Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Potent Capsid Assembly Modulators Regulate Multiple Steps of the Hepatitis B Virus Life Cycle

The assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) into capsids represents a critical step of viral replication. HBc has multiple functions during the HBV life cycle, which makes it an attractive target for antiviral therapies. ABSTRACT The assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) into capsids represents a critical step of viral replication. HBc has multiple functions during the HBV life cycle, which makes it an attractive target for antiviral therapies. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) induce the formation of empty capsid or aberrant capsid devoid of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and finally block relaxed circular DNA neosynthesis and virion progeny. In this study, the novel CAMs JNJ-827 and JNJ-890 were found to be potent inhibitors of HBV replication with respective half-maximal effective concentrations of 4.7 and 66 nM, respectively, in HepG2.117 cells. Antiviral profiling in differentiated HepaRG (dHepaRG) cells and primary human hepatocytes revealed that these compounds efficiently inhibited HBV replication, as well as de novo establishment of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). In addition to these two known effects of CAMs, we observed for the first time that a CAM, here JNJ-827, when added postinfection for a short-term period, significantly reduced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) secretion without affecting the levels of cccDNA amount, transcription, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion. This inhibitory activity resulted from a direct effect of JNJ-827 on HBeAg biogenesis. In a long-term treatment condition using persistently infected dHepaRG cells, JNJ-827 and JNJ-890 reduced HBsAg concomitantly with a decrease in viral total RNA and pgRNA levels. Altogether, these data demonstrate that some CAMs could interfere with multiple functions of HBc in the viral life cycle.
2-bit MEMS distributed X-band phase shifters

A wideband distributed coplanar-waveguide (CPW) phase shifter has been developed for X-band operation. The design is based on the distributed MEMS transmission line (DMTL) loaded with MEMS bridges and MIM capacitors. A 2-bit distributed phase shifter was fabricated on a 500-μm quartz substrate, and achieved a true-time delay operation from 1 to 20 GHz with a reflection coefficient less than -11 dB from 2 to 20 GHz and above. Insertion loss is dominated by a low-Q MIM capacitor (14 at 10 GHz) and the effect of this Q is shown, Increasing the MIM capacitor Q will result in an excellent 2-bit phase shifter with wideband performance at X-band frequencies.
Comparison of the Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Surgery and Nonsurgical Intervention in Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The objective of the study is to examine the short-term and long-term efficacy of surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared with conservative treatment (ie, splint, steroid injection, or physical therapy). Methods: Two reviewers searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PEDro up to September 2017. Quality appraisal and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Patient self-reported functional and symptom changes, as well as improvement of electrophysiological studies, were assessed as outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed in RevMan. Results: From 1438 studies identified after searching, 10 remained for analysis after exclusion criteria were applied. Moderate-quality evidence indicated that surgical interventions were superior to splint or steroid injection at 6 months with a weighted mean difference of 0.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.44) for functional status and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.07-1.21) for symptom severity. The surgical group had better nerve conduction outcomes at 6 months (0.57 [95% CI, 0.05-0.50] ms). No significant differences were observed at 3 or 12 months. Conclusions: Both surgical and conservative interventions provide treatment benefits in CTS. Further studies on long-term outcome are needed.
Precision Medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

Precision medicine is an approach to medical treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle and allows for personalization that is based on factors that may affect the response to treatment. Several genetic and epigenetic risk factors have been shown to increase susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As such, it may be beneficial to integrate genetic risk factors into the AD prevention approach, which in the past has primarily been focused on universal risk-reduction strategies for the general population rather than individualized interventions in a targeted fashion. This review discusses examples of a “one-size-fits-all” versus clinical precision medicine AD prevention strategy, in which the precision medicine approach considers two genes that can be commercially sequenced for polymorphisms associated with AD, apolipoprotein E (APOE), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Comparing these two distinct approaches provides support for a clinical precision medicine prevention strategy, which may ultimately lead to more favorable patient outcomes as the interventions are targeted to address individualized risks.
Nanostructure Formation on Diamond-Like Carbon Films Induced with Few-Cycle Laser Pulses at Low Fluence from a Ti:Sapphire Laser Oscillator

This study reports the results of experiments on periodic nanostructure formation on diamond-like carbon (DLC) films induced with 800 nm, 7-femtosecond (fs) laser pulses at low fluence from a Ti:sapphire laser oscillator. It was demonstrated that 7-fs laser pulses with a high power density of 0.8–2 TW/cm2 at a low fluence of 5–12 mJ/cm2 can form a periodic nanostructure with a period of 60–80 nm on DLC films. The period decreases with increasing fluence of the laser pulses. The experimental results and calculations for a model target show that 7-fs pulses can produce a thinner metal-like layer on the DLC film through a nonlinear optical absorption process compared with that produced with 100-fs pulses, creating a finer nanostructure via plasmonic near-field ablation.
A Combined Computer-Aided Approach to Drive the Identification of Potential Epitopes in Protein Therapeutics.

