Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and chronic liver disease in Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is classified into different types depending on nucleotide sequence variability. Detailed information on the distribution of various HCV genotypes in some geographical areas is available but little is known about Pakistan. In this study, a 5’ non‐coding region (NCR)‐based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping assay was used to investigate the genotype distribution in a large series of HCV‐infected patients in Karachi, Pakistan. Serum samples from 74 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic liver disease (60 patients) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (14 patients) were assayed for anti‐HCV antibody by second generation enzyme immunoassay and 48 were confirmed anti‐HCV‐positive (33 males, 15 females). Other causes of chronic liver disease (e.g. haemochromatosis, Wilson's disease and immunemediated injury) were ruled out. Liver biopsy was done in 27/48 anti‐HCV‐positive patients and in all HCC patients. Genotypes were determined for 45/48 anti‐HCV‐positive study patients; 39/45 (87%) were type 3; four (9%) were type 1; one was type 2; and one was type 5. Past blood transfusion was the main identifiable risk factor found in 10 patients, all type 3. Seven of the 14 HCC patients were anti‐HCV positive, (six were type 3). Most patients with hepatitis C presented with established cirrhosis and complications of portal hypertension and liver failure. In conclusion: (i) genotype 3 is the most common isolate in HCV‐associated chronic liver disease in Pakistan; (ii) a significant proportion of HBsAg‐negative cirrhotics are non‐B, non‐C in aetiology; and (iii) half of the patients with HCC have serological evidence of HCV infection.
High Performance Tri-Gate GaN Power MOSHEMTs on Silicon Substrate

We demonstrate high-performance GaN power metal–oxide–semiconductor high electron mobility transistors (MOSHEMTs) on silicon substrate based on a nanowire tri-gate architecture. The common issue of partial removal of carriers by nanowire etching in GaN tri-gate transistors was resolved mainly by optimized tri-gate geometry, including filling factor and trench width. The tri-gate reduced the OFF-state leakage current (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\mathrm{OFF}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and the subthreshold slope, increased the ON/OFF ratio, and improved the breakdown voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\mathrm {BR}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of the device. With a gate-to-drain separation (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${L}_{\mathrm {GD}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$5~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, the tri-gate MOSHEMTs exhibited <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\mathrm {BR}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 792 V at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\mathrm{OFF}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.3~\mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>/mm, along with a small specific ON-resistance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${R}_{\mathrm {ON, SP}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.91~\pm ~0.08~\text{m}\Omega \cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>cm<sup>2</sup>. With <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${L}_{\mathrm {GD}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$15~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, hard <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\mathrm {BR}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 1755 V at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\mathrm{OFF}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$45~\mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>/mm with high soft <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\mathrm {BR}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 1370 V at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\mathrm{OFF}}= 1\,\,\mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>/mm were achieved, rendering excellent high-power figure of merits (FOMs) up to 1.25 GW/cm<sup>2</sup>. These results unveil the significant potential of nanostructured GaN transistors for future power applications.
Sensitivity of R-R Variation and Valsalva Ratio in Assessment of Cardiovascular Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy

R-R variation and the Valsalva ratio are commonly used to quantitatively assess diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN). To assess the sensitivity of these two measures to parasympathetic ablation, 12 nondiabetic subjects were tested before and after graded doses (0.3–4.0 mg i.v.) of atropine. R-R variation was significantly reduced at 0.7 mg, whereas Valsalva ratio was not significantly smaller until the 2.0-mg dose of atropine. R-R variation continued to become progressively smaller during the 0.85-, 1.0-, and 2.0-mg doses. Valsalva ratio, but not R-R variation, was further reduced by the 4.0- mg dose. To further compare these two measures, two groups of diabetic subjects were compared with a group of nondiabetic subjects (n = 22). One group of diabetic subjects had symptoms of DAN (n = 22), and the other diabetic group had no symptoms of DAN (n = 19). In DAN subjects, both R-R variation (nondiabetic 33.2 ± 4.3 vs. DAN 9.8 ± 1.2, P < .001) and the Valsalva ratio (nondiabetic 1.98 ± 0.07 vs. DAN 1.55 ± 0.07, P < .001) were reduced. However, in asymptomatic subjects, R-R variation (23.2 ± 3.9, P < .05), but not Valsalva ratio (1.94 ± 0.13, NS), was less than nondiabetic subjects. Even after p-blockade, R-R variation was still less in both groups of diabetic subjects (nondiabetic 34.4 ± 4.2 vs. DAN 7.4 ± 1.3, P < .001; asymptomatic 21.8 ± 3.3, P < .02). Thus, the reduced R-R variation is more likely due to decreased parasympathetic rather than increased sympathetic activity. We conclude that R-R variation is more sensitive than Valsalva ratio in detecting parasympathetic ablation and is useful for early detection and follow-up of mild autonomic dysfunction. Valsalva ratio may be more useful for sequential long-term evaluation in subjects with severe diabetic autonomic dysfunction, in whom R-R variation is maximally suppressed.
Countering the Crimes of Administrative Corruption in the International Law

