Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESCRT-II interacts with Staufen1 in mammalian cells and influences HIV-1 expression.

5 RESUME 6 ABBREVIATIONS 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 11 HIV-1 AND AIDS 11 History and overview 11 HIV-1 infection 12 Transmission 12 Treatment and prognosis 12 STRUCTURE AND REPLICATION CYCLE OF HIV-1 VIRUS 13 HIV-1 virion structure 13 The viral genome and its encoded proteins 16 HIV-1 replication cycle 18 THE ESCRT MACHINERY 26 HYPOTHESIS AND PROJECT OBJECTIVE 32 CHAPTER 2: RESULTS 33 VPS22, STAUFEN1, AND GAG CO-IMMUNOPRECIPITATE IN ONE COMPLEX 33 VPS22 INTERACTS WITH STAUFEN1 AND GAG IN TRI-MOLECULAR FLUORESCENCE COMPLEMENTATION ASSAY 35 FLAG-VPS22, STAUFEN1-HA AND GAG INTERACT IN IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE ASSAY 40 KNOCKDOWN OF VPS22 REDUCES GAG LEVELS WITH A REVERSE EFFECT ON VRNA, WHEREAS OVEREXPRESSION OF VPS22 INCREASES GAG PRODUCTION WITH LITTLE EFFECT ON VRNA LEVELS. 43 KNOCKDOWN OF VPS22 CAUSES VRNA TO ACCUMULATE IN THE NUCLEUS OR NEAR THE NUCLEAR MEMBRANE 47
Effects of phenotypic selection on height-diameter ratio of Norway spruce and Scots pine in Sweden

Genetically improved Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) are extensively used in operational Swedish forestry plantations. However, relatively little is known about the stem slenderness (height-diameter ratio) of genetically improved material. Thus, in this study we investigated effects of plus-tree selection on stem slenderness of Norway spruce and Scots pine in Sweden by evaluating both the plus-tree selection and a large number of progeny trials. Species-specific models for predicting the height-diameter ratio were estimated using regression and mixed model approach. Our results show that phenotypic plus-tree selection promoted less slender Norway spruce trees and more slender Scots pine trees compared to neighboring trees. Similar results were also found for the progeny trials which indicated that genetics played a prominent role in the phenotypic appearance. Compared to the progeny of neighboring trees, Norway spruce plus-tree progenies had a 5.3% lower height-diameter ratio, while Scots pine plus-tree progenies had a 1.5% greater height-diameter ratio. The narrow sense heritability for height-diameter ratio was 0.19 for Norway spruce and 0.11 for Scots pine, indicating that it is possible to modify the height-diameter ratio by breeding. Correlation coefficients between breeding values for height-diameter ratio and diameter were negative for Scots pine (–0.71) and Norway spruce (–0.85), indicating that selection for diameter only would result in less slender stems of both species. Similar correlations were also found between breeding values for height-diameter ratio and height of Scots pine (–0.34) and Norway spruce (–0.74).
Multiple episodes of star formation in the CN15/16/17 molecular complex

We have started a campaign to identify massive star clusters inside bright molecular bubbles towards the Galactic Center. The CN15/16/17 molecular complex is the first example of our study. The region is characterized by the presence of two young clusters, DB10 and DB11, visible in the NIR, an ultra-compact HII region identified in the radio, several young stellar objects visible in the MIR, a bright diffuse nebulosity at 8\mu m coming from PAHs and sub-mm continuum emission revealing the presence of cold dust. Given its position on the sky (l=0.58, b=-0.85) and its kinematic distance of ~7.5 kpc, the region was thought to be a very massive site of star formation in proximity of the CMZ. The cluster DB11 was estimated to be as massive as 10^4 M_sun. However the region's properties were known only through photometry and its kinematic distance was very uncertain given its location at the tangential point. We aimed at better characterizing the region and assess whether it could be a site of massive star formation located close to the Galactic Center. We have obtained NTT/SofI JHKs photometry and long slit K band spectroscopy of the brightest members. We have additionally collected data in the radio, sub-mm and mid infrared, resulting in a quite different picture of the region. We have confirmed the presence of massive early B type stars and have derived a spectro-photometric distance of ~1.2 kpc, much smaller than the kinematic distance. Adopting this distance we obtain clusters masses of M(DB10) ~ 170 M_sun and M(DB11) ~ 275 M_sun. This is consistent with the absence of any O star, confirmed by the excitation/ionization status of the nebula. No HeI diffuse emission is detected in our spectroscopic observations at 2.113\mu m, which would be expected if the region was hosting more massive stars. Radio continuum measurements are also consistent with the region hosting at most early B stars.
Requirements for Transparency and Communicability of Regulatory Science

