Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Heterologous Neutralizing Antibody Responses of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)- and HIV-2-Infected Senegalese Patients: Distinct Patterns of Breadth and Magnitude Distinguish HIV-1 and HIV-2 Infections

ABSTRACT Neutralizing antibody responses against heterologous isolates in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 infections were compared, and their relationships with established clinical markers of progression were examined. Neutralizing responses against 7 heterologous primary isolates and 1 laboratory strain were compared between 32 untreated HIV-1-infected subjects and 35 untreated HIV-2-infected subjects using a pseudotyped reporter virus assay. The breadth of the neutralizing response, defined as the proportion of panel viruses positively neutralized by patient plasma, was significantly greater among HIV-2-infected subjects than among HIV-1-infected subjects. Notably, for fully one-third of HIV-2 subjects, all viruses were effectively neutralized in our panel. Magnitudes of responses, defined as reciprocal 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) titers for positive reactions, were significantly greater among HIV-1-infected subjects than among HIV-2-infected subjects. When plasma samples from HIV-1 patients were tested for cross-neutralization of HIV-2 and vice versa, we found that these intertype responses are very rare and their prevalences comparable in both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection. The significantly higher magnitude of heterologous responses for HIV-1 compared to HIV-2 prompted us to examine associations with viremia, which is known to be significantly higher in HIV-1 infection. Importantly, there was a significant positive correlation between the IC50 titer and viral load within both the HIV-1 and HIV-2 groups, suggesting heterologous antibodies may be driven by viral replication. We conclude that HIV-2 infection is characterized by a broad, low-magnitude intratype neutralization response, while HIV-1 is characterized by a narrower but higher-magnitude intratype response and that a significant positive association between the IC50 titer and viremia is common to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections.
Autophagy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The multiple roles of lithium

In a pilot clinical study that we recently published we found that lithium administration slows the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in human patients. This clinical study was published in addition with basic (in vitro) and pre-clinical (in vivo) data demonstrating a defect of autophagy as a final common pathway in the genesis of ALS. In fact, lithium was used as an autophagy inducer. In detailing the protective effects of lithium we found for the first time that this drug stimulates the biogenesis of mitochondria in the central nervous system and, uniquely in the spinal cord, it induces neuronogenesis and neuronal differentiation. In particular, the effects induced by lithium can be summarized as follows: (i) the removal of altered mitochondria and protein aggregates; (ii) the biogenesis of well-structured mitochondria; (iii) the suppression of glial proliferation; (iv) the differentiation of newly formed neurons in the spinal cord towards a specific phenotype. In this addendum we focus on defective autophagy as a “leit motif” in ALS and the old and novel features of lithium which bridge autophagy activation to concomitant effects that may be useful for the treatment of a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, the biogenesis of mitochondria and the increase of calbindin D 28K-positive neurons, which are likely to support powerful neuroprotection towards autophagy failure, mitochondriopathy, and neuronal loss in the spinal cord. Addendum to: Fornai F, Longone P, Cafaro L, Kastsiuchenka O, Ferrucci M, Manca ML, Lazzeri G, Spalloni A, Bellio N, Lenzi P, Modugno N, Siciliano G, Isidoro C, Murri L, Ruggieri S, Paparelli A. Lithium delays progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:2052-2057.
Prediction of Early Attrition from Couple Therapy

This study explored prediction of early attrition from couple therapy at a community agency. Using 16 therapist-derived predictors of failure to engage in therapy, multiple regression analysis suggested that common-law relationships and low nonmortgage debt predicted dropout among 45 couples. The results are discussed with reference to the literature on early termination.
The polymerase chain reaction in an anemic mode: how to avoid cold oligodeoxyribonuclear fusion.

Johannes Bos University of Utrecht David Botstein Stanford University School of Medicine Jeff Chamberlain University of Michigan Medical School Henry Erlich Cetus Corporation Kenshi Hayashi National Cancer Research Institute, Tokyo Bernhard Horsthemke University of Essen Pieter de Jong Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory David Kemp Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Kenneth Kidd Yale University School of Medicine Ulf Landegren University of Uppsala Medical Center Eric Lander Whitehead Institute of Medical Research Hans Lehrach Imperial Cancer Research Fund Kary Mullis La Jolla, California David Nelson Baylor College of Medicine Debbie Nickerson California Institute of Technology Svante Paabo University of Munich Lap-Chee Tsui Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto James Weber Marshfield Medical Research Foundation Mark Zoller Genentech, Inc.
Analysis for efficiency improvement of CMOS class-E power amplifiers with MEMS inductors

