Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrostatic Interactions between Hendra Virus Matrix Proteins Are Required for Efficient Virus-Like-Particle Assembly

ABSTRACT Hendra virus (HeV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus belonging to the genus Henipavirus. HeV is highly pathogenic, and it can cause severe neurological and respiratory illnesses in both humans and animals, with an extremely high mortality rate of up to 70%. Among the genes that HeV encodes, the matrix (M) protein forms an integral part of the virion structure and plays critical roles in coordinating viral assembly and budding. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism of this process is not fully elucidated. Here, we determined the crystal structure of HeV M to 2.5-Å resolution. The dimeric structural configuration of HeV M is similar to that of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) M and is fundamental to protein stability and effective virus-like-particle (VLP) formation. Analysis of the crystal packing revealed a notable interface between the α1 and α2 helices of neighboring HeV M dimers, with key residues sharing degrees of sequence conservation among henipavirus M proteins. Structurally, a network of electrostatic interactions dominates the α1-α2 interactions, involving residues Arg57 from the α1 helix and Asp105 and Glu108 from the α2 helix. The disruption of the α1-α2 interactions using engineered charge reversal substitutions (R57E, R57D, and E108R) resulted in significant reduction or abrogation of VLP production. This phenotype was reversible with an R57E E108R mutant that was designed to partly restore salt bridge contacts. Collectively, our results define and validate previously underappreciated regions of henipavirus M proteins that are crucial for productive VLP assembly. IMPORTANCE Hendra virus is a henipavirus associated with lethal infections in humans. It is classified as a biosafety level 4 (BSL4) agent, and there are currently no preventive or therapeutic treatments available against HeV. Vital to henipavirus pathogenesis, the structural protein M has been implicated in viral assembly and budding, as well as host-virus interactions. However, there is no structural information available for henipavirus M, and the basis of M-driven viral assembly is not fully elucidated. We demonstrate the first three-dimensional structure of a henipavirus M protein. We show the dimeric organization of HeV M as a basic unit for higher-order oligomerization. Additionally, we define key regions/residues of HeV M that are required for productive virus-like-particle formation. These findings provide the first insight into the mechanism of M-driven assembly in henipavirus.
Coagulation management with factor concentrates in liver transplantation: a single‐center experience

Allogeneic blood products transfusion during liver transplantation (LT) can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Data on thromboelastometry (ROTEM)‐guided coagulation management with coagulation factor concentrates (CFCs)—fibrinogen concentrate and/or prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC)—are sparse. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the safety events observed with this approach in our clinic.
A PWM Strategy for Acoustic Noise Reduction for Grid-Connected Single-Phase Inverters

In grid-connected single-phase inverters, high carrier frequency PWM has been normally applied in the past to obtain a good acoustic performance. With conventional simultaneous switching PWM methods, the current ripples through the inverter output filter inductor are at the carrier switching frequency, which is one of the major causes for inverter's acoustic noise. This paper describes a new PWM strategy using a split switching scheme to increase the inductor current ripple frequency to twice the carrier frequency. Therefore, it is possible to increase the acoustic noise frequency to a sufficiently high level so that the noise is inaudible to the human ears. At the same time, the switching frequency of power semiconductor devices remains relatively low for safe operation and reasonably low switching losses. In addition, this new switching scheme improves the power quality of the inverter output by reducing the current harmonics and dc-link current ripples. Experimental results as presented in this paper have verified the benefits of the proposed PWM strategy.
Efficacy of Needle, Ultrasonic, and Endoactivator Irrigation and Photon-Induced Photoacoustic Streaming in Removing Calcium Hydroxide from the Main Canal and Isthmus: An In Vitro Micro-Computed Tomography and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this in vitro study was to use high-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to compare the efficacy of four irrigation techniques [needle, ultrasonic, EndoActivator, and photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS)] in removing calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) from the root canal and isthmus of maxillary premolars. METHODS Twenty-four maxillary first premolars were selected based on the presence of isthmus regions on micro-CT scans. Root canals were instrumented with an F2 file using ProTaper rotary instruments and filled with Ca(OH)2 paste. Samples were stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for 1 week and randomly divided into four groups (n=6 each), according to irrigation technique. Samples were scanned with micro-CT before instrumentation, after Ca(OH)2 filling, and after irrigation. Ca(OH)2 reduction in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds and in the isthmus were assessed with three-dimensional image analysis. Next, specimens were split longitudinally, and canal walls were examined with SEM for Ca(OH)2 residues. Data were statistically evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p=0.05). RESULTS The PIPS and ultrasonic groups showed greater Ca(OH)2 reduction in the apical third and higher cleanliness of the isthmus than the EndoActivator and needle irrigation groups (p<0.05). Ca(OH)2 residue scores in the PIPS and ultrasonic groups were significantly lower than those in the EndoActivator and needle groups in all regions of the root canals (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between PIPS and ultrasonic groups (p>0.05), or between EndoActivator and needle groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS PIPS and ultrasonic irrigation more effectively removed Ca(OH)2 from the main canal and isthmus in maxillary premolars than did EndoActivator or needle irrigation.
Unemployment Fluctuations And Stabilization Policies A New Keynesian Perspective

