Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Critical Role for Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF-3) and IRF-7 in Type I Interferon-Mediated Control of Murine Norovirus Replication

ABSTRACT Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are the major cause of epidemic, nonbacterial gastroenteritis in the world. The short course of HuNoV-induced symptoms has implicated innate immunity in control of norovirus (NoV) infection. Studies using murine norovirus (MNV) confirm the importance of innate immune responses during NoV infection. Type I alpha and beta interferons (IFN-α/β) limit HuNoV replicon function, restrict MNV replication in cultured cells, and control MNV replication in vivo. Therefore, the cell types and transcription factors involved in antiviral immune responses and IFN-α/β-mediated control of NoV infection are important to define. We used mice with floxed alleles of the IFNAR1 chain of the IFN-α/β receptor to identify cells expressing lysozyme M or CD11c as cells that respond to IFN-α/β to restrict MNV replication in vivo. Furthermore, we show that the transcription factors IRF-3 and IRF-7 work in concert to initiate unique and overlapping antiviral responses to restrict MNV replication in vivo. IRF-3 and IRF-7 restrict MNV replication in both cultured macrophages and dendritic cells, are required for induction of IFN-α/β in macrophages but not dendritic cells, and are dispensable for the antiviral effects of IFN-α/β that block MNV replication. These studies suggest that expression of the IFN-α/β receptor on macrophages/neutrophils and dendritic cells, as well as of IRF-3 and IRF-7, is critical for innate immune responses to NoV infection.
Effect of single‐mineral filler and hybrid‐mineral filler additives on the properties of polypropylene composites

The present study was carried out to determine the filler characteristics and to investigate the effects of three types of mineral fillers (CaCO3, silica, and mica) and filler loadings (10–40 wt%) on the properties of polypropylene (PP) composites. The characteristics of the particulate fillers, such as mean particle size, particle size distribution, aspect ratio, shape, and degree of crystallinity were identified. In terms of mechanical properties, for all of the filled PP composites, Young's modulus increased, whereas tensile strength and strain at break decreased as the filler loading increased. However, 10 wt% of mica in a PP composite showed a tensile strength comparable with that of unfilled PP. Greater tensile strength of mica/PP composites compared to that of the other composites was observed because of lower percentages of voids and a higher aspect ratio of the filler. Mica/PP also exhibited a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) compared to that of the other composites. This difference was due to a lower degree of crystallinity of the filler and the CTE value of the mica filler. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the structure of fracture surfaces, and there was a gradual change in tensile fracture behavior from ductile to brittle as the filler loading increased. The nucleating ability of the fillers was studied with differential scanning calorimetry, and a drop in crystallinity of the composites was observed with the addition of mineral filler. Studies on the hybridization effect of different (silica and mica) filler ratios on the properties of PP hybrid composites showed that the addition of mica to silica‐PP composites enhanced their tensile strength and modulus. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL. , 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Posterior Cramer-Rao Lower Bounds of RFID localization

The usage of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as an identification and localization technique is quite common nowadays. The knowledge of the position of a passive UHF RFID label can be achieved via Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values and an (Constrained) Unscented Kaiman Filter ((C)UKF). Formulating different constraints leads to different approaches for the localization. To be able to compare the performance of these methods the Posterior Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (PCRLB) is calculated. The calculated PCRLBs for the various approaches lead to the conclusion that it is important to include all available information into the filter functions.
Purification and characterization of an extracellular levansucrase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola

Levansucrase (EC 2.4.1.10), an exoenzyme of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola, was purified to homogeneity from the cell supernatant by chromatography on TMAE-Fraktogel and butyl-Fraktogel. The enzyme has molecular masses of 45 kDa under denaturing conditions and 68 kDa during gel filtration of the native form. In isoelectric focusing, active bands appeared at pH 3.55 and 3.6. Maximum sucrose cleaving activities were measured at pH 5.8 to 6.6 and 60 degrees C. The enzyme was highly tolerant to denaturing agents, proteases, and repeated freezing and thawing. The molecular weight of the produced levan depended on temperature, salinity, and sucrose concentration. The enzyme had levan-degrading activity and did not accept raffinose as a substrate. Comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequence with the predicted amino acid sequence of levansucrases from Erwinia amylovora and Zymomonas mobilis showed 88 and 69% similarity, respectively, in amino acids 5 to 20. No similarity could be detected to levansucrases of gram-positive bacteria in the first 20 amino acids. By comparison of all levansucrases which have been sequenced to date, the enzyme seems to be conserved in the gram-negative bacteria. The rheological behavior of the product levan prompted a new assessment of the enzyme's role in pathogenesis. Depending on formation conditions, levan solutions exclude other polymer solutions. This behavior supports the presumption that the levansucrase is important in the early phase of infection by creating a separating layer between bacteria and plant cell wall to prevent the pathogen from recognition.
Ultraplankton distribution in surface waters of the Mozambique Channel — flow cytometry and satellite imagery

The composition of ultraplankton (UP) in near-surface samples collected underway every 1 to 6 h from a ship sailing from Durban to the Seychelles was determined by flow cytometry, using both autofluorescence pigments and fluorescence DNA staining. Prochlorococcus (Pro) (17 to 160 x 103 cells ml-1) numerically dominated the ultraphytoplankton (UPP), followed by Synechococcus (Syn) (4.5 to 57 x 103 cells ml-1) and eukaryotic algae (EA) (0.6 to 4.2 x 103 cells ml-1). The abundance of heterotrophic bacterioplankton (HB) was 0.4 to 1.3 x 106 cells ml-1. A strong correlation (r = 0.8 to 0.97) was observed between sea-viewing wide field of view sensor (SeaWiFS) satellite estimates of total chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration and chl a concentration, abundance and biomass of EA as well as abundance and biomass of HB. This shows the potential for deducing spatial distributions of these 2 groups for ecosystem modelling using satellite data. Although the correlation between satellite chl a estimates and Syn chl a concentration was strong (r = 0.83 to 0.88), the correlation with its abundance and biomass was poor (r < 0.6) due to high variability (factor of 12) in cellular chl a content and to a lesser extent to diurnal cycles. The relationships were similar when either only daytime or all UP measurements were compared with the satellite data. No relationship was found between satellite data and Pro chl a concentration, abundance or biomass, even after correction for a pronounced diel cycle, suggesting that the SeaWiFS instrument might not detect Pro chl a.
An M/G/1 Vacation Model of an FDDI Station

The author defines and analyzes an M/G/1 vacation model that can be used to describe a single station in the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI). The M/G/1 model uses a service discipline called the exhaustive limited with limit variation discipline. According to this discipline, the server provides service until either the system is emptied or a randomly chosen limit of l frames has been served. The server then goes on a vacation before returning to service the queue again. The model can be used to gain insight into how the varying (timer-controlled) limit on the number of frames that can be transmitted during token visit at a station affects the mean waiting time in the timed-token protocol of FDDI. The analytical results of the M/G/1 vacation model are applied to an FDDI simulation example. >
Performance Analysis of ML-Based Feedback Carrier Phase Synchronizers for Coded Signals

This paper considers carrier phase recovery in transmission systems with an iteratively decodable error-control code [turbo codes, low-density parity check (LDPC) codes], whose large coding gains enable reliable communication at very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We compare three types of feedback phase synchronizers, which are all based upon the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation principle: a data-aided (DA) synchronizer, a non-code-aided (NCA) synchronizer, and an iterative code-aided (CA) synchronizer. We introduce a blockwise forward-backward recursive phase estimator, and we show that the mean-square phase error (MSPE) of the NCA synchronizer equals that of the DA synchronizer when the carrier phase is constant and the loop filter gain is the same for both synchronizers. When the signal is affected by phase noise, the NCA synchronizer (as compared with the DA synchronizer) yields a larger MSPE due to phase fluctuations. We also show that, at the normal operating SNR of the considered code, the performance of the CA synchronizer is very close to that of a DA synchronizer that knows all transmitted symbols in advance
Inhibition of Mg- and Mg, Na, K-activated adenosine tgriphosphatase activity by L-ascorbic acid and L-cysteine.

