Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular architecture of the uncleaved HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer, a membrane-fusing machine, mediates virus entry into host cells and is the sole virus-specific target for neutralizing antibodies. Binding the receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, triggers Env conformational changes from the metastable unliganded state to the fusion-active state. We used cryo-electron microscopy to obtain a 6-Å structure of the membrane-bound, heavily glycosylated HIV-1 Env trimer in its uncleaved and unliganded state. The spatial organization of secondary structure elements reveals that the unliganded conformations of both glycoprotein (gp)120 and gp41 subunits differ from those induced by receptor binding. The gp120 trimer association domains, which contribute to interprotomer contacts in the unliganded Env trimer, undergo rearrangement upon CD4 binding. In the unliganded Env, intersubunit interactions maintain the gp41 ectodomain helical bundles in a "spring-loaded" conformation distinct from the extended helical coils of the fusion-active state. Quaternary structure regulates the virus-neutralizing potency of antibodies targeting the conserved CD4-binding site on gp120. The Env trimer architecture provides mechanistic insights into the metastability of the unliganded state, receptor-induced conformational changes, and quaternary structure-based strategies for immune evasion.
Partial sodium replacement in tilapia steak without loss of acceptability

The aim of this study was to evaluate physical and sensory characteristics of low-sodium tilapia steaks restructured with microbial transglutaminase. Polyphosphate (0.4%), condiment mixes—onion powder and garlic powder (2.5%), water (10.0%), transglutaminase (1.0%), and different types of salts (1.5%) were mixed with non-commercial sized fillets. Substitution of NaCl by KCl or MgCl2 (at 50% each) affected quality attributes and decreased (P < 0.05) consumer acceptability. The tri-salt steaks (KCl, MgCl2, and NaCl at 1:1:2 ratio) improved some attributes and increased (P < 0.05) acceptability and purchase intention. We conclude that potassium and magnesium chlorides are possible replacers of salt (NaCl) in restructured tilapia steaks and potentially decrease the risk factor for heart failure associated with high sodium consumption.
Dissociation of "conscious desire" (craving) from and relapse in alcohol and cocaine dependence.

Treatment of withdrawal and postabstinence craving has yielded mixed results in eliminating drug and alcohol use, improving outcomes, and reducing relapse in those patients addicted to alcohol and drugs. To assess the role of "conscious desire" (or craving) for drugs/alcohol during abstinence and withdrawal in continued addictive drug and alcohol use, we analyzed data from 1626 patients voluntarily admitted to a primary rehabilitation center in Minnesota. Eighty-one percent and 71% of all patients completed surveys at 6 and 12 months following discharge. Forty-two percent were diagnosed as alcohol dependent (AD) alone, 28% as alcohol and drug dependent (ADD) other than cocaine, and 25% as cocaine dependent (CD). At 6 months following discharge, the CD group had the lowest abstinence rate for drugs, at 83%, compared to the AD group, at 99%, and for alcohol, at 76%, compared to the AD group, at 75%. The AD group had the best outcomes and the least slippage from 6 to 12 months for drugs and alcohol. In all groups craving was not a major self-reported cause of relapse. For the CD subgroup, impulsive action with no known cause was the most common reason for relapse, while the AD group cited depression. These data agree with other reports in the literature suggesting that relapse is not commonly related to conscious craving. Our experience suggests that craving is rarely the first reason given for relapse. Drug seeking and use are such highly ritualized, automatic behaviors that the addict may appear not to require the intervention of conscious thoughts or distinct craving states to use. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Stability of Solutions for Stochastic Impulsive Systems via Comparison Approach

This note studies stability problem of solutions for stochastic impulsive systems. By employing Lyapunov-like function method and It's formula, comparison principles of existence and uniqueness and stability of solutions for stochastic impulsive systems are established. Based on these comparison principles, the stability properties of stochastic impulsive systems are derived by the corresponding stability properties of a deterministic impulsive system. As the application, the stability results are used to design impulsive control for the stabilization of unstable stochastic systems. Finally, one example is given to illustrate the obtained results.
Paleoenvironmental distribution of microfossils and stromatolites in the Upper Proterozoic Backlundtoppen Formation, Spitsbergen

