Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Construction and Analysis of an Infectious Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype C Molecular Clone

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C is now the predominant subtype in the global epidemic. This subtype is encountered in southern Africa and parts of Asia, where the epidemic is rapidly spreading. One possible explanation for these epidemiological observations is that this subtype has genetic characteristics that may contribute to its spread and/or pathogenic potential. In this report, we describe the construction of MJ4, an infectious chimeric molecular clone of HIV-1 subtype C that replicates in donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages. We also tested this clone for its ability to use the chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2b, CCR3, CXCR4, and CCR5 and found that the clone utilizes only CCR5 as the coreceptor for cell entry. The MJ4 clone will be useful in further biological and virological characterization of HIV-1 subtype C and will be an important tool in the continuing efforts to understand what may constitute protective immunity in HIV-1. The clone may also be used in experimental design of vaccine candidates that may be directed against HIV-1 subtype C.
Distinguishing Imagination from Reality 6

Children engage with their imaginative faculties in a variety of ways as they grow and develop. Th ey play simple pretend games starting at about the age of two (Fein, 1981; Nicolich, 1977; Singer & Singer, 1990), which are then elaborated into longer pretend sequences and sometimes into ongoing relationships with imaginary companions (Taylor, 1999) and paracosms (see chapter 27). Children also listen to and make up fi ctional stories throughout the early preschool years and beyond (Applebee, 1978; Appleyard, 1990; Engel, 1995), and they engage in counterfactual reasoning both implicitly (e.g., in causal learning; see Gopnik & Schulz, 2007) and explicitly (e.g., German & Nichols, 2003; Leevers & Harris, 2000; Sobel, 2004). Th ese studies and others suggest that children are quite competent at navigating between imagination and reality. However, it would be imprudent to credit children with a true understanding of these imaginative activities without fi rst considering how Abstract
Three-phase three-level one-cycle controlled bidirectional AC-to-DC NPC converter

A one-cycle control based controller for three-phase three-level bidirectional ac-dc NPC converter with unity power factor is proposed in this paper. One-cycle control (OCC) based schemes applied to three-phase three-level rectifiers with reduced number of switches (VIENNA rectifier) have been reported in literature. But, they cannot operate in inverting mode of operation due to the absence of essential power electronic switches and inherent instability of OCC based systems during inverting mode. The controller proposed in this paper addresses this limitation of instability and enables the said NPC converter to operate stably even when the load on the converter is suddenly removed or it is made to operate in inverting mode of operation. The proposed controller is simple to implement as it can be realised using an integrator-with-reset, few flip-flops and comparators. Simulation studies are carried out to validate the proposed scheme.
Augmented leg vasoconstriction in dynamically exercising older men during acute sympathetic stimulation

Vasoconstrictor responsiveness to acute sympathetic stimulation declines with advancing age in resting skeletal muscle. The purpose of the present study was to determine if age‐related reductions in sympathetic vasoconstrictor responsiveness also occur in exercising skeletal muscle. Thirteen younger (20–30 years) and seven older (62–74 years) healthy non‐endurance‐trained men performed cycle ergometer exercise at ∼60 % of peak oxygen uptake while leg blood flow (femoral vein thermodilution), mean arterial blood pressure (radial artery catheter), and plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were measured. After steady state was reached (i.e. ∼4 min), acute sympathetic stimulation was achieved by immersing a hand in ice water for 2–4 min (cold pressor test, CPT). CPT tended to cause a larger increase in mean arterial blood pressure in older men (older (O): 16 ± 3 mmHg; younger (Y): 10 ± 2 mmHg) during exercise, but increases in arterial noradrenaline were similar (O: 2.56 ± 0.96 nM; Y: 1.98 ± 0.40 nM). However, the older men demonstrated a larger percentage reduction in exercising leg vascular conductance (leg blood flow/mean arterial pressure) during CPT compared to younger men (O: ‐13.6 ± 3.1%; Y: ‐1.5 ± 4.3%; P= 0.04). Leg blood flow tended to increase in the younger men, but not in the older men (P= 0.10). These results suggest, in contrast to what has been observed in resting skeletal muscle, that vasoconstrictor responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation is not reduced, but may be augmented in exercising muscle of healthy older humans. This could reflect a reduced ability of local substances (e.g. nitric oxide) to impair vasoconstriction in response to sympathetic stimulation during exercise in older humans.
Regional osteoporosis due to osteoclast activation as a trigger for the pain‐like behaviors in tail‐suspended mice