BACKGROUND The identification of fragment sequences, or motifs, within a therapeutic protein that may elicit an immune response when processed by T-cells can be provided by computer-aided approaches. Immunogenicity is a significant problem associated with protein therapeutics and should be investigated in the early stage of protein-based drug development to avoid treatment resistance and potentially life-threatening immune responses. PURPOSE To provide a combined computer-aided protocol for investigating the immunogenic profile of a recombinant Kunitz-type inhibitor, which has been reported as promising antitumor agent by our research group. METHODS The combination of databases searching (IEDB and SYFPEITHI) and molecular docking simulations was exploited, herein. This combined protocol has allowed the identification of potential epitopes before in vitro/in vivo evaluation. Predictors of human proteasome cleavage transport and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding were considered as overall score assigning the corresponding intrinsic potential of being a T cell epitope to each fragment sequence. The peptides or motifs better classified in the two databases were docked into the three-dimensional (3D) structure of MHC (class I and II) complex to verify the calculated binding affinity. The binding interactions regarding the molecular recognition process by T-cells were also exploited through the MHC:ligand:T-cell complexes. RESULTS Regarding the Kunitz-type sequence, four motifs were identified as potentially epitopes for MHC-I and three motifs were found for MHC-II. But, those motifs were classified as moderately immunogenic. Final remarks: The combined computer-aided protocol has significantly reduced the number of potential epitopes to be considered for further analysis and could be useful to identify immunogenic fragments (high, moderate and low) in protein pharmaceutics before in vitro/in vivo experimentation.
Work-related musculoskeletal problems and associated factors among office workers

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated factors among Iranian office personnel. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, 359 Iranian office workers were included. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, the numeric rating scale, rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and the NASA task load index (NASA-TLX). Results. Our findings showed that the highest prevalence rate of MSDs within the last 12 months and the highest pain/discomfort severity were related to the participants’ necks. The mean performance, mental demand and effort subscale scores of the NASA-TLX were higher than other subscales (physical demand, temporal demand and frustration level). ROSA scores showed that 53.8% of the participants were in action level 1 (low MSD risk) and the rest (46.2%) were in action level 2 (high MSD risk). The pain/discomfort severity in the shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, thighs and ankles/feet was correlated to the final ROSA score. Age, gender, body mass index and some NASA-TLX subscales (effort, mental demand and performance) were associated with symptoms of MSDs in different body regions. Conclusions. Improving workplace conditions (both mentally and physically) is suggested for reducing and eliminating musculoskeletal problems among office workers.
Experiences of returning to work and maintaining work 7 to 8 years after a stroke: a qualitative interview study in Sweden

Objective To explore how persons experienced return to work (RTW) and their work situation 7 to 8 years after a stroke. Design An explorative qualitative design with individual interviews. The data analysis was inductive thematic and three researchers collaborated during the analysis process. Participants The study population included five women and eight men who had a stroke during 2009–2010, received care at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden and RTW after stroke and it was a heterogenic sample based on age, occupation, stroke severity and time to RTW. Results The analysis led to four themes; motivated and RTW while struggling with impairments, mixed feelings in the RTW process, still at work though restricted and social support for a sustainable work situation. The themes revealed that participants were motivated to RTW while struggling with impairments. The RTW process evoked mixed feelings of worry and grief over lost functions but also acceptance and gratitude for being able to work. Although maintaining work 7 to 8 years after experiencing a stroke, most were restricted in some way. Fatigue and cognitive impairments meant having to set limits, omit work tasks and rest at work, but also rest during free time and refraining from social activities in order to manage work. Participants avoided work-related stress if they could because of aggravated symptoms and/or fear of a new stroke. Support from supervisors and colleagues was often crucial for a sustainable work situation. Conclusion Maintaining work can be a continuous struggle with invisible impairments many years after a stroke. Strategies for managing work are dependent on each individual work situation, where support and understanding at work seem to be crucial for a sustainable work situation.
Frequency Spread in Ionospheric Radio Propagation

