Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exofacial regions of the glucose transporter of human erythrocytes: detection with polyclonal antibodies.

The glucose transporter of human erythrocytes is a glycoprotein of 492 amino acids with a Mr of 55,000. From hydrophobicity plots based on the transporter's amino acid sequence, it has been proposed that exofacially, there are only a segment of 34 residues and the glycosylating carbohydrate branch. To detect changes in the number of glucose transporters during metabolic regulation in intact cells, one should obtain antibodies directed to exofacial sites of the transporter. Antibodies to the purified glucose transporter (Band 4.5), intact or deglycosylated with endoglycosidase F, were raised in rabbits. These antibodies, when purified by column chromatography on protein A-Sepharose and by adsorption onto erythrocyte membranes, cross-reacted with the glycosylated glucose transporter on Western blots. The reactivity of the polyclonal antibodies with intact cells was tested by incubating these cells with the antibody, followed by a centrifugation and a subsequent reaction with 125I-labelled goat-antirabbit immunoglobulin G. Intact human erythrocytes reacted positively with the anti-Band 4.5 antibodies but not with nonimmune sera. Reaction with human erythrocytes was about 10 times greater than with pig erythrocytes, which lack glucose transporters. The reaction with intact cells was not due to contamination with broken cells since under the conditions used, broken (freeze-thawed) cells or membranes did not sediment. Reaction with human erythrocyte membranes was more than fivefold higher than with pig erythrocyte membranes. Rat L6 muscle cells reacted with anti-Band 4.5 antibodies; there were about 10 times more binding sites in any one cell in L6 cells than in human erythrocytes, roughly paralleling their relative content of glucose transporters. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Heterogeneous cloudlet deployment and user‐cloudlet association toward cost effective fog computing

Both mobile computing and cloud computing have experienced rapid development in recent years. Although centralized cloud computing exhibits abundant resources for computation‐intensive tasks, the unpredictable and unstable communication latency between the mobile users and the cloud makes it challenging to handle latency‐sensitive mobile computing tasks. To address this issue, fog computing recently was proposed by pushing the cloud computing to the network edge closer to the users. To realize such vision, we can augment existing access points in wireless networks with cloudlet servers for hosting various mobile computing tasks. In this paper, we investigate how to deploy the servers in a cost‐effective manner without violating the predetermined quality of service. In particular, we practically consider that the available cloudlet servers are heterogeneous, ie, with different cost and resource capacities. The problem is formulated into an integer linear programming form, and a low‐complexity heuristic algorithm is invented to address it. Extensive simulation studies validate the efficiency of our algorithm by it performs much close to the optimal solution.
Atomic Control of the SrTiO3 Crystal Surface

The atomically smooth SrTiO3 (100) with steps one unit cell in height was obtained by treating the crystal surface with a pH-controlled NH4F-HF solution. The homoepitaxy of SrTiO3 film on the crystal surface proceeds in a perfect layer-by-layer mode as verified by reflection high-energy electron diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Ion scattering spectroscopy revealed that the TiO2 atomic plane terminated the as-treated clean surface and that the terminating atomic layer could be tuned to the SrO atomic plane by homooepitaxial growth. This technology provides a well-defined substrate surface for atomically regulated epitaxial growth of such perovskite oxide films as YBa2Cu3O7-δ.
Transfer of Monomeric Endotoxin from MD-2 to CD14

Potent Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent cell activation by endotoxin depends on sequential transfer of monomers of endotoxin from an aggregated form to CD14 via the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and then to MD-2. We now show that monomeric endotoxin can be transferred in reverse from MD-2 to CD14 but not to lipopolysaccharide-binding protein. Reverse transfer requires a ∼1000-fold molar excess of CD14 to endotoxin-MD-2. Transfer of endotoxin from MD-2 to extracellular soluble CD14 reduces activation of cells expressing TLR4 without MD-2. However, transfer of endotoxin from MD-2 to membrane CD14 (mCD14) makes cells expressing MD-2·TLR4 sensitive to activation by the endotoxin-MD-2 complex. An endotoxin-mutant (F126A) MD-2 complex that does not activate cells expressing TLR4 alone potently activates cells expressing mCD14, MD-2, and TLR4 by transferring endotoxin to mCD14, which then transfers endotoxin to endogenous wild-type MD-2·TLR4. These findings describe a novel pathway of endotoxin transfer that provides an additional layer of regulation of cell activation by endotoxin.
Genotyping and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of isolates from different origins

