Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of the 3'UTR in translation and stability of HCV and HPV mRNAs

Virus mRNAs can be divided into functional regions. The focus of this thesis will be to investigate the function of one of these regions, the 3’ untranslated region (UTR). The 3’UTR of HCV contains a U-rich element and the late 3’UTR of HPV-1 contains an AU-rich element. The roles of these regions in translation and stability of HCV and HPV have been studied. A method was established for studying translation of HCV mRNA in living cells. Noninfectious minivirus clones were synthesised in vitro and were transfected into cells by electroporation. This made it possible to bypass the nucleus and to transfer RNA directly into the cell cytoplasm. We found that HCV mRNAs that are translated from the HCV internal ribosome entry site (IRES) are inefficiently translated in comparison to capped and polyadenylated cellular mRNAs. Interestingly, the addition of a cap and a poly(A) tail resulted in a tremendous increase in the initiation of translation at the HCV IRES. This was the result of a discontinuous scanning or shunting mechanism. We also found that the 3’UTR had a small but not significant effect on the virus mRNA translation. Next, we set up an in vitro stability assay to investigate if HCV 3’UTR affects the stability of the virus mRNA. We found that the HCV 3’UTR is very unstable but interaction with the cellular La protein protects the mRNA from premature degradation.In parallel experiments, we studied translation and stability of the HPV-1 late mRNAs. By studying an AU-rich sequence in the 3’UTR, we mapped two minimal inhibitory sequence elements, UAUUUAU and UAUUUUUAU that reduced mRNA half-life. We found that the same motifs in the AU-rich element inhibit mRNA translation, demonstrating that the AU-rich element acts via a bimodal mechanism to reduce mRNA stability and inhibit translation.
Scattering Transform for Matching Surgically Altered Face Images

The use of face as a biometric feature has been widely accepted and used in security and surveillance systems. Recent studies have made significant advancements to address various challenges in face recognition such as illumination, age, pose and disguise. Another important covariate is recognizing faces with pre-and-post facial plastic surgery. Facial plastic surgeries alter the geometry and texture of facial regions, the extent of which is dependent on both the number, and the type of surgeries performed. The increasing reach of plastic surgery and its expanding user base present an indispensable challenge that must be dealt with while devising robust face recognition systems. In this paper, we present Invariant Scattering transform based feature extraction to compute translation invariant representation at local and global levels that is stable against plastic surgery variations. The identification accuracy achieved by the proposed algorithm is over 97% at rank-10 on the IIITD plastic surgery face database.
UK police custody officers’ psychosocial hazard exposures and burnout

Purpose – Stress research in the UK policing has largely neglected to account for variance in the type of psychosocial hazard officers are exposed to across policing roles, highlighting the need for role-specific research that is capable of informing similarly specific stress reduction interventions. This study aimed to develop and assess exposure to a taxonomy of psychosocial hazards specific to the UK police custody work, consider the burnout profile of custody officers, explore relations between psychosocial hazard exposure and burnout, and compare the exposures of burned out and non-burned out custody officers. Design/methodology/approach – Preliminary focus groups identified a series of psychosocial hazards specific to the custody officer role. A questionnaire administered to custody officers within a UK territorial police force assessed exposure to these psychosocial hazards and burnout. Findings – Twenty-six custody-specific psychosocial hazards were identified, across nine themes. The proportion of custody officers who reported a high degree of burnout was above that found in normative data. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that exposures were positively related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Unrelated t-tests showed that respondents who reported high burnout also reported significantly higher exposures across all nine psychosocial hazard themes than those with sub-threshold burnout scores. Originality/value – This is the first study to investigate the stress-related working conditions of the UK custody officers. It provides a foundation for future large-scale longitudinal studies concerned with validating the current findings and improving the health of officers engaged in this unique policing role.
Information Aggregation Through Stock Prices and the Cost of Capital

This paper studies a firm’s optimal capital structure in an environment, where the firm’s stock price serves as a public signal for its credit worthiness. In equilibrium, equity investors choose how much information to acquire privately, which induces a positive relation between the amount of equity issued and the stock price signal’s precision. Thus, through its capital structure, the firm can internalize the informational externality that stock prices exert on bond yields. Firms with a strong fundamental therefore issue more equity and less debt than they would if the informational spill-over did not exist.
The Impact of Short-Term Goals on Long-Term Objectives: Evidence from Running data

