Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological and immunological properties of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein: analysis of proteins with truncations and deletions expressed by recombinant vaccinia viruses

The effects of C-terminal and internal deletions on the synthesis, transport, biological properties, and antigenicity of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein were determined. A family of recombinant vaccinia viruses that express N-terminal overlapping env proteins of 204, 287, 393, 502 (full-length gp120), 635, 747, and 851 (full-length gp160) amino acids was constructed. All of the proteins were detected in intra- and extracellular forms which differed in the extent of glycosylation. The 747- and 851-amino-acid proteins were cleaved, were expressed on the surface of infected cells, and bound CD4. The 635-amino-acid env protein was cleaved inefficiently, and both the precursor and product were secreted, indicating absence of the transmembrane sequence. The 635- as well as the 502-amino-acid protein, which was also largely secreted, could still bind CD4. Unexpectedly, the 393-amino-acid protein was anchored in the plasma membrane, but neither it nor smaller proteins bound to soluble CD4. When amino acids at the gp120-gp41 junction were deleted, proteolytic cleavage of gp160 did not occur. Nevertheless, gp160 was inserted into the plasma membrane and bound soluble CD4. The predominant conserved B-cell epitopes were mapped to gp41 and the C terminus of gp120, whereas cytotoxic T-cell epitopes were distributed throughout the length of the glycoproteins.
Psychosocial work characteristics and sleep quality: a systematic review of longitudinal and intervention research.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to review longitudinal and intervention studies examining the association between psychosocial work characteristics (eg, job demands, job control, and social support) and sleep quality. Our main research aims were to examine whether (i) psychosocial work characteristics are a predictor of sleep quality, and (ii) sleep quality, in turn, is a predictor of psychosocial work characteristics. METHODS A systematic literature search resulted in 20 relevant papers, of which 16 were longitudinal studies and 3 were intervention studies (1 study was discussed in separate papers). To quantify results, we assessed the strength of evidence of all examined associations and subsequently evaluated the studies' research quality based on predefined quality criteria. RESULTS One intervention and three longitudinal studies studies were categorized as being of high-quality. In longitudinal studies, we found consistent and strong evidence for a negative relation between job demands and sleep quality as well as evidence for a positive relation between job control and sleep quality. Other psychosocial work characteristics were examined in an insufficient number of (high-quality) studies. Moreover, both intervention studies as well as studies investigating reversed and reciprocal relations are rare, which further limits the possibility of drawing conclusions on causality. CONCLUSIONS Based on the current literature, it can be concluded that high job demands and low job control are predictors of poor sleep quality. More high-quality research is needed to examine the possible causal relationship between these and other psychosocial work characteristics with sleep quality, in addition to research focusing on reversed and reciprocal relations.
Comparative study on acute pancreatitis management

Background: Guidelines have been published regarding the management of acute pancreatitis by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG). The aim of the present paper is to compare the management of patients with acute pancreatitis in a tertiary referral medical centre and a regional health centre in Australia during 2001, evaluate compliance with the published BSG guidelines, and compare our data with those of a similar UK study.
Comparison of bioavailability between β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene and tissue distribution in its intact form in rats

The bioavailability of two intact carotenoids in several tissues of β-cryptoxanthin- and β-carotene-fed rats (20 mg/kg of diet) was investigated. Although metabolites of provitamin A are not included in our study, β-cryptoxanthin was found at higher concentrations in majority of the tissues. The results show that the bioavailability of intact β-cryptoxanthin seemed to be higher than that of β-carotene.
Job, family, and gender: Determinants of nonstandard work schedules among employed Americans in 1991

This study provides the most recent national estimates of the prevalence of employment during nonstandard hours (evenings, nights, or rotating hours) and on weekends. It also examines in a multivariate context the relevance of job and family characteristics as determinants of such employment, separately for men and for women. The findings support the contention that the demand for employment during nonstandard hours and weekends is pervasive throughout the occupational hierarchy, but particularly in service occupations and in personal service industries and for both men and . women. Gender differences exist, however, in the relevance of family factors. Being married reduces women’s but not men’s likelihood of employment during nonstandard hours, and the presence of children affects women’s but not men’s hours and days of employment. (The direction of the effect for women depends on the children’s age.) Implications of these findings are discussed.
Multicarrier Pulse Width Modulation Based Hybrid Multilevel

This paper presents various pulse width modulation control strategies for a Hybrid Cascaded Multi-level Inverter (HC-MLI) with reduced number of components. The operation and performance of the HC-MLI is analyzed with the help of MATLAB/SIMULINK. For this multilevel inverter, different modulation strategies based on control degrees of freedom combinations such as phase disposition (PD), Alternate Phase Opposition Disposition (APOD) and Phase-Shifting (PS) are designed. The estimation of performance parameters such as total harmonic distortion (THD) and fundamental RMS output voltage are analyzed and the results show that the PD technique yields less THD which symbolizes that it is the suitable technique to be implemented for this hybrid topology.
Contribution of Ca(2+)‐induced Ca2+ release to the [Ca2+]i transients in myocytes from guinea‐pig urinary bladder.