The Upper Proterozoic (ca. 700–800 Ma old) Backlundtoppen Formation, northeastern Spitsbergen, preserves an abundant and varied record of ancient microbial life. Five distinctive microfossil assemblages occur in five equally distinct sedimentary settings; differences among the assemblages appear to reflect original ecological heterogeneity, although taphonomic circumstance may contribute to some distinctions. Microfossil assemblages occur in: oncolites, oolites, and pisolites; stratiform stromatolites and associated intraclastic rudites; partially silicified micrites; and siltites interbedded with quartz arenites. Individual assemblages contain one to eight differentiable taxa; a minimum of 17 distinct populations is present in the formation as a whole. Additional microbial community diversity can be inferred from the presence of domal, columnar, pseudocolumnar, and coniform stromatolites, none of which contains microfossils. On the basis of macrostructure, four stromatolite types appear to be present, but only three distinct mat-building communities can be inferred from microstructural features. Eohyella elongata n. sp. , a euendolithic cyanobacterium found in silicified pisolites, is described as new.
Laser light transmission in teeth: a study of the patterns in different species.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of light transmission through teeth of different species and to examine laser light propagation within enamel from various animal sources. METHODOLOGY Sectioned teeth from five species--pig, horse, sheep, cat and rat--were evaluated. Samples were illuminated individually by a helium-neon laser light from the buccal surface using a probe 0.5 mm in diameter placed at varying angles between 60 and 120 degrees C. The pattern of light transmission was observed macroscopically. Further evaluation of laser light transmission in enamel was achieved using confocal microscopy. RESULTS In each species, light was transmitted through the tooth to the pulp, but in the cat and the rat, light was also transmitted to the far side of the tooth. Despite the different patterns of enamel in the species, light was transmitted through enamel to dentine. CONCLUSION Light from a laser Doppler probe appeared to reach the dental pulp in all the species: however, in the mammals with smaller teeth, light may also have been able to reach the periodontium and thus the reflected signal may not be entirely of pulpal origin.
Gender differences in the presence of drugs in violent deaths.

AIMS To investigate differences in the presence of drugs, by gender, when considering deaths attributable to homicides and suicides. DESIGN Logistic regression analysis of mortality data collected by the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A total of 5791 Colorado decedents who died of violent causes from 2004 to 2009. MEASUREMENT Forensic pathologist autopsy data on drug presence at time of death, coded as present, not present or missing. FINDINGS Postmortem presence of drugs is associated strongly with the specific cause of violent death. Compared with suicide decedents, homicide decedents are significantly more likely to test positive for amphetamines [odds ratio (OR): 1.79; confidence interval (CI): 1.34, 2.39], marijuana (OR: 2.03; CI: 1.60, 2.58) and cocaine (OR: 2.60; CI: 2.04, 3.31), and are less likely to test positive for opiates (OR: 0.27; CI: 0.18, 0.39) and antidepressants (OR: 0.17; CI: 0.10, 0.28). When other drugs are controlled for the influence of alcohol is abated dramatically. The patterns of drug prevalence associated with homicide (particularly marijuana) are stronger among males; the patterns of drug prevalence associated with suicide are stronger among females. CONCLUSIONS Suicide and homicide decedents are characterized by varying patterns of licit and illicit drug use that differ by gender. Drugs associated with homicide (marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines) are stronger among males, while drugs associated with suicide are stronger among females (antidepressants and opiates). Taking these differences into consideration may allow for targeted interventions to reduce violent deaths.
Is The Foreign Exchange Market Efficiency Adaptive? The Empirical Evidence From India

ABSTRACT Is market efficiency a time-varying condition or static? Do economic and noneconomic events explain evolving efficiency? This study tries to respond to these two important questions of efficiency in foreign exchange markets. For empirical scrutiny, as per the framework of the adaptive market hypothesis, the authors employ recent methods that are robust and that possess stronger power properties. We find that efficiency is time dependent and that major economic and noneconomic events cause a change in efficiency. The novelty of this study lies in its attempt to measure the relative degrees of efficiency for major currency pairs and to find the factors of the efficiency level.
Association between soft drink consumption, oral health and some lifestyle factors in Swedish adolescents

Abstract Objective. The aim was to investigate the relationship between soft drink consumption, oral health and some lifestyle factors in Swedish adolescents. Materials and methods. A clinical dental examination and a questionnaire concerning lifestyle factors, including drinking habits, oral hygiene, dietary consumption, physical activity and screen-viewing habits were completed. Three hundred and ninety-two individuals completed the study (13–14 years, n = 195; 18–19 years, n = 197). The material was divided into high and low carbonated soft drink consumption groups, corresponding to approximately the highest and the lowest one-third of subjects in each age group. Differences between the groups were tested by the Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression. Results. Intake of certain dietary items, tooth brushing, sports activities, meal patterns, screen-viewing behaviors, BMI and parents born outside Sweden differed significantly between high and low consumers in one or both of the two age groups. Dental erosion (both age groups) and DMFT/DMFS (18–19 years group) were significantly higher in the high consumption groups. Logistic regression showed predictive variables for high consumption of carbonated soft drinks to be mainly gender (male), unhealthy dietary habits, lesser physical activity, higher BMI and longer time spent in front of TV/computer. Conclusion. High soft drink consumption was related to poorer oral health and an unhealthier lifestyle.
The effect of human leukocyte antigen disparity on cyclosporine neurotoxicity after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

