Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid screening method with a cell multisizer for inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus-induced cell fusion in vitro

Cocultivation of MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/HIVHTLV-IIIB cells induces syncytium formation very efficiently and is an appropriate model for evaluation of various substances which might inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced multinucleated giant cell formation in vitro. We attempted here to quantify the grade of the syncytium formation by using a cell multisizer. The size distribution pattern of the cocultivated cells in the presence of glycyrrhizin sulfate, polysaccharide Krestin, dextran sulfate, ribofuranan sulfate, and lentinan sulfate was indistinguishable from that of cocultured cells grown in the absence of inhibitors. However, the pattern of cocultured cells without an inhibitor was quite different from that of MOLT-4 or MOLT-4/HIVHTLV-IIIB cells alone. Moreover, the size distribution pattern of cocultured cells after treatment with two nucleoside analogs, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine, which were known to inhibit cell-free but not cell-to-cell infection, was similar to that of cocultured cells without an inhibitor. These data are well correlated with the fusion index which was reported previously. Application of the cell multisizer is very quantitative for evaluating the syncytium formation induced by HIV and providing a simple and rapid screening for anti-HIV substances, especially for virus-induced cell fusion.
Association between β-Lactamase-Encoding bla OXA-51 Variants and DiversiLab Rep-PCR-Based Typing of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates

ABSTRACT This study investigated the correlation between bla OXA-51 variants and Acinetobacter baumannii worldwide clonal lineages 1 to 8 (WW1 to -8). The bla OXA-51-like genes of 102 A. baumannii isolates were sequenced. Using DiversiLab repetitive-sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) typing, 92 of these isolates had previously been assigned to WW1 to -8 and 10 were unclustered. Clustering of DNA sequences was performed using the neighbor-joining method and the Jukes-Cantor phylogenetic correction. bla OXA-51 variants were in good correlation with DiversiLab-defined clonal lineages. Sequence-based typing of bla OXA-51 variants has the potential to be applied for epidemiologic characterization of A. baumannii and to identify worldwide clonal lineages 1 to 8.
Long memory in the Ukrainian stock market DIW

This paper examines the dynamics of stock prices in Ukraine by estimating the degree of persistence of the PFTS stock market index. Using long memory techniques we show that the log prices series is I(d) with d slightly above 1, implying that returns are characterised by a small degree of long memory and thus are predictable using historical data. Moreover, their volatility, measured as the absolute and squared returns, also displays long memory. Finally, we examine if the time dependence is affected by the day of the week; the results indicate that Mondays and Fridays are characterised by higher dependency, consistently with the literature on anomalies in stock market prices.
Rs46522 in the Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2Z Gene Is Associated with the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Individuals of Chinese Han Population with Type 2 Diabetes

Aims We investigated the association between ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2Z (UBE2Z) gene SNP rs46522 and the risk of CAD in a Chinese Han population with type 2 diabetes and explored a possible interactive effect with environmental risk factors of CAD. Methods 665 patients with T2D were enrolled; 390 were CAD patients and 275 were non-CAD patients. Genotype analysis of rs46522 (T>C) was performed using PCR-RFLP. Results The SNP rs47522 was associated with the risk of CAD supposing recessive inheritance model (TT versus CC+CT, OR′ = 1.277, 95%CI′ 1.039–1.570, p′ = 0.020) and codominant model (TT versus CT, OR′ = 1.673, 95%CI′ 1.088–2.570, p′ = 0.019) after adjustment for confounders of CAD. A synergistic effect of rs46522 and BMI was discovered (β = 0.012, p for interreaction = 0.028). In subgroup analysis, minor allele T was significantly associated with CAD in overweight and obesity subgroup (p = 0.034), and the association was also proved in recessive model (OR = 1.537, 95%CI 1.075–2.196, p = 0.018). Smokers with genotype TT had threefold risk of CAD in comparison to nonsmokers with genotype TC or CC (p < 0.001). Conclusions The SNP rs46522 in UBE2Z gene is associated with the risk of CAD in the individuals of Chinese Han descent with type 2 diabetes and is of synergistic effect with BMI.
Observer-based fault detection for nonuniform sampling systems

This paper is concerned with robust fault detection filter (RFDF) design problem for a class of nonuniform sampling systems, where the sampling interval is time-varying within a certain known bound. First, the system is transformed into a time-varying discrete time system, where time-varying parts due to the sampling interval variation are treated as norm bounded uncertainties based on robust control techniques. Then design of the optimal reference residual generator is formulated as an H∞ model-matching problem. The existence condition of the robust fault detection filter for nonuniform sampling systems is presented in terms of linear matrix inequality(LMI) applying robust H∞ optimization control technique. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Assessment of Bio-Trickling Filter Startup for Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

