Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heads or Tails: Genotyping of Hepatitis C Virus Concerning the 2k/1b Circulating Recombinant Form

As different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes respond differently to initiated therapy, correct HCV genotyping is essential. A potential risk for misclassification of the intergenotypic HCV circulating recombinant form (CRF) 2k/1b strains exists, depending on the genotyping method used. The aim was to investigate the differences in HCV genotyping methods with regard to CRF 2k/1b and to gain insight in the prevalence of the CRF 2k/1b. Genotyping results by Versant HCV Genotype Assay were compared with nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) sequencing. In total, from November 2001 until March 2015, 3296 serum samples were analyzed by Versant HCV Genotype Assay. As misclassified CRF is harbored among HCV genotype 2, we further focused our search on 142 (4.3%) samples positive for HCV genotype 2. On 116 (81.7%) retrieved samples, the NS5B sequencing was performed. Twelve out of the 116 retrieved samples (10.3%) were classified as CRF 2k/1b by sequencing of the NS5B region. Ten of these 12 samples were originally misclassified as genotype 2a or 2c, while 2 of them were misclassified as genotype 2. Our results show that the current prevalence of CRF 2k/1b is underestimated. The importance of correct HCV genotyping is emphasized, considering the tailored choice of treatment regimen and overall prognosis.
Expanding the Applicability of Poly(Ionic Liquids) in Solid Phase Microextraction: Pyrrolidinium Coatings

Crosslinked pyrrolidinium-based poly(ionic liquids) (Pyrr-PILs) were synthesized through a fast, simple, and solventless photopolymerization scheme, and tested as solid phase microextraction (SPME) sorbents. A series of Pyrr-PILs bearing three different alkyl side chain lengths with two, eight, and fourteen carbons was prepared, characterized, and homogeneously coated on a steel wire by using a very simple procedure. The resulting coatings showed a high thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures above 350 °C, excellent film stability, and lifetime of over 100 injections. The performance of these PIL-based SPME fibers was evaluated using a mixture of eleven organic compounds with different molar volumes and chemical functionalities (alcohols, ketones, and monoterpenes). The Pyrr-PIL fibers were obtained as dense film coatings, with 67 μm thickness, with an overall sorption increase of 90% and 55% as compared to commercial fibers of Polyacrylate (85 μm) (PA85) and Polydimethylsiloxane (7 μm) (PDMS7) coatings, respectively. A urine sample doped with the sample mixture was used to study the matrix effect and establish relative recoveries, which ranged from 60.2% to 104.1%.
Functional programming with graphs

Graph algorithms expressed in functional languages often suffer from their inherited imperative, state-based style. In particular, this impedes formal program manipulation. We show how to model persistent graphs in functional languages by graph constructors. This provides a decompositional view of graphs which is very close to that of data types and leads to a "more fictional" formulation of graph algorithms. Graph constructors enable the definition of general fold operations for graphs. We present a promotion theorem for one of these folds that allows program fusion and the elimination of intermediate results. Fusion is not restricted to the elimination of tree-like structures, and we prove another theorem that facilitates the elimination of intermediate graphs. We describe an ML-implementation of persistent graphs which efficiently supports the presented fold operators. For example, depth-first-search expressed by a fold over a functional graph has the same complexity as the corresponding imperative algorithm.
Prediction of Progression of Coronary Artery Disease and Clinical Outcomes Using Vascular Profiling of Endothelial Shear Stress and Arterial Plaque Characteristics: The PREDICTION Study

