Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective upregulation of a single distinctly structured var gene in chondroitin sulphate A‐adhering Plasmodium falciparum involved in pregnancy‐associated malaria

Cytoadhesion of infected red blood cells (iRBC) is mediated through parasite‐encoded, clonally variant surface antigens (VSA) and is a central process in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Pregnancy‐associated malaria (PAM) has been linked to VSA‐mediated adhesion of iRBC to the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulphate A (CSA) in the placental intervillous space. Several studies have pointed to members of the PfEMP1 VSA family as mediators of CSA‐specific iRBC sequestration in the placenta. Here, we report marked upregulation of a single var gene in several P. falciparum parasite isolates after selection for adhesion to CSA in vitro. The gene belongs to a highly conserved and common var gene subfamily (var2csa). The var2csa genes are structurally distinct from all other var genes in the parasite genome in lacking both CIDR and DBL‐γ domains. These domains have previously been implicated in PfEMP1‐mediated adhesion to CD36 and CSA. We also show that var2csa was transcribed at higher levels in three placental parasite isolates compared with transcription in parasites from peripheral blood of two children with P. falciparum malaria. This var gene thus has the properties expected of a gene encoding the parasite adhesion molecule that initiates the pathology associated with PAM.
Kode Vicious Bugs Out

This month Kode Vicious serves up a mixed bag, including tackling the uncertainties of heisenbugs -- a nasty type of bug that’s been known to drive coders certifiably insane. He also gives us his list of must-reads. Are any of your favorites on the list? Read on to find out!
Seasonal dynamics of bacterioplankton community structure at a coastal station in the western English Channel

An annual study of the bacterioplankton community structure was carried out at Stn L4 (50° 15'N, 04° 13'W) in the western English Channel between August 2003 and July 2004. Bacterioplankton abundance and community structure were assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes, respectively. The Eubacteria domain dominated over the Archaea domain (<15%) at the highest phylogenetic level. The Sphingo-bacteria-Flavobacteria group of the Bacteroidetes phylum (SFB) numerically dominated in spring and early summer. The α-Proteobacteria dominated from late summer to winter. The SAR11 clade represented -13% of the microbial community throughout the year and accounted for up to 69% of α-Proteobacteria in late spring. Annually, γ-Proteobacteria were 2 or 3 times less abundant than the other groups and showed no obvious seasonal trend. The SAR86 cluster accounted for up to half of γ-Proteobacteria when it peaked in summer. Consequently, we found that community structure at higher taxonomic level did not change dramatically with season but lower level phylogenetic groups showed pronounced seasonal peaks.
Transmission Electron Microscopic Demonstration of Phagocytosis and Intracellular Processing of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria by Intestinal Epithelial Cells of the Chick Ileum

ABSTRACT Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are autochthonous bacteria colonizing the ileum of many young animals by attaching to intestinal epithelial cells. These nonpathogenic bacteria strongly stimulate the mucosal immune system and induce intestinal epithelial cells to express major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. We tried to discover whether SFB are phagocytized and intracellularly processed by the host cells, which is indicative of antigen processing. The middle part of the ileum was extracted from 10- and 20-day-old broiler chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). Samples were processed and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). In SEM, no, few, medium, and dense SFB colonization levels were classified. In TEM of cells from animals with medium or dense SFB colonization levels, we could observe extracellular particles ranging from those only indenting the cell membrane to particles found in the cytoplasmatic area beyond the terminal web. These particles had a structural similarity with SFB that were floating freely in the intestinal lumen. Furthermore, we observed unlacing of the membrane and septum surrounding the extracellular particles and their incorporation into host cytoplasmatic components, which strongly suggests that these particles are phagocytized and intracellularly processed SFB. This conclusion is supported by TEM analysis of samples with no or few SFB, in which we failed to find these characteristic morphologies. The phagocytosis process described here could be an important trigger for the stimulating effect of SFB on the mucosal immune system.
Left Atrial Enlargement Induced by Pure Mitral Regurgitation: Time Frame in a New Swine Model

