Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introduction of a disulfide bond in the alpha 1 domain of the H-2Kb molecule confers immunogenicity to the transfected RMA-S tumors.

The use of major histocompatibility complex class I genes is an emerging approach for the immunotherapy of human cancer. The conformational stability of class I molecules is important for their immunologic recognition. We have engineered a disulfide bond in the alpha 1 domain of a murine class I molecule, Kb. The expression of the engineered, but not the wild-type, Kb molecules conferred immunogenicity to a nonimmunogenic and antigen presentation-defective tumor cell line, RMA-S. Mice that rejected the engineered Kb-transfected RMA-S cells developed a long-lived antitumor immune response. These data indicate the possibility of genetically engineering class I molecules to improve their therapeutic potential.
Intelligent Data Pretreatment Based on Principal Component Analysis and Fuzzy C-means Clustering in Flotation Process

A data pretreatment algorithm based on principal component analysis and fuzzy c-means clustering for flotation process is proposed in this paper. Linear regression of clustering centers gained by fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm is introduced to carry through data pretreatment. The process prior knowledge and principal component analysis method are used to reduce dimensions of input vectors and to choose the secondary variables. Then the paper uses radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) to set up an inferential estimation model of quality indexes of flotation process aiming at principal component variables. The simulation results show that this inference estimation strategy has high predictive accuracy in flotation process.
Measurement Variance in Limb Length Discrepancy: Clinical and Radiographic Assessment of Interobserver and Intraobserver Variability

The purpose of this study was to assess interobserver and intraobserver variability in the assessment of clinical and radiographic measurement of lower limb length discrepancy. Clinical measurements included direct measurement with a tape measure from anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to lateral malleolus and ASIS to medial malleolus as well as block measurement. Slit scanogram radiographic measurement was also evaluated. All three clinical measurements had excellent reliability, but the relatively large mean differences and the large 95% confidence intervals for clinical measurements limit the usefulness of these techniques. Slit scanogram measurement was the most reliable measurement technique. The intraobserver variance of direct slit scanogram measurement included intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99, mean difference of 0.1 cm, and 95% confidence interval of 0.4 cm. Results were not influenced by patient age or body mass index. Slit scanogram measurement is the preferred method for assessment of limb length discrepancy. The direct slit scanogram measurement described in the text follows the mechanical axis line of the leg in the “at ease” standing position described by Paley. Direct measurement using a measuring tape on a full-length slit scanogram is more reliable than indirect measurement using horizontal lines drawn to a radiolucent ruler that is positioned by a technician, since direct measurement avoids errors due to nonparallel positioning of the limb relative to the ruler, and direct measurement also avoids errors due to non-horizontal lines drawn from standard bony landmarks to the ruler. The ideal radiographic measurement technique would have high reliability and accuracy and would minimize or eliminate radiation.
Clustering analysis and its applications

With data mining becoming more and more important in many research area, cluster analysis has played an important role in geoscience application domain. Though the range of clustering algorithms that have been developed is broad, this paper will classify them according the broad approach or method adopted by each: a partitioning method, a hierarchical method, a density-based method, a grid-based method, a model-based method. The application of the new clustering algorithm demonstrates that data mining techniques can be used in geophysical data interpretation and can get meaningful and useful results, and that the new clustering algorithm can be used in other real world applications.
A novel tri-band dual-port coplanar waveguide-fed slot loop antenna for WLAN and WiMAX applications

A tri-band dual-port CPW-fed slot antenna is designed, built and measured. The performance of the proposed antenna meets the impedance bandwidths of 802.11a/b/g bands and 3.5 GHz WiMAX band. Using shorted metal in the slots and embedding lump elements, an antenna size of 28.2 times 21.4 mm2 is achieved. The proposed antenna is cost-effective, simple and compact with stable gains in all bands. These features make the proposed antenna suitable for applications of tri-band wireless communication systems.
Temperature dependence of graphene oxide reduced by hydrazine hydrate

