Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prime/Boost Immunization with DNA and Adenoviral Vectors Protects from Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) Infection after Simultaneous Infection with HDV and Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus

ABSTRACT Hepatitis D virus (HDV) superinfection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers causes severe liver disease and a high rate of chronicity. Therefore, a vaccine protecting HBV carriers from HDV superinfection is needed. To protect from HDV infection an induction of virus-specific T cells is required, as antibodies to the two proteins of HDV, p24 and p27, do not neutralize the HBV-derived envelope of HDV. In mice, HDV-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses were induced by a DNA vaccine expressing HDV p27. In subsequent experiments, seven naive woodchucks were immunized with a DNA prime and adenoviral boost regimen prior to simultaneous woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) and HDV infection. Five of seven HDV-immunized woodchucks were protected against HDV infection, while acute self-limiting WHV infection occurred as expected. The two animals with the breakthrough had a shorter HDV viremia than the unvaccinated controls. The DNA prime and adenoviral vector boost vaccination protected woodchucks against HDV infection in the setting of simultaneous infection with WHV and HDV. In future experiments, the efficacy of this protocol to protect from HDV infection in the setting of HDV superinfection will need to be proven.
A Multiphysics Simulation Approach for Efficient Modeling of Lightning Strike Tests on Aircraft Structures

A numerical approach is proposed and demonstrated for efficient modeling of the thermal plasma behavior present during a lightning strike event. The approach focuses on events with timescales from microseconds to milliseconds and combines the finite element method, magnetohydrodynamics, and similitude theory. Similitude theory is used to scale the problem to require considerably less computing resource. To further reduce the computational burden and to resolve the numerical difficulty of simulating the nearly zero electrical conductivity of air at room temperature, an approach based on cold-field electron emissions is introduced. Simulations considering turbulent flow have been considered, modeling a test configuration from literature designed to inspect composite material performance and applying an aerospace standard test profile (Waveform-B). Predicted peak temperatures (of the order of ~40 000 K) and pressures (of the order of 0.1–0.2 MPa) suggest that the pressure loading during a Waveform-B event will have a minimal effect on composite material damage.
Complement‐derived anaphylatoxin C5a protects against glutamate‐mediated neurotoxicity

Previous work from this laboratory indicates a role for the complement component C5 in neuroprotection against excitotoxicity. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the C5‐derived anaphylatoxin C5a protects against kainic acid (KA)‐induced neurodegeneration and investigated the mechanism of C5a neuronal activity in vitro. Brain intraventricular infusion of KA into adult mice caused neuronal morphological features of apoptosis in the pyramidal layer of the hippocampal formation as indicated by counts of neurons with pyknotic/condensed nuclei associated with cytoplasmic eosinophilia. Co‐intraventricular infusion of human recombinant C5a with KA resulted in a marked reduction of morphological features of apoptotic neuronal death. In vitro studies confirmed C5a neuroprotection: treatment of primary murine corticohippocampal neurons with human or mouse recombinant C5a reduced glutamate neurotoxicity, as measured by trypan blue exclusion assay. This protection concurred with inhibition of glutamate‐mediated induction of the caspase‐3‐related cysteine protease and coincided with marked reduction of neurons with morphological features of apoptosis, as found in vivo. Our studies indicate that C5a may inhibit glutamate‐mediated neuronal death through partial inhibition of caspase‐3 activity. These findings suggest a novel noninflammatory role for C5a in modulating neuronal responses to excitotoxins. J. Cell. Biochem. 73:303–311, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitric oxide synthase assays.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a widespread messenger molecule that regulates cardiovascular tone, immune responses, and neuronal function. This unit provides a simple protocol for measuring NO production based on the stoichiometric formation of the byproduct L-citrulline by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) when NO is produced. Support protocols describe the preparation and purification of NOS from tissues or cultured cells, and for the purification of the radiolabeled L-arginine substrate by thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Time to entertain a change but not to make one*

ew conditions that form thebackbone of day-to-day inten-sive care unit care have beenreferred to as “an importantpublic health problem. ” Certainly, severesepsis must deserve that designation, giventhat there are more than three fourths of amillion cases per year, but what other com-mon ICU problems may qualify? In thisissue of
The nonparametric approach for camera calibration

Discusses a nonparametric approach for calibrating a CCD camera, a constrained topological mapping (CTM) approach to analyze the systematic imaging errors of an image system and compare it with parametric approaches which are based on optimization and have been discussed by many other authors. This nonparametric approach has several distinct features. In this approach, some distortion surfaces are derived directly from the training samples. Because no analytical form of these surfaces is assumed, when we modeled the distortions by a nonparametric model, the systematic imaging errors instead of mere lens distortions are considered. This gives an new approach to analyze the imaging errors of a particular imaging system. Experimental results are given in detail, which indicate that both in image projection and in 3D reconstruction, the accuracy is much improved when the nonparametric approach is employed for calibrating a camera. <<ETX>>
Feedback Control of an LVAD Supporting a Failing Cardiovascular System Regulated by the Baroreflex

