Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure/Function Analysis of the Vaccinia Virus F18 Phosphoprotein, an Abundant Core Component Required for Virion Maturation and Infectivity

ABSTRACT Poxvirus virions, whose outer membrane surrounds two lateral bodies and a core, contain at least 70 different proteins. The F18 phosphoprotein is one of the most abundant core components and is essential for the assembly of mature virions. We report here the results of a structure/function analysis in which the role of conserved cysteine residues, clusters of charged amino acids and clusters of hydrophobic/aromatic amino acids have been assessed. Taking advantage of a recombinant virus in which F18 expression is IPTG (isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside) dependent, we developed a transient complementation assay to evaluate the ability of mutant alleles of F18 to support virion morphogenesis and/or to restore the production of infectious virus. We have also examined protein-protein interactions, comparing the ability of mutant and WT F18 proteins to interact with WT F18 and to interact with the viral A30 protein, another essential core component. We show that F18 associates with an A30-containing multiprotein complex in vivo in a manner that depends upon clusters of hydrophobic/aromatic residues in the N′ terminus of the F18 protein but that it is not required for the assembly of this complex. Finally, we confirmed that two PSSP motifs within F18 are the sites of phosphorylation by cellular proline-directed kinases in vitro and in vivo. Mutation of both of these phosphorylation sites has no apparent impact on virion morphogenesis but leads to the assembly of virions with significantly reduced infectivity.
Growth of the literature on the topic of personality disorders.

OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the growth of the literature on the topic of personality disorders before and after publication of DSM-III. METHOD A MEDLINE search was conducted for journal articles concerning the personality disorders that were published from 1966 to 1995. RESULTS Contrary to the authors' prediction, the growth of this literature was slower after the publication of DSM-III in 1980 than it was before that date. Other areas of psychopathology, such as Alzheimer's disease and posttraumatic stress disorder, have literatures whose growth rates since 1980 have exceeded their growth rates before publication of DSM-III. CONCLUSIONS Over one-half of the individual personality disorders (e.g., histrionic and passive-aggressive) have either very small literatures or literatures with negative growth rates. Only three personality disorders (i.e., antisocial, borderline, and schizotypal) have modestly growing literatures.
Single-Stage Soft-Switching AC–DC Converter With Input-Current Shaping for Universal Line Applications

In this paper, a novel single-stage soft-switching ac-dc converter for universal line applications is presented. Unlike the conventional single-stage designs, the proposed input-current shaping scheme is intentionally arranged to be charged in the duty-off time. With this design, the switch current stress in the duty-on time is significantly reduced. Meanwhile, this design produces AC modulation effect on the charging time of the boost inductor so that the input i-nu curve drawn by the proposed converter has nearly linear relationship. Moreover, an active-clamp flyback-forward topology is used as the downstream DC-DC cell to alleviate voltage stress across the bulk capacitor. By deactivating the flyback subconverter and keeping the forward subconverter supplying the output power at light-load condition, the bulk-capacitor voltage can be alleviated effectively and guaranteed below 450 V in wide ranges of output load and line input (90-265 Vrms). Experimental results, obtained from a prototype circuit with 20-V/100-W output, have verified that three achievements can be obtained simultaneously, including the compliance with the line-current harmonic regulations, the reliable alleviation of the bulk-capacitor voltage stress, and the substantially promoted conversion efficiency.
Mfc1 Is a Novel Forespore Membrane Copper Transporter in Meiotic and Sporulating Cells*

To gain insight in the molecular basis of copper homeostasis during meiosis, we have used DNA microarrays to analyze meiotic gene expression in the model yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Profiling data identified a novel meiosis-specific gene, termed mfc1+, that encodes a putative major facilitator superfamily-type transporter. Although Mfc1 does not exhibit any significant sequence homology with the copper permease Ctr4, it contains four putative copper-binding motifs that are typically found in members of the copper transporter family of copper transporters. Similarly to the ctr4+ gene, the transcription of mfc1+ was induced by low concentrations of copper. However, its temporal expression profile during meiosis was distinct to ctr4+. Whereas Ctr4 was observed at the plasma membrane shortly after induction of meiosis, Mfc1 appeared later in precursor vesicles and, subsequently, at the forespore membrane of ascospores. Using the fluorescent copper-binding tracker Coppersensor-1 (CS1), labile cellular copper was primarily detected in the forespores in an mfc1+/mfc1+ strain, whereas an mfc1Δ/mfc1Δ mutant exhibited an intracellular dispersed punctate distribution of labile copper ions. In addition, the copper amine oxidase Cao1, which localized primarily in the forespores of asci, was fully active in mfc1+/mfc1+ cells, but its activity was drastically reduced in an mfc1Δ/mfc1Δ strain. Furthermore, our data showed that meiotic cells that express the mfc1+ gene have a distinct developmental advantage over mfc1Δ/mfc1Δ mutant cells when copper is limiting. Taken together, the data reveal that Mfc1 serves to transport copper for accurate and timely meiotic differentiation under copper-limiting conditions.
Neural-Network Application for Mechanical Variables Estimation of a Two-Mass Drive System