It is now commonly postulated that the electrical excitability of neural cells depends on the concentration gradients of Na+ and K+ across the cell membrane and the gradients are maintained by active cation transport system. Further, a membrane-bound, Na+ and K+-stimulated and ouabain-sensitive adenosine triphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase) has been proved to be involved in the active cation transport system in the brain as well as in many other tissues (1). While cardiac glycosides have been well known to be specific inhibitors of Na-K-ATPase, some biogenic substances were also considered to participate in the transport mechanism. In this respect, two biogenic substances, ascorbic acid and cysteine, came to light. They were described as rather specific inhibitors of Na-K-ATPase in the electric organ of eel (2) and the liver of rat (3). The present report describes how ascorbic acid and cysteine affect Na-K-ATPase and Mg-ATPase of the rabbit brain, histochemically and biochemically. For reference the enzymes of rabbit liver were tested.
Innate Immune Sensing of Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) Is Mediated by TLR2-TLR6, MDA-5 and the NALP3 Inflammasome

Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is an attenuated double-stranded DNA poxvirus currently developed as a vaccine vector against HIV/AIDS. Profiling of the innate immune responses induced by MVA is essential for the design of vaccine vectors and for anticipating potential adverse interactions between naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immune responses. Here we report on innate immune sensing of MVA and cytokine responses in human THP-1 cells, primary human macrophages and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). The innate immune responses elicited by MVA in human macrophages were characterized by a robust chemokine production and a fairly weak pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Analyses of the cytokine production profile of macrophages isolated from knockout mice deficient in Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or in the adapter molecules MyD88 and TRIF revealed a critical role for TLR2, TLR6 and MyD88 in the production of IFNβ-independent chemokines. MVA induced a marked up-regulation of the expression of RIG-I like receptors (RLR) and the IPS-1 adapter (also known as Cardif, MAVS or VISA). Reduced expression of RIG-I, MDA-5 and IPS-1 by shRNAs indicated that sensing of MVA by RLR and production of IFNβ and IFNβ-dependent chemokines was controlled by the MDA-5 and IPS-1 pathway in the macrophage. Crosstalk between TLR2-MyD88 and the NALP3 inflammasome was essential for expression and processing of IL-1β. Transcription of the Il1b gene was markedly impaired in TLR2−/− and MyD88−/− BMDM, whereas mature and secreted IL-1β was massively reduced in NALP3−/− BMDMs or in human THP-1 macrophages with reduced expression of NALP3, ASC or caspase-1 by shRNAs. Innate immune sensing of MVA and production of chemokines, IFNβ and IL-1β by macrophages is mediated by the TLR2-TLR6-MyD88, MDA-5-IPS-1 and NALP3 inflammasome pathways. Delineation of the host response induced by MVA is critical for improving our understanding of poxvirus antiviral escape mechanisms and for designing new MVA vaccine vectors with improved immunogenicity.
On the relaxation approximation of boundary control of the isothermal Euler equations

We consider the isothermal Euler equations without friction that simulate gas flow through a pipe. We consider the problem of boundary stabilisation of this system locally around a given stationary state. We present a feedback law that is linear in the physical variables and yields exponential decay of the system state. For the numerical solution of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, the Jin–Xin relaxation scheme can be used. Therefore, we also consider the boundary stabilisation of the relaxation system by the linear Riemann feedback and present numerical examples that show the rapid exponential decay of the stabilised system.
Novel Combinations of Rate-Controlling Polymers for the Release of Leuprolide Acetate in the Colon

