Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeted Disruption of the PDZK1 Gene in Mice Causes Tissue-specific Depletion of the High Density Lipoprotein Receptor Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I and Altered Lipoprotein Metabolism*

PDZK1, a multi-PDZ domain containing adaptor protein, interacts with various membrane proteins, including the high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). Here we show that PDZK1 controls in a tissue-specific and post-transcriptional fashion the expression of SR-BI in vivo. SR-BI protein expression in PDZK1 knock-out (KO) mice was reduced by 95% in the liver, 50% in the proximal intestine, and not affected in steroidogenic organs (adrenal, ovary, and testis). Thus, PDZK1 joins a growing list of adaptors that control tissue-specific activity of cell surface receptors. Hepatic expression of SR-BII, a minor splice variant with an alternative C-terminal cytoplasmic domain, was not affected in PDZK1 KO mice, suggesting that binding of PDZK1 to SR-BI is required for controlling hepatic SR-BI expression. The loss of hepatic SR-BI was the likely cause of the elevation in plasma total and HDL cholesterol and the increase in HDL particle size in PDZK1 KO mice, phenotypes similar to those observed in SR-BI KO mice. PDZK1 KO mice differed from SR-BI KO mice in that the ratio of unesterified to total plasma cholesterol was normal, females were fertile, and cholesteryl ester stores in steroidogenic organs were essentially unaffected. These differences may be due to nearly normal extrahepatic expression of SR-BI in PDZK1 KO mice. The PDZK1-dependent regulation of hepatic SR-BI and, thus, lipoprotein metabolism supports the proposal that this adaptor may represent a new target for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular disease.
Limits to Milk Flow and Energy Allocation during Lactation of the Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)

Energy allocation for maternal maintenance and milk production was examined in lactating hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) supporting three to seven offspring at 10° or 24°C. Lactating mothers obtained most of their energy from dietary intake (ca. 90%), and the remainder was withdrawn from maternal stores. There was no indication that a central limit to maternal energy assimilation constrained lactational performance. Maternal energy assimilation increased with a larger litter size (a higher production cost) and a decline in ambient temperature (a higher thermoregulatory cost) during lactation, without reaching an apparent limit. Further, there was no evidence of competitive energy allocation, which might occur if maternal energy assimilation were limited. Hence, increases in maternal thermoregulatory expenditure during lactation did not decrease the energy allocation for milk production. Lactating mothers had a capacity to increase milk production. Nonetheless, the milk flow did not fully satisfy the energy requirements of dependent offspring in larger litters or at the lower ambient temperature (growth rates of offspring declined in both cases). Local physiological constraints and behavioral effects appear to limit maternal allocation during lactation. Constraints to allocation may be favored by selection because they reduce maternal risk or reproductive cost.
Phospholipid composition and cardiolipin synthesis in fermentative and nonfermentative marine bacteria

Twenty biochemically distinct isolates of marine bacteria, comprising a collection of gram-negative, motile, straight and curved rod-shaped organisms, were separated into fermentative and nonfermentative groups. The isolates were analyzed fro phospholipid composition and the activities of the enzymes, cardiolipin synthetase, and a phosphilipase were determined. The phospholipid compositions of all isolates were generally similar. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were the major phospholipid classes detected. The absence of cardiolipin in most of the nonfermentative isolates was the most striking observation noted. This was verified chromatographically and by the absence of cardiolipin synthetase activity. In isolates which had cardiolipin, it apparently was synthesized by the condensation of two molecules of phosphatidylglycerol, a mechanism similar to that observed in terrestrial bacteria. Possible correlations between the presence of cardiolipin and Mg-2+ requirements for growth are discussed.
LOW-KICK TWIN-COAXIAL AND WAVEGUIDE-COAXIAL COUPLERS FOR ERL

