that Indians face taste discrimination. These findings remain even after controlling for prostitute fixed effects and are consistent with the workers' self-reported attitudes and beliefs.