Background— Atherosclerotic plaques progress in a highly individual manner. The purposes of the Prediction of Progression of Coronary Artery Disease and Clinical Outcome Using Vascular Profiling of Shear Stress and Wall Morphology (PREDICTION) Study were to determine the role of local hemodynamic and vascular characteristics in coronary plaque progression and to relate plaque changes to clinical events. Methods and Results— Vascular profiling, using coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound, was used to reconstruct each artery and calculate endothelial shear stress and plaque/remodeling characteristics in vivo. Three-vessel vascular profiling (2.7 arteries per patient) was performed at baseline in 506 patients with an acute coronary syndrome treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention and in a subset of 374 (74%) consecutive patients 6 to 10 months later to assess plaque natural history. Each reconstructed artery was divided into sequential 3-mm segments for serial analysis. One-year clinical follow-up was completed in 99.2%. Symptomatic clinical events were infrequent: only 1 (0.2%) cardiac death; 4 (0.8%) patients with new acute coronary syndrome in nonstented segments; and 15 (3.0%) patients hospitalized for stable angina. Increase in plaque area (primary end point) was predicted by baseline large plaque burden; decrease in lumen area (secondary end point) was independently predicted by baseline large plaque burden and low endothelial shear stress. Large plaque size and low endothelial shear stress independently predicted the exploratory end points of increased plaque burden and worsening of clinically relevant luminal obstructions treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention at follow-up. The combination of independent baseline predictors had a 41% positive and 92% negative predictive value to predict progression of an obstruction treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention. Conclusions— Large plaque burden and low local endothelial shear stress provide independent and additive prediction to identify plaques that develop progressive enlargement and lumen narrowing. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http:www. //clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT01316159.
Low-Dose Pulsatile Interleukin-6 As a Treatment Option for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) remains one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes. Currently, pharmacological agents are limited to treating the pain associated with DPN, and do not address the underlying pathological mechanisms driving nerve damage, thus leaving a significant unmet medical need. Interestingly, research conducted using exercise as a treatment for DPN has revealed interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling to be associated with many positive benefits such as enhanced blood flow and lipid metabolism, decreased chronic inflammation, and peripheral nerve fiber regeneration. IL-6, once known solely as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is now understood to signal as a multifunctional cytokine, capable of eliciting both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in a context-dependent fashion. IL-6 released from muscle in response to exercise signals as a myokine and as such has a unique kinetic profile, whereby levels are transiently elevated up to 100-fold and return to baseline levels within 4 h. Importantly, this kinetic profile is in stark contrast to long-term IL-6 elevation that is associated with pro-inflammatory states. Given exercise induces IL-6 myokine signaling, and exercise has been shown to elicit numerous beneficial effects for the treatment of DPN, a causal link has been suggested. Here, we discuss both the clinical and preclinical literature related to the application of IL-6 as a treatment strategy for DPN. In addition, we discuss how IL-6 may directly modulate Schwann and nerve cells to explore a mechanistic understanding of how this treatment elicits a neuroprotective and/or regenerative response. Collectively, studies suggest that IL-6, when administered in a low-dose pulsatile strategy to mimic the body’s natural response to exercise, may prove to be an effective treatment for the protection and/or restoration of peripheral nerve function in DPN. This review highlights the studies supporting this assertion and provides rationale for continued investigation of IL-6 for the treatment of DPN.
Lack of genetic structure among ecologically adapted populations of an Australian rainforest Drosophila species as indicated by microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences

Although fragmented rainforest environments represent hotspots for invertebrate biodiversity, few genetic studies have been conducted on rainforest invertebrates. Thus, it is not known if invertebrate species in rainforests are highly genetically fragmented, with the potential for populations to show divergent selection responses, or if there are low levels of gene flow sufficient to maintain genetic homogeneity among fragmented populations. Here we use microsatellite markers and DNA sequences from the mitochondrial ND5 locus to investigate genetic differences among Drosophila birchii populations from tropical rainforests in Queensland, Australia. As found in a previous study, mitochondrial DNA diversity was low with no evidence for population differentiation among rainforest fragments. The pattern of mitochondrial haplotype variation was consistent with D. birchii having undergone substantial past population growth. Levels of nuclear genetic variation were high in all populations while FST values were very low, even for flies from geographically isolated areas of rainforest. No significant differentiation was observed between populations on either side of the Burdekin Gap (a long‐term dry corridor), although there was evidence for higher gene diversity in low‐latitude populations. Spatial autocorrelation coefficients were low and did not differ significantly from random, except for one locus which revealed a clinal‐like pattern. Comparisons of microsatellite differentiation contrasted with previously established clinal patterns in quantitative traits in D. birchii, and indicate that the patterns in quantitative traits are likely to be due to selection. These results suggest moderate gene flow in D. birchii over large distances. Limited population structure in this species appears to be due to recent range expansions or cycles of local extinctions followed by recolonizations/expansions. Nevertheless, patterns of local adaptation have developed in D. birchii that may result in populations showing different selection responses when faced with environmental change.
Differentiation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Mediated by Cell Confluence and/or Exogenous Nucleoside Supplementation