Our objective was to investigate the controlled release and transport of leuprolide acetate polypeptide in the colon using novel combinations of rate-controlling polymers. Polymer swelling, disintegration, drug release, and transport characteristics were measured using different polymers, carbopol, chitosan and polyox, alone and in combination. Studies demonstrated Carbopol® -containing combination formulations had maximum swelling and the slowest disintegration properties. A decrease in dissolution rate was observed from all combination formulations when compared with their individual counterparts. Carbopol® combinations showed the slowest overall release. Drug transport studies using the everted sac technique demonstrated good correlation to the swelling, disintegration, and dissolution studies. Thus, novel polymer combinations can be used to deliver polypeptide drug to the colon effectively compared with individual polymers.
Preliminary and Incomplete : Please do not cite without permission Selection and Improvement : Physician Responses to Financial Incentives

In this study we examine the effects of transferring physicians from a compensation system based on salary to a profit-sharing system. Consistent with theory, we find that the change has a large and significant effect on the quantity of services provided. In addition, we find a selection effect, where the least productive doctors leave the company and more productive doctors join. We want to thank John Shin for his help with the early stages of this project. We also thank David Cutler for his helpful comments. We are appreciative to all HCA, The Healthcare Company employees who provided us insight and data. All errors are our own.
Transvaginal colour flow imaging and ovarian cancer.

SIR,-Dr M P Cust and colleagues only touch on the possible long term effects of total body irradiation,' but these need to be addressed as increasing numbers of patients are successfully treated. We measured bone mineral content and density in the lumbar spine in 14 women who had premature ovarian failure after treatment for haematological malignancies. On average, 51 months had elapsed since treatment. We used a dual energy x ray absorption technique with a precision of 1%. 2 The patients' mean vertebral bone density was 0 97 (SD 0 15) g/cm2; that of a control group' of 68 women in the same age range (19 to 45, mean age of both groups 33 years) was 1 07 (0 09) g/cm2 (p=004, Student's t test). The patient with the lowest bone mineral density (0 71 g/cm') had already suffered an atraumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone. The loss of almost 10% of bone mineral in this short time implies that these patients are at risk of developing osteoporosis in the future. We support the recommendation of Dr Cust and colleagues that they should be referred to a gynaecologist or endocrinologist to consider hormone replacement therapy.
Discovery of Information Diffusion Process in Social Networks

SUMMARY Information di ﬀ usion analysis in social networks is of sig-niﬁcance since it enables us to deeply understand dynamic social interactions among users. In this paper, we introduce approaches to discovering information di ﬀ usion process in social networks based on process mining. Process mining techniques are applied from three perspectives: social network analysis, process discovery and community recognition. We then present experimental results by using a real-life social network data. The proposed techniques are expected to employ as new analytical tools in online social networks such as blog and wikis for company marketers, politicians, news reporters and online writers.
Adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) –clinical, histopathological, immunological and immunohistochemical characteristics

Abstract Twenty‐one patients with ATL were assessed. The predominant physical findings were lymph node and bone marrow involvement, skin involvement, hepatosplenomegaly and leukemic manifestations. The predominant histopathological findings in both skin and lymph node specimens were the diffuse medium‐sized cell type and the diffuse mixed cell type. Some phenotypic discrepancy was found between the neoplastic cells in the peripheral blood, lymph nodes and skin of patients with ATL with respect to CD45RA and CD45RO, and CD7, CD29, CD25 and HLA‐DR. That is, the predominant neoplastic cell phenotype was the helper T‐cell, which was CD3+, CD4+, CD7+, CD25+, CD45RA+ and HLA‐DR+, and CD29− and CD45RO− in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, and CD3+, CD4+, CD7+, CD29+, CD45RO+ and HLA‐DR+, and CD45RA− in the skin. In other words, we have described the phenotypic heterogeneity of ATL cells and demonstrated the heterogeneity of CD45R isoform expression on ATL cells in different organs – the skin, peripheral blood and lymph nodes – of the same patient.
Comment on "The Latitudinal Gradient in Recent Speciation and Extinction Rates of Birds and Mammals"

