Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type C retrovirus inactivation by human complement is determined by both the viral genome and the producer cell

The inactivation of type C retroviruses by human serum may be a considerable impediment to the use of retroviral vectors in vivo for gene therapy. Here we show that virus inactivation is dependent both on the virus and on the cell line used to produce the virus. All viruses produced from murine NIH 3T3 or dog Cf2ThS+L- cells are sensitive to human serum. In contrast, those produced from mink Mv-1-Lu and human HOS or TE671 cells are at least partially resistant, with the exception of murine leukemia viruses. In particular, the feline endogenous virus RD114 is completely resistant to a panel of eight human sera when produced from Mv-1-Lu or HOS cells. This differential resistance is controlled by the viral envelope proteins. Virus inactivation can be correlated with the ability of the producer cells to be lysed by human serum. Inactivation of sensitive viruses requires the classical pathway of complement but does not require virion lysis.
Major depression following traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Major depression is a frequent psychiatric complication among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). To our knowledge, however, the clinical correlates of major depression have not been extensively studied. OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical, neuropsychological, and structural neuroimaging correlates of major depression occurring after TBI. DESIGN Prospective, case-controlled, surveillance study conducted during the first year after the traumatic episode occurred. Settings University hospital level I trauma center and a specialized rehabilitation unit. METHODS The study group consisted of 91 patients with TBI. In addition, 27 patients with multiple traumas but without evidence of central nervous system injury constituted the control group. The patients' conditions were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the traumatic episode. Psychiatric diagnosis was made using a structured clinical interview and DSM-IV criteria. Neuropsychological testing and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging were performed at the 3-month follow-up visit. RESULTS Major depressive disorder was observed in 30 (33%) of 91 patients during the first year after sustaining a TBI. Major depressive disorder was significantly more frequent among patients with TBI than among the controls. Patients with TBI who had major depression were more likely to have a personal history of mood and anxiety disorders than patients who did not have major depression. Patients with major depression exhibited comorbid anxiety (76.7%) and aggressive behavior (56.7%). Patients with major depression had significantly greater impairment in executive functions than their nondepressed counterparts. Major depression was also associated with poorer social functioning at the 6-and 12-month follow-up, as well as significantly reduced left prefrontal gray matter volumes, particularly in the ventrolateral and dorsolateral regions. CONCLUSIONS Major depression is a frequent complication of TBI that hinders a patient's recovery. It is associated with executive dysfunction, negative affect, and prominent anxiety symptoms. The neuropathological changes produced by TBI may lead to deactivation of lateral and dorsal prefrontal cortices and increased activation of ventral limbic and paralimbic structures including the amygdala.
Virtual registers

The number of physical registers is one of the critical issues of current superscalar out-of-order processors. Conventional architectures allocate, in the decoding stage, a new storage location (e.g. a physical register) for each operation that has a destination register. When an instruction is committed, it frees the physical register allocated to the previous instruction that had the same destination logical register. Thus, an additional register (i.e. in addition to the number of logical registers) is used for each instruction with a destination register from the time it is decoded until it is committed. In this paper, we propose a novel register organization that allocates physical registers when instructions complete their execution. In this way, the register pressure is significantly reduced, since the additional register is only used from the time execution completes until the instruction is committed. For some long-latency instructions (e.g. load with a cache miss) and for parts of the code with a small amount of parallelism, the savings could be very high. We have evaluated the new scheme for a superscalar processor and obtained a significant speedup.
A METAANALYSIS OF STUDIES ON INTERNAL CONTROL JUDGMENTS

The level of consensus among auditors in evaluating internal control quality and determining the level of substantive testing required has been studied more than any other topic in audit decision making (Ashton [1983] and Libby, Artman, and Willingham [1985]). Most studies in this area have replicated or extended the work of Ashton [1974] and Joyce [1976] with the purpose of testing the generalizability of the Ashton study or reconciling Ashton's finding of high mean consensus for internal control evaluations with Joyce's finding of low mean consensus for audithour estimates. Earlier literature reviews in this area concluded that while there was reasonable consensus among auditors on evaluation of internal control, there was little consensus with respect to the planning of substantive tests (for example, Joyce and Libby [1982] and Ashton [1982]). However, with the benefit of subsequent work by Gaumnitz et al. [1982] and Kaplan [1985], recent reviews suggest that "the results are still very tentative" (Felix and Niles [1988]). The apparent conflict between different studies has been accompanied by continued calls for further research (Kaplan [1985]). The purpose of this paper is to use meta-analysis to examine the possibility that the apparently conflicting findings across internal control judgment studies are purely artifactual. Meta-analysis quantitatively
Implementation of Voltage-Based Commutation in Space-Vector-Modulated Matrix Converter