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The Role of Top–Down Focused Spatial Attention in Preattentive Salience Coding and Salience-based Attentional Capture

Selective visual attention requires an efficient coordination between top–down and bottom–up attention control mechanisms. This study investigated the behavioral and neural effects of top–down focused spatial attention on the coding of highly salient distractors and their tendency to capture attention. Combining spatial cueing with an irrelevant distractor paradigm revealed bottom–up based attentional capture only when attention was distributed across the whole search display, including the distractor location. Top–down focusing spatial attention on the target location abolished attentional capture of a salient distractor outside the current attentional focus. Functional data indicated that the missing capture effect was not based on diminished bottom–up salience signals at unattended distractor locations. Irrespectively of whether salient distractors occurred at attended or unattended locations, their presence enhanced BOLD signals at their respective spatial representation in early visual areas as well as in inferior frontal, superior parietal, and medial parietal cortex. Importantly, activity in these regions reflected the presence of a salient distractor rather than attentional capture per se. Moreover, successfully inhibiting attentional capture of a salient distractor at an unattended location further increased neural responses in medial parietal regions known to be involved in controlling spatial attentional shifts. Consequently, data provide evidence that top–down focused spatial attention prevents automatic attentional capture by supporting attentional control processes counteracting a spatial bias toward a salient distractor.
Comparison of supervised exercise training and home-based exercise training in chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE This study was planned to compare the outcomes between supervised and home-based exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS The study was conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy in Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkey between 2000 and 2001. Twenty-two patients with stable chronic heart failure were randomly assigned to the supervised exercise training group (n=11) or the home-based exercise training group (n=11). Symptom-limited maximal exercise tests with gas exchange analysis were carried out before randomization. Work load equivalent to 60% of achieved peak heart rate at the tests was determined as exercise training work load for each subject. Both groups participated in a program of 3 exercise training sessions per week for 3 months. The exercise tests were repeated after 3 months. RESULTS After training, peak exercise duration increased significantly in the supervised exercise training group and the home-based exercise training group (p<0.05). There was substantial improvement in peak VO2 with exercise training in the supervised exercise training group (p<0.05) but, peak VO2 did not change significantly in the home-based exercise training group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Supervised and home-based exercise training enhanced exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. The training program must be tailored to each patient's specific limitations, individual needs and possibilities. Home-based exercise training may be a training alternative to stable chronic heart failure patients who prefer not to participate in an outpatient supervised training program.
Near-infrared optical MEMS spectrometer-based quantification of fat concentration in milk

The real-time knowledge of dairy milk composition is needed to guarantee milk quality and safety for dairy producers and consumers. In this work we investigate the use of a MEMS-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer as an online sensing device to determine the fat content in milk. The motivation is low cost and small-size sensing making use of the miniaturization and compactness enabled by the MEMS technology. The spectrometer core engine is a scanning Michelson interferometer micro-fabricated using a deep-etching technology producing self-aligned components, where the light is free-space propagating in-plane with respect to the silicon chip substrate. The effect of the noise on the accuracy of determination of the fat content is studied at different signal-to-noise ratios making use of the principle component analysis (PCA) chemometrics. Milk samples with different fat concentrations are measured over the NIR spectral range of 1300–2500nm (4000–7692 cm−1). An illumination source and a handheld optical setup are designed specially to avoid heating of the milk samples and to suite in situ applications. A calibration model for fat content is developed and verified experimentally achieving a coefficient of correlation of 0.9663 between predicted and actual fat concentrations.
Not All Sparks Light a Fire: Stakeholder and Shareholder Reactions to Critical Events in Contested Markets

