Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a Non-glycosylated Outer Domain-derived HIV-1 gp120 Immunogen That Binds to CD4 and Induces Neutralizing Antibodies*

The outer domain (OD) of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 is an important target for vaccine design as it contains a number of conserved epitopes, including a large fraction of the CD4 binding site. Attempts to design OD-based immunogens in the past have met with little success. We report the design and characterization of an Escherichia coli-expressed OD-based immunogen (ODEC), based on the sequence of the HxBc2 strain. The ODEC-designed immunogen lacks the variable loops V1V2 and V3 and incorporates 11 designed mutations at the interface of the inner and the outer domains of gp120. Biophysical studies showed that ODEC is folded and protease-resistant, whereas ODEC lacking the designed mutations is highly aggregation-prone. In contrast to previously characterized OD constructs, ODEC bound CD4 and the broadly neutralizing antibody b12 but not the non-neutralizing antibodies b6 and F105. Upon immunization in rabbits, ODEC was highly immunogenic, and the sera showed measurable neutralization for four subtype B and one subtype C virus including two b12-resistant viruses. In contrast, sera from rabbits immunized with gp120 did not neutralize any of the viruses. ODEC is the first example of a gp120 fragment-based immunogen that yields significant neutralizing antibodies.
Static and Dynamic Accommodation Measured Using the WAM-5500 Autorefractor

Purpose. This study was undertaken to compare static and dynamic accommodation measurements using the Grand Seiko WR-5500 (WAM) in young, phakic subjects. Methods. Fifteen subjects, aged 20 to 28 years (23.8 ± 0.58 years; mean ± SD years) participated. Accommodation was stimulated with printed text presented at various distances. In static mode, three measurements were taken for each stimulus amplitude. In dynamic mode, 5-Hz recordings were started, and subjects alternately looked through a transparent near chart and focused on a letter chart at 6 m for 5 seconds and then focused on the near letter chart for 5 seconds for a total of 30 seconds. After smoothing the raw data, the highest three individual values recorded in each 5-s interval of focusing at near were averaged for each stimulus amplitude. Analysis of variance and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare the static and dynamic measurements. A calibration was performed with +3.00 to −10.00 D trial lenses behind an infrared filter, in 1.00 D steps in 5 of the 15 subjects. Results. Stimulus-response graphs from static and dynamic modes were not significantly different in the lower stimulus range (<5.00 D, p = 0.93), but differed significantly for the higher stimulus amplitudes (p = 0.0027). One of the 15 subjects showed a significant difference between the static and dynamic modes. Corresponding pupil diameter could be recorded along with the accommodation responses for the subjects, and pupil diameter decreased with increasing stimulus demand. Calibration curves for static and dynamic measurements were not significantly different from the 1:1 line or from each other (p = 0.32). Conclusions. Slight differences between the dynamically and statically recorded response amplitudes were identified. This is attributed to differences in the accommodative responses in this population and not to the instrument performance. Dynamic measurement of accommodation and pupil constriction potentially provides additional useful information on the accommodative response other than simply the response amplitude.
DesignAR: Portable projection-based AR system specialized in interior design

This research paper proposes a system for interior design prototyping based on portable-type projection-based AR (Augmented Reality). The DIY (do it yourself) interior designing process takes much time, monetary resources and labor. To overcome such difficulties, many research studies in the have been undertaken in the field of AR. Among those studies, projection-based AR technology provides users virtual information that is very real by projecting new digital information onto things and spaces. Most of those studies employing projection-based AR technology have been carried out in predefined spaces. In this paper, a projection-based AR system that can be used to design interiors of non-predefined spaces was proposed. This DesignAR system can effectively design interiors, even in the spaces not predefined by a 3D map of the space. Also, by connecting with mobile devices, the system raises the user's degree of freedom due to the interface usability, mobility and overall convenience. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed system, we set up a scenario for interior design prototyping. A usability evaluation was conducted by questionnaire after users performed tasks based on a preset scenario.
Error Control Coding Schemes for Ultra-wideband Impulse Radio Systems

Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a promising technology that offers a potential solution for the data rate, cost, power consumption and physical size requirements of the next generation wireless devices. UWB may also play an important role in the realization of future heterogeneous networking. This technology has recently gained significant interest from both academia and industry. The strength of the UWB lies in the very large instantaneous bandwidth that is used and the potential for simple transceiver architectures. This thesis deals with several important aspects of the UWB technology, including modeling of feasible ultra-wideband impulse radio (UWB-IR) systems, their performance characterizations, and suitable methods for protection against errors. The main goal of this thesis is to propose and evaluate novel error control techniques particularly suitable for UWB-IR systems operating in severe multipath interference prone environments. The proposed methods exploit the temporal diversity brought by the UWB channels through multipaths and as a result allow for the alleviation of destructive effects of inter-symbol (ISI), inter-frame (IFI), and inter-pulse (IPI) interference. We found that rearranging the order of UWB chips or UWB frames results in a bit error rate (BER) performance improvement. This improvement is particularly apparent in case of UWB-IR systems with frame repetition as the method of protection against errors. The novelty of the presented analysis is that it considers ISI, IFI, and IPI effects, RF front-end issues and real antenna characteristics that are often neglected by the researchers. Moreover, they are presented, for the first time, for the given type of the simple incoherent receiver architecture (differential autocorrelation receiver), channel coding scheme (superorthogonal convolutional coding), and channel model (IEEE 802.15.3a multipath fading channel).
The turbulent flow over a permeable wall

In this paper we discuss some turbulence statistics that are obtained from a Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of a turbulent flow in a channel of which one wall is permeable (porous, with zero net transpiration) and the other is impermeable. The flow within the porous wall is modeled using the Volume-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations (VANS). Among others, it is shown that wall permeability causes a considerable increase in the total drag, and an increased production of all Reynolds stresses when compared to an impermeable wall.
Neurosecretion Competence

The phenotype of neurosecretory cells is characterized by clear vesicles and dense granules, both discharged by regulated exocytosis. However, these organelles are lacking completely in a few neurosecretion-incompetent clones of the pheochromocytoma PC12 line, in which other specific features are maintained (incompetent clones). In view of the heterogeneity of PC12 cells, a differential characterization of the incompetent phenotype based on the comparison of a single incompetent and a single wild-type clone would have been inconclusive. Therefore, we have compared two pairs of PC12 clones, studying in parallel the transcript levels of 4,200 genes and 19,000 express sequence tags (ESTs) by high density oligonucleotide arrays. After accurate data processing for quality control and filtration, a total of 755 transcripts, corresponding to 448 genes and 307 ESTs, was found consistently changed, with 46% up-regulated and 54% down-regulated in incompetent versuswild-type clones. Many but not all neurosecretion genes were profoundly down-regulated in incompetent cells. Expression of endocytosis genes was normal, whereas that of many nuclear and transcription factors, including some previously shown to play key roles in neurogenesis, was profoundly changed. Additional differences appeared in genes involved in signaling and metabolism. Taken together these results demonstrate for the first time that expression of neurosecretory vesicles and granules is part of a complex gene expression program that includes many other features that so far have not been recognized.
Asynchronous onset of eutrophication among shallow prairie lakes of the Northern Great Plains, Alberta, Canada

Coherent timing of agricultural expansion, fertilizer application, atmospheric nutrient deposition, and accelerated global warming is expected to promote synchronous fertilization of regional surface waters and coherent development of algal blooms and lake eutrophication. While broad‐scale cyanobacterial expansion is evident in global meta‐analyses, little is known of whether lakes in discrete catchments within a common lake district also exhibit coherent water quality degradation through anthropogenic forcing. Consequently, the primary goal of this study was to determine whether agricultural development since ca. 1900, accelerated use of fertilizer since 1960, atmospheric deposition of reactive N, or regional climate warming has resulted in coherent patterns of eutrophication of surface waters in southern Alberta, Canada. Unexpectedly, analysis of sedimentary pigments as an index of changes in total algal abundance since ca. 1850 revealed that while total algal abundance (as β‐carotene, pheophytin a) increased in nine of 10 lakes over 150 years, the onset of eutrophication varied by a century and was asynchronous across basins. Similarly, analysis of temporal sequences with least‐squares regression revealed that the relative abundance of cyanobacteria (echinenone) either decreased or did not change significantly in eight of the lakes since ca. 1850, whereas purple sulfur bacteria (as okenone) increased significantly in seven study sites. These patterns are consistent with the catchment filter hypothesis, which posits that lakes exhibit unique responses to common forcing associated with the influx of mass as water, nutrients, or particles.
Forced-Choice Assessment of Work-Related Maladaptive Personality Traits: Preliminary Evidence From an Application of Thurstonian Item Response Modeling

