Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resonance Raman investigation of imidazole and imidazolate complexes of microperoxidase: characterization of the bis(histidine) axial ligation in c-type cytochromes.

In order to evaluate the steric and electronic influences of the heme axial ligands on the vibrational modes of heme c, various ferric and ferrous six-coordinate heme c compounds have been prepared from microperoxidase-8 (MP8) and different extrinsic ligands. In this paper, the absorption and Soret-excited resonance Raman (RR) spectra of imidazole, imidazolate, 1-methylimidazole, and histidine complexes of MP8 are presented. The absorption characteristics of the unligated forms, either aggregated or monomeric, as well as of the ligated forms of MP8(III) and MP8(II) have been determined as a function of pH, the presence of a cationic detergent, and the ligand concentration. Spectrophotometric titrations have shown that MP8(III) and MP8(II) can bind one or two molecules of exogenous ligand, forming monoligated or bisligated complexes. The latter form, observed with large excesses of ligand, results from the displacement of the intrinsic proximal His of MP8 by an exogenous ligand. Several structural marker bands have been detected in the high- and low-frequency regions of RR spectra. The high-frequency RR spectra of the ImH compounds of MP8(III) exhibit a v10 mode sensitive to ligand deprotonation(s). Moreover, the replacement of His by an exogenous ImH in MP8(III) complexes induces the upshift of the v10 mode frequency (1637-1641 cm-1), indicating that the porphyrin skeleton is less distorted when the internal coordination of proximal His to heme is broken. A similar dependence of the out-of-plane porphyrin distortion is suggested for the low-frequency mode v8 (343-347 cm-1). As far as the ferrous compounds are concerned, the mode most sensitive to the ImH deprotonation is v11, which is downshifted from 1539 to 1527 cm-1. Comparisons of the low-frequency regions of the RR spectra of imidazole-type ligated MP8(III) and MP8(II) complexes, as well as observations based on isotopic substitutions of the corresponding 1-methylimidazole complexes (MeIm-->MeIm-d6), allow the assignment of two bands in the 184-197 and 400-409 cm-1 regions to modes involving the symmetric and asymmetric stretches of the axial ligands, respectively. Two other bands in the 343-347 and 359-362 cm-1 regions, sensitive to the mass and/or deprotonation states of the axial ligands, have been tentatively assigned to v(Fe-N(pyrrole)) modes coupled to either a deformation mode of axial bonds or an internal mode of the bound imidazole(s). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A game theory inspired, decentralized, local information based algorithm for community detection in social graphs

Motivated by the observation that communities in real world social networks form due to actions of rational individuals in networks, we propose a novel game theory inspired algorithm to determine communities in networks. The algorithm is decentralized and only uses local information at each node. We show the efficacy of the proposed algorithm through extensive experimentation on several real world social network data sets.
Current developments in viral DNA vaccines: shall they solve the unsolved?

This review describes the mechanisms of immune response following DNA vaccination. The efficacy of DNA vaccines in animal models is highlighted, especially in viral diseases against which no widely accepted vaccination is currently available. Emphasis is given to possible therapeutic vaccination in chronic infections due to persisting virus genomes, such as recurrent herpes (HSV‐1 and HSV‐2), pre‐AIDS (HIV‐1) and/or chronic hepatitis B (HBV). In these, the problem of introducing foreign viral DNA may not be of crucial importance, since the immunised subject is already a viral DNA (or provirus) carrier. The DNA‐based immunisation strategies may overcome several problems of classical viral vaccines. Novel DNA vaccines could induce immunity against multiple viral epitopes including the conservative type common ones, which do not undergo antigenic drifts. Within the immunised host, they mimic the effect of live attenuated viral vaccines when continuously expressing the polypeptide in question. For this reason they directly stimulate the antigen‐presenting cells, especially dendritic cells. The antigen encoded by plasmid elicits T helper cell activity (Th1 and Th2 type responses), primes the cytotoxic T cell memory and may induce a satisfactory humoral response. The efficacy of DNA vaccines can be improved by adding plasmids encoding immunomodulatory cytokines and/or their co‐receptors. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The (Non)Separability of Air Quality: Evidence from Millions of Households Across the United States