1. Smooth muscle cells from guinea‐pig urinary bladder were studied at an extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) of 3.6 mM and 36 degrees C. Fluorescence of Indo‐1 was used to monitor the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and its changes ([Ca2+]i transients) induced by step membrane depolarizations. 2. During a 6 s depolarization step from ‐60 to 0 mV [Ca2+]i increased from a resting 118 +/‐ 22 nM to 1150 +/‐ 336 nM and decayed to a sustained level of 295 +/‐ 62 nM. The experiments were designed to evaluate the contribution of the release of intracellularly stored Ca2+ to components of the depolarization‐induced [Ca2+]i transient, i.e. ‘phasic’, which decayed during a maintained depolarization step, and ‘tonic’ which constituted the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i above resting level. 3. A short (1 s) application of 10 mM caffeine mimicked the phasic component. After wash‐out of caffeine, the subsequent depolarization induced a [Ca2+]i transient with reduced peak, the degree of suppression depending on the interval between wash‐out of caffeine and depolarization. The phasic component of the depolarization and the caffeine‐induced [Ca2+]i transients were not additive but saturative. 4. The phasic component was largely abolished in the continuous presence of 10 mM caffeine. It was also abolished by a 10 min cell dialysis of 10 microM ryanodine from the pipette solution and was strongly reduced by dialysis of 5 microM thapsigargin. Changes of the tonic component of the depolarization‐induced [Ca2+]i transient were much less pronounced with all three interventions. 5. The tonic component of the depolarization‐induced [Ca2+]i transient was increased when [Ca2+]o was elevated briefly before a depolarization close to 0 mV, whereas the phasic component was not significantly changed. Similarly, brief application of 1 microM Bay K 8644 increased the tonic component several‐fold without modifying significantly the phasic component. 6. It is concluded that depolarization‐induced influx of Ca2+ through L‐type Ca2+ channels induces the release of Ca2+ from intracellular caffeine‐sensitive stores which constitutes the major part of the phasic component. Ca2+ release superimposes on the effects of Ca2+ influx through L‐type Ca2+ channels, the non‐inactivating part of which constitutes the tonic component of the [Ca2+]i transient. Since the two processes interact, a dissection by simple subtraction is not possible.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Transmission of Ehrlichia ruminantium and Its Influence on the Structure of Pathogen Populations in the Field

Abstract: The understanding of the structure of Ehrlichia ruminantium stock population in the field was highlighted by experiments done in controlled conditions on the goat model. The mixture of strains observed in ticks seemed to be due to simultaneous infections rather than successive infections of the carrier. During a dual infection, the timing of Ehrlichia ruminantium circulation of the two stocks in hosts influenced their selection by ticks.
Breast Cancer Screening Results 5 Years after Introduction of Digital Mammography in a Population-based Screening Program 1

Nico Karssemeijer, PhD Adriana M. Bluekens, MD David Beijerinck, MD Jan J. Deurenberg, MD Matthijs Beekman Roelant Visser, MS Ruben van Engen Annemieke Bartels-Kortland, MD Mireille J. Broeders, PhD Purpose: To compare full-field digital mammography (FFDM) using computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) with screen-film mammography (SFM) in a population-based breast cancer screening program for initial and subsequent screening examinations.
Evaluation of Local Descriptors for Automatic Image Annotation

Feature extraction is the first and often also the crucial step in many computer vision applications. In this paper we aim at evaluation of three local descriptors for the automatic image annotation (AIA) task. We utilize local binary patterns (LBP), patterns of oriented edge magnitudes (POEM) and local derivative patterns (LDP). These descriptors are successfully used in many other domains such as face recognition. However, the utilization of them in the AIA field is rather infrequent. The annotation algorithm is based on the K-nearest neighbours (KNN) classifier where labels from K most similar images are “transferred” to the annotated one. We propose a label transfer method that assigns variable number of labels to each image. It is compared with an existing approach using constant number of labels. The proposed method is evaluated on three image datasets: Li photography, IAPR-TC12 and ESP. We show that the results of the utilized local descriptors are comparable to, and in many cases outperform the texture features usually used in AIA. We also show that the proposed label transfer method increases the overall system performance.
Allocating clients to constrained multicast servers: an optimal solution

Multicast communication enables a server to send content to multiple clients at the same time through a multicast tree. To deal with the heterogeneity of client capacities, multiple multicast groups can be used to allocate clients with similar capacity to the same group, so that the performance perceived by clients can be improved. We investigate the problem of allocating clients to constrained multicast servers, which, similar to clients, have different capacities. We explore some interesting issues raised by the constraints and propose an optimal solution to the allocation problem. We evaluate the solution and show substantial performance gain for our algorithm over those considering the server constraints separately.
Cat scratch disease in Connecticut. Epidemiology, risk factors, and evaluation of a new diagnostic test.

