Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Myf fibrillae of Yersinia enterocolitica

The Myf antigen produced by Yersinia enterocolitica appeared as a proteic polymer composed of 21 kDa subunits. By transposon mutagenesis we isolated Myf‐defective mutants. Those allowed us to clone and sequence a 4.4 kb chromosomal locus involved in Myf production. This region was found to contain three genes that we called myfA, myfB and myfC. Genes myfB and myfC encode an assembly machine related to those involved in the synthesis of many fimbriae; MyfB, the putative chaperone, possesses the consensus residues of the PapD family and MyfC encodes a putative outer‐membrane protein. MyfA, the major subunit, was found to be 44% identical to the pH 6 antigen of Y.pestis. Myf is thus the K enterocolitica counterpart of this antigen, but it is by far not so well conserved as the other virulence determinants such as the Yops, suggesting that Myf and pH 6 antigen do not necessarily play the same role in Y. enterocolitica and Y. pestis. The study of the prevalence of myfA in various species of Yersinia reveaied that, like the yst enterotoxin gene, its presence is restricted to the pathogenic serotypes of Y. enterocolitica. By immuno‐gold labelling, Myf appeared as a layer of extracellular material extending locally 2μm from the bacterial surface, indicative of a fibrillar structure.
Modeling and Analysis of Software Defined Virtual Mobile Core Networks

With the rapid growth of user traffic and the need to reduce costs, today's mobile operators are faced with severe challenges. New networking concepts have emerged aiming at cost reduction and flexibility, namely Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), Network Virtualization (NV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN). The goal of this thesis is to design an optimal mobile core network based on SDN, NV and NFV.
UAV-aided calibration for commissioning of phased array radio telescopes

Calibration of antenna positions and instrumental response is a crucial step in the commissioning of a phased array radio telescope. The Low Frequency Aperture Array system of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is envisaged to consist of about 131,000 antennas. In this paper, we propose a strategy to efficiently conduct commissioning calibration of such a large phased array radio telescope using a near-field probe mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method using simulations. This indicates that potentially cost-saving relaxation of requirements on placement accuracy is possible. We also propose to validate this method in practice using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR).
Flow of supersonic jets across flat plates: Implications for ground‐level flow from volcanic blasts

We report on laboratory experiments examining the interaction of a jet from an overpressurized reservoir with a canonical ground surface to simulate lateral blasts at volcanoes such as the 1980 blast at Mount St. Helens. These benchmark experiments test the application of supersonic jet models to simulate the flow of volcanic jets over a lateral topography. The internal shock structure of the free jet is modified such that the Mach disk shock is elevated above the surface. In elevation view, the width of the shock is reduced in comparison with a free jet, while in map view the dimensions are comparable. The distance of the Mach disk shock from the vent is in good agreement with free jet data and can be predicted with existing theory. The internal shock structures can interact with and penetrate the boundary layer. In the shock‐boundary layer interaction, an oblique shock foot is present in the schlieren images and a distinctive ground signature is evident in surface measurements. The location of the oblique shock foot and the surface demarcation are closely correlated with the Mach disk shock location during reservoir depletion, and therefore, estimates of a ground signature in a zone devastated by a blast can be based on the calculated shock location from free jet theory. These experiments, combined with scaling arguments, suggest that the imprint of the Mach disk shock on the ground should be within the range of 4–9 km at Mount St. Helens depending on assumed reservoir pressure and vent dimensions.
Brilliant cresyl blue staining negatively affects mitochondrial functions in porcine oocytes

