Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrophobic and Electrostatic Cell Surface Properties of Thermophilic Dairy Streptococci

Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) and microelectrophoresis were done in 10 mM potassium phosphate solutions to characterize the surfaces of thermophilic dairy streptococci, isolated from pasteurizers. Regardless of whether they were grown (in M17 broth) with lactose, sucrose, or glucose added, strains were relatively hydrophilic (showing low initial removal rates by hexadecane) and slightly negatively charged. A tendency exists for cells grown with sucrose added to be more hydrophilic than cells grown with glucose or lactose added. Also, the lowest isoelectric points, i.e., the pH values for which the zeta potentials are zero, were measured for strains with glucose added to the growth medium. The isoelectric points for the strains were all rather high, between pH 3 and 5, indicative of protein-rich surfaces, although X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy did not measure excessively large amounts of nitrogen on the cell surfaces. Both MATH and microelectrophoresis were done as a function of pH. Maxima in hydrophobicity were observed at certain pH values. Usually these pH values were in the range of the isoelectric points of the cells. Thus it appears that MATH measures an interplay of hydrophobicity and electrostatic interactions. MATH measures solely hydrophobicity only when electrostatic interactions are absent, i.e., close to the isoelectric points of the cells. Considering that these thermophilic streptococci are all rather hydrophilic, a possible pathway to prevent fouling in the pasteurization process might be to render the heat exchanger plates of the pasteurizer more hydrophobic.
Prognostic factors for functional outcome of total knee replacement: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND The objective was to investigate whether baseline physical functioning, medical, psychosocial, or demographic variables predict functional outcome in patients undergoing total knee replacement. METHODS A prospective cohort study was performed between December 1991 and August 1993. Consecutive, unilateral tricompartmental total knee replacement patients aged > or = 55 yr with osteoarthritis, who met criteria, were enrolled and evaluated one month before and 3 months after total knee replacement. The primary outcome measure was the Medical Outcome Study 36 Item Short Form Health Survey (known as the SF36) Physical Functioning Scale score. The outcome evaluator was not involved in patient care. RESULTS A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to calculate the contribution of baseline variables to TKR outcome. Of the 27% of outcome variance explained by the model, demographic variables accounted for 4%, psychosocial variables (motivation, role functioning-emotional, and social functioning) for 19% (p = .013), medical variables (previous reconstruction, comorbidity, body mass index, bodily pain) for 2%, and baseline physical function for 2%. CONCLUSIONS Psychosocial variables are significantly related to total knee replacement functional outcome. Assessment of baseline psychological and social functioning may identify a subset of patients at risk for worse outcome. Specific interventions for these patients should be developed and evaluated as components of patient management prior to and after the procedure.
A Phase I-II Trial of Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Disease

Objectives . We performed a phase I-II trial to elucidate feasibility and efficacy of high-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) supported by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) in the treatment of severe and refractory autoimmune diseases (AD). Methods . Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) were mobilized during hematologic recovery after relatively high-dose CY (2 g/m 2 for 2 days) followed by administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). After collecting PBSC more than 2x 10 6 CD34+cells/kg by apheresis, CD34+ cells were immnologically selected and cryopreserved. Eight patients enrolled were systemic sclerosis (SSc) in 5, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SSc in 1, amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) in 1 and Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) in 1. All of the patients were treated with high-dose CY (50 mg/kg for 4 days) and autologous PBSCT. Results . Hematopoietic reconstitution was rapid and sustained. Regimen-related toxicity included various infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, cystitis, herpes zoster and acute heart failure. However, there was no treatment-related mortality. Encouraging results were obtained after autologous PBSCT. Sclerosis of the skin was markedly improved in all of the patients with SSc. When interstitial pneumonia (IP) was evaluated by PaO2, serum KL-6 levels and pulmonary HRCT, significant improvement was observed. In a patient with ADM, severe and progressive IP was also improved markedly. In a patient with WG, the size of the left orbital granuloma decreased substantially, which resulted in reduction of the exophthalmos. Conclusions . These observations suggest that high-dose CY with autologous PBSCT is feasible and may be effective in the treatment of severe and refractory AD
Effect of nitrate on the autotrophic metabolism of the acetogens Clostridium thermoautotrophicum and Clostridium thermoaceticum