The costs and benefits of environmental policy depend crucially on the assumed microelasticities between market and non-market goods. In their absence, general equilibrium models have assumed environmental amenities are perfect substitutes with market goods, such as consumption and leisure, producing qualitatively dierent welfare assessments of environmental policy under even a narrow range of micro-elasticities. I estimate these elasticities using over 40 million observations from Census micro-data, together with weather and air quality measures at the county-level, between 2000-2014, finding that the elasticities between air quality and consumption, housing, and leisure are 7.14, . 54, and . 2, respectively. These estimates are identified from county-industry-specific deviations in air quality from the county averages after conditioning on shocks common to all counties within a state. Under simulated counterfactual distributions for 2010, these elasticities imply that the Clean Air Act Amendments had very large negative eects.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: A review of 18 cases in childhood

Objective: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a treatable inflammatory demyelinating disorder seen more commonly in children than in adults. It typically presents to general paediatricians, often, like encephalitis, with non‐specific cerebrospinal fluid findings. The brain computerized tomography scan is usually normal, so is falsely reassuring and delays the diagnosis, which might result in considerable morbidity. The present study was initiated to report on the various modes of presentation and raise the awareness of the diagnosis of ADEM among general paediatricians.
In vitro cell compatibility study of rose bengal–chitosan adhesives

Photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) using rose bengal (RB) in conjunction with light is an alternative technique to repair tissue without suturing. It was recently demonstrated that laser‐irradiated chitosan films, incorporating RB, bonded firmly to calf intestine in vitro. It is thus required to investigate the possible cytotoxic effects of the RB–chitosan adhesive on cells before testing its application to in vivo models.
Searching for novel scaffold of triazole non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

Abstract Azoles are a promising class of the new generation of HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). From thousands of reported compounds, many possess the same basic structure of an aryl substituted azole ring linked by a thioglycolamide chain with another aromatic ring. In order to find novel extensions for this basic scaffold, we explored the 5-position substitution pattern of triazole NNRTIs using molecular docking followed by the synthesis of selected compounds. We found that heterocyclic substituents in the 5-position of the triazole ring are detrimental to the inhibitory activity of compounds with four-membered thioglycolamide linker and this substitution seems to be viable only for compounds with shorter two-membered linker. Promising compound, N-(4-carboxy-2-chlorophenyl)-2-((4-benzyl-5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanyl)acetamide, with potent inhibitory activity and acceptable aqueous solubility has been identified in this study that could serve as lead scaffold for the development of novel water-soluble salts of triazole NNRTIs.
Student Development as Cross-Disciplinary Team Members: Real-Time Observations of Student Experiences During a Team Project

ii Dedication . iv Acknowledgements . v List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix Chapter 1 . 1 1.1 Broad Models of Team Performance and Effectiveness. 2 1.2 Teamwork Models Specific to a Cross-Disciplinary Context . 3 1.3 Operationalizing the Existing Model in a New Context: Undergraduate Students 9 Chapter 2 . 16 2.1 Abstract . 16 2.2 Introduction . 16 2.3 The Qualitative Research Tradition: Background, Terminology, and Objectives 18 2.4 Turning my Interest in Cross-Disciplinary Experiences into a Research Study . 23 2.5 Getting Started: Forming an Undergraduate Cross-Disciplinary Team . 25 2.6 Decisions Made in “Making the Data” . 27 2.7 Decisions Made in “Handling the Data” . 42 2.8 Conclusion . 49 Chapter 3 . 51 3.1 Abstract . 51 3.2 Introduction . 51 3.3 The Existing Cross-Disciplinary Teamwork Model . 52 3.4 Creating a Space for Undergraduate Cross-Disciplinary Teamwork . 54 3.5 My Real-Time Method for Investigating Student Roles. 56 3.6 The Salient Roles of Student Team Members . 61 3.7 Examining Student Roles Through the Lens of the Existing Cross-Disciplinary Framework . 72 3.8 Conclusions and Implications . 81 Chapter 4 . 83 4.1 Abstract . 83 4.2 Introduction . 84
The Sfpi-1 proviral integration site of Friend erythroleukemia encodes the ets-related transcription factor Pu.1