For ERL injector, superconducting cavities need to deliver high power to the beam. Couplers must provide low ext Q but small kick. Results of simulation for two low-kick high-power fundamental coupler designs are presented. Possibilities to meet the requirements for the coupler in the range of parameters: 5 4 ext 10 1 . 4 10 6 . 4 Q , RF power 150 100 P kWCW at frequency 1300 f MHz are discussed.
Human Herpesviruses 6, 7 and 8 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Human herpesviruses (HHV) 6 and 7 are ubiquitous infections that reactivate commonly in transplant recipients. However, clinical diseases due to these viruses are reported only in 1% of solid organ transplant recipients. Fever, rash and bone marrow suppression are the most common manifestations, but symptoms of tissue invasive disease may be observed. Treatment of HHV‐6 and HHV‐7 disease includes antiviral therapy and cautious reduction in immunosuppression. HHV‐8 is an oncogenic gamma‐herpesvirus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma, Castleman's disease and primary effusion lymphomas in transplant recipients. Nonmalignant diseases such as bone marrow suppression and multiorgan failure have also been associated with HHV‐8. Reduction in immunosuppression is the first line treatment of HHV‐8 infection. Other alternatives for treatment, especially for HHV‐8 diseases not responsive to immuno‐minimization strategies, are surgery and chemotherapy. Sirolimus has been shown to be a beneficial component for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma and the role of antivirals for HHV‐8 infection is being investigated.
of the Forty Third Spring Conference of the Union of Bulgarian Mathematicians Borovetz , April 2 – 6 , 2014 A DYNAMIC STUDY OF THE CONTACT ANGLE HYSTERESIS ON SINUSOIDALLY GROOVED SURFACES

We consider the quasi-static motion of the liquid contact line when a homogeneous solid plate with non-ideal rough surface is moving vertically in a bath of liquid in Wenzel’s wetting regime. The vertical plate has a chemically homogeneous but rough solid surface with the shape of horizontal sinusoidal grooves, so that the solid surface has horizontal translation symmetry. We apply a model which takes into account explicitly the dissipation due to the moving contact line. The effective, time-independent, contact angle is determined. We present here the results of a numerical study of the contact line dynamics, effective advancing and receding contact angles. We present results on the influence of the plate velocity and roughness factor on the effective advancing and receding contact angles. We find that roughness leads to a nonlinear dependence of the effective advancing and receding contact angles on the plate velocity and two regimes in the behavoiur of the dependence of receding contact angles on the plate velocity.
An empirical examination of the contribution of capabilities to the competitiveness of logistics service providers: A perspective from China

Purpose – This paper aims to report on an investigation of logistics service provider (LSP) capabilities and how these capabilities contribute to LSP competitiveness in the context of China.Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on work from economics and strategy on firm‐level competitiveness, particularly the resource‐based view, to develop and empirically examined 13 firm‐specific capability constructs based on a survey of Chinese LSPs.Findings – Exploratory factor analysis and factor analysis regression indicated all 13 constructs are critical to a Chinese LSP's competitiveness and are interlinked in contributing to it. The findings also revealed the most critical capability is service quality; this capability was further assessed and two sub‐constructs of operations and relationship management emerged.Practical implications – The results of the empirical study provide a useful way for LSP managers to identify and appraise their firm's capabilities and competitiveness.Originality/value – This .
High prevalence of platelet autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Summary. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of platelet autoantibodies (PAA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with clinical and other laboratory manifestations of the disease, as well as to evaluate the influence of platelet count and disease activity on the result of the test for PAA. Ninety SLE patients, 29 with thrombocytopenia, were evaluated. The presence of PAA was determined using the direct and indirect platelet suspension immunofluorescence test. A total of 166 PAA determinations were performed in the 90 patients upon entry into the study. Fifty‐six of the 90 patients (62%) with SLE were positive for PAA. There were no statistically significant correlations between the presence of PAA and the different disease manifestations except for thrombocytopenia (P= 0.0005). The presence of PAA in the same patient was significantly associated with current thrombocytopenia and disease activity. It was concluded that the prevalence of PAA in SLE patients is high. All SLE patients with thrombocytopenia had PAA, although some patients with PAA had a normal platelet count. The presence of PAA in SLE patients is not synonymous with thrombocytopenia but should instead be regarded as one of the multiple serological abnormalities which may develop in these patients.
In vitro multiplication and acclimatization of black galingale (Curcuma Aeruginosa Roxb.)