This paper presents an analysis and enhancement of efficiency in a class-E power amplifier using MEMS inductors. The MEMS technology is proposed and demonstrated by a prototype inductor. The model of MEMS inductors is created by HFSS simulator and its simulated result has good match with the measured result. Stacked-metal layer inductors in MEMS process are also developed to increase the quality factor. The simulation result of a CMOS class-E PA with MEMS inductors shows that the increased quality factor of inductors by 2 can improve the PA's efficiency by 6%. Furthermore, we present a design methodology for optimizing the PA's efficiency.
Evaluation of a FLAIR Sequence Designed to Reduce CSF and Blood Flow Artifacts by Use of k-Space Reordered by Inversion Time at Each Slice Position (KRISP) in High Grade Gliomas of the Brain

The objective of this study was to compare conventional and KRISP (k-space reordered by inversion time at each slice position) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences in high grade gliomas for artifact control, conspicuity of intracranial structures, and lesions as well as sensitivity to contrast enhancement. Artifacts were lower with the KRISP FLAIR sequence, and the conspicuity of all assessed structures and lesions was better. The degree of contrast enhancement was similar with T1-weighted and KRISP FLAIR sequences.
RRM1 and PTEN as prognostic parameters for overall and disease-free survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE RRM1 has important functions in the determination of the malignant phenotype. It controls cell proliferation through deoxynucleotide production and metastatic propensity through PTEN induction. It is located in a region of loss of heterozygosity in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is a predictor of poor survival. We hypothesized that RRM1 expression would be a significant predictor of outcome in NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective data set of 49 patients and a prospective data set of 77 patients with resectable NSCLC were studied. RNA was extracted from tumor and normal lung tissue, and expression of the genes RRM1, PTEN, and RRM2 was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS RRM1 expression was significantly correlated with PTEN and RRM2 expression in tumor tissue. RRM1 and PTEN expression in tumor tissue was highly predictive of overall (P =.011 and.018, respectively) and disease-free survival (P =.002 and.026, respectively). Patients with high levels of expression lived longer and had disease recurrence later than patients with low levels of RRM1 and PTEN. In a multivariate analysis, high RRM1 expression was predictive of long survival independent of tumor stage, performance status, and weight loss. CONCLUSION RRM1 is a biologically and clinically important determinant of malignant behavior in NSCLC. Knowing the level of expression of this gene adds significant information to management decisions independent of the currently used outcome predictors of tumor stage, performance status, and weight loss. Future clinical trials should stratify patients based on expression of this gene to avoid unwanted biases.
Randomized Trial Synergistic Effect of Intravenous Ibuprofen and Hydromorphone for Postoperative Pain : Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Methods: Ninety patients, undergoing breast surgery, were divided into one of the 3 groups (I, H, IH groups). Positive analgesic efficacy was defined as a numeric rating scale (NRS) ≤ 3 on a 0 – 10 NRS, 30 minutes after the drug administration. Drugs were administered by the Dixon’s upand-down method. Starting doses were ibuprofen (I) 50 mg, hydromorphone (H) 0.25 mg, or ibuprofen 25 mg + hydromorphone 0.125 mg (IH). The maximum doses were ibuprofen 800 mg, hydromorphone 2 mg, or ibuprofen 400 mg + hydromorphone 1 mg. Combination index (CI) (additive: 0.9 – 1.1, synergism: < 0.9, antagonism: > 1.1), dose reduction index (DRI, a measure of how much the dose of each drug in a combination can be reduced), and isobologram were used to define the nature of their interaction.
Do Software Engineers Have Preferred Representational Systems?

This paper is a ﬁ rst step towards the study of representational systems preferences in software engineering. It uses a survey combined with Item Response Theory (IRT) data analysis to show that software engineers indeed have Preferred Representational Systems, and points out that those preferences can be identi ﬁ ed. These ﬁ ndings can stimulate researches on multimedia aids (video and audio) to help software construction and comprehension, and help scientists and managers to devise be tt er ways to communicate with, and manage, software engineers.
‘I was dead restorative today’: from restorative justice to restorative approaches in school

This paper explores definitions and understandings of restorative practices in education. It offers a critique of current theoretical models of restorative justice originally derived from the criminal justice system and now becoming popular in educational settings. It questions the appropriateness of these concepts as they are being introduced to schools in parts of the UK and refers to a recent Scottish Executive funded pilot initiative to implement restorative practices in schools. The paper then reflects on some findings from the evaluation of this pilot project, outlines a new notion of restorative approaches and suggests that this broader conceptualisation may offer an important way in which to promote social justice in education and to reassess the importance and inevitability of conflicting social interaction and structures inherent in schools as complex social institutions.
Modeling of glacier bed topography from glacier outlines, central branch lines, and a DEM