This article presents the results of a study attempting to provide examples that implement transparency and communicability elements of Ethical Rules Principle of Best Available Regulatory Science (BARS) and Metrics for Evaluation of Regulatory Science Claims (MERSC). It starts with an overview of regulatory science and briefly summarizes principles of BARS and key pillars of MERSC. Subsequently, the BARS/MERSC system is used to evaluate the linear nonthreshold (LNT) process used in cancer assessments and the similar process used for evaluating in particulate matter (PM) exposure. The study identifies 3 parts in dose–response curves, where the first part is reproducible science and the second part includes uncertainties and often requires the application of precautionary principle. The primary reason for disagreements on LNT and PM is a lack of recognition that the third part is based on desire of regulators to be protective, a policy decision process. Two PM epidemiological examples are included in this study to demonstrate the point. The regulatory process would benefit from recognizing the distinction between science and policy and excluding policy from regulatory science. Furthermore, the society would greatly benefit from increased transparency in the regulatory process and compliance with the Jeffersonian communication principle
Characteristics and competition for nest cavities in burrowing procellariiformes

We examined the dimensions, nearest-neighbor distance, density, vegetation cover, shelter, and substrate of nest cavities in a multispecific colony of Procellariiformes: Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis), Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro). We investigated differences in nest cavity dimensions between species, the influence of nest cavity characteristics on hatching success of Cory's Shearwater and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, and intra- and interspecific competition for nest cavities by using natural and artificial nests. Dimensions of nest cavities were highly correlated with species' body size. Physical features of the nests of Cory's Shearwater differed from those of small petrels. Physical features of the nests of small petrels overlapped extensively. Physical features helped to explain hatching success of Cory's Shearwater, and crowding influences contributed to hatching success of Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. Sheltered nest cavities had higher hatching success, but nest cavity characteristics interacted with the quality of breeders. Breadth and volume of eggs laid by Cory's Shearwater in artificial nests were significantly smaller than those in nearby natural nests, indicating that young breeders likely occupied artificial nests. Cory's Shearwater laid in half of the artificial nest cavities built for them, and excavated natural and artificial nest cavities of small petrels. We suggest that the breeding population of Cory's Shearwater includes high numbers of new breeders and is regulated by the availability of nest cavities. Results indicated that interference competition within and between Cory's Shearwater and small petrels is important in the structure of this procellariiform breeding community.
Social Transmission Bias and Active Investing

Individual investors often invest actively and lose thereby. Social interaction seems to exacerbate this tendency. In our model, senders' propensity to discuss their strategies' returns, and receivers' propensity to be converted, are increasing in sender return. A distinctive implication is that the rate of conversion of investors to active investing is convex in sender return. Unconditionally, active strategies (high variance, skewness, and personal involvement) dominate the population unless the return penalty to active investing is too large. Thus, the model can explain overvaluation of `active' asset characteristics even when investors have no inherent preference over them. In contrast with nonsocial approaches, sociability and other features of the sending and receiving processes are determinants of the popularity of active investing and the pricing of active strategies.
The double pulsar.

