Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vaccinia virus envelope glycoprotein encoded by the A33R gene

With the aid of three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), a glycoprotein specifically localized to the outer envelope of vaccinia virus was shown to be encoded by the A33R gene. These MAbs reacted with a glycosylated protein that migrated as 23- to 28-kDa and 55-kDa species under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively. The protein recognized by the three MAbs was synthesized by all 11 orthopoxviruses tested: eight strains of vaccinia virus (including modified vaccinia virus Ankara) and one strain each of cowpox, rabbitpox, and ectromelia viruses. The observation that the protein synthesized by ectromelia virus-infected cells reacted with only one of the three MAbs provided a means of mapping the gene encoding the glycoprotein. By transfecting vaccinia virus DNA into cells infected with ectromelia virus and assaying for MAb reactivity, we mapped the glycoprotein to the A33R open reading frame. The amino acid sequence and hydrophilicity plot predicted that the A33R gene product is a type II membrane protein with two asparagine-linked glycosylation sites. Triton X-114 partitioning experiments indicated that the A33R gene product is an integral membrane protein. The ectromelia virus homolog of the vaccinia virus A33R gene was sequenced, revealing 90% predicted amino acid identity. The vaccinia and variola virus homolog sequences predict 94% identical amino acids, the latter having one fewer internal amino acid. Electron microscopy revealed that the A33R gene product is expressed on the surface of extracellular enveloped virions but not on the intracellular mature form of virus. The conservation of this protein and its specific incorporation into viral envelopes suggest that it is important for virus dissemination.
Detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in Tissue Samples by a Nested PCR Assay

ABSTRACT A nested PCR assay for the detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis DNA was evaluated, using a sequence of the immunogenic gp43 gene as a target. This gene encodes an outer membrane protein unique to this dimorphic fungus. DNA from six clinical isolates and the ATCC strain 60885 of P. brasiliensis, as well as DNA from closely related fungi, was examined to determine detection limits and cross-reactions. PCR was done on DNA extracts of lung homogenates from 23 experimentallyP. brasiliensis-infected and two uninfected BALB/c mice and from 20 Histoplasma capsulatum-infected ICR mice. The results were compared to quantitative cultures. A detection limit of 0.5 fg of specific DNA was determined using cloned plasmid DNA. In all seven P. brasiliensis isolates, the expected 196-bp nested PCR product was found. Their sequences were 100% identical to thegp43 gene sequence in GenBank. DNA extracts of all other, related fungi were negative. The PCR assay was positive in 21 out of 23 culture-positive lung homogenates with concentrations of 1 × 103 to 1.3 × 107 CFU of P. brasiliensis per g of lung. Uninfected BALB/c mice and H. capsulatum-infected mice samples gave negative results. The high sensitivity and specificity of this new nested PCR assay for the detection of P. brasiliensis in tissue samples were demonstrated. The assay may be useful for diagnosis in human tissue samples.
Localization of synaptic and nonsynaptic nicotinic‐acetylcholine receptors in the goldfish retina

The localization of nicotinic‐cholinergic receptors in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) of goldfish retina was studied by electron microscopic analysis of the binding pattern of a conjugate of horseradish peroxidase and αbungarotoxin (HRP‐αBTx). Specific HRP reaction product (blockable by 1mm curare) was found at both synaptic and nonsynaptic sites. Synaptic binding sites for HRP‐αBTx, which accounted for only 16% of the total specific reaction product sites, always involved an amacrine process as the presynaptic element, whereas amacrine, ganglion, and bipolar cells could be postsynaptic elements at labeled synapses. Only 17.5% of the total number of amacrine synapses were labeled by HRP‐αBTx. Labeled synapses showed the same distribution in the IPL as unlabeled synapses: bimodal for amacrine‐to‐bipolar synapses with peak concentrations at the 20% and 80% layers and unimodal for amacrine‐to‐nonbipolar synapses with a peak concentration at the 60% layer. Nonsynaptic binding sites for HRP‐αBTx (84% of total) were seen on the dendrites of ganglion, amacrine, and bipolar cells. The distribution of the nonsynaptic sites in the IPL largely accounts for the trilaminar binding pattern of 125I‐αBTx as observed in light microscopic autoradiographs. If, as appears likely, the distribution of synapses is the relevant variable in determining the sites of neuronal interaction for a given transmitter system, then this study further illustrates the importance of distinguishing synaptic from nonsynaptic binding when using receptorligand probes to localize sites of chemical synaptic transmission.
Four switches direct power control of BLDC motor with trapezoidal back-EMF