Background: Atrial enlargement occurs in patients with significant mitral regurgitation. However, the time frame of the development of atrial enlargement induced by mitral regurgitation remains unknown. Methods: Fourteen Lanyu miniature pigs (age = 6.6 ± 0.9 months) were studied. Mitral regurgitation was created by placing a predefined hole on the middle scallop of the posterior mitral leaflet under cardiopulmonary bypass. The parasternal long-axis atrial dimension was measured by transthoracic echocardiographic examinations. Results: All animals exhibited grade 3 mitral regurgitation immediately after surgery. Seven pigs expired within 2 weeks after the operation [technical complications (n = 1), acute cardiac tamponade (n = 1), and acute and subacute heart failure (n = 5)]. Seven pigs remained alive at a mean follow-up of 7.7 ± 2.1 months. The left atrial diameter indices of the 7 pigs increased significantly at 1 month (33.1 ± 8.6 mm, p = 0.018) and 3 months (41.3 ± 12.6 mm, p = 0.018) after surgery compared with baseline values (22.8 ± 5.2 mm), and the left atrial diameter index increased significantly at 3 months compared to 1 month (p = 0.018). Conclusions: Left atrial enlargement develops rapidly and progresses after the creation of significant pure mitral regurgitation.
During Viral Infection of the Respiratory Tract, CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 Collectively Determine Formation of CD8+ Memory T Cells and Their Capacity for Secondary Expansion1

Independent studies have shown that CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 can all promote survival of activated CD8+ T cells. We have therefore compared their impact on CD8+ memory T cell formation and responsiveness within one, physiologically relevant model system. Recombinant mice, selectively lacking input of one or two receptors, were challenged intranasally with influenza virus, and the immunodominant virus-specific CD8+ T cell response was quantified at priming and effector sites. Upon primary infection, CD27 and (to a lesser extent) 4-1BB made nonredundant contributions to accumulation of CD8+ virus-specific T cells in draining lymph nodes and lung, while OX40 had no effect. Interestingly though, in the memory response, accumulation of virus-specific CD8+ T cells in spleen and lung critically depended on all three receptor systems. This was explained by two observations: 1) CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 were collectively responsible for generation of the same memory CD8+ T cell pool; 2) CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 collectively determined the extent of secondary expansion, as shown by adoptive transfers with standardized numbers of memory cells. Surprisingly, wild-type CD8+ memory T cells expanded normally in primed OX40 ligand- or 4-1BB ligand-deficient mice. However, when wild-type memory cells were generated in OX40 ligand- or 4-1BB ligand-deficient mice, their secondary expansion was impaired. This provides the novel concept that stimulation of CD8+ T cells by OX40 and 4-1BB ligand during priming imprints into them the capacity for secondary expansion. Our data argue that ligand on dendritic cells and/or B cells may be critical for this.
Globalisierung und institutionelle Divergenz: Die USA und Deutschland im Vergleich

I. Fragestellung. Mit dem Prozes der Globalisierung verbindet sich gewohnlich die Vorstellung einer vor allem am amerikanischen Modell orientierten „Gleichschaltung" aller hochentwickelten Volkswirtschaften. Diese beginne mit der Reduzierung des Wohlfahrtsstaates auf einfachste Sicherheitsnetze, setze sich mit einem Wandel in der Rolle des Staates fort, die sich in den miteinander konkurrierenden Wirtschaftsnationen auf dem kleinsten gemeinsamen Nenner offentlicher Aufsicht uber die Wirtschaft einpendelt, und ende schlieslich in einem Regime deregulierter Markte, das von „vaterlandslosen" multinationalen Unternehmen beherrscht wird. Gewis wurden es nur wenige professionelle Sozialwissenschaftler wagen, ihre Vorhersagen so platt zu formulieren, doch lassen sich apokalyptische Gedanken wie diese unschwer zwischen den Zeilen vieler gelehrter Abhandlungen herauslesen. Solche je nach Standort des Betrachters pessimistischen oder optimistischen Aussichten werfen in der Regel auch die Frage nach dem timing auf. Tatsachlich haben sich ja in Deutschland, Schweden oder Danemark die vertrauten Regeln der industriellen Beziehungen und des Wohlfahrtsstaates noch nicht bis zur Unkenntlichkeit gewandelt. Die gesellschaftlichen Akteure scheinen sich dort in einem Zweifrontenkrieg erfolgreich zu verteidigen: gegen auseren Druck ebenso wie gegen jene wirtschaftlichen Interessen im eigenen Land, die Markte deregulieren und Institutionen abbauen wollen, damit aber gleichzeitig hohere Transaktionskosten und engere Handlungsspielraume fur andere Marktteilnehmer implizieren. Anders als im Grosbritannien Margret Thatchers und in Neuseeland unter „New Labour", wo die Gewerkschaften entscheidend geschwacht und die Wirtschaft dem Diktat der Finanzmarkte unterworfen wurden, haben in Deutschland, Schweden oder Danemark der Sinn fur soziale Solidaritat, die Widerstandskraft der Gewerkschaften und eine traditionell starker am Konsens orientierte Interessenpolitik bis jetzt einen ahnlichen Umbruch verhindert oder verzogert. Aus dieser Lagebeurteilung werden sehr unterschiedliche Schlusse gezogen. Die einen meinen, es sei nur noch eine Frage der Zeit, bis die Globalisierung die institutionelle „Gleich-
Prevalence of traumatic brain injury among children, adolescents and young adults: Prospective evidence from a birth cohort

