Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approximate Boundary Element Formulation for High-Frequency Eddy Current Problem

An approximate boundary-element formulation including the skin effect for high-frequency induction problems is presented. The eddy currents are assumed to be surface currents at high-frequency induction, and the eddy current terms are treated using surface integration. In particular, the approximation of motional eddy currents, is discussed. The method presented is applied to a simple axisymmetric electromagnetic levitation problem. It is shown that the method is applicable to high-frequency induction problems. The advantage of this method is that the dimension of the system equations is considerably reduced in comparison with the usual boundary element analysis for these problems-that is, this method can be used with a comparatively large element width. >
Galactose utilization in Lactobacillus helveticus: isolation and characterization of the galactokinase (galK) and galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (galT) genes

By complementing appropriate gal lesions in Escherichia coli K802, we were able to isolate the galactokinase (galK) and galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (galT) genes of Lactobacillus helveticus. Tn10 transposon mutagenesis, together with in vivo complementation analysis and in vitro enzyme activity measurements, allowed us to map these two genes. The DNA sequences of the genes and the flanking regions were determined. These revealed that the two genes are organized in the order galK-galT in an operonlike structure. In an in vitro transcription-translation assay, the galK and galT gene products were identified as 44- and 53-kDa proteins, respectively, data which corresponded well with the DNA sequencing data. The deduced amino acid sequence of the galK gene product showed significant homologies to other prokaryotic and eukaryotic galactokinase sequences, whereas galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase did not show any sequence similarities to other known proteins. This observation, together with a comparison of known gal operon structures, suggested that the L. helveticus operon developed independently to a translational expression unit having a different gene order than that in E. coli, Streptococcus lividans, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA sequencing of the flanking regions revealed an open reading frame downstream of the galKT operon. It was tentatively identified as galM (mutarotase) on the basis of the significant amino acid sequence homology with the corresponding Streptococcus thermophilus gene.
Influence of N-Glycans on Processing and Biological Activity of the Nipah Virus Fusion Protein

ABSTRACT Nipah virus (NiV), a new member of the Paramyxoviridae, codes for a fusion (F) protein with five potential N-glycosylation sites. Because glycans are known to be important structural components affecting the conformation and function of viral glycoproteins, we analyzed the effect of the deletion of N-linked oligosaccharides on cell surface transport, proteolytic cleavage, and the biological activity of the NiV F protein. Each of the five potential glycosylation sites was removed either individually or in combination, revealing that four sites are actually utilized (g2 and g3 in the F2 subunit and g4 and g5 in the F1 subunit). While the removal of g2 and/or g3 had no or little effect on cleavage, surface transport, and fusion activity, the elimination of g4 or g5 reduced the surface expression by more than 80%. Similar to a mutant lacking all N-glycans, g4 deletion mutants in which the potential glycosylation site was destroyed by introducing a glycine residue were neither cleaved nor transported to the cell surface and consequently were not able to mediate cell-to-cell fusion. This finding indicates that in the absence of g4, the amino acid sequence around position 414 is important for folding and transport.
Computer virus and protection methods using lab analysis

The aim of this paper is to explore the hypothesis of a computer virus threat, and how destructive it can be if executed on a targeted machine. What are the possible counter measures to protect computers from these threats? In this study, we performed an analysis from the data extracted from different test of scenarios and labs conducted in a test environment. Information security risks associated with computer viruses can infect computers and other storage devices by copying themselves into a file and other executable programs. These file get infection and allow attackers to connect to target systems by using backdoors. The results of this study show that, the proper security implementations and the use of up to date operating systems patches and anti-virus programs helps users to prevent the loss of data and any viral attack on the system. Nevertheless, this observation could be used for further research in the network security and related fields; this study will also help computer users to use the possible steps and techniques to protect their systems and information from any possible attacks on their network systems.
188Re or 90Y‐labelled anti‐CD66 antibody as part of a dose‐reduced conditioning regimen for patients with acute leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome over the age of 55: results of a phase I–II study

In a phase I–II study for patients aged 55–65 years, we employed radioimmunotherapy using an anti‐CD‐66 antibody as part of a dose‐reduced conditioning regimen, which was followed by a T‐cell‐depleted graft. 20 patients with a median age of 63 years suffering from acute leukaemia (n = 17) or myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 3) received the antibody labelled either with 188Rhenium (n = 8) or with 90Yttrium (n = 12) during conditioning. Radioimmunotherapy provided a mean dose of 21·9 (±8·4) Gy to the bone marrow with a significantly higher dose when 90Yttrium was used. Additional conditioning was fludarabine‐based plus anti‐thymocyte globulin in matched related donor transplants (n = 11), or plus melphalan in matched unrelated donor transplants (n = 9). Regimen‐related toxicity was low, with two patients developing three episodes of grade III organ toxicity. All patients engrafted, grade II–IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) was observed in one patient (5%) and chronic GvHD in three patients (15%). The cumulative incidence of non‐relapse mortality was 25%, the cumulative incidence of relapse 55%. The probability of survival was estimated to be 70% at 1 year and 52% at 2 years post‐transplant, although no plateau was reached afterwards. In conclusion, radioimmunotherapy using the anti‐CD66 antibody was feasible and safe in our elderly patient group and provided a high marrow dose.
Gene expression changes in brains of mice exposed to a maternal virus infection

