Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virus adsorption and plaque formation in monolayer cultures of trypsin-dispersed monkey kidney.

Virus adsorption and plaque formation by poliomyelitis, herpes-B, and vaccinia viruses have been studied in monolayer cultures of monkey kidney. Under the conditions employed, it was found that the time required for adsorption of 50% of the plaque-forming units was approximately 30 minutes for herpes-B virus and between 1 and 2 hours for poliomyelitis and vaccinia viruses. The fate of virus not adsorbed at the time of agar overlay was also investigated. The results suggest that unadsorbed particles of poliomyelitis virus diffuse through the agar, eventually reach the cell layer and produce plaques. Unadsorbed particles of herpes-B or vaccinia viruses seem to diffuse poorly, if at all, and do not produce plaques if dispersed in the agar overlay. It has been suggested that this difference in “diffusion-adsorption” pattern may be a function of the size of the virus particles involved. Adsorption rates were (a) directly related to the temperature of incubation, (b) not demonstrably affected when pH of the diluent was varied from 6.0 to 8.0 and were (c) the same for large and small numbers of virus particles in the inoculum.
The Effects of Physiological Arousal on Information Processing and Persuasion

The effects of physiological arousal on persuasion are investigated. An exercise task was used to manipulate physiological arousal, and systolic blood pressure readings were taken to assess the effectiveness of this manipulation. The results indicate that endorser status (celebrity or noncelebrity) has a stronger influence on brand attitudes under high than under moderate levels of physiological arousal, whereas argument strength has a greater impact under moderate than under high arousal levels. The results are consistent with the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion.
Verge: A Novel Vascular Early Response Gene

Vascular endothelium forms a continuous, semipermeable barrier that regulates the transvascular movement of hormones, macromolecules, and other solutes. Here, we describe a novel immediate early gene that is expressed selectively in vascular endothelial cells, verge (vascular early response gene). Verge protein includes an N-terminal region of ∼70 amino acids with modest homology (∼30% identity) to Apolipoprotein L but is otherwise unique. Verge mRNA and protein are induced selectively in the endothelium of adult vasculature by electrical or chemical seizures. Verge expression appears to be responsive to local tissue conditions, because it is induced in the hemisphere ipsilateral to transient focal cerebral ischemia. In contrast to the transient expression in adult, Verge mRNA and protein are constitutively expressed at high levels in the endothelium of developing tissues (particularly heart) in association with angiogenesis. Verge mRNA is induced in cultured endothelial cells by defined growth factors and hypoxia. Verge protein is dramatically increased by cysteine proteinase inhibitors, suggesting rapid turnover, and is localized to focal regions near the periphery of the cells. Endothelial cell lines that stably express Verge form monolayers that show enhanced permeability in response to activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters. This response is accompanied by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and the formation of paracellular gaps. These studies suggest that Verge functions as a dynamic regulator of endothelial cell signaling and vascular function.
Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists

The multidisciplinary field of quantum computing strives to exploit some of the uncanny aspects of quantum mechanics to expand our computational horizons. Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists takes readers on a tour of this fascinating area of cutting-edge research. Written in an accessible yet rigorous fashion, this book employs ideas and techniques familiar to every student of computer science. The reader is not expected to have any advanced mathematics or physics background. After presenting the necessary prerequisites, the material is organized to look at different aspects of quantum computing from the specific standpoint of computer science. There are chapters on computer architecture, algorithms, programming languages, theoretical computer science, cryptography, information theory, and hardware. The text has step-by-step examples, more than two hundred exercises with solutions, and programming drills that bring the ideas of quantum computing alive for today's computer science students and researchers.
Vortex dynamics of clapping plates