Background: Little is known about the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly for infants, children and young adults. Primary objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an accurate estimate of the incidence and prevalence of TBIs for individuals between 0–25 years of age. Method and procedures: A birth cohort of 1265 individuals was used, for which information regarding TBI events, both hospitalized and non-hospitalized, had been recorded. Main outcomes and results: The average incidence for this age group ranged from 1.10–2.36 per 100 per year, with an overall prevalence of ∼30%. The most common source of injury was falls for individuals 0–14 years of age and contact sports and motor vehicle accidents for 15–25 year olds. Approximately one third of the individuals who experienced a TBI went on to have one or more additional injuries. Conclusions: The incidence rates reported here are much higher than those previously found. It is clear that TBIs constitute a major health issue and therefore it is important to have accurate information to enable planning for primary healthcare services and to inform prevention programmes.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of ¢ brin formation and spreading of active thrombin entering non-recalci ¢ ed plasma by di ¡ usion

The spatiotemporal dynamics of clot growth was studied in non-stirred non-recalcified plasma where thrombin entered by diffusion. Under these conditions, the clot rapidly grew for 30^45 min and then stopped growing on reaching 0.4^0.5 mm in size. The dynamics of clot growth and its size almost did not depend on the thrombin concentration in the range from 50 to 400 nM. FITC-thrombin was shown to permeate the growing clot. The clot size in antithrombin-deficient plasma increases with decreasing antithrombin concentration, being 1.5 mm in the plasma depleted of antithrombin to 5% of its initial level. The data on the spatial distribution of amidolytic activity in the growth zone of the clot suggested that thrombin was not the sole source of this activity. Analysis showed that this additional activity arising during thrombin diffusion into plasma was largely accounted for by thrombin-K2-macroglobulin complex. ß 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
[The function of ERK on Fas-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway of human gastric carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the expression and functions of ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) in Fas-mediated apoptosis in gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 and to elucidate the potential significance of this signaling pathway in tumor progression. METHODS Radioisotope labeling and Western blotting with special anti-ERK antibody were used to check ERK activity in SGC-7901 cell line after anti-Fas antibody treatment. Apoptosis induced by several treatment factors was evaluated by FACS can flow cytometer. RESULTS ERK activity increased and reached the peak at 30 min after treatment with anti-Fas antibody and decreased in PD98059 pretreated group. The number of sub-G(1) cell was 30.5% +/- 2.6% in PD98059 pretreated group, which was higher than anti-Fas treatment group and control group, respectively. CONCLUSION In gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901, Fas-induced ERK activation may suppress Fas-mediated apoptosis. Inhibition of ERK may enhance the sensitivity of SGC-7901 cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Fas-induced ERK activation may confer gastric cancer cells ability to escape the immune surveillance.
Optimal design of digital anticipatory servomechanisms with good noise immunity

A frequency-domain approach to the design of digital feedback controls for SISO systems is presented. The noise gain is minimized, subject to a phase margin constraint. The controller is expressed as a repeated-pole expansion, which reduces the optimization to a quadratic problem and a linear system of equations. PID+filter controls are produced as a limiting case.
A Substrate Integrated Slot Antenna Array Using Simplified Feeding Network Based on Higher Order Cavity Modes