As part of a research program on the time- and frequency-dispersive characteristics of ionospheric radio propagation, techniques were developed for precise measurement of the power spectrum of a received CW signal. Frequency resolution of 0.025 Hz is obtained. This resolution allows the observation of the various propagating modes and, with the aid of oblique-incidence ionograms taken simultaneously, identification of the modes. Occasionally, even the ordinary and extraordinary components of the wave can be separated and identified. Power spectra were derived from measurements made on a midlatitude path and on a transauroral path over a period of one year near the solar cycle minimum. In addition to the plotting of the power spectra, the root-mean-square widths of the spectra (defined as the frequency spread) and the means (or average Doppler shift) were computed. Distributions of these data are presented, and the frequency spread is compared with the magnetic activity, the timedelay spread, and the number of modes.
Information Sources for Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Sources of information for electrical and electronics engineers have been studied by looking at 1965 IEEE publications to see what periodicals, books, conferences, etc., were cited. Cited journals have been ranked as information sources by the number of times they were cited as references. The data for 1965 have been compared with corresponding data for 1949 and 1934 to examine trends in volume and characteristics of reference information, country of publication, and age of reference.
Natural Oscillations of Electrical Cavity Resonators

Resonance phenomena in cavity resonators of coaxial and hollow-pipe types are described and the transition from a resonator of one type to the other is discussed. Measured curves of resonance frequencies for the first twelve modes are reported. The principle of similitude is proved and other aspects of these resonant circuit elements are considered.
Caracterização Físico-Química do Resíduo (Lodo) de ETA, no período de seca, em Várzea Grande - MT

Este trabalho busca analisar a agua bruta e o lodo produzido na Estacao de Tratamento de Agua (ETA), situada na cidade de Varzea Grande, Mato Grosso, visando a correta destinacao deste material, seja no meio ambiente, seja por meio de alternativas como o seu reaproveitamento na propria estacao, visando reduzir o desperdicio de agua, sobretudo na epoca de secas da regiao, periodo em que o estudo ocorreu. Estudou-se os parâmetros fisico-quimicos (potencial hidrogenionico (pH), cor, turbidez, demanda quimica de oxigenio (DQO), teor de solidos sedimentaveis, totais, fixos e volateis). Verificou-se que o residuo da estacao lancado em corpos hidricos nao esta de acordo os parâmetros definidos pela Resolucao n.o 430/2011 do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) (os teores de solidos sedimentaveis estao acima do permitido). No entanto, ha a possibilidade de dar uma destinacao adequada a esse material por meio do reaproveitamento da agua de lavagem dos filtros (teor de solidos de 0,1%) pela propria estacao.
Optimum Filters with Monotonic Response

A class of filters is developed whose amplitude characteristic has no ripple in the pass band and a high rate of attenuation in the stop band; thus it combines the desirable features of the Butterworth and Tchebycheff response. Among all filters of a given order this new class has the maximum cutoff rate under the condition of a monotonically decreasing response.
Some General Properties of Nonlinear Elements-Part I. General Energy Relations

Two independent equations relating the average powers at the different frequencies in nonlinear inductors and capacitors are derived. These equations are a consequence only of the assumption of a single-valued characteristic for the nonlinear element. They are independent of the particular shape of this characteristic, of the power levels at the various frequencies, and of the external circuit in which the nonlinear reactor is connected. These general energy relations give information regarding the gain and stability of nonlinear reactor modulators and demodulators, and consequently of magnetic and dielectric amplifiers, without requirng detailed information about these devices. The utility of these equations is illustrated by discussing the gain and stability of the simplest types of nonlinear reactor modulators and demodulators and harmonic generators. This analysis for nonlinear inductors and capacitors is extended to include the effects of hysteresis in the nonlinear characteristic in the special case where the operating hysteresis loop is no more than double-valued. A similar analysis applied to nonlinear resistors yields two equations relating the reactive powers at the different frequencies, rather than the real powers as above. The interpretation of reactive power under these conditions is not clear.
An evaluation of group reminiscence arts sessions for people with dementia living in care homes