Abstract Vortex formation and force generation of clapping plates with various aspect ratios ( $AR$ ) and stroke angles were investigated. Experiments were performed with a pair of hinged rectangular plates that were rotated symmetrically in a static fluid, and defocusing digital particle image velocimetry was employed to measure the three-dimensional flow field. Single-plate cases were also studied to compare with clapping plate cases. As $AR$ decreases, both circulation of the tip vortex and area enclosed by the vortex loop increase inversely. An empirical power-law relationship with a negative exponent is found between total impulse and $AR$ for a given stroke angle. The sensitivity of the force generated by the plates to the change of $AR$ is larger at the smaller stroke angle because of faster acceleration and deceleration. The increase in impulse per plate from the single-plate case to the clapping double-plate case is larger for lower $AR$ . These results reveal that low $AR$ wings are more efficient in propulsive force generation in some specific modes of unsteady flapping flight. The evolution of the wake structures is found to depend on $AR$ and stroke angle.
Transcriptional mechanism of protein kinase C-induced isoform-specific expression of the gene for endothelin-converting enzyme-1 in human endothelial cells.

Isoform-specific expression of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1, the major big endothelin-processing enzyme, is controlled by alternative promoters. Signaling pathways and transcriptional mechanisms of ECE-1 mRNA expression are largely unknown. To investigate ECE-1 isoform expression after protein kinase C (PKC) activation, we used phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to stimulate primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the related EA.hy926 cell line. ECE-1a mRNA was up-regulated (approximately 3-fold), whereas mRNA of alternative isoforms (b, c, and d) was unchanged, which was confirmed on the protein level. PMA effects on mRNA expression were suppressed by the PKC inhibitors H-7 and Calphostin C. Because increased ECE-1a expression was preceded by induction of the transcription factor Ets-1, we performed gel shift assays and demonstrated specific DNA/protein interactions involving the ETS binding motif GGAA. Luciferase reporter assays showed that PMA induced ECE-1a promoter activity about 2.5-fold in EA.hy926 cells. Similarly, coexpression of Ets-1 protein resulted in a dose-dependent increase in ECE-1a promoter activity (more than 8-fold). Using gel shift assays and mutation analysis, we identified two tandemly arranged Ets-1 binding sites (EBS) at -638 and -658, respectively, that are involved in transcriptional activation of the ECE-1a promoter by PMA or Ets-1. Moreover, we also found evidence for binding of a transcriptional repressor to EBS -638. The inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, PD98059, inhibited PMA effects on ECE-1a mRNA expression and promoter activity, respectively. Our results provide the first detailed analysis of signaling pathways and transcriptional mechanisms involved in isoform-specific ECE-1 gene expression.
Reduction in Interleukin‐2‐Producing Cells but not Th1 to Th2 Shift in Moderate and Advanced Stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type‐1‐Infection: Direct Analysis of Intracellular Cytokine Concentrations in CD4+ CD8− T Cells

Previous studies have suggested that CD4+ T lymphocytes shift from the Th1 type to the Th2 type during disease progression in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV‐1). In the present study, we used a modified method that allowed a direct measurement of intracellular cytokines in CD4+ CD8− T cells. A total of 48 HIV‐1‐infected (HIV+) and 16 HIV‐1‐uninfected (HIV‐) individuals were studied. The percentages of CD4+ CD8− T cells producing interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), or interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) in HIV+ and HIV‐ subjects were 23.6% versus 34.9% (P < 0.01), 13.7% versus 13.2%, 1.3% versus 1.0%, and 1.2% versus 0.9%, respectively. The population of IL‐2‐producing cells decreased proportionately with reductions in CD4 counts (< 200/mm3, 200–500/mm3, and > 500/mm3 to 18.0%, 23.5%, and 30.5%, P < 0.05, respectively). There was an inverse correlation between the percentage of IL‐2‐producing cells and plasma viral load (r = − 0.446, P < 0.05). However, the percentages of CD4+ CD8− T cells producing other cytokines were not different between HIV+ and HIV−. Our cross‐sectional study demonstrated a decrease in IL‐2‐producing cells but not the Th1 to the Th2 shift in the CD4+ CD8− T cell population in the moderate and advanced stages of HIV‐1‐infection.
Facilitating comprehension of basic concepts in computer language implementation courses: A game-based approach