This study evaluated the genetic variability and in vitro susceptibility patterns of isolates of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Scytalidium hyalinum from different geographical origins . Partial sequences of four loci (the ITS region and D1/D2 domains of the 28S rRNA gene and the tubulin and chitin synthase genes) were analysed. Among a total of 1970 bp sequenced in 24 isolates, 7 polymorphic positions (0.36%) were detected, representing five different sequence types (ST1 to ST5), from which two (ST2 and ST3) were detected exclusively in isolates from plants, two (ST1 and ST5) were found only in clinical isolates and one (ST4) was observed in isolates from humans and from a mango tree. We propose subordinating S. hyalinum as a variety of N. dimidiatum. Amphotericin B was the most active drug, but low minimum inhibitory concentrations were also detected for voriconazole, terbinafine and anidulafungin.
Paratuberculosis Infection of Nonruminant Wildlife in Scotland

ABSTRACT Recent reports of natural paratuberculosis (or Johne's disease) in rabbits, foxes, and stoats has focused debate on the presence and importance of wildlife reservoirs in the epidemiology of this disease. This paper describes an extensive study investigating 18 nonruminant wildlife species for evidence of paratuberculosis. Using both culture and histopathological analysis, fox, stoat, weasel, crow, rook, jackdaw, rat, wood mouse, hare, and badger were found to harborMycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the causative organism of paratuberculosis, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is more complex than previously realized.
Image Retrieval Based on Structural & Statistical Methods of Texture

Images now play a crucial role in fields as diverse as medicine, journalism, advertising, design, education, entertainment, etc. Technology, in the form of inventions such as photography and television, has played a major role in facilitating the capture and communication of image data. But the real engine of the imaging revolution has been the computer, bringing with it a range of techniques for digital image capture, processing, storage and transmission through internet. The creation of the World-Wide Web in the early 1990s, enabling users to access data in a variety of media from anywhere on the planet, has provided a further massive stimulus to the exploitation of digital images. The number of images available on the web was recently estimated to be between 10 to 60 million [41], which some observers consider to be a significant underestimate.The process of digitization does not itself make image collections easier to manage. The need for efficient storage and retrieval of images recognized by managers of large image collections such as picture libraries and design archives for many years was reinforced by a workshop sponsored by the USA‟s National Science Foundation in 1992 [21]. All these factors have created numerous possibilities and finally created interest among the researchers towards the design of an efficient and accurate Content Based Information Retrieval (CBIR) system. That‟s why the technological advances and growth in CBIR has been unquestionably rapid during the last five years.
Energy-aware resource allocation for device-to-device underlay communication

Device-to-device (D2D) communication as an underlay to cellular networks brings significant benefits to users' throughput and battery lifetime. The allocation of power and channel resources to D2D communication needs elaborate coordination, as D2D user equipments (UEs) cause interference to other UEs. In this paper, we propose a novel resource allocation scheme to improve the performance of D2D communication. Battery lifetime is explicitly considered as our optimization goal. We first formulate the allocation problem as a non-cooperative resource allocation game in which D2D UEs are viewed as players competing for channel resources. Then, we add pricing to the game in order to improve the efficacy, and propose an efficient auction algorithm. We also perform simulations to prove efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
Demand responce through interactive incorporation of plug-in electric vehicles

PEV coordination introduces a significant challenge in demand response programs (DR). In one hand, there is a serious challenge due to uncertainty and dynamics associated with PEVs to be devoted to DR. In another hand, with proper charging and communication infrastructure, PEVs may play a dual role in smart grids; they may eventually either turn into Interruptible Loads (IL) when plugged in for charging or act as grid-able storage responding to the pricing commands. This paper aims to provide an approach that realises DR using aggregated PEVs in parking lots. This approach includes a real-time interaction between the aggregator and the PEV owner, where the aggregator suggests different offers and, accordingly, the owner responds based on his/her preference. A multi-stage optimization solution is proposed here to accommodate properly different offers to the PEV owners, while it is benefiting from an ANN-based forecast model to incorporate the effect of the future PEV arrivals in the decision actions. Implementation results on the 38-bus test system indicate how effectively the proposed solution could help future smart parking lots in DR contribution.
3.4 A 40/50/100Gb/s PAM-4 Ethernet transceiver in 28nm CMOS

High-speed signaling using NRZ has approached speeds above 50Gb/s where it is extremely difficult to maintain power efficiency and performance over a wide variety of channels and applications. PAM-4 is emerging as one way to increase throughput in such band-limited channels. Higher modulation formats help to address cost in optical systems by packing more bits/wavelength [1]. Strong momentum in standards to adopt PAM-4 reflects these significant trends in the industry. At the same time, migrating transceiver designs to current technology nodes have narrowed the power gap between traditional Analog and ADC-DSP-DAC-based systems for high-speed applications. These factors make ADC-based receivers a highly desirable choice, as is also the trend in wireless communications.
The design of SiGe HBT direct-coupled LNA

A direct-coupled low noise amplifier was designed and fabricated on a Teflon substrate, using packaged SiGe HBTs BFP420 and chip type passive components. This SiGe LNA has the advantages such as the wide bandwidth (2.5GHz), the low noise figure (NF /spl les/ 2.23dB), the high power gain (S21 /spl ges/ 26.7dB), the input and output VSWR are all less than 2. The design principle and technology features of the broadband amplifier was described. The computer simulated results were coincident with that of the test.
Noise, Calpain, Calpain Inhibitors, and Neuroprotection: A Preliminary Report of Tinnitus Control.