Graphene oxide (GO) was successfully prepared by a modified Hummer’s method. The reduction effect and mechanism of the as-prepared GO reduced with hydrazine hydrate at different temperatures and time were characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), x-ray diffractions (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the reduction effect of GO mainly depended on treatment temperature instead of treatment time. Desirable reduction of GO can only be obtained at high treatment temperature. Reduced at 95 °C for 3 h, the C/O atomic ratio of GO increased from 3.1 to 15.1, which was impossible to obtain at low temperatures, such as 80, 60 or 15 °C, even for longer reduction time. XPS, 13C NMR and FTIR results show that most of the epoxide groups bonded to graphite during the oxidation were removed from GO and form the sp2 structure after being reduced by hydrazine hydrate at high temperature (>60 °C), leading to the electric conductivity of GO increasing from 1.5 × 10 − 6 to 5 S cm − 1, while the hydroxyls on the surface of GO were not removed by hydrazine hydrate even at high temperature. Additionally, the FTIR, XRD and Raman spectrum indicate that the GO reduced by hydrazine hydrate can not be entirely restored to the pristine graphite structures. XPS and FTIR data also suggest that carbonyl and carboxyl groups can be reduced by hydrazine hydrate and possibly form hydrazone, but not a C = C structure.
A lower starting dose of eltrombopag is efficacious in Japanese patients with previously treated chronic immune thrombocytopenia

Background: Eltrombopag is an oral, non‐peptide thrombopoietin receptor agonist that has shown efficacy and safety in chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, ethnic differences in eltrombopag exposure have been reported: area under the curve exposure to eltrombopag was 87% greater among ITP patients of East Asian descent than among ITP patients of non‐East Asian ITP descent.
Will personal values predict the development of smoking and drinking behaviors? A prospective cohort study of children and adolescents in Taiwan

This study examined how personal values predict the development of smoking and drinking behaviors in adolescence. The longitudinal data of 1545 adolescents over a 6-year period were analyzed. The results showed that adolescents who valued health and academics had similarly lower odds of reporting cigarette and alcohol use and those who valued friends had significantly higher odds. While the odds increased over time, the trend on alcohol use lessened for adolescents who valued academics, while the trend accelerated for those who valued friends. The finding suggests the important role that personal values play in adolescent risk behavioral development.
Measuring Household Food Security Using Food Intake Indicators in Rural Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Estimation of micronutrients intake in food consumption surveys has generally been ignored. Focusing on similar households, a household food consumption survey (n = 200) was carried out in November 2004 (period of less) and March 2005 (period of plenty) in rural KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Diet diversity, energy, protein and micronutrient intakes were proxies of household food security. Principal Component Analysis was used to estimate household food adequacy and strength of the variables (nutrients) in determining household intake variation amongst the community. On average, variation in household intake was contributed by energy (62.8%), iron (20.2%), protein (11.8%), vitamin E (3.8%), vitamin A (1.0%), and dietary diversity (0.3%). Linking food intake to household variables can generate plausible variables for measuring household food security.
Gabor transform applied to segmentation and skeletonization of digital images

This paper implements a digital algorithm that allows the segmentation and skeletonization of digital images, this method is particularly important in the processing of retinographies where fundus analysis enables early detection of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. The algorithm implemented using the Fourier transforms of two-dimensional Gabor and with the aid of conventional filters. The performance of the algorithm implemented under the Matlab mathematical platform has been compared with conventional methods resulting in obtaining filtered images with better contrast and higher resolution.
Evaluation of exome filtering techniques for the analysis of clinically relevant genes

A significant challenge facing clinical translation of exome sequencing is meaningful and efficient variant interpretation. Each exome contains ∼500 rare coding variants; laboratories must systematically and efficiently identify which variant(s) contribute to the patient's phenotype. In silico filtering is an approach that reduces analysis time while decreasing the chances of incidental findings. We retrospectively assessed 55 solved exomes using available datasets as in silico filters: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Orphanet, Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), and Radboudumc University Medical Center curated panels. We found that personalized panels produced using HPO terms for each patient had the highest success rate (100%), while producing considerably less variants to assess. HPO panels also captured multiple diagnoses in the same individual. We conclude that custom HPO‐derived panels are an efficient and effective way to identify clinically relevant exome variants.
Adaptive target detection in FLIR imagery using the eigenspace separation transform and principal component analysis

In this paper, an adaptive target detection algorithm for FLIR imagery is proposed that is based on measuring differences between structural information within a target and its surrounding background. At each pixel in the image a dual window is opened where the inner window (inner image vector) represents a possible target signature and the outer window (consisting of a number of outer image vectors) represents the surrounding scene. These image vectors are preprocessed by two directional highpass filters to obtain the corresponding image edge vectors. The target detection problem is formulated as a statistical hypotheses testing problem by mapping these image edge vectors into two transformations, P1 and P2, via Eigenspace Separation Transform (EST) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The first transformation P1 is a function of the inner image edge vector. The second transformation P2 is a function of both the inner and outer image edge vectors. For the hypothesis H1 (target): the difference of the two functions is small. For the hypothesis H0 (clutter): the difference of the two functions is large. Results of testing the proposed target detection algorithm on two large FLIR image databases are presented.
Age-related cochlear cytokine gene expression in the BALB/cJ mouse with systemic versus intratympanic dosing of steroid drugs