Evaluators is an educational tool that lets instructors in computer language implementation courses generate video games from collections of exercises concerning language processing tasks. For this purpose, the tool adopts attribute grammars as a central model of syntax-directed translation and uses a simple metaphor to map attributed syntax trees and semantic evaluation into videogames. These games provide students with an immersive experience which helps them to better comprehend the fundamental concepts behind attribute grammars. This paper describes Evaluators and reports on its assessment with students in a Compiler Construction course at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain).
Competencies for governance of complex systems of systems

Systems of Systems (SoS) require organisational components to have staff with abilities appropriate to the challenges within SoS. Large organisations frequently use competency models as a tool to ensure that their staff have the proper skills to deal with these challenges. Competency models have been used for 40 years to select, train, promote or separate employees. While competency models represent an improvement on their primary predecessor, intelligence tests, weaknesses have been noted in the literature and challenges have been made to improve them. Most improvement efforts have been evolutionary adjustments or insertion of more elements. This research presents a completely new way to create, assess or transform a competency model. This framework can be used to design, assess or transform an existing competency model. This paper represents a significant expansion of a conference paper presented at SOSE 2014 in Adelaide, South Australia in June 2014.
Effect of sodium fluoride on neuroimmunological parameters, oxidative stress and antioxidative defenses

Abstract Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) in inducing neuroimmunological, oxidative and antioxidative damage. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats broadly grouped into four groups containing six rats in each were fed with drinking water containing 20 ppm, 60 ppm, 100 ppm and 0.8 ppm (control) NaF. After 90 days, rats were sacrificed to assess the level of fluoride content and various neurotransmitters in brain. The levels of CD4, natural killer (NK) cells and IgG1 were assessed in blood and spleen. In addition, lipid peroxidation coupled with the levels of various antioxidative enzymes was also recorded. Results: Increase in the NaF concentration resulted in increased fluoride deposition in brain tissue. This increased fluoride content led to increased levels of certain neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, histamine, serotonin and glutamate and decreased levels of norepinephrine, acetylcholine and dopamine in a dose-dependent manner. NaF exposure led to the decrease in the levels of CD4, NK cells and IgG1 coupled with marked increase in lipid peroxidation and impairment of the antioxidative defense system. Conclusion: The result of the study emphasizes the toxic role of high NaF doses on the neurological and immunological functions.
Association of TMEM132D, COMT, and GABRA6 genotypes with cingulate, frontal cortex and hippocampal emotional processing in panic and major depressive disorder

Abstract Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of transmembrane protein 132D (TMEM132D), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor alpha 6 subunit (GABRA6) genotypes with cingulate, frontal cortex and hippocampal emotional processing in panic disorder (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Method. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TMEM132D, COMT, and GABRA6 were examined in patients with MDD, PD, and healthy controls. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in patients with MDD, PD, and healthy controls. Results. rs4680 in COMT and rs3219151 in GABRA6 showed positive associations with PD and MDD. A dynamic fearful face was shown to the participants during fMRI scanning. In PD patients, responses in the bilateral anterior cingulate were stronger in carriers of the AA genotype of SNP rs11060369 in TMEM132D compared with carriers of the AC + CC genotype, and stronger in CT + TT genotype carriers of SNP rs3219151 in GABRA6 compared with carriers of the CC genotype. The response in the medial orbital frontal cortex was stronger in carriers of the CT + TT genotypes of SNP rs3219151 in PD. In MDD patients, the response in the right parahippocampus of carriers of the GG genotype of rs4680 in COMT was stronger than that of carriers of the AA + AG genotype. Conclusion. These results suggest that TMEM132D, GABRA6, and COMT variants may increase vulnerability to panic.
The prevalence and clinical associations of mood instability in adults living in England : Results from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