This paper deals with the application of neural networks (NNs) to the mechanical state estimation of the drive system with elastic joint. The torsional vibrations of the two-mass system are damped using the control structure with additional feedbacks from the torsional torque and the load-side speed. These feedbacks signals are obtained using NN estimators. The learning procedure of the NNs is described, and the influence of the input vector size to the accuracy of the state-variable estimation is investigated. The neural estimators of the torsional torque and the load machine speed are tested with open-loop and closed-loop control structures. The simulation results are confirmed by laboratory experiments
Rapid Communication Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Is a Survival Factor for PSA-NCAM + Oligodendrocyte Pre-progenitor Cells

Mature oligodendroglia, which synthesize and express lipids and proteins characteristic of myelin, are generated from precursor cells which are formed in germinal matrix, then migrate widely through the neuraxis. We now demonstrate that these precursor cells can be recognized at a very early stage by their surface expression of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecules (PSA-NCAM), and only later bind anti-ganglioside antibodies that had previously been used to recognize “0-2A” oligodendroglial precursor cells. PSA-NCAM expression by these cells is likely to be of functional significance, since a recent study demonstrated that 0-2A cells become immobile when stripped of PSA-NCAM. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) proved to be a survival factor for these PSA-NCAM + cells, and in a defined medium, PDGF was sufficient to ensure maturation of immunopuri-fied PSA-NCAM + cells to oligodendroglia.
BLOOD PRESSURE AND VALVULAR AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS

Blood pressure levels were recorded in 1922 Torres Strait Islanders. Comparison with blood pressure levels of an Australian urban community which were recorded in the Busselton survey of 1972 shows that Islanders who are 20 years of age and over have significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in both males and females. Systolic and diastolic pressure levels also increase in both males and females with age, as in the Busselton patients. Surprisingly, the “urbanized” Islanders have lower blood pressure levels than those who live in village communities in the outer islands. The reasons for this are to be investigated. Comparison with New Guinea Melanesians shows that the Islanders consistently have significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in both males and females in adult age groups. In addition the frequency of congenital and rheumatic valvular heart disease in a group of Torres Strait Islanders is reported. There is no evidence that the incidence of these lesions in the Island population is different from that reported in communities of European descent.
“Self” and “Nonself” Manipulation of Interferon Defense during Persistent Infection: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Resists Alpha/Beta Interferon without Blocking Antiviral Activity against Unrelated Viruses Replicating in Its Host Cells

ABSTRACT Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), together with Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and Border disease virus (BDV) of sheep, belongs to the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae. BVDV is either cytopathic (cp) or noncytopathic (ncp), as defined by its effect on cultured cells. Infection of pregnant animals with the ncp biotype may lead to the birth of persistently infected calves that are immunotolerant to the infecting viral strain. In addition to evading the adaptive immune system, BVDV evades key mechanisms of innate immunity. Previously, we showed that ncp BVDV inhibits the induction of apoptosis and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) synthesis by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Here, we report that (i) both ncp and cp BVDV block the induction by dsRNA of the Mx protein (which can also be induced in the absence of IFN signaling); (ii) neither biotype blocks the activity of IFN; and (iii) once infection is established, BVDV is largely resistant to the activity of IFN-α/β but (iv) does not interfere with the establishment of an antiviral state induced by IFN-α/β against unrelated viruses. The results of our study suggest that, in persistent infection, BVDV is able to evade a central element of innate immunity directed against itself without generally compromising its activity against unrelated viruses (“nonself”) that may replicate in cells infected with ncp BVDV. This highly selective “self” and “nonself” model of evasion of the interferon defense system may be a key element in the success of persistent infection in addition to immunotolerance initiated by the early time point of fetal infection.
Facing a Health Threat in a Complex Information Environment: A National Representative Survey Examining American Adults’ Behavioral Responses to the 2009/2010 A(H1N1) Pandemic

