Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The C-Terminal 300 Amino Acid Residues of the G Protein and Putative Open Reading Frame X of the G Gene of Tailam Paramyxovirus (TlmPV) Are Not Required for Replication in Tissue Culture Cells

TlmPV is a member of the recently established genus Jeilongvirus. TlmPV encodes a large G protein and its G gene contains ORF-X. In this work, infectious TlmPV was recovered using reverse genetics. Using this system, we have demonstrated that 300 aa of C-terminal of G and the ORF-X are not required for viral replication in tissue culture cells. ABSTRACT Tailam paramyxovirus (TlmPV) was identified in Sikkim Rats in Hong Kong, China in 2011. Its negative sense RNA genome is similar to J paramyxovirus (JPV) and Beilong paramyxovirus (BeiPV), the prototypes of the recently established genus Jeilongvirus. TlmPV genome is predicted to have eight genes in the order 3′-N-P/V/C-M-F-SH-TM-G/X-L-5′. The predicted size of the TlmPV G protein is 1,052 amino acid (aa) residues and much larger than G proteins of typical paramyxoviruses, which are often less than 800 aa. In addition to G open reading frame (ORF) in the G gene, another ORF, termed ORF-X exists in the G gene transcript. Similar ORF-X exists in JPV and BeiPV G gene, but their expression in virus-infected cells has not been confirmed. In this study, we generated infectious TlmPV using a newly developed reverse genetics system. We have found that the G protein of TlmPV is truncated in cultured cells: stop codons emerged in the G open reading frame, resulting in deletions of amino acid residues beyond residue 732. We have obtained infectious TlmPV lacking the C-terminal 307 aa (rTlmPV-G745) and TlmPV lacking the C-terminal 306 aa and the ORF-X (rTlmPV-GΔ746-X). The recombinant TlmPVs lacking the C-terminal 300 aa reach a higher peak viral titer and have improved genome stability in tissue cultured cells. The work indicates that the C-terminal of the G protein of TlmPV and ORF-X are not required for replication in tissue culture cells, and the deletion of