Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of Multiplex PCR Coupled with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Analysis for Simultaneous Detection of 21 Common Respiratory Viruses

ABSTRACT Respiratory infections continue to pose a significant threat to human health. It is important to accurately and rapidly detect respiratory viruses. To compensate for the limits of current respiratory virus detection methods, we developed a 24-plex analysis (common respiratory virus-mass spectrometry [CRV-MS]) that can simultaneously detect and identify 21 common respiratory viruses based on a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry system. To evaluate the efficacy of the CRV-MS method, we used 102 samples that were confirmed positive for these common respiratory viruses. All tests using the CRV-MS method were effective, with no cross-reactivity observed with other common respiratory viruses. To confirm the usefulness of the CRV-MS method, we screened 336 nasal and throat swabs that were collected from adults or children with suspected viral acute respiratory tract infections using the CRV-MS method and consensus PCR/reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) methods. Excluding four RNase P-negative samples, the CRV-MS and consensus PCR/RT-PCR methods detected respiratory viruses in 92.5% (307/332) and 89.5% (297/332) of the samples, respectively. The two methods yielded identical results for 306 (92.2%) samples, including negative results for 25 samples (7.5%) and positive results for 281 samples (84.6%). Differences between the two methods may reflect their different sensitivities. The CRV-MS method proved to be sensitive and robust, and it can be used in large-scale epidemiological studies of common respiratory virus infections.
Comprehensive screening for constitutional RB1 mutations by DHPLC and QMPSF

Constitutional mutations of the RB1 gene are associated with a predisposition to retinoblastoma. It is essential to identify these mutations to provide appropriate genetic counseling in retinoblastoma patients, but this represents an extremely challenging task, as the vast majority of mutations are unique and spread over the entire coding sequence. Since 2001, we have implemented RB1 testing on a routine basis as part of the clinical management of retinoblastoma. As most screening techniques do not meet the requirements for efficient RB1 testing, we have devised a semi‐automated denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) method for point mutation detection combined with a quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF) approach to screen for gene rearrangements. We report the results of this comprehensive screening of all exons and promoter of RB1 in 192 unrelated patients, mostly of French origin. Among 102 bilateral and/or familial cases and 90 unilateral sporadic probands, mutations were identified in 83 (81.5%) and 5 (5.5%) cases, respectively. A total of 43 mutations have not been previously reported. The mutational spectrum was found to be significantly different from previous published series, displaying a surprising amount of splice mutations and large deletions. This study demonstrates the reliability of DHPLC for RB1 analysis, but also illustrates the need for a deletion scanning approach. Finally, considering the benefits to retinoblastoma patients, RB1 testing should be widely implemented in routine healthcare because our study clearly illustrates its feasibility. Hum Mutat 23:193–202, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Importance of Nursing Homes in the Spread of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Among Hospitals

Background:Hospital infection control strategies and programs may not consider control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes in a county. Methods:Using our Regional Healthcare Ecosystem Analyst, we augmented our existing agent-based model of all hospitals in Orange County (OC), California, by adding all nursing homes and then simulated MRSA outbreaks in various health care facilities. Results:The addition of nursing homes substantially changed MRSA transmission dynamics throughout the county. The presence of nursing homes substantially potentiated the effects of hospital outbreaks on other hospitals, leading to an average 46.2% (range, 3.3%–156.1%) relative increase above and beyond the impact when only hospitals are included for an outbreak in OC’s largest hospital. An outbreak in the largest hospital affected all other hospitals (average 2.1% relative prevalence increase) and the majority (∼90%) of nursing homes (average 3.2% relative increase) after 6 months. An outbreak in the largest nursing home had effects on multiple OC hospitals, increasing MRSA prevalence in directly connected hospitals by an average 0.3% and in hospitals not directly connected through patient transfers by an average 0.1% after 6 months. A nursing home outbreak also had some effect on MRSA prevalence in other nursing homes. Conclusions:Nursing homes, even those not connected by direct patient transfers, may be a vital component of a hospital’s infection control strategy. To achieve effective control, a hospital may want to better understand how regional nursing homes and hospitals are connected through both direct and indirect (with intervening stays at home) patient sharing.
A Novel Feedback Loop That Controls Bimodal Expression of Genetic Competence