This article describes an investigation of whether Thurstonian item response modeling is a viable method for assessment of maladaptive traits. Forced-choice responses from 420 working adults to a broad-range personality inventory assessing six maladaptive traits were considered. The Thurstonian item response model’s fit to the forced-choice data was adequate, while the fit of a counterpart item response model to responses to the same items but arranged in a single-stimulus design was poor. Monotrait heteromethod correlations indicated corresponding traits in the two formats overlapped substantially, although they did not measure equivalent constructs. A better goodness of fit and higher factor loadings for the Thurstonian item response model, coupled with a clearer conceptual alignment to the theoretical trait definitions, suggested that the single-stimulus item responses were influenced by biases that the independent clusters measurement model did not account for. Researchers may wish to consider forced-choice designs and appropriate item response modeling techniques such as Thurstonian item response modeling for personality questionnaire applications in industrial psychology, especially when assessing maladaptive traits. We recommend further investigation of this approach in actual selection situations and with different assessment instruments.
Savant skills in autism: psychometric approaches and parental reports

Most investigations of savant skills in autism are based on individual case reports. The present study investigated rates and types of savant skills in 137 individuals with autism (mean age 24 years). Intellectual ability ranged from severe intellectual impairment to superior functioning. Savant skills were judged from parental reports and specified as ‘an outstanding skill/knowledge clearly above participant's general level of ability and above the population norm’. A comparable definition of exceptional cognitive skills was applied to Wechsler test scores—requiring a subtest score at least 1 standard deviation above general population norms and 2 standard deviations above the participant's own mean subtest score. Thirty-nine participants (28.5%) met criteria for either a savant skill or an exceptional cognitive skill: 15 for an outstanding cognitive skill (most commonly block design); 16 for a savant skill based on parental report (mostly mathematical/calculating abilities); 8 met criteria for both a cognitive and parental rated savant skill. One-third of males showed some form of outstanding ability compared with 19 per cent of females. No individual with a non-verbal IQ below 50 met criteria for a savant skill and, contrary to some earlier hypotheses, there was no indication that individuals with higher rates of stereotyped behaviours/interests were more likely to demonstrate savant skills.
Inhibition of arterial lesion progression in CD16-deficient mice: evidence for altered immunity and the role of IL-10.

AIMS Given the importance of IgG Fc receptors in immune regulation, we hypothesized that Fcg receptor type III (FcgRIII, CD16) plays an important role in atherogenesis. We therefore analysed the formation of arterial lesions in LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR(-/-)) and FcgRIII(-/-)xLDLR(-/-) double knockout mice at three different points up to 24 weeks of exposure to a high-fat diet. METHODS AND RESULTS Analysis of Oil Red-O-stained sections revealed no difference in lesion formation between strains after 6 weeks of a high-fat diet, and a modest decrease after 14 weeks in double knockouts relative to LDLR(-/-) controls. After 24 weeks, lesion formation was decreased in the aortic root (30%) and innominate artery (50%) in FcgRIII double knockouts relative to LDLR(-/-) controls. Analysis of peripheral CD4+ T-cells by intracellular flow cytometry from double knockouts after 24 weeks of a high-fat diet revealed statistically significant increases in the percentages of cells producing interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-4 relative to controls, differences that were also observed by analyses of whole aortas for cytokine mRNA levels. As determined by flow cytometry, FcgRIII deficiency resulted in an expansion of CD4+ cells and an increase in the CD4 to CD8 ratio. Analysis of plasma anti-oxidized LDL (OxLDL) antibodies by chemiluminescent assay revealed that IgG1 and IgG2c titers to OxLDL were increased in FcgRIII (-/-)xLDLR(-/-) double knockouts relative to LDLR(-/-) controls, while total IgG levels were similar. CONCLUSION These results reveal altered immunity in FcgRIII(-/-)xLDLR(-/-) mice and a reduction in lesion formation associated with increased production of IL-10 by an expansion of CD4+ T-cells. The reduction in lesion formation was manifest well after evidence of an immune response to OxLDL, suggesting that FcgRIII contributes to lesion progression in murine atherosclerosis.
Identification and management of depression in primary care settings. A meta-review of evidence