In this paper a new technique with 4 switches inverter for BLDC motor control in constant torque region is proposed. Using this method, prices and losses is reduced. The proposed direct power control has fast dynamic response and easy implementation. The feasibility of the proposed control method is developed and analyzed using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Remineralisation by Chewing Sugar-Free Gums in a Randomised, Controlled in situ Trial Including Dietary Intake and Gauze to Promote Plaque Formation

Remineralisation has been shown to be an effective mechanism of preventing the progression of enamel caries. The aim of this double-blind, randomised, cross-over in situ study was to compare enamel remineralisation by chewing sugar-free gum with or without casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) where the enamel lesions were exposed to dietary intake and some were covered with gauze to promote plaque formation. Participants wore removable palatal appliances containing 3 recessed enamel half-slabs with subsurface lesions covered with gauze and 3 without gauze. Mineral content was measured by transverse microradiography, and plaque composition was analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. For both the gauze-free and gauze-covered lesions, the greatest amount of remineralisation was produced by the CPP-ACP sugar-free gum, followed by the gum without CPP-ACP and then the no-gum control. Recessing the enamel in the appliance allowed plaque accumulation without the need for gauze. There was a trend of less remineralisation and greater variation in mineral content for the gauze-covered lesions. The cell numbers of total bacteria and streptococci were slightly higher in the plaque from the gauze-covered enamel for 2 of the 3 treatment legs; however, there was no significant difference in Streptococcus mutans cell numbers. In conclusion, chewing sugar-free gum containing CPP-ACP promoted greater levels of remineralisation than a sugar-free gum without CPP-ACP or a no-gum control using an in situ remineralisation model including dietary intake irrespective of whether gauze was used to promote plaque formation or not.
Microstrip Balanced Bandpass Filter With Compact Size, Extended-Stopband and Common-Mode Noise Suppression

In this letter, a novel balanced bandpass filter (BPF) with its simple design procedure are proposed. The filter is based on a novel balanced resonator which is composed by two closed-loop transmission lines of characteristic impedance Z<sub>CL</sub> = 50 Ω and electrical length of 53.13° and one transmission line of characteristic impedance Z<sub>HI</sub> = 100 Ω and electrical length of 53.13°. Also the differential-mode (DM) and common-mode (CM) equivalent circuits of the resonator are given for design purposes. A prototype with measured DM passband at 1.029 GHz and fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 9.833% is presented. The prototype exhibits compact size (0.149 λ<sub>g</sub> × 0.228 λ<sub>g</sub>), DM stopband with a 40 dB suppression level broadened up to 5.633 f<sub>0d</sub> and CM suppression level better than -40 dB from 0 to over 3.7 f<sub>0d</sub> and better than -30 dB from 0 to 5.91 f<sub>0d</sub>.
Fabrication and Test of LARP Technological Quadrupole Models of TQC Series

In support of the development of a large-aperture Nb3Sn superconducting quadrupole for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) luminosity upgrade, several two-layer technological quadrupole models of TQC series with 90 mm aperture and collar-based mechanical structure have been developed at Fermilab in collaboration with LBNL. This paper summarizes the results of fabrication and test of TQC02a, the second TQC model based on RRP Nb3Sn strand, and TQC02b, built with both MJR and RRP strand. The test results presented include magnet strain and quench performance during training, as well as quench studies of current ramp rate and temperature dependence from 1.9 K to 4.5 K.
The optimization of the production of sinter as the feedstock of the blast furnace process