Nucleotides (NT) and nucleosides (NS) play a key role in gastrointestinal development and in enterocyte healing after tissue damage. Exogenous NT and NS may therefore represent a novel therapy for maintaining gastrointestinal tract integrity. An exogenous NS mixture of thymidine, cytidine, guanosine and inosine (T-CGI) increases the proliferation rate of rat intestinal epithelial cell line 6 (IEC-6) cells, while a mixture of uridine, cytidine, guanosine and inosine (U-CGI) reduces IEC-6 proliferation independently of necrosis or apoptosis. This study aimed to analyze the effects of exogenous NS on IEC-6 differentiation under proliferation and differentiation conditions. To this end, IEC-6 cells were treated with NS T-CGI and NS U-CGI mixtures under low- and high-density conditions. Enterocyte differentiation was also assessed by flow cytometry, Western blotting, and light, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Under proliferative conditions, villin expression was reduced in all cases, but NS-treated cells showed twofold the expression observed in NS-free cultures (controls) and more frequently showed characteristics of mature enterocytes. When cells were grown after confluence, villin expression, total protein production and morphology of NS-treated cultures were more differentiated compared with the control group. Our results demonstrate that T-CGI and U-CGI mixtures promote IEC-6 cell differentiation, with no significant differences between them. Unlike previous authors, we obtained this effect in cultures without an exogenous extracellular matrix such as Matrigel, reducing the variability among independent assays.
Some Models Parameters Calculation For Simulation Of Network Traffic Marginal Distribution And Self-Similarity

In this paper, we present a simple numerical method of parameters calculation for well known traffic models M/G/∞ Input and On-Off Sources, which allows to simulate both self-similar properties and marginal distribution of real network traffic. Some modifications of these models are considered. These modifications allow to simulate network traffic with several important statistical characterizes, such as marginal distribution, autocorrelation function and Hurst parameter like in real network traffic. 1. INTRODUCTION We present simple algorithms of parameters calculation for two structural models, which allows to simulate both self-similar properties and marginal distribution of real network traffic. By structural models we assume models which is not only mathematical constructs to yield necessary characteristics, but construction which reflects nature of network traffic. Parameters of such models usually have clear practical sense, suitable for purposes of simulation, prediction, performance evaluation and so on.
A Conceptual and Empirical Exploration of the Concept of 'Revoicing'

It was only since the early '90s that revoicing became object of systematic study for a small group of scholars in the socio-cultural tradition. Rooted in Goffman's (1981) notions of 'reported speech' and 'participant framework', revoicing is frequently defined as a particular kind of reuttering of a person's initial contribution by another participant in the conversation (cf. Michaels & O'Connor, 1993; 1996). Although the concept of revoicing received a considerable amount of attention, the definitive qualities of the concept remain elusive. Therefore, in this symposium, researchers from the Netherlands and the USA will further explore the concept of revoicing in order to understand its value in studying human interaction. In the first presentation, revoicing will be further conceptualized using cultural-historical theory. It will become clear that revoicing is not merely reuttering a person's initial contribution, but foremost can be seen as a cultural tool that enables participants to value and position an initial contribution within the context of a specific conversation. Thereby, revoicing creates a space of negotiation, as it opens up a new slot for each person to participate. The second presentation examines how teachers can use the 'third turn' in conversations to build a culture of listening. In this third turn, the teacher uses the 'who-can repeat/rephrase' talk move in order to open up space for another student to repeat or rephrase the initial contribution. In the empirical study, it was examined how the repeat/rephrase move was picked up by the teacher and children. The findings show how this talk move teaches young children to listen to each other as participants in a collaborative process of inquiry. The final presentation focuses on revoicing in an unusual context, clinical interviewing. A one-hour clinical interview was systematically coded, which resulted in an elaborated view of the forms and functions of revoicing in that context. In terms of function, clinical revoicing serves different purposes than it appears to do in classrooms: centered, sensibly, on 'making data appear'
Neuro-fuzzy risk calculation model for physiological processes

In this paper a neuro-fuzzy risk calculation model based on the authors' former validated hierarchical multilevel risk calculation model will be introduced. In the basic fuzzy model a fuzzy logic controller was replaced with a neural network subsystem. In this way the membership function later will be tuned depending on the patients' characteristics. The two models were tested using several typical groups of the patients to validate the novel neuro-fuzzy model.
Nanostructure Lipid Carrier (NLC): the new generation of lipid nanoparticles

Nanotechnology having developed exponentially, the aim has been on therapeutic undertaking, particular ly fo targetted drug therapy. In 1980 K. Eric Drexler dev eloped and popularized the concept of nanotechnolog y. The nanocarriers has became a revolutionary approach. N anocarriers are at forefront of the rapidly develop ing field of nanotechnology with several potential applications in drug delivery, clinical medicines and research. Nanostructure lipid carriers have attracted expanding scientific and commercial vigilance in the last couple of year s s alternate carriers for the pharmaceutical consignment. A new g neration of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) consisting of a lipid matrix with a special nanostructured has be en developed. This nanostructure improves drug load ing and firmly incorporates the drug during storage. The pr sent review gives insights on the definitions and characterization of NLC as colloidal carriers including the producti on techniques, stability techniques and suitable fo rmulations. This review paper also highlights mechanism of skin pene tration and the importance of NLC in pharmaceutical applications.
From Babbling to Speech: A Re-Assessment of the Continuity Issue

