Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 Virus-Like Particles Bearing Pure Env Trimers Expose Neutralizing Epitopes but Occlude Nonneutralizing Epitopes

ABSTRACT Hypothetically, since native HIV-1 Env trimers are exclusively recognized by neutralizing antibodies, they might induce the neutralizing antibodies in a vaccine setting. This idea has not been evaluated due to the difficulty of separating trimers from nonfunctional Env (uncleaved gp160 and gp41 stumps). The latter are immunodominant and induce nonneutralizing antibodies. We previously showed that nonfunctional Env can be selectively cleared from virus-like particle (VLP) surfaces by enzyme digests (E. T. Crooks, T. Tong, K. Osawa, and J. M. Binley, J.Virol. 85:5825, 2011). Here, we investigated the effects of these digests on the antigenicity of VLPs and their sensitivity to neutralization. Before digestion, WT VLPs (bearing wild-type Env) and UNC VLPs (bearing uncleaved gp160) were recognized by various Env-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), irrespective of their neutralizing activity, a result which is consistent with the presence of nonfunctional Env. After digestion, only neutralizing MAbs recognized WT VLPs, consistent with selective removal of nonfunctional Env (i.e., “trimer VLPs”). Digests eliminated the binding of all MAbs to UNC VLPs, again consistent with removal of nonfunctional Env. An exception was MAb 2F5, which weakly bound to digested UNC VLPs and bald VLPs (bearing no Env), perhaps due to lipid cross-reactivity. Trimer VLPs were infectious, and their neutralization sensitivity was largely comparable to that of undigested WT VLPs. However, they were ∼100-fold more sensitive to the MAbs 4E10 and Z13e1, suggesting increased exposure of the gp41 base. Importantly, a scatterplot analysis revealed a strong correlation between MAb binding and neutralization of trimer VLPs. This suggests that trimer VLPs bear essentially pure native trimer that should allow its unfettered evaluation in a vaccine setting.
Neuregulin‐1, a key axonal signal that drives Schwann cell growth and differentiation

Interactions between neuronal and glial cells are crucial for establishing a functional nervous system. Many aspects of Schwann cell development and physiology are regulated by neuronal signals; possibly the most spectacular is the elaboration of the myelin sheath. An extensive line of research has revealed that one neuronal factor, termed “neuregulin”, promotes Schwann cell growth and survival, migration along the extending axon, and myelination. The versatility of glial responses elicited by this factor is thus clearly astounding. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of the Gene Encoding GPR40, a Fatty Acid Receptor Expressed Selectively in Pancreatic β Cells*

GPR40 is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed preferentially in pancreatic β cells. It is activated by long-chain fatty acids and has been implicated in mediating physiological and pathological effects of long-chain fatty acids on β cells. We mapped the GPR40 transcription start site to a location 1044 bp upstream of the translation start site. This permitted definition of the GPR40 core promoter and the organization of the gene, which comprises a 24-bp non-coding exon, a 698-bp intron and a 4402-bp second exon, containing the entire protein coding sequence. Sequence analysis of the GPR40 locus revealed three evolutionarily conserved regions upstream to the translation start site (HR1-HR3). DNase I-hypersensitive sites were present in the HR2 and HR3 regions in β cells but not in non-β cells. The 5′-flanking region of the GPR40 gene was capable of directing transcriptional activity selectively in β cells. An important component of this is attributable to the HR2 region, which showed strong β cell-specific enhancer activity. Systematic mutagenesis of HR2 revealed several important sub-regions. Mutagenesis of sub-regions 4-5, and 9 reduced transcriptional activity by ∼60 and 40%, respectively. These sub-regions can bind the β cell-specific transcription factors PDX1 and BETA2, respectively, both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, cell-specific expression of the GPR40 gene involves a characteristic chromatin organization of the locus and is controlled at the transcriptional level through HR2, a potent β cell-specific enhancer.
A 15MHz BW continuous-time ΔΣ modulator with high speed digital ELD compensation

In this paper, a third order continuous-time (CT) delta-sigma (ΔΣ) modulator in TSMC 65nm CMOS technology is presented. The digital excess loop delay (DELD) compensation for half a clock cycle which can be operated quite fast. Instead of using compensation in analog domain, the compensation is performed by means of using a high speed digital subtraction block which will result in low power dissipation. The modulator achieves 78.5dB SNDR and a 15 MHz bandwidth (BW) under 600MHz clock frequency. The power consumption equals 7.81mW drawn from a 1.2V supply voltage, which yields a state-of-the-art Walden figure of merit FOM of 39 fJ/conv-step.
A prospective cohort study of the changing mental health needs of adolescents in custody