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to a maternal infection during fetal life can lead to the appearance of alterations in the brain later in life. C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally with influenza A/WSN/33 virus on day 14 of gestation. The levels of transcripts encoding neuroleukin and fibroblast growth factor 5 were significantly elevated in the brains of the virus-exposed offspring at 90 and 280 days of age, but not at earlier time-points. For neuroleukin, this difference could also be observed at the protein level. Thus, a maternal influenza A virus infection can give rise to alterations in gene expression in the brain that become apparent only after a prepubertal latency period.
Progression of corpus callosum diffusion-tensor imaging values during a period of signal changes consistent with myelination.

OBJECTIVE Changes in signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MR images consistent with myelination in the corpus callosum occur during months 3-9 of postnatal life and occur earlier in the splenium than in the genu. We hypothesized that the rate of change in diffusion-tensor imaging parameters in the first year of life would be greater in the splenium, especially during months 3-9. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Fifty-two infants (age range, 0-52 weeks) underwent one MRI examination with a six-direction diffusion-tensor imaging sequence. Fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity were measured in the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. For each parameter, the slopes of change in the splenium and in the genu were measured for the entire first year of life and for the age period 3-9 months. The ratios of slope of change in the splenium to that in the genu in these two periods were compared. RESULTS For fractional anisotropy, the ratio of slope of change in the splenium to that in the genu was 1.67 in the first year and 4.00 for 3-9 months; apparent diffusion coefficient, 2.00 in the first year and 4.33 for 3-9 months; radial diffusivity, 1.75 in the first year and 4.40 for 3-9 months; and axial diffusivity, 3.25 in the first year and 4.86 for 3-9 months. CONCLUSION Rates of change were always greater in the splenium. For the age period 3-9 months, the splenium-to-genu ratio was approximately 1.5- to 2.5-fold as high as that for the entire year. These findings correspond well with the sequence of signal intensity changes in the corpus callosum.
Evaluation of sampling tools for environmental sampling of bacterial endospores from porous and nonporous surfaces

Aims: Having and executing a well‐defined and validated sampling protocol is critical following a purposeful release of a biological agent for response and recovery activities, for clinical and epidemiological analysis and for forensic purposes. The objective of this study was to address the need for validated sampling and analysis methods called out by the General Accounting Office and others to systematically compare the collection efficiency of various swabs and wipes for collection of bacterial endospores from five different surfaces, both porous and nonporous. This study was also designed to test the collection and extraction solutions used for endospore recovery from swabs and wipes.
Novel approach to quantitative polymerase chain reaction using real‐time detection: Application to the detection of gene amplification in breast cancer

Gene amplification is a common event in the progression of human cancers, and amplified oncogenes have been shown to have diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic relevance. A kinetic quantitative polymerase‐chain‐reaction (PCR) method, based on fluorescent TaqMan methodology and a new instrument (ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detection System) capable of measuring fluorescence in real‐time, was used to quantify gene amplification in tumor DNA. Reactions are characterized by the point during cycling when PCR amplification is still in the exponential phase, rather than the amount of PCR product accumulated after a fixed number of cycles. None of the reaction components is limited during the exponential phase, meaning that values are highly reproducible in reactions starting with the same copy number. This greatly improves the precision of DNA quantification. Moreover, real‐time PCR does not require post‐PCR sample handling, thereby preventing potential PCR‐product carry‐over contamination; it possesses a wide dynamic range of quantification and results in much faster and higher sample throughput. The real‐time PCR method, was used to develop and validate a simple and rapid assay for the detection and quantification of the 3 most frequently amplified genes (myc, ccnd1 and erbB2) in breast tumors. Extra copies of myc, ccnd1 and erbB2 were observed in 10, 23 and 15%, respectively, of 108 breast‐tumor DNA; the largest observed numbers of gene copies were 4.6, 18.6 and 15.1, respectively. These results correlated well with those of Southern blotting. The use of this new semi‐automated technique will make molecular analysis of human cancers simpler and more reliable, and should find broad applications in clinical and research settings. Int. J. Cancer 78:661–666, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human Simulators and Standardized Patients to Teach Difficult Conversations to Interprofessional Health Care Teams

