Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MedicinePeptides: Implications for Therapeutic Complement Attack by Factor H-Binding Protection of Nonself Surfaces from

Exposure of nonself surfaces such as those of biomaterials or transplanted cells and organs to host blood frequently triggers innate immune responses, thereby affecting both their functionality and tolerability. Activation of the alternative pathway of complement plays a decisive role in this unfavorable reaction. Whereas previous studies demonstrated that immobilization of physiological regulators of complement activation (RCA) can attenuate this foreign body-induced activation, simple and efﬁcient approaches for coating artiﬁcial surfaces with intact RCA are still missing. The conjugation of small molecular entities that capture RCA with high afﬁnity is an intriguing alternative, as this creates a surface with autoregulatory activity upon exposure to blood. We therefore screened two variable cysteine-constrained phage-displayed peptide libraries for factor H-binding peptides. We discovered three peptide classes that differed with respect to their main target binding areas. Peptides binding to the broad middle region of factor H (domains 5–18) were of particular interest, as they do not interfere with either regulatory or binding activities. One peptide in this group (5C6) was further characterized and showed high factor H-capturing activity while retaining its functional integrity. Most importantly, when 5C6 was coated to a model polystyrene surface and exposed to human lepirudin-anticoagulated plasma, the bound peptide captured factor H and substantially inhibited complement activation by the alternative pathway. Our study therefore provides a promising and novel approach to produce therapeutic materials with enhanced biocompatibility. The Journal of Immunology , 2011, 186: 000–000. H from serum was detected with goat anti-human factor H polyclonal Ab followed by HRP-conjugated rabbit anti-goat IgG in duplicate wells as described above. Undiluted lepirudin plasma was always included as a control having all complement pathways intact. The results show rep- resentatives of at least three independent experiments performed with plasma from different donors.
"Lost in Translation: Shop Signs in Jordan"

Shop signs, in the Jordanian public commercial environment, have invariably been studied from linguistic, sociolinguistic, and pragmatic perspectives, but they have been utterly ignored from a translational point of view. This study, the first of its kind, investigates various problems and inadequacies pertinent to the subject under discussion. Shop signs are selected here from a number of heterogeneous cities, and the translation errors therein, committed by communicators, were empirically analyzed and categorized. Language and culture are, of necessity, inextricably intertwined, and this nexus is particularly apparent in the world of local commercial shop signs, and thus it has been tackled for its direct relevance to the translation of these signs. This investigation, therefore, highlights the linguistic (e.g., word-order, wrong lexical choice, and reductionist strategies), and extralinguistic (i.e., sociocultural and promotional) factors that have turned out to lead to translation inappropriateness and unparallelisms, information skewing, and, consequently, serious semantic-conceptual problems in the produced TLTs. This study may, in a way, provide educated insight into the trendiest translation practices in this field, and the way shop signs are most often verbalized, mishandled, and mistranslated.
Learning for 21st century skills

As companies expand their businesses to the international marketplace, they will rely on their employees to have skills in using web-based information and communication technologies (ICTs) for collaboration. To simulate this global environment in the classroom, the authors created a six-week project in which first-year introductory technology students from Bentley University in the United States and fourth-year multimedia students from “Politehnica” University of Timisoara, Romania, used a number of ICTs during a semester project to evaluate two similar online collaboration tools. In doing so, they were able to develop several 21st Century Skills for Digital Literacy as identified by Jenkins. Students created blog posts, videos, and collaborative documents to chronicle their learning, shared their results within ViCaDiS, an online learning environment.
Mapping the Prion Protein Using Recombinant Antibodies

ABSTRACT The fundamental event in prion disease is thought to be the posttranslational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). The occurrence of PrPC on the cell surface and PrPSc in amyloid plaques in situ or in aggregates following purification complicates the study of the molecular events that underlie the disease process. Monoclonal antibodies are highly sensitive probes of protein conformation which can be used under these conditions. Here, we report the rescue of a diverse panel of 19 PrP-specific recombinant monoclonal antibodies from phage display libraries prepared from PrP deficient (Prnp0/0) mice immunized with infectious prions either in the form of rods or PrP 27-30 dispersed into liposomes. The antibodies recognize a number of distinct linear and discontinuous epitopes that are presented to a varying degree on different PrP preparations. The epitope reactivity of the recombinant PrP(90-231) molecule was almost indistinguishable from that of PrPC on the cell surface, validating the importance of detailed structural studies on the recombinant molecule. Only one epitope region at the C terminus of PrP was well presented on both PrPC and PrPSc, while epitopes associated with most of the antibodies in the panel were present on PrPCbut absent from PrPSc.
What Drives Ambush Marketer Misidentification