Abstract Conclusion: Age-related differences in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the inner ear may contribute to the development of age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Objectives: ARHL is characterized by tissue remodeling, ischemia, ion homeostasis, and inflammation. Steroid therapy is an otoprotective strategy that likely acts by reducing inflammation. We examined age-related changes in cytokine gene expression in the cochlea of the BALB/cJ mouse model of premature ARHL after systemic or intratympanic steroid delivery. Methods: ‘Young' (2.5–3 months) and ‘Old' (5–9 months) mice were treated with dexamethasone or fludrocortisone administered either orally or intratympanically. Cytokine gene expression in cochlear RNA was analyzed using prefabricated cDNA arrays. Old groups were compared to Young groups to identify age-related changes. Results: Down-regulation of a cytokine associated with bone remodeling (SPP1) was observed in the untreated Old group. Numerous genes were up- or down-regulated by more than twofold by steroid treatment, including proinflammatory interleukins (IL-16) and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Loneliness among older people as a social problem: the perspectives of medicine, religion and economy

ABSTRACT This article offers a theoretical framework for studying loneliness among older people from a social problems perspective. The framework combines the constructionist approach to social problems (Spector and Kitsuse) and systems theory (Luhmann). Based on the first approach, we understand the social problem of loneliness among older people to be the result of claims-making activities by different key actors. These activities are guided by underlying moralities, causalities and solutions. With the second approach, we can explain how social problems are framed differently within different social systems. The proposed framework is primarily aimed at researchers studying social (in contrast to bio-medical or psychological) aspects of loneliness among older people. It helps not only to guide research designs in order to address conflicting perspectives, rationalities and interests but also to enable researchers to grasp fully how ‘loneliness among older people’ is attributed (potentially shifting) meanings through communicative acts by influential stakeholders in the ‘social problems industry‘. Combining constructionism and Luhmann's theory also helps to interpret and explain concrete claims-making concerning loneliness as a social problem. The argument in this article is illustrated via three different social systems: medicine, religion and economy. Loneliness among older people appears to be something different from each of these perspectives: as a matter of health and illness, of spirituality, and of incentives and commodities, respectively.
Advanced High Frequency AC Microgrid with integrated power quality conditioning capability

This paper presents a high frequency AC (HFAC) microgrid with power quality conditioning capacity, as an alternative energy conversion for integration of renewable energy sources in a distributed generation system. It is shown that successful implementation of any HFAC microgrid relies on the best utilization of the source and integrating bus, which can be accomplished by using a unified power quality conditioner (UQPC). The UPQC can simultaneously compensate for current and voltage harmonics and also for reactive power. Its controller is based on the modified instantaneous p-q theory and the results obtained show that this conditioner can be effectively used to improve the quality of power systems.
How Does Instance-Based Inference About Event Frequencies Develop? An Analysis with a Computational Process Model

To make inferences about the frequency of events in the world (e.g., the prevalence of diseases or the popularity of consumer products), people often exploit observations of relevant instances sampled from their personal social network. How does this ability to infer event frequencies by searching and relying on personal instance knowledge develop from childhood to adulthood? To address this question, we conducted a study in which children (age 8–11 years) and adults (age 19–34 years) judged the relative frequencies of first names in Germany. Based on the recalled instances of the names in participants’ social networks, we modeled their frequency judgments and the underlying search process with a Bayesian hierarchical latent-mixture approach encompassing different computational models. We found developmental differences in the inference strategies that children and adults used. Whereas the judgments of most adults were best described by a noncompensatory strategy that assumes limited and sequentially ordered search (social-circle model), the judgments of most children were best described by a compensatory strategy that assumes exhaustive search and information aggregation (availability-by-recall). Our results highlight that already children use instance knowledge to infer event frequencies but they appear to search more exhaustively for instances than adults. One interpretation of these results is that the ability to conduct ordered and focused search is a central aspect in the development of noncompensatory instance-based inference.
Nitric Oxide Inhibits the Degradation of IRP2

