Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 3α: Protein and Peptide Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solution Structures, Dimerization, Dynamics, and Anti-Infective Properties

ABSTRACT Human macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), also known as CCL20, is a 70-amino-acid chemokine which exclusively binds to chemokine receptor 6. In addition, the protein also has direct antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. The solution structure of MIP-3α was solved by the use of two-dimensional homonuclear proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The structure reveals the characteristic chemokine fold, with three antiparallel β strands followed by a C-terminal α helix. In contrast to the crystal structures of MIP-3α, the solution structure was found to be monomeric. Another difference between the NMR and crystal structures lies in the angle of the α helix with respect to the β strands, which measure 69 and ∼56.5° in the two structures, respectively. NMR diffusion and pH titration studies revealed a distinct tendency for MIP-3α to form dimers at neutral pH and monomers at lower pH, dependent on the protonation state of His40. Molecular dynamics simulations of both the monomeric and the dimeric forms of MIP-3α supported the notion that the chemokine undergoes a change in helix angle upon dimerization and also highlighted the important hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding contacts made by His40 in the dimer interface. Moreover, a constrained N terminus and a smaller binding groove were observed in dimeric MIP-3α simulations, which could explain why monomeric MIP-3α may be more adept at receptor binding and activation. The solution structure of a synthetic peptide consisting of the last 20 residues of MIP-3α displayed a highly amphipathic α helix, reminiscent of various antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial assays with this peptide revealed strong and moderate bactericidal activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. This confirms that the C-terminal α-helical region of MIP-3α plays a significant part in its broad anti-infective activity.
A new digital predistortion using indirect learning with constrained feedback bandwidth for wideband power amplifiers

Digital predistortion (DPD) is one of the most effective techniques to mitigate the power amplifier (PA) nonlinear distortion. The DPD feedback bandwidth is often restricted by the nonideal electronic components, e.g., the anti-aliasing filter, which introduces bandwidth mismatch between model basis function and feedback signal thus degrades the linearization performance. This paper presents a new DPD solution for wideband PA systems with constrained feedback bandwidth. By including a linear operation into the PA identification, the PA model can be accurately estimated. Subsequently, the DPD parameters are extracted using the PA model estimated output and PA input signal by applying indirect learning algorithm. Experiments demonstrate a 23-dB adjacent channel leakage ratio improvement is acquired on a 100-MHz Long Term Evolution-advanced signal with the feedback bandwidth reduced from 500 MHz to 140 MHz.
1×80 pixel SPAD-based flash LIDAR sensor with background rejection based on photon coincidence

We present a 1×80 pixel line sensor for direct time-of-flight measurement based on single-photon avalanche diodes fabricated in a high-voltage 0.35 pm CMOS process. An in-pixel time-to-digital-converter with a resolution of 312.5 ps determines the arrival time of the first-photon for each emitted laser pulse from a flash illumination source for all pixels in parallel. Distance determination is performed by collecting the time stamps over multiple pulses in a histogram and applying proper software algorithms. Ambient light suppression is achieved by detection of photon coincidences from four single SPADs in each pixel. By adjusting the time and depth of the coincidence detection a good result in varying ambient conditions is achieved.
Influence of 3d-Metal Doping on Magnetotransport Properties of Magnetite Thin Films

In this paper, variation in magnetoresistance (MR) by transition-metal (TM) doping in magnetite (Fe3O4) has been investigated. The samples (TxFe3-xO4, T = V, and Cr) were polycrystalline and prepared as thin films by a sol-gel method. As the TM composition (x) increases, the MR strength is reduced but the reduction rate with x differs significantly for the two TM-doping cases. For the V-substituted samples, the MR is reduced rapidly with x and no significant MR is detected above x = 0.11. On the other hand, the Cr-substituted samples exhibit the MR effect up to x = 0.49. Such difference in MR strength between the two TM-doping cases is attributable to the difference in the intrinsic properties of the ternary ferrites such as electronic structure and carrier spin polarization.
Live 3D guidance in the interventional radiology suite.

OBJECTIVE The development of a C-arm cone-beam CT unit coupled with flat detectors has markedly increased anatomic visualization capabilities for interventional radiology procedures. We present technology in which fluoroscopy and 3D imaging from a cone-beam CT-flat-detector C-arm unit are combined with an integrated tracking and navigation system. A description of the technology and representative clinical cases are presented. CONCLUSION This new combination further increases interventional radiologic capabilities because it provides real-time procedural evaluation and tracking.
Crystal Structure of CD14 and Its Implications for Lipopolysaccharide Signaling*♦