Background. Recent A(H1N1) studies suggest that intrapersonal and interpersonal factors may exert influence on people’s preventive behaviors for avoiding the flu during pandemics. Aims. Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccinations play key roles in containing disease transmission during a pandemic. We examined how intrapersonal and interpersonal factors influenced adoption of NPIs and vaccine uptake during the A(H1N1) pandemic of 2009. Method. The data come from a nationally representative sample survey of 1,569 American adults. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between socioeconomic position, concern and knowledge about the threat, social networks for health advice or health care seeking, health consultations with doctors, and NPIs (including individual’s social distancing behaviors and hygiene practices) and vaccine acceptance. Results. People with higher scores on health-related social networks, more knowledge or concern about A(H1N1), and those who have consulted their doctor were more likely than others to adopt NPIs. There was a significant association between being concerned about A(H1N1), having consulted a doctor, and seeking a vaccine. Conclusions. These findings suggest that interpersonal communication factors, such as health-related social networks and consultations with doctors, and intrapersonal factors, such as concern and knowledge, play a critical role in NPIs and vaccine uptake during pandemics and offer avenues for intervention.
A sports setting matrix for understanding the implementation context for community sport

There has been increasing recognition of the need for effectiveness research within the real-world intervention context of community sport. This is important because, even if interventions have been shown to be efficacious in controlled trials, if they are not also widely adopted and sustained, then it is unlikely that they will have a public health impact. There is very little information about how to best conduct such studies, but application of health promotion frameworks, such as the RE-AIM framework, to evaluate the public health impact of interventions could potentially help to understand the implementation context. Care needs to be taken when directly applying the RE-AIM framework, however, because the definitions for each of its dimensions will depend on the level/s the intervention is targeted at. This paper provides a novel extension to the RE-AIM framework (the RE-AIM Sports Setting Matrix (RE-AIM SSM)), which accounts for the fact that many sports injury interventions need to be targeted at multiple levels of sports delivery. Accordingly, the RE-AIM components also need to be measured across all tiers of possible influence on the rate of uptake and effectiveness. Specific examples are given for coachdelivered exercise training interventions. The RE-AIM SSM is specific to the community sports setting implementation context and could be used to guide the delivery of future sports safety, and other health promotion, interventions in this area.
Cell-type and Tissue-specific Expression of Caveolin-2

Caveolae are microdomains of the plasma membrane that have been implicated in organizing and compartmentalizing signal transducing molecules. Caveolin, a 21–24-kDa integral membrane protein, is a principal structural component of caveolae membranein vivo. Recently, we and other laboratories have identified a family of caveolin-related proteins; caveolin has been re-termed caveolin-1. Here, we examine the cell-type and tissue-specific expression of caveolin-2. For this purpose, we generated a novel mono-specific monoclonal antibody probe that recognizes only caveolin-2, but not caveolins-1 and -3. A survey of cell and tissue types demonstrates that the caveolin-2 protein is most abundantly expressed in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, skeletal myoblasts (L6, BC3H1, C2C12), fibroblasts, and 3T3-L1 cells differentiated to adipocytes. This pattern of caveolin-2 protein expression most closely resembles the cellular distribution of caveolin-1. In line with these observations, co-immunoprecipitation experiments with mono-specific antibodies directed against either caveolin-1 or caveolin-2 directly show that these molecules form a stable hetero-oligomeric complex. The in vivo relevance of this complex was further revealed by dual-labeling studies employing confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. Our results indicate that caveolins 1 and 2 are strictly co-localized within the plasma membrane and other internal cellular membranes. Ultrastructurally, this pattern of caveolin-2 localization corresponds to caveolae membranes as seen by immunoelectron microscopy. Despite this strict co-localization, it appears that regulation of caveolin-2 expression occurs independently of the expression of either caveolin-1 or caveolin-3 as observed using two different model cell systems. Although caveolin-1 expression is down-regulated in response to oncogenic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells, caveolin-2 protein levels remain unchanged. Also, caveolin-2 protein levels remain unchanged during the differentiation of C2C12 cells from myoblasts to myotubes, while caveolin-3 levels are dramatically induced by this process. These results suggest that expression levels of caveolins 1, 2, and 3 can be independently up-regulated or down-regulated in response to a variety of distinct cellular cues.
Communities of practice in workplace learningA cultural interpretation of Graduate enrollment management