Corruption, as an international legal term, may include various crimes that have special links with each other, which are all called (corruption crimes). In this context, there is not specific crime that can be called corruption crime, but this term includes various ones. Accordingly, the UN convention in counter- corruption has put rules and investigative, judicial procedures for corruption fighting and to inflect punishment thereof. Although UN convention has required the member states to define corruption and the ones responsible for committing them as well to inflect punishment, but they asked the members to consult the legal rules that are included in the convention. The research includes the concept of corruption and means of prevention thereof.
Deselection from elite Australian football as the catalyst for a return to sub-elite competitions: when elite players feel there is ‘still more to give.’

Abstract Career transitions in sport are inevitable and can be normative or non-normative. Thus, retirement experiences are significantly dependent on how the athletes perceive the circumstances surrounding their retirement. While the discontinuation of a sports career is an important transition, it is not the only transition faced by athletes. The aim of this study therefore, was to investigate the experiences of Australian footballers who are deselected from elite competition and return to sub-elite competitions. This study utilises narrative inquiry through a life history approach to explore the transition experiences of Australian footballers who return to the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) sub-elite competition. Ten footballers took part in semi-structured interviews covering topics including experiences in the national Australian Football League competition, the difficulties faced by footballers during the transition process back to the SANFL competition, the support needed by footballers during this period and the responsibility for player well-being. Lacking control over the timing of their transition compounds the loss experienced by the footballers. However, returning to state based competition offers important avenues for the reconnection of former support networks which can be a protective factor in achieving a smooth transition out of elite sport. This study highlights that the current processes for maintaining contact and supporting transitioning footballers are ineffective therefore proposes that the development of an exit transition programme would be beneficial.
Gender Differences in Immediate Antecedents of Ad Lib Cigarette Smoking in Smokers with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Preliminary Report

Abstract Using ambulatory methods for monitoring, this study investigated gender differences regarding the association between smoking and situational cues in 63 smokers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 32 smokers without PTSD. Smokers were instructed to complete a diary entry each time an ambulatory blood pressure monitor took a reading and each time they prepared to smoke. Generalized estimating equations contrasted 682 smoking and 444 nonsmoking situations by group status. For all smokers, ad lib smoking was strongly related to craving. For women with PTSD, ad lib smoking was strongly related to total PTSD symptoms, PTSD reexperiencing symptoms, and PTSD hyperarousal symptoms. For men with PTSD, ad lib smoking was significantly related to negative affect, PTSD reexperiencing symptoms, restlessness, and worry. No other mood antecedents were significant for women or men smokers without PTSD. These results are consistent with previous studies documenting gender differences in smoking behavior, and underscore the importance of examining gender differences in psychiatric samples.
Stock Performance of Jakarta Islamic Index Based on Sharpe, Treynor and Jensen Method

This study aims to analyse stock performance using the Sharpe, Treynor and Jensen methods at Jakarta Islamic Index during 2014-2016. This research is a descriptive and quantitative research. The object of the research is the stocks listed on Jakarta Islamic Index in the period of 2014 to 2016. The sample selection is determined by purposive sampling technique with the criteria of stocks consistently listed on Jakarta Islamic Index during 2014-2016. By this criteria, this study used 19 stocks as a sample. The result shows that there is no stock that consistently performed positively or consistently outperformed Jakarta Islamic Index against market benchmark.
Effects of topical antiglaucoma eye drops on prostaglandin E(2)-induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits.

PURPOSE To evaluate the role of topical instillation of some antiglaucoma agents on experimental elevation of aqueous flare induced by prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in pigmented rabbits. METHODS Transcorneal diffusion of PGE(2) (25 microg/mL or 7.09 x 10(-2) mM) with the use of a glass cylinder was achieved to produce aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits. An antiglaucoma agent was topically administered before application of PGE(2). Aqueous flare was measured with a laser flare cell meter. RESULTS A single instillation of apraclonidine 1.15%, two instillations of epinephrine 1.25%, two instillations of dipivefrin 0.1%, and two instillations and one instillation of dipivefrin 0.04% eye drops inhibited 98%, 96%, 87%, 73%, and 47% of PGE(2)-induced aqueous flare elevation, respectively. Timolol 0.5%, nipradilol 0.25%, dorzolamide 1%, and pilocarpine 2% eye drops had no effects on the increase of PGE(2)-induced flare. CONCLUSIONS Apraclonidine, epinephrine, and dipivefrin eye drops inhibit PGE(2)-induced elevation of aqueous flare in pigmented rabbits.
Construction and Validation of a Perceived Physical Fitness Scale