Previous studies identified a common site (Sfpi-1) for proviral integration in immortalized Friend erythroleukemias. cDNAs corresponding to a 1.5-kb Sfpi-1 mRNA were isolated and sequenced. These were larger than an independently isolated Sfpi-1 cDNA described by researchers from another laboratory, and they contained common differences from that sequence, including in the coding region four extra nucleotides that altered the reading frame. The properly translated protein is identical to Pu.1, a transcription activation factor that is related to the ets oncogene family. Genetic methods were used to map Sfpi-1 with respect to other loci on mouse chromosome 2. Our results suggest that Pu.1 blocks erythroblast differentiation and thereby causes immortalization.
Personality and fear of childbirth

Background. Socioeconomic factors and previous experiences of delivery are known to influence pregnant women's fear of childbirth. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between stable personality traits, fear of childbirth during late pregnancy, and experience of the delivery. Methods. Self‐report questionnaires were completed twice, during gestation week 34–37, and at 1‐week postpartum. Comparisons were made between 85 women who had sought help from a fear‐of‐childbirth team, and a group (n = 177) from routine antenatal care. Correlations between fear of childbirth, personality variables and experience of childbirth were calculated. Results. The women who had sought help tended to be more anxiety‐prone, more short‐tempered, and lower in socialisation, although within the normal range. In spite of counselling, they reported more intense fear of delivery and fear of pain compared with the comparison group. Women with intense fear of childbirth, who were low in socialisation and high in psychasthenia, had a more negative experience of their current childbirth. Conclusion. Women with intense fear of childbirth differ from other pregnant women also in personality. Methods for treating fear of childbirth should be further developed in order to diminish the risk of a negative birth experience.
Design of Clutch-Slip Controller for Automatic Transmission Using Backstepping

To improve the shift quality of vehicles with clutch-to-clutch gearshifts, a nonlinear controller using backstepping technique is designed for the clutch-slip control. Model uncertainties including steady-state errors and unmodeled dynamics are also considered as additive disturbance inputs, and the controller is designed such that the error dynamics is input-to-state stable. Lookup tables, which are widely used to represent complex nonlinear characteristics of engine systems, appear in their original form in the designed nonlinear controller. Finally, the designed controller is tested on an AMESim power train simulation model. Comparisons with an existing linear algorithm are given as well.
IL-13Rα2 Has a Protective Role in a Mouse Model of Cutaneous Inflammation

IL-13 is expressed in lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD) and has been associated with increased disease severity. IL-13 has two cognate receptors: IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2. Although IL-13Rα2 expression is known to be induced in response to IL-13 in keratinocytes, its function in AD has never been evaluated. We characterized the loss of skin barrier function and the development of cutaneous inflammation in IL-13Rα2–null versus wild-type BALB/c mice following an epicutaneous allergen-sensitization/challenge model that shares similarities with human AD. Mice lacking IL-13Rα2 had significantly increased transepidermal water loss, cutaneous inflammation, peripheral eosinophilia, and IgG1 and IgE levels compared with wild-type mice. The rate of resolution of the cutaneous inflammation was not significantly altered in the IL-13Rα2–null mice. IL-13 induced expression of IL-13Rα2 in keratinocyte cell lines and primary human keratinocytes. Depletion of IL-13Rα2 in a keratinocyte cell line resulted in increased STAT6 signaling in response to IL-13. In conclusion, IL-13Rα2 serves a protective role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation and loss of skin barrier function in a mouse model of AD, suggesting that it may be an important endogenous regulator of IL-13–induced cutaneous inflammation in humans.
Histone H2B ubiquitylation represses gametogenesis by opposing RSC-dependent chromatin remodeling at the ste11 master regulator locus