Lipopolysaccharide, the endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria, induces extensive immune responses that can lead to fatal septic shock syndrome. The core receptors recognizing lipopolysaccharide are CD14, TLR4, and MD-2. CD14 binds to lipopolysaccharide and presents it to the TLR4/MD-2 complex, which initiates intracellular signaling. In addition to lipopolysaccharide, CD14 is capable of recognizing a few other microbial and cellular products. Here, we present the first crystal structure of CD14 to 2.5 Å resolution. A large hydrophobic pocket was found on the NH2-terminal side of the horseshoe-like structure. Previously identified regions involved in lipopolysaccharide binding map to the rim and bottom of the pocket indicating that the pocket is the main component of the lipopolysaccharide-binding site. Mutations that interfere with lipopolysaccharide signaling but not with lipopolysaccharide binding are also clustered in a separate area near the pocket. Ligand diversity of CD14 could be explained by the generous size of the pocket, the considerable flexibility of the rim of the pocket, and the multiplicity of grooves available for ligand binding.
SHAPE EFFECTS ON THE WIND-INDUCED RESPONSE OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

This paper explored the effect of building shape on the wind-induced response of a structure through a comprehensive investigation of wind tunnel studies performed at Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin, Inc. (RWDI). The study focused on buildings with foot prints of square, circular, triangular, rectangular and elliptical shapes. Seed buildings were selected from an inventory of structures previously tested in a low-speed boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT). The measured wind tunnel data for each of the sample seeds were factored to match a representative building shape at full scale for comparison purposes. Load patterns attributed to the cross-sectional shape of the structure were observed in the results. To provide a baseline value for the wind loads, the computed responses for the seeds were compared against the values given by the 2005 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7-05 Standard. The base load comparisons illustrated how certain building shapes perform in wind events.
Dual mechanisms of angiotensin‐induced activation of mouse sympathetic neurones

Ang II directly activates neurones in sympathetic ganglia. Our goal was to define the electrophysiological basis of this activation. Neurones from mouse aortic–renal and coeliac ganglia were identified as either ‘tonic’ or ‘phasic’. With injections of depolarizing currents, action potentials (APs) were abundant and sustained in tonic neurones (TNs) and scarce or absent in phasic neurones (PNs). Resting membrane potentials were equivalent in TNs (−48 ± 2 mV, n= 18) and PNs (−48 ± 1 mV, n= 23) while membrane resistance was significantly higher in TNs. Ang II depolarized and increased membrane resistance equally in both TNs (n= 8) and PNs (n= 8) but it induced APs only in TNs, and enhanced current‐evoked APs much more markedly in TNs (P < 0.05). The AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (2 μm, n= 6) abolished all responses to Ang II, whereas the AT2 receptor blocker PD123,319 had no effect. The transient K+ current (IA), which was more than twice as large in TNs as in PNs, was significantly inhibited by Ang II in TNs only whereas the delayed sustained K+ current (IK), which was comparable in both TNs and PNs, was not inhibited. M currents were more prominent in PNs and were inhibited by Ang II. The IA channel blocker 4‐aminopyridine triggered AP generation in TNs and prevented the Ang II‐induced APs but not the depolarization. Blockade of M currents by oxotremorine M or linopirdine prevented the depolarizing action of Ang II. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor H7 (10 μm, n= 9) also prevented the Ang II‐induced inhibition of IA and the generation APs but not the depolarization nor the inhibition of M currents. Conversely, the PKC agonist phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate mimicked the Ang II effects by triggering APs. The results indicate that Ang II may increase AP generation in sympathetic neurones by inducing a PKC‐dependent inhibition of IA currents, and a PKC‐independent depolarization through inhibition of M currents. The differential expression of various K+ channels and their sensitivity to phosphorylation by PKC may determine the degree of activation of sympathetic neurones and hence may influence the severity of the hypertensive response.
Peach-Induced Contact Urticaria Is Associated with Lipid Transfer Protein Sensitization

Background: Peach-induced contact urticaria is frequent in peach-allergic subjects. Objective: It was the aim of this study to detect whether contact urticaria is associated with a specific peach allergen. Methods: Ninety-two peach-allergic subjects were studied. Patients were diagnosed as being sensitized to lipid transfer protein (LTP; Pru p 3) or as having a pollen-food allergy syndrome induced by Pru p 1 and/or profilin, Pru p 4, on the basis of the results of a skin prick test containing these allergenic proteins in an isolated form. Specific IgE to peach extract was measured as well. Contact urticaria was confirmed by a contact test with intact, untreated peach. A contact test with nectarine was carried out as control. Results: Overall, contact urticaria was present in 21% of patients; the peach contact test scored positive in all cases. Contact urticaria was significantly more frequent in patients hypersensitive to LTP (63%) than in subjects with pollen-food allergy syndrome (6%; p < 0.001) and was not associated with a higher level of peach-specific IgE. In several cases, contact urticaria preceded the onset of food allergy by years. The contact test with nectarine scored negative in 5/5 cases. Conclusions: Although the peach contact test was not performed in all subjects, and peach allergy was not confirmed by oral challenges, this study shows that peach-induced contact urticaria is associated with sensitization to peach LTP. The negative clinical history and contact test with nectarine along with the well-known high concentration of LTP in peach fuzz suggest that peach fuzz plays a role in the pathogenesis of contact urticaria.
The role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of biliary complications after liver transplantation.