Black galingale (Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb.) is an important medicinal plant that is widely distributed in South and South-east Asia; however, its utilities in Indonesia are still limited due to superior varieties and seedling availability. Micro-propagation could provide rapid and true to type seedlings to meet the black galingale demand. The objectives of this study were to develop the best in vitro medium composition for shoot multiplication and to compare the field growth of plants originated from the rhizome and in vitro plantlet. The in vitro experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two factors and five replications. The first factor was BAP concentration consisted of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg l−1. The second factor was IAA concentration consisted of 0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg l−1. Our results showed that number of shoots, number of leaves, and plantlet height were significantly affected by the interaction of IAA and BAP. The highest number of shoots was obtained in the medium containing 6 mg l−1 BAP with no IAA. The in vitro grown plantlets were acclimatized and grown in the field. The growth of these in vitro originated plants was compared with those propagated through the rhizome.
The current use and effectiveness of Weblogs as e-learning tools in higher education

This paper attempts to explore the current use and effectiveness of Weblog services in higher education. The views of the learners in this study toward utilizing Weblogs within their learning environment were mixed. Their views can be divided in two groups; the first group of students were of the opinion that utilizing Weblogs with their learning environment did not provide the interest they were expecting. The second group of learners had an uncertain opinion as to whether Weblogs have the potential to improve their learning experiences but they were quite satisfied with their use as a tool in higher education.
Rapid identification of female carriers of DMD/BMD by quantitative real‐time PCR

Recently developed PCR systems offer online‐monitoring of amplification and allow simple and reliable DNA quantification. We have used the LightCycler system to develop a simple and rapid method for direct identification of female carriers of deletions and duplications in the dystrophin gene. The challenge resides in the ability to identify the presence of a deleted or duplicated allele over the background contributed by the normal allele. Quantification is based on the determination of the ratio between potentially deleted/duplicated dystrophin exons and non‐deleted/‐duplicated reference exons using the unspecific dsDNA‐dye SYBRgreen I. In a retrospective study, we evaluated our method in female relatives of DMD/BMD patients with known carrier status by comparative analysis of deleted or duplicated versus non‐deleted/‐duplicated exons. Carrier status was accurately attributed in 100% of cases, the mean ratios being 0.52±0.12 for deletion carriers (expected value: 0.5) and 1.56±0.18 for duplication carriers (expected value: 1.5) vs. 1.022±0.17 for non‐carriers (expected value: 1.0). The method proved to be simple, rapid, reliable, and cost‐effective. It may be used for direct determination of deletions/duplications in potential DMD/BMD carriers and may easily be adapted for other genetic conditions involving deletions and duplications. Hum Mutat 23:385‐391, 2004 © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Co-circulating microorganisms in questing Ixodes scapularis nymphs in Maryland

ABSTRACT Ixodes scapularis can be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. , Babesia microti, and Rickettsia spp. , including spotted-fever group Rickettsia. As all of these microorganisms have been reported in Maryland, the potential for these ticks to have concurrent infections exists in this region. To assess the frequency of these complex infections, 348 I. scapularis nymphs collected in 2003 were screened for these microorganisms by PCR with positives being confirmed by DNA sequencing. Borrelia burgdorferi was detected in 14.7% of nymphs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.3%), Rickettsia spp. (19.5%), and an uncategorized agent (0.9%) was also detected. Dual infections were detected with B. burgdorferi and Rickettsia spp. as well as a triple infection with B. burgdorferi, Rickettsia spp. , and an uncategorized agent. Infections with B. burgdorferi and Rickettsia spp. were statistically independent of one another. However, infection with B. burgdorferi and any one of these other microorganisms appears to occur more frequently than by chance alone, probably as a result of shared enzootic cycles. This study confirms that multiple microorganisms co-circulate with B. burgdorferi in I. scapularis in Maryland and demonstrates that Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi circulate independently and at nearly equal frequencies, while A. phagocytophilum and other unrecognized organisms are less common.
Wind Turbine Power Curve Modeling Using Advanced Parametric and Nonparametric Methods