A new era in fundamental physics began with the discovery of pulsars 1967, the discovery of the first binary pulsar in 1974 and the first millisecond pulsar in 1982. Ever since, pulsars have been used as precise cosmic clocks, taking us beyond the weak-field regime of the solar-system in the study of theories of gravity. Their contribution is crucial as no test can be considered to be complete without probing the strong-field realm of gravitational physics by finding and timing pulsars. This is particularly highlighted by the discovery of the first double pulsar system which was discovered by our team in 2003. The double pulsar is unique in that both neutron stars are detectable as radio pulsars. This, combined with significantly higher mean orbital velocities and accelerations when compared to other binary pulsars, suggested that the system would become the best available testbed for general relativity and alternative theories of gravity in the strong-field regime. Indeed, this has been achieved only three years after its discovery with four independent strong-field tests of GR, more than has been obtained for any other system. Use of the theory-independent mass ratio of the two stars makes these tests uniquely different from all preceding studies. Our results confirm the validity of GR at the 0.05% level, which is by far the best precision yet achieved for the strong-field regime. Remarkably, the transverse velocity of the systems center of mass is extremely small, a result which is important for future GR tests and evolutionary studies.
Furanocoumarins from Kaffir lime and their inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediator production

Abstract Two known furanocoumarins, namely, 6ˊ, 7ˊ-dihydroxybergamottin (1) and oxypeucedanin hydrate (2), were isolated from Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC) fruit peel using an assay of nitric oxide scavenging effect-guided fractionation. The inhibitory activities of isolated coumarins on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were studied in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells, whereas their inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) production was investigated using HT-29 and HCT116 cells. The results demonstrated that 1 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-interferon gamma-induced NO and iNOS production in RAW264.7 cells and COX-2 production in HT-29 and HCT116 cells with IC50 values of 16.16 ± 1.08, 18.63 ± 1.42, 18.19 ± 0.95 and 17.53 ± 0.88 µg/mL, respectively; 2 showed IC50 values of 18.23 ± 1.25, 22.54 ± 1.56, 22.27 ± 1.14 and 23.24 ± 1.05 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the positive control curcumin exhibited these activities with IC50 values of 12.52 ± 0.63, 15.55 ± 1.34, 14.29 ± 0.58 and 16.14 ± 0.65 µg/mL, respectively. The inhibitory effect of 1 on the production of iNOS and COX-2 was significantly stronger than that of 2. This study indicated that furanocoumarins from Kaffir lime fruit peels have potency for further development as an anti-inflammatory drug.
The Agile Transition in Software Development Companies: The Most Common Barriers and How to Overcome Them

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the most common barriers facing the greater adoption of Agile approaches to project management, and ways to overcome these barriers during an Agile transition. First, based on a literature review, this paper describes the Agile approaches and practices in general. The review also covers the previous work around the adoption of Agile, which provides considerable information about the challenges of doing so. This includes some prerequisites, key decisions, transitional frameworks, and recommendations to overcome organisational, cultural, and structural barriers. Next, this paper reports on a recently conducted Agile project management survey. Using this method, this research project gathered information about the important issues that software development companies have to overcome in order to be successful in an Agile transition. The survey was given to Scrum masters, project managers, chief executive officers, and IT professionals, who have participated in companies that have migrated from a traditional methodology to an Agile methodology. Several barriers were highlighted: general organisational resistance to change, lack of user/customer availability, pre-existing rigid framework, not enough personnel with Agile experience, concerns about loss of management control, concerns about lack of upfront planning, insufficient management support, concerns about the ability to scale Agile, need for development team support, and the perceived time and cost to make the transition. Finally, the paper offers concise recommendations to overcome each of the barriers as well as ideas for future research.
Influence of pH and Fluoride Species on the Corrosion Behavior of Ti-xNb-13 Zr Alloys in Ringer ’ s Solution

