Identification of HLA-A*2402-restricted HCMV immediate early-1 (IE-1) epitopes as targets for CD8+ HCMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify novel HLA-A*2402-restricted human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate early-1 (IE-1) epitopes for adoptive immunotherapy, we explored 120 overlapping 15-amino acid spanning IE-1.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>These peptides were screened by measuring the frequency of polyclonal CD8+ T cells producing intracellular interferon-γ (IFN-γ) using flow cytometry and the epitopes were validated with a HCMV-infected target Cr release cytotoxicity assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Initial screening was performed with 12 mini-pools of 10 consecutive peptides made from 120 overlapping peptides15-amino acids in length that spanned IE-1. When peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HLA-A*2402 HCMV-seropositive donors were sensitized with each of the 12 mini-pools, mini-pools 1 and 2 induced the highest frequency of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) producing IFN-γ. When PBMCs were stimulated with each of the twenty peptides belonging to mini-pools 1 and 2, peptides IE-1_1–15MESSAKRKMDPDNPD and IE-1_5–19AKRKMDPDNPDEGPS induced the greatest quantities of IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity of HLA-matched HCMV-infected fibroblasts. To determine the exact HLA-A*2402-restricted epitopes within the two IE-1 proteins, we synthesized a total of twenty-one overlapping 9- or 10 amino acid peptides spanning IE-1_1–15and IE-1_5–19. Peptide IE-1_3–12SSAKRKMDPD induced the greatest quantities of IFN-γ production and target cell killing by CD8+ CTLs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HCMV IE-1_3–12SSAKRKMDPD is a HLA-A*2402-restricted HCMV IE-1 epitope that can serve as a common target for CD8+ HCMV-specific CTLs.</p

Vision Based Displacement Detection for Stabilized UAV Control on Cloud Server

Nowadays, image processing solution is used in many fields such as traffic information systems and illegal intrusion detection systems. Now, to assist with the control of camera-equipped devices, appropriate image processing techniques are needed for moving rather than fixed observers. For achieving this goal, an algorithm should derive the desired results quickly and accurately; thus, this paper considers two characteristics: functional performance (reliability) and temporal performance (efficiency). Reliability means how well the desired results can be achieved, and efficiency means how quickly the result can be calculated. This paper suggests an optimized real-time image algorithm based on the integration of the optical flow and Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) algorithms. This algorithm determines horizontal or vertical movement of the camera and then extracts its displacement. The proposed algorithm can be used to stabilize an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in situations where it is drifting due to inertia and external forces, like wind, in parallel. The proposed algorithm is efficient in achieving drift stabilization by movement detection; however, it is not appropriate for image processing in small UAVs. To solve this problem, this study proposes an image processing method that uses a high-performance computer

Microstructure and texture evolution of pure niobium in cold-drawn Mg+B/Nb/Cu wires

In this study, Mg+B wires were prepared by powder in tube method using Nb and Cu tubes as barrier and sheath, respectively, followed by cold drawing. Microstructural, textural, and mechanical properties of the Nb barrier at different drawing strains ( ε _d ) were investigated. The results showed that the Nb barrier demonstrated a saturation hardness of 159.4 HV. The microstructure of the Nb barrier became elongated along the drawing direction increasing ε _d . Sub-grains existing inside the deformed grains rotated from low-angle grain boundaries to high-angle grain boundaries and developed into new grains. The main textural components of the Nb barrier were {111}  γ -fiber and {hkl}〈110 〉  α -fiber. Recrystallized grains exhibited a low maximum orientation distribution function intensity, weak {100}〈110 〉  α -fibers, and strong {111}〈110 〉  γ -fibers as compared to those of the deformed grains. The relationship between the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the Nb barrier and the changes in the cross-sectional area fractions of the materials constituting the Mg+B composite wire are discussed. The current study provides details about the misorientation profile inside deformed grains and continuous dynamic recrystallization mechanism of the cold-drawn Nb barrier

Deformation behavior of consecutive workpieces in equal channel angular pressing of solid dies

In this study, consecutive workpiece equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) in solid-dies, where the second workpiece is successively deformed without splitting and reassembling the die after the first workpiece processing, is employed to reduce the processing time in ECAP. The plastic deformation behavior of the two workpieces was investigated in terms of strain homogeneity, load, and defects using the finite element method (FEM). The experimental deformations of the consecutive workpiece during ECAP were compared with the FEM results, and it was found that the deformation was more heterogeneous in the second workpiece when compared with the first workpiece. The primary reason behind these findings is that the deformed geometry of the second workpiece was a back slant type and the first deformed workpiece provided back pressure to the second workpiece. Furthermore, the folding defect was less pronounced in the second workpiece because of the back slant head shape. Despite the less homogeneity in strain, the ECAP of the consecutive workpieces is an effective process for less defective materials and increases process efficiency.X113sciescopu