Wind turbine power curve modeling is an important tool in turbine performance monitoring and power forecasting. There are several statistical techniques to fit the empirical power curve of a wind turbine, which can be classified into parametric and nonparametric methods. In this paper, we study four of these methods to estimate the wind turbine power curve. Polynomial regression is studied as the benchmark parametric model, and issues associated with this technique are discussed. We then introduce the locally weighted polynomial regression method, and show its advantages over the polynomial regression. Also, the spline regression method is examined to achieve more flexibility for fitting the power curve. Finally, we develop a penalized spline regression model to address the issues of choosing the number and location of knots in the spline regression. The performance of the presented methods is evaluated using two simulated data sets as well as an actual operational power data of a wind farm in North America.
Genome Analysis and Strain Comparison of Correia Repeats and Correia Repeat-Enclosed Elements in Pathogenic Neisseria

ABSTRACT Whole genome sequences of Neisseria meningitidis strains Z2491 and MC58 and Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090 were analyzed for Correia repeats (CR) and CR-enclosed elements (CREE). A total of 533, 516, and 256 copies of CR and 270, 261, and 102 copies of CREE were found in these three genomes, respectively. The lengths of CREE range from 28 to 348 bp, and the lengths of multicopy CREE appear mainly in the ranges of 154 to 156 bp and 105 to 107 bp. The distribution of CREE lengths is similar between the two N. meningitidis genomes, with a greater number of 154- to 156-bp CREE (163 and 152 copies in N. meningitidis strain Z2491 and N. meningitidis strain MC58, respectively) than 105- to 107-bp CREE (72 and 77 copies). In the N. gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 genome there are relatively more 105- to 107-bp CREE (51 copies) than 154- to 156-bp CREE (36 copies). The genomic distribution of 107-bp CREE also shows similarity between the two N. meningitidis strains (15 copies share the same loci) and differences between N. meningitidis strains and N. gonorrhoeae FA1090 (only one copy is located in the same locus). Detailed sequence analysis showed that both the terminal inverted repeats and the core regions of CREE are composed of distinct basic sequence blocks. Direct TA dinucleotide repeats exist at the termini of all CREE. A survey of DNA sequence upstream of the sialyltransferase gene, lst, in several Neisseria isolates showed that 5 N. meningitidis strains contain a 107-bp CREE in this region but 25 N. gonorrhoeae strains show an exact absence of a 105-bp sequence block (i.e., the 107-bp CREE without a 5′ TA dinucleotide) in the same region. Whole-genome sequence analysis confirmed that this 105-bp indel exists in many homologous 107-bp CREE loci. Thus, we postulate that all CREE are made of target TA with indels of various lengths. Analysis of 107-bp CREE revealed that they exist predominantly in intergenic regions and are often near virulence, metabolic, and transporter genes. The abundance of CREE in Neisseria genomes suggests that they may have played a role in genome organization, function, and evolution. Their differential distribution in different pathogenic Neisseria strains may contribute to the distinct behaviors of each Neisseria species.
Susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis in twins: the role of genes, HLA, and the environment.