This paper examines when and how a critical mass of social and political stakeholders mobilizes against a corporate organization and the impact of such mobilization on the organization’s market value. Our study employs a dataset of more than 51,000 media-reported events describing the interactions among almost 2,300 political, social, and economic stakeholders and 19 gold-mining firms trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and operating mines in emerging markets around the world. We first examine the conditions and dynamics that explain whether an isolated, stakeholder-initiated negative statement or action—a “spark” or critical event—goes unnoticed or escalates into a cascade of stakeholder reactions targeting the firm. Second, we examine whether such sparks and the ensuing cascades of stakeholder reactions affect shareholders’ valuation of the firm. We argue and show empirically that both stakeholders’ and shareholders’ reactions following critical events are largely influenced by stakeholders’ prior beliefs about the target organization and by peer stakeholders’ reactions to the critical event. Stakeholders with positive beliefs about the firm before the critical event mobilize to defend it, and those with negative prior beliefs reinforce their opposition. Shareholders also take note of the other stakeholders’ prior beliefs and react negatively to critical events if the firm has a history of conflict with its stakeholders. Thus unconnected or loosely connected stakeholders who reveal their beliefs about a firm through public statements and actions influence each other’s reactions to critical events and shareholders’ assessments of the firm’s value.
A high dynamic range SPAD pixel for time of flight imaging

Direct time of flight (TOF) pixels implemented with single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) are the most suitable candidates for high sensitivity and picosecond timing resolution TOF sensors. However, their performance is severely limited in high dynamic range (HDR) applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and gesture recognition. Sampling the full dynamic range of the SPAD detector requires high bit-depth counters which until now has resulted in large pixel area and low fill-factor (FF). We present a SPAD-based tOf pixel in 40nm CMOS achieving the highest dynamic range over the state of the art. Dual time-gate sampling with two in-pixel 14-bit ripple counters achieves a counter-limited dynamic range of 84dB. The dynamic range of the pixel can be further extended by chaining the counters sampling with one time-gate to reach the intrinsic SPAD dynamic range limit of 119dB in a single exposure. The pixel has a 40pm × 20pm pitch and 16% FF. It generates 7 selectable sub-nanosecond time-gates down to 330ps with differential nonlinearity (DNL) smaller than 1 % of the time-gate width and a total temporal range tunable between 1.65ns to 40ns.
Fusiform Aneurysm Model in Rabbit Carotid Artery

Aims: To develop a reproducible and accessible model of elastase-induced fusiform aneurysm in carotid rabbit arteries. Methods: Elastase, at a concentration of 1–30 U, was incubated into the lumen of carotid rabbit arteries. Four weeks later, angiography, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry and zymography were performed. Results: The optimal concentration of elastase in this model was 3 U according to the balance between mortality and thrombosis rates. Indeed, at 3 U, external carotid diameter increased from 1.9 ± 0.1 to 3.1 ± 0.4 mm (p < 0.0001) associated with degradation of elastic fibers, matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion, apoptosis and macrophage infiltration. Conclusions: Our study underlines that abdominal aortic aneurysm can be reliably duplicated in an elastase-induced aneurysm in carotid artery, a much more accessible vessel.
Introduction of an 8-Aminooctanoic Acid Linker Enhances Uptake of 99mTc-Labeled Lactam Bridge–Cyclized α-MSH Peptide in Melanoma

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of amino acid, hydrocarbon, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers on the melanoma targeting and imaging properties of 99mTc-labeled lactam bridge–cyclized HYNIC-linker-Nle-CycMSHhex (hydrazinonicotinamide-linker-Nle-c[Asp-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-CONH2) peptides. Methods: Four novel peptides (HYNIC-GGGNle-CycMSHhex, HYNIC-GSGNle-CycMSHhex, HYNIC-PEG2Nle-CycMSHhex, and HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex) were designed and synthesized. The melanocortin-1 receptor binding affinities of the peptides were determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The biodistribution of 99mTc(ethylenediaminediacetic acid [EDDA])-HYNIC-GGGNle-CycMSHhex, 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-GSGNle-CycMSHhex, 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-PEG2Nle-CycMSHhex, and 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex were determined in B16/F1 melanoma–bearing C57 mice at 2 h after injection to select a lead peptide for further evaluation. The melanoma targeting and imaging properties of 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex were further examined because of its high melanoma uptake. Results: The inhibitory concentrations of 50% (IC50) for HYNIC-GGGNle-CycMSHhex, HYNIC-GSGNle-CycMSHhex, HYNIC-PEG2Nle-CycMSHhex, and HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex were 0.7 ± 0.1, 0.8 ± 0.09, 0.4 ± 0.08, and 0.3 ± 0.06 nM, respectively, in B16/F1 melanoma cells. Among these four 99mTc-labeled peptides, 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex displayed the highest melanoma uptake (22.3 ± 1.72 percentage injected dose/g) at 2 h after injection. 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex exhibited high tumor–to–normal-organ uptake ratios except for the kidneys. The tumor-to-kidney uptake ratios of 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex were 3.29, 3.63, and 6.78 at 2, 4, and 24 h, respectively, after injection. The melanoma lesions were clearly visualized by SPECT/CT using 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex as an imaging probe at 2 h after injection. Conclusion: High melanoma uptake and fast urinary clearance of 99mTc(EDDA)-HYNIC-AocNle-CycMSHhex highlighted its potential for metastatic melanoma detection in the future.
Systemic inflammation induced by a thoracic trauma alters the cellular composition of the early fracture callus