Objective. To design and implement a demonstration project to teach interprofessional teams how to recognize and engage in difficult conversations with patients. Design. Interdisciplinary teams consisting of pharmacy students and residents, student nurses, and medical residents responded to preliminary questions regarding difficult conversations, listened to a brief discussion on difficult conversations; formed ad hoc teams and interacted with a standardized patient (mother) and a human simulator (child), discussing the infant's health issues, intimate partner violence, and suicidal thinking; and underwent debriefing. Assessment. Participants evaluated the learning methods positively and a majority demonstrated knowledge gains. The project team also learned lessons that will help better design future programs, including an emphasis on simulations over lecture and the importance of debriefing on student learning. Drawbacks included the major time commitment for design and implementation, sustainability, and the lack of resources to replicate the program for all students. Conclusion. Simulation is an effective technique to teach interprofessional teams how to engage in difficult conversations with patients.
Neurochemical phenotypes of myenteric neurons in the rhesus monkey

Understanding the neurochemical composition of the enteric nervous system (ENS) is critical for elucidating neurological function in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in health and disease. Despite their status as the closest models of human neurological systems, relatively little is known about enteric neurochemistry in nonhuman primates. We describe neurochemical coding of the enteric nervous system, specifically the myenteric plexus, of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) by immunohistochemistry and directly compare it to human tissues. There are considerable differences in the myenteric plexus along different segments of the monkey GI tract. While acetylcholine neurons make up the majority of myenteric neurons in the stomach (70%), they are a minority in the rectum (47%). Conversely, only 22% of gastric myenteric neurons express nitric oxide synthase (NOS) compared to 52% in the rectum. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is more prominent in the stomach (37%) versus the rest of the GI tract (≈10%), and catecholamine neurons are rare (≈1%). There is significant coexpression of NOS and VIP in myenteric neurons that is more prominent in the proximal GI tract. Taken as a whole, these data provide insight into the neurochemical anatomy underlying GI motility. While overall similarity to other mammalian species is clear, there are some notable differences between the ENS of rhesus monkeys, humans, and other species that will be important to take into account when evaluating models of human diseases in animals. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3387–3401, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three-dimensional spheroid cultures of A549 and HepG2 cells exhibit different lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor expression and LPS-induced cytokine response compared with monolayer cultures

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent modulator of pathogen-induced host inflammatory responses. Lipopolysaccharide signaling to host cells is correlated with the expression of well-characterized LPS receptors. We have developed three-dimensional (3-D) cell cultures (spheroids) that are more representative of in vivo conditions than traditional monolayer cultures and may provide novel in vitro models to study the inflammatory response. In this work, we have compared F-actin organization, LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine response and LPS receptor expression between spheroid and monolayer cultures from A549 lung epithelial cells and HepG2 hepatocytes. Significant junctional F-actin was seen at the cell—cell contact points throughout the spheroids, while monolayer cells showed stress fibers of actin and more prominent F-actin localized at the cell base. A time course of cytokine release in response to LPS showed that A549 spheroids secreted persistently higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 compared with monolayer cultures. Unlike monolayer cultures, HepG2 spheroids responded to LPS by releasing a significant level of IL-8. We identified a significant increase in the expression of CD14 and MD2 in these spheroids compared with monolayers, which may explain the enhanced cytokine response to LPS. Thus, we suggest that 3-D spheroid cell cultures are more typical of in vivo cell responses to LPS during the development of inflammation and would be a better in vitro model in inflammation studies.
Blue silver: A very sensitive colloidal Coomassie G‐250 staining for proteome analysis

A modified Neuhoff's colloidal Coomassie Blue G‐250 stain is reported, dubbed “blue silver” on account of its considerably higher sensitivity, approaching the one of conventional silver staining. The main modifications, as compared to Neuhoff's protocol, were: a 20% increment in dye concentration (from 0.1% up to 0.12%) and a much higher level of phosphoric acid in the recipe (from 2% up to 10%). The “blue silver” exhibits a much faster dye uptake (80% during the first hour of coloration, vs. none with a commercial preparation from Sigma). Even at equilibrium (24 h staining), the “blue silver” exhibits a much higher sensitivity than all other recipes, approaching (but lower than) the one of the classical silver stain. Measurements of stain sensitivity after sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) of bovine serum albumin (BSA) gave a detection limit (signal‐to‐noise ratio > 3) of 1 ng in a single zone. The somewhat lower sensitivity of “blue silver” as compared to classical silvering protocols in the presence of aldehydes is amply compensated for by its full compatibility with mass spectrometry of eluted polypeptide chains, after a two‐dimensional map analysis, thus confirming that no dye is covalently bound (or permanently modifies) to any residue in the proteinaceous material. It is believed that the higher level of phosphoric acid in the recipe, thus its lower final pH, helps in protonating the last dissociated residues of Asp and Glu in the polypeptide coils, thus greatly favoring ionic anchoring of dye molecules to the protein moiety. Such a binding, though, must be followed by considerable hydrophobic association with the aromatic and hydrophobic residues along the polypeptide backbone.
Experimental Transmission of Sarcocystis muris (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) Sporocysts from a Naturally Infected Cat (Felis catus) to Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Mice