The baroreflex is an internal feedback mechanism that stabilizes the blood pressure in the circulatory system. Its function in patients with congestive heart failure is preserved fairly well. When these patients are implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the baroreflex plays an important role in interacting with the controller that regulates the pump speed. In this paper, we consider a combined model of the cardiovascular system, the baroreflex mechanism, and an LVAD. We present results that will describe the interaction mechanisms between these three subsystems. We then propose a feedback controller for the LVAD which automatically adjust its speed based on the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and heart rate (HR) under varying patient conditions. Simulation results show that the combined model is capable of reproducing human responses to exercise and the proposed controller is able to respond to change in physiological state of patients with heart failure
Low-complexity method of weighted subspace fitting for direction estimation

In this paper, we consider a low-complexity method of weighted subspace fitting (WSF) for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation. With the properties of the multi-stage Wiener filter (MSWF), we derive a novel criterion function for the WSF method without the estimate of an array covariance matrix and its eigendecomposition. A new approach for noise variance estimation is also proposed. Numerical results indicate that by selecting a specific weighting matrix, the low-complexity WSF estimator can provide the comparable estimation performance with the conventional WSF method.
Examining the health and health service utilization of heterosexual men with HIV: a community-informed scoping review

ABSTRACT The prevalence of HIV infection among heterosexual men has increased. Consequently, the need for health and support services for this group is likely to increase. We conducted a scoping review of studies regarding the health and health service use of heterosexual men with HIV that was informed by research priorities identified by this community. We searched six databases from inception to August 2014. We included all English-language qualitative and quantitative studies examining the health and health service use of heterosexual men with HIV. Our search strategy yielded 2665 references, of which 70 were included in the scoping review. We summarized the research into the following domains identified by summit participants: treatment of HIV and its complications (n = 9), health and social support services utilization (n = 27), social determinants of health (n = 20), prevention (n = 11), family planning (n = 4) and psychosocial research (n = 33). Key findings from the review included poor mental health-related well-being, over-representation among “late presenters” to care and greater fear of disclosure of HIV status relative to men who have sex with men. In general, research conducted to date was not well aligned with the priorities identified by the community.
An easy formula to remember the laryngeal mask airway size-patient weight relationship.

To the Editor;-Loss of transducer holders for invasive pressure monitoring to the postanesthesia care unit or intensive care unit is a frequent occurrence in our institution. We have developed the following solution to this problem. With the transducer holder attached to an intravenous pole, the small black screws securing the transducer holder to its mounting clamp are removed and replaced with set screws (size and thread: #10-32, % in long), thus preventing separation of the transducer holder from its support bracket. A hexagonal (Allen) wrench (3112 in) is used to tighten the set screws Nylon-coated cable ( % d n diameter) is threaded circumferentially around the intravenous pole and through the transducer support (fig. l), and is crimped using a loop/sleeve connector and Vise-Grips (Pedersen Manufacturing Co., De Witt, NE), or a crimping tool. (AN items are available through the catalog from Small Parts, Inc., Miami Lakes, FL) The arrangement described prevents removal of the transducer holder from the intravenous pole while allowing vertical movement of the transducer to accommodate different operating room table heights. Janet E. Pittman, M.D. Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Anesthesiology Mount Sinai Medical Center One Gustave L. Levy Place New York, New York 10029-6574 Janet-Pittman-at-anesthet-post@smtplink.mssm. edu Lilia Voevidko, M.Sc., C.C. P. Clinical Perfusionist Regional Health Care Center
An audio secret sharing using XOR operations with scalable shares

Audio Secret Sharing (ASS) schemes are devised to ensure the secrecy of audio data within a group of participants. Secret audio data are encoded into ‘audio shares’ with which only qualified sets of shares can reconstruct the secret audio. As audio files are generally large in size the construction of shares and reconstruction of the secret is normally a time consuming process with traditional ASS schemes. We propose a (n,n) ASS scheme based on Chen and Wu (2014) SIS scheme. This applies mostly XOR operations in entire secret sharing and reconstruction process. Hence computationally more efficient than existing ASS techniques. At the same time the size of the shares are 1/n (n = number of shares) of the secret audio data which are easy to store and transport.
A method for analyzing the performance of comb-type pilot-aided channel estimation in power line communications

In this paper, we propose an original method for analyzing the performance of comb-type pilot-aided channel estimation for power line communications. Our method is based on a unified mathematical decomposition of the channel estimation error, which takes both the signal-to-noise ratio of the pilot sub-carrier locations and the interpolation kernel used into account. We demonstrate that the channel estimation error is composed of two terms that evolve differently according to the pilot spacing and the interpolation technique used. The error due to additive noise over channel transmission is formulated by a simple easily used analytic expression. Our results for some practical situations show that good performances can be achieved with a simple linear interpolation.
Increased activity of guanylate cyclase in the atherosclerotic rabbit aorta: role of non‐endothelial nitric oxide synthases