Due to the expected future climate change, glacier ice as a resource will be further diminished and its sea-level rise contribution further increased. A key for a more accurate determination of future glacier evolution is to improve our currently sparse knowledge on glacier bedrock topography. Here, we present a simplified method implemented in a geographic information system to approximate subglacial topography at a regional scale from spatial interpolation of local ice thickness values. The latter were derived from an ice-dynamical approach, which relates glacier thickness to its local surface slope, total vertical extent, and basal shear stress. The only input data required are glacier outlines, a set of central branch lines, and a digital elevation model (DEM). The modeled glacier beds are in good agreement with other, more complex modeling approaches and direct measurements. The observed local deviations can be explained with the sensitive dependence of our approach on the surface slope and the different methods used for spatial interpolation. The mean glacier thickness derived here for a sample of 40 glaciers in the Swiss Alps is slightly smaller than that derived from a similar, but scalar approach. Further adjustments of the data processing are possible to achieve agreement with available validation data. However, despite its local inaccuracies, the resulting DEM without glaciers can facilitate several applications such as the detection of overdeepenings or the modeling of future glacier evolution.
Ultrasonic flow meter with piezoelectric transducer arrays integrated in the walls of a fiber-reinforced composite duct

The integration of piezoelectric transducers into composite components allows for both the measurement and the excitation of plate waves within the component. A common use for plate waves in composite components is structure health monitoring. In the presented work, however, the radiation of ultrasound from the surface of the component due to plate waves in the component is utilized, i.e. fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) plates with integrated arrays of piezoelectric macro fiber composite (MFC) transducers are used as ultrasound transmitter and receiver. Building on that, the measurement of sound transit times between two facing FRP walls of a duct is used for the determination of the flow velocity of the fluid inside the duct. In that way, a flow meter integrated in the walls of a duct made of composites is built.
Differentiation of radial glia‐like cells from embryonic stem cells

Radial glial cells play important roles in neural development. They provide support and guidance for neuronal migration and give rise to neurons and glia. In vitro, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes can be generated from neural and embryonic stem cells, but the generation of radial glial cells from these stem cells has not yet been reported. Since the differentiation of radial glial cells is indispensable during brain development, we hypothesize that stem cells also generate radial glial cells during in vitro neural differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we utilized five different clones of mouse embryonic (ES) and embryonal carcinoma (EC) stem cell lines to investigate the differentiation of radial glial cells during in vitro neural differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that radial glia‐like cells can be generated from ES/EC cell lines. These ES/EC cell‐derived radial glia‐like cells are similar in morphology to radial glial cells in vivo, i.e., they are bipolar with an unbranched long process and a short process. They also express several cytoskeletal markers, such as nestin, RC2, and/or GFAP, that are characteristics of radial glial cells in vivo. The processes of these in vitro generated radial glia‐like cells are organized into parallel arrays that resemble the radial glial scaffolds in neocortical development. Since radial glia‐like cells were observed in all five clones of ES/EC cells tested, we suggest that the differentiation of radial glial cells may be a common pathway during in vitro neural differentiation of ES cells. This novel in vitro model system should facilitate the investigation of regulation of radial glial cell differentiation and its biological function. GLIA 42:109–117, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Varicella-Zoster Viral Meningitis Mimicking Lymphoma

We report the case of a 30-year-old HIV-infected man admitted for a meningeal syndrome and a zoster rash. The CSF had cytological features suggesting a primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). The large lymphoid cells had a fine chromatin with nucleoli, a basophilic cytoplasm with azurophilic granules and high mitotic activity. Several arguments demonstrated the viral origin of the meningitis: the large lymphoid cells were of T origin with no evidence of clonal TCR γ gene rearrangement. The PCR was positive for Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) and EBV DNA. Clinical evolution was favorable under acyclovir. We should be cautious in the differential diagnosis between viral meningitis and PCNSL.
Configuration-interaction description of transition-metal impurities in II-VI semiconductors.

