Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Functional Involvement of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Integrase in Nuclear Import of Viral cDNA during Acute Infection

ABSTRACT Nuclear import of viral cDNA is a critical step for establishing the proviral state of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The contribution of HIV-1 integrase (IN) to the nuclear import of viral cDNA is controversial, partly due to a lack of identification of its bona fide nuclear localization signal. In this study, to address this putative function of HIV-1 IN, the effects of mutations at key residues for viral cDNA recognition (PYNP at positions 142 to 145, K156, K159, and K160) were evaluated in the context of viral replication. During acute infection, some mutations (N144Q, PYNP>KL, and KKK>AAA) severely reduced viral gene expression to less than 1% the wild-type (WT) level. None of the mutations affected the synthesis of viral cDNA. Meanwhile, the levels of integrated viral cDNA produced by N144Q, PYNP>KL, and KKK>AAA mutants were severely reduced to less than 1% the WT level. Quantitative PCR analysis of viral cDNA in nuclei and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed that these mutations significantly reduced the level of viral cDNA accumulation in nuclei. Further analysis revealed that IN proteins carrying the N144Q, PYNP>KL, and KKK>AAA mutations showed severely reduced binding to viral cDNA but kept their karyophilic properties. Taken together, these results indicate that mutations that reduced the binding of IN to viral cDNA resulted in severe impairment of virus infectivity, most likely by affecting the nuclear import of viral cDNA that proceeds integration. These results suggest that HIV-1 IN may be one of the critical constituents for the efficient nuclear import of viral cDNA.
Hydrogen peroxide differentially modulates cardiac myocyte nitric oxide synthesis

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are synthesized within cardiac myocytes and play key roles in modulating cardiovascular signaling. Cardiac myocytes contain both the endothelial (eNOS) and neuronal (nNOS) NO synthases, but the differential roles of these NOS isoforms and the interplay of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in cardiac signaling pathways are poorly understood. Using a recently developed NO chemical sensor [Cu2(FL2E)] to study adult cardiac myocytes from wild-type, eNOSnull, and nNOSnull mice, we discovered that physiological concentrations of H2O2 activate eNOS but not nNOS. H2O2-stimulated eNOS activation depends on phosphorylation of both the AMP-activated protein kinase and kinase Akt, and leads to the robust phosphorylation of eNOS. Cardiac myocytes isolated from mice infected with lentivirus expressing the recently developed H2O2 biosensor HyPer2 show marked H2O2 synthesis when stimulated by angiotensin II, but not following β-adrenergic receptor activation. We discovered that the angiotensin-II-promoted increase in cardiac myocyte contractility is dependent on H2O2, whereas β-adrenergic contractile responses occur independently of H2O2 signaling. These studies establish differential roles for H2O2 in control of cardiac contractility and receptor-dependent NOS activation in the heart, and they identify new points for modulation of NO signaling responses by oxidant stress.
The Use and Function of Nonfinite Root Clauses in Swedish Child Language

The topic of this article is the use and structure of so-called nonfinite root clauses, including root infinitives and root supines, in Swedish child language. The following is an example: Child: pappa bära den / daddy carry it (Markus, 1;11;12). An investigation of four Swedish child language corpora shows that children use nonfinite root clauses in a systematic way, that is, in contexts in which the target grammar requires auxiliary + nonfinite verb, and that the alternative with a finite main verb is used in contexts in which constructions with a finite main verb is used in the target grammar. I also show that children's use of root infinitives is closely associated with a particular speech act or speech function called the creative speech act. The canonical pattern for this speech act is modal ska ('shall, will') + verb in infinitive. I argue that the data presented support a Null Auxiliary hypothesis, which implies that nonfinite root clauses contain a phonologically null auxiliary.
A digitally controlled amplifier with ripple cancellation

This paper describes a large-signal linear, multirate digital controller for, among other possible servomechanical applications, charging electric vehicle batteries. This controller permits the power amplifier to track and deliver a desired current trajectory for a wide range of loads while providing a unity-power-factor interface to the electric utility. A computationally inexpensive technique for implementing output ripple cancellation is also described and demonstrated on a prototype converter.
Effect of an Inhibitor of Glucosylceramide Synthesis on Cultured Human Keratinocytes

Glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is a major glycosphingolipid component of epidermis, which is thought to be related to the barrier function of skin permeability. However, the role of glycosphingolipids in keratinocyte growth and differentiation has not been fully clarified. It has been reported that D‐threo‐1‐phenyl‐2‐decanoylamino‐3‐morpholino‐1‐propanol (PDMP), an inhibitor of GlcCer synthase (EC 2.4.1.80), depletes cells of glycosphingolipids. This inhibitor has been used as a tool for elucidating their functions. In the present study, the effect of PDMP on cultured normal human keratinocytes was investigated. The cells were treated with various concentrations of PDMP. Forty‐eight hours later cell growth, thymidine incorporation, and lipid content were studied. The cell growth and the incorporation of thymidine into cells were inhibited by PDMP in a dose dependent manner. The synthesis of GlcCer was strongly inhibited by PDMP treatment, whereas no significant changes in ceramide level were observed. We concluded that GlcCer in epidermis may play an important role in regulating epidermal growth and suggested that PDMP may be beneficial for treating proliferative skin disorders in the future.
Origin and maintenance of genetic diversity in northern European sheep

The Nordic and Baltic countries and North-western Russia have >20 old native sheep breeds. These together with recently synthesized breeds and local populations of international breeds make up the northern European sheep diversity. Changes in agriculture threaten to erode genetic diversity in sheep. Molecular genetic variation was assessed to understand genetic diversity in northern European sheep. Distribution of maternal lineages were studied based on mitochondrial control region variation in 76 sheep breeds in northern Europe and in a wide neighbouring area extending to the Caucasus and Central-Asia. Autosomal microsatellite variation was studied in 37 northern European breeds, and autosomal blood protein variation was studied in six Finnish and Russian breeds. Four distinct maternal lineages were observed in Eurasian sheep. Their distribution agrees with sheep expansion starting from the Near East. Two most common distinct lineages were recorded in northern Europe. Majority of northern sheep have the lineage, which predominates in other parts of Europe. Results suggest that the main maternal origin of northern sheep is in the south. However, rare "Asian" lineage was observed in several old northern European breeds. The rare type in the Nordic sheep is descendant to the type observed in the Middle Volga region, which suggest that some sheep were brought to northern Europe from the east. Microsatellites showed clustering of geographically neighbouring sheep, when breed locations are corrected for the recent transportations. The analysis separated long and short-tailed sheep, although this macroscale structure explains a small proportion of breed differences. Differentiation among the northern European breeds is stronger than typically observed in sheep. Many native breeds are less inbred than the local populations of the international breeds, but some rare breeds and subpopulations of divided unofficial strains were inbred. Some breeds require more careful maintenance due to recent population size reduction. Maintaining prolificacy in breeds such as the Finnsheep and the Romanov may require efficient avoidance of inbreeding. The breeds were ranked for conservation using simultaneously within-breed variation and breed divergence. Set of important breeds included seven rare old native breeds or strains which merit efficient conservation measures urgently.
Differential Patterns of Expression of the Arabidopsis PHYB, PHYD, and PHYE Phytochrome Genes

The Arabidopsis thaliana phyB, phyD, and phyE phytochrome apoproteins show higher amino acid sequence similarity to each other than to phyA or phyC, they are the most recently evolved members of this photoreceptor family, and they may interact in regulating photomorphogenesis. The expression patterns of translational fusions of the 5[prime] upstream regions of the PHYB, PHYD, and PHYE genes to the [beta]-glucuronidase (GUS) coding sequence were compared. PD-GUS and PE-GUS fusions were 5- to 10-fold less active than a PB-GUS fusion, but all three promoter regions drove expression of the reporter gene in all stages of the plant's life cycle. Over the first 10 d of seedling growth, the PHYB and PHYD promoters were more active in the dark than in the light, whereas the opposite was true of the PHYE promoter. Unlike the PB-GUS construct, which was expressed in most parts of seedlings and mature plants, the PD-GUS and PE-GUS transgenes showed differential expression, notably in leaves, flower organs, and root tips. Tissue sections showed that the three promoters are coexpressed in at least some leaf cells. Hence, the PHYB, PHYD, and PHYE genes differ in expression pattern but these patterns overlap and interaction of these receptor forms within individual cells is possible.
Dual Stewart-Platform Gait Rehabilitation System for Individuals Post-Stroke

Introduction Rehabilitation of walking for individuals post-stroke presents specific challenges. These include realistically reproducing the demands and environments for waking while maintaining safety. A Virtual reality (VR) walking simulator has been developed to allow individuals post-stroke to practice ambulation in a variety of virtual environments (VE). The system is an extension of the Rutgers Ankle Rehabilitation System (RARS) in sitting which has been used in the rehabilitation of gait of individuals post-stroke. 2 Physical therapists can use the system to design and implement examinations and interventions either locally or remotely
Martin Luther King and the “ghost in the machine”

The U.S. Civil Rights movement and the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research had their beginnings in the mid-1950s, with no discernable interaction. The early AI researchers pursued a research programme that has led to a strong emphasis on rational action and cognition. As a result, AI researchers have lost opportunities to explore crucial aspects of agency, such as forgiveness and justice, the kind of themes explored by Martin Luther King. I argue that, AI researchers should take the opportunity to reexamine themes discussed by King and others both to explore these aspects of agency, and to create a more humane research programme.
The effects of dance education on motor performance of children