This article investigates the effectiveness of ambush marketing in terms of ambush marketer misidentification in the context of sports events. Grounded in associative network models and memory reconstruction heuristics, an empirical study examines how different ambush marketing strategies as well as event, ambush marketer, official sponsor, and individual consumer characteristics can result in ambush marketer misidentification. A descriptive survey collects data on consumers’ knowledge and perceived misleading potential of four ambush marketing strategies. Finally, three experiments aim to determine the effectiveness of these strategies and the aforementioned drivers in terms of actual ambush marketer misidentification. The results from the experiments are contrasted with the findings from the survey study. Findings are discussed with emphasis on implications for researchers, ambush marketers, official sponsors, and event organizers.
A polysaccharide from Dendrobium huoshanense prevents hepatic inflammatory response caused by carbon tetrachloride

Dendrobium huoshanense is a precious herbal medicine in China, which exhibits a variety of restorative and therapeutic effects. This study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effects of a polysaccharide (DHP1A) isolated from D. huoshanense via water extraction, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The animal experiment indicated that the oral administration of DHP1A obviously reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine in the serum of mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), suggesting the hepatoprotective potential of this polysaccharide. Moreover, DHP1A decreased the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, CD68 and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα) in the CCl4-treated mice. These results revealed that the hepatoprotective effect of DHP1A was partly attributed to its anti-inflammatory action.
Energy balancing in a microgrid based on sources and loads classification

Demand Response Management Systems (DRMS) in microgrid environment have been widely investigated during these last ten years. In this matter, numerous optimization models, based either on exact or approximate techniques, have been proposed in the literature to facilitate a transient energy independence of the private premises from the public grid. Three factors may either impose or motivate such an autonomy: a breakdown of a public electricity generator, a dysfunction in the distribution network or the hourly price of a KWh on the market. Service continuity in case of islanding of the private premises necessitates three types of equipment: a DRMS, one or several local energy sources and a set of stationary batteries. On the basis of the hourly day-ahead price of public electricity, the end-user may disconnect transiently his equipment from the public grid in order to reduce his energy expenses. The contribution of this paper is twofold. In a first step, we propose an original classification of the various electric loads that can be activated within a microgrid. We then propose a DRMS based on an exact formulation of this optimization problem.
Popularity as a moderator of peer selection and socialization of adolescent alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use

This study examined prospective associations between late adolescents' friendships and substance use (alcohol, marijuana, tobacco) using a stochastic actor-based modeling approach and the moderating role of popularity. Participants were 450 adolescents (53% female, M age = 15.5 years) who completed surveys in grades 10 and 11. Results of a single multivariate model indicated that peer selection based on similar tobacco use was a more robust predictor of changes in friendship than selection based on similar alcohol and marijuana use; and peer socialization of alcohol use predicted more changes in adolescent-drinking behaviors. Popularity moderated selection based on alcohol use; popular adolescents were more likely to select friends with high levels of drinking behaviors. Popularity did not moderate peer socialization.
Ieee Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics 1 Video Stereolization: Combining Motion Analysis with User Interaction

We present a semi-automatic system that converts conventional videos into stereoscopic videos by combining motion analysis with user interaction, aiming to transfer as much as possible labeling work from the user to the computer. In addition to the widely-used structure from motion (SFM) techniques, we develop two new methods that analyze the optical flow to provide additional qualitative depth constraints. They remove the camera movement restriction imposed by SFM so that general motions can be used in scene depth estimation – the central problem in mono-to-stereo conversion. With these algorithms, the user's labeling task is significantly simplified. We further developed a quadratic programming approach to incorporate both quantitative depth and qualitative depth (such as these from user scribbling) to recover dense depth maps for all frames, from which stereoscopic view can be synthesized. In addition to visual results, we present user study results showing that our approach is more intuitive and less labor intensive, while producing 3D effect comparable to that from current state-of-the-art interactive algorithms.
Safety and efficacy of fluoroscopic versus ultrasound guidance for core liver biopsies in potential living related liver transplant donors: preliminary results.