Abstract: Cats serve as definitive hosts for zoonotic Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan that threatens human reproductive health, but they also excrete sporocysts of related protozoan that pose no known human health risk. Here we provide the first definitive evidence for natural infection with the enzootic parasite Sarcocystis muris, one such enzootic parasite. Sporulated Sarcocystis sp. sporocysts were found in rectal contents of an adult feral cat (Felis catus) in Giza, Egypt. After these sporocysts were orally inoculated into 2 Swiss Webster mice, sarcocysts were found to have developed in skeletal muscles 114 days later. As observed through transmission electron microscopy, the cyst wall corresponded to Type 1, and the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane had tiny outpocketing of blebs (<200 nm thick) that were not invaginated into the interior of the cyst; these structures were identical to the sarcocyst wall described for a Costa Rican isolate of S. muris that has served as an experimental model for nearly 4 decades. Two parasite-free cats fed sarcocyst-infected muscles developed patent infections; fully sporulated sporocysts (10–11 × 7.0 μm) were found in the lamina propria of small intestines of cats killed 6 and 7 days postinoculation (PI). Interferon gamma gene knockout (KO) mice were orally inoculated with sporocysts from experimentally infected cats, and their tissues were examined histologically; sarcocysts were found in 5 KO mice killed 87, 115, 196, 196, 196 days PI, but no stages were seen in 5 KO mice 10, 14, 14, 18, and 39 days PI. Bradyzoites were released from intramuscular sarcocysts of a KO mouse killed 115 days PI and orally inoculated into 5 KO mice. No stage of Sarcocystis was found in any organ (including intestinal lamina propria) of KO mice killed 4, 8, 81, 190, and 190 days PI, confirming that the definitive host is required to complete the life cycle even in the case of immunodeficient mice. This is the first confirmation of S. muris infection in a naturally infected cat anywhere.
WBI Suppression for SAR Using Iterative Adaptive Method

Under the condition of wideband interference (WBI) with the characteristics of good time-frequency concentration but high nonstationarity, the limited time width of the window function in short-time Fourier transform (STFT) causes limited instantaneous frequency resolution and leads to great performance degradation of the conventional WBI suppression algorithm based on time-frequency filtering (TFF) method. A novel WBI suppression method using iterative adaptive approach (IAA) and orthogonal subspace projection (OSP) method is proposed for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Dispensing with parametric search and model order estimation, the proposed method improves the instantaneous frequency resolution in STFT by means of the IAA method and filters the WBI based on the OSP method, meanwhile, obtains time-frequency distribution (TFD) with 2-D high resolution and no cross-terms. Both the simulation and experimental results are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
A comparison of fast MR scan techniques for cerebral activation studies at 1.5 Tesla

To evaluate the sensitivity of fast, gradient‐echo MR scan techniques in their ability to detect blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal changes in task activation studies, three dedicated fast scan techniques, each with whole‐brain coverage, were compared during a 3‐min finger tapping paradigm on nine normal volunteers on a clinical 1.5 T scanner. Multislice (2D) single‐shot spiral, 3D spiral, and multislice (2D) single‐shot EPI scan techniques were done with similar temporal and spatial resolutions on each of the volunteers in random order. After image registration and statistical analysis, the sensitivity to detect activation was evaluated for the techniques by calculating t scores and number of activated voxels in predetermined regions of interest, including the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex, the premotor region, the parietal region, the supplementary motor area, and the ipsilateral cerebellum. Baseline images acquired with the three techniques were qualitatively comparable and had a similar effective spatial resolution of around 5 × 5 × 5 mm3, as determined from autocorrelation analysis. The anatomical coverage was somewhat reduced (4 less slices per volume) with EPI at the identical temporal resolution of 1.76 s for all techniques. The use of multislice 2D spiral scan for motor cortex fMRI experiments provided for a superior overall temporal stability, and an increased sensitivity compared with multislice 2D EPI, and 3D spiral scan. The difference in sensitivity between multislice 2D spiral and EPI scans was small, in particular in the case of a ramp‐sampled version of EPI. The difference in performance is attributed mainly to the difference in scan‐to‐scan stability.