Summary Aim – The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence base on the effectiveness of (a) screening for depression in primary care; (b) managing depression in primary care employing specific management strategies; (c) treating primary care depressive patients with antidepressants. Methods – Meta-review of all available reviews of the evidence. Results – Screening alone does not improve the recognition, management and outcome of depression in primary care settings. Management strategies, including (a) training primary care staff, (b) consultation-liaison, (c) collaborative care, (d) replacement/referral are supported by insufficient evidence to provide a definite answer as to the clinical effectiveness of individual models. Robust evidence exists to encourage physicians to prescribe effective doses of antidepressants in patients with moderate to severe depression who seek treatment in primary care settings. Conclusion – Population-level screening campaigns have a negative ratio of costs to benefits. However, at an individual-level of care increasing the ability of primary care physicians in recognising depression remains a relevant factor. Primary care physicians should consider whether depression is mild, moderate or severe. This patient categorisation help develop appropriate management and therapeutic strategies. Declaration of Interest: none
Perspectives in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment

IN BRIEF Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects ∼ 7% of all pregnancies and is defined as carbohydrate intolerance during gestation. This review addresses screening recommendations, diagnosis, and treatment of GDM. It is crucial to detect women with GDM because the condition can be associated with several maternal and fetal complications, such as macrosomia, birth trauma, cesarean section, and hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, and hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. Several treatment options are discussed, as well as the need for long-term risk modification and postpartum follow-up.
Instantaneous Frequency Measurement System Using Optical Mixing in Highly Nonlinear Fiber References and Links

A broadband photonic instantaneous frequency measurement system utilizing four-wave mixing in highly nonlinear fiber is demonstrated. This new approach is highly stable and does not require any high-speed electronics or photodetectors. A first principles model accurately predicts the system response. Frequency measurement responses from 1 to 40 GHz are demonstrated and simple reconfiguration allows the system to operate over multiple bands. A down-conversion optical link with RF gain, " J. Lightwave Technol.optic prism true time-delay antenna feed, " IEEE Photon. Wideband RF photonic in-phase and quadrature-phase generation, " Opt. A Photonic technique for microwave frequency measurement, " IEEE Photon. Reduced cost photonic instantaneous frequency measurement system, " IEEE Photon. OTDM demultiplexer based on XPM-induced wavelength shifting in highly nonlinear fiber, " IEEE Photon. Self-phase modulation-based integrated optical regeneration in chalcogenide waveguides, " IEEE J. digital instantaneous frequency measurement subsystem, " IEEE Trans. Microwave photonic instantaneous frequency measurement with improved sensitivity, " In Amplitude independent RF instantaneous frequency measurement system using photonic Hilbert transform, " Opt.
An examination of reading and mathematic achievement among second grade students who have received instruction from either teachers who have been trained in choice theory/reality therapy methods or teachers who have not been trained

iv Acknowledgements . vii List of Tables.x Chapter One – Introduction Statement of the Problem.1 Relevant Information . 3 Teacher Training.3 . School/Classroom Climate.4 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation.5 Choice Theory/Reality Therapy.6 Gender and Choice Theory/Reality Therapy.8 Purpose of the Study. 9 Rationale . 10 Research Questions and Hypotheses.11 Research Questions.11 Hypotheses.12 Significance of the Study.12 Definition of Terms.13 Achievement.13 Choice Theory/Reality Therapy Methods.14 Summary.15
Free Actions on C*-algebra Suspensions and Joins by Finite Cyclic Groups