Dementia has been identified as one of the major challenges in the 21st Century. The detrimental effects of dementia can jeopardise personhood, thus person-centred interventions including reminiscence and arts practice have been recommended as tools to promote social inclusion and improve the quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of group reminiscence arts sessions for people living with dementia in care homes (residential and nursing homes) using a comparative and time series design to collect data on quality of life. The intervention was conducted in six care homes in London over a period of 24 weeks and compared with six care homes not receiving the intervention (control). Dementia Care Mapping was used as the primary data collection instrument to measure positive behaviours and rate quality of life before, during and after group reminiscence arts sessions. The evaluation team observed the sessions at three-weekly intervals. Statistical modelling found that positive behaviours and quality of life of care home residents participating in group reminiscence arts sessions increased over the 24-week period. Well-being increased sharply during each session and plateaued at 50 minutes with a sustained positive effect after the sessions. On a longer timescale, well-being and quality of life increased slowly and steadily from one session to the next. The findings were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The study concludes that group reminiscence arts sessions can have a positive and sustained impact on the quality of life of people with dementia. However, the evidence on the sustainability of the effect over time remains unknown. More research is needed to assess in much greater depth the association between quality of life and group reminiscence arts sessions.
Factors Affiecting the Performance of Linear Arrays

The performance of a linear array, which has been designed for low side-lobe level, is markedly affected by small variations in element excitation, introduced primarily, by the inaccuracies that are inherent in the manufacture of the array. Thus, the phase and amplitude of each element contain a slight randomness and the array performance must be determined by the application of statistical methods. This method of analysis has been formulated for the generalized symmetric linear array and computed for the special cases of three 24-element linear-shunt slot arrays usig a Dolph-Tchebyscheff current distribution. The statistics give the probability that the side-lobe level will exceed an arbitrary comparison value as a function of the magnitude of arbitrary manufacturing tolerances. The results indicate that the lower the design value of the sidelobe level the greater the perturbation to be expected for the allowed tolerance. Thus, an additional restriction is imposed upon array design which forces the designer either to require very small tolerances in manufacture or to overdesign the array in order to compensate for the perturbations introduced by the manufacturing processes.
Cell Signaling in Neuronal Stem Cells

The defining characteristic of neural stem cells (NSCs) is their ability to multiply through symmetric divisions and proliferation, and differentiation by asymmetric divisions, thus giving rise to different types of cells of the central nervous system (CNS). A strict temporal space control of the NSC differentiation is necessary, because its alterations are associated with neurological dysfunctions and, in some cases, death. This work reviews the current state of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transcription in NSCs, organized according to whether the origin of the stimulus that triggers the molecular cascade in the CNS is internal (intrinsic factors) or whether it is the result of the microenvironment that surrounds the CNS (extrinsic factors).
Multidecadal, county-level analysis of the effects of land use, Bt cotton, and weather on cotton pests in China

Significance Changes in land use, climate, and agricultural technologies affect pest severity and management. We analyzed long-term longitudinal data (1991–2015) on three major cotton pests for 51 Chinese counties. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insect-resistant cotton had pervasive effects on the whole pest complex and its management. Adoption resulted in major reductions in insecticide use against bollworm. The resulting restoration of aphid biocontrol decreased aphid severity. Mirid bug severity increased, aided by higher May temperatures and reduced insecticide sprays against bollworm. Landscape effects on pest severity varied between species. Farmers sprayed at nondamaging infestation levels. Findings support Bt-based plant resistance as a component of integrated pest management (IPM) but highlight the potential for unintended outcomes for the whole pest complex and the importance of climate change. Long-term changes in land use, climate, and agricultural technologies may affect pest severity and management. The influences of these major drivers can only be identified by analyzing long-term data. This study examines panel data on land use, adoption of genetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insect-resistant cotton, weather, pest severity, and insecticide use on three major cotton pests for 51 counties in China during 1991–2015. Bt cotton had pervasive effects on the whole pest complex in cotton and its management. Adoption resulted in major reductions in insecticide use for bollworm control. The resulting restoration of aphid biological control decreased aphid severity. However, mirid bugs, which have few effective natural enemies in cotton, increased in severity with warming May and reduced insecticide spraying against bollworm. The effects of landscape on pest severity were pest specific. The severity of cotton aphid and mirid bugs decreased with higher land use diversity, but the severity of highly polyphagous cotton bollworm was unrelated to land use diversity. Shares of forest, water body, and unused land area were negatively associated with the severity of mirid bugs, whereas cotton bollworm responded positively to the shares of water body and unused land area. Farmers sprayed insecticides at mild infestation levels and responded aggressively to severe bollworm outbreaks. Findings support the usefulness of Bt-based plant resistance as a component of integrated pest management (IPM) but highlight the potential for unexpected outcomes resulting from agro-ecosystem feedback loops as well as the importance of climate.