Summary The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining on mitochondrial functions in porcine oocytes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) collected from slaughterhouse-derived porcine ovaries were cultured with (13 μM) or without (0 μM, control) BCB for 60 min. Mitochondrial functions in oocytes were examined immediately after staining or after in vitro maturation. The BCB-stained oocytes produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) at higher levels than control oocytes immediately after staining (2.2-fold, P < 0.001) and after maturation (1.7-fold, P < 0.001). The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in oocytes were similar for the two groups immediately after staining. However, ATP and relative MMP levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in BCB-treated oocytes than in the control (2.18 versus 2.83 pM and 0.82 versus 1.0, respectively). There was no difference in mitochondrial DNA copy number between the two groups after maturation. The ATP content in early developmental stage embryos (3 days after parthenogenetic activation) was lower in the BCB-stained group than that in the control group but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, BCB staining of oocytes at the immature stage compromises mitochondrial functions throughout oocyte maturation, but function is restored during early embryo development.
Analysis and design of a single-switch HPF AC/DC converter for driving power LEDs

This paper proposes a novel single-switch high-power-factor LED driver that is obtained by integrating a buck-boost converter and a flyback converter. Both converters share the same active switch. It results in reduction of power-conversion processes, leading to improving the circuit efficiency. The buck-boost converter performs the function of power-factor correction (PFC). The buck-boost converter can wave shape the waveform of the line current to be as the same as that of the input-line voltage when it operates at discontinuous-conduction mode. A nearly unity power factor and low total current harmonic distortion can be achieved. The flyback converter plays the role of the dc/dc converter that provides an isolated output voltage with very low voltage ripple to drive high-brightness light-emitting diodes. Since only one active switch is required, the proposed circuit is with simple control. Besides, it can meet the design goals of high power factor and low product cost.
Viramidine Demonstrates Better Safety Than Ribavirin in Monkeys But Not Rats

The safety of viramidine was evaluated and compared with ribavirin in one‐month and six‐month studies in rats and one‐month and nine‐month studies in monkeys. Viramidine administration produced hemolytic anemia, characterized by decreases in hemoglobin (Hgb) concentrations, which was accompanied by erythroid hyperplasia of the bone marrow or increase in reticulocyte counts. In the 1‐month study in rats, viramidine or ribavirin dosing at 120 mg/kg/day reduced Hgb concentrations (12–16% and 13–20% compared to controls, respectively) and caused slight erythroid hyperplasia in the bone marrow. In the 6‐month study in rats, viramidine or ribavirin dosing at 90 mg/kg/day reduced Hgb concentrations (16–18% and 18% compared to controls, respectively) and increased reticulocyte counts (> 25%). Although toxicity effects in monkeys were similar to rats, they occurred at higher doses of viramidine compared to ribavirin. In the 1‐month monkey study, viramidine at 600 mg/kg/day caused slight or no reduction (9%–0% in males and females) in Hgb concentrations compared to moderate reduction for ribavirin at 300 mg/kg/day (14%–20% in males and females). There were no signs of erythroid hyperplasia in bone marrow or significant increase in reticulocytes detected after viramidine or ribavirin dosing in monkeys. In the 9‐month study in monkeys, viramidine at 180 mg/kg/day slightly reduced Hgb concentrations (5–11%) as compared to ribavirin at 60 mg/kg/day (9–12%). Both treatments had an increase in reticulocytes (49–53% vs. 43–59% compared to controls, respectively). Moderate decrease in Hgb levels (26–29%) together with large increase in reticulocyte counts (203–224%) were seen for viramidine at 600 mg/kg/day. All the changes were reversible after a recovery phase in both rats and monkeys. It is concluded that ribavirin and viramidine produced similar toxicity in rats. However, viramidine is safer than ribavirin in monkeys.
In vivo immortalization of murine peritoneal macrophages: a new rapid and efficient method for obtaining macrophage cell lines