P. Besta, P. Wicher, Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic The performance of the sintering process can be increased by means of various procedures. One of the options is increasing the permeability of the sintering charge and improving the gas-dynamic conditions during the combustion. This can be achieved by dosing coarse sinter on the sintering strands. This article analyzes a research conducted in order to experimentally verify the impact of the use of coarse sinter on the performance of the sintering process.
Dramatic differences in the response of macrophages from B2 and B19 MHC-defined haplotypes to interferon gamma and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid stimulation

Abstract The chicken MHC has been associated with disease resistance, though the mechanisms are not understood. The functions of macrophages, critical to both innate and acquired immunity, were compared between the more infectious bronchitis virus-resistant B2 and the more infectious bronchitis virus-susceptible B19 lines. In vivo peripheral blood concentrations of monocytes were similar in B2 or B19 homozygous haplotypes. Peripheral blood-derived macrophages were stimulated with poly I:C, simulating an RNA virus, or IFNγ, a cytokine at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity. Not only did B2-derived peripheral monocytes differentiate into macrophages more readily than the B19 monocytes, but as determined by NO production, macrophages from B2 and B2 on B19 genetic background chicks were also significantly more responsive to either stimulant. In conclusion, the correlation with resistance to illness following viral infection may be directly linked to a more vigorous innate immune response.
! ) SPACE Mass Customization SPACE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! and “ Forecasting Options ’ Penetration Rates Problem ”

Ali Fattahi Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, ali.fattahi. 1@anderson.ucla. edu Sriram Dasu Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90089, dasu@marshall.usc. edu Reza Ahmadi Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, rahmadi@anderson.ucla. edu
Multiple constitutional aetiological factors in bone marrow failure syndrome (BMFS) patients from north India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A large number of patients diagnosed with bone marrow failure syndromes (BMFS), comprising aplastic anaemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), remain aetiologically uncharacterized worldover, especially in resource constrained set up. We carried out this study to identify a few constitutional causes in BMFS patients attending a tertiary care hospital in north India. METHODS Peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures were performed (with and without clastogens) in a cohort of 135 consecutive BMFS patients, in order to detect Fanconi anaemia (FA), Down's syndrome (+21), trisomy 8 (+8) and monosomy 7 (-7). RESULTS Constitutional factors were detected in 17 (12.6%) patients. FA defect was observed in 24.07 percent (13/54), 16.66 percent (1/6) and 2.85 percent (1/35) paediatric aplastic anaemia, paediatric MDS and adult MDS patients respectively. Down's syndrome was detected in 5.00 percent (2/40) adult aplastic anaemia patients. None of the patients revealed trisomy 8 or monosomy 7. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION Presence of an underlying factor determines appropriate management, prognostication, family screening and genetic counselling of BMFS patients. Special tests required to confirm or exclude constitutional aetiological factors are not available to majority of the patients in our country. Diepoxybutane (DEB) test yielded better results than mitomycin C (MMC) test in our experience.
A comparison of sleep detection by wrist actigraphy, behavioral response, and polysomnography.

Two alternative methods for detecting sleep, wrist actigraphy (ACT) and behavioral response monitoring (BRM), were compared to polysomnography (PSG). In the BRM paradigm, a threshold intensity visual or auditory stimulus generated by a palm-top computer was presented about once per minute, and subjects pressed a microswitch if the stimulus was detected. A response within 5 seconds of the stimulus was scored as "wake" and a failure to respond as "sleep. " Four males and four females underwent two nights of simultaneous in-home PSG, BRM, and ACT. Each night, subjects underwent a protocol designed to generate five sleep latency trials. Subjects were awakened by alarm clocks at approximately 1-hour intervals and remained awake for 10 minutes before returning to bed for another sleep onset latency (SOL) trial. Minute-by-minute comparisons were made for PSG versus ACT and BRM. All measures were fairly sensitive in detecting sleep, but BRM was more accurate in determining SOL and subsequent wakefulness. Behavioral response monitoring using a tone resulted in more responses and arousals prior to and during light stages of sleep than BRM using a light. It is concluded that BRM has some important advantages as a simple, minimally invasive method for monitoring sleep.
Locus Coeruleus Dysfunction in Transgenic Rats with Low Brain Angiotensinogen