Objective To investigate changes in mental health and other needs, as well as clinical and diagnostic ‘caseness’, in a sample of adolescents over a 6-month period following entry into a Young Offenders Institution in the UK. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting One Young Offenders Institution between November 2006 and August 2009. Participants 219 male adolescents aged 15–18 years (M=16.56; SD=0.6) were assessed at baseline (median=4; range 0–26 days following reception into custody) on the Salford Needs Assessment Schedule for Adolescents (SNASA) and Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS). Participants were then reassessed at 3-month and 6-month postbaseline to document any change in mental health. Results Of the initial baseline sample, 132 were still in the study at 3-month postbaseline and 63 were still available for assessment at 6 months. There were no differences between those who were not available for assessment at the three key stages in terms of demographic and criminological data. Over time there was a general improvement in mental health. While the proportion of participants with a mental health need (SNASA) did not change over time, symptom severity as measured by the SNASA did reduce significantly. When we assessed diagnostic ‘caseness’ using the K-SADS, three young people showed significant mental health deterioration. Conclusions In line with previous studies, we found that symptoms in prison generally improved over time. Prison may provide an opportunity for young people previously leading chaotic lifestyles to settle into a stable routine and engage with services; however, it is unclear if these would be maintained either within the prison or on release into the community.
Hydrogen peroxide formation by Nox4 limits malignant transformation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause cellular damage and are thought to promote cancer-development. Nevertheless, under physiological conditions, all cells constantly produce ROS, either as chemical by-products or for signaling purpose. During differentiation cells induce the NADPH oxidase Nox4, which constitutively produces low amounts of H2O2. We infer that this constitutive H2O2 is unlikely to be carcinogenic and may rather maintain basal activity of cellular surveillance systems. Utilizing two different murine tumor models we demonstrate that Nox4 prevents malignant transformation and facilitated the recognition of DNA-damage. Upon DNA-damage repair is initiated as consequence of phosphorylation of H2AX (γH2AX). Repair only occurs if nuclear activity of the γH2AX-dephosphorylating phosphatase PP2A is kept sufficiently low, a task fulfilled by Nox4: Nox4 continuously oxidizes AKT, and once oxidized AKT captures PP2A in the cytosol. Absence of Nox4 facilitates nuclear PP2A translocation and dephosphorylation of γH2AX. Simultaneously the proportion of active, phosphorylated AKT is increased. Thus, DNA-damage is not recognized and the increase in AKT activity promotes proliferation. The combination of both events resulted in genomic instability and tumor initiation. With the identification of the first cancer-protective source of reactive oxygen species, Nox4, the paradigm of reactive-oxygen species-induced initiation of malignancies should be revised. Significance The stereotype of ROS produced by NADPH oxidases as cause of malignant diseases persists generalized since decades. We demonstrate that the NADPH oxidase Nox4, as constitutive source of ROS, prevents malignant transformation and that its pharmacological inhibition as currently aspired by several companies will potentially increase the risk of malignant cell transformation and eventually tumor formation. Precis By oxidizing AKT and keeping PP2A in the cytosol, the NADPH oxidase Nox4 allows proper DNA damage repair and averts cancer development.
Reconciling work and family caregiving among adult-child family caregivers of older people with dementia: effects on role strain and depressive symptoms.

AIMS This paper is a report of a study that examined the effects of work demands, including employment status, work inflexibility and difficulty reconciling work and family caregiving, on role strain and depressive symptoms of adult-child family caregivers of older people with dementia. BACKGROUND Family caregivers also employed for pay are known to be affected by work demands, i.e. excessive workload and time pressures. However, few studies have shown how these work demands and reconciliation between work and family caregiving influence caregivers' role strain and depressive symptoms. METHOD For this cross-sectional study, secondary data were analysed for 119 adult-child family caregivers of older people with dementia in Taiwan using hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS After adjusting for demographic characteristics, resources and role demands overload, family caregivers with full-time jobs (β=0.25, P<0.01) and more difficulty reconciling work and caregiving roles (β=0.36, P<0.01) reported significantly more role strain than family caregivers working part-time or unemployed. Family caregivers with more work inflexibility reported more depressive symptoms (β=0.29, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Work demands affected family caregivers' role strain and depressive symptoms. Working full-time and having more difficulty reconciling work and caregiving roles predicted role strain; work inflexibility predicted depressive symptoms. These results can help clinicians identify high-risk groups for role strain and depression. Nurses need to assess family caregivers for work flexibility when screening for high-risk groups and encourage them to reconcile working with family-care responsibilities to reduce role strain.
INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE AMONG WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION

Domestic violence is a pervasive problem for women, and depression is the most prevalent negative mental health consequence of domestic violence. This study investigates the extent to which domestic violence is part of the history of women diagnosed with depression. Eighty two women with a diagnosis of depression were surveyed. A 61.0% lifetime prevalence of domestic violence was found. Lifetime prevalence for forced sex was 29.3%. Demographics of abused and nonabused women were not significantly different. Abused women were found to be less healthy. Prevalence of headaches, chronic pain, rape or marital rape, and sleep problems or nightmares were significantly higher. Severity of abuse was significantly correlated (p <. 01) to severity of depression. Implications for mental practice and training of peer support group leaders with depression are described, as well as for future research.
Three Phase Grid Connected Transformer less Inverter for Photovoltaic with PMSM drive

Three-phase transformer less inverter is widely used in lowpower photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected systems due to its small size, high efficiency and low cost. When no transformer is used in a grid connected photovoltaic (PV) system, a galvanic connection between the grid and PV array exists. In these conditions, dangerous leakage currents (common-mode currents) can appear through the stray capacitance between the PV array and the ground. The former, in order to create a galvanic isolation between the input and the output include a transformer (mandatory in some countries) that limits the whole system performances in terms of efficiency, weight, size and cost. On the contrary, transformerless inverters do not present any isolation and are characterized by little size, lower cost and higher efficiency (more than 2% higher). Nevertheless, the lack of transformers leads to leakage currents that can be harmful to the human body, as well as for the whole conversion system integrity. In order to minimize the ground leakage current and improve the efficiency of the converter system, transformerless PV inverters utilizing unipolar PWM control. In this paper it presents a highreliability three-phase transformer less grid-connected inverter that operate super junction MOSFETs to accomplish high efficiency for photovoltaic applications. In this paper single phase transformer less inverter with PMSM drive and three phase transformer less inverter.
Vitamin D and Pancreatic Cancer—An Update

The non-classical actions of vitamin D, namely anti-proliferation, pro-differentiation, immune function modulation, and anti-inflammation, have received great attention during the past decade, in particular, the potential of vitamin D analogs alone or in combination with other anticancer agents for the treatment of a variety of cancers. The association between vitamin D status and the higher incidence of many forms of cancer has suggested that vitamin D may play a role in the etiology of these types of cancer. Although it is still controversial whether this association exists for pancreatic cancer, biochemical evidence clearly indicates pancreatic cancer cells are responsive to the inhibitory effect of vitamin D and its analogs. In this review, we discuss briefly the origin and current therapy of pancreatic cancer, the history, source, metabolism and functions of vitamin D, the recent progress in the epidemiological studies of sunlight, and vitamin D status, and biochemical studies of vitamin D analogs in the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
[Characteristics of smoking habits in participants of the National Program of Early Detection and Prevention of COPD in the years 2000-2002].

UNLABELLED We aimed to characterize smoking habits in participants of the large national screening program for COPD run in Poland in the years 2000-2002. MATERIAL AND METHODS The program was addressed to smokers aged 40+ years with a smoking history of 10+ packyears. Participants were invited by advertisements in local mass media to attend local outpatient chest clinic located through all over the country for free spirometry. Investigations included history of smoking habit based on questionnaire, Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and spirometry. RESULTS During three years 91859 subjects were screened, of whom 81091 (88.3%) were current and former smokers. In male smokers (56.6%), mean age 54.2 +/- 11.4 yr, mean exposure to tobacco smoke was 32.8 +/- 18.7 packyears. There were 33289 (61.7%) of current smokers and 14905 (30,9%) of ex-smokers. In female smokers (41.3%), mean age 51.8 +/- 10.0 yr, mean exposure to tobacco smoke was 22.9 +/- 14.8 packyears. There were 22291 (70.7%) of current smokers and 9226 (29.3%) of ex-smokers. Males started to smoke at younger age of (19.2 +/- 4.6 yr) than females (21.8 +/- 5.9 yr). Males were more nicotine dependent than females, 4.93 +/- 2.4 vs 4.48 +/- 2.5 FTND points, respectively. Nicotine dependence was related to number of packyears (r=0.5, p<0.001). Airflow limitation was more prevalent in ex-smokers (23.9%) than in current smokers (19.6%). CONCLUSIONS We found differences in smoking habits between males and females. Females started smoking at later age and smoked less than males. Nicotine dependence was related to cumulative exposure to tobacco smoke. Frequency of airflow limitation was related to number of packyears.
A low-power Gm-C-based CT-ΔΣ audio-band ADC in 1.1V 65nm CMOS

A low power CT-ΔΣ is presented which achieves 92dBA of dynamic range while consuming only 110μA from a 1.1V supply in 65nm. The ADC exploits the inherent virtual ground of the ΔΣ loop to enable low power Gm-C integrators, and a simplified excess loop-delay compensation scheme. A common-mode feedback circuit which enables low voltage operation is also presented.
Thin-Film ZnO Charge-Trapping Memory Cell Grown in a Single ALD Step