Mood instability is under investigated but potentially clinically important. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of mood instability in adults living in England and test whether it is important in explaining the extent of symptoms of common mental disorders, suicidality and healthcare use. An analysis of data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007, a household survey of private households in England (N=7403) was completed. The prevalence of mood instability was 13.9%. In univariate analysis it was strongly associated with socio-demographic and clinical variables. In regression modelling mood instability was
Identification of hemolytic and cytotoxic proteins of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by use of monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against extracellular hemolytic and cytotoxic proteins of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2 and 9. MAbs were tested for inhibition of hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of the reference strains of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1 to 12. Five MAbs inhibited hemolytic or cytotoxic activities of one or more serotypes and were used to probe Western blots (immunoblots) of cytotoxic and hemolytic culture filtrates of serotypes 1 to 12. The MAbs recognized three different proteins: (i) a protein of approximately 103 kDa that was associated with a weak hemolytic activity and a moderate cytotoxic activity, (ii) a protein of approximately 105 kDa that was associated with a strong hemolytic activity and a strong cytotoxic activity, and (iii) a protein of approximately 120 kDa that was associated with a strong cytotoxic activity but not with hemolytic activity. Serotypes 6, 7, and 12 produced only the 103-kDa protein, and serotype 10 produced only the 105-kDa protein. The other serotypes produced two proteins: serotypes 1, 5, 9, and 11 produced the 103- and 105-kDa proteins, and serotypes 2, 3, 4, and 8 produced the 103- and 120-kDa proteins.
Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Imaging in Geographic Atrophy Using Spectralis Single and Combined Wavelength Modes

PurposeThe Spectralis Heidelberg retina angiography + optical coherence tomography (OCT) device often fails to acquire near-infrared autofluorescence (NI-AF) due to poor signal because of interference by the beam splitter used for aligning the laser source with the OCT diode light source. We report the rates of successful NI-AF image acquisition using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) mode (without dye) compared with combined fluorescein angiography (FA) + ICGA mode (without dye) in patients with geographic atrophy (GA). DesignThis was a retrospective review. MethodsTwo hundred images from 50 eyes of 25 patients with GA were included. All patients underwent NI-AF imaging using ICGA (787 nm) and combined FA + ICGA (488 + 787 nm) modes in both eyes. Each eye had macula- and disc-centered imaging. The rates of successful image acquisition were compared using McNemar test. ResultsSuccessful NI-AF acquisition using ICGA was 48% to 52% in macula-centered views and 36% to 56% in disc-centered views. Only 36% of patients had successful bilateral NI-AF imaging. This improved to 100% in all views in both eyes after switching to combined FA + ICGA mode (P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed no patient or ocular factors were predictive of NI-AF acquisition failure in ICGA mode. ConclusionsAcquisition of NI-AF images in GA using ICGA mode has a high failure rate, which can be eliminated by using combined FA + ICGA mode. This finding has implications on the design of imaging protocols for routine assessment and clinical trials of geographic atrophy.
VARIOGUIDE: A NEW FRAMELESS IMAGE‐GUIDED STEREOTACTIC SYSTEM—ACCURACY STUDY AND CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVE VarioGuide (BrainLAB AG, Feldkirchen, Germany) is a new system for frameless image-guided stereotaxy. In the present study, we aimed to assess target point accuracy in a laboratory setting and the clinical feasibility of the system. METHODS Using the phantom of our frame-based stereotactic system (Riechert-Mundinger; Inomed Medizintechnik GmbH, Teningen, Germany), target points were approached from different angles with the frameless system. Target point deviation in the x, y, and z planes was assessed. Furthermore, patients harboring intracranial lesions were diagnostically biopsied using VarioGuide. RESULTS Phantom-based accuracy measurements yielded a mean target point deviation of 0.7 mm. Between February 2007 and April 2008, 27 patients were diagnostically biopsied. Lesion volumes ranged from 0.2 to 117.6 cm3, trajectory length ranged from 25.3 to 64.1 mm, and the diagnostic yield was 93%. CONCLUSION Concluding from the phantom measurements with ideal image-object registration, assumed spherical lesions with a volume of 0.524 cm3 can be biopsied with 100% target localization. Early clinical data revealed VarioGuide to be safe and accurate for lesions of 0.2 cm3 and larger. Thereby, the system seems feasible for the biopsy of most intracranial lesions.
Highly magnetized region in pulsar wind nebulae and origin of the Crab gamma-ray flares