Gene expression can be highly heterogeneous in isogenic cell populations. An extreme type of heterogeneity is the so-called bistable or bimodal expression, whereby a cell can differentiate into two alternative expression states. Stochastic fluctuations of protein levels, also referred to as noise, provide the necessary source of heterogeneity that must be amplified by specific genetic circuits in order to obtain a bimodal response. A classical model of bimodal differentiation is the activation of genetic competence in Bacillus subtilis. The competence transcription factor ComK activates transcription of its own gene, and an intricate regulatory network controls the switch to competence and ensures its reversibility. However, it is noise in ComK expression that determines which cells activate the ComK autostimulatory loop and become competent for genetic transformation. Despite its important role in bimodal gene expression, noise remains difficult to investigate due to its inherent stochastic nature. We adapted an artificial autostimulatory loop that bypasses all known ComK regulators to screen for possible factors that affect noise. This led to the identification of a novel protein Kre (YkyB) that controls the bimodal regulation of ComK. Interestingly, Kre appears to modulate the induction of ComK by affecting the stability of comK mRNA. The protein influences the expression of many genes, however, Kre is only found in bacteria that contain a ComK homologue and, importantly, kre expression itself is downregulated by ComK. The evolutionary significance of this new feedback loop for the reduction of transcriptional noise in comK expression is discussed. Our findings show the importance of mRNA stability in bimodal regulation, a factor that requires more attention when studying and modelling this non-deterministic developmental mechanism.
Assessing the impact of distributed generation on distribution network costs

The support of electricity generation from renewable energy sources (RES) and combined heat and power (CHP) has led to increasing penetration levels of distributed generation (DG). Nevertheless, Large-scale connection of DG faces numerous regulatory, economic, social and technological challenges. Distribution networks were not originally designed to accommodate generation. Hence, distribution system operators (DSOs) face great uncertainties about the impacts of DG on distribution network planning and operation. This paper presents a quantification of how DG affects distribution network costs in three real distribution areas. Several scenarios of demand and DG have been analysed for each case study. Two reference network models (RNMs) have been used to consider the most critical snapshots within each scenario: maximum demand-minimum generation and maximum generation-minimum demand. Results yielded significant differences among the three case studies.
Mindfulness-Based Hypnosis: Blending Science, Beliefs, and Wisdoms to Catalyze Healing

We live in a global village, comprised of people with diverse cultural and religious orientations. How do we integrate these different beliefs and values into our clinical practice? Mindfulness-based psychotherapy (MBP), an evidence-based psychological intervention, provides a secular template for assimilating various cultural beliefs and wisdoms in therapies. MBP represents a cross-fertilization between Western psychological practice and Eastern meditative disciplines. Guided by MBP, this article describes how intention, mindfulness, acceptance, gratitude, and the “heart” can be combined with cognitive hypnotherapy to catalyze healing of emotional disorders—particularly depression. This integrated approach is referred to as mindfulness-based cognitive hypnotherapy (MBCH) as it assimilates cognitive hypnotherapy with mindfulness strategies. MBCH represents an attempt to broaden the comprehensiveness of hypnotherapy as an integrated form of psychotherapy. Additionally, based on new understanding of the heart as a complex information center, an innovative hypnotherapeutic strategy for generating psychophysiological coherence and psychological well-being is described.
The Iowa gambling task as a measure of decision making in women with bulimia nervosa