This research has been aimed to demonstrate the effects of dance education on preadolescent children. A total of 114 students (56 of whom in dance group/58 in control group) at preadolescent (aged 11±.0 year) and adolescent (aged 14±.0 year) stages participated in the research. Prior to dance classes a variety of tests ranging from motor performance tests, flexibility (sit and reach), dynamic balance (anterior/posterior and medial/lateral), strength (vertical jump and long jump), acceleration (10 m), speed (30 m), coordination (hexagon test) and agility (changing the line test) were conducted. It has been clearly demonstrated that dance education plays an important role on motor development of preadolescent and adolescent children, and comparisons between groups have indicated that children receiving dance education elicit a better line of development. Key words: Dance, motor education, performance, education, salsa.
Image-based rendering for scenes with reflections

We present a system for image-based modeling and rendering of real-world scenes containing reflective and glossy surfaces. Previous approaches to image-based rendering assume that the scene can be approximated by 3D proxies that enable view interpolation using traditional back-to-front or z-buffer compositing. In this work, we show how these can be generalized to multiple layers that are combined in an additive fashion to model the reflection and transmission of light that occurs at specular surfaces such as glass and glossy materials. To simplify the analysis and rendering stages, we model the world using piecewise-planar layers combined using both additive and opaque mixing of light. We also introduce novel techniques for estimating multiple depths in the scene and separating the reflection and transmission components into different layers. We then use our system to model and render a variety of real-world scenes with reflections.
Impact of nonsynonymous mutations of factor X on the functions of factor X and anticoagulant activity of edoxaban

Edoxaban is an oral direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor and its efficacy as an oral anticoagulant is less subject to drug–food and drug–drug interaction than existing vitamin K antagonists. Although this profile of edoxaban suggests it is well suited for clinical use, it is not clear whether genetic variations of factor X influence the activity of edoxaban. Our aim was to investigate a possible impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the factor X gene on the functions of factor X and the activity of edoxaban. Two nonsynonymous SNPs within mature factor X, Ala152Thr and Gly192Arg, were selected as possible candidates that might affect the functions of FXa and the activity of edoxaban. We measured catalytic activities of wild type and mutant FXas in a chromogenic assay using S-2222 and coagulation times including prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thrombin time (aPTT) of plasma-containing recombinant FXs in the presence and absence of edoxaban. Michaelis–Menten kinetic parameters of FXas, Km and Vmax values, PT and aPTT were not influenced by either mutation indicating these mutations do not affect the FXa catalytic and coagulation activities. The Ki values of edoxaban for the FXas and the concentrations of edoxaban required to double PT and aPTT were not different between wild type and mutated FXas indicating that both mutations have little impact on the activity of edoxaban. In conclusion, these data suggest that edoxaban has little interpatient variability stemming from SNPs in the factor X gene.
B Cell Antigen Receptor Signaling and Internalization Are Mutually Exclusive Events

Engagement of the B cell antigen receptor initiates two concurrent processes, signaling and receptor internalization. While both are required for normal humoral immune responses, the relationship between these two processes is unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that following receptor ligation, a small subpopulation of B cell antigen receptors are inductively phosphorylated and selectively retained at the cell surface where they can serve as scaffolds for the assembly of signaling molecules. In contrast, the larger population of non-phosphorylated receptors is rapidly endocytosed. Each receptor can undergo only one of two mutually exclusive fates because the tyrosine-based motifs that mediate signaling when phosphorylated mediate internalization when not phosphorylated. Mathematical modeling indicates that the observed competition between receptor phosphorylation and internalization enhances signaling responses to low avidity ligands.
Cooperative beamforming in cognitive radio network with hybrid relay

In this paper we investigate the cooperative beamforming in cognitive radio network (CRN) composed of a primary network (PN) and a secondary network (SN). In the SN, the transmitter has to communicate with the receiver with the help of the hybrid relays which use cooperative beamforming to retransmit data. The relays will select amplify-and-forward (AF) or decode-and-forward (DF) according to the signal to interference pulse noise ratio (SINR). The aim of this paper is to maximize the received SINR in the SN with different power constraints and the QoS requirement of the primary user (PU). Numerical results compare the performance of the SN between relays with beamforming and relays without beamforming which indicates that the gap between them is related to the maximum interference power at primary destination, while is irrelevant to maximum the total transmitted power of the relays. Besides there is a tradeoff between the performance of the SN and the number of the relays.
RAMANUJAN COMPLEXES OF TYPE Ad