The recently discovered gamma-ray flares from the Crab nebula are generally attributed to the magnetic energy release in a highly magnetized region within the nebula. I argue that such a region naturally arises in the polar region of the inner nebula. In pulsar winds, efficient dissipation of the Poynting flux into the plasma energy occurs only in the equatorial belt where the energy is predominantly transferred by alternating fields. At high latitudes, the pulsar wind remains highly magnetized; therefore the termination shock in the polar region is weak and the post-shock flow remains relativistic. I study the structure of this flow and show that the flow at first expands and decelerates and then it converges and accelerates. In the converging part of the flow, the kink instability triggers the magnetic dissipation. The energy release zone occurs at the base of the observed jet. A specific turbulence of relativistically shrinking magnetic loops efficiently accelerates particles so that the synchrotron emission in the hundreds of MeV band, both persistent and flaring, comes from this site.
Satellite data reveal the 3‐D moisture structure of Tropical Intraseasonal Oscillation and its coupling with underlying ocean

The water‐vapor profiles obtained from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on Satellite Aqua are used to document the 3‐D moisture structure of the boreal‐summer Tropical Intraseasonal Oscillation (TISO) over the Indo‐western Pacific region. With the support of several other Satellite data sets, the interactions between the TISO and underlying ocean are also investigated. The AIRS data reveal much larger tropospheric moisture perturbations than those depicted in previous reanalysis and analysis data sets. It also reveals a drying Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) below the TISO convection probably due to the associated downdrafts. Before the occurrence of TISO convection, both positive Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomaly and ABL moistening are observed. Further analysis suggests that the positive SST anomaly is the major contributor to the ABL moistening through enhancing surface evaporation. Therefore, the intraseasonal SST anomaly could positively feed back to the atmosphere through moistening the boundary layer, destabilizing the troposphere, and contributing to the northeastward propagation of the TISO.
Speckle-Tracking-Based Evaluation of Vascular Strain at Different Sites of the Arterial Tree in Healthy Adults

Abstract Purpose: Vascular ultrasound (US) allows the analysis of vascular strain by speckle-tracking. This study sought to assess the extent to which vas cular strain varies between different segments of the arterial tree. Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate the reproducibility of vascular strain determination as well as of the components that contribute to the variance of vascular strain measurements in different vascular beds. Materials and Methods: Speckle-tracking was used to determine the vascular strain of the abdominal aorta (AA), the common carotid artery (CCA), the common femoral (CFA) and the popliteal artery (PA) of healthy adults. Intra- and interday reproducibility and the components of variance of vascular strain of the respective arteries were determined. Results: A total of 589 US clips obtained in 10 healthy adults (7 males, 28.3 ± 3.2 years) were analyzable. Vascular strain was 7.2 ± 3.0 % in the AA, 5.7 ± 2.1 % in the CCA, 2.1 ± 1.1 % in the CFA and 1.9 ± 1.1 % in the PA. The intraday coefficients of variation of vascular strain were 6.2 % (AA), 3.9 % (CCA), 3.3 % (CFA) and 6.1 % (PA), and the interday coefficients of variation were 5.9 % (AA), 8.4 % (CCA), 10 % (CFA) and 4.6 % (PA). The variance of vascular strain mainly depended on the investigated vessel and subject. Individual DUS clips, the day of examination and the (right/left) body side (in paired arteries) had no impact on the variance of vascular strain. Conclusion: Vascular strain substantially varies between different sites of the arterial tree. Speckle-tracking by DUS allows the reliable determination of vascular strain at different arterial sites.