This paper proposes a novel substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) higher order mode cavity fed 2 × 2 -element slot array. The higher order mode cavity feeds all of the slot elements simultaneously, and the resonant mode is excited only by a slot aperture, which helps simplify the feeding network. To enhance the bandwidth, the array is designed as an asymmetric structure with different slot sizes and locations. In this way, new resonances are introduced and thus broaden the bandwidth. Furthermore, the proposed 2 × 2 -element slot array is used as subarray to implement a differentially fed 4 × 4 -element array. The measured results demonstrate that this simple structure antenna array features wideband, high radiation efficiency, good aperture efficiency, and broadside radiation.
A delay decomposition approach to absolute stability of Lurie control system with time-varying delay

This paper investigates the absolute stability problem of the transformation Lurie model with time-varying delay. A delay decomposition approach is proposed to deal with the stability problem. With different limitations, the classification of the time delay is different from the existing results. By choosing proper Lyapunov function, some delay-dependent absolute stability criteria are presented. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate the significance of the criteria.
Emergence of amphibian chytridiomycosis in Britain

, can be highly pathogenic,causing up to 90 to 100 per cent mortality in the postmeta-morphic life stages of some amphibian species (Scott 1993,Daszak and others 1999), while other amphibian speciesappear to be resistant to disease when infected with this fun-gus (Daszak and others 2004, Weldon and others 2004).
Evaluation of Herb–Drug Interactions of Hovenia dulcis Fruit Extracts

Background: Hovenia dulcis (Rhamnaceae) fruits are popularly used as herbal medicines or dietary supplements in Asian countries due to functions such as liver protection and detoxification from alcohol poisoning. Accordingly, it is very likely for dietary supplemental products, including H. dulcis fruit extracts, to be taken with prescription drugs. Objective: In this study, possible food–drug interactions involving H. dulcis fruit extracts were evaluated based on the inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity. Material and Methods: The water extract of H. dulcis fruit extracts was incubated in human liver microsomes with CYP-specific substrates. The formation of the CYP-specific metabolites was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: H. dulcis fruit extracts showed negligible effects on seven CYP isozyme activities at all concentrations tested. Conclusion: This result suggests that H. dulcis fruit extracts may have minimal pharmacokinetic interactions with coadministered drugs through the modulation of CYP enzymes. Abbreviations Used: CYP: cytochrome P450 enzymes, HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography, LC-MS/MS : liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, MRM: multiple-reaction monitoring
Exploitation des Capacités de Radiolocalisation des Transmissions Ultra-Large Bande dans les Réseaux Sans-Fil. (Investigating the Radiolocation Capabilities of Impulse Radio - Ultra Wideband Wireless Networks)

Nombre d'applications recentes trouvent leur fondement dans une capacite presumee des systemes de communication a delivrer des informations precises de localisation. Dans ce contexte, les proprietes intrinseques de la technologie radio impulsionnelle Ultra-Large Bande (ULB) peuvent etre mises a profit : resolution des trajets multiples, precision temporelle autorisant la mesure de temps de vol et la synchronisation fine des terminaux, etc. Les solutions ULB laissent par ailleurs presager l'emergence de reseaux d'un nouveau genre, tels que les reseaux ad hoc, mobiles, distribues et depourvus d'infrastructure. Dans le cadre de l'elaboration du standard WPAN bas-debit IEEE 802.15. 4a (jusqu'a 1Mbps), la possibilite de localiser des dispositifs ULB bas-cout et a faible consommation constitue un apport determinant au regard des solutions existantes (e.g. Zigbee.). Les travaux presentes se proposent d'apprehender dans sa globalite la problematique de localisation ULB au sein des reseaux sans-fil. Quelques idees-forces sont alors mises en lumiere, telles que la necessite d'injecter une forme de connaissance a priori propre a la couche physique ULB dans le probleme de localisation, la mise a profit de la diversite multi-trajets autorisee par la resolution ULB, ou bien encore l'exploitation des formes nouvelles adoptees par les reseaux (tant du point de vue du protocole que de la topologie). Dans un premier temps, nous caracterisons et modelisons les erreurs susceptibles d'affecter des metriques de base (temps ou differences de temps d'arrivee), qu'elles soient « independantes » de la couche physique (derives d'horloge, modes d'echange, etc.) ou directement imputables au canal de propagation ULB (e.g. non-visibilite). Nous evaluons ensuite les performances de detection d'architectures de recepteurs ULB (e.g. echantillonnage direct sur 1 bit) pour des environnements indoor realistes. Nous preconisons egalement differentes strategies de positionnement (maximisation distribuee de la log-vraisemblance des distances mesurees, reconnaissance d'empreintes ULB, traitement deterministe des biais dans le cas de trajets refractes, etc.) et de poursuite (techniques Bayesiennes avancees de filtrage), adaptees aux situations de non-visibilite. Enfin, quelques resultats d'experimentations conduites dans la bande basse ([0.5:1]GHz) nous permettent d'illustrer certains des points abordes.
A new exoskeleton-type masterarm with force reflection :controller and integration