1 Experiments were performed to examine the effects of putative non‐endothelial nitric oxide on the soluble guanylate cyclase activity of severe atherosclerotic aortae from hypercholesterolaemic rabbits fed a cholesterol rich diet for 45 weeks. 2 The guanosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) content of aortae from rabbits fed either a control diet or a diet containing 0.3% cholesterol for 45 weeks was quantified in saline extracts or in trichloracetic acid/ether extracts by use of a competitive immunoenzymatic assay. Rabbit anti‐cyclic GMP immunoglobulin G was covalently linked to the solid phase, in order to avoid false positive results due to high rabbit immunoglobulin G concentrations in the atherosclerotic saline extracts. 3 Saline extracts of atherosclerotic aortae which were harvested immediately after death (intact aortae) contained about 6 fold more cyclic GMP than control aortae when expressed in pmol cyclic GMP mg−1protein. The cyclic GMP concentrations in trichloracetic acid/ether extracts of atherosclerotic and control aortae expressed in pmol mg−1 fresh tissue were not significantly different. 4 Neointimal‐medial explants from atherosclerotic and control aortae were placed in a physiological saline solution and incubated at 37°C for six hours in an incubator gassed with 5% CO2. Before the incubation, the cyclic GMP concentrations in saline extracts of atherosclerotic explants (0.74 ± 0.27 pmol mg−1) were found to be 17 fold higher than those of control explants (0.043 ± 0.008 pmol mg−1). The cyclic GMP content of control explants decreased significantly after 6 h of incubation, while that of atherosclerotic explants remained elevated. 5 Chronic administration of NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester, a non selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases, at 12 mg kg−1 day−1 subcutaneously for one month did not reduce the cyclic GMP concentration of intact atherosclerotic aortae, while that of intact aortae from control rabbits decreased by 63.4 ± 7.6%. 6 These data show that atherosclerotic aortae harvested immediately after death from hypercholesterolaemic rabbits contain higher concentrations of cyclic GMP than control aortae when measured in saline extracts. In vitro, the persistence of the cyclic GMP production in atherosclerotic neointimal medial explants suggests that the guanylate cyclase is activated by an endogenous mediator. This mediator could be NO, synthesized by non endothelial nitric oxide synthases. The results confirm our previous findings on atherosclerotic blood vessel reactivity, but further studies are needed to elucidate why treatment with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester did not decrease the cyclic GMP content of atherosclerotic rabbit aortae.
Ideal operation model and experimental verification for non-pulsating flow tube pumps

Tube pumps which transfer fluid by squeezing the tube with rollers are used in various fields thanks to their cleanliness and convenience. However, periodical flow fluctuation occurs when the rollers leave the tube because the tube restoring force disrupts the flow speed. In this paper, we contend that the pump can theoretically achieve non-pulsating flow by assuming the rollers can move independently and operating them at a non-constant speed based on an ideal operation model we make. The effectiveness of this model is shown by simulation and experimental verifications using repetitive control theory.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and Cytokines in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Introduction Hypercytokinemia is known to occur in severe acute pancreatitis, suggesting that the production, deposition, and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occur actively as a result of the actions of the complicated cytokine network. Aims and Methodology To examine the influence of cytokines and growth factors on the ECM in acute pancreatitis from the points of view of the severity of the disease, the complication of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and the prognosis, 25 patients with acute pancreatitis were divided into three groups according to the severity of the condition as assessed by the Ranson score. The serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)–1, the MMP-1·TIMP-1 complex, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–&agr;, and transfer growth factor (TGF)–&bgr;1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Comparison of the three groups divided according to the severity of the disease revealed significant differences in the levels of MMP-1 and TNF-&agr; among the three groups, with the levels being higher in patients with more severe disease. The TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and the TGF-&bgr;1 levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with more severe disease. Comparison between the group with the complication of MODS and the group without the complication showed that the levels of MMP-1, the MMP-1·TIMP-1 complex, and TNF-&agr; were significantly higher in the former group than in the latter group. The TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and the TGF-&bgr;1 levels were significantly lower in the group with the complication of MODS than in the group without the complication. Comparison between the nonsurvivor group and the survivor group revealed significantly higher levels of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TNF-&agr; in the nonsurvivors than in the survivors. The TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and the TGF-&bgr;1 levels were significantly higher in the survivors than in the nonsurvivors. A significant correlation was observed between MMP-1 levels and TNF-&agr; levels. On the other hand, a significant negative correlation was noted between MMP-1 levels and TGF-&bgr;1 levels. Conclusion The results of our study suggest that the activity of the ECM catabolic enzyme MMP-1 and cytokines are related to the development of acute pancreatitis.
Neoadjuvant therapy for soft tissue sarcomas