BACKGROUND Although cat scratch disease is commonly diagnosed in patients who have unexplained regional lymphadenopathy after encounters with cats, its epidemiology and the risk factors for disease are not clearly defined, and there is no generally accepted diagnostic test. METHODS We conducted a physician survey to identify cases of cat scratch disease occurring over a 13-month period in cat owners in Connecticut. We interviewed both the patients (or their parents) and controls matched for age who owned cats. Serum from the patients was tested for antibodies to Rochalimaea henselae with a new, indirect fluorescent-antibody test. RESULTS We identified 60 patients with cat scratch disease and 56 age-matched subjects. Patients were more likely than controls to have at least one pet kitten 12 months old or younger (odds ratio, 15), to have been scratched or bitten by a kitten (odds ratio, 27), and to have had at least one kitten with fleas (odds ratio, 29). A conditional logistic-regression analysis found that in kitten-owning households, patients were more likely than controls to have been scratched or bitten by a cat or kitten (odds ratio, 12.4; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.0 to 150). Of 45 patients, 38 had serum samples with titers of 1:64 or higher for antibody to R. henselae, as compared with 4 of 112 samples from controls (P < 0.001). The positive predictive value of the serologic test was 91 percent. Of 48 serum samples from patients' cats, 39 were positive for antibodies to R. henselae, as compared with positive samples from 11 of 29 control cats (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Cat scratch disease is strongly associated with owning a kitten, and fleas may be involved in its transmission. The serologic test for rochalimaea may be useful diagnostically, and our results suggest an etiologic role for this genus.
The rich are different : evidence from the RAVE survey for stellar radial migration

Using the RAdial Velocity Experiment fourth data release (RAVE DR4), and a new metallicity calibration that will be also taken into account in the future RAVE DR5, we investigate the existence and the properties of supersolar metallicity stars ([M/H] ≳ +0.1 dex) in the sample, and in particular in the solar neighbourhood. We find that RAVE is rich in supersolar metallicity stars, and that the local metallicity distribution function declines remarkably slowly up to +0.4 dex. Our results show that the kinematics and height distributions of the supersolar metallicity stars are identical to those of the [M/H] ≲ 0 thin-disc giants that we presume were locally manufactured. The eccentricities of the supersolar metallicity stars indicate that half of them are on a roughly circular orbit (e ≤ 0.15), so under the assumption that the metallicity of the interstellar medium at a given radius never decreases with time, they must have increased their angular momenta by scattering at corotation resonances of spiral arms from regions far inside the solar annulus. The likelihood that a star will migrate radially does not seem to decrease significantly with increasing amplitude of vertical oscillations within range of oscillation amplitudes encountered in the disc.
Small Antennas: Miniaturization Techniques and Applications

The paper presents research results in the field of small antennas obtained at the Department of Wireless Communications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb. A study comparing the application of several miniaturization techniques on a shorted patch antenna is presented. Single and dual band shorted patch antennas with notches and/or slot are introduced. A PIFA designed for application in mobile GSM terminals is described. The application of stacked shorted patches as array elements for a mobile communication base station as well as for electromagnetic field sensor is presented. The design of single and dual band folded monopoles is described. Prototypes of the presented antennas have been manufactured and their characteristics were verified by measurements.
The effect of normobaric hyperoxia on cardiac index in healthy awake volunteers

Fifteen healthy volunteers were exposed to a stepwise increase in FIO2 between 0.21 and 1.0, and their haemodynamic responses were measured with a non‐invasive transthoracic bio‐impedance monitor. There was mean reduction in cardiac index from 3.44 to 3.08 l.min−1.m−2 (10.7%, p < 0.001). The mean reduction in heart rate was from 77.3 to 69.1 beats.min−1 (10.5%, p < 0.001) and the mean systemic vascular index increased from 2062 to 2221 dyne.s−1.cm−5.m−2 (7.7%, p < 0.025). There were no significant changes in stroke index or mean arterial pressure. These changes are similar quantitatively and qualitatively to those previously reported by dye dilution techniques.
Competition and coexistence in the chemostat ∗

The aim of this course is to describe the mathematical model of competition in the chemostat and to study various mechanisms of coexistence of species. Basically, the chemostat consists of a nutrient input, pumped at a constant rate into a well-mixed culture vessel. The culture vessel contains the microorganisms that are growing and competing for the nutrient. Volume is kept constant by pumping the mixed contents out at the same rate. when only one species is present in the chemostat, the model is written  Ṡ = D(Sin − S)− q(S) Y x
Attachment Research and Eating Disorders: A Review of the Literature