Numerous researchers have demonstrated that improvements in physical conditioning can influence one's psychological functioning. Heaps proposed in 1978 that physical improvement does not improve psychological functioning. Heaps contended that only when an individual is cognitively aware of the physical improvement can one expect psychological functioning to be enhanced through physical activity. The purpose of this study was to construct a valid and reliable instrument to assess an individual's perception of his physical fitness.
Identification, Expression, and Functional Analysis of the Fructokinase Gene Family in Cassava

Fructokinase (FRK) proteins play important roles in catalyzing fructose phosphorylation and participate in the carbohydrate metabolism of storage organs in plants. To investigate the roles of FRKs in cassava tuber root development, seven FRK genes (MeFRK1–7) were identified, and MeFRK1–6 were isolated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MeFRK family genes can be divided into α (MeFRK 1, 2, 6, 7) and β (MeFRK 3, 4, 5) groups. All the MeFRK proteins have typical conserved regions and substrate binding residues similar to those of the FRKs. The overall predicted three-dimensional structures of MeFRK1–6 were similar, folding into a catalytic domain and a β-sheet ‘‘lid” region, forming a substrate binding cleft, which contains many residues involved in the binding to fructose. The gene and the predicted three-dimensional structures of MeFRK3 and MeFRK4 were the most similar. MeFRK1–6 displayed different expression patterns across different tissues, including leaves, stems, tuber roots, flowers, and fruits. In tuber roots, the expressions of MeFRK3 and MeFRK4 were much higher compared to those of the other genes. Notably, the expression of MeFRK3 and MeFRK4 as well as the enzymatic activity of FRK were higher at the initial and early expanding tuber stages and were lower at the later expanding and mature tuber stages. The FRK activity of MeFRK3 and MeFRK4 was identified by the functional complementation of triple mutant yeast cells that were unable to phosphorylate either glucose or fructose. The gene expression and enzymatic activity of MeFRK3 and MeFRK4 suggest that they might be the main enzymes in fructose phosphorylation for regulating the formation of tuber roots and starch accumulation at the tuber root initial and expanding stages.
Cerebral blood flow and metabolism following subarachnoid haemorrhage: effect of subarachnoid blood

The amount of effused blood following a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) was estimated in 48 patients by cerebral computerized tomographic scanning. The cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) was calculated as arteriovenous difference for oxygen multiplied by mean cerebral blood flow measured by the 133–Xe inhalation technique. A significant negative correlation was observed between CMRO2 and amount of subarachnoid blood, with additional reduction in CMRO2 in case of ventricular bleeding. Cerebral blood flow on admission, opposed to CMRO2, showed no correlation to amount of blood on CT scan. A correlation was observed for blood flow measured at day 5 and further on, indicating a restored coupling between flow and metabolism. The clinical (Hunt) grade on admission and the outcome correlated to the amount of blood. These observations suggest that the acute reduction in CMRO2 following a SAH is mainly determined by the amount of blood escaping during the aneurysm rupture, and that the cerebral blood flow level a few days after SAH mainly is determined by the initial reduction in oxygen uptake.
The Myogenic Response of Arterial Vessels Is Increased in Fetal Pulmonary Hypertension

The stretch-induced myogenic response (MR) of large-capacitance pulmonary arteries were studied in normal and pulmonary hypertensive fetuses as well as normal newborn and adult sheep. Pulmonary hypertension in the fetus was induced by ligation of the ductus arteriosus for 12 d. The MR was obtained by stretching the vessel segments in vitro from their resting diameter (no load) to the diameter at which the muscle fibers were at optimal length (Lo), and the response was measured as a percentage of force obtained after supramaximal electrical stimulation (Po). In five control and four pulmonary hypertensive fetuses, the MR was also obtained after a stretch of 140% of Lo. The pulmonary hypertensive fetal arteries had a lower stress (1.3 ± 0.4 versus 4.0 ± 0.5 mN/mm2; p < 0.001) and shortening capacity compared with the fetal control (5.1 ± 1.6 versus 9.9 ± 0.8% of Lo; p < 0.01). The MR was observed in 21% of the control and 30% of the experimental fetuses, and it was of greater magnitude in the latter (14.8 ± 1.9 of Po versus 34.3 ± 2.5%, respectively; p < 0.01). When stretched to 140% of Lo, the MR was also greater in the experimental (514 ± 148% of Po) than the control fetuses (142 ± 68; p < 0.05). Postnatally, the MR was present in 67% of the newborn and 15% of the adult pulmonary artery segments, and the response was greatest in the newborn (23.1 ± 4.2% of Po) compared with the adult (2.3 ± 0.8; p < 0.01). These data indicate that the stretch-induced MR of large-capacitance pulmonary arteries of the sheep shows significant developmental differences postnatally and is greatly enhanced in the fetus after pulmonary hypertension. We speculate that large-capacitance arteries play a role in the control of pulmonary vascular resistance in pulmonary hypertension as a result of wall stiffness changes in response to intravascular pressure-induced MR.
Changes in responses of medial pontomedullary reticular neurons during repetitive cutaneous, vestibular, cortical, and tectal stimulation.