PURPOSE We examined the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching and the development of cyclosporine (CyA) neurotoxicity in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, and determined the frequency and imaging characteristics of CyA neurotoxicity in these patients. METHODS Records of 87 patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation were reviewed. Eight patients who presented with visual disturbance and/or seizures and had MR imaging within 24 hours were identified. Transplant donor relatedness was examined, and patients' imaging studies were reviewed. Clinical parameters, including blood pressure, CyA, creatinine, and magnesium levels, and the presence of graft-versus-host disease were reviewed. RESULTS CyA neurotoxicity was seen more frequently in HLA-mismatched and unrelated donor transplants. The frequency of CyA neurotoxicity was 4% for patients with a 5/6 or 6/6 HLA match, 13% for matched unrelated donor transplants, and 50% for haplotypic 3/6 or 4/6 transplants. Patients with matched unrelated donor transplants and haplotypic transplants presented earlier in the posttransplant time course and had decreased survival time relative to patients with HLA-matched transplants. Imaging abnormalities most commonly affected the occipital lobes and the posterior cerebral hemispheres; both cortical and white matter involvement was identifiable as T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense signal with associated gyral swelling and sulcal effacement on the initial MR studies. Hypodensity in the affected areas was noted on CT scans. Contrast enhancement was seen in HLA-mismatched and unrelated transplants only. Follow-up imaging showed interval decreases in subcortical edema; however, residual signal abnormality, primarily affecting the cortex, was present in all cases and seen best on proton density-weighted MR images. CONCLUSION The frequency of severe CyA neurotoxicity increases with increasing HLA disparity, suggesting that immune factors may play a role. CyA neurotoxicity appears to represent a spectrum of disease processes. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier as well as hypoxic or vasculitic cortical injury resulting in MR-detectable cortical signal abnormalities may occur in severe cases.
Kinase-Independent Feedback of the TAK1/TAB1 Complex on BCL10 Turnover and NF-κB Activation

ABSTRACT Antigen receptors activate pathways that control cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Two important targets of antigen receptors, NF-κB and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), are activated downstream of CARMA1, a scaffolding protein that nucleates a complex including BCL10, MALT1, and other IκB kinase (IKK)-signalosome components. Somatic mutations that constitutively activate CARMA1 occur frequently in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mediate essential survival signals. Mechanisms that downregulate this pathway might thus yield important therapeutic targets. Stimulation of antigen receptors induces not only BCL10 activation but also its degradation downstream of CARMA1, thereby ultimately limiting signals to its downstream targets. Here, using lymphocyte cell models, we identify a kinase-independent requirement for TAK1 and its adaptor, TAB1, in antigen receptor-induced BCL10 degradation. We show that TAK1 acts as an adaptor for E3 ubiquitin ligases that target BCL10 for degradation. Functionally, TAK1 overexpression restrains CARMA1-dependent activation of NF-κB by reducing BCL10 levels. TAK1 also promotes counterselection of NF-κB-addicted DLBCL lines by a dual mechanism involving kinase-independent degradation of BCL10 and kinase-dependent activation of JNK. Thus, by directly promoting BCL10 degradation, TAK1 counterbalances NF-κB and JNK signals essential for the activation and survival of lymphocytes and CARMA1-addicted lymphoma types.
Economic policy uncertainty and stock market liquidity: Does financial crisis make any difference?

Purpose - This study aims to examine the relationship between economic policy uncertainty and stock market liquidity in an order-driven emerging stock market. Design/methodology/approach - Empirical estimates are based on vector autoregressive Granger-causality tests, impulse response functions and variance decomposition analysis. Findings - The empirical findings suggest that economic policy uncertainty moderately influences stock market liquidity during normal market conditions. However, the role of economic policy uncertainty for determining stock market liquidity is significant in times of financial crises. The authors have also observed a significant portion of variation in stock market liquidity that is attributed to investor sentiments during financial crises. Originality/value - This study is original in nature and provides evidence to consider economic policy uncertainty as a possible source of commonality in liquidity in the context of an emerging market.
THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTENTIONS OF STUDENTS AT PARTICULAR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ZIMBABWE AND SOUTH AFRICA

II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . IV DEDICATION . V TABLE OF CONTENTS . VI LIST OF TABLES . XIII LIST OF FIGURES . XIV CHAPTER 1: ORIENTATION TO THE STUDY . 1 1.
Immune Effects of Escalating Doses of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Added to a Fixed, Low-Dose, Inpatient Interleukin-2 Regimen: A Randomized Phase I Trial in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma

Previous studies in cancer patients demonstrated that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) upregulated the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor on T lymphocytes and monocytes suggesting that subsequently administered IL-2 would produce greater immune effects. The authors treated 21 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma on a randomized phase I study to test this hypothesis. All 21 patients received a fixed dose of IL-2 (72,000 IU/kg every 8 hours for 5 days) administered intravenously as an inpatient. Patients were randomized to receive IL-2 alone or in combination with GM-CSF at a dose of 125 or 250 mcg/m2/d (Sargramostim; Immunex Corporation, WA, U.S.A.) daily for 7 days by subcutaneous injection starting on day 1, the day before IL-2 treatment. The results from this study demonstrated that GM-CSF did not worsen the toxicities produced by IL-2 alone. Grade 3 confusion occurred in four patients, three who received IL-2 alone. No partial or complete tumor responses were seen. Assays of serum soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL2R) and neopterin, measures of T cell and monocyte activation, respectively, demonstrated a significant increase in sIL2R but not neopterin, 24 hours after the first dose of GM-CSF. In combination with IL-2, the higher dose of GM-CSF (250 mcg/m2) produced higher sIL2R levels on days 3 and 7 than the 125-mcg/m2 dose of GM-CSF or IL-2 alone. Although neopterin levels did not increase after 1 day of GM-CSF, the addition of IL-2 resulted in a significantly increased neopterin level on day 3 at the higher dose of GM-CSF. On day 7, neopterin levels in all three groups were similarly increased over baseline. Ten days after treatment, neopterin levels had returned to normal, but sIL2R levels remained markedly increased (12 fold) over baseline in the higher GM-CSF dose group. The authors conclude that 1) monocyte activation was not significantly enhanced by 1 day of GM-CSF treatment; 2) the 250-mcg/m2 GM-CSF dose plus IL-2 produced superior T cell activation compared with a lower dose of GM-CSF plus IL-2 or to IL-2 alone; and 3) the combination of GM-CSF and IL-2 was safe and tolerable but was not associated with any clinical responses.
Services to Patients with Dual Diagnoses: Findings from Washington's Mental Health Service System

This study examined how Washington State's (WA) mental health treatment system provided services to patients with substance use disorders or dual diagnoses at several stages of care: crisis commitment, hospitalization, and outpatient treatment. A total of 30 key informants from urban and rural areas were surveyed between February and July 2004 using semi-structured interviews. Key informants represented direct service providers to chief operating officers. Themes, consensus, and disagreements were summarized. Results indicated that best practices are not consistently implemented and administrative and provider barriers hinder provision of more effective care. Findings highlight that work on how to best implement evidence-based practices is critical to improving care of dual diagnosis patients. Limitations of the study are noted as well as future research directions.
A poxvirus-encoded uracil DNA glycosylase is essential for virus viability

Infection of cultured mammalian cells with the Leporipoxvirus Shope fibroma virus (SFV) causes the induction of a novel uracil DNA glycosylase activity in the cytoplasms of the infected cells. The induction of this activity, early in infection, correlates with the early expression of the SFV BamHI D6R open reading frame which possesses significant protein sequence similarity to eukaryotic and prokaryotic uracil DNA glycosylases. The SFV BamHI D6R open reading frame and the homologous HindIII D4R open reading frame from the Orthopoxvirus vaccinia virus were cloned under the regulation of a phage T7 promoter and expressed in Escherichia coli as insoluble high-molecular-weight aggregates. During electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, the E. coli-expressed proteins migrate with an apparent molecular mass of 25 kDa. The insoluble protein aggregate generated by expression in E. coli was solubilized in urea and, following a subsequent refolding step, displayed the ability to excise uracil residues from double-stranded plasmid DNA substrates, with the subsequent formation of apyrimidinic sites. The viral enzyme, like all other characterized uracil DNA glycosylases, is active in the presence of high concentrations of EDTA, is substrate inhibited by uracil, and does not display any endonuclease activity. Attempts to inactivate the HindIII D4R gene of vaccinia virus by targeted insertion of a dominant xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase selection marker or direct insertion of a frame-shifted oligonucleotide were uniformly unsuccessful demonstrating that, unlike the uracil DNA glycosylase described for herpesviruses, the poxvirus enzyme is essential for virus viability.
The Unstable Macroeconomic Factors and Bank Profitability in FCC Area: A Conceptual Framework

The aim of this paper is to discuss at a conceptual level the relationships between the important macroeconomic factors and banks' profitability in the troublous Fertile Crescent Countries (FCC). The instability in the macroeconomic environment is dominating FCC area, especially in the last two decades affecting banking industry. The variables proposed under examination are interest rate, exchange rate, economic growth, inflation rate, and money growth. The model of this study if validated would have significance important policy implications to the governments of FCC and other stakeholders. Thus, the proposed conceptual framework which is drawn upon the existing literature has examined the effect of unstable macroeconomic factors on banks' profitability in FCC countries such as Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon. The previous studies showed mix and inconclusive results on the effect of macroeconomic factors and banks' profitability. This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing a conceptual arguments that allow for better understanding of the impact of the unstable macroeconomic environment on the profitability of banking industry.