Although nitrate stimulated the capacity of Clostridium thermoautotrophicum and Clostridium thermoaceticum to oxidize (utilize) substrates under heterotrophic conditions, it inhibited autotrophic H2-CO2-dependent growth. Under basal medium conditions, nitrate was also inhibitory to the use of one-carbon substrates (i.e., CO, formate, methanol, or the O-methyl groups of vanillate or syringate) as sole carbon energy sources. This inhibitory effect of nitrate was bypassed when both O-methyl groups and CO were provided concomitantly; H2-CO2 did not replace CO. These results indicated that nitrate blocked the reduction of CO2 to the methyl and carbonyl levels. On the basis of the inability of acetogenic cells (i.e., cells cultivated without nitrate) to consume or reduce nitrate in resting-cell assays, the capacity to dissimilate nitrate was not constitutive. Nitrate had no appreciable effect on the specific activities of enzymes central to the acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pathway. However, membranes obtained from cells cultivated under nitrate-dissimilating conditions were deficient in the b-type cytochrome that was typical of membranes from acetogenic cells, i.e., cells dependent upon the synthesis of acetate for the conservation of energy. Collectively, these findings indicated that (i) C. thermoautotrophicum and C. thermoaceticum cannot engage the carbon-fixing capacities of the acetyl-CoA pathway in the presence of nitrate and (ii) the nitrate block on the acetyl-CoA pathway occurs via an alteration in electron transport.
Reevaluation of the Mode of Action of Streptolydigin in Escherichia coli: Induction of Transcription Termination In Vivo

Growth of the permeable strain AS19 of Escherichia coli B is more sensitive to the antibiotic streptolydigin than is in vitro ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. The in vivo chain elongation rates of lacZ messenger RNA and ribosomal RNA are not affected at 1.5 × 10−6 M, a concentration that reduces the growth rate threefold. The synthesis of large proteins is inhibited preferentially, and a considerable fraction of the polypeptides synthesized is unstable. The synthesis of complete β-galactosidase is inhibited relative to the synthesis of short, unstable polypeptides, which include the first 60 to 70 amino acids of β-galactosidase. The expression of the following polycistronic transcription units is strongly biased against promoter-distal genes: trp, deo, rpoBC, and rrn. The extent of polarity is proportional to the distance transcribed and to the streptolydigin concentration. Streptolydigin appears to destabilize active transcription complexes irreversibly irrespective of the type of transcript (messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA) and of transcription intensity. We suggest that streptolydigin leads to premature termination of transcription, resulting in release of incomplete transcripts and, thus, a decrease in overall messenger RNA concentration, which becomes limiting for protein synthesis, i.e., for growth.
Power conditioning circuitry for a self-powered mobile system based on an array of micro PZT generators in a 0.13μm technology

In this paper we present the conception and design of a power conditioning circuit for an autonomous low power System in Package based on a micro piezoelectric generator as the main power source. The electrical model of the selected source is implemented in the Spectre-Analog Artist environment of Cadence, based on experimental measurements. This model is used to simulate the power source with the power conditioning electronics in the design process. In order to increase the current capability of the power source, several PZT sources are placed in parallel. The power circuits are also presented, which are defined by a rectifier and a linear regulator which is based on a low-dropout regulator (LDO), and a low power bandgap reference to define the threshold voltage for the close-loop regulation. These circuits have been designed in a commercial 0.13 μm technology from ST Microelectronics through the CMP-TIMA service.
Jump-diffusion CIR model and its applications in credit risk