1. In cats anesthetized with chloralose, responses of medial pontomedullary reticular neurons to stimulation of the body surface, vestibular nerves, superior colliculi, pericruciate cortices, cerebral peduncles, and spinal cord were studied at different stimulus rates. Raising the rate from 1/10 s to between 1/4 s and 2/s caused a significant decrement or increment in the response of most neurons tested. Response decrement typically began near the beginning of the higher frequency stimulus sequence and increased throughout the sequence. Response increment usually began somewhat later, rose to a peak, and then declined. Recovery from response decrement or increment usually occurred within 30-60 s at a 1/10 s stimulus rate.2. Measurements of response latency and of changes occurring in the initial and longer latency portions of responses indicated that all components of a response typically decreased or increased in parallel. Background spontaneous activity did not change during response decrements, but sometimes increased during response increment.3. Where changes could be detected, response decrement usually developed more rapidly when a sequence of repetitive stimulation was repeated.4. Response decrement was most pronounced at the highest stimulation rates and lowest stimulus intensities. Response increment was usually maximal at a stimulus rate of 1/s: at lower rates less increment occurred; at higher rates responses began to exhibit decrement.5. Response changes varied with the type of stimulus applied. Response decrements predominated when the body surface, vestibular nerves, or ipsilateral superior colliculus were stimulated. Approximately equal amounts of response increment and decrement were produced by repetitive stimulation of the cerebral peduncles and contralateral superior colliculus. Stimulation of the surface of the pericruciate cortex or of the spinal cord usually produced a long-lasting response increment.6. Generalization of response decrement and increment was observed in cases where trains of stimuli at a rate of 2/s applied to one point produced changes in the response to stimulation of another point which was tested once per 10 s and where single-shock stimulation of the first point was without effect on the test response. Generalization of response decrement occurred most often when two nearby points were stimulated. Generalization of response increment appeared to spread widely between distant cutaneous points and stimuli of different kinds.7. The response decrement and increment observed in medial pontomedullary reticular neurons displayed most of the parametric features of behavioral habituation and sensitization (8, 33) and therefore appear to represent neural analogs of these latter phenomena. The properties of response decrement suggest that it may occur to a large extent within afferent pathways leading to medial reticular neurons.
Do we understand how botulinum toxin works and have we optimized the way it is administered to the bladder? ICI‐RS 2014

The use of botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) is commonplace now in the management of refractory overactive bladder and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). Despite one formulation now having a license, the full mechanism of action is not fully understood. Furthermore practice varies worldwide in the way the toxin is delivered to the bladder. At the ICI‐RS 2014 Meeting in Bristol, UK a Think Tank session was conducted on the topic of “Do we understand how botulinum toxin works and have we optimized the way it is administered to the bladder? ” This manuscript reflects the Think Tank's summary and opinion.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Links the Interleukin-2 Receptor to Protein Kinase B and p70 S6 Kinase*

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is activated by the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). We have used a constitutively active PI 3-kinase to identify IL-2-mediated signal transduction pathways directly regulated by PI 3-kinase in lymphoid cells. The serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt can act as a powerful oncogene in T cells, but its positioning in normal T cell responses has not been explored. Herein, we demonstrate that PKB is activated by IL-2 in a PI 3-kinase-dependent fashion. Importantly, PI 3-kinase signals are sufficient for PKB activation in IL-2-dependent T cells, and PKB is a target for PI 3-kinase signals in IL-2 activation pathways. The present study establishes also that PI 3-kinase signals or PKB signals are sufficient for activation of p70 S6 kinase in T cells. PI 3-kinase can contribute to, but is not sufficient for, activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erks) and Erk effector pathways. Therefore, PI 3-kinase is a selective regulator of serine/threonine kinase signal transduction pathways in T lymphocytes, and this enzyme provides a crucial link between the interleukin-2 receptor, the protooncogene PKB, and p70 S6 kinase.