O rthotopic liver transplantation is a widely accepted treatment for endstage liver disease. Biliary reconstruction is a critical component ofthis procedure. Choledochocholedochostomy with T-tube drainage (Fig. 1) is the preferred ana.stomosis because it avoids intestinal surgery, preserves Oddi’s sphincter. and reduces the risk ofenteric reflux into the biliary tree I I I. Biliary complications after choledochocholedochostomy typically present after the first posttransplantation month and are often amenable to management by ERCP. Biliary-enteric anastomoses such as Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy are pmferred when them is intrinsic damage to the biliary system (e.g. sclerosing cholangitis) but are associated with increased risk of subsequent infection from bacterial overgrowth, anastomotic breakdown, and bleeding [2]. Complications of Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy typically present within the first postoperative month and often require operative intervention. Despite improvements in surgical techniques and in organ preservation technology, biliary tract complications remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in 15-30% of orthotopic liver transplantation patients [3. 4]. Many of these biliary complications can be managed endoscopically or percutaneously without the need for additional surgery. This essay illustrates the range of biliary complications noted on ERCP and presents examples of the endoscopic and percutaneous management of these complications.
Selenium Deficiency Is Associated With Shedding of HIV‐1‐Infected Cells in the Female Genital Tract

Objective: To assess the relation between selenium deficiency and vaginal or cervical shedding of HIV‐1‐infected cells. Design: Cross‐sectional study of 318 HIV‐1 seropositive women in Mombasa, Kenya. Methods: Vaginal and cervical swab specimens were tested for the presence of HIV‐1 DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusting for CD4 count and vitamin A deficiency, were used. Results: Selenium deficiency (defined as levels <85 &mgr;g/L) was observed in 11% of the study population. In unstratified multivariate analyses, there was no significant association between selenium deficiency and vaginal or cervical shedding. In stratified analyses, however, significant associations became apparent after excluding women with predictors of shedding with strong local effects on the genital tract mucosa. Among women who did not use oral contraceptives and who did not have vaginal candidiasis, selenium deficiency was significantly associated with vaginal shedding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0‐8.8, p = .05). Effect modification was also observed in the relation between selenium deficiency and cervical shedding, with a significant association seen among those women who were not using oral contraceptive pills or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and who did not have Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (AOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1‐7.0, p = .02). Conclusions: We found selenium deficiency to be associated with a nearly threefold higher likelihood of genital mucosal shedding of HIV‐1‐infected cells, suggesting that deficiency may increase the infectiousness of women with HIV‐1. Nutritional interventions to prevent HIV‐1 transmission warrant investigation.
Cloud based real-time monitoring and control of diesel generator using the IoT technology

Monitoring of diesel generators is an important part of the management program of electricity utilities as well as telecommunication companies' in-order to have their cellular towers and base transmitter stations up all the time. A reliable remote monitoring method over the on-site method is always desirable so that managing of time and resources can take place as efficiently as possible. This paper looks into solving the issue of on-site monitoring and control of diesel generators through online monitoring to have actual observation of basic parameters of a running diesel generator using readily available resources which are also cheap to setup and maintain. The work is investigated using the platform of Internet of Things (IoT) which is a very versatile technology in regards to the digital age in terms of interacting with environment and things. This paper looks into exploring the monitoring and control of generator using the power of IoT paradigm.
Students' understanding of the concept of interface in a situated context

The current paper describes an empirical study with the aim of producing insights about how students experience programming and software engineering. The research aims to investigate the students' world, and hence, we have chosen a phenomenographic approach. Our questions focus on the students' experiences of concepts related to a realistic programming task in an extensive software system, particularly the Java Interface. The results show that there is a distinct variation of descriptions spanning from a concrete to-do list to a more advanced description where the interface plays a crucial role in order to produce dynamic and adaptive systems. We interpret the results and suggest how they can be used in teaching to provide an extended and varied understanding of how to work with advanced software.
ProDesk: An Interactive Ubiquitous Desktop Surface

We describe ProDesk, an ubiquitous, projection-based touch surface system that extends the screen space of today's desktop computer workplaces to the whole surface of an ordinary office desk, along with highly accurate multi-touch interaction. The objective of this system is to offer users more flexibility on tasks in which lots of complex information have to be handled. We propose a novel user interface concept that extends normal WIMP functionality and a software architecture that implements this UI concept. We present evaluation results of the system in technical benchmarks and a user study.
Characterizing Abstraction Hierarchies for Planning