Theorypredicts that goal-setting attenuates impulsiveness and therebyhelpspeople to reachhigher long-term threshold levels of consumption, wealth or health. This may imply that people who set goals in short-distance running events are more likely to participate in longer distance runs in the future. We investigate this by analyzing finishing times in over 7,000major running events of different distances organized in theNetherlands between 1996-2016. We assume that bunching at round finishing times is indicative of goal-setting by a runner. In line with Allen et al. (2017), we find strong evidence for bunching at all distances and we find that for the longer distances men bunch more than women. However, runners who bunch are not any more likely to switch to longer distances than others and this is also true for younger runners, who are generally considered more impulsive and thus would benefit more from goal-setting. JEL classification: D91, Z20
The Skinny on Fats : How Dietary Fats Influence Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Poor diets are a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death among adults in developed countries. While there is no doubt that poor diets contribute to cardiovascular disease, precisely what constitutes a poor diet in terms of cardiovascular risk is still a matter of debate. Dietary fat has long been at the center of this controversy. This paper will explore the latest research regarding types and amounts of dietary fats in our diets, and how they influence our cardiovascular health.
Phase relations among smectite , R 1 illite-smectite , and illite

A variety of smectitic and illitic clays were studied by TEM and AEM, following expansion by L.R. White resin, to define phase relations for clay minerals undergoing digenesis and low-grade metamorphism. Samples included a prograde shale sequence from the Gulf Coast, a hydrothermal bentonite from Zempleni, Hungary, and shales from the Nankai Tiough, Japan, Michigan, and the Welsh sedimentary basin. All samples were dominated by various proportions of only three kinds of clay minerals: smectite having no 10 A layers, Rl illite-smectite (VS) (507o lllite), and illite with only small proportions of smectite-like interlayers; mixed-layer phases with intermediate ratios of VS were observed only as minor components of other laye-r sequences. Lattice fringe images show that the common layer spacing of Rl VS is 21 A and that it has 0.7-0.8 K pfu; its properties are not an average of those of smectite and illite, which is consistent with the uniqueness of the Rl VS sffucture. A prograde sequence of clay mineral transitions in the studied samples can be characterized by five stages with different combinations of the three major phases (i.e., smectite, Rl VS, and illite) corresponding to different grades. The sequence from low to high grade is (l) pure smectite, (2) smectite with small proportions of discrete Rl VS and illite, (3) Rl VS with small proportions of smectite and illite, (4) illite with some Rl VS and smectite, and (5) illite. Common exceptions to this scheme are inferred to be caused by the inherent metastability of all phases, in occurrences that are rate or path dependent.
Coordination of Ti 4 * in silicate glasses : A high-resolution XANES spectroscopy study at the Ti K edge

The coordination environment of Ti in eight Ti-bearing glasses of the NarSioOr-NarTi.On join (NTS) and in six ATY2 glasses (A,O.TiO,.2YO,, with A : Na, K, or Rb and Y = Si or Ge) was determined using high-resolution, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Ti K edge in ambient conditions. Fivefold-coordinated Ti (r'rTi) is the dominant Ti species (=50 * l17o of the total Ti) in all the glasses studied. Sixfold-coordinated Ti was detected mostly in sodic glasses (NTS, NTS2, NTG2), and it increases with TiO, content (as high as 40 * l\Vo of the total of Ti in the most TiOr-rich NTS glasses) and in the order Si < Ge. Fourfold-coordinated Ti was detected only in nonsodic ATY2 glasses, and its content increases in the order Na < K < Rb and Ge < Si. Fivefold-coordinated Tia* is probably present as square pyramidal, titanyl-bearing moieties, or (tsr1i:9;go. A synthesis of Tio* coordination for oxide glasses derived using direct methods (X-ray absorption and neutron scattering) can be used, for instance, to help in the interpretation of Raman scattering spectra collected for Ti-bearing glasses and to estimate NBO/T ratios better for titanosilicate slasses and melts.
Biomechanical Investigation of Long-span Glass-fiber-reinforced Acrylic Resin Provisional Fixed Partial Denture : a Finite Element Analysis

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin is widely used in dental clinics as a matrix for provisional fixed partial dentures (PFPDs). However, PFPDs using traditional PMMA resin usually experience fractures due to low material strength. Fractures occur in the dental bridge connector after long-term wear or long-span provisional restoration. This study investigates the biomechanics of fibers embedded in a 4-unit bridge constructed from the first premolar to the second molar over the posterior mandible region. The fracture pattern and crack positions in the 4-unit bridge are evaluated. The biomechanics of the 4-unit bridge with various loading angle (45°, 90°), fiber thicknesses (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mm), and fiber lengths (4, 18, and 30 mm) are investigated. Reverse engineering is used to construct the PFPD model, which is imported into a finite element analysis package for biomechanical simulations. The model is experimentally validated. Statistical analysis is employed for data interpretation. The results reveal that the maximum principal stress is located below the connector of the 4-unit bridge. This stress pattern is confirmed by experimental results. The loading angle is the most important PFPD factor. A loading angle of 45° has more impact than that of 90°. For a loading angle of 45°, the percentage contributions of the fiber thickness and length are 58% and 34%, respectively, indicating that the former is a more important factor for resin strength reinforcement. For a loading angle of 90°, the fiber thickness and length have percentage contributions of 50% and 48%, respectively, indicating that the two parameters have roughly equal influence on the resin strength reinforcement. Furthermore, the bridge reinforcement enhancement obtained by increasing the fiber length from 4 mm to 18 mm is higher than that obtained by increasing the length from 18 mm to 30 mm. These results can be used by clinicians to design PFPDs that avoid lateral movement interference. The results suggest that thicker fiber or fiber longer than 18 mm should be used to improve reinforcement.
Development and formulation of ready to eat baby food from cereals.