Although several murine macrophage (mφ) cell lines from different sites have previously been obtained by in vitro infection with the J2 murine retrovirus, which carries the v‐raf and v‐myc oncogenes, it was not possible to immortalize thioglycolate‐elicited peritoneal macrophages (Pmφs) by this in vitro procedure. A technique utilizing in vivo injection of the J2 virus has been developed to overcome this problem. The J2 virus immortalized Pm φs in a very efficient manner in vivo because no exogenous growth factors were required for the in vitro proliferation of these cells and numerous continuous cloned cell lines were readily established. In contrast, Pmφs obtained from uninfected mice or Pmφs infected in vitro with the J2 virus did not proliferate. The in vivo immortalized cells had many of the morphological and functional characteristics of mφs. Analysis of two of the clones, PMJ2‐PC and PMJ2‐R, demonstrated intracellular expression of the product of the v‐raf gene, presence of mφ‐associated cell surface antigens, interleukin‐6 secretion induced by lipopolysaccharide, and biological response modifier‐induced cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. In addition, one of the clones, PMJ2‐PC, constitutively expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens, and in the other clone, PMJ2‐R, MHC class II antigen expression was induced by recombinant murine interferon‐γ. This method of utilizing the J2 virus in vivo represents a novel technique for obtaining hematopoietic cell lines from cells that are difficult to immortalize in vitra
Semiotic Interoperability - A Critical Step towards Systems Integration

Information systems integration becomes critical in enhancing organisational competitiveness through effective use of information resource provided by the whole host of information systems. Information systems integration in its nature is a process of bringing about the capability of communication and information exchange between systems; while interoperability, often as the result of systems integration, is such a capability. However currently there is a lack of theoretical foundation for representation and measure of the interoperability in organisations. Organisational semiotics provides a theoretical foundation for systems interoperability. A notion of ‘semiotic interoperability’ is proposed in this paper as a paradigm, guiding systems integration and measuring degree of interoperability, covering aspects from physical properties, transmission structure of signs, placing emphasis on communicating meaning, intention to social consequence of information.
O‐GlcNAcylation and p50/p105 binding of c‐Rel are dynamically regulated by LPS and glucosamine in BV2 microglia cells

Previously, we demonstrated that glucosamine (GlcN) exerts a suppressive effect on LPS‐induced inducible NOS (iNOS) through the inhibition of NF‐κB activation in BV2 mouse microglial cells. The purpose of the present study was to examine the mechanisms by which GlcN inhibits NF‐κB activation.
High‐resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of ovarian cyst fluid

Most ovarian tumors are cystic structures containing variable amounts of fluid. Several studies of ovarian cyst fluid focus on one specific metabolite using conventional assay systems. We examined the potential of 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in evaluation of the overall metabolic composition of cyst fluid from different ovarian tumors. Ovarian cyst fluid samples obtained from 40 patients with a primary ovarian tumor (12 malignant and 28 benign) were examined. After deproteinization and pD standardization, we performed 1H‐NMR spectroscopy on a 600 MHz instrument. With 1H‐NMR spectroscopy we found detectable concentrations of 36 metabolites with high intersample variation. A number of unassigned resonances as well as unexpected metabolites were found. We introduce an overall inventory of the low‐molecular‐weight metabolites in ovarian cyst fluid with corresponding resonances. Significant differences in concentration (p < 0.01) were found for several metabolites (including an unknown metabolite) between malignant and benign ovarian cysts. Furthermore, higher concentrations in malignant‐ and lower in benign fluids were found compared to normal serum values, indicating local cyst wall metabolic processes in case of malignant transformation. We conclude that 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can give an overview of low‐molecular‐weight proton‐containing metabolities present in ovarian cyst fluid samples. The metabolic composition of cyst fluid differs significantly between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. Furthermore, differences between benign subgroups possibly related to histopathological behaviour can be detected. The presence of N‐acetyl aspartic acid and 5‐oxoproline exclusively in serous cystadenoma samples is remarkable. Future studies will concentrate on these findings and explore the possibilities of extrapolating information from the in vitro studies to in vivo practice, in which metabolic differences between malignant and benign subtypes can be of great importance in a pre‐operative phase. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abbreviations used: COSY 1H‐1H correlation spectroscopy CSF cerebrospinal fluid; TSP trimethylsilyl 2,2,3,3‐tetradeuteropropionic acid.
A Robust Timetabling Model for a Metro Line with Passenger Activity Information