In fission yeast, the ste11 gene encodes the master regulator initiating the switch from vegetative growth to gametogenesis. In a previous paper, we showed that the methylation of H3K4 and consequent promoter nucleosome deacetylation repress ste11 induction and cell differentiation (Materne et al., 2015) but the regulatory steps remain poorly understood. Here we report a genetic screen that highlighted H2B deubiquitylation and the RSC remodeling complex as activators of ste11 expression. Mechanistic analyses revealed more complex, opposite roles of H2Bubi at the promoter where it represses expression, and over the transcribed region where it sustains it. By promoting H3K4 methylation at the promoter, H2Bubi initiates the deacetylation process, which decreases chromatin remodeling by RSC. Upon induction, this process is reversed and efficient NDR (nucleosome depleted region) formation leads to high expression. Therefore, H2Bubi represses gametogenesis by opposing the recruitment of RSC at the promoter of the master regulator ste11 gene. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.13500. 001
Design and implementation of a Chaotic Cipher block chaining mode for image encryption

This paper proposes and investigates a Chaotic Cipher Block Chaining mode (CCBC) which is to improve the security of a cryptographic algorithm and more resisting cryptanalysis. The size of both block and key are 512-bits. This approach makes the size of key greater than those of the current Data Encryption Standard (DES) and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The security analysis process proves that the proposed algorithm can resist the statistical and differential attacks. It also passed the key sensitivity test. The experimental results on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) show the feasibility and effectiveness of the cryptosystem and indicates the trade-off between secure/performance/efficient and architecture hardware design.
Evolving practices in critical care and their influence on acute kidney injury

Purpose of reviewThis review highlights the principal advances in critical care over the past year, and discusses the impact of these advances on the diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent findingsRecent literature has focused on assessment of volume status and fluid management, particularly in the setting of respiratory and cardiac failure. Other critical care topics are reviewed using a system-based approach. SummaryThe incidence of AKI appears to be increasing, and despite advances in the provision of critical care and renal replacement therapies, there has been little improvement in its associated morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, recent advances in critical care will impact the diagnosis and management of AKI, as well as shape the future research agenda. Continued work in the fields of critical care and nephrology will undoubtedly be centered on improved biomarkers for the detection of AKI, specific therapies to mitigate or reverse AKI, and techniques to prevent the development of AKI in the critically ill population.
Peer Tutoring and Mentoring Services for Disadvantaged Secondary School Students

In 1988, the Congress enacted a one year demonstration program, the Secondary Schools Basic Skills Demonstration Assistance Program, aimed at improving the academic achievement of disadvantaged children with mentoring and peer tutoring services (Pringle, et. al., 1990). The evaluation report prepared upon the completion of this demonstration offers one of the most significant studies of school-based peer tutoring and mentoring in the nation.
Position Estimation Based Object Tracking across Multiple Cameras

An object tracking method based on position estimation across multiple cameras is proposed in this paper. For an object which is exiting a former view and entering in a latter, Kalman filter is used to predict the position in the next frame, and the reference region where the object will be observed in the latter view is obtained through a camera model. The object detected in the reference region is the correspondent object and the experiments show its validity.
Surgical Treatment of Mediastinal Cysts: Report on 29 Cases

Abstract Aim : Mediastinal cysts are rare, forming 12–18% of all primary mediastinal tumors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate type, clinical properties, treatment modalities, and results of mediastinal cystic neoplasm in the light of available literature. Patients and methods : We retrospectively investigated 29 patients who were diagnosed and surgically treated for mediastinal cysts in our clinic between January 1996 and May 2011. Results : Sixteen (55.2%) patients were male and 13 (44.8%) were female. The average age of the patients was 36.5 ± 22.1 (17–77 years old). The mediastinal cysts comprised 11 (37.9%) bronchogenic cysts; seven (24.1%) hydatid cysts; four (13.8%) benign cystic teratomas; three (10.3%) pericardial cysts; one (5.3%) thymic cyst; one (5.3%) cyst of the thoracic duct; one (5.3%) enteric cyst; and one (5.3%) lymphangioma. Approach methods were thoracotomy in 18 (62.1%) cases; video-assisted thoracoscopicsurgery (VATS) in seven (24.1%) cases; median sternotomy in three (10.3%) cases; and anterior mediastinotomy in one case. Postoperative observations during the follow-up period showed chylothorax in one patient; pleural effusion in one patient; and the recurrence of a bronchogenic cyst in one patient five years after the operation. Postoperative mortality did not occur in any case. The average postoperative hospitalization period was 7.3 days (2–14 days). Conclusion : A surgical approach to mediastinal cysts offers histological analysis, pathological diagnosis, curative treatment, and prevention from complications.
Toll-like receptor 2 ligand and interferon-γ suppress anti-tumor T cell responses by enhancing the immunosuppressive activity of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells

ABSTRACT CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) suppress activation/proliferation of cytotoxic T cells, thereby hindering cancer immunotherapy. MDSCs are increased after adjuvant therapy with toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 ligands, such as Pam2CSK4, in tumor-bearing mice. However, it remains unknown if the activation of TLR2 in MDSCs affects their function and the therapeutic efficacy of TLR2 ligand. Here, we show that TLR2 signaling in CD11b+Ly6G−Ly6Chigh monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs), but not CD11b+Ly6G+Ly6Clow granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs), enhances their immunosuppressive activity, thereby limiting anti-tumor T cell responses induced by TLR2-activated dendritic cells (DCs). iNOS induction was critical for Pam2CSK4-enhanced T cell suppression by M-MDSCs. iNOS was expressed in M-MDSC-derived macrophages, but not undifferentiated M-MDSCs, in cocultures with CD8+ T cells, CD11c+ DCs, antigen peptide and Pam2CSK4. Pam2CSK4 increased the differentiation frequency of M-MDSCs to macrophages, and iNOS expression required interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by CD8+ T cells that had been transiently stimulated by M-MDSC-derived macrophages in an antigen/TLR2-dependent manner. Although Pam2CSK4 triggered DC maturation and tumor regression via induction of tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in tumor-bearing mice, Pam2CSK4 plus antigen increased the frequency of iNOS+ macrophages in the tumor. Treatment with iNOS inhibitor enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of Pam2CSK4. Hence, the results suggest that TLR2 ligand and T cell-derived IFN-γ enhance M-MDSC-mediated immunosuppression, which may negatively regulate anti-tumor CTL response.
Independent determinants for presence and degree of left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony in treatment-naive patients with hypertension

Objective: Prevalence of left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony (LVSD) is over 40% in treatment-naive patients with hypertension and it improves after chronic antihypertensive treatment. These findings might support the hypothesis that blood pressure (BP), BP-derived parameters, central BP, or arterial stiffness would contribute to LVSD. Therefore, we aimed to investigate possible factors associated with LVSD in treatment-naive patients with hypertension. Methods: The study groups consisted of 266 treatment-naive hypertensive patients who underwent anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, arterial stiffness, central blood pressure, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring evaluations. Echocardiographic measurement was recorded as follows: peak systolic velocity (Sa, subclinical left ventricular systolic function), peak early diastolic and late diastolic velocity at the mitral annulus (Ea and Aa, respectively), mitral E/Ea ratio (subclinical left ventricular diastolic function), standard deviation of time from ECG Q to systolic peak velocity of 12 left ventricular segments (Ts-SD12), and maximal difference between peak systolic velocities of any 2 of the 12 segments (Ts-Max). A Ts-SD12 at least 33 or Ts-Max at least 100 ms was regarded as presence of LVSD. Results: Patients were divided into those without LVSD (group 1, n = 151, 56.8%) and those with LVSD (group 2, n = 115, 43.2%). Group 2 had higher E/Ea and high-density lipoprotein and lower Sa and triglyceride than group 1. On multivariate analysis, Sa was independently and inversely associated with the presence of LVSD [odds ratio (OR) 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48–0.93, P = 0.018]. The linear relationship between variables and degree of LVSD showed that serum potassium levels, E/Ea, and Sa remained significant after multivariate analysis (potassium, &bgr; = 0.199, P = 0.006; E/Ea, &bgr; = 0.211, P = 0.017; Sa, &bgr; = −0.301, P < 0.001 in Ts-SD12 and potassium, &bgr;=0.187, P = 0.010; E/Ea, &bgr; = 0.234, P = 0.008; Sa, &bgr; = −0.322, P < 0.001 in Ts-Max, respectively). Conclusion: Subclinical left ventricular systolic function is independently associated with both the presence and degree of LVSD in treatment-naive hypertensive patients. Subclinical left ventricular diastolic function and serum potassium levels are independently associated with the degree of LVSD. However, arterial stiffness and BP parameters are not determinants.