The aim of the present study was to assess the bio-trickling filter startup for the treatment of wastewater produced by Pegah Dairy Company at psychrophilic condition. The startup time of a bio-trickling filter is directly proportional to the concentration of microbial population. A bio-trickling column with a height of 150 cm was packed with lava rocks with the liquid recirculated through the packing. The startup flow rate for the pilot was 0.0035 L/min, with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 days at 7-13oC. Results indicated that for HRT of 10 days, the efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was more than 85% for less than 100 g COD/m3/h. Subsequently, dairy wastewater was added to the reminder of activated sludge with the HRT of 8 days, and the nutrients were added to the pilot tank with a daily ratio of carbon/nitrogen/phosphorous: 100/5/1. For the subsequent 5 days, the pilot was maintained in a steady state. The results revealed that the pilot startup was performed completely.
A review of high-impedance and low-impedance differential relaying for bus protection

Differential protection is usually applied on bus protection because of its high selectivity since it does not need to coordinate with other relays. Bus differential protection in power system networks operates on a principle defined by Kirchoff's current law. The law states that the vector sum of all currents entering and leaving a node or bus is equal to zero. It is this principle that is used in all bus differential protection regardless of the relay type used. This paper discusses the fundamentals of bus protection with a focus on the two common methods typically used: high-impedance and low-impedance bus differential relaying. Included are the basic theories of high impedance and low-impedance differential relaying and their operational concepts. A comparison between the two methods which points out the benefits, drawbacks, concerns and considerations is also given. The importance of current transformer selection and performance are considered in this paper as part of the consideration in bus differential protection scheme design.
Limitations of PET-PEESE and Other Meta-Analysis Methods

A novel meta-regression method, precision-effect test and precision-effect estimate with standard errors (PET-PEESE), predicts and explains recent high-profile failures to replicate in psychology. The central purpose of this article is to identify the limitations of PET-PEESE for application to social/personality psychology. Using typical conditions found in social/personality research, our simulations identify three areas of concern. PET-PEESE performs poorly in research areas where there are only a few studies, all studies use small samples, and where there is very high heterogeneity of results from study to study. Nonetheless, the statistical properties of conventional meta-analysis approaches are much worse than PET-PEESE under these same conditions. Our simulations suggest alterations to conventional research practice and ways to moderate PET-PEESE weaknesses.
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Imaging by Parametric X-ray Radiation

The parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) generator system at Laboratory for Electron Beam Research and Application (LEBRA) in Nihon University is a monochromatic and coherent X-ray source with horizontal wavelength dispersion. The energy definition of the X-rays, which depends on the horizontal size of the incident electron beam on the generator target crystal, has been investigated experimentally by measuring the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra on Cu and CuO associated with conventional X-ray absorption imaging technique. The result demonstrated the controllability of the spectrum resolution of XANES by adjusting of the horizontal electron beam size on the target crystal. The XANES spectra were obtained with energy resolution of several eV at the narrowest case, which is in qualitative agreement with the energy definition of the PXR X-rays evaluated from geometrical consideration. The result also suggested that the wavelength dispersive X-ray absorption fine structure measurement associated with imaging technique is one of the promising applications of PXR.
The resistance to ischemia of white and gray matter after stroke

A contributing factor to the failure of trials of neuroprotectants in acute ischemic stroke may be the differing vulnerability to ischemia of white compared with gray matter. To address this issue, we determined to establish the existence of potentially viable tissue in white matter and its evolution to infarction or salvage in both gray and white matter compartments in patients with ischemic stroke. Twenty‐seven patients (mean age, 73.4 years) at a median of 16.5 hours after symptom onset were studied using the hypoxic marker 18F‐misonidazole with positron emission tomography (PET). Tissue was segmented using an magnetic resonance probabilistic map. Although there was a greater volume of initially “at‐risk tissue” in gray matter (58.3cm3, 29.9–93.0cm3) than white matter (42.0cm3, 15.8–74.0cm3; p < 0.001) at the time of PET imaging, a higher proportion of this was still potentially viable in white matter (41.4%, 4.6–74.5%) than in gray matter (23.6%, 3.2–61.1%; p < 0.05). However, a similar proportion in each compartment spontaneously survived. These data provide evidence for the existence of potentially salvageable tissue in human white matter and is consistent with it having a similar or even greater resistance to ischemia than gray matter. For the latter possibility, alternative therapeutic strategies may be required for its salvage. Ann Neurol 2004;56:695–701
The mouse beam walking assay offers improved sensitivity over the mouse rotarod in determining motor coordination deficits induced by benzodiazepines