Pathological conditions with refractory skeletal pain are often characterized by regional osteoporotic changes such as transient osteoporosis of the hip, regional migratory osteoporosis, or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Our previous study demonstrated that the acidic microenvironment created by osteoclast activation under high bone turnover conditions induced pain‐like behaviors in ovariectomized mice through the stimulation of acid‐sensing nociceptors. The aim of the present study was to examine whether regional transient osteoporotic changes are related to pain‐like behaviors in the hind limb using tail‐suspended model mice. The hind limbs of tail‐suspended mice were unloaded for 2 weeks, during which time the mice revealed significant regional osteoporotic changes in their hind limbs accompanied by osteoclast activation. In addition, these changes were significantly recovered by the resumption of weight bearing on the hind limbs for 4 weeks. Consistent with the pathological changes in the hind limbs, pain‐like behaviors in the mice were induced by tail suspension and recovered by the resumption of weight bearing. Moreover, treatment with bisphosphonate significantly prevented the triggering of the regional osteoporosis and pain‐like behaviors, and antagonists of the acid‐sensing nociceptors, such as transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily member 1 and acid‐sensing ion channels, significantly improved the pain‐like behaviors in the tail‐suspended mice. We, therefore, believe that regional transient osteoporosis due to osteoclast activation might be a trigger for the pain‐like behaviors in tail‐suspended model mice. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1226–1236, 2017.
Some studies on the trichloroacetic acid-precipitated proteins of seminal plasma in the bull, buffalo and goat.

Summary. Precipitation of bull, buffalo and goat seminal plasma with trichloroacetic acid did not render the seminal plasma proteins insoluble. On the basis of solubility and dialysibility, the acid-precipitated seminal plasma proteins from bull and buffalo were resolved into three fractions which were quantitatively estimated. Some of the properties of the largest of these fractions from bull, were studied. There was a slight change in the relative proportion of these fractions on storage of semen at room temperature.
Improved survival of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in the 1990s.

To analyze the recent change in the long-term survival of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the present study comprised consecutive 111 patients with ejection fraction <50% and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter >58 mm. who were admitted to hospital from January 1983 to December 1994. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A who were diagnosed before 1989 and group B diagnosed after 1990. Basic characteristics at diagnosis, including age, NYHA functional class, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and ejection fraction, were similar between these 2 groups. Calculated survival rate at 5 years was 90.0% in group B in contrast to 62.3% in group A. Event-free survival also improved in group B. In group B, beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors were more frequently used than in group A (p<0.0001) whereas digitalis and other positive inotropic agents were significantly less used. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved during the follow-up period in patients treated with beta-blockers compared with those not treated with beta-blockers. These data indicate a significant improvement in the survival of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy after 1990, which may be explained by the change of medical treatment, especially the use of beta-blockers.
Effects of Kenaf Loading on Processability and Properties of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene/Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Kenaf Composites

This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of utilizing kenaf (KNF) in LLDPE/PVOH to develop a new thermoplastic composite. The effect of KNF loading on the processability and mechanical, thermal and water absorption properties of linear low-density polyethylene/poly (vinyl alcohol)/kenaf (LLDPE/PVOH/KNF) composites were investigated. Composites with different KNF loadings (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 phr) were prepared using a Thermo Haake Polydrive internal mixer at a temperature of 150 °C and rotor speed of 50 rpm for 10 min. The results indicate that the stabilization torque, tensile modulus, water uptake, and thermal stability increased, while tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increasing filler loading. The tensile fractured surfaces observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supported the deterioration in tensile properties of the LLDPE/PVOH/KNF composites with increasing KNF loading.
Time and temperature stability of T-cell subsets evaluated by a dual-platform method.