Transgenic TGR(ASrAOGEN)680 (TGR) rats with specific downregulation of glial angiotensinogen (AOGEN) synthesis develop cardiovascular deficits, anxiety, altered response to stress, and depression. Here, we evaluated whether these deficits are associated with alteration of the integrity of the noradrenergic system originating from locus coeruleus (LC) neurons.
Completion of Mitral Isthmus Ablation Using a Steerable Sheath: Prospective Randomized Comparison With a Nonsteerable Sheath

Completion of Mitral Isthmus Ablation. Background: Although mitral isthmus (MI) ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients has been shown to be an effective ablative strategy, the establishment of the bidirectional conduction block of the MI is technically challenging. We investigated the usefulness of a steerable sheath for MI ablation in patients with persistent AF and its impact on the clinical outcome of persistent AF ablation.
A Comparison of Plasmapheresis Versus High‐Dose IVIG Desensitization in Renal Allograft Recipients with High Levels of Donor Specific Alloantibody

Several protocols allow for the successful transplantation of sensitized renal allograft recipients, yet no one best method has emerged. The aim of the current study was to compare the efficacy of high‐dose IVIG with two different plasmapheresis (PP)‐based regimens in kidney transplant recipients with high levels of donor specific alloantibody (DSA) defined as a positive T‐cell cytotoxicity crossmatch. With the primary goal of achieving a negative crossmatch, we employed three protocols sequentially between April 2000 and May 2005: (i) PP, low‐dose IVIG, anti‐CD20 antibody (n = 32); (ii) high‐dose IVIG (n = 13); and (iii) PP, low‐dose IVIG, anti‐CD20 antibody and pre‐transplant Thymoglobulin combined with post‐transplant DSA monitoring (n = 16). IVIG decreased DSA activity in all treated patient, yet only 38% (5/13) achieved a negative crossmatch. In contrast, a negative crossmatch was achieved in 84% in PP group and 88% in the PP/monitoring group (p < 0.01 vs. IVIG). Even with a negative crossmatch, the rejection rates were 80% (IVIG), 37% (PP) and 29% (PP/monitoring), respectively, (p < 0.05 IVIG vs. PP). We conclude that multiple PP treatments leads to more reproducible desensitization and lower humoral rejection rates than a single high‐dose of IVIG, but that no regimen was completely effective in preventing humoral rejection.
Inhibition of Glucocorticoid-induced Apoptosis by Targeting the Major Splice Variants of BIM mRNA with Small Interfering RNA and Short Hairpin RNA*

Glucocorticoids (GCs) induce apoptosis in lymphocytes and are effective agents for the treatment of leukemia. The activated glucocorticoid receptor initiates a transcriptional program leading to caspase activation and cell death, but the critical signaling intermediates in GC-induced apoptosis remain largely undefined. We have observed that GC induction of the three major protein products of the Bcl-2 relative Bim (BimEL, BimS, and BimL) correlates with GC sensitivity in a panel of human precursor B-cell (pre-B) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines. To test the hypothesis that Bim facilitates GC-induced apoptosis, we reduced BIM mRNA levels and Bim protein levels by RNA interference in highly GC-sensitive pre-B ALL cells. Reducing Bim proteins by either electroporation of synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes or lentivirus-mediated stable expression of short hairpin RNA inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and increased cell viability following GC exposure. We also observed that the extent of GC resistance correlated with siRNA silencing potency. siRNA duplexes that reduced only BimEL or BimEL and BimL (but not BimS) exhibited less GC resistance than a potent siRNA that silenced all three major isoforms, implying that induction of all three Bim proteins contributes to cell death. Finally, the modulation of GC-induced apoptosis caused by Bim silencing was independent of Bcl-2 expression levels, negating the hypothesis that the ratio of Bim to Bcl-2 regulates apoptosis. These results offer evidence that the induction of Bim by GC is a required event for the complete apoptotic response in pre-B ALL cells.
Chemometric Classification of Different Tree Peony Species Native to China Based on the Assessment of Major Fatty Acids of Seed Oil and Phenotypic Characteristics of the Seeds