The mouse rotarod test of motor coordination/sedation is commonly used to predict clinical sedation caused by novel drugs. However, past experience suggests that it lacks the desired degree of sensitivity to be predictive of effects in humans. For example, the benzodiazepine, bretazenil, showed little impairment of mouse rotarod performance, but marked sedation in humans. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the mouse beam walking assay demonstrates: (i) an increased sensitivity over the rotarod and (ii) an increased ability to predict clinically sedative doses of benzodiazepines. The study compared the effects of the full benzodiazepine agonists, diazepam and lorazepam, and the partial agonist, bretazenil, on the mouse rotarod and beam walking assays. Diazepam and lorazepam significantly impaired rotarod performance, although relatively high GABA-A receptor occupancy was required (72% and 93%, respectively), whereas beam walking performance was significantly affected at approximately 30% receptor occupancy. Bretazenil produced significant deficits at 90% and 53% receptor occupancy on the rotarod and beam walking assays, respectively. The results suggest that the mouse beam walking assay is a more sensitive tool for determining benzodiazepine-induced motor coordination deficits than the rotarod. Furthermore, the GABA-A receptor occupancy values at which significant deficits were determined in the beam walking assay are comparable with those observed in clinical positron emission tomography studies using sedative doses of benzodiazepines. These data suggest that the beam walking assay may be able to more accurately predict the clinically sedative doses of novel benzodiazepine-like drugs.
Cyr61 Induces Gastric Cancer Cell Motility/Invasion via Activation of the Integrin/Nuclear Factor-κB/Cyclooxygenase-2 Signaling Pathway

Purpose: Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61/CCN1) is involved in many different types of tumor development and progression. Nonetheless, the role of Cyr61 in human gastric cancer has not yet been fully characterized. Experimental design: We addressed the issue by immunohistochemical staining of 81 gastric adenocarcinoma specimens. Liposome-mediated transfection was used to introduce a Cyr61 expression vector into gastric cancer AGS cell lines. Transfectants were tested in invasion assay by a Boyden chamber. Furthermore, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reporter assay and gel mobility shift assay were done to investigate the potential signal pathway of Cyr61. Results: Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma whose tumor displayed high expression of Cyr61 correlated well with aggressive lymph node metastasis, more advanced tumor stage, histologic diffuse type, and early recurrence. Stable transfection of Cyr61 into the AGS cell line strongly enhanced its invasive activity. The overexpression of Cyr61 into AGS cells significantly increased the expression of COX-2 mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity. Gel mobility shift assays further showed that the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was evidently activated in Cyr61-expressing AGS cells. Function-neutralizing antibody to αvβ3 but not αvβ5 effectively suppressed Cyr61-mediated NF-κB activation, COX-2 gene expression, and cell invasiveness. Conclusions: Cyr61 may contribute to the malignant progression of gastric cancer by promoting tumor cell motility/invasion through up-regulation of the functional COX-2 via an integrin αvβ3/NF-κB-dependent pathway.
Model Systems for Spinocerebellar Ataxias: Lessons Learned About the Pathogenesis

Model systems are important tools for the investigation of pathogenic processes. Especially for diseases with a late onset of symptoms and slow progression, like most spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), it is time-consuming or even impossible to analyze all aspects of the pathogenesis in humans. Due to the reduced lifespan of model organisms, it is possible to study disease progression in full within a reasonable timeframe and due to the shorter generation time of most model organisms more individuals can be generated and analyzed, thereby strengthening the reliability of data via an increased number of replicates. Detailed studies of the histopathology can only be performed as endpoint analyses in humans, but with the help of an animal model, multiple time points can be analyzed throughout the course of the disease. In addition, model systems allow not only for the reduction of time from idea to results but also reduce the complexity due to their smaller genome sizes, less genes, nonredundant pathways, and a simpler nervous system.
Past exposure to vaccines and subsequent risk of Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that changes to the immune system could be a factor in age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Our objective was to examine the association between past exposure to conventional vaccines and risk of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS We analyzed data from a representative community sample of subjects 65 years of age or older participating in the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a prospective cohort study of dementia. Screening and clinical evaluations were done at both baseline and follow-up. Past exposure to vaccines was assessed at baseline by means of a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 4392 eligible subjects who were cognitively unimpaired and for whom vaccine information was available at baseline (in 1991-1992) and who completed follow-up 5 years later (in 1996-1997), 527 were diagnosed as having cognitive impairment or dementia other than Alzheimer's disease and were excluded from these analyses. Of the remaining subjects, 3682 were cognitively unimpaired at follow-up and 183 were newly diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease. After adjustment for age, sex and education, past exposure to vaccines against diphtheria or tetanus, poliomyelitis and influenza was associated with lower risk for Alzheimer's disease (odds ratio [OR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-0.62; OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.99; and OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.54-1.04 respectively) than no exposure to these vaccines. INTERPRETATION Past exposure to vaccines against diphtheria or tetanus, poliomyelitis and influenza may protect against subsequent development of Alzheimer's disease.
A Particle Filter based Multi-person Tracking with Occlusion Handling