Timetable design is crucial to the reliability of a metro service. In terms of the delays caused by passengers’ boarding and alighting behaviors during rush hours, the planned timetable for a metro line with high-frequency service tends to be difficult to implement. General oversaturation events, rather than accidents or track damage, still have a significant impact on metro systems, so that trains are canceled and delayed. When the activity reality diverges from the real-time or historical information, it is imperative that dispatchers present a good solution during the planning stage in order to minimize the nuisance for passengers and reduce the crowding risk. This paper presents a robust timetabling model (RTM) for a metro line with passenger activity information, which takes into account congestion and buffer time adjustments. The main objective pursued by dispatchers in the model is the enhancement of punctuality while minimizing train delays by adjusting the buffer time. By explicitly taking the passenger activity information into account, a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model was developed, and a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed to solve the model. Finally, numerical experiments based on the Batong line of the Beijing Metro were carried out, the results of which verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our method.
A new plastic evacuated tube with plasma separator

A new plastic‐walled, evacuated blood collection tube (Terumo Venoject II) with plasma separator was evaluated for characteristics related to the use of plastic in place of glass. Plastic tubes were highly resistant to breakage through handling mishaps or failure during centrifugation. Higher centrifugation speed (13,600g) was well tolerated, and centrifugation times as short as 3 minutes at 13,600g effectively cleared plasma of cellular components, at high plasma yield. Plastic tubes were nearly completely combustible under incineration conditions commonly used for medical waste, and plastic tubes effectively retained vacuum during the typical shelf life of evacuated blood collection tubes. Collection of carbamezepine specimens in plastic tubes decreased levels an average of 6.8% compared to a heparinized glass tube control under conditions approximating routine use; levels of other drugs (phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid, theophylline, and cyclosporine) were less significantly affected. This modest decrease appeared to result from a combination of an immediate interaction with the plastic surface of the tubes and a time‐dependent interaction with the olefin‐based separator. Modest but clear benefits including reduction in specimen breakage, reduced centrifugation time and reduced solid waste after incineration derive from the use of plastic in place of glass in evacuated blood collection tubes. ©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Self-Pulsating Amplified Feedback Laser Based on a Loss-Coupled DFB Laser

Monolithic self-pulsating semiconductor lasers called amplified feedback lasers (AFLs) can generate high-frequency self-pulsations according to the concept of a single-mode laser with shortly delayed optical feedback, which consist of a distributed-feedback (DFB) laser, a phase control, and an amplifier section. Since mode degeneracy of the DFB section, which should operate as a single-mode laser, affects the self-pulsation, single-mode characteristics of the DFB section are critical for the self-pulsation. The effect of a complex coupling in the DFB section on the self-pulsation is numerically analyzed to reveal that the complex coupling provides a wide operation range for the self-pulsation. Also, self-pulsating AFLs based on a loss-coupled DFB laser are experimentally demonstrated to verify the self-pulsation characteristics and the capability for all-optical clock recovery.
Validation of a Green Fluorescent Protein-Labeled Strain of Vibrio vulnificus for Use in the Evaluation of Postharvest Strategies for Handling of Raw Oysters