This paper undertakes a cultural interpretation of the roles professional expertise and context play in workplace learning through human resource interventions with a community of post-secondary administrators at one institution. To better understand and evaluate Wenger’s (1998) concept of communities of practice, an ethnographic case study methodology explores boundaries, intersections, and learning communities in communities of practice. The project examines the value communities of practice contribute to African American administrators’ professional learning in an understudied context, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Case study data define interventions as indicators of a community of practice in graduate enrollment management: a) boundaries of position; (b) constellations of communities; and (c) learning communities. Implications for the study of workplace learning in context are considered as well as implications for professional and organizational development. Background The idea of postsecondary institutions re-organizing themselves in the face of environmental change remains an on-going concern for academic administrators. In many instances, the change is a reaction to environmental changes in the US economy. Other occurrences of change show the visionary statements of many colleges and universities which strategically plan progressive programming initiatives and evolutionary policies (Drucker, 1995). Similar to faculty development which aims to increase online teaching and utilization of electronic resources, staff also learn new workplace skills that focus on communication, technology skills, and interpersonal abilities in the open systems-oriented environment. Cultural approaches to examine decision-making, organizational behavior, and environmental change in higher education have established that institutional mission shapes decision-making behavior (Morphew & Hartley, 2006; Tierney, 1988). Graduate institutions prioritize masters and doctoral education as their institutional mission reflects research and professional training. Graduate enrollment management (GEM) professionals, led by graduate education administrators, navigate a variety of operational units throughout their colleges and universities in pursuit of such a mission. As a result of this unique working environment, graduate education administrators much promote a synthesis that ensures operational units work in tandem (Flynn Thapalia, 2013). The practice of professionals who work both across and within institutional boundaries is consistent with the concept of communities of practice (Wenger, 1998). Communities of practice (CoPs) includes “a practice of
A Three-Phase Grid Tied SPV System With Adaptive DC Link Voltage for CPI Voltage Variations

This paper deals with a three-phase two-stage grid tied SPV (solar photo-voltaic) system. The first stage is a boost converter, which serves the purpose of MPPT (maximum power point tracking) and feeding the extracted solar energy to the DC link of the PV inverter, whereas the second stage is a two-level VSC (voltage source converter) serving as PV inverter which feeds power from a boost converter into the grid. The proposed system uses an adaptive DC link voltage which is made adaptive by adjusting reference DC link voltage according to CPI (common point of interconnection) voltage. The adaptive DC link voltage control helps in the reduction of switching power losses. A feed forward term for solar contribution is used to improve the dynamic response. The system is tested considering realistic grid voltage variations for under voltage and over voltage. The performance improvement is verified experimentally. The proposed system is advantageous not only in cases of frequent and sustained under voltage (as in the cases of far radial ends of Indian grid) but also in case of normal voltages at CPI. The THD (total harmonics distortion) of grid current has been found well under the limit of an IEEE-519 standard.
Cartilage ultrastructure in proteoglycan‐deficient zebrafish mutants brings to light new candidate genes for human skeletal disorders

Proteoglycans are molecules consisting of protein cores onto which sugar chains, i.e., glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as heparan or chondroitin sulphates, are attached. Proteoglycans are produced by nearly all cells, and once secreted they become a major component of the extracellular matrix. Cartilage is particularly rich in proteoglycans, and changes in the structure and composition of GAGs have been found in osteochondromas and osteoarthritis. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibits fast development, a growth plate‐like organization of its craniofacial skeleton and an availability of various mutants, making it a powerful model for the study of human skeletal disorders with unknown aetiology. We analysed skeletons from five zebrafish lines with known mutations in genes involved in proteoglycan synthesis: dackel (dak/ext2), lacking heparan sulphate; hi307 (β3gat3), deficient for most GAGs; pinscher (pic/slc35b2), presenting defective sulphation of GAGs and other molecules; hi954 (uxs1), lacking Notch and most GAGs due to impaired protein xylosylation; and knypek (kny/gpc4), missing the protein core of the Glypican‐4 proteoglycan. Here we show that each mutant displays different phenotypes related to: (a) cartilage morphology; (b) composition of the extracellular matrix; (c) ultrastructure of the extracellular matrix; and (d) the intracellular ultrastructure of chondrocytes, proving that sulphated GAGs orchestrate the cartilage intra‐ and extracellular ultrastructures. The mild phenotype of the hi307 mutant suggests that proteoglycans consisting of a protein core and a short sugar linker might suffice for proper chondrocyte stacking. Finally, knypek supports the involvement of Glypican‐4 in the craniofacial phenotype of Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome and suggests GPC4 as a modulator of the overgrowth phenotype that is associated with this syndrome and is primarily caused by a mutation in GPC3. Moreover, we speculate on the potential involvement of SLC35B2, β3GAT3 and UXS1 in skeletal dysplasias. This work promotes the use of zebrafish as a model of human skeletal development and associated pathologies. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.