Weir and Schluter (Reports, 16 March 2007, p. 1574) used variation in the age distribution of sister species to estimate that recent rates of speciation decline toward the tropics. However, this conclusion may be undermined by taxonomic biases, sampling artifacts, and the sister-species method, all of which tend to underestimate diversification rates at low latitudes.
Metoprolol Reduces Hemodynamic and Metabolic Overload in Asymptomatic Aortic Valve Stenosis Patients: A Randomized Trial

Background— Currently, no pharmacological treatment can modify the natural history of aortic valve stenosis (AS). This underlines the critical need to explore novel treatment strategies, which could postpone or prevent the need for aortic valve replacement in patients with asymptomatic AS. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether metoprolol reduce the hemodynamic and metabolic burden imposed by AS. Methods and Results— In a double-blinded design, 40 patients with moderate-severe asymptomatic AS (aortic valve area, 0.5±0.1 cm2/m2; peak gradient, 53±19 mm Hg) were randomized to placebo or metoprolol treatment for 22 weeks. Patients were evaluated by echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance, and 11C-acetate positron emission tomography. Compared with placebo, metoprolol (100±53 mg/d) decreased heart rate; mean difference (95% confidence interval) −8 minute−1 (−13, −3; P=0.003) and increased ejection time 26 ms (2, 50; P=0.03). Furthermore, metoprolol reduced aortic valve peak −7 mm Hg (−13, 0; P=0.05) and mean −4 mm Hg (−7, −1; P=0.03) gradients, without affecting stroke volume 3 mL/m2 (−2, 8; P=0.16). Valvuloarterial impedance (ie, global afterload) and myocardial oxygen consumption were reduced by −11% and −12% (P=0.03 and 0.01), respectively; and decreased heart rate correlated with lower valvuloarterial impedance, myocardial oxygen consumption, and improved myocardial efficiency defined as stroke work/myocardial oxygen consumption (r=0.63–0.65; all P<0.01). There were 2 adverse cardiovascular events in the metoprolol group and none in the placebo group. Conclusions— In patients with asymptomatic AS, metoprolol increases systolic ejection time and reduces aortic valve gradients, global afterload, and myocardial oxygen requirements. Thus, metoprolol displays favorable hemodynamic and metabolic effects and could improve outcome in patients with asymptomatic AS. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT02076711.
HLA-DR overexpression in tubules of renal allografts during early and late renal allograft injuries.

OBJECTIVES We sought to discover which types of injuries were related to human leukocyte antigen DR expression in acute rejection and late chronic injury in renal allografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-two recipients were separated into the early acute rejection group, the late monocyte infiltration group, and the late chronic injury group. Ten subjects with acute cellular rejection received a repeat biopsy. All samples were stained with CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, and human leukocyte antigen DR by immunochemical staining. Levels of these markers were compared among the subgroups of each group. RESULTS Human leukocyte antigen DR expression was greater in the early C4d-negative acute rejection group than it was in the early C4d-positive acute rejection group. Human leukocyte antigen DR expression was greater during acute rejection than that was on a repeat biopsy. Human leukocyte antigen DR expression was accord with the infiltration of monocyte infiltration in the acute cellular rejection group. Human leukocyte antigen DR expression was greater during late acute rejection than it was in BK virus nephropathy, which was not in accord with monocyte infiltration. Human leukocyte antigen DR expression was greater during chronic rejection than it was in IgAN, BK virus nephropathy, and TA/IF groups, and even in tubular atrophy. CONCLUSIONS Human leukocyte antigen DR expression in renal tubular cells was associated with early acute cellular rejection and was in accord with monocyte infiltration. Human leukocyte antigen DR expression in renal tubular cells during the late phase (especially in tubular atrophy) was a marker of chronic rejection, but was not in accord with monocyte infiltration in renal allografts.