A multi-person tracking method is proposed concerning how to conquer the difficulties such as occlusion and changes in appearance which makes algorithm hard to get the correct positions of object. First, we indicate whether the target is blocked or not, through computing the Reliability of Tracklets (RT) based on the length of tracklets, appearance affinity and the size. Then, we propose a âcorrectâ observation sample selection method and only update the weights of particle filter when the RT is high. Last, the greedy bipartite algorithm is used to realize data association. Experiments show that tracking can be successfully achieved even under severe occlusion.
Effectiveness of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Reducing Heterosexual Transmission of HIV

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been shown to be highly effective in reducing plasma levels of HIV RNA; therefore, these treatments could diminish the risk of transmission. We analyzed 393 steady heterosexual couples, of which one partner had been previously diagnosed with HIV infection (index case) and where the nonindex partner reported his or her sexual relationship with the index case as the unique risk exposure. These couples were consecutively enrolled in the period 1991 through 2003 when the nonindex partners took their first HIV test. HIV prevalence among partners of index cases who had not received antiretroviral therapy was 8.6%, whereas no partner was infected in couples in which the index case had been treated with HAART (P = 0.0123). HIV prevalence among nonindex partners declined from 10.3% during the pre-HAART period (1991-1995) to 1.9% during the late HAART period (1999-2003; P = 0.0061). In the multivariate analysis, this decline held (odds ratio = 0.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.66) after adjusting for length of partnership, unprotected coitus, and pregnancies as well as gender, CD4+ lymphocyte count, AIDS-defining diseases, and sexually transmitted infections in the index case. When HAART became widely available, a reduction of approximately 80% in heterosexual transmission of HIV was observed, irrespective of changes in other factors that affect transmission.
Home telehealth: facilitators, barriers, and impact of nurse support among high-risk dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE The value of home telehealth self-monitoring with nurse oversight has been demonstrated; however, there is a dearth of objective documentation of patients' experiences with such a model. We used a mixed methods approach to examine the value of home telehealth monitoring with remote care nurse (RCN) support from the perspective of participants in our study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-three patients who used remote technology to self-monitor their health at home participated in a semistructured interview. The instrument was designed to help identify facilitators and barriers and to evaluate patient satisfaction with and effectiveness of home telehealth self-monitoring. RESULTS Overall, patients reported high levels of satisfaction with RCN support as they received efficient feedback, were better able to identify changes in their health status, and experienced enhanced accountability, self-efficacy, and motivation to make health behavior changes. The most frequently cited barriers related to malfunctioning equipment or trouble with Internet connections, forgetfulness, and feeling poorly. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that home telehealth self-monitoring with RCN support is effective in empowering patients to take a more active role in their healthcare and indirectly improve quality of life for those living with chronic illness.
Hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: incidence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of new or worsened hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) and to ascertain which clinical characteristics are associated with this complication. METHODS At the University of California, San Francisco, over 22 months, TIPS were placed successfully in 108 adults. Seventy-seven patients in whom it was possible to assess the development of encephalopathy comprised the study population. Clinically significant encephalopathy was assessed at protocol clinic follow-up and, in some cases, by phone contact with the patient and the referring physician. Post-TIPS encephalopathy was defined as new onset of clinical encephalopathy requiring treatment or worsening of preexisting encephalopathy within 1 yr of TIPS. RESULTS The overall incidence of new or worsened encephalopathy was 23% (18/77). Post-TIPS encephalopathy was well controlled with lactulose in 78% of cases and was progressive in 22%. Multivariate analysis showed that an increased risk of encephalopathy was associated with an etiology of liver disease other than alcohol [relative risk (RR) 9.2, p = 0.0052], female gender (RR 3.0, p = 0.029), and hypoalbuminemia (RR 2.2 for each 1 g/dl decrease, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS Hepatic encephalopathy is a common complication of TIPS that can be controlled medically in most patients. The identification of clinical variables associated with an increased risk of encephalopathy may be useful in the selection of appropriate candidates for this procedure.
Stranger Danger: Explaining Women's Fear of Crime

Using logistic regression techniques with the Canadian Violence Against Women Survey, this paper examines the effects of demographic characteristics, previous experience with victimization, and risk management and avoidance behaviors on fear of crime. Results indicate higher explanations of variance are largely attributed to women having had negative experiences with strangers. Negative experiences include being followed, receiving unwanted attention, and having received obscene phone calls. One implication of this study is that women fear “strangerdanger” most, and they are more likely to be acutely aware of danger when there are unknown men nearby. Further implications of the supposed paradoxical relationship between stranger danger and actual victimization risk are discussed.