Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Vtc proteins in vacuole fusion: coupling NSF activity to V0 trans‐complex formation

The fusion of cellular membranes comprises several steps; membrane attachment requires priming of SNAREs and tethering factors by Sec18p/NSF (N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factor) and LMA1. This leads to trans‐SNARE pairing, i.e. formation of SNARE complexes between apposed membranes. The yeast vacuole system has revealed two subsequent molecular events: trans‐complex formation of V‐ATPase proteolipid sectors (V0) and release of LMA1 from the membrane. We have now identified a hetero‐oligomeric membrane integral complex of vacuolar transporter chaperone (Vtc) proteins integrating these events. The Vtc complex associates with the R‐SNARE Nyv1p and with V0. Subunits Vtc1p and Vtc4p control the initial steps of fusion. They are required for Sec18p/NSF activity in SNARE priming, membrane binding of LMA1 and V0 trans‐complex formation. In contrast, subunit Vtc3p is required for the latest step, LMA1 release, but dispensible for all preceding steps, including V0 trans‐complex formation. This suggests that Vtc3p might act close to or at fusion pore opening. We propose that Vtc proteins may couple ATP‐dependent NSF activity to a subset of V0 sectors in order to activate them for V0 trans‐complex formation and/or control fusion pore opening.
Sequence-specific gene cleavage in intact mammalian cells by 125I-labeled triplex-forming oligonucleotides conjugated with nuclear localization signal peptide.

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFO) are designed to bind sequence specifically to their DNA targets without a significant disturbance of the double helix. They have been proposed to deliver DNA-reactive agents to specific DNA sequences for gene targeting applications. We suggested the use of 125I-labeled TFO for delivery of the energy of radioiodine decay to specific genes. This approach is called antigene radiotherapy. Here we demonstrate the ability of 125I-labeled TFO to produce sequence-specific breaks within a target in the human mdrl gene in cultured cells. TFO and TFO conjugated with a nuclear localization signal peptide (NLS) were delivered into cells using cationic liposomes. This was done either alone or in the presence of an excess of a "ballast" oligonucleotide with an unrelated sequence. In all cases, nuclear localization of TFO and survival of the cells after treatment has been confirmed. Breaks in the gene target were analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion of the DNA recovered from the TFO-treated cells followed by Southern hybridization with DNA probes flanking the target sequence. We have found that TFO/NLS conjugates cleave the target in a concentration-dependent manner regardless of the presence of the "ballast" oligonucleotide. In contrast, TFO without NLS cleaved the target only in the presence of an excess of the "ballast. " We hypothesize that TFO and TFO/NLS are delivered into the nucleus by different pathways. These results provide a new insight into the mechanism of intracellular transport of oligonucleotides and open new avenues for improvement of the efficacy of antigene therapies.
Unmet Physical and Mental Healthcare Needs Among Stimulant-using Gay and Bisexual Homeless Men

The aim of this study was to gain a greater understanding of predictors of the unmet physical and mental healthcare needs of homeless, stimulant-using, gay and bisexual (G/B) men. This study correlated baseline self-reported unmet physical and mental healthcare needs among stimulant-using homeless G/B men (n = 422, 18–46 years of age). A structured questionnaire was administered at baseline and data were collected from October 2009 to January 2013. The study was approved by the University of California Human Subjects’ Protection committee and the Friends Research Institute Human Research Protection Committee. Logistic regression revealed that those who self-reported ever being married, being in fair or poor health and in moderate-to-very severe pain, were more likely to experience unmet needs for physical health care. In terms of unmet mental health needs, those who self-reported moderate-to-very severe pain and/or those reporting having sex while high, were more likely to report unmet needs for mental health care. In contrast, those reporting receiving social support from others were less likely to have an unmet mental healthcare need. Research implications are discussed as they relate to access to healthcare needs among this vulnerable population.
Characterization of Concurrent Dual-Band Power Amplifiers Using a Dual Two-Tone Excitation Signal