Controversy exists over whether there is any connection between children's babbling and the development of the adult sound system. The classic proponent of the discontinuity school is Jakobson 1941/1968, who claimed that the pairing of sound and meaning drastically alters the child's sound system. Jakobson's arguments for discontinuity are here evaluated on the basis of data on the transition from babbling to speech in a single set of children recorded weekly in two contexts: mother-child interaction and solitary play. Using the data from the mother-child context, and comparing the sound system of babbling with that of the early words in terms of the distribution of consonants, vocalization length, and phonotactic structure, we find striking parallelism between babbling and words within each child, across time and within time period. The data constitute strong evidence for continuity. *
Classification of the ground states and topological defects in a rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensate

We classify the ground states and topological defects of a rotating two-component condensate when varying several parameters: the intracomponent coupling strengths, the intercomponent coupling strength, and the particle numbers. No restriction is placed on the masses or trapping frequencies of the individual components. We present numerical phase diagrams which show the boundaries between the regions of coexistence, spatial separation, and symmetry breaking. Defects such as triangular coreless vortex lattices, square coreless vortex lattices, and giant skyrmions are classified. Various aspects of the phase diagrams are analytically justified thanks to a nonlinear {sigma} model that describes the condensate in terms of the total density and a pseudo-spin representation.
Hierarchical backstepping control for trajectory-tracking of autonomous underwater vehicles subject to uncertainties

In this study, the hierarchical backstepping control (HBC) is used for the trajectory-tracking of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) subject to uncertainties (e.g., current disturbances). The proposed HBC utilizes hierarchical structures of the backstepping control based on the kinematic and dynamic models such that both the virtual velocity control and trajectory-tracking of the AUV lead to asymptotic stability. The robustness of the proposed control technique is demonstrated via injection of uncertainties into the closed-loop model. The overall closed-loop stability of the proposed control scheme is guaranteed to have uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) performance based on the Lyapunov stability criteria. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed scheme are evaluated through computer simulations.
Changing Racial Attitudes at a Southern University: 1947-1964

This paper compares white students' attitudes toward desegregation at a Southern university at three different times. Despite abundant literature on this topicl objective measurement of attitudinal changes within the same environment continues to be useful. The development of community action programs is particularly concerned with such measurement. The surveys described are the products of a human relation council's pursuit of two goals: (1) to petition the administration of the University of Virginia (hereafter abbreviated UVa) for de facto segregation and (2) to demonstrate to local mer-
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION OF GENETIC AND BEHAVIORAL TRAITS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN TÚNGARA FROGS

Abstract We use a combination of microsatellite marker analysis and mate-choice behavior experiments to assess patterns of reproductive isolation of the túngara frog Physalaemus pustulosus along a 550-km transect of 25 populations in Costa Rica and Panama. Earlier studies using allozymes and mitochondrial DNA defined two genetic groups of túngara frogs, one ranging from Mexico to northern Costa Rica (northern group), the second ranging from Panama to northern South America (southern group). Our more fine-scale survey also shows that the northern and southern túngara frogs are genetically different and geographically separated by a gap in the distribution in central Pacific Costa Rica. Genetic differences among populations are highly correlated with geographic distances. Temporal call parameters differed among populations as well as between genetic groups. Differences in calls were explained better by geographic distance than by genetic distance. Phonotaxis experiments showed that females preferred calls of males from their own populations over calls of males from other populations in about two-thirds to three-fourths of the contrasts tested. In mating experiments, females and males from the same group and females from the north with males from the south produced nests and tadpoles. In contrast, females from the south did not produce nests or tadpoles with males from the north. Thus, northern and southern túngara frogs have diverged both genetically and bioacoustically. There is evidence for some prezygotic isolation due to differences in mate recognition and fertilization success, but such isolation is hardly complete. Our results support the general observation that significant differences in sexual signals are often not correlated with strong genetic differentiation.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and renin in kidneys of hypertensive or adrenalectomized rats.

Using a histochemical method, moderately strong glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity can be demonstrated in the macula densa of the distal tubules in the normal rat kidney. In rats rendered hypertensive by overdosage with cortexone (DOC) and saline, this enzymatic activity was found to decrease almost to zero within 4 weeks. This change was more marked in unilaterally nephrectomized animals than in intact rats. Measured by bioassay, the renin content of kidney extracts from the same animals was found to decrease simultaneously with the loss of enzymatic activity in the macula cells. The reverse effect, a marked increase in activity of the macula densa, was obtained in adrenalectomized animals. It is suggested that both the macula densa cells and the juxtaglomerular apparatus are parts of a system which respond similarly to changes in sodium balance and which may be related to the formation of renin.