We present a proof for certain cases of the noncommutative Borsuk-Ulam conjectures proposed by Baum, D\k{a}browski, and Hajac. When a unital $C^*$-algebra $A$ admits a free action of $\mathbb{Z}/k\mathbb{Z}$, $k \geq 2$, there is no equivariant map from $A$ to the $C^*$-algebraic join of $A$ and the compact "quantum" group $C(\mathbb{Z}/k\mathbb{Z})$. This also resolves D\k{a}browski's conjecture on unreduced suspensions of $C^*$-algebras. Finally, we formulate a different type of noncommutative join than the previous authors, which leads to additional open problems for finite cyclic group actions.
Recipient Age and Risk for Mortality After Kidney Transplantation in England

Background The aim of this study was to explore age-related mortality post-kidney transplantation in England over the last decade. Methods This study used data from Hospital Episode Statistics to select all kidney transplant procedures performed in England between April 2001 and March 2012. Demographics and medical comorbidities (based upon ICD-10 codes) were extracted at baseline. Data linkage analysis was performed with the Office for National Statistics to identify all deaths occurring among this study cohort. Results Data for 19,103 kidney transplant procedures was analyzed, with a median follow-up of 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.2–7.3 years). Categorization of age cohorts at time of transplantation were age below 50 (n=11,421, 59.8%), 50 to 59 (n=4,195, 22.0%), 60 to 69 (n=2,887, 15.1%), 70 to 79 (n=589, 3.1%), and 80 and above (n=11, 0.1%). There were 2,085 deaths that occurred among the study cohort during follow-up and mortality risk increased with age: below 50 (5.8%), 50 to 59 (14.2%), 60 to 69 (22.0%), 70 to 79 (31.9%), and 80 and above (45.5%). The three most common causes of deaths for recipients 70 and over were cardiac (21.2%), infection (21.2%), and malignancy (20.2%), respectively. Lower mortality was observed with the receipt of a living-donor kidney for recipients aged 70 and above. On Cox regression analysis, risk for death increased with each additional decade of recipient age over 50. Conclusion Increasing age is a strong, independent risk factor for death after kidney transplantation. Although lower mortality was observed with living kidney transplantation among elderly recipients, living-donor rates decrease with increasing recipient age. Pretransplant counseling and posttransplant tailored immunosuppression should be explored, the latter requiring targeted clinical trials.
Targeting lncRNAs for cardiovascular therapeutics in coronary artery disease.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could regulate gene expression at posttranscriptional state, and might be a new therapeutic option in human disease. Mounting studies in the past few years have documented important functions for lncRNAs in coronary artery diseases (CAD). Among these lncRNAs, H19, MIAT, ANRIL, lincRNA-p21, AC100865.1, OTTHUMT00000387022, NONHSAT112178, Novlnc6, MALAT1, LIPCAR and SRA have been proposed to be novel regulators and/or biomarkers of CAD, and involved in the initiation and progression of the pathology. So, in this review, we summarize the current understandings of these lncRNAs, mainly focusing on the known biological functions and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we highlight the increasing evidences for the importance of lncRNA in CAD, which indicate lncRNAs as potential diagnostic markers and/or valuable therapeutic targets for the diseases.
Consumption Risk and the Cross Section of Expected Returns

This paper evaluates the central insight of the consumption capital asset pricing model that an asset’s expected return is determined by its equilibrium risk to consumption. Rather than measure risk by the contemporaneous covariance of an asset’s return and consumption growth, we measure risk by the covariance of an asset’s return and consumption growth cumulated over many quarters following the return. While contemporaneous consumption risk explains little of the variation in average returns across the 25 Fama‐French portfolios, our measure of ultimate consumption risk at a horizon of three years explains a large fraction of this variation.