A method to characterize the memory effects in a nonlinear concurrent dual-band transmitter is presented. It is an extension of the conventional two-tone test for power amplifiers to concurrent dual-band transmitters. The output signal of a concurrent dual-band transmitter is affected not only by intermodulation (IM) products but also by cross-modulation (CM) products. In one frequency band, the transmitter is excited by a two-tone signal which frequency separation is swept. In the second band, the transmitter is concurrently excited by another two-tone signal with slightly wider frequency separation. The frequency difference of the two signals is fixed during the frequency sweep. The two-tone test is made at different power levels. The upper and lower third-order IM and CM products are measured. The asymmetry between the upper and lower third-order IM and CM products are measures of the transmitter's memory effects. The measurement results show that the memory effects are more dominant in the third-order IM products than in the CM products. An error analysis and system calibration was performed and measurement results for two different devices are presented.
Highly Efficient RF Transmitter Over Broad Average Power Range Using Multilevel Envelope-Tracking Power Amplifier

We present a highly efficient RF transmitter over broad average power range using a multilevel envelope-tracking power amplifier (ML-ET PA). The ML-ET PA delivers enhanced efficiency at a back-off power region for handset applications. The supply modulator consists of a linear regulator and a switching converter. The DC supply of the linear regulator is adjusted according to the average power of the envelope signal, and the power-supply-independent class-AB output stage is employed to avoid the crossover distortion generated by the different DC supply voltages. The switch current level is not optimally adjusted by itself following the power back-off level, because the DC supply voltages of the linear regulator and switching converter are different. For the optimum operation over the entire power region, the switch current level is adjusted by detecting the input envelope voltage level. For a 20-MHz long term evolution signal with a 7.5 dB peak-to-average power ratio, the proposed supply modulator delivers a peak voltage of 4.5 V to a 6.5 Ω load with a measured efficiency of 75.9%. The proposed ET PA delivers a power-added efficiency (PAE) of 40%, gain of 28.8 dB, evolved universal terrestrial radio access adjacent channel leakage ratio of -35.3 dBc, and error vector magnitude of 3.23% at an average output power of 27 dBm and an operating frequency of 1.71-GHz. At a 10 dB back-off point, the PAE is improved from 14.5% to 18.7% compared to the conventional ET PA.
A Case–Control Study on Risk of Changing Food Consumption for Colorectal Cancer

Objectives. To investigate the relative risk factor of food items for colorectal cancer in four time periods through a case–control study in a Chinese rural area. Methods. Colorectal cancer patients diagnosed at a county cancer center, Hebei Province, China, and non-cancer outpatients with similar age, sex, and place of residence were selected for cases and controls, respectively. There were 102 (93.6%) colorectal cancer patients and 99 (90.8%) outpatients being the cases and controls, respectively in the present investigation, who agreed to be interviewed about their food intake, during a 20-year period, through a food frequency questionnaire. The risks of intake of different food items and lifestyle for colorectal cancer were compared between cases and controls. Results. During the 20-year period, diets of both cases and controls changed with increase in intake of animal foods and fruits, and alcohol consumption tended to increase. In the food items, milk intake showed a protective effect in both males and females, and the odds ratios were 0.38 (95% CI 0.16–0.90) and 0.28 (95% CI 0.10–0.81) for males and females, respectively. A reduced risk of fruit intake could be seen in males, while a reduced risk of vegetables could be observed in females. Meat intake and saturated fats were the prominent risk factors for colorectal cancer in males and females, respectively. A comparison of life habits, showed that tea drinking had a consistent protective effect in females, and the odds ratios were 0.21 (0.08–0.58), 0.23 (0.08–0.67), 0.25 (0.10–0.64), and 0.11 (0.04–0.30) for periods of 20-, 10-, 5-years ago, and current time, respectively. Conclusions. These findings indicate that change in food consumption is strongly associated with a change in risk of colorectal cancer, and dietary meat has increased the risk of colorectal cancer. Increase in the consumption of milk and fruits may be a significant measure for colorectal cancer prevention in low-incidence areas.
Measuring and Characterizing the Human Nasal Cycle