INTRODUCTION T-cell subset enumeration in HIV patients is routinely performed for monitoring infection stage and response to antiretroviral therapy. Studies have examined the effect of specimen refrigeration and age for single-platform (SP) methods, but there is limited data for time and temperature requirements of dual-platform (DP) methods. METHODS Using a DP method, we analyzed peripheral blood (PB) from 52 HIV patients at room temperature (RT) at 24, 72, and 96 hours. PBs from 34 HIV patients had baseline RT analysis within 24 hours, and then were refrigerated and analyzed at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The coefficient of variation (CV) and residuals (changes in lymphocyte subsets) were recorded at each time point and compared to assess the precision and bias under the various conditions. Testing performance under different conditions was compared by linear regression. RESULTS Mean CV was ≤7.3% and median residuals were <30/μl for absolute CD4 and CD8 determinations. There was good correlation between baseline analysis data at RT and at various time points, both at RT and 4°C. CONCLUSIONS Our results are similar to those published for SP methods for aging or refrigerated specimens. The high level of agreement between measurements supports the robustness of this DP methodology.
Identification of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Replicase Products and Characterization of Papain-Like Protease Activity

ABSTRACT Gene 1 of the coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) encodes replicase polyproteins that are predicted to be processed into 16 nonstructural proteins (nsps 1 to 16) by two viral proteases, a papain-like protease (PLpro) and a 3C-like protease (3CLpro). Here, we identify SARS coronavirus amino-terminal replicase products nsp1, nsp2, and nsp3 and describe trans-cleavage assays that characterize the protease activity required to generate these products. We generated polyclonal antisera to glutathione S-transferase-replicase fusion proteins and used the antisera to detect replicase intermediates and products in pulse-chase experiments. We found that nsp1 (p20) is rapidly processed from the replicase polyprotein. In contrast, processing at the nsp2/3 site is less efficient, since a ≈300-kDa intermediate (NSP2-3) is detected, but ultimately nsp2 (p71) and nsp3 (p213) are generated. We found that SARS coronavirus replicase products can be detected by 4 h postinfection in the cytoplasm of infected cells and that nsps 1 to 3 colocalize with newly synthesized viral RNA in punctate, perinuclear sites consistent with their predicted role in viral RNA synthesis. To determine if PLpro is responsible for processing these products, we cloned and expressed the PLpro domain and the predicted substrates and established PLpro trans-cleavage assays. We found that the PLpro domain is sufficient for processing the predicted nsp1/2 and nsp2/3 sites. Interestingly, expression of an extended region of PLpro that includes the downstream hydrophobic domain was required for processing at the predicted nsp3/4 site. We found that the hydrophobic domain is inserted into membranes and that the lumenal domain is glycosylated at asparagine residues 2249 and 2252. Thus, the hydrophobic domain may anchor the replication complex to intracellular membranes. These studies revealed that PLpro can cleave in trans at the three predicted cleavage sites and that it requires membrane association to process the nsp3/4 cleavage site.
Using Finite State Transducers for Helping Foreign Language Learning

The interest and demand to foreign language learning are increased tremendously along with the globalization and freedom of movement in the world. Today, the technological developments allow the creation of supportive materials for foreign language learners. However, the language acquisition between languages with high typological differences still poses challenges for this area and the learning task it self. This paper introduces our preliminary study for building an educational application to help foreign language learning between Turkish and English. The paper presents the use of finite state technology for building a Turkish word synthesis system (which allows to choose word-related features among predefined grammatical affix categories such as tense, modality and polarity etc.) and a wordlevel translation system between the languages in focus. The developed system is observed to outperform the popular online translation systems for word-level translation in terms of grammatically correct outputs.
Homozygous nonsense mutation in SCHIP1/IQCJ‐SCHIP1 causes a neurodevelopmental brain malformation syndrome

