Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-Desensitization among CXCR1, CXCR2, and CCR5: Role of Protein Kinase C-ε1

The IL-8 (or CXCL8) chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, activate protein kinase C (PKC) to mediate leukocyte functions. To investigate the roles of different PKC isoforms in CXCL8 receptor activation and regulation, human mononuclear phagocytes were treated with CXCL8 or CXCL1 (melanoma growth-stimulating activity), which is specific for CXCR2. Plasma membrane association was used as a measure of PKC activation. Both receptors induced time-dependent association of PKCα, -β1, and -β2 to the membrane, but only CXCR1 activated PKCε. CXCL8 also failed to activate PKCε in RBL-2H3 cells stably expressing CXCR2. ΔCXCR2, a cytoplasmic tail deletion mutant of CXCR2 that is resistant to internalization, activated PKCε as well as CXCR1. Expression of the PKCε inhibitor peptide εV1 in RBL-2H3 cells blocked PKCε translocation and inhibited receptor-mediated exocytosis, but not phosphoinositide hydrolysis or peak intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. εV1 also inhibited CXCR1-, CCR5-, and ΔCXCR2-mediated cross-regulatory signals for GTPase activity, Ca2+ mobilization, and internalization. Peritoneal macrophages from PKCε-deficient mice (PKCε−/−) also showed decreased CCR5-mediated cross-desensitization of G protein activation and Ca2+ mobilization. Taken together, the results indicate that CXCR1 and CCR5 activate PKCε to mediate cross-inhibitory signals. Inhibition or deletion of PKCε decreases receptor-induced exocytosis and cross-regulatory signals, but not phosphoinositide hydrolysis or peak intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, suggesting that cross-regulation is a Ca2+-independent process. Because ΔCXCR2, but not CXCR2, activates PKCε and cross-desensitizes CCR5, the data further suggest that signal duration leading to activation of novel PKC may modulate receptor-mediated cross-inhibitory signals.
Training system for minimally invasive skills in the specialty of otolaryngology

This work involves the design and development of a training system for minimally invasive surgery skills in the specialty of otolaryngology. The purpose of the system is to give experience to the surgical residents. The design and development of training modules is required to provide the surgeon with a practical interaction environment, as well as an assessment methodology. The proposed methodology consists of a series of tasks which develop and evaluate the skills based on precision and time. A digital evaluation system developed in MATLAB records and evaluates the implementation of tasks and works as the communication interface between surgeon and a PC.
Hexameric Assembly of the Bifunctional Methylerythritol 2,4-Cyclodiphosphate Synthase and Protein-Protein Associations in the Deoxy-xylulose-dependent Pathway of Isoprenoid Precursor Biosynthesis*

The bifunctional methylerythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (IspDF) is unusual in that it catalyzes nonconsecutive reactions in the 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DOXP) pathway of isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis. The crystal structure of IspDF from the bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni reveals an elongated hexamer with D3 symmetry compatible with the dimeric 2C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase and trimeric 2C-methyl-d-erythritol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase monofunctional enzymes. Complex formation of IspDF with 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-d-erythritol kinase (IspE), the intervening enzyme activity in the pathway, has been observed in solution for the enzymes from C. jejuni and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The monofunctional enzymes (2C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase, IspE, and 2C-methyl-d-erythritol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase) involved in the DOXP biosynthetic pathway of Escherichia coli also show physical associations. We propose that complex formation of the three enzymes at the core of the DOXP pathway can produce an assembly localizing 18 catalytic centers for the early stages of isoprenoid biosynthesis.
A Novel Hybrid Islanding Detection Method for Inverter-Based DGs Using SFS and ROCOF

This paper is aimed at proposing a new hybrid method for the islanding detection of distributed-generation (DG) units. Hybrid method operation is based on the combination of an active and a passive method, for which the optimized Sandia frequency shift (SFS) method is used as the selected active method, and rate of change of frequency relay (ROCOF) is used as the passive method. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique on islanding detection, several simulation studies based on IEEE 1547 and UL1741 anti-islanding test requirements are carried out. The evaluation of simulation results reveals that the control system, based on the proposed hybrid algorithm, meets the DG islanding protection requirements efficiently. Moreover, it will be demonstrated that the proposed hybrid method is capable of accurately operating under multiple DG units, load switching in the grid-connected mode, as well as different load quality factor conditions.
Controlling for Severity of Illness in Outcome Studies Involving Infectious Diseases: Impact of Measurement at Different Time Points