In this paper, the author discusses the distribution of the jump-diffusion CIR model (JCIR) and its applications in credit risk. Applying the piecewise deterministic Markov process theory and martingale theory, we first obtain the closed forms of the Laplace transforms for the distribution of the jump-diffusion CIR model and its integrated process. Based on the obtained Laplace transforms, we derive the pricing of the defaultable zero-coupon bond and the fair premium of a Credit Default Swap (CDS) in a reduced form model of credit risk. Some numerical calculations are also provided.
Asymptomatic Carotid Bruit: Long‐term Outcome of Patients Having Endarterectomy Compared with Unoperated Controls

During 20 years (1957–1977), 1286 carotid endarterectomies were performed on 1022 private patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. Included were 132 patients undergoing 167 endarterectomies for asymptomatic cervical carotid bruits. Ages ranged from 42 to 82 years (mean: 64.7). Operative mortality was zero. There were two transient and two permanent operation-related neurologic deficits. Complete follow-up was achieved, extending to 184 months. During postoperative follow-up, six patients (4.5%) developed TIA's appropriate to the unoperated artery, three patients had strokes (2.3%), and three patients died of strokes (2.3%). To characterize the natural history of asymptomatic bruit and determine proper indications for prophylactic endarterectomy, a control series of 138 additional patients with asymptomatic bruits not operated upon when the bruit was discovered was studied. Ages ranged from 39 to 86 years (mean: 65.7). During follow-up extending to 180 months, 77 patients (55.8%) remained neu-rologically asymptomatic, 37 patients (26.8%) developed TIA's one month to 99 months after detection of bruit, and 24 patients (17.4%) sustained mild to profound frank strokes one week to 124 months postdetection. Three of these 24 (2.2%) died of stroke. Asymptomatic carotid bruits may be potential stroke hazards, the risk of which can be significantly reduced by appropriately applied endarterectomy. A protocol for management is presented.
Pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile-inducible P-450 gene family: gene conversion and differential regulation

A cytochrome P-450 cDNA clone, designated pP450PCN2, homologous to the previously characterized pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN)-induced P-450 cDNA (pP450PCN1; F. J. Gonzalez, D. W. Nebert, J. P. Hardwick, and C. B. Kasper, J. Biol. Chem. 260:7435-7441), was isolated from a rat liver cDNA expression library by use of a polyclonal anti-P450PCN1 antibody. This P-450 cDNA contains 2,014 base pairs and yields an open reading frame of a protein consisting of 504 amino acids (Mr = 57,760). P450PCN2 cDNA and protein shared 90% nucleotide and 89% amino acid similarity with P450PCN1 cDNA and protein, respectively. The 5' untranslated, coding, and 3' untranslated regions between the two cDNAs share 94, 93, and 79% similarities, respectively. Nucleotide differences in the coding regions, however, are not evenly distributed. Complete homology exists between the two mRNAs for 425 nucleotides (positions 346 through 771). Other regions of 93 nucleotides containing only one difference and 147 nucleotides containing two differences exist toward the 3' end of the coding regions. These data suggest the possibility that a gene conversion event(s) have occurred subsequent to duplication of the ancestral P450PCN gene. Oligonucleotide probes unique for P450PCN1 and P450PCN2 cDNAs were used to examine the levels of their respective mRNAs in noninduced and PCN-induced liver cells and in male and female rats of various ages. P450PCN1 mRNA was not detectable in either male or female rats at any ages. In contrast, P450PCN2 mRNA was present at a low level in newborn rats and became elevated in both males and females at 1 week of age. Levels of p450PCN2 mRNA continued to increase in males until 12 weeks, whereas the mRNA in females reached peak levels at 2 weeks of age but declined continuously at the onset of puberty (between 4 and 12 weeks). These levels of P45PCN2 mRNA closely parallel the increases in testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase activity and P450PCN2 protein level, as analyzed by Western blots. P450PCN1 mRNA was induced by PCN, dexamethasone, and phenobarbital in both male and female rats. P450PCN2 mRNA was not significantly induced by PCN or dexamethasone but was readily induced by phenobarbital. Testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase activity was also induced severalfold by PCN, dexamethasone, and phenobarbital. These data demonstrate that P450PCN1 and P450PCN2 genes are differentially regulated during development and after administration of inducing compounds and furthermore suggest that both enzymes possess testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase activity.
Morphology and Phylogeny of the Soil Ciliate Metopus yantaiensis n. sp. (Ciliophora, Metopida), with Identification of the Intracellular Bacteria