PURPOSE To describe and evaluate the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopically guided percutaneous liver biopsies in comparison with ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous liver biopsies in potential living related liver donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis of 133 consecutive preoperative workups of potential living related liver donors was performed. The subjects were treated from January 1999 through May 2002. Subjects were divided into those who underwent US-guided subcostal 18-gauge core liver biopsies (group I) and those who underwent fluoroscopically guided intercostal 18-gauge core liver biopsies (group II). Group II biopsies were performed in a manner similar to percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. All samples obtained during the study period were reevaluated prospectively by a transplant pathologist blinded to guidance modality for sample adequacy (defined as >or=5 complete portal triads). Subjects were followed for 4 hours before discharge and afterward in the transplant clinic until donation. Subjects who did not donate organs were followed for at least 1 month. RESULTS One hundred thirty-three potential donors were evaluated (55 for group I, 78 for group II). Mean follow-up was 1.7 months, and 77% of subjects donated. The mean numbers of needle passes were 2.1 and 2.3 for groups I and II, respectively. No major complications were encountered, and all subjects were discharged in 4 hours. Incidences of minor complications were 3.6% (vasovagal reactions) and zero for groups I and II, respectively. Sample adequacy rates were 100% and 99% for groups I and II, respectively. One case (1.8%) in group I, although pathologically adequate, had additional renal tissue. CONCLUSION Fluoroscopically guided liver biopsy shows encouraging initial safety results and is as effective as US-guided liver biopsy in normal subjects.
Assessing the relationship among Defining Issues Test scores and crystallised and fluid intellectual indices

Differing findings exist on how Defining Issues Test (DIT) scores relate to intelligence. Further study is needed in order to address aspects of intellect not previously considered and to address how these relationships rival studies that have compared indices of intellect with constructs similar to DIT scores. In the present study, a sample of 117 participants completed the DIT and the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT), which assesses crystallised and fluid intelligence. Structural equation modelling offered supporting evidence that these measurements represent separate sources of information. Statistically significant paths from KAIT crystallised indices to DIT scores were seen, though there was much overlap. Negligible paths were seen from KAIT fluid indices to DIT scores in the sample overall though this relationship strengthens when advanced moral judgement development is considered. Thus, the present study affirms the DIT's construct validity and illustrates how crystallised and fluid intellectual abilities pertain to DIT scores.
An integrated two‐stage anaerobic digestion and biofuel production process to reduce life cycle GHG emissions from US dairies

Over 9 million dairy cows generate an estimated 226 billion kg of wet manure annually in the USA. To help mitigate dairy greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the degradation of this organic‐rich waste, manure can be processed via anaerobic digestion (AD) to methane and ultimately electricity. This potential value of AD has generated high‐level dairy‐industry support for broad‐scale technology deployment; however, on‐the‐ground AD realization has been impeded by process stability/reliability concerns and poor economics. Considering these challenges but recognizing that AD represents a fundamentally sound manure‐management approach, an interdisciplinary research team has completed proof‐of‐concept investigations on an integrated process that will concurrently improve manure management economics and reduce dairy GHG emissions. The integrated processes center on a two‐stage fermentation/AD system that can generate methane quantity/quality comparable to conventional single‐stage AD. Molecular level investigations confirm that the AD is highly enriched with a unique and synergistic microbial population which yielded a more resilient and stable process. Beyond AD, algae grown on nitrogen/phosphorus‐rich AD supernatant in a photobioreactor yielded biomass concentrations approaching 1.0 g L–1; despite an apparent growth lag/inhibition associated with excess organic acids and ammonia, algae growth was significant. Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrated that the two‐stage AD configuration coupled with algae production can reduce GHG emissions by approximately 60% as compared with a traditional anaerobic lagoon. The end result is a manure‐management platform that can increase US dairy viability and sustainability. Ongoing investigations are aimed at process refinement with an ultimate commercialization goal. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Sex, lies, and video games: an interactive storytelling prototype