Background. Severity of illness is an important confounder in outcome studies involving infectious diseases. However, it is unclear whether the time at which severity of illness is measured is important. Methods. We performed a retrospective study of 328 episodes of gram-negative bacteremia in adult patients to assess the impact of the time of measurement of severity of illness on the association between empirical antimicrobial therapy received and in-hospital mortality. Using a modified Acute Physiology Score (APS), severity of illness was measured at 2 time points: (1) hospital admission and (2) 24 hours before the first culture-positive blood sample was collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the impact of adjusting for the APS on the relationship between empirical therapy received (ie, the exposure) and in-hospital mortality (ie, the outcome). Results. The mean APS ( ± standard deviation) of patients with bacteremia increased during their hospital stay (from 19.2 ± 11.6 at admission to 24.2 ± 13.6 at the second time point; P < .01). When examining the association between empirical antimicrobial therapy received and in-hospital mortality, and controlling for the APS, there was a trend toward a decreased impact of appropriate therapy received on in-hospital mortality. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for the association between appropriate therapy received and in-hospital mortality was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-1.34). After controlling for the APS at admission, this association was attenuated (OR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.57-1.55]), and when a change in the APS was also included in the multivariate logistic regression model, the association was further attenuated (OR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.58-1.69]). Conclusions. The magnitude of the association between appropriate antimicrobial therapy received and in-hospital mortality among patients with gram-negative bacteremia was sensitive to the timing of adjustment for severity of illness.
Traffic sign detection, recognition and transmission system for smart vehicles

The Traffic Sign Detection and Recognition system (TSDR) has been mainly designed to increase driver safety by the fast perception and interpretation of Traffic Signs (TSs). In almost all published TSDR systems, a two-stage strategy was adopted: a detection stage followed by a recognition stage. However, in such systems, the recognized TS is used locally and this data is not shared with neighboring vehicles. In some dangerous situations, Vehicle to Vehicle communication of TS information is required to prevent approaching drivers from a possible crash. In this paper, a novel system based on the detection, recognition and transmission of TSs is investigated. Hence, two main modules have been developed: Vision-Module (VM) and Transmission-Module (TM). In the VM, an efficient algorithm for the detection and recognition of TS is presented. A modified version of Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) is used to detect and recognize TSs through a set of multi-level Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifiers. The goal of the TM, however, is to send the TS information from a vehicle detecting the TS to the following vehicles belonging to a destination area called zone of relevance. Consequently, a geocast routing protocol is simulated using NS-2. A set of tests are performed to evaluate these modules.
G band atmospheric radars: new frontiers in cloud physics

Abstract. Clouds and associated precipitation are the largest source of uncertainty in current weather and future climate simulations. Observations of the microphysical, dynamical and radiative processes that act at cloud scales are needed to improve our understanding of clouds. The rapid expansion of ground-based super-sites and the availability of continuous profiling and scanning multi-frequency radar observations at 35 and 94 GHz have significantly improved our ability to probe the internal structure of clouds in high temporal-spatial resolution, and to retrieve quantitative cloud and precipitation properties. However, there are still gaps in our ability to probe clouds due to large uncertainties in the retrievals. The present work discusses the potential of G band (frequency between 110 and 300 GHz) Doppler radars in combination with lower frequencies to further improve the retrievals of microphysical properties. Our results show that, thanks to a larger dynamic range in dual-wavelength reflectivity, dual-wavelength attenuation and dual-wavelength Doppler velocity (with respect to a Rayleigh reference), the inclusion of frequencies in the G band can significantly improve current profiling capabilities in three key areas: boundary layer clouds, cirrus and mid-level ice clouds, and precipitating snow.
Polymorphisms at Regions 1p22.1 (rs560426) and 8q24 (rs1530300) Are Risk Markers for Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate in the Brazilian Population

Polymorphisms at Regions 1p22.1 (rs560426) and 8q24 (rs1530300) Are Risk Markers for Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate in the Brazilian Population Elizabete Bagordakis, L ivia M aris Ribeiro Paranaiba, Luciano Abreu Brito, Sibele Nascimento de Aquino, Ana Camila Messetti, Herc ilio Martelli-Junior, Mario Sergio Oliveira Swerts, Edgard Graner, Maria Rita Passos-Bueno, and Ricardo D. Coletta* Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, S~ao Paulo, Brazil Stomatology Clinic, Dental School, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil Human Genome Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil Center for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Dental School, University of Jos e Ros ario Vellano, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Books vs e-material: what is the deal?

To read text on paper or on a computer screen is an everyday business for university students but which do they prefer? In this paper a research conducted at Reykjavik University in Iceland discussed. The focus is on university students' attitudes to use books versus computers in they study. The research shows that students like both learning by reading books and from computers, they use computers frequently in their study but also books and paper and pencil.
Real-time markerless tumor tracking with MV imaging and a DMLC

Innovation/Impact: Robust real-time aperture adaptation for lung tumors during radiation therapy promises better local control while more healthy tissue can be spared. In this context we present the first implementation of a real-time adaptive therapy system using soft tissue localization (STiL) on continuously throughout the treatment acquired cine EPID images to maintain a dynamic treatment aperture centered on the current tumor location during the entire breathing cycle. This approach is superior to other proposed tumor localization methods that rely on implanted fiducial markers (pneumothorax risk), additional imaging dose, external surrogates that may be poorly correlated to the tumor location and/or non-optimal imaging perspectives [1].
New empirical model for the structural properties of silicon.