Ti-Nb-Zr alloys are interestingmaterials for implant applications due to the atoxic character of the Nb and Zr alloying elements and to their low elastic modulus when compared to CP-Ti. In this work, the corrosion behaviour of CP-Ti, Ti-5Nb-13Zr, Ti-13Nb-13Zr, and Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloys was investigated in Ringer’s solution of pH 2, 5, and 7.5 without fluorides and containing 1000 ppm F at 37C, through open-circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The four materials showed a passive behavior in Ringer’s solution without fluorides for pH ranging from 2 to 7.5 and in Ringer’s solution of pH 5 and 7.5 containing 1000 ppm F but presented an active behavior in Ringer’s solution of pH 2 containing fluorides. The corrosion resistance of all materials in Ringer’s solution decreases with both decrease of pH and addition of fluorides. Ti-13Nb13Zr alloy is a little more corrosion resistant than the Ti-5Nb-13Zr and Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloys and, in most conditions, the Ti-Nb-Zr alloys present higher corrosion resistance than CP-Ti.
ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION RELATED TO SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY IN SPORTS SCIENCE JOURNALS OF PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE

The aim of this study was to analyze scientific production related to sport psychology (SP) in journals of sports science. The electronic search in 15 journals of physical education was performed in August 2016. Altogether, 145 articles were selected. The first publication occurred in 1997. It was observed an increase in publications from 2007. The journal that most published about SP was Journal of Physical Education of State University of Maringá with 24 publications. The institutions UEM, UFJF, UFMG, USP and UDESC showed at least 10 publications each. Paraná, São Paulo and Minas Gerais were states with most publications. It was observed that most studies had cross-sectional design. At total, 49 sports were investigated, volleyball was the most studied, followed by Soccer and Basketball. Motivation was the theme of most of studies, especially in Soccer, as well as stress, anxiety and mood states. We concluded that there was an increase in scientific production about SP in the last decade. Themes applied to sport as mental training, techniques of activation and relaxation requires investigation.
The decline in Italian productivity: a study in estimation of Total Factor Productivity with panel cointegration methods

The main aim of this paper is to propose a method for obtaining estimates of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) trends (i) free from the restrictive assumptions needed by traditional growth accounting and (ii) requiring only data on inputs and output flows. The approach proposed relies on recent developments in the analysis of non-stationary dependent panels. The ap- plication to the Italian economy for the period 1981-2004, consistently with those obtained through traditional growth accounting methods, supports the view that the decline in Italian labour productivity has been mostly due to a widespread fall in TFP growth. A simple regression points as main causes of this fall the completion of a factor reallocation process among industries and capital types.
The Effect of Fouling on Heat Transfer, Pressure Drop, and Throughput in Refinery Preheat Trains: Optimization of Cleaning Schedules

Optimizing cleaning schedules for refinery preheat trains requires a robust and reliable simulator, reliable fouling models, and the ability to handle the thermal and hydraulic impacts of fouling. The interaction between thermal and hydraulic effects is explored using engineering analyses and fouling rate laws based on the “threshold fouling” concept; the potential occurrence of a new phenomenon, “thermo-hydraulic channeling” in parallel heat exchangers, is identified. The importance of the foulant thermal conductivity is highlighted. We also report the development of a highly flexible preheat train simulator constructed in MATLAB/Excel. It is able to accommodate variable throughput, control valve operation, and different cost scenarios. The simulator is demonstrated on a network of 14 heat exchangers, where the importance of optimizing the flow split between parallel streams is illustrated.
Ju n 20 14 Parabolic Equations on Uniformly Regular Riemannian Manifolds and Degenerate Initial Boundary Value Problems

In this work there is established an optimal existence and regularity theory for second order linear parabolic differential equations on a large class of noncompact Riemannian manifolds. Then it is shown that it provides a general unifying approach to problems with strong degeneracies in the interior or at the boundary. Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). Primary 58J35, 35K65; Secondary 53C20, 35K20.
A Video-Tracking Method to Identify and Understand Circadian Patterns in Drosophila Grooming