ABSTRACT Iron-regulatory protein 2 (IRP2), a posttranscriptional regulator of iron metabolism, undergoes proteasomal degradation in iron-replete cells, while it is stabilized in iron deficiency or hypoxia. IRP2 also responds to nitric oxide (NO), as shown in various cell types exposed to pharmacological NO donors and in gamma interferon/lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. However, the diverse experimental systems have yielded conflicting results on whether NO activates or inhibits IRP2. We show here that a treatment of mouse B6 fibroblasts or human H1299 lung cancer cells with the NO-releasing drug S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) activates IRP2 expression. Moreover, the exposure of H1299 cells to SNAP leads to stabilization of hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged IRP2, with kinetics analogous to those elicited by the iron chelator desferrioxamine. Similar results were obtained with IRP2Δ 73, a mutant lacking a conserved, IRP2-specific proline- and cysteine-rich domain. Importantly, SNAP fails to stabilize HA-tagged p53, suggesting that under the above experimental conditions, NO does not impair the capacity of the proteasome for protein degradation. Finally, by employing a coculture system of B6 and H1299 cells expressing NO synthase II or IRP2-HA cDNAs, respectively, we demonstrate that NO generated in B6 cells stabilizes IRP2-HA in target H1299 cells by passive diffusion. Thus, biologically synthesized NO promotes IRP2 stabilization without compromising the overall proteasomal activity. These results are consistent with the idea that NO may negatively affect the labile iron pool and thereby trigger responses to iron deficiency.
An Intrinsic Subsequence Decomposition Algorithm for Network Intrusion Detection

The problem of network intrusion detection is an active research issue. Based on the techniques of sequence data mining, we propose a completely new approach based on intrinsic subsequence to detect intrusions in the network connection data. An intrinsic subsequence means that all items in it are always present together as a whole in the sequence. The total number of an intrinsic subsequence appeared in a sequence is referred to as absolute support. The intrinsic subsequences with approximate absolute support form a layer. A sequence is supposed to be composed of a set of intrinsic subsequences. And the anomalies are always shown as a composition of some unusual intrinsic subsequences. The abnormal sequence can be detected by decomposing the sequence into a number of layers and finding the differences of the corresponding layers between the normal and suspect sequence data. An original algorithm for intrusion detection by using the idea of decomposition is proposed. The experiments on the data sets of KDD 99 illuminate the utility and efficiency of our new approach.
Development of Cuterebra jellisoni (Diptera: Cuterebridae) in six species of rabbits and rodents.

Cuterebra jellisoni Curran was colonized in the laboratory. Mating was induced by the tethering method. Infective larvae were introduced via natural body openings into black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus ) , mountain cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus nuttalli) , pigmy rabbits (Sylvilagus idahoensis) , domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) , deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) , and laboratory mice (Mus musculus). Host specificity was demonstrated in favor of the native host species. Lepus californicus. However, all lagomorph species tested supported larvae to maturity. Infections in Sylvilagus and Oryctolagus were less successful than in Lepus. Rodents were refractory. Terminal development of larvae in lagomorph hosts varied between host species but averaged 35 days. The larvae demonstrated strong preference for development sites on the head. Adult flies emerged from puparia in 125 days.
Expression and characterization of hepatitis B virus surface antigen polypeptides in insect cells with a baculovirus expression system

The baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus was used as an expression vector to produce hepatitis B virus surface antigen with and without the pre-S domain. The S gene product was expressed as both fusion and nonfusion polypeptides. No difference was observed in the posttranslational modification of the fusion and nonfusion polypeptides. The S proteins were not secreted into the medium but were inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum, glycosylated, and partially extruded into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum as 22-nm lipoprotein particles. The oligosaccharide chains on the insect cell-derived S protein were of the N-linked high-mannose form, in contrast to the complex-type oligosaccharides detected on plasma-derived hepatitis B virus surface antigen. The pre-S-S polypeptides were inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum, glycosylated, and modified by fatty acid acylation with myristic acid. A procedure was developed to purify the S protein from cellular membranes by using detergent extraction and immunoaffinity chromatography. The purified S protein was in the form of protein-detergent micelles and was highly antigenic and immunogenic.
nvolvement of androgen receptor gene in male gonad differentiation in Indian arden lizard , Calotes versicolor

The Indian garden lizard, Calotes versicolor, shows neither cytologically distinguishable sex chromosomes nor temperature dependent sex determination. However, previous studies on the administration of androgens to embryos during early development have shown reversal towards male sex. We have cloned and sequenced a cDNA fragment of the androgen receptor (AR) gene (CvAR) and characterized its expression. CvAR shares much homology with AR gene of other vertebrates at the nucleotide and amino acid levels indicating their evolutionary conservation. Whole mount RNA in situ hybridization (WRISH) and semiquantitative RT-PCR analyses of its expression in the genital ridge of individual embryos from different ndrogen receptor (AR) ex determination