The aim of this study was to develop a weaning food for the children by using available resources, for this purpose three weaning formulations (F1 to F3) based on germinated wheat and mungbean, rice, sugar and skim milk powder were processed and evaluated. The prepared formulations samples were investigated for proximate composition and minerals. The proximate composition results indicated that the moisture for (2.34 to 3.41), protein (24.65 to 36.05), ash (2.44 to 2.61) crude fiber (2.236 to 2.325) and carbohydrate (54.435 to 62.574) were significantly different but were within the range of the standard specifications for weaning foods. Fat content are (2.41 to 4.52). Calculated values for total energy provided by the blends ranged from (383.63 to 389.576) kcal/100 g dry matter. The F3 is overall acceptable in weaning food formulations. The F3 weaning food was satisfactorily acceptable. Formulations were close compared to the standard specifications and hence have a good potential for use as weaning foods. Key words: mungbean flour, germinated wheat, skim milk powder, rice flour
Bone Defect Healing Enhanced by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Stimulation: in Vitro Bone Organ Culture Model

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) has many medical applications. Previous animal and clinical studies have clearly shown a positive effect of PEMF on the rate of osseous repair. The present in vitro study was designed to elucidate the specific response of bony tissue to PEMF treatment. Bilateral femora were obtained from 40 mature male Wistar rats, and a bone defect was created at the center of each distal metaphysis. The femora were maintained for 1, 2, or 3 weeks in vitro organ culture and received 8 hours of PEMF stimulation or sham-exposure. Healing of the osseous defect was evaluated by histomorphological examination. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations in culture medium were harvested and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader and spectrophometer. The results showed that PEMF stimulation can accelerate defect healing. All the experimental femoral defects treated with PEMF stimulation healed faster than the untreated control defects, and the ALP concentration of supernatants was significantly elevated on 1- and 2-week periods. When an osseous defect was created at the femoral metaphysis, the synthesis and release of PGE2 was elevated and then decreased gradually. With PEMF stimulation, the PGE2 level in the culture medium of the experimental group was increased at the end of week 2 and 3 compared to the sham group. This highly controlled and well-studied model of PEMF stimulation of bone healing in vitro can be used to further examine the biological mechanisms involved.
Spermatology of the genus Lepidodasys Remane, 1926 (Gastrotricha, Macrodasyida): towards a revision of the family Lepidodasyidae Remane, 1927

Guidi, L. , Pierboni, L. , Ferraguti, M. , Todaro, M.A., Balsamo, M. Spermatology of the genus Lepidodasys Remane, 1926 (Gastrotricha, Macrodasyida): towards a revision of the family Lepidodasyidae Remane 1927. — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 85 : 211-221 The spermatozoa of Lepidodasys unicarenatus and Lepidodasys sp. are filiform and composed of a cork-screw shaped acrosome, a helical nucleus surrounding a mitochondrial axis, and a 9 × 2 + 2 flagellum as in the basic structural model of the macrodasyidan sperm. The genus Lepidodasys has a debated phylogenetic position and has been linked in turn to the family Lepidodasyidae and the family Thaumastodermatidae. The sperm features of the two Lepidodasys species examined are distinct from those typical of the two families: the absence of the periaxonemal cylinder, a character shared only with Turbanellidae among Macrodasyida, could be considered as a symplesiomorphy, suggesting a basal position of the genus along the Macrodasyida clade. Moreover, a comparison of the spermatogenic process of Lepidodasys sp. with those of Acanthodasys aculeatus (Thaumastodermatidae) and Cephalodasys maximus (Lepidodasyidae) has revealed that the process of acrosome formation and nuclear morphology during spermatogenesis are peculiar in Lepidodasys sp. and differences are evident especially in the late stages of spermatogenesis. Penetrated spermatozoa were observed in the oocytes at all maturation stages in L. unicarenatus.
Sheep and goat production practice in agroforestry systems of Gedio Zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to describe sheep and goat production practice in three Agro-ecological Woredas of Gedio zone, southern Ethiopia. A set of semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 120 sheep and goat owners based on single-visit-interviews. 32.6% of them participate in crop production, 56.5% of them involved in both animal and crop production and 5% of them involved in crop production, animal production and off farm activity. Sheep flock in the study sites were significantly different; and were 5.63, 6.97 and 3.4 in Wenago, Dilla and Kochera sites, respectively. Major feed resources were grazing (33.5%). The highest mortality rate occurred in suckling flock (16.24% lambs; 16.3% kids), young flock (9.64% lambs; 13.24% kids) and breeding females (ewes 12.06% and does 14.1%) in all study sites. Sheep and goat production in the studied areas was constrained by different problems; where the major ones are availability and cost of feeds, limitation of land for the expansion of production and poor extension services. Sheep and goats are very important smallholder producers due to their biological factors such as short generation interval, twinning, have short growth periods and do not require much space. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ije.v4i2. 12658 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 296-307
Gross renal morphology of the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) (Marsupialia : Myrmecobiidae)

