Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmnd-1 RNA Plasma Viremia after Coinfection or Superinfection with SIVmnd-1 in SIVmnd-2-Infected Mandrills and Vice Versa

colleagues conducted an interesting cross-sectional immunovirological survey among 23 chronically simian immunodeﬁciency virus (SIV)-infected versus 25 unin-fected mandrills (MNDs) from the only free-ranging colony of Using SYBR green-based real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, the authors showed that mandrills monoinfected with SIVmnd-1 ( n (cid:1) 9) or SIVmnd-2 ( n (cid:1) 6) or coinfected with SIVmnd-1 and -2 ( n (cid:1) 7) had similar long-term high viral load (VL) levels (VL means of 5.31, 6.21, and 5.72 log 10 RNA copies/ml, respectively). The authors also revealed that in coinfected MNDs, SIVmnd-2 was the major replicative form accounting for the bulk of viremia. However, the data supporting this interesting ﬁnding were not shown in the article.
Population Dynamics of a Group of Lion-Tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus) Inhabiting a Rainforest Fragment in the Western Ghats, India

We observed the overall population dynamics and number of births and deaths in identified individuals between January 2002 and October 2005, in a large group of lion-tailed macaques in the Anaimalai Hills of the Western Ghats in the south Indian state of Tamilnadu. The group inhabited an isolated rainforest fragment located inside a private tea/coffee garden. The group size increased from 56 in January 2002 to 84 in October 2005. All females reproduced, and the interbirth interval was 23.18 months. Of the 37 infants born between 2002 and 2005, only 1 died providing an infant survivorship rate of about 97.3%. Although births occurred in all months, most of the infants were born between February and March, and this pattern of births was consistent over the years, indicating a major birth peak in this species. The population growth rate in this unusually large group was found to be higher than even in those groups of lion-tailed macaques that inhabit large and relatively undisturbed rainforest complexes. This high growth rate could be attributed to the availability of abundant cultivated fruit plants including commercial crops such as coffee seeds. The observations provide a perspective for the management of other groups of this endangered species inhabiting rainforest fragments.
Qualitative evaluation of Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: focus groups based on Secondary 3 program implementers

Abstract Ten focus groups comprising 42 program implementers recruited from 10 schools were conducted to evaluate the Tier 1 Program (Secondary 3) of Project P.A. T.H. S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programs) in the 2008/09 school year. Results showed that a majority of the program implementers used positive descriptors and metaphors to represent the program and they perceived that the program benefited the program participants in various psychosocial domains. In conjunction with the previous research findings, the present study provides further support for the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A. T.H. S.
Species-specific collaboration of heat shock proteins (Hsp) 70 and 100 in thermotolerance and protein disaggregation

Yeast Hsp104 and its bacterial homolog, ClpB, are Clp/Hsp100 molecular chaperones and AAA+ ATPases. Hsp104 and ClpB collaborate with the Hsp70 and DnaK chaperone systems, respectively, to retrieve and reactivate stress-denatured proteins from aggregates. The action of Hsp104 and ClpB in promoting cell survival following heat stress is species-specific: Hsp104 cannot function in bacteria and ClpB cannot act in yeast. To determine the regions of Hsp104 and ClpB necessary for this specificity, we tested chimeras of Hsp104 and ClpB in vivo and in vitro. We show that the Hsp104 and ClpB middle domains dictate the species-specificity of Hsp104 and ClpB for cell survival at high temperature. In protein reactivation assays in vitro, chimeras containing the Hsp104 middle domain collaborate with Hsp70 and those with the ClpB middle domain function with DnaK. The region responsible for the specificity is within helix 2 and helix 3 of the middle domain. Additionally, several mutants containing amino acid substitutions in helix 2 of the ClpB middle domain are defective in protein disaggregation in collaboration with DnaK. In a bacterial two-hybrid assay, DnaK interacts with ClpB and with chimeras that have the ClpB middle domain, implying that species-specificity is due to an interaction between DnaK and the middle domain of ClpB. Our results suggest that the interaction between Hsp70/DnaK and helix 2 of the middle domain of Hsp104/ClpB determines the specificity required for protein disaggregation both in vivo and in vitro, as well as for cellular thermotolerance.
Molecular cloning of proviral DNA and structural analysis of the transduced myc oncogene of avian oncovirus CMII