A thin-film ZnO-based single-transistor memory cell with a gate stack deposited in a single atomic layer deposition step is demonstrated. Thin-film ZnO is used as channel material and charge-trapping layer for the first time. The extracted mobility and subthreshold slope of the thin-film device are 23 cm2/V·s and 720 mV/dec, respectively. The memory effect is verified by a 2.35-V hysteresis in the Idrain- Vgate curve. Physics-based TCAD simulations show very good agreement with the experimental results providing insight to the charge-trapping physics.
DNA as a template in self-assembly of one-dimensional au nanostructure

In this study, an alkanethiol-assisted self-assembly of Au nano-particles and its size tunable technique were confirmed. To fabricate a one-dimensional templagee, λ-DNA was first laid on mica substrate by dropping diluted λ-DNA solution, 12.6 ng / μl, on freshly cleaved mica. By dropping colloidal gold solution on mica surface with the DNA templates laid on it, the λ-DNA was then pulled straight via capillary force by applying solvent absorbing tissue at outer circumference of the mica substrate. And it fixed on mica via gravity force and Van der Waals force between mica surface and the DNA. Au nano-particles would be arrayed along the straight DNA molecules to form one-dimensional Au arrays.
3D Monte Carlo simulation of the programming dynamics and their statistical variability in nanoscale charge-trap memories

We present a comprehensive investigation of the programming dynamics of nanoscale charge-trap memories, based on 3D Monte Carlo simulations accounting for: 1) true 3D electro-statics during programming and read; 2) atomistic substrate doping; 3) discrete traps, fluctuating in number and position, with localized electron storage; 4) discrete electron injection into traps. The model allows to clarify several key issues affecting the program operation of charge-trap memories, most notably the reduced slope of the ISPP transients exhibited by scaled cells, the programming variability, and the width of the final programmed threshold-voltage distribution. Results are of utmost importance for the assessment of the true programming performance of nanoscale charge-trap memory technologies.
Young people in transition: the relationship between homesickness and self-disclosure.

Whilst the majority of new students cope well with the transition to university, a number experience levels of homesickness which can adversely affect the process of adaptation. In this study the relationship between homesickness and self-disclosure, seen as a possible mediating factor, was assessed in a sample of 83 students (mean age 18.0541 years, s.d.=7.055 months) at the start of their first semester and then 6 weeks later. The results showed that homesickness declined during the semester whilst levels of self-disclosure increased. A significant negative association was found between levels of self-disclosure and homesickness at both time periods. High self-disclosers experienced a significantly greater reduction in homesickness than low self-disclosers. The results showed the importance of the socially-mediated and supportive benefits of self-disclosure during this life transition.
Increased vascular permeability, angiogenesis and wound healing induced by the serum of natural latex of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis

Increases in vascular permeability and angiogenesis are crucial events to wound repair, tumoral growth and revascularization of tissues submitted to ischemia. An increased vascular permeability allows a variety of cytokines and growth factors to reach the damaged tissue. Nevertheless, the angiogenesis supply tissues with a wide variety of nutrients and is also important to metabolites clearance. It has been suggested that the natural latex from Hevea brasiliensis showed wound healing properties and angiogenic activity. Thus, the purpose of this work was to characterize its angiogenic activity and its effects on vascular permeability and wound healing. The serum fraction of the latex was separated from the rubber with reduction of the pH. The activity of the dialyzed serum fraction on the vascular permeability injected in subcutaneous tissue was assayed according Mile's method. The angiogenic activity was determined using a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay and its effects on the wound‐healing process was determined by the rabbit ear dermal ulcer model. The serum fraction showed evident angiogenic effect and it was effective in enhancing vascular permeability. In dermal ulcers, this material significantly accelerated wound healing. Moreover, the serum fraction boiled and treated with proteases lost these activities. These results are in accordance with the enhancement of wound healing observed in clinical trials carried out with a biomembrane prepared with the same natural latex. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Problems in the Latina paradox: measuring social support for pregnant immigrant women from Mexico

Women who have immigrated to the United States from Mexico have better than expected birth outcomes. Part of this apparent health ‘paradox’ has been explained by high levels of social support which are thought to offset known risk factors for low birth weight. Yet common measures of social support during pregnancy suffer from presumptions of cultural homogeneity and a-priori definitions of meaningful social support. Analysis of qualitative data from ethnographic research with 28 low-income immigrant women from Mexico living in south Texas demonstrates that preferences for certain kinds of social support vary considerably, based on how each woman makes meaning of being pregnant. This diversity is one more piece of evidence that minority cultures cannot be essentialised in health disparities research. By not measuring the diversity of desire for different kinds of support, existing correlations between social support and birth outcomes may obscure other important psychosocial mediators, such as pregnancy-related social status, that could impact birth outcomes. Moreover, a measure of pregnancy-related status may offer a more thorough explanation of the ‘protective effect’ that could be explored independent of immigrant status.