We report a consanguineous Arab family with 3 affected siblings who display a disorder of global developmental delay, learning difficulties, facial dysmorphism, hearing impairments, and cataract. The clinical phenotype was associated with characteristic brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of axonal guidance defects involving anterior commissure agenesis as well as scattered areas of polymicrogyria‐cobblestone complex. Whole genome sequencing revealed a novel nonsense mutation (159609921C>T) that segregated in the family consistent in an autosomal recessive pattern. This mutation located in the C‐terminal region shared by the Schwanomin‐Interacting Protein1 (SCHIP1) isoforms including the IQCJ‐SCHIP1. The in vitro expression of SCHIP1 and IQCJ‐SCHIP1 truncated mutant isoforms (NM_001197109.1; p.R209* and NM_001197114.1; p.R501*, respectively) were markedly reduced as compared to their full‐length versions suggesting protein stability/folding impairment. The pathogenic nature of this mutation is supported by a previously reported mouse knockout of Schip1 isoforms, which phenocopied the human axon guidance abnormality. This is the first report of a SCHIP1/IQCJ‐SCHIP1 point mutation in humans associated with a neurological‐developmental phenotype.
What determines the complication rate in high-risk chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: surgery or pulmonary function?

als. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2016;49:5–17. [2] Christenson JT, Badel P, Simonet F, Schmuziger M. Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump enhances cardiac performance and improves the outcome of redo CABG. Ann Thorac Surg 1997;64:1237–44. [3] Christenson JT, Simonet F, Badel P, Schmuziger M. Evaluation of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump support in high risk coronary patients. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1997;11:1097–103; discussion 104. [4] Christenson JT, Simonet F, Schmuziger M. The effect of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump support in high risk patients requiring myocardial revascularization. J Cardiovasc Surg 1997;38:397–402.
Speech recognition using variable-length frame overlaps by intelligent fuzzy control

This work presents a fuzzy logic control FLC mechanism to determine a variable-length frame overlap between two consecutive frames for speech recognition. Compared with the conventional fixed-length frame overlapping method, the proposed mechanism can acquire more accurate feature parameters of speech samples when performing the procedure of feature extraction by taking the LPC residual error into consideration, and thus ensures the robustness of speech recognition. The proposed mechanism is conceptually simple and effective and computationally inexpensive. Experiment results indicate that the recognition performance of the proposed variable-length frame overlapping mechanism under FLC regulation is apparently superior to that of the conventional approach with each frame overlap set fixed.
Optimised methodology for stepper motor simulation

The paper presents the effort of the authors to minimize the computational time and resources brought in electrical machines conception, design and analyses. The proposed methodology is a mixture between Finite Element Analysis and neural network interpretation of resulting data, with important conclusions about the minimum number of inputs asked by the desired accuracy. The methodology is illustrated on stepper motor due to its important place in positioning systems, computer and peripherals architecture, electric vehicles and because its significant interest in researcher's works.
The checkered history of American psychiatric epidemiology.

CONTEXT American psychiatry has been fascinated with statistics ever since the specialty was created in the early nineteenth century. Initially, psychiatrists hoped that statistics would reveal the benefits of institutional care. Nevertheless, their fascination with statistics was far removed from the growing importance of epidemiology generally. The impetus to create an epidemiology of mental disorders came from the emerging social sciences, whose members were concerned with developing a scientific understanding of individual and social behavior and applying it to a series of pressing social problems. Beginning in the 1920s, the interest of psychiatric epidemiologists shifted to the ways that social environments contributed to the development of mental disorders. This emphasis dramatically changed after 1980 when the policy focus of psychiatric epidemiology became the early identification and prevention of mental illness in individuals. METHODS This article reviews the major developments in psychiatric epidemiology over the past century and a half. FINDINGS The lack of an adequate classification system for mental illness has precluded the field of psychiatric epidemiology from providing causal understandings that could contribute to more adequate policies to remediate psychiatric disorders. Because of this gap, the policy influence of psychiatric epidemiology has stemmed more from institutional and ideological concerns than from knowledge about the causes of mental disorders. CONCLUSION Most of the problems that have bedeviled psychiatric epidemiology since its inception remain unresolved. In particular, until epidemiologists develop adequate methods to measure mental illnesses in community populations, the policy contributions of this field will not be fully realized.
The function of myosin and myosin light chain kinase phosphorylation in smooth muscle.