An empirical interatomic potential for covalent systems is proposed, incorporating bond order in an intuitive way. The potential has the form of a Morse pair potential, but with the bond-strength parameter depending upon local environment. A model for Si accurately describes bonding and geometry for may structures, including highly rebonded surfaces.
Polymorphic simple sequence repeat regions in chloroplast genomes: applications to the population genetics of pines.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs), consisting of tandemly repeated multiple copies of mono-, di-, tri-, or tetranucleotide motifs, are ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes and are frequently used as genetic markers, taking advantage of their length polymorphism. We have examined the polymorphism of such sequences in the chloroplast genomes of plants, by using a PCR-based assay. GenBank searches identified the presence of several (dA)n. (dT)n mononucleotide stretches in chloroplast genomes. A chloroplast (cp) SSR was identified in three pine species (Pinus contorta, Pinus sylvestris, and Pinus thunbergii) 312 bp upstream of the psbA gene. DNA amplification of this repeated region from 11 pine species identified nine length variants. The polymorphic amplified fragments were isolated and the DNA sequence was determined, confirming that the length polymorphism was caused by variation in the length of the repeated region. In the pines, the chloroplast genome is transmitted through pollen and this PCR assay may be used to monitor gene flow in this genus. Analysis of 305 individuals from seven populations of Pinus leucodermis Ant. revealed the presence of four variants with intrapopulational diversities ranging from 0.000 to 0.629 and an average of 0.320. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of cpDNA on the same populations previously failed to detect any variation. Population subdivision based on cpSSR was higher (Gst = 0.22, where Gst is coefficient of gene differentiation) than that revealed in a previous isozyme study (Gst = 0.05). We anticipate that SSR loci within the chloroplast genome should provide a highly informative assay for the analysis of the genetic structure of plant populations.
Comparing Nose-Throat Swabs and Nasopharyngeal Aspirates Collected From Children With Symptoms for Respiratory Virus Identification Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVES. The objective of this study was to calculate sensitivity values for the detection of major respiratory viruses of childhood by using combined nose-throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates. METHODS. Children who had symptoms and presented to a pediatric teaching hospital and had a diagnostic respiratory specimen collected were enrolled, and paired nose-throat swab and nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens were collected. Parents were asked to collect the nose-throat swab specimen in the first instance but could defer to a health care worker if unwilling. Nose-throat swab collectors were asked to rate perceived quality of collection. All nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected by a health care worker by using a standard protocol. Real-time polymerase chain reaction for 8 respiratory viruses was performed in our hospital's diagnostic laboratory. RESULTS. Paired nose-throat swab/nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens were collected during 303 illnesses, with at least 1 respiratory virus identified in 186 (61%). For the major pathogens of childhood, influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus, collection by using the nose-throat swab had a sensitivity of 91.9% and 93.1%, respectively. A health care worker collected 219 (72%) of the nose-throat swab specimens; concordance with the nasopharyngeal aspirate was not related to health care worker collection or perceived quality of collection. CONCLUSIONS. Nose-throat swab specimens, in combination with sensitive molecular testing, are a less invasive diagnostic respiratory specimen with adequate sensitivity for use in the clinic and hospital outpatient settings and large-scale community studies through parent collection. For children who present to a hospital in which an avian or pandemic strain of influenza virus is reasonably part of the differential diagnosis, nasopharyngeal aspirates or a similar collection technique (eg, nasal washes) should continue to be used.
Experimental Evaluation of Two Commercial Force Sensors for Applications in Biomechanics and Motor Control

The objective of this work was the comparative analysis of two commercial force sensors, the FSR sensors (Interlink Electronics, Camarillo, CA, US) and the Flexiforce (Tekscan Inc., Boston, MA, US), that can be attached to the palmar surface of the fingers to study the biomechanics of the hand during grasp and to develop rehabilitative devices such as closed-loop controlled hand neuroprostheses. The performance tests were performed with the sensors mounted on the thumb. The Flexiforce sensors showed better performance in terms of repeatability, linearity and time drift when mounted on a rigid substrate, and in terms of dynamic accuracy when mounted on the thumb. The FSR sensors showed better performance in terms of robustness.
A cluster of culture positive gonococcal infections but with false negative cppB gene based PCR