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Dissertation supervised by Assistant Professor Sheyum Syed No. of pages in text. (67) Grooming is nearly universal in terrestrial animals and is important for animals to maintain body surface condition. In insects, grooming is controlled by relatively simple nervous system, so the study of grooming may reveal basic principles of grooming. While recent progress is being made on understanding the mechanism of stimulated grooming control in Drosophila [23, 24], the internal regulation of non-stimulated grooming remains unexplored. It is possible that the circadian clock plays an important role in the internal regulation of grooming. However, a key problem in the study of grooming’s circadian control is the difficulty of obtaining and interpreting long-term grooming data. This thesis focuses on long-term grooming and examines regulation of the behavior by the circadian clock. To quantify and categorize the long-term grooming data I developed a method based on machine learning technology that can identify grooming events automatically from recorded video clips of fly’s freely behaving. My research showed that grooming is regulated by the circadian clock and its circadian rhythm is related to the animal’s locomotion rhythms. However, I show that grooming does not occur as a direct response to locomotion.
New mothers' perceptions regarding maternity care services provided in a prefecture of Northern Greece

Background: The use of health care services during pregnancy a ssists in decreasing neonatal deaths and improves the quality of life of pregnant women and their newborn children. Aim : To investigate the perceptions of new mothers in a prefecture of Northern Greece regarding the mater nity services provided during pregnancy and childbirth. Methodology: The sample consists of 133 mothers of newborn babies who were hospitalised, after in-hospital delivery, between April and June 2008 in a prefectu re of Northern Greece. The instrument used for the data collection was the Kuopio Instrument for Mothers (KIM). Results: 97% of participants were married, 42.2% had higher education and 23.3% were full-time employees. 42.9% of the mothers were primiparous and 57.1% were multiparous. 56.8% had vaginal delivery, while 42 . 9% had caesarean section. 84.2% of the participants st ated that they would prefer to have their next deli very in a private maternity clinic, and 3% stated that they w ould prefer to give birth at home. 15.3% had partic ipated in childbirth preparatory courses. Finally, the partic ipants considered that maternity services, such as pregnancy monitoring, preventative examinations for foetal ab normalities, PAP-test and preventative examinations for breast cancer, should be provided by the state free of charge. Conclusions : It is necessary to further develop and modernize maternity services in such a way that they will correspond to pregnant women’s needs.
Regional Human Capital and University Orientation: A case study on Spain

This paper explores the relationship between regional human capital (HC) and the processes of knowledge creation and mobilization due to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Although the nexus between these dimensions emerges frequently in both the scholarly and policy discourses, no study has so far investigated explicitly how their connection works. Using occupations as a proxy for the skill content of jobs, we analyse individual (gender, schooling and age) and regional (university orientation) factors that influence HC employment structure in Spanish regions over the period 2003-2010. The main finding is that teaching university mission is a robust predictor of high-skill employment, while the impact of engagement (research and knowledge transfer) activities is more sensitive to structural characteristics of the regional socio-economic context.
Franco‐African Relations: No Longer So Exceptional?

Key developments in Franco-African relations since 1994 are reviewed. Reservations are expressed about the widely held view that these relations have undergone a process of normalization in recent years and that France is disengaging from its traditional pre carre (sphere of influence) in Black Africa. Instead, it is argued that, under pressure from a rapidly evolving international environment and a changing domestic policy context, a partial modernization of French African policy has taken place. This new global environment has put constraints on French African policy but has also presented France with new opportunities to pursue its national interests in Africa, in the context of globalization and international liberalism. However, certain features of the special relationship remain, such as the role played in Franco-African relations by the reseaux(personal networks). It is therefore concluded that, while a process of adaptation has indeed taken place, Franco-African relations are at present in a period of transition.