early physiological and pha rma cologi cal studies on smooth muscle prepara­ tions foc used primarily on extra cellular eff ectors and their interactions with the membrane components ultimately involved in the control of intra cellula r Ca2+ concentration. Eva luation of the steady-state contractile resp onse has been interpreted as an index of sarcoplasmic Ca2+ concentra tion, with the under­ lying assumption that Ca2+ activates contractile proteins through a simple switch -like mechanis m. The discoveries that the 20,OOO-dalton light chain of smooth muscle myosin could be phosphorylated (1), and that the phosphoryla­ tion of smooth muscle myosin is ass ociated with an increase in its actin­ activated
Sostenibilidad del mejoramiento escolar impulsado por programas de asistencia técnica educativa.

Aplicando una metodologia cualitativa de estudio colectivo de casos, se indago acerca de la sostenibilidad del mejoramiento escolar inducido externamente. Se estudiaron cuatro escuelas que durante cuatro anos recibieron asistencia tecnica educativa y que mejoraron los resultados de sus alumnos, comparando dos casos en que dichos resultados se mantuvieron con dos casos en que no se mantuvieron, luego de tres anos de terminado el programa. Los hallazgos permitieron identificar un conjunto de condiciones, caracteristicas y procesos, tanto a nivel de las escuelas, como de los docentes, las autoridades locales y los propios programas de asistencia tecnica educativa, que contribuirian a explicar las diferencias en cuanto a la sostenibilidad del mejoramiento escolar observado. Estos resultados se asociaron con dos tipos contrastantes de mejoramiento escolar observado en los casos estudiados: un mejoramiento escolar no sustantivo, parcelado, superficial e inestable, y otro colectivo, profundo y multidimensional, al que denominamos genuino mejoramiento escolar.
Quantitative Intramuscular Myoelectric Activity of Lumbar Portions of Psoas and the Abdominal Wall during Cycling

The purpose of this study was to quantify activation using intramuscular EMG from lumbar psoas and the three layers of the abdominal wall during several styles of cycling: normal posture (slightly flexed), upright posture, racing in flexed posture, standing up from the saddle, and standing during maximal sprint effort. Lumbar erector spinae and rectus femoris were also monitored with surface electrodes. Results demonstrated that the activity patterns were influenced by the style of cycling. Furthermore, psoas activity peaked at 14% of MVC (or less) during the upstroke phase of normal cycling but became much more active at TDC during flexed cycling (approximately 30% MVC) and approached 60% of MVC during sprinting. Generally, the abdominal wall was activated to relatively low but continual levels except during standing and sprinting. Erector spinae activity was very low at less than 5% MVC throughout the cycle until standing or sprinting styles were adopted. These normalized and scaled data on deep muscle .
A new hybrid control method for multi-cell choppers. Application to power renewable energy systems

The growing development of renewable energy opens new perspectives in the use of power converters, both in terms of technology and control. Unfortunately, conventional choppers set some serious problems, even those using “parallel or series multicell” technology. Indeed, the main problem in parallel multi-cell choppers is the possible imbalance of the currents in each cell. This may be due to the components imperfections (resistors, inductors) and/or to the circuits control (the signals have not exactly the same duty cycle). In this paper we propose a new generation of parallel multi-cell choppers specially designed for renewable plants. A reconfiguration of the control is proposed in response to a variation between the current branches. Numerical simulation results are presented and discussed to validate the proposed model.