We define and construct Ramanujan complexes. These are simplicial complexes which are higher dimensional analogues of Ramanujan graphs (constructed in [LPS]). They are obtained as quotients of the buildings of type Ad-1 associated with PGLd(F) where F is a local field of positive characteristic. 1. I n t r o d u c t i o n A finite k-regular graph X is called a Ramanujan graph if for every eigenvalue A of the adjacency matr ix A = Ax of X either A = ~=k or I)~1 < 2v/k 1. This term was defined in [LPS] where some explicit constructions of such graphs were presented; see also [Mal], [Lul], [Mo]. These graphs were obtained as quotients of the k-regular tree T = Tk, for k = q + l , q a prime power, divided by the action * The authors were partially supported by grants from NSF and BSF (U.S.-Israel). ** Current address: Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel. Received September 1, 2003 and in revised form February 23, 2004
A Typology of the Idea of Learning Organization

A topology of the idea of `learning organization' is developed and presented. The typology is inductively created and based on how the term `learning organization' is used in the literature and by practitioners. Four distinct types of understanding were found: `organizational learning', `learning at work', `learning climate' and `learning structure'. The same types of understanding seem to appear both in the literature and in accounts made by practitioners. Thus the term `learning organization' is probably not unduly confusing to the practitioners. Instead, the different versions of the idea in the literature seem to give companies the opportunity to choose a version suitable for their specific situation.
Improving Distributed OS Performance by Flexible Incremental Linking

Distributed Systems suffer from the enormous performance gap between local and remote operation. To bridge this gap a general purpose distributed operating system must provide a variety of techniques for a single purpose, such as both RPC and replication, for remote data access. Depending on the situation the OS has to select the most suitable technique dynamically. But the indirections needed for dynamic switching between different techniques must be as efficient as possible to avoid constant overhead. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of the highly flexible linker FLink that allows the OS to switch between different techniques at runtime without constant
A Composite Illumination Invariant Color Feature and Its Application to Partial Image Matching

In camera-based object recognition and classification, surface color is one of the most important characteristics. However, apparent object color may differ significantly according to the illumination and surface conditions. Such a variation can be an obstacle in utilizing color features. Geusebroek et al.’s color invariants can be a powerful tool for characterizing the object color regardless of illumination and surface conditions. In this work, we analyze the estimation process of the color invariants from RGB images, and propose a novel invariant feature of color based on the elementary invariants to meet the circular continuity residing in the mapping between colors and their invariants. Experiments show that the use of the proposed invariant in combination with luminance, contributes to improve the retrieval performances of partial object image matching under varying illumination conditions. key words: color invariants, photometric invariants, illumination invariant color features, image matching, SIFT, RANSAC, CBIR
Job Satisfaction Among Nurses: A Predictor of Burnout Levels

Objective This study assessed the impact of differential levels of job satisfaction on burnout among nurses, hypothesizing that higher levels of job satisfaction predict lower levels of burnout. Background Social environmental factors of the workplace arising from organizational restructuring cost containment strategies, diminishing resources, and increasing responsibilities, cause highly stressed, burned out nurses to leave the profession. Methods This study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The job satisfaction scale of Katzell et al was used to measure overall job satisfaction. Statistical tests for significance used were Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Structural Equation Modeling, the χ2 statistic, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Goodness of Fit Index, and Comparative Fit Index. Results The findings show that job satisfaction has a significant direct negative effect on emotional exhaustion, whereas emotional exhaustion has a direct positive effect on depersonalization. A significant indirect effect was seen of job satisfaction on depersonalization via exhaustion. The path coefficient shows that job satisfaction has both direct and indirect effects on burnout, confirming job satisfaction as a significant predictor of burnout. Implications Collaborative efforts between nurses, administrators, and educators to research and test practical models to improve job satisfaction may work as an antidote to burnout.
Distributive Program Parallelization Using a Suggestion Language

Most computing users today have access to clusters of multi-core computers. To fully utilize a cluster, a programmer must combine two levels of parallelism: shared-memory parallelism within a machine and distributed memory parallelism across machines. Such programming is difficult. Either a user has to mix two programming languages in a single program and use fixed computation and data partitioning between the two, or the user has to rewrite a program from scratch. Even after careful programming, a program may still have hidden concurrency bugs. Users who are accustomed to sequential programming do not find the same level of debugging and performance analysis support especially for a distributed environment. The paper presents a suggestion-based language that enables a user to parallelize a sequential program for distributed execution by inserting hints. The hints are safe against any type of misuse and expressive enough to specify independent, pipelined, and speculative parallel execution on a cluster of multi-core computers. The research is supported by the National Science Foundation (Contract No. CNS-0720796, CNS0834566), IBM CAS Faculty Fellowship, and a gift from Microsoft Research. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding organizations.