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae grown from urine samples that produced negative results with nucleic acid amplification assays (NAA) targeting the cppB gene. Methods: An initial cluster of culture positive, but cppB gene based NAA negative, gonococcal infections was recognised. Urine samples and suspensions of gonococci isolated over 9 months in the Northern Territory of Australia were examined using cppB gene based and other non-cppB gene based NAA. The gonococcal isolates were phenotyped by determining the auxotype/serovar (A/S) class and genotyped by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results: 14 (9.8%) of 143 gonococci isolated were of A/S class Pro−/Brpyut, indistinguishable on PFGE and negative in cppB gene based, but not other, NAA. Conclusions: This cluster represents a temporal and geographic expansion of a gonococcal subtype lacking the cppB gene with consequent loss of sensitivity of NAA dependent on amplification of this target. Gonococci lacking the cppB gene have in the past been more commonly associated with the PAU-/PCU- auxotype, a gonococcal subtype hitherto infrequently encountered in Australia. NAA based on the cppB gene as a target may produce false positive as well as false negative NAA. This suggests that unless there is continuing comparison with culture to show their utility, cppB gene based NAA should be regarded as suboptimal for use either as a diagnostic or supplemental assay for diagnosis of gonorrhoea, and NAA with alternative amplification targets should be substituted.
Single Neuron PID Model Reference Adaptive Control Based on RBF Neural Network

Radial basis function (RBF) neural network (NN) is powerful computational tools, which have been used extensively in the areas of pattern recognition, systems modeling and identification due to the advantages of simple construction, adaptability and robustness. This paper presents a novel approach of single neuron PID model reference adaptive control (MRAC) control based on RBF neural network on-line identification. A RBF network is built to identify the system on-line, and then it constructs the on-line reference model, implements self-learning of controller parameters by single neuron controller, and thus achieves on-line regulation of controller's parameters. The simulation result shows that the proposed method can construct processing model through on-line identification and then give gradient information to neuron controller, it can achieve on-line identification and on-line control with high control accuracy and good dynamic performance
Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Health Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution, South East Nigeria: Pre-Ebola Period. -

Background: Hospital acquired (nosocomial) infections are common in developing countries with healthcare workers often dying from these infections. Use of personal protective equipment is an established method of reducing these infections. Present study aimed at identifying the compliance to using personal protective equipments among hospital workers in a tertiary hospital, Southeast Nigeria. Study Design: In 2014, a descriptive cross-sectional method was used to obtain information from health workers in a tertiary institution in South-east, Nigeria. Study instrument was semi-structured self administered questionnaire. Stratified sampling method was used to select the study population. Results: Out of these 511 health workers, 59% were females; 69% were married and 41% were within the age range of 30 - 39 years. Most of the respondents were nurses (40%). Most (89%) had heard of personal protective equipments but only 38% could correctly define it. Although almost half 45% had received training on personal protective equipments majority 96% had not seen any policy on personal protective equipments. Only 22 (4.3%) of health workers claim to always wear the appropriate personal protective equipments during work. Availability of personal protective equipments (59%) is the commonest conditions that enable respondents comply with use of personal protective equipments. The commonest inhibiting factor to use of PPEs even when available was perception of low risk to hazard. Conclusion: Training, provision and use of personal protective equipments is poor in study area. There should be development of health safety policies, regular training on personal protective equipments, provision of personal protective equipments and changing health care attitude to “think safety first. ”
Immobilization of silver in polypropylene membrane for anti-biofouling performance

In this study, a method was developed to immobilize silver onto polypropylene (PP) membrane surfaces for improved anti-biofouling performance. A commercial PP membrane was first grafted with the thiol functional groups, and then silver ions were immobilized onto the PP membrane surface through coordinating with the thiol groups. The immobilized silver was found to be very stable, with only ∼1.1% of the immobilized silver being leached out during a leaching test. The surface of the modified membrane (PPS-Ag) was examined with ATR-FTIR and XPS analysis, which verified the successful grafting of the thiol groups and the coordination of silver ions on the membrane surface. The surface properties of the membrane were also characterized by SEM, AFM and water contact angle measurements. The PPS-Ag membrane was found to have a smoother and more hydrophilic surface than the PP membrane. Both Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, were used to evaluate the antibacterial and anti-biofouling performance of the PPS-Ag membrane. From disk diffusion experiments, the PPS-Ag membrane exhibited the capability of inhibiting the growth of both the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria tested. The anti-biofouling performance of the membrane was assessed by immersion in a mixed suspension of E. coli and S. aureus and filtration tests. The PPS-Ag membrane showed a stable and significantly enhanced anti-biofouling performance as compared with the PP membrane. The results in this study demonstrate that biofouling of a PP membrane can be sufficiently overcome through immobilizing silver onto the membrane surface.