OBJECTIVE To determine the relative effects of genetic and environmental factors in susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS Twins with AS were identified from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases database. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed to establish diagnoses, and disease severity was assessed using a combination of validated scoring systems. HLA typing for HLA-B27, HLA-B60, and HLA-DR1 was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers, and zygosity was assessed using microsatellite markers. Genetic and environmental variance components were assessed with the program Mx, using data from this and previous studies of twins with AS. RESULTS Six of 8 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs were disease concordant, compared with 4 of 15 B27-positive dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs (27%) and 4 of 32 DZ twin pairs overall (12.5%). Nonsignificant increases in similarity with regard to age at disease onset and all of the disease severity scores assessed were noted in disease-concordant MZ twins compared with concordant DZ twins. HLA-B27 and B60 were associated with the disease in probands, and the rate of disease concordance was significantly increased among DZ twin pairs in which the co-twin was positive for both B27 and DR1. Additive genetic effects were estimated to contribute 97% of the population variance. CONCLUSION Susceptibility to AS is largely genetically determined, and the environmental trigger for the disease is probably ubiquitous. HLA-B27 accounts for a minority of the overall genetic susceptibility to AS.
Feasibility Study on a Neutral Beam Diagnostic Injector for TJ-n

A diagnostic neutral beam system is proposed for the TJ-II stellarator. The main goal of installing such a system in TJ-II is to increase the signal to noise ratio and provide spatial resolution in diagnostic systems based on Charge Exchange Recombination Spectroscopy and Neutral Partióle Analysis, while also opening up new opportunities for physics studies in this magnetically confined plasma device. After outlining the unique characteristics of the TJ-II and reviewing available diagnostic injector systems, the compact system selected for TJ-ÏÏ is presented together with estímales of the resulting increased signal levéis Finally other important aspects are discussed, in particular its location and orientation, as well as possible solutions to avoid perturbating the TJ-II magnetic configurations in the heliac device. Estudio de la Viabilidad de un Inyector de Haz Neutro para Diagnosticar el TJ-II McCarthy, K.J.; Baibin, R. ; López-Fraguas, A. 36 pp. 10 figs. 6 tbls. 31 refs.
1 Scalable Residue-Free Graphene for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

A room-temperature polymer-assisted transfer process is developed for large-area, single-layer graphene grown by means of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This process leads to transferred graphene layers free of polymer contamination. The absence of polymer residues boosts the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of the CVD graphene with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) deposited atop by evaporation. The SERS enhancement of the CVD graphene reaches 120 for the characteristic 2D peak of graphene, the highest enhancement factor achieved to date, when the Au NPs are at the threshold of percolation. Our simulation supported by experiment suggests that the polymer residues persistently present on the graphene transferred by the conventional polymer-assisted method are equivalent to an ultrathin film of less than 1 nm thickness. The presence of polymer residues drastically reduces SERS due to the separation of the Au NPs from the underlying graphene. The scalability of CVD graphene opens up for the possibility of graphene-based SERS sensors. * Corresponding author. E-mail: zhibin.zhang@angstrom.uu. se (Zhi-Bin Zhang)
Revision 1 1 Interaction between composition and temperature effects on non-bridging oxygen and 2 high-coordinated aluminum in calcium aluminosilicate glasses 3

8 The configurational changes that occur with temperature, and how these vary with 9 composition, affect the thermodynamic and transport properties of aluminosilicate melts but are 10 not well understood. We present here high-resolution Al and O NMR data on several calcium 11 aluminosilicate glasses along two silica isopleths crossing the metaluminous (SiO2-CaAl2O4) 12 join, prepared with varying quench rates and thus with fictive temperatures spanning 13 approximately 100 K. In all compositions, five coordinated aluminum increases with increasing 14 fictive temperature. For glasses along the 60 mol% SiO2 isopleth, NBO also increases with 15 increasing fictive temperature; this is less obvious for the glasses along the 30 mol% SiO2 16 isopleth. The data suggest the mixing of bridging oxygen contributes to the magnitude of the 17 observed temperature effect on NBO and continue to suggest the existence of multiple 18 mechanisms that generate NBO and Al. 19