The aim of this article is to review the clinical literature which examines the association between attachment patterns and eating disorders with a focus on anorexia nervosa, and to examine the varieties of methods and measures employed in attachment research. A literature review was carried out and the relevant articles are examined in terms of their contribution to this area. The literature indicates a number of important considerations when working with this group, including extreme separation anxiety and unresolved loss and trauma, and discusses the implications of these findings for treatment. The results also indicate conflicting evidence regarding associations between attachment style and eating disorder subgroup suggesting that severity of disorder matters more than eating disorder subtype. The different ways of investigating attachment patterns and experiences are explored in this paper. It is suggested that the attachment classification system runs the risk of reducing complex human experience to typologies and that qualitative research might help to address this problem.
Analysis of the entire coding region of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene in neonatal hypertrypsinaemia with normal sweat test

Editor—Measurement of immunoreactive trypsinogen concentration (IRT) in dried blood spots is the most common technique for neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF). 1 Since a considerable number of newborns show raised IRT levels, several laboratories improve the screening specificity by testing infants with hypertrypsinaemia for the most common CF mutations. Diagnosis is established in neonates carrying two mutations, but a sweat test is required if only one mutation is found, in order to detect affected subjects with a second, unrecognised mutation. Infants with raised IRT, one CF mutation, and normal sweat electrolyte concentrations are usually considered to be just carriers. Unexpectedly, a frequency of CF heterozygotes significantly higher than in the general population has been repeatedly reported among neonates with hypertrypsinaemia and normal sweat chloride levels.2 3 It is not clear whether having one CF mutation, perhaps together with some unknown pathogenetic factor, is sufficient to predispose to neonatal hypertrypsinaemia. Such a hypothesis is corroborated by the findings of Lecoq et al ,4 who showed that the probability of a newborn being a carrier of the major CFTR mutation, ΔF508, increases with neonatal IRT concentration, and suggested that heterozygotes may have early subclinical impairment of exocrine pancreatic function. Alternatively, it could be speculated that at least some hypertrypsinaemic newborns who, after testing for a limited number of CF mutations have been found to carry a CFTR gene mutation, have on the other chromosome an undetected mild mutation, and possibly suffer from an atypical form of CF, characterised by a negative sweat test. A DNA polymorphic sequence of five thymines in intron 8 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR ) gene, which is very commonly involved in the pathogenesis of a primarily genital form of CF called congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD),5 …
Practical applications of chemical shift imaging

Methods of spectral localization are briefly reviewed and divided into two classes: those using phase encoding and those using frequency selective RF pulses in a constant gradient. A potentially troubling artifact in the latter case is the spatial misregistration of different compounds which causes serious errors in 31P spectra from smaller regions. Chemical shift imaging (CSI) is presented as a typical example of phase encoding techniques. An analytical expression for the relationship of the signal observed to the true signal (the point spread function) is derived. Examples of CSI in one, two, and three dimensions are used to illustrate the principles of this type of localization.
Drebrin inhibits cofilin‐induced severing of F‐actin

Molecular cross‐talk between neuronal drebrin A and cofilin is believed to be a part of the activity‐dependent cytoskeleton‐modulating pathway in dendritic spines. Impairments in this pathway are implicated also in synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and normal aging. However, up to now the molecular interplay between cofilin and drebrin has not been elucidated. TIRF microscopy and solution experiments revealed that full length drebrin A or its actin binding core (Drb1‐300) inhibits, but do not abolish cofilin‐induced severing of actin filaments. Cosedimentation experiments showed that F‐actin can be fully occupied with combination of these two proteins. The dependence of cofilin binding on fractional saturation of actin filaments with drebrin suggests direct competition between these two proteins for F‐actin binding. This implies that cofilin and drebrin can either overcome or reverse the allosteric changes in F‐actin induced by the competitor's binding. The ability of cofilin to displace drebrin from actin filaments is pH dependent and is facilitated at acidic pH (6.8). Pre‐steady state kinetic experiments reveal that both binding and dissociation of drebrin to/from actin filaments is faster than that reported for cooperative binding of cofilin. We found, that drebrin displacement by cofilin is greatly inhibited when actin severing is abolished, which might be linked to the cooperativity of drebrin binding to actin filaments. Our results contribute to molecular understanding of the competitive interactions of drebrin and cofilin with actin filaments. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
77-GHz High-Gain Bull’s-Eye Antenna With Sinusoidal Profile

A high-gain Bull's-Eye leaky-wave horn antenna working at 77 GHz with sinusoidal profile has been designed, fabricated, and experimentally measured. The influence of the number of periods on the gain and beamwidth is numerically investigated. Experimental measurements show a high gain of 28.9 dB, with low sidelobe level and a very narrow beamwidth in good agreement with results obtained from simulations.