Nasal airflow is greater in one nostril than in the other because of transient asymmetric nasal passage obstruction by erectile tissue. The extent of obstruction alternates across nostrils with periodicity referred to as the nasal cycle. The nasal cycle is related to autonomic arousal and is indicative of asymmetry in brain function. Moreover, alterations in nasal cycle periodicity have been linked to various diseases. There is therefore need for a tool allowing continuous accurate measurement and recording of airflow in each nostril separately. Here we provide detailed instructions for constructing such a tool at minimal cost and effort. We demonstrate application of the tool in 33 right-handed healthy subjects, and derive several statistical measures for nasal cycle characterization. Using these measures applied to 24-hour recordings we observed that: 1: subjects spent slightly longer in left over right nostril dominance (left = 2.63 ± 0.89 hours, right = 2.17 ± 0.89 hours, t(32) = 2.07, p < 0.05), 2: cycle duration was shorter in wake than in sleep (wake = 2.02 ± 1.7 hours, sleep = 4.5 ± 1.7 hours, (t(30) = 5.73, p < 0.0001). 3: slower breathing was associated with a more powerful cycle (the extent of difference across nostrils) (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001), and 4: the cycle was influenced by body posture such that lying on one side was associated with greater flow in the contralateral nostril (p < 0.002). Finally, we provide evidence for an airflow cycle in each nostril alone. These results provide characterization of an easily obtained measure that may have diagnostic implications for neurological disease and cognitive state.
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack emulator for automotive Hardware-In-the-Loop applications

This article presents a dynamic model based polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) stack emulator for automotive hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) purpose. The 1-D dynamic PEFC stack model implemented in the real-time emulator covers 3 major fuel cell physical domains: electrical, fluidic and thermal. The model is capable to predict the accuracy stack profiles in time and space scales. A novel fuel cell stack emulator structure design is presented. A digital data bus is used in the emulator platform and the electrical characteristic of the fuel cell stack is emulated by a simple boost DC/DC power converter.
Topological Orientation of Acyl-CoA:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase-1 (DGAT1) and Identification of a Putative Active Site Histidine and the Role of the N Terminus in Dimer/Tetramer Formation

Acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum that catalyzes the synthesis of triacylglycerols. Two DGAT enzymes have been identified (DGAT1 and DGAT2) with unique roles in lipid metabolism. DGAT1 is a multifunctional acyltransferase capable of synthesizing diacylglycerol, retinyl, and wax esters in addition to triacylglycerol. Here, we report the membrane topology for murine DGAT1 using protease protections assays and indirect immunofluorescence in conjunction with selective permeabilization of cellular membranes. Topology models based on prediction algorithms suggested that DGAT1 had eight transmembrane domains. In contrast, our data indicate that DGAT1 has three transmembrane domains with the N terminus oriented toward the cytosol. The C-terminal region of DGAT1, which accounts for ∼50% of the protein, is present in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and contains a highly conserved histidine residue (His-426) that may be part of the active site. Mutagenesis of His-426 to alanine impaired the ability of DGAT1 to synthesize triacylglycerols as well as retinyl and wax esters in an in vitro acyltransferase assay. Finally, we show that the N-terminal domain of DGAT1 is not required for the catalytic activity of DGAT1 but, instead, may be involved in regulating enzyme activity and dimer/tetramer formation.
Metamaterial stepped impedance resonator bandpass filter based on composite right/left-handed transmission lines