Persistent chaotic feeding behavior (i.e., bingeing and purging), despite consequent adverse health and psychosocial consequences, is central to the definition and diagnosis of bulimia nervosa (BN). Repeatedly choosing immediate short-term gratification when long-term consequences are deleterious may reflect deficits in decision-making ability. However, to date, there has been no systematic examination of decision-making ability in individuals diagnosed with BN. In the present study, 20 undergraduate women with minimal bulimic symptoms (Control Group) and 20 with a diagnosis of BN (BN Group) were administered the Iowa Gambling Task (GT). Results indicated that the BN Group performed significantly worse on the GT in comparison to the Control Group and GT performance was negatively correlated with bulimic symptomatology. The presence of BN symptoms also predicted GT performance above and beyond demographic variables and depressive symptoms. These findings provide evidence for the presence of decision-making deficits in individuals with BN (JINS, 2006, 12, 741–745.)
B‐cell CD25 Expression in Murine Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Tissue

B cells are in analogy with T cells capable of expressing functional IL‐2 receptors. IL‐2R α‐chain (CD25) positive T cells have been studied in detail but not much is known about CD25 positive B cells. The aim of this study was to examine the phenotypic properties of the CD25 expressing B cells collected from different lymphoid organs in mice. Samples were stained for various cell surface markers and analysed using flow cytometry. We found that approximately 49% of B cells in bone marrow, 16% in peritoneal cavity, 2% in spleen and 1% in lymph nodes express CD25. In contrast, CD25 expressing B cells were not found in the blood or in Peyer's patches. Phenotypic characterization showed that CD25+ B cells in spleen, lymph nodes and peritoneal cavity have higher expression of AA4.1, CD5, CD69, CD80, CD86, CD122, CD132, IgA, IgG and IgM on their surface in comparison with CD25− B cells. In contrast, expression of IgD and IA‐IE was lower on CD25+ B cells in spleen and lymph nodes. In bone marrow, the expression of CD5, CD80, CD86, CD122, CD132, IgA, IgD and IgM was lower, while the expression of AA4.1, IgG and IA‐IE was increased on CD25+ B cells compared with CD25− B cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that B cells expressing CD25 are phenotypically distinctly different from those that are CD25 negative. Our findings suggest that CD25+ B cells are more prone to efficient antigen presentation and display a more mature phenotype.
Cutting Edge: Heat Shock Protein (HSP) 60 Activates the Innate Immune Response: CD14 Is an Essential Receptor for HSP60 Activation of Mononuclear Cells1

Heat shock proteins (HSP), highly conserved across species, are generally viewed as intracellular proteins thought to serve protective functions against infection and cellular stress. Recently, we have reported the surprising finding that human and chlamydial HSP60, both present in human atheroma, can activate vascular cells and macrophages. However, the transmembrane signaling pathways by which extracellular HSP60 may activate cells remains unclear. CD14, the monocyte receptor for LPS, binds numerous microbial products and can mediate activation of monocytes/macrophages and endothelial cells, thus promoting the innate immune response. We show here that human HSP60 activates human PBMC and monocyte-derived macrophages through CD14 signaling and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, sharing this pathway with bacterial LPS. These findings provide further insight into the molecular mechanisms by which extracellular HSP may participate in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory disorders by activating the innate immune system.
Atp6v0a4 knockout mouse is a model of distal renal tubular acidosis with hearing loss, with additional extrarenal phenotype

Autosomal recessive distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a severe disorder of acid–base homeostasis, often accompanied by sensorineural deafness. We and others have previously shown that mutations in the tissue-restricted a4 and B1 subunits of the H+-ATPase underlie this syndrome. Here, we describe an Atp6v0a4 knockout mouse, which lacks the a4 subunit. Using β-galactosidase as a reporter for the null gene, developmental a4 expression was detected in developing bone, nose, eye, and skin, in addition to that expected in kidney and inner ear. By the time of weaning, Atp6v0a4−/− mice demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, and early nephrocalcinosis. Null mice were hypocitraturic, but hypercalciuria was absent. They were severely hearing-impaired, as shown by elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds and absent endocochlear potential. They died rapidly unless alkalinized. If they survived weaning with alkali supplementation, treatment could later be withdrawn, but −/− animals remained acidotic with alkaline urine. They also had an impaired sense of smell. Heterozygous animals were biochemically normal until acid-challenged, when they became more acidotic than +/+ animals. This mouse model recapitulates the loss of H+-ATPase function seen in human disease and can provide additional insights into dRTA and the physiology of the a4 subunit.
Image Quality Measures for Predicting Automatic Target Recognition Performance

One important issue for Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) systems is to learn how robust the performance is under different scenarios. The quality of the input image sequence is a major factor affecting the ATR algorithm's ability to detect and recognize an object. If one can correlate the algorithm performance with different image quality measures, the recognition confidence can be predicted before applying ATR by predetermining the input image quality. In this paper, we address the utility of image quality measures and their correlations with performance failures of a principle component analysis (PCA) based ATR algorithm. Various image fusion approaches are examined to illustrate their abilities to improve ATR performance. Results show that the Shift Invariant Discrete Wavelet Transform (SiDWT) and Laplacian pyramid fusion schemes outperform other methods for improving the detection rate with the considered SAR images. Regression analysis is conducted to show that linear combinations of the selected image quality measures could explain about 60% of the variability in the non-detections of the ATR algorithm.
Pulse Operation of an Inverse Class-F GaN Power Amplifier

This paper presents an inverse class-F power amplifier (PA) based on gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) at 1 GHz. The implemented PA has a peak power-added-efficiency (PAE) of 74.1%, drain efficiency (DE) of 77.36%, and a gain of 13.76 dB at an output power of 39.58 dBm with a continuous wave operation at 28 volts. We have carried out the experiments with various pulsed operating conditions. A RF performance peak PAE of 74.28% with drain efficiency of 77.57% and a gain of 13.73 dB, at an output power of 39.66 dBm, was obtained at a pulse width of 100 mus with a duty of 10%. To evaluate the linearity of the inverse class-F amplifier, two-tone measurements have been tested. At a tone spacing of 100 kHz, the measured third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) was 13.2 dBc at peak PAE.
School nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of role as opinion leader, and professional practice regarding human papillomavirus vaccine for youth.

BACKGROUND Because human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine rates remain low, we evaluated US school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of their role as opinion leaders, and professional practice regarding HPV vaccine, and assessed whether knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of being an opinion leader influenced their professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine. METHODS We used a cross-sectional design by recruiting members from the National Association of School Nurses. All participants (N = 505) were e-mailed a survey designed for this study. Structural equation modeling (SEM) tested direct and indirect effects. RESULTS Overall, school nurses had knowledge about HPV and the vaccine, and positive attitudes toward the vaccine. They had less-than-enthusiastic perceptions of their role as opinion leaders regarding the vaccine and implemented few activities related to providing vaccine information. The model revealed a good fit (χ(2)=20.238 [df=8, p< . 01]), with knowledge directly related to attitudes, attitudes directly related to perceptions and practice, and perceptions directly affecting practice. In our model, perceptions functioned as a partial mediator. CONCLUSIONS To enhance school nurses' practice regarding the HPV vaccine, focus should be on increasing positive attitudes toward the vaccine and strengthening perceptions of their role as opinion leaders.
Immunofluorescence localization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC12 gene product to the vicinity of the 10-nm filaments in the mother-bud neck

Budding cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae possess a ring of 10-nm-diameter filaments, of unknown biochemical nature, that lies just inside the plasma membrane in the neck connecting the mother cell to its bud (B. Byers and L. Goetsch, J. Cell Biol. 69:717-721, 1976). Mutants defective in any of four genes (CDC3, CDC10, CDC11, and CDC12) lack these filaments and display a pleiotropic phenotype that involves abnormal bud growth and cell-wall deposition and an inability to complete cytokinesis. We fused the cloned CDC12 gene to the Escherichia coli lacZ and trpE genes and used the resulting fusion proteins to raise polyclonal antibodies specific for the CDC12 gene product. In immunofluorescence experiments with affinity-purified antibodies, the neck region of wild-type and mutant cells stained in patterns consistent with the hypothesis that the CDC12 gene product is a constituent of the ring of 10-nm filaments. Without careful affinity purification of the CDC12-specific antibodies, these staining patterns were completely obscured by the staining of residual cell wall components in the neck by antibodies present even in the "preimmune" sera of all rabbits tested.
Semipolar $({\hbox{20}}\bar{{\hbox{2}}}\bar{{\hbox{1}}})$  InGaN/GaN Light-Emitting Diodes for High-Efficiency Solid-State Lighting

This work examines the effects of polarization-related electric fields on the energy band diagrams, wavelength shift, wave function overlap, and efficiency droop for InGaN quantum wells on various crystal orientations, including polar (0001) (<i>c</i> -plane), semipolar (202̅1̅), semipolar (202̅1̅), and nonpolar (101̅0̅) (<i>m</i>-plane). Based on simulations, we show that the semipolar (202̅1̅) orientation exhibits excellent potential for the development of high-efficiency, low-droop light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We then present recent advancements in crystal growth, optical performance, and thermal performance of semipolar (202̅1̅) LEDs. Finally, we demonstrate a low-droop, high-efficiency single-quantum-well blue semipolar (202̅1̅) LED with an external quantum efficiency of more than 50% at 100 A/cm<sup>2</sup>.
A molecular mechanism for genetic warfarin resistance in the rat

Warfarin targets vitamin K 2,3‐epoxide reductase (VKOR), the enzyme that produces reduced vitamin K, a required cofactor for γ‐carboxylation of vitamin K‐dependent proteins. To identify VKOR, we used 4′‐azido‐warfarin‐3H‐alcohol as an affinity label. When added to a partially purified preparation of VKOR, two proteins were identified by mass spectrometry as calumenin and cytochrome B5. Rat calumenin was cloned and sequenced and the recombinant protein was produced. When added to an in vitro test system, the 47 kDa recombinant protein was found to inhibit VKOR activity and to protect the enzyme from warfarin inhibition. Calumenin was also shown to inhibit the overall activity of the complete vitamin K‐dependent γ‐carboxylation system. The results were repeated in COS‐1 cells overexpressing recombinant calumenin. By comparing calumenin mRNA levels in various tissues from normal rats and warfarin‐resistant rats, only the livers from resistant rats were different from normal rats by showing increased levels. Partially purified VKOR from resistant and normal rat livers showed no differences in Km‐values, specific activity, and sensitivity to warfarin. A novel model for genetic warfarin resistance in the rat is proposed, whereby the concentration of calumenin in liver determines resistance.
A methodology for predicting the thermal behaviour of modular-wound electrical machines

A methodology is proposed whereby performing a series of tests on a stator/winding subassembly can estimate the thermal envelope of a modular-wound single-layer machine topology. Concentrated windings offer many advantages, such as reduced manufacturing costs, improved thermal performance and readily lend themselves to fault-tolerant designs. Single-layer modular windings have inherent magnetic, thermal and physical isolation, which means they are applicable to a segmented stator design, which further reduces the manufacturing cost. Commonly used design methods rely on prototyping and testing a complete machine to inform decisions on how the next revision is to be improved. Such an approach can provide valuable insight into machine design nuances; however, it can be costly and time consuming. A benefit of modular single-layer wound machines is that the overall winding loss can be extrapolated from testing a single stator/winding module/section. The experimental approach has been supplemented with two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) finite element analyses (FEAs). The FEAs have been used to predict both the electromagnetic and thermal performance of representative stator/winding variants. The methodology has been employed to give some insight into the thermal behaviour of a fractional-slot, high-speed traction motor. Initial results have confirmed that the interface thermal resistance between stator/winding/housing sub-regions is the main limiting factor for the conductive heat dissipation. Furthermore, impact of conductor placement within the stator slot on the winding loss at ac operation is investigated. Two winding variants are considered: `standard' and `slot-wedge' showing that the later winding design provides improved machine performance over entire torque-speed envelope. The theoretical findings have been validated experimentally showing good correlation.