There is a strong correlation between the structure of the mammalian kidney and its urinary concentrating ability. We examine here the kidney of an endangered termitivorous marsupial (Myrmecobius fasciatus) and use the measured kidney morphometrics to calculate maximal urinary concentration. The relative medullary area (1.34) of the kidney of M. fasciatus is typical of other dasyuromorph marsupials, as is its predicted maximal urinary concentration of 3617 mOsm kg–1 H2O, despite its historically semiarid/arid distribution. The termitivorous diet of M. fasciatus presumably provides it with sufficient water to limit selection for a high urinary concentrating capacity.
Analysis of community attributes of the benthic macrofauna of Frierfjord/Langesundfjord and in a mesocosm experiment

Sublittoral macrofauna was sampled along a putative pollution gradient at 6 sites in Frierfjord/Langesundfjord. Norway, during the GEEP Workshop. Data were subjected to a variety of multivariate statistical analyses which discriminate between sites on their faunistic attributes, and univariate measures of community stress were determined. Multivariate analyses produced generally similar results. Univariate stress measures in combination ranked the sites in order of increasing disturbance. Measured levels of pollutants in the sediments correlated poorly with the multivariate 2-D configurations and with the univariate measures of disturbance. It was concluded that water depth was the overriding factor controlling community structure, and that this masked any possible effects of pollution. The 3 deepest sites displayed the most obvious signs of stress, and this was attributed to seasonal anoxia in the deeper parts of Langesundfjord. In order to establish cause and effect relations between measured levels of pollutants (copper and hydrocarbons) and community responses, box-cores of sublittoral sediment were subjected to 4 levels of contamination in a mesocosm experiment. Although some of the 'classical' intuitive methods indicated possible community responses, the objective methods largely failed to reveal clear-cut differences in community structure between treatment levels. The relative merits of the 'classical' and objective approaches are discussed.
Juslin Alignment of Cardiac Structures in [ 15 O ] H 2 O Perfusion PET Studies

Positron emission tomography (PET) with [O]H2O provides a method to measure quantitatively the myocardial perfusion in vivo. The quantification enables an objective and accurate way to compare studies acquired on different time occasions or under different conditions. The challenge in [O]H2O cardiac perfusion PET studies is the low contrast between cardiac structures in the images, because the tracer is freely diffusible. Furthermore, the contraction motion of the heart and the movement of the heart in the thorax, due to respiration, make the quantitative analysis even more difficult. In addition, the patient may move during the acquisition or the position of the patient may change between the studies. For these reasons, the goal of the thesis has been to develop and evaluate image analysis methods to improve the usability of [O]H2O myocardial perfusion PET studies for drug development and clinical diagnostics. In this thesis, a novel systemic process to align the studies to the same position is presented. Thanks to the alignment, the same regions of interest (ROIs) can be used in the analyses of the studies, ensuring that the comparison is carried out in equivalent myocardial segments. This increases the repeatability and accuracy of the quantification. Because the heart position is not fixed in the thorax, the alignment should be carried out using cardiac structures instead of external landmarks or other thoracic structures. In this thesis, the independent component analysis (ICA) method was evaluated for the separation of the cardiac structures. For the alignment of the studies, an approach based on mutual information (MI) was developed. The difficulty in developing and improving the analysis of medical images is that reference values, i.e. golden standards, are not available, on which to base the comparison. In this thesis, one of the aims was to construct realistic simulated data, to be able to evaluate the developed approach. In the constructed simulated data, knowledge of the heart physiology, anatomy and function was combined in the measurement of the myocardial perfusion with PET and O-15labeled water. With the simulated data, it was possible to quantitatively evaluate ICA for the separation of the cardiac structures, as well the developed approach to align the studies. The cardiac structures were successfully separated with ICA under different perfusion levels, and with cardiac and respiratory motion, even with real human data. The results proved that the cardiac structures from different studies can reliably be extracted for the alignment. The quantitative evaluation of the developed approach proved that by