Frequently, noise-induced hearing loss is associated with the symptom of tinnitus. Preliminary results in the animal model after noise exposure suggest that the calpain inhibitor leupeptin may protect against noise-induced hearing loss. A final common pathway for cell destruction and cell death (i.e., apoptosis) is the calpain hypothesis. Calpain is a normal, intracellular, cytosolic protease activated by excess intracellular calcium. Calpain inhibitors (AK275, AK295) have been shown to provide neuroprotection in the central nervous system. A collaboration of basic science and clinical research efforts focusing on calpain antagonists and inhibitors was established in New York in 1997; the initiators are attempting to develop neuroprotective drug therapy regimens for hearing and balance system complaints, particularly hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Both calpain inhibitors and antagonists are being developed and are being investigated wth perfusion techniques of the inner ear, in vitro and in vivo, for their effects on peripheral and central portions of the cochleovestibular system.
Patterns of cell movement in early organ primordia of the chick embryo

Purse‐string constriction of the cytoskeleton at cell poles is generally accepted as the causal mechanism for invagination during early stages of organ formation. However, it is known that other cell movements, including intercalation, play a role in the organotypic shape changes that occur during gastrulation and neurulation. Such cell movements have not been investigated in pouching and branching epithelial primordia. There is reason to suspect that cells within these organ primordia might exchange their neighbors for others, that is, intercalate or translocate, at sites of sharp folding such as borders with the surrounding epithelial sheet or where a bend occurs within the primordium. The greatest difficulty in identifying these movements has been the need to use intact embryos so that the processes are not distorted. This study explores the possibility of using time‐lapse video recording to identify cell movement at these locations. Three organ primordia were tested: otic and thyroid placodes, which had not been tested previously, and neural plate as a control, where movements of this sort have been documented. Embryos or parts containing the primordia were immobilized and cell apices visualized with Hoffman modulation contrast optics. Recordings to an optical memory disc recorder were transferred to a microcomputer for image analysis. The viewing procedure allows reasonably clear visualization of cell apices, and image analysis permits tracking of a number of adjacent cell apices over an extended time period. Several types of movement were found to occur within cell sheets, and the relative abundance of each type depends on the specific primordium. In the neural plate, some cells move many cell diameters from their neighbors. In the other two primordia, most cells show limited shifts in position relative to their neighbors except at regions where folds are formed. In other regions, adjacent cells move as a unit. Knowledge of the movements which occur in any particular primordium is essential to an understanding of the mechanisms controlling its formation.
A Novel Hebbian Rules Based Method for Computation of Sparse Coding Basis Vectors

Sparse coding has high-performance encoding and ability to express images, sparse encoding basis vector plays a crucial role. The computational complexity of the most existing sparse coding basis vectors of is relatively large. In order to reduce the computational complexity and save the time to train basis vectors. A new Hebbian rules based method for computation of sparse coding basis vectors is proposed in this paper. A two-layer neural network is constructed to implement the task. The main idea of our work is to learn basis vectors by removing the redundancy of all initial vectors using Hebbian rules. The experiments on natural images prove that the proposed method is effective for sparse coding basis learning. It has the smaller computational complexity compared with the previous work.
Characterization of Complexes Formed between TSG-6 and Inter-α-inhibitor That Act as Intermediates in the Covalent Transfer of Heavy Chains onto Hyaluronan*