ABSTRACT In this paper we describe a biological indicator which can be used to study the behavior of Vibrio vulnificus, an important molluscan shellfish-associated human pathogen. A V. vulnificus ATCC 27562 derivative that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) and kanamycin resistance was constructed using conjugation. Strain validation was performed by comparing the GFP-expressing strain (Vv-GFP) and the wild-type strain (Vv-WT) with respect to growth characteristics, heat tolerance (45°C), freeze-thaw tolerance (−20o and −80°C), acid tolerance (pH 5.0, 4.0, and 3.5), cold storage tolerance (5°C), cold adaptation (15°C), and response to starvation. Levels of recovery were evaluated using nonselective medium (tryptic soy agar containing 2% NaCl) with and without sodium pyruvate. The indicator strain was subsequently used to evaluate the survival of V. vulnificus in oysters exposed to organic acids (citric and acetic acids) and various cooling regimens. In most cases, Vv-GFP was comparable to Vv-WT with respect to growth and survival upon exposure to various biological stressors; when differences between the GFP-expressing and parent strains occurred, they usually disappeared when sodium pyruvate was added to media. When V. vulnificus was inoculated into shellstock oysters, the counts dropped 2 log10 after 11 to 12 days of refrigerated storage, regardless of the way in which the oysters were initially cooled. Steeper population declines after 12 days of refrigerated storage were observed for both iced and refrigerated products than for slowly cooled product and product held under conservative harvest conditions. By the end of the refrigeration storage study (22 days), the counts of Vv-GFP in iced and refrigerated oysters had reached the limit of detection (102 CFU/oyster), but slowly cooled oysters and oysters stored under conservative harvest conditions still contained approximately 103 and >104 CFU V. vulnificus/oyster by day 22, respectively. The Vv-GFP levels in the oyster meat remained stable for up to 24 h when the meat was exposed to acidic conditions at various pH values. Ease of detection and comparability to the wild-type parent make Vv-GFP a good candidate for use in studying the behavior of V. vulnificus upon exposure to sublethal stressors that might be encountered during postharvest handling of molluscan shellfish.
Involving users in the refinement of the competency-based achievement system: An innovative approach to competency-based assessment

Background: Competency-based assessment innovations are being implemented to address concerns about the effectiveness of traditional approaches to medical training and the assessment of competence. Aim: Integrating intended users’ perspectives during the piloting and refinement process of an innovation is necessary to ensure the innovation meets users’ needs. Failure to do so results in no opportunity for users to influence the innovation, nor for developers to assess why an innovation works or does not work in different contexts. Methods: A qualitative participatory action research approach was used. Sixteen first-year residents participated in three focus groups and two interviews during piloting. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed individually and then across all transcripts using a constant comparison approach. Results: The analysis revealed three key characteristics related to the impact on the residents’ acceptance of the innovation as being a worthwhile investment of time and effort: access to frequent, timely, and specific feedback from preceptors. Findings were used to refine the innovation further. Conclusion: This study highlights the necessary conditions for assessing the success of implementation of educational innovations. Reciprocal communication between users and developers is vital. This reflects the approaches recommended in the Ottawa Consensus Statement on research in assessment published in Medical Teacher in March 2011.
Alignment of management control system to corporate competitive orientation: some empirical evidence in Malaysia

With the rapidly changing and increasingly more competitive environment, the role of a management control system (MCS) in an organization in providing information feedback to management for monitoring the effectiveness and appropriateness of the organization's competitive strategy to achieve its goals is becoming more important. This study examines the extent of usage of various management control measures and the compatibility of these control measures with the competitive priorities or orientations of firms. A structured questionnaire was prepared and randomly sent to 250 organizations in the Klang Valley. A total of 93 usable responses were analyzed. The results show that organizations, generally, perceived competition based on product price, quality and service/promotion to be more intense than that based on product variety and innovation. Consistent to their perceived intensity of competition, their competitive priorities or orientations also stressed more highly on competition based on low price, high quality and service, with a much lower emphasis on wide product variety and product uniqueness. Except for an apparent pervasive high usage of the "budget vs. actual" financial control measure, there was a fairly balanced usage of accounting-based controls and modern management practices for monitoring, evaluating and controlling the organizational activities. Small enterprises tended to adopt less formal management control systems and had less extensive usage of the various control measures than the large firms. Evidence of a lack of proper alignment or incompatibilities in the usage of certain management control measures was indicated in this study. The implications of the findings are discussed.