Molecularly cloned proviral DNA of avian oncogenic retrovirus CMII was isolated by screening a genomic library of a CMII-transformed quail cell line with a myc-specific probe. On a 10.4-kilobase EcoRI fragment, the cloned DNA contained 4.4 kilobases of CMII proviral sequences extending from the 5' long terminal repeat to the EcoRI site within the partial (delta) complement of the env gene. The gene order of CMII proviral DNA is 5'-delta gag-v-myc-delta pol-delta env-3'. All three structural genes are partially deleted: the gag gene at the 3' end, the env gene at the 5' end, and the pol gene at both ends. The delta gag (0.83 kilobases)-v-myc (1.50 kilobases) sequences encode the p90gag-myc transforming protein of CMII. In comparison with the p110gag-myc protein of acute leukemia virus MC29, p90gag-myc lacks amino acids corresponding to additional 516 bases of gag sequences and 12 bases of 5' v-myc sequences present in the MC29 genome. Nucleotide sequence analysis of CMII proviral DNA at the delta gag-v-myc and the v-myc-delta pol junctions revealed significant homologies between avian retroviral structural genes and the cellular oncogene c-myc precisely at the positions corresponding to the gene junctions in CMII. Furthermore, the delta gag-v-myc junction in CMII corresponds to sequence elements in gag and C-myc that are possible splicing signals. The data suggest that transduction of cellular oncogenes may involve RNA splicing and recombination with homologous sequences on retroviral vectors. Different sequence elements of both the retroviral vectors and the c-myc gene recombined during genesis of highly oncogenic retroviruses CMII, MC29, or MH2.
Interferon response of human leukocytes during intrauterine and postnatal life.

The interferon response of blood samples from 11 embryos (8 to 17 weeks), 3 prematures, 8 full-term newborns, 9 children (1 month to 10 years) and 22 adults (17 to 96 years) was studied by exposing them to Sendai virus in vitro. Detectable amounts of interferon were recovered from all the cultures. The interferon titers were in general lowest among the embryos and highest among the prematures and children. However, when the titers were expressed per lymphocyte, the ratios obtained were roughly constant. This suggests that the interferon-producing capacity of human lymphocytes in peripheral blood remains relatively constant throughout intrauterine and postnatal life.
Sexual behaviours in the context of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Ghana

Abstract Evidence suggests that Ebola virus disease can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, in particular through contact with the semen of an infected person. Yet few studies examine sexual behaviours in the context of Ebola. Using data collected from 460 women and 340 men within 40 selected communities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, this study employed hierarchical linear modelling to examine individual and community-level factors that influence willingness to engage in behaviours that protect against the sexual transmission of Ebola. Results indicate that both individual and community-level factors are significant predictors of respondents’ willingness to engage in preventive behaviours. Compared with those with no risks, female respondents with low and medium risk perceptions were significantly more likely to indicate they would use condoms to prevent the sexual transmission of Ebola (AOR = 2.23; p < 0.01). Compared with men who were very concerned, those who were not very concerned (AOR = 0.356; p < 0.01) and not at all concerned (AOR = 0.356; p < 0.05) about Ebola were significantly less likely to protect against the sexual transmission of Ebola. Female respondents in communities with high knowledge about Ebola were significantly more likely to engage in behaviours preventing the sexual transmission of Ebola virus disease (AOR = 1.93; p < 0.05).
Does OROS*-methylphenidate improve core symptoms and deficits in executive function? Results of an open-label trial in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT Objective: This pilot, uncontrolled, open-label study evaluated the safety/tolerability and potential effectiveness of OROS-methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Adults with DSM-IV-defined ADHD were enrolled in this 38-day study. Retrospective childhood diagnosis was made using the Wender Utah Rating Scale. Eligible patients required a baseline Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) score ≥24, Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) score ≥4 (at least moderate illness), and Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≤ 16. Safety/tolerability measurements included adverse event reporting, vital signs, electrocardiograms (ECGs), weight, physical examination. Primary effectiveness evaluated changes in CAARS scores. Secondary effectiveness parameters included executive function. Results: Thirty-two patients formed the safety analysis; however, 30 comprised the effectiveness analysis since two patients did not meet diagnostic inclusion criteria. No serious adverse events were reported and there were no early withdrawals due to adverse events. There were no clinically significant changes in endpoint ECGs, physical examination, or blood pressure. Mean pulse rate increased by 5.9 beats/min (p = 0.003) and mean body weight decreased by 2.2 kg at endpoint (p < 0.0001). Total CAARS scores decreased significantly at endpoint as well as the inattention (p < 0.0001) and hyperactivity/ impulsivity symptom subscales (p < 0.0001) separately. Statistically significant improvements were observed in executive function and all other secondary measures, including the CAARS self report, CGI-S/CGI-I, Subject Satisfaction with treatment and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Mean dose of OROS-MPH = 52.3 ± 14.0 mg. Modal dose = 54 mg. Study limitations include: the lack of placebo control in the study design leading to potential observer bias, the exclusion of adults with unstable psychiatric and other medical conditions which is less reflective of clinical practice, and the short study duration. Conclusions: This uncontrolled, open-label trial suggests that OROS-MPH is well tolerated, providing core symptom control with the added benefit of improving executive function. However, future larger, randomized, controlled trials are required.
The Distribution of Mitochondria‐Rich Cells in the Gills of Air‐Breathing Fishes