A novel voltage-based commutation (VBC) strategy without explicit input-voltage measurement is proposed in this paper. By properly selecting the width of the critical intervals, the two-step uncritical commutation and four-step critical commutation approaches are utilized to realize safe VBC. The general switching patterns of space-vector modulation (SVM) are analyzed, and the four-step critical commutations are avoided by using four selected SVM switching patterns; thus, all the commutations in the matrix converter can be achieved by two-step VBC. In order to prevent the commutation processes from being interrupted, the triple-zero-vector switching pattern and the single-zero-vector switching pattern are utilized by selecting an appropriate commutation time and the output-voltage/current distortion is minimized. Prototype experiments have been carried out to show the validity of the control strategies.
Construction of a Prophage-Free Variant of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 for Use as a Platform Strain for Basic Research and Industrial Biotechnology

ABSTRACT The activity of bacteriophages and phage-related mobile elements is a major source for genome rearrangements and genetic instability of their bacterial hosts. The genome of the industrial amino acid producer Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 contains three prophages (CGP1, CGP2, and CGP3) of so far unknown functionality. Several phage genes are regularly expressed, and the large prophage CGP3 (∼190 kbp) has recently been shown to be induced under certain stress conditions. Here, we present the construction of MB001, a prophage-free variant of C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 with a 6% reduced genome. This strain does not show any unfavorable properties during extensive phenotypic characterization under various standard and stress conditions. As expected, we observed improved growth and fitness of MB001 under SOS-response-inducing conditions that trigger CGP3 induction in the wild-type strain. Further studies revealed that MB001 has a significantly increased transformation efficiency and produced about 30% more of the heterologous model protein enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP), presumably as a consequence of an increased plasmid copy number. These effects were attributed to the loss of the restriction-modification system (cg1996-cg1998) located within CGP3. The deletion of the prophages without any negative effect results in a novel platform strain for metabolic engineering and represents a useful step toward the construction of a C. glutamicum chassis genome of strain ATCC 13032 for biotechnological applications and synthetic biology.
Mortality of biliary atresia in children not undergoing liver transplantation in the Netherlands

de Vries W, de Langen ZJ, Aronson DC, Hulscher JBF, Peeters PMJG, Jansen‐Kalma P, Verkade HJ also on behalf of NeSBAR. Mortality of biliary atresia in children not undergoing liver transplantation in the Netherlands. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:176–183. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Insulin Resistance and β Cell Function in Patients with β-Thalassemia Major

Abstract Iron overload is a common finding in chronically transfused β-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients with possible effect on β cell function and insulin resistance. In this study we aimed to evaluate glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and β cell function in β-TM patients. A total of 78 transfusion-dependant β-TM patients and 40 age and sex matched normal children were included. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed in all subjects. Fasting plasma insulin level, insulin resistance index (IRI) and β cell function index (BFI) were also estimated. β-Thalassemia major patients had significantly more abnormal OGTT than the control group. β-Thalassemia major patients had significantly higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) fasting blood sugar and IRI than the control group. Findings between β-thalassemia (β-thal) patients, with and without abnormal OGTT results, were also compared; β-thal patients with abnormal OGTT had significantly higher duration of chelation therapy, serum ferritin levels, AST, ALT and increased IRI and decreased BFI in comparison to patients with normal OGTT. Abnormal glucose metabolism is common in β-TM patients with chelation therapy and multiple transfusions which are attributable to impaired β cells’ function and increased insulin resistance.
Metabolism and inflammatory mediators in the peritendinous space measured by microdialysis during intermittent isometric exercise in humans

1 The metabolic processes that occur around the tendon during mechanical loading and exercise are undescribed in man. These processes are important for understanding the development of overuse inflammation and injury. 2 A microdialysis technique was used to determine interstitial concentrations of glycerol, glucose, lactate, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) as well as to calculate tissue substrate balance in the peritendinous region of the human Achilles tendon. Recovery of 48–62% (range) at rest and 70–77% during exercise were obtained for glycerol, glucose and PGE2. 3 Six young healthy humans were studied at rest, during 30 min of intermittent static plantar flexion of the ankle at a workload corresponding to individual body weight, and during 60 min of recovery. Microdialysis was performed in both legs with simultaneous determination of blood flow by 133Xe washout in the same area, and blood sampling from the radial artery. 4 With exercise, the net release of lactate as well as of glycerol from the peritendinous space of the Achilles tendon increased 2‐fold (P < 0.05). Furthermore a 100% increase in interstitial concentration of PGE2 and TXB2 was found, but it was only significant for TXB2(P < 0.05). As peritendinous blood flow increased 2‐ to 3‐fold during intermittent static contractions, this indicates also that the output of these substances from the tissue increased during exercise. 5 This study indicates that both lipid and carbohydrate metabolism as well as inflammatory activity is accelerated in the peritendinous region of the human Achilles tendon with dynamic loading.
Non‐invasive, quantitative assessment of the anatomical phenotype of corticotropin‐releasing factor‐overexpressing mice by MRI

High resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to quantify alterations in thymus and adrenal volumes, as well as body fat in genetically engineered corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF)‐overexpressing mice. When compared to the organs in age‐matched wild‐type animals, the adrenals in CRF‐overexpressing male mice were significantly enlarged and the thymus volume in females was significantly smaller. The fat content was significantly larger in CRF‐overexpressing mice. The anatomical alterations observed in the MRI studies were in perfect line with post‐mortem data (weights of organs). Furthermore, the observed interstrain differences are in agreement with recently published data on (i) the effect of continuous, intraventricular infusion of CRF in rats and (ii) the presence of atrophic adrenals in CRF‐knockout mice. The present studies demonstrate that MRI can provide reliable measures of relatively small structures such as the adrenal glands and the thymus in mice. This makes MRI an attractive, non‐terminal tool to monitor in laboratory animals, including transgenic mice, the consequence of continuous stress on relevant organs. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of bovine embryos in vitro as affected by energy substrates.

Simple media were developed to study the metabolic requirements of bovine embryos up to Day 7 (Day 0 = day of oocyte aspiration) in vitro. Embryos were derived from oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. At 45 +/- 2 h post insemination, embryos (> or = 2 cells) were randomly allotted to treatments. Examined in experiments 1 and 3 was the effect of pyruvate concentration in the presence of lactate. In the presence of lactate, pyruvate (0.2-5.0 mM) had no effect (p > 0.05) on the percentage of morulae or blastocysts. However, increasing the concentration of hemicalcium L-lactate from 5 mM to 10 mM decreased (p < 0.001) the percentage of embryos reaching the morula or blastocyst stage (experiment 3). Neither magnesium sulfate (0.5 mM) nor EDTA (10 mM) improved embryo development when added to the medium CR1 (experiment 2). Increasing the calcium level to 5 mM or the lactate level to 10 mM had no effect (p > 0.05) on embryo development (experiment 4). However, the interaction of adding calcium and lactate resulted in a decreased (p < 0.05) percentage of morulae. Determined in experiment 6 were the independent effects of pyruvate, lactate, and glucose on embryo development in vitro. As pyruvate or lactate level was increased from 1 to 10 mM, the percentage of blastocysts was decreased (p < 0.05). These experiments indicate that adding pyruvate to a medium containing lactate is not necessary for development of bovine embryos in vitro.
Daily life functioning of community‐dwelling elderly couples: an investigation of the feasibility and validity of Ecological Momentary Assessment

Although ambulatory data collection techniques have been used in elderly populations, their feasibility and validity amongst elderly individuals with cognitive impairment and amongst couples remains unexplored. The main objective of this study is to examine the validity of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in elderly persons with or without cognitive impairment and their spouses. The sample included 58 retired farmers (mean 77.3 years, standard deviation [SD] 5.5) with or without cognitive impairment, recruited within a French cohort and 60 spouses (mean 73.4 years, SD 6.9). The presence of cognitive impairment determining by a panel of specialized neurologists permitted to define two groups: “The Cognitive Impairment Group” and “The Control Group”. EMA procedures consisted of repeated telephone interviews five times per day during four days for each spouse. Our results demonstrate the validity of EMA procedures through a 92.1% level of compliance, the absence of fatigue effects, and the lack of evidence for major reactivity to the methods. However, the specificity of our sample may explain the acceptance (42%) and response (75%) rates and may reduce the generalizability of the results to the general population of elderly individuals. Finally, the validation of such techniques may contribute to future research examining community‐dwelling elderly individuals and their spouses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Spectral Imaging System for Quantitative Immunohistochemical Analysis of Early Diabetic Retinopathy

A molecular spectral imaging system has been developed based on microscopy and spectral imaging technology. The system is capable of acquiring molecular spectral images from 400 nm to 800 nm with 2 nm wavelength increments. The basic principles, instrumental systems, and system calibration method as well as its applications for the calculation of the stain-uptake by tissues are introduced. As a case study, the system is used for determining the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and evaluating the therapeutic effects of erythropoietin. Some molecular spectral images of retinal sections of normal, diabetic, and treated rats were collected and analyzed. The typical transmittance curves of positive spots stained for albumin and advanced glycation end products are retrieved from molecular spectral data with the spectral response calibration algorithm. To explore and evaluate the protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on retinal albumin leakage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, an algorithm based on Beer–Lambert's law is presented. The algorithm can assess the uptake by histologic retinal sections of stains used in quantitative pathology to label albumin leakage and advanced glycation end products formation. Experimental results show that the system is helpful for the ophthalmologist to reveal the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and explore the protective effect of erythropoietin on retinal cells of diabetic rats. It also highlights the potential of molecular spectral imaging technology to provide more effective and reliable diagnostic criteria in pathology.
An integrated GNSS remote sensing instrument and its first GNSSR airborne experiment