In this paper, a novel bandpass filter design using stepped impedance resonators (SIR) based on composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission lines is presented. In doing so, primarily CRLH SIRs are designed and characterised. They are then combined and configured to form the CRLH SIR bandpass filter. Two novel filters are successfully tested and prove to surpass their conventional counterparts. In one case, the filter can extend the spurious-free stopband to 4 × f0. In another case, the filter size is significantly reduced by 80%.
Selectable marker replacement in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Selectable markers integrated by the ‘gamma’ deletion method (Sikorski and Hieter, 1989) can be efficiently replaced in vivo with other markers by transformation with homologous plasmids. Transformation frequencies in experiments designed to replace original selectable markers with an alternate marker were high and molecular analysis confirmed that all transformants that exhibited the expected phenotypes (loss of the original prototrophy and gain of the alternate prototrophy) resulted from homologous recombination between plasmid sequences at the target locus. This technique involves no plasmid construction and greatly facilitates the generation of yeast cells containing multiple gene disruptions.
Acute hospital costs of trauma in the United States: implications for regionalized systems of care.

As part of a larger effort to determine total direct and indirect costs of injury in the United States, national estimates of the numbers and expenditures associated with acute hospitalization due to traumatic injury were derived using data from the 1984, 1985, and 1986 National Hospital Discharge Surveys (NHDS). Estimates of the numbers of hospital episodes and total expenditures are reported in this paper for subgroups of patients defined by age, sex, and body region and AIS severity of the injuries sustained. In 1985 2.1 million individuals sustained a traumatic injury which resulted in hospitalization. Hospital expenditures totaled $11.4 billion inclusive of professional fees. Adolescents and young adults aged 15-44 years accounted for nearly one half of all discharges and total hospital costs. The elderly, who represent only 12% of the population, accounted for an additional one quarter of total discharges and hospital costs. Nearly three quarters of the hospitalizations and one half of total expenditures were for minor (ICD/AIS = 1, 2) injuries. Moderate (ICD/AIS = 3) and severe (ICD/AIS = 4, 5), injuries respectively accounted for 23% and 3% of total episodes and 37% and 11% of total expenditures. Only 12% of patients and 25% of trauma care dollars involved injuries sufficiently severe to require treatment at a trauma center. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparison of follicular estrogen receptors in rat, hamster, and pig.

The hypophysectomized or intact hamster--unlike the rat--does not respond to estrogen by increasing the number of large antral follicles. In the pig, estrogen inhibits progesterone synthesis by granulosa cells from large follicles for 36 h before progesterone accumulation is enhanced. The objective of this study was to determine whether these divergent responses of the three species to estrogen are related to differences in follicular estrogen receptors. For the rat antral follicle, the equilibrium dissociation constants (Kds), expressed as nmol/L, were 0.55 +/- 0.07 in the cytosolic fraction and 0.46 +/- 0.11 in the nuclear fraction; for the hamster and pig follicles, the respective Kds were 1.08 +/- 0.04 and 0.94 +/- 0.11, and 1.16 +/- 0.23 and 1.09 +/- 0.17, respectively. The cytosolic and nuclear Kds for the rat follicle were statistically different from those of the other two species, but this is most likely not of biological consequence. Comparison of the maximal numbers of binding sites (NBSmax) in the cytosolic fractions of the antral follicles, expressed as fmol/mg protein, indicated a relationship of hamster > rat = pig; whereas in the nuclear fraction, with the NBSmax expressed as fmol/mg DNA, the relationship was hamster > pig > rat. The total number of estrogen receptors (sum of the NBSmax of cytosolic and nuclear fractions) was approximately tenfold higher in the hamster than in the rat. Thus, the failure of hamster large follicles to respond in vivo or in vitro to estrogen cannot be explained on the basis of lack of estrogen receptors. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dynamic voltage balancing of series connected IGBTs using slope regulating and voltage clamping