For robot teleoperation, a lot of research has been done to control the slave robot from a remote site using a masterarm. The concept of a distributed controller architecture for the masterarm is introduced in the paper. To reduce possible non-uniform time delay and to have higher position command update rate, the host controller with distributed satellite controllers is developed. Each satellite controller measures the corresponding joint angle, while the host controller performs initial calibration, inverse kinematics calculation, and position commands generation. The host controller and the satellite controllers are networked via a SPI (serial peripheral interface) protocol. For force feedback, the host controller solves the joint torque relations based on the kinematics of the masterarm and the satellite controller controls each joint's torque. This distributed controller greatly reduces calculation and control loads and makes the electrical wiring very simple. In order to measure finger movement of the operator, the master hand is developed using infrared light. A similar slave satellite controller for this master hand is interfaced to the host controller via a SPI network. For teleoperation of the KIST humanoid robot which has two arms and two hands, the masterarm controller with one host controller and 16 satellite controllers is implemented. Force feedback with less than 2 msec update rate is achieved. This masterarm/hand is also integrated with a graphic model instead of using the slave robot. The experimental results show the performance of the distributed controller.
On minimizing various sources of noise and meeting symmetry constraint in mixed-signal SoC floorplan design

In recent years, in order to handle various sources of noise (including substrate and power supply noises) and process variation in high-end mixed-signal circuit design, analog circuits are often required to be placed symmetrically to the common axis, and high noise digital circuits need to be placed far away from noise interference to the analog blocks. In this paper, we obtain the mixed-signal SoC floorplan with the two-phase approach. In the first phase, we place the symmetry groups and non-symmetry blocks by sequence pair representation with improved implementation. In the second phase, we obtain a floorplan with minimized digital blocks noise interference to analog blocks by the effective decap fills with substrate noise model. We have compared our experimental results with the recent works in symmetry constraints and mixed-signal SOC floorplan with minimized substrate noise. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Detailed Study of the Interaction between Human Herpesvirus 6B Glycoprotein Complex and Its Cellular Receptor, Human CD134

ABSTRACT Recently, we identified a novel receptor, CD134, which interacts with the human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) glycoprotein (g)H/gL/gQ1/gQ2 complex and plays a key role in the entry of HHV-6B into target cells. However, details of the interaction between the HHV-6B gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 complex and CD134 were unknown. In this study, we identified a cysteine-rich domain (CRD), CDR2, of CD134 that is critical for binding to the HHV-6B glycoprotein complex and HHV-6B infection. Furthermore, we found that the expression of HHV-6B gQ1 and gQ2 subunits was sufficient for CD134 binding, which is different from the binding of human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) to its receptor, CD46. Finally, we identified a region in gQ1 critical for HHV-6B gQ1 function. These results contribute much to our understanding of the interaction between this ligand and receptor. IMPORTANCE We identified the domain in HHV-6B entry receptor CD134 and the components in the HHV-6B gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 complex required for ligand-receptor binding during HHV-6B infection. Furthermore, we identified domains in gQ1 proteins of HHV-6A and -6B and a key amino acid residue in HHV-6B gQ1 required for its function. These data should be the basis for further investigation of ligand-receptor interaction in the study of HHV-6A and -6B.