I n this issue of Cancer, Ryan et al. present their data regarding preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy for patients with high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The authors previously presented interim data at 2 scientific meetings: the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Connective Tissue Oncology Society meetings. The article presented herein represents a single-arm, multi-institutional phase 2 effort that studied 25 such patients. The investigators considered high-risk STS as those measuring >5 cm and having an intermediate-grade or high-grade designation. Appropriately so, the authors excluded histologies known to benefit from multimodal therapy (ie, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, osteosarcoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors). There are good data that demonstrate the impact of large tumor size and grade on recurrence and survival. Given these data, the authors have done an exemplary job of selecting a patient population at significant risk of both local disease recurrence and ultimately, sarcoma-related death. Indeed, the patients studied had large tumor volumes as well as mostly high-grade cancers. The preoperative chemotherapy regimen included a doseintense regimen of epirubicin and ifosfamide given for 3 cycles preoperatively and 3 cycles postoperatively. The radiotherapy scheme included 28 Gray (Gy) given as 8 doses preoperatively, followed by a 12-Gy boost for patients with positive surgical margins (R1 resection). This regimen imparted significant toxicities on the patients, as evidenced by the finding that only 64% of patients were able to complete the 6 planned cycles. The overwhelming majority of patients (84%) required dose reductions, another marker of the significant toxicity profile for this regimen. Despite these toxicities, the majority of patients were able to complete the prescribed 3 cycles of preoperative therapy, and all patients were able to undergo surgical resection. This is a critically important issue because any attempt to improve outcome that results in patients who ‘‘lose their opportunity’’ to receive potentially curative surgery must be met with skepticism. The impact of the preoperative therapy on surgical morbidity was quite acceptable, similar to that found by others. It See referenced original article on pages 2432 9, this issue.
Adventure, Mystery and Romance: Formula Stories as Art and Popular Culture

In this first general theory for the analysis of popular literary formulas, John G. Cawelti reveals the artistry that underlies the best in formulaic literature. Cawelti discusses such seemingly diverse works as Mario Puzo's "The Godfather," Dorothy Sayers's "The Nine Tailors," and Owen Wister's "The Virginian" in the light of his hypotheses about the cultural function of formula literature. He describes the most important artistic characteristics of popular formula stories and the differences between this literature and that commonly labeled "high" or "serious" literature. He also defines the archetypal patterns of adventure, mystery, romance, melodrama, and fantasy, and offers a tentative account of their basis in human psychology.
Long-term continuous exposure to sulfuric acid mist in cynomolgus monkeys and guinea pigs.

Groups of cynomolgus monkeys were exposed io sulfuric acid mist at concentrations varying from 0.38 to 4.79 mg/cu m. Particle size varied from submicronic to 4μ, mass median diameter (MMD). Groups of guinea pigs were exposed at 0.10 or 0.08 mg/cu m with MMD of 2.8, and 0. 8μ, respectively. Exposures were continuous for 78 weeks in monkeys and 52 weeks in guinea pigs. The results signified no deleterious effects due to sulfuric acid mist exposure of guinea pigs. In cynomolgus monkeys, concentrations of 2.43 and 4.79 mg/cu m with particles of 3. 60μ and 0. 73μ MMD, respectively, were sufficient to produce definite deleterious effects on pulmonary structures and deterioration in pulmonary function. At lower concentrations the effects on pulmonary structures or deterioration in pulmonary function were less pronounced or absent. Microscopic changes observed were principally characterized by focal epithelial hyperplasia and focal thickening of the bronchiolar walls.
Active Learning Methods—An Analysis of Applications and Experiences in Brazilian Accounting Teaching *

In the cognitive form in which they develop their learning, human beings are submitted to a series of interfering factors for the process to happen. One of these factors is the way they absorb, learn and store knowledge. Constant questions on the teaching and learning process are discussed not only in pedagogy. The debate to improve education practices is present in any knowledge area and the issue is no different in the business area. This research aims to describe active learning methods as alternatives to improve the teaching and learning process in accounting. The study reveals the importance and use of active learning methods in accounting teaching and demonstrates what is being done in Brazil in this regard. The study presents some experiences to apply these methods in Brazilian literature, including problem based learning (PBL). A descriptive and exploratory research method is used. Based on the study, it is concluded that a knowledge process on active teaching methods applied to the business area is just beginning and that these can be used to improve the learning process of today’s and future accounting professionals. Although few studies have been published in Brazil, the use of active learning methods has demonstrated efficiency and students’ adherence, as it contributes to their learning process. In most cases, these methods are superior to traditional teaching methods.