This paper presents the latest development of NSSC's integrated GNSS remote sensing instrument. This new instrument is flexible designed for a variety of GNSS science needs based on the successful GNOS receiver, but with more functional modules. The goal of this instrument is to be put onboard of future Chinese space-borne platforms to provide precise position and timing information for high-demand space missions and to monitor ionosphere, atmosphere and the earth's surface. A DDM module was developed based on FFT, as a part of the instrument, to receive the reflected signal from a wide code and frequency range. The stored data could be used to study the state of sea and land. An airborne experiment was carried out in order to verify the performance of the module. The retrieval results show consistency with the on-site observables.
Accounting for measurement noise color in frequency domain adaptive algorithms

A method of using a partial knowledge of measurement noise in frequency domain adaptive algorithms is considered. Overlap-save and overlap-add type adaptive schemes are both investigated. The algorithms are derived by minimizing a best linear unbiased estimators (BLUE) criterion function using the stochastic gradient method and then switching over to the frequency domain to reduce the computational complexity. The performance of the algorithms is investigated via simulations using stationary as well as speech signals.
1,2,4‐Triazine‐Modified 2′‐Deoxyuridine Triphosphate for Efficient Bioorthogonal Fluorescent Labeling of DNA

In order to establish the Diels–Alder reaction with inverse electron demand for postsynthetic DNA modification, a 1,2,4‐triazine‐modified 2′‐deoxyuridine triphosphate was synthesized. The bioorthogonally reactive 1,2,4‐triazine group was attached at the 5‐position of 2′‐deoxyuridine by a flexible alkyl linker to facilitate its acceptance by DNA polymerases. The screening of four DNA polymerases showed successful primer extensions, using a mixture of dATP, dGTP, dCTP, and the modified 2′‐deoxyuridine triphosphate, by using KOD XL or Vent polymerase. The triazine moiety was stable under the conditions of primer extension, which was evidenced by labeling with a BCN‐modified rhodamine at room temperature in yields of up to 82 %. Two or three modified bases could be incorporated in quantitative yields when the modification sites were separated by three base pairs. These results establish the 1,2,4‐triazene group as a bioorthogonally reactive moiety in DNA, thereby replacing the problematic 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine for postsynthetic labeling by the Diels–Alder reaction with inverse electron demand.
Twenty‐Year Experience with Early Surgery for Craniosynostosis: I. Isolated Craniofacial Synostosis—Results and Unsolved Problems

Early surgery for isolated craniosynostosis is designed to improve morphology, to prevent functional disturbances, and equally important, to enhance the psychosocial development of the child. As the first of a two-part series, 104 patients with isolated craniofacial synostosis were retrospectively analyzed. Diagnoses included bilateral coronal (10), unilateral coronal (57), metopic (29), and sagittal synostosis (8). All patients underwent primary fronto-orbital advancement-calvarial vault remodeling procedures at less than 18 months of age (mean 8.1 months). Thirteen percent of patients (14) required a secondary cranial vault operation (mean age 22.6 months) to address residual deficits in craniofacial form. Perioperative complications were minimal (5.0 percent), and there was no mortality. Average length of postoperative follow-up was 46.0 months. By the classification of Whitaker et al., which assesses surgical results, 87.5 percent of patients were considered to have at least satisfactory craniofacial form (category I–II) at latest evaluation. Overall rates of hydrocephalus, shunt placement, and seizures (3.8, 1.0, and 2.9 percent, respectively) were low. Among the isolated craniosynostoses, unilateral coronal synostosis/plagiocephaly poses the most complex problems, including vertical orbital dystopia, nasal tip deviation, and residual craniofacial asymmetry; there is also a wide spectrum of findings and growth patterns in this subgroup.
An Adaptive and Dependable System Considering Interdependence between Agents

A multiagent system (MAS) has recently gained public attention as a method to solve competition and cooperation in distributed systems. However, MAS’s vulnerability due to the propagation of failure prevents it from being applied to a large-scale system. This paper proposes an approach to improve the efficiency and reliability of distributed systems. The approach monitors messages between agents to detect undesirable behaviours such as failures. Collecting the information, the system generates global information of interdependence between agents and expresses it in a graph. This interdependence graph enables us to detect or predict undesirable behaviours. This paper also shows that the system can optimize performance of a MAS and improve adaptively its reliability under complicated and dynamic environment by applying the global information acquired from the interdependence graph to a replication system.