The electronic properties of substitutional 3d transition-metal impurities in II-VI semiconductors have been studied using the cluster and Anderson impurity models with configuration interaction. It is shown that the photoemission and inverse-photoemission spectra, d-d optical-absorption spectra, exchange interaction between the 3d magnetic moment and the host band states, and donor and acceptor ionization energies can be reproduced with the same set of parameters, which show systematic variation with expected chemical trends. The importance of multiplet effects in the formation of donor and acceptor levels within the band gap is demonstrated.
Mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta caused by Salmonella typhimurium

A fatal case of mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta is described. Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from blood cultures and from cultures of a post‐mortem sample of the aneurysm. A review of the literature showed that while endovascular infection is a recognized complication of salmonellal septicaemia in the elderly, infection of the thoracic aorta by Salmonella spp. is rare. A combination of surgery and antibiotic therapy always is required for a successful outcome.
Creep of Geotextiles Using Time–Temperature Superposition Methods

The objective of this study is to evaluate the creep deformations, creep failure, and residual tensile strength of geosynthetics using accelerated time-temperature procedures and procedures consistent with rapid tensile testing. The study proposes new definitions for the quantification of creep, of creep failure, and of the reference strength for quantification of residual strength. Design implications are proposed regarding the use of creep reduction factor to account for the actual loss in tensile strength after sustained creep while still accounting for creep.
The biofilm matrix of Campylobacter jejuni determined by fluorescence lectin-binding analysis

Abstract Campylobacter jejuni is responsible for the most common bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis. Despite its fastidious growth, it can survive harsh conditions through biofilm formation. In this work, fluorescence lectin-binding analysis was used to determine the glycoconjugates present in the biofilm matrix of two well-described strains. Screening of 72 lectins revealed strain-specific patterns with six lectins interacting with the biofilm matrix of both strains. The most common sugar moiety contained galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. Several lectins interacted with N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid, probably originated from the capsular polysaccharides, lipooligosaccharides and N-glycans of C. jejuni. In addition, glycoconjugates containing mannose and fucose were detected within the biofilm, which have not previously been found in the C. jejuni envelope. Detection of thioflavin T and curcumin highlighted the presence of amyloids in the cell envelope without association with specific cell appendages. The lectins ECA, GS-I, HMA and LEA constitute a reliable cocktail to detect the biofilm matrix of C. jejuni.
Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitor Reveals a Non-catalytic Role for GAPDH Oligomerization in Cell Death*

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), an important glycolytic enzyme, has a non-catalytic (thus a non-canonical) role in inducing mitochondrial elimination under oxidative stress. We recently demonstrated that phosphorylation of GAPDH by δ protein kinase C (δPKC) inhibits this GAPDH-dependent mitochondrial elimination. δPKC phosphorylation of GAPDH correlates with increased cell injury following oxidative stress, suggesting that inhibiting GAPDH phosphorylation should decrease cell injury. Using rational design, we identified pseudo-GAPDH (ψGAPDH) peptide, an inhibitor of δPKC-mediated GAPDH phosphorylation that does not inhibit the phosphorylation of other δPKC substrates. Unexpectedly, ψGAPDH decreased mitochondrial elimination and increased cardiac damage in an animal model of heart attack. Either treatment with ψGAPDH or direct phosphorylation of GAPDH by δPKC decreased GAPDH tetramerization, which corresponded to reduced GAPDH glycolytic activity in vitro and ex vivo. Taken together, our study identified the potential mechanism by which oxidative stress inhibits the protective GAPDH-mediated elimination of damaged mitochondria. Our study also identified a pharmacological tool, ψGAPDH peptide, with interesting properties. ψGAPDH peptide is an inhibitor of the interaction between δPKC and GAPDH and of the resulting phosphorylation of GAPDH by δPKC. ψGAPDH peptide is also an inhibitor of GAPDH oligomerization and thus an inhibitor of GAPDH glycolytic activity. Finally, we found that ψGAPDH peptide is an inhibitor of the elimination of damaged mitochondria. We discuss how this unique property of increasing cell damage following oxidative stress suggests a potential use for ψGAPDH peptide-based therapy.
Coordinated Autonomous Vehicle Parking for Vehicle-to-Grid Services: Formulation and Distributed Algorithm

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will revolutionarize ground transport and take a substantial role in the future transportation system. Most AVs are likely to be electric vehicles (EVs) and they can participate in the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system to support various V2G services. Although it is generally infeasible for EVs to dictate their routes, we can design AV travel plans to fulfill certain system-wide objectives. In this paper, we focus on the AVs looking for parking and study how they can be led to appropriate parking facilities to support V2G services. We formulate the coordinated parking problem (CPP), which can be solved by a standard integer linear program solver but requires long computational time. To make it more practical, we develop a distributed algorithm to address CPP based on dual decomposition. We carry out a series of simulations to evaluate the proposed solution methods. Our results show that the distributed algorithm can produce nearly optimal solutions with substantially less computational time. A coarser time scale can improve computational time but degrade the solution quality resulting in possible infeasible solution. Even with communication loss, the distributed algorithm can still perform well and converge with only little degradation in speed.
No Beneficial Effect of Icodextrin on Blood Glucose Control

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