Series connection of IGBTs is applied to increase the voltage rating of converters. The critical issue is to balance the dynamic voltage of each device in the series string. This paper investigates an auxiliary circuit as a solution involving slope regulating and voltage clamping. It adjusts the Miller capacitance and gate current with additional capacitors and feedback current from collector to gate, by which the gate voltage and then the collector-emitter voltage are controlled. Consequently, the differences between block voltages of IGBTs are restrained. A 15kV test rig is established and experiments are carried out successfully based on up to sixteen 1.7kV/800A IGBTs in series connection. It is proved that the proposed circuit has no limitation to the number of series connected devices and is simple, reliable and low-cost.
Conceptual Model for Simulating the Adjustments of Bankfull Characteristics in the Lower Yellow River, China

We present a conceptual model for simulating the temporal adjustments in the banks of the Lower Yellow River (LYR). Basic conservation equations for mass, friction, and sediment transport capacity and the Exner equation were adopted to simulate the hydrodynamics underlying fluvial processes. The relationship between changing rates in bankfull width and depth, derived from quasiuniversal hydraulic geometries, was used as a closure for the hydrodynamic equations. On inputting the daily flow discharge and sediment load, the conceptual model successfully simulated the 30-year adjustments in the bankfull geometries of typical reaches of the LYR. The square of the correlating coefficient reached 0.74 for Huayuankou Station in the multiple-thread reach and exceeded 0.90 for Lijin Station in the meandering reach. This proposed model allows multiple dependent variables and the input of daily hydrological data for long-term simulations. This links the hydrodynamic and geomorphic processes in a fluvial river and has potential applicability to fluvial rivers undergoing significant adjustments.
Measuring and comparing QoE and simulator sickness of omnidirectional videos in different head mounted displays

In this paper, we evaluated and compared the integral quality of different omnidirectional contents for two head mounted displays (HMDs), namely HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. We also investigated motion sickness and head-movements. To this aim, we categorized omnidirectional contents into three categories based on the degree of motion: high, medium and low motion. For assessing simulator sickness, we used the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire for each of the contents in both HMDs. The viewing direction for subjects while watching the contents were recorded in terms of the three coordinates yaw, roll and pitch. Experimental results show that HTC Vive offers better integral quality compared to Oculus Rift. We also compared simulator sickness scores along with the behavioral data for different contents and HMDs and discussed the results in the paper.
Melatonin ameliorates chronic renal failure‐induced oxidative organ damage in rats

Abstract: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with oxidative stress that promotes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin, the chief secretory product of the pineal gland, was recently found to be a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant. The aim of this study was to examine the role of melatonin in protecting the aorta, heart, corpus cavernosum, lung, diaphragm, and kidney tissues against oxidative damage in a rat model of CRF, which was induced by five of six nephrectomy. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to either the CRF group or the sham‐operated control group, which had received saline or melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 wk. CRF was evaluated by serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level and creatinine measurements. Aorta and corporeal tissues were used for contractility studies, or stored along with heart, lung, diaphragm, and kidney tissues for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation), protein carbonylation (PC, an index for protein oxidation), and glutathione (GSH) levels (a key antioxidant). Plasma MDA, PC, and GSH levels and erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities were studied to evaluate the changes of antioxidant status in CRF. In the CRF group, the contraction and the relaxation of aorta and corpus cavernosum samples decreased significantly compared with controls (P < 0.05–0.001). Melatonin treatment of the CRF group restored these responses. In the CRF group, there were significant increases in tissue MDA and PC levels in all tissues with marked reductions in GSH levels compared with controls (P < 0.05–0.001). In the plasma, while MDA and PC levels increased, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GSH‐Px activities were reduced. Melatonin treatment reversed these effects as well. In this study, the increase in MDA and PC levels and the concomitant decrease in GSH levels of tissues and plasma and also SOD, CAT, GSH‐Px activities of plasma demonstrate the role of oxidative mechanisms in CRF‐induced tissue damage, and melatonin, via its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, ameliorates oxidative organ injury. CRF‐induced dysfunction of the aorta and corpus cavernosum of rats was reversed by melatonin treatment. Thus, supplementing CRF patients with adjuvant therapy of melatonin may have some benefit.