BACKGROUND We recently demonstrated that a blunt chest trauma, a strong inducer of the posttraumatic systemic inflammatory response and one of the most critical injuries in polytrauma patients, significantly delayed fracture healing in rats, possibly by the interaction of the systemic inflammation with early regeneration processes locally at the fracture site. The underlying cellular mechanisms, however, have as yet remained unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the cellular and morphologic composition of the early fracture callus after a blunt chest trauma. METHODS Rats received an osteotomy of the right femur stabilized by an external fixator in combination with a blunt chest trauma or not. The animals were killed after 3, 7, and 35 days, and the fracture calli were analyzed histologically for new tissue formation, polymorphonuclear leucocytes, macrophages, osteoclasts, and the presence of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6. RESULTS The blunt chest trauma considerably increased the number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the callus by Day 3 compared with animals with isolated fractures. The number of macrophages was significantly reduced by the thoracic trauma at Days 3 and 7. The number of osteoclasts was not changed at any postoperative time point. After 3 days, the blunt chest trauma led to a significantly stronger interleukin 6 staining within the periosteal callus in zones of intramembranous ossification. During the time of cortical bridging at Day 35, the amount of newly formed bone was significantly decreased after blunt chest trauma. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the systemic posttraumatic inflammation induced by a thoracic trauma disturbed the inflammatory balance during the early healing stage by altering the recruitment of inflammatory cells and cytokine expression locally at the fracture site and thus impaired fracture healing. These findings provide new insights in the pathomechanisms of impaired fracture healing in patients experiencing severe trauma.
Evaluation of the Reference Tissue Models for PET and SPECT Benzodiazepine Binding Parameters

Recently, reference tissue methods have been proposed to estimate binding potential from PET data. A reference region without specifically bound ligand is used as an indirect input function to enable the expression of the time-concentration curve of a region of interest using a compartment model. However, PET dopaminergic and serotoninergic studies have shown differences between binding potential (BP) values obtained with reference tissue methods and those obtained with conventional kinetic modeling using an arterial input function. In this study, we measured the BP values for the benzodiazepine receptors in seven subjects using PET [(11)C]flumazenil and SPECT [(123)I]iomazenil radioligands. We compared the BP values obtained using the reference tissue methods with those obtained using the conventional kinetic method. These values were also compared with the absolute value of receptor density, B'(max). For the PET studies, a multi-injection approach employing labeled and unlabeled flumazenil was used to estimate the main binding parameters, BP and B'(max). For SPECT studies, a single injection protocol of [(123)I]iomazenil was used to estimate BP values. The BP values were estimated using one- and two-tissue compartment models for the target region. Similar BP values were obtained using either the one- or two-tissue compartment model. This is probably due to the rapid equilibrium between tissue compartments reached with these radioligands. For PET and SPECT, these BP values were highly correlated (r > 0.960) to the BP values obtained using the arterial input function. We also found high correlations between the BP values obtained using the simplified reference tissue method and the receptor density parameter B'(max) (r > 0.884). However, the reference tissue methods yielded lower BP values than those obtained using the conventional approach. Moreover, there was a bias on BP values that was not a simple scaling. It seems that the physiological values found in gray matter structures using these radioligands give acceptable BP values. We conclude that the reference tissue methods should be carefully evaluated for each radioligand.
Ramadan fastings effect on plasma leptin, adiponectin concentrations, and body composition in trained young men.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on parameters of insulin resistance in trained athletes at rest and after aerobic exercise. METHODS Nine male rugby players (age 19 +/- 2 yr, height 1.78 +/- 0.74 m) were tested 3 times: 1 week before observance of Ramadan (C), at the end of the first week (R1), and during the fourth week (R2). They performed a progressive cycle-ergometer test at each visit. Data collected at rest and at the end of aerobic exercise included simple anthropometry (body mass, body-mass index, body fat, fat-free mass), biochemical parameters (serum glucose, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and serum proteins), and selected hormone concentrations (plasma insulin, leptin, and adiponectin). RESULTS Ramadan fasting was associated with a reduction of body mass and body fat (R2 vs. C, p < .01) without significant change in leptin or adiponectin levels. CONCLUSION Lipolysis might have occurred because of increased plasma triglycerides and HDL cholesterol concentrations.