We describe a first prototype of an Interactive Storytelling system, whose objective is to allow user intervention within a pre-defined storyline. The system is character-based rather than plot-based, each character’s role being dynamically computed using HTN planning. The interaction between characters creates various instantiations of the baseline narrative, with which the user can interfere at any time. After introducing the basic AI techniques used in the prototype, we discuss the modalities of user intervention and present an example story produced by the system.
Effects of long-term treatment with corticosteroids in COPD.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of treatment with corticosteroids in patients with COPD. METHODS In this study, we investigated the effect of a 2-year treatment with corticosteroids on clinical symptoms and the decline of lung function in 58 nonallergic patients with COPD. Subjects were treated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel way with inhaled budesonide (bud), 1,600 micrograms/d; inhaled budesonide, 1,600 micrograms/d, plus oral prednisolone, 5 micrograms/d (bud + pred); or placebo (plac). Clinical assessment (history, physical examination, and spirometry) was carried out every 2 months. The rate of decline in FEV1 was assessed by calculating individual regression co-efficients from linear regression of FEV1 on time for each subject. RESULTS Eleven patients dropped out. The number of withdrawals due to pulmonary problems was significantly higher in the plac group (n = 5 out of 18) than in the actively treated groups (n = 2 out of 40). Treatment with corticosteroids significantly reduced pulmonary symptoms. Median decline of FEV1 was 60 mL/yr in the plac group, 40 mL/yr in the bud + pred group, and 30 mL/yr in the bud group. Variation was large and differences were not statistically significant. No treatment effect was found on frequency or duration of exacerbations, possibly because of the high number of withdrawals due to pulmonary deterioration in the plac group. Treatment with a combination of inhaled plus oral corticosteroids was not more effective than inhaled corticosteroids alone. Morning plasma cortisol levels remained within the normal range in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows beneficial effects of long-term daily treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COPD with regard to symptoms and drop out due to pulmonary problems. Lung function decline tends to decrease during treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. The observed effects are limited but warrant further studies on the effectiveness of corticosteroids in larger numbers of patients with COPD.
Application of chromosomal substitution techniques in gene‐function discovery

A consomic rat strain is one in which an entire chromosome is introgressed into the isogenic background of another inbred strain using marker assisted selection. The development and initial physiologic screening of two inbred consomic rat panels on two genetic backgrounds (44 strains) is well underway. The primary uses of consomic strains are: (1) to assign traits and quantitative trait loci (QTL) to chromosomes by surveying the panel of strains with substituted chromosomes; (2) to rapidly develop congenic strains over a narrow region using several approaches described in this review and perform F2 linkage studies to positionally locate QTL in a fixed genetic background. In addition, consomic strains overcome many of the problems encountered with segregating crosses where, even if linkage is found, each individual in the cross is genetically unique and the combination of genes cannot be reproduced or studied in detail. Consomic strains provide greater statistical power to detect linkage than traditional F2 crosses because of their fixed genetic backgrounds, and can produce sufficient numbers of genetically identical rats to validate the relationship between a trait and a particular chromosome. These strains allow studies to be performed in a replicative or longitudinal manner to elucidate in greater detail the sequential changes responsible for the observed phenotypes of these animals, and they enable one to assess the impact of a causal gene region in a genome by allowing comparisons of the effect of replacement of a specific chromosome upon a disease susceptible or resistant genomic background. Consomics can be used to quickly develop multiple chromosome substitution models to investigate gene–gene interactions of complex traits or diseases. Finally, they often provide the best available inbred control strain for particular physiological comparisons with the inbred parental strains. Consomic rat strains are proving to be a unique scientific resource that greatly extends our understanding of genes and complex normal and pathological function.
Interaction of the human body and surfaces of different stiffness during drop jumps.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine two hypotheses: (a) the stiffness of the surface influences the leg stiffness of the subjects during drop jumps, and (b) drop jumping performance (jumping height and energy rates of the subject's center of mass during the contact phase) increases when decreasing surface stiffness due to a greater energy storage capacity of the surface for a given acting force. METHODS Ten female subjects performed a series of drop jumps from 40-cm height onto two sprung surfaces with different stiffness. Those trials of each subject displaying the maximal mechanical power during the upward phase were analyzed. The ground reaction forces were measured using a force plate. Sagittal kinematics of the subject's body positions and the deformation of the surface were recorded using two high-speed video cameras. RESULTS On the soft surface, the jumping height and the energy rates of the subjects during the contact phase were greater than on the hard one. The energy delivered by the subjects during the upward phase, the leg and joint stiffness, as well as the range of motion of the subjects remained unchanged for both surfaces. CONCLUSIONS The absolute energy loss is lower for the hard surface, but the jumping performance is greater for the soft one. The reason is a higher ratio of positive to negative mechanical work done by the subjects during the contact phase. The adjustment of the subjects to different surfaces is not only dependent on the stiffness of the surface but also on the intensity of the movement.
Media systems and their effects on women's sport participation in Taiwan

This study has attempted to explore media influences on social and cultural change, in particular the impact of the media on individuals and groups’ practice of exercise. It suggests that the media has been in some way successful in gaining male support and has eliminated some gender hostilities, resulting in a little change to the status quo of women. The findings and discussions are attempts to explore how images of femininity/body are perceived and constructed in the mass media and society as a whole. In addition, they present media images and discuss how the latter have influenced women's femininity and their sport participation in Taiwan.