Respiration and ion regulation are the two principal functions of teleostean gills. Mainly found in the gill filaments of fish, mitochondria‐rich cells (MRCs) proliferate to increase the ionoregulatory capacity of the gill in response to osmotic challenges. Gill lamellae consist mostly of pavement cells, which are the major site of gas exchange. Although lamellar MRCs have been reported in some fish species, there has been little discussion of which fish species are likely to have lamellar MRCs. In this study, we first compared the number of filament and lamellar MRCs in air‐breathing and non‐air‐breathing fish species acclimated to freshwater and 5 g NaCl L−1 conditions. An increase in filament MRCs was found in both air‐breathing and non‐air‐breathing fish acclimated to freshwater. Lamellar MRCs were found only in air‐breathing species, but the number of lamellar MRCs did not change significantly with water conditions, except in Periophthalmus cantonensis. Next, we surveyed the distribution of MRCs in the gills of 66 fish species (including 29 species from the previous literature) from 12 orders, 28 families, and 56 genera. Our hypothesis that lamellar MRCs are more likely to be found in air‐breathing fishes was supported by a significant association between the presence of lamellar MRCs and the mode of breathing at three levels of systematic categories (species, genus, and family). Based on this integrative view of the multiple functions of fish gills, we should reexamine the role of MRCs in freshwater fish.
Terabit/s Nyquist Superchannels in High Capacity Fiber Field Trials Using DP-16QAM and DP-8QAM Modulation Formats

We report the results of two field trials aimed at achieving high fiber capacity over regional and long-haul distances. In the first trial, 41 superchannels with digital Nyquist pulse-shaping were generated and tightly packed to fill up both C-band and L-band. Each subcarrier was modulated with 24.8-Gbaud dual-polarization 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (DP-16QAM) data. The signal carrying net 54.2 Tb/s data was transmitted over 634 km of dispersion uncompensated field-installed standard single mode fiber with the aid of hybrid EDFA and Raman amplification and digital coherent detection. In the second trial for long-haul distances, we extended the transmission distance over 1,822 km. This increase in reach was achieved by reducing the net total capacity to 40.5 Tb/s and modulating the signals with dual-polarization 8 quadrature amplitude modulation (DP-8QAM) Nyquist carrier modulation. A novel rate-adaptive low-density parity-check coding was employed, so that the transmitted channels can exhibit different code rates, adapted by the concatenation of hard-decision and soft-decision forward error correcting codes for enhancing error-correction capability. To the best of our knowledge, we achieved the highest field trial capacity to date at 54.2 Tb/s in regional distances. Furthermore, in long-haul applications, the reported capacity × distance product of 73.79 Pb/s·km is the highest to date.
Assessment of the computational uncertainty of temperature rise and SAR in the eyes and brain under far-field exposure from 1 to 10 GHz

This paper presents finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of specific absorption rate (SAR) values in the head under plane-wave exposure from 1 to 10 GHz using a resolution of 0.5 mm in adult male and female voxel models. Temperature rise due to the power absorption is calculated by the bioheat equation using a multigrid method solver. The computational accuracy is investigated by repeating the calculations with resolutions of 1 mm and 2 mm and comparing the results. Cubically averaged 10 g SAR in the eyes and brain and eye-averaged SAR are calculated and compared to the corresponding temperature rise as well as the recommended limits for exposure. The results suggest that 2 mm resolution should only be used for frequencies smaller than 2.5 GHz, and 1 mm resolution only under 5 GHz. Morphological differences in models seemed to be an important cause of variation: differences in results between the two different models were usually larger than the computational error due to the grid resolution, and larger than the difference between the results for open and closed eyes. Limiting the incident plane-wave power density to smaller than 100 W m−2 was sufficient for ensuring that the temperature rise in the eyes and brain were less than 1 °C in the whole frequency range.
Validation of the French Version of the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire

Study Design. Observational prospective study. Objective. To assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the French version of the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire. Summary of Background Data. Fear, avoidance attitudes, and belief play pivotal roles in disability perceived by patients with chronic low back pain. The Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire is a two-part questionnaire assessing fear, avoidance, and beliefs about professional activity and physical activity. Methods. The Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire was translated by use of the forward and backward translation procedure. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 31 patients (Group 1) with the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was assessed in two groups of patients (Group 2, n = 147; Group 3, n = 70) with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and factor analysis. Responsiveness was assessed in Group 3, after they underwent a functional restoration program, by the effect size and the standardized response mean. Results. Test-retest reliability was good, with an intra-class correlation coefficient value of 0.88 and 0.72 for fear, avoidance, and beliefs about professional activity and physical activity, respectively. Use of the Bland and Altman method produced a homogeneous distribution of the differences, with no systematic trend observed. The expected divergent validity was observed in Groups 2 and 3. Factor analysis extracted four factors in Group 2 and the two original factors of the English Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire in Group 3. The lowest effect size and standardized response mean values (0.30 and 0.31, respectively) were observed with the fear, avoidance, and beliefs about professional activity. Conclusions. The psychometric properties (test-retest reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness) of the French version of the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire are acceptable, and fear, avoidance, and belief can now be assessed in French-speaking patients with low back pain.
Relationship between impairments, disability and handicap in reflex sympathetic dystrophy patients: a long-term follow-up study