The morphology and infraciliature of a new ciliate, Metopus yantaiensis n. sp. , discovered in coastal soil of northern China, were investigated. It is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following features: nuclear apparatus situated in the preoral dome; 18–21 somatic ciliary rows, of which three extend onto the preoral dome (dome kineties); three to five distinctly elongated caudal cilia, and 21–29 adoral polykinetids. The 18S rRNA genes of this new species and two congeners, Metopus contortus and Metopus hasei, were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. The new species is more closely related to M. hasei and the clevelandellids than to other congeners; both the genus Metopus and the order Metopida are not monophyletic. In addition, the digestion‐resistant bacteria in the cytoplasm of M. yantaiensis were identified, using a 16S rRNA gene clone library, sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The detected intracellular bacteria are affiliated with Sphingomonadales, Rhizobiales, Rickettsiales (Alphaproteobacteria), Pseudomonas (Gammaproteobacteria), Rhodocyclales (Betaproteobacteria), Clostridiales (Firmicutes), and Flavobacteriales (Bacteroidetes).
Design and simulation of Fuzzy and Fuzzy-PI controller for speed of Gas Turbine

In this paper, fuzzy and fuzzy-PI controllers are designed to control the rotor speed of Gas Turbine (GT). The goal of the presented controllers is to keep the turbine rotor speed within predefined limits during startup as well as during operating condition. For speed loop output rotor speed is controlled variable and inlet fuel flow rate is manipulating variable. The fuzzy controller and fuzzy-PI controller are designed using Takagi-Sugeno method and Mamdani method, respectively. In applying the fuzzy-PI control to a gas-turbine plant, the tuning parameters (KP and KI) are modified online by a fuzzy logic approach. Error and rate of change of error are inputs and change in fuel flow is output for both the controllers. Also, the constraints on the inlet fuel flow and output rotor speed are taken into account. The existing linear model of GT available in the literature is considered to design the speed controllers. The performance of Fuzzy and Fuzzy-PI controller is tested in the MATLAB Simulink environment. During simulations, the demand power is taken as disturbance input. The performance of the proposed controllers is compared with each other as well as with H∞ robust and MPC controllers for the same operating conditions. From the obtained results, it is observed that fuzzy controller reduces the overshoot and settling time as compared with MPC and H∞ controller. Fuzzy-PI controller response is better than MPC and fuel constraint is maintained in a smoother way. Fuzzy and Fuzzy-PI controllers can be considered as the options for the speed control of GT.
Applications of a Total Dissolved Gas Pressure Probe in Ground Water Studies

Measurements of dissolved gases have numerous applications in ground water hydrology, and it is now possible to measure the total dissolved gas pressure in situ using a probe. Dissolved gas pressure is measured by submerging a headspace volume with a gas‐permeable membrane, allowing dissolved gases in the water to equilibrate with gases in the headspace, then measuring the pressure in the headspace with a pressure transducer. Total dissolved gas pressure (TGP) probes have many potential uses in ground water studies employing dissolved gases, including: (1) determining approximate excess air levels, which may provide information about the time and location of recharge; (2) screening wells for air contamination, which can compromise the accuracy of dissolved gas tracer techniques: (3) detecting a trapped gas phase, which can significantly reduce hydraulic conductivity and impede the transport of dissolved solutes and gases; (4) enabling the use of gas‐filled passive diffusion samplers for determining accurate dissolved gas concentrations; and (5) determining relative concentrations of CH4 and CO2 when they are known to be highly abundant. Although TGP probes designed for surface water have been available for several years, TGP probes suitable for ground water applications have only recently become available. Herein we present what are, to our knowledge, the first reported ground water dissolved gas data collected using a TGP probe. We also explain the basic operating principles of these probes and discuss the potential applications listed.
Role of Dendritic Cells in the Immune Response Induced by Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Superantigen