The high molecular mass glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) can become modified by the covalent attachment of heavy chains (HCs) derived from the serum protein inter-α-inhibitor (IαI), which is composed of three subunits (HC1, HC2 and bikunin) linked together via a chondroitin sulfate moiety. The formation of HC·HA is likely to play an important role in the stabilization of HA-rich extracellular matrices in the context of inflammatory disease (e.g. arthritis) and ovulation. Here, we have characterized the complexes formed in vitro between purified human IαI and recombinant human TSG-6 (an inflammation-associated protein implicated previously in this process) and show that these complexes (i.e. TSG-6·HC1 and TSG-6·HC2) act as intermediates in the formation of HC·HA. This is likely to involve two transesterification reactions in which an ester bond linking an HC to chondroitin sulfate in intact IαI is transferred first onto TSG-6 and then onto HA. The formation of TSG-6·HC1 and TSG-6·HC2 complexes was accompanied by the production of bikunin·HC2 and bikunin·HC1 by-products, respectively, which were observed to break down, releasing free bikunin and HCs. Both TSG-6·HC formation and the subsequent HC transfer are metal ion-dependent processes; these reactions have a requirement for either Mg2+ or Mn2+ and are inhibited by Co2+. TSG-6, which is released upon the transfer of HCs from TSG-6 onto HA, was shown to combine with IαI to form new TSG-6·HC complexes and thus be recycled. The finding that TSG-6 acts as cofactor and catalyst in the production of HC·HA complexes has important implications for our understanding of inflammatory and inflammation-like processes.
Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) with or without photodynamic therapy for the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) with or without verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with symptomatic PCV who received three monthly intravitreal bevacizumab were retrospectively reviewed. Subsequent retreatments with intravitreal bevacizumab and/or PDT were performed in patients with recurrent or persistent polypoidal lesions on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and persistent or recurrent subretinal fluid. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 12.8 months. At 3 months, the mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.61 to 0.51 (p = 0.014), and the mean CFT reduced from 347 μm to 247 μm (p = 0.015). Despite the visual and anatomical improvements, persistent polyps were present in ICGA of all eyes at 3 months. At the last follow-up, mean BCVA remained at 0.51 after additional treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab and/or PDT (p = 0.022). Patients who had subsequent PDT were less likely to have persistent polypoidal lesions on ICGA at the last visit (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab appeared to result in stabilisation of vision and reduction of exudative retinal detachment in PCV patients. However, intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy had limited effectiveness in causing regression of the polypoidal lesions in ICGA, and additional PDT appeared to be useful for treating these lesions.
Comparación de Enfoques para Evaluar la Validación de Respuestas

Este trabajo ha sido subvencionado parcialmente por el proyecto QEAVis-Catiex (TIN2007-67581-C02-01) del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, el proyecto europeo Trebe CLEF (ICT-1-4-1 215231), la Consejeria de Educacion de la Comunidad de Madrid y el Fondo Social Europeo (F.S.E.).
Overlapping, but Not Identical, Sites Are Involved in the Recognition of C3bi, Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor, and Adhesive Ligands by the αMβ2 Integrin*

The αMβ2 (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1) integrin receptor binds numerous ligands, including neutrophil inhibitory factor (NIF), C3bi, and certain immobilized protein substrates, represented by denatured ovalbumin. These ligands share no obvious structural similarities, yet their interactions with receptor are inhibited by NIF and involve the I domain, a stretch of ∼200 amino acids in the αM subunit. Recombinant wild-type and mutant forms of αMβ2 have been used to compare the recognition requirements of these ligands. The various constructs were expressed efficiently on the surface of human embryonic kidney 293 cells and formed α·β heterodimeric complexes. The wild-type transfectants bound the three ligands in a similar fashion to naturally occurring αMβ2. NIF inhibited these interactions, and deletion of the D248PLGY from within the I domain abolished binding of all three ligands, suggesting an overlapping recognition specificity. A single point mutation of Ser138 to Ala in the β2 subunit abolished C3bi binding and cell adhesion but did not affect NIF binding. A switch of the R281QELNTI sequence in helix 6 of the αM I domain to the corresponding sequence in the I domain of the αL (QETLHKF) subunit completely abrogated adhesion while not affecting C3bi and NIF binding. The two mutant receptors also did not support activation-dependent adhesion to fibrinogen. Thus, the contact sites for NIF, C3bi, and adhesive proteins, represented by denatured ovalbumin and fibrinogen, in αMβ2 are overlapping but not identical.
Tokophobia (fear of childbirth): prevalence and risk factors

Abstract Objective: To identify the prevalence of and to determine the risk factors for developing a fear of childbirth (tokophobia). Methods: We evaluated 191 pregnant women during Parenting and Childbirth Classes. Participants were approached when attending Parenting and Childbirth Classes between June 2014 and September 2014 and were asked to complete several questionnaires related to depression (CES-D), anxiety (STAI X1 and X2), satisfaction with life (SWLS), delivery expectation/experience (W-DEQ), and specific fears. Results: Most (90%) of the responders were nulliparous. As many as 75% of the participants reported low to moderate tokophobia, whereas 25% exhibited high or very high fear of childbirth. Pathological fear occurred in 1.6% of the participants. The most significant was the fear of having an episiotomy followed by fear of having no control on the situation and fear of pain. An association exists between a preferred elective cesarean birth and tokophobia. Conclusions: The results draw attention to the need for early detection and treatment of fear of childbirth. The data may help identifying women at risk that require prenatal psychological intervention.