Objective: To determine the relationship between impairments, disability and handicap in reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) patients. Design: A long-term follow-up study of upper extremity RSD patients. Setting: A university hospital. Subjects: Sixty-five patients, 3–9 years (mean interval 5.5 years) after RSD of the upper extremity (mean age 50.2 years). Main outcome measures: Impairments: range of motion, moving two point discrimination, muscle strength of the hand and pain were measured. Disability was assessed with the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) and handicap was assessed with three subscales (social functioning, role limitations due to physical problems and role limitations due to emotional problems) of the RAND-36. Results: After RSD of the upper extremity, 62% of the patients are limited in activities of daily living (ADL) and/or instrumental ADL (IADL). Pain and restrictions in forward flexion of the shoulder, thumb opposition and grip strength are the most important impairments limiting ADL and IADL. Patients with limitations in ADL and IADL are significantly more handicapped than patients without limitations. Pain is the most important factor contributing to handicap. Conclusion: The relationship between impairments and disability and between disability and handicap in RSD patients is weak to moderate. Pain is the most important factor leading to disability and handicap.
High density silicon nanocrystal embedded in sin prepared by low energy (<500eV) SiH/sub 4/ plasma immersion ion implantation for non-volatile memory applications

We report on the excellent memory properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) embedded in SiN. Si-NCs were formed by SiH4 low-energy plasma immersion ion implantation. Compared with control Si+-implanted sample, additional hydrogen enhanced Si-NC density. By incorporating Si-NCs in SiN, improved program/erase efficiency, endurance and retention characteristics were observed due to the generation of additional accessible deep charge traps. Using conductive atomic force microscopy and MIS device with gate area of 100 nm, charge trapping/detrapping and multi-level charge storage of single Si-NC at room temperature were observed
No News is Good News

We estimate a standard dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model under three different information structures to assess the importance of these informational assump- tions. In the first information structure, agents receive news about future structural shocks, as in Beaudry and Portier (2006) and Schmitt-Grohe and Uribe (2012); in the second structure, agents observe noisy signals about current structural shocks; in the third structure, agents do not observe either news or noise. Data overwhelming sup- port the noise-shock information structure. News (noise) shocks shift spectral power from the lower (higher) end to the higher (lower) end of the spectrum, which forces in- ternal propagation mechanisms to work harder (less hard) in models with news (noise) shocks. That data prefer noise shocks and the reallocation of spectral power to the lower end connects to Granger's (1966) "typical spectral shape" of macroeconomic vari- ables. As a byproduct, the paper develops a novel estimation methodology for models with incomplete information.
Assessing the effect of fluoride varnish on early enamel carious lesions in the primary dentition.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride varnish on enamel caries progression in the primary dentition. METHODS One hundred forty-two children in Head Start schools (3 to 5 years old) were randomized into the varnish and control groups. Children in the varnish group received fluoride varnish (Duraphat, Colgate-Palmolive Co.) at baseline and after four months, and children in the control group received no professional fluoride applications. Two calibrated examiners performed the examinations at baseline and at nine months. RESULTS At nine months, the authors found that in the control group, 37.8 percent of active enamel lesions on occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces became inactive, 3.6 percent progressed and 36.9 percent did not change. In the varnish group, 81.2 percent became inactive, 2.4 percent progressed and 8.2 percent did not change. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < .0001). The mean decayed surfaces, or ds, value in the varnish group was significantly lower after nine months than it was at baseline (P < .0001). When enamel lesions were included in the data analysis (along with dentinal lesions), the decayed with initial enamel lesions, missing and filled surfaces, or dEmfs, values; decayed with initial enamel lesions, missing and filled teeth, or dEmft, values; and decayed surfaces with initial enamel lesions, or dEs, values were significantly lower in the varnish group after nine months than they were at baseline (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that fluoride varnish applications may be an effective measure in reversing active pit-and-fissure enamel lesions in the primary dentition. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Fluoride varnishes are safe, easy to apply and well-accepted by patients. This study shows that fluoride varnish may offer an efficient, nonsurgical alternative for the treatment of decay in children.