ABSTRACT After mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) infection, B lymphocytes present a superantigen (Sag) and receive help from the unlimited number of CD4+ T cells expressing Sag-specific T-cell receptor Vβ elements. The infected B cells divide and differentiate, similarly to what occurs in classical B-cell responses. The amplification of Sag-reactive T cells can be considered a primary immune response. Since B cells are usually not efficient in the activation of naive T cells, we addressed the question of whether professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) are responsible for T-cell priming. We show here, using MMTV(SIM), a viral isolate which requires major histocompatibility complex class II I-E expression to induce a strong Sag response in vivo, that transgenic mice expressing I-E exclusively on DCs (I-EαDC tg) reveal a strong Sag response. This Sag response was dependent on the presence of B cells, as indicated by the absence of stimulation in I-EαDC tg mice lacking B cells (I-EαDC tg μMT−/−), even if these B cells lack I-E expression. Furthermore, the involvement of either residual transgene expression by B cells or transfer of I-E from DCs to B cells was excluded by the use of mixed bone marrow chimeras. Our results indicate that after priming by DCs in the context of I-E, the MMTV(SIM) Sag can be recognized on the surface of B cells in the context of I-A. The most likely physiological relevance of the lowering of the antigen threshold required for T-cell/B-cell collaboration after DC priming is to allow B cells with a low affinity for antigen to receive T-cell help in a primary immune response.
Ship Classification in TerraSAR-X Images With Convolutional Neural Networks

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is an important instrument for oceanographic observations, providing detailed information of oceans’ surface and artificial floating structures. Due to advances in SAR technology and deployment of new SAR satellites, an increasing amount of data is available, and the development of efficient classification systems based on deep learning is possible. A deep neural network has improved the state of the art in classification tasks of optical images, but its use in SAR classification problems has been less exploited. In this paper, a full workflow for SAR maritime targets detection and classification on TerraSAR-X high-resolution image is presented, and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) recently proposed in the literature are cross evaluated on a common data set composed of five maritime classes, namely, cargo, tanker, windmill, platform, and harbor structure. Based on experiments and tests, a multiple input resolution CNN model is proposed and its performance is evaluated. Our results indicate that CNNs are efficient models to perform maritime target classification in SAR images, and the combination of different input resolutions in the CNN model improves its ability to derive features, increasing the overall classification score.
Detection and molecular characterization of Ebola viruses causing disease in human and nonhuman primates.

Ebola (EBO) viruses were detected in specimens obtained during the hemorrhagic fever outbreak among humans in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in 1995 (subtype Zaire) and during an outbreak of disease in cynomolgus macaques in Alice, Texas, and the Philippines in 1996 (subtype Reston). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays were developed and proven effective for detecting viral RNA in body fluids and tissues of infected individuals. Little change was seen in the nucleotide or deduced amino acid sequences of the glycoprotein (GP) of these EBO virus subtypes compared with those of their original representatives (i.e., the 1976 Yambuku, DRC, EBO isolate [subtype Zaire] and the 1989 Philippines and Reston, Virginia, isolates [subtype Reston]). The nonstructural secreted GP (SGP), the primary product of the GP gene, was more highly conserved than the structural GP, indicating different functional roles or evolutionary constraints for these proteins. Significant amounts of SGP were detected in acutely infected humans.
Hydrophobically modified low molecular weight chitosans as efficient and nontoxic gene delivery vectors

Chitosan derivatives are potential candidates for gene delivery because they are biocompatible and low toxic. However, their use has been limited by their moderate transfection efficiency and the rather large sizes of DNA complexes with high molecular weight chitosans. To circumvent these limitations, we used low molecular weight (approximately 5 kDa) chitosans grafted at 3 and 18 mol% with N‐/2(3)‐(dodec‐2‐enyl)succinoyl groups (HM‐LMW‐ch) that exhibit surfactant‐like properties.