In the present study, we quantitatively measured five major fatty acids (FA) in seed oil using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and examined four phenotypic characteristics of the seeds from 19 populations from nine wild tree peony species native to China. The results showed that the unsaturated FAs contents were dominant, of which α‐linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid, and oleic acid (OA) contents ranged from 14.84 to 42.54 g/100 g, 7.33 to 19.66 g/100 g, and 15.07 – 35.31 g/100 g crude oil, respectively. The phenotypic seed characteristics, such as thousand seed weight (244.01 – 1772.91 g), seed volume (91.31 – 1000.79 mm3), weight rate of kernel and coat (1.29 – 3.62) and oil extraction ratio (20.32 – 34.69%), dramatically varied. Based on the contents of the five FAs, the nine species were classified into two groups. The species belonging to subsection Vaginatae were arranged in cluster I and were characterized by high ALA content. Cluster II, consistent with subsection Delavayanae, had a high OA content. From horizontal and vertical perspectives, the natural distribution areas of these two groups were different, reflecting differences in the FA contents and phenotypic seed characteristics. In conclusion, the FAs composition could be used as a chemotaxonomic marker for tree peony species.
Improving locoregional hyperthermia delivery using the 3-D controlled AMC-8 phased array hyperthermia system: A preclinical study

Background: The aim of this study is preclinical evaluation of our newly developed regional hyperthermia system providing 3-D SAR control: the AMC-8 phased array consisting of two rings, each with four 70 MHz waveguides. It was designed to achieve higher tumour temperatures and improve the clinical effectiveness of locoregional hyperthermia. Methods: The performance of the AMC-8 system was evaluated with simulations and measurements aiming at heating a centrally located target region in rectangular (30 × 30 × 110 cm) and elliptical (36 × 24 × 80 cm) homogeneous tissue equivalent phantoms. Three properties were evaluated and compared to its predecessor, the 2-D AMC-4 single ring four waveguide array: (1) spatial control and (2) size of the SAR focus, (3) the ratio between maximum SAR outside the target region and SAR in the focus. Distance and phase difference between the two rings were varied. Results: (1) Phase steering provides 3-D SAR control for the AMC-8 system. (2) The SAR focus is more elongated compared to the AMC-4 system, yielding a lower SAR level in the focus when using the same total power. This is counter-balanced by (3) a superficial SAR deposition which is half of that in the AMC-4 system, yielding a more favourable ratio between normal tissue and target SAR and allowing higher total power and up to 30% more SAR in the focus for 3 cm ring distance. Conclusion: The AMC-8 system is capable of 3-D SAR control and its SAR distribution is more favourable than for the 2-D AMC-4 system. This result promises improvement in clinical tumour temperatures.
Development of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), provide a new cell source for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, drug discovery, and preclinical toxicity screening. Understanding of the onset and the sequential process of hematopoietic cells from differentiated hPSCs will enable the achievement of personalized medicine and provide an in vitro platform for studying of human hematopoietic development and disease. During embryogenesis, hemogenic endothelial cells, a specified subset of endothelial cells in embryonic endothelium, are the primary source of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells. In this review, we discuss current status in the generation of multipotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from hPSCs via hemogenic endothelial cells. We also review the achievements in direct reprogramming from non‐hematopoietic cells to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Further characterization of hematopoietic differentiation in hPSCs will improve our understanding of blood development and expedite the development of hPSC‐derived blood products for therapeutic purpose. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1179–1189, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.