The purposes of this paper are threefold. The first is to provide a crisp formalization of ABSTRIPS-style abstraction, since the lack of such formalizations has made it difficult to ascertain the uses and value of this type of abstraction in previous research. Second, we define the refinement relationship between solutions at different levels of the abstraction hierarchy. Such definitions are crucial to developing efficient search strategies with this type of hierarchical planning. And third, we provide a restriction on the abstraction mapping that provides a criterion for generating useful abstractions.
Synthesis of Multiple-Input DC/DC Converters

Hybrid power systems continuously deliver power to the load from several renewable energy sources. For such systems, the use of a multiple-input converter (MIC) has the advantage of simpler circuit structure and lower cost, compared to the use of several single-input converters. By decomposing converters into basic cells, namely, pulsating source cells and output filters, a set of basic rules for generating multiple-input converter topologies is proposed. Specifically, two families of multiple-input converters are systematically generated. In the first family of MICs, all the input sources can power the load simultaneously or individually. In the second family, only one power source is allowed to transfer energy to the load at a time. Furthermore, some isolated MICs are simplified for reducing the complexity of the circuit configuration.
Development of the Three-Dimensional Unconditionally Stable LOD-FDTD Method

A three-dimensional unconditionally-stable locally-one-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (LOD-FDTD) method is proposed and is proved unconditionally stable analytically. In it, the number of equations to be computed is the same as that with the conventional three-dimensional alternating direction implicit FDTD (ADI-FDTD) but with reduced arithmetic operations. The reduction in arithmetic operations leads to approximately 20% less computational time in comparisons with the ADI-FDTD method.
Position Paper on Fatal Abusive Head Injuries in Infants and Young Children

This article represents the work of the National Association of Medical Examiners Ad Hoc Committee on shaken baby syndrome. Abusive head injuries include injuries caused by shaking as well as impact to the head, either by directly striking the head or by causing the head to strike another object or surface. Because of anatomic and developmental differences in the brain and skull of the young child, the mechanisms and types of injuries that affect the head differ from those that affect the older child or adult. The mechanism of injury produced by inflicted head injuries in these children is most often rotational movement of the brain within the cranial cavity. Rotational movement of the brain damages the nervous system by creating shearing forces, which cause diffuse axonal injury with disruption of axons and tearing of bridging veins, which causes subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, and is very commonly associated with retinal schisis and hemorrhages. Recognition of this mechanism of injury may be helpful in severe acute rotational brain injuries because it facilitates understanding of such clinical features as the decrease in the level of consciousness and respiratory distress seen in these injured children. The pathologic findings of subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and retinal hemorrhages are offered as “markers” to assist in the recognition of the presence of shearing brain injury in young children.
Residual stresses and mechanical properties of thin film photovoltaic materials

The mean and gradient residual stresses and the failure behavior of individual layers in inorganic thin film photovoltaics were investigated. The thin film photovoltaics consisted of an amorphous silicon (Si) p-n junction diode, a zinc oxide (ZnO) Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) layer (each 1μm thick), a Kapton® polyimide layer acting as the bottom cathode and a thick aluminum substrate. Analysis of straight blister delaminations in the p-n junction layer and telephone cord type delaminations in the p-n junction-TCO bilayer provided the mean residual stress values in the Si monolayer and the Si/ZnO bilayer, which were -466±118 MPa and -661±93 MPa, respectively. High aspect ratio freestanding strips of the Si/ZnO bilayer and the Si monolayer were used to determine the residual stress gradient using curvature measurements. The stress gradient in the Si monolayer layer was 274±20 MPa/μm while the stress gradient in the Si/ZnO bilayer resulted in a maximum tensile stress value of 360±27 MPa at the top of the ZnO layer and a maximum compressive stress of 319±24 MPa at the bottom surface of the Si layer. The monolayer and bilayer strips were also subjected to uniaxial tension with a microscale tension apparatus to determine the failure strength and the elastic modulus of each layer. The elastic modulus of the amorphous Si monolayer was 94±6 GPa, which is in agreement with bulk values. The bilayer strips, had an elastic modulus of 107±7 GPa which provided a value of 120±13 GPa for the Young’s modulus of the ZnO layer, and tensile strength that was significantly lower than the Si monolayer. These results indicated poor adhesion and load transfer between the amorphous Si and the ZnO film and a mechanically weak ZnO film. Finally, proof of concept experiments were conducted with photovoltaic cells attached to carbon fiber composites, which showed extensive fragmentation of the thin film photovoltaics occurring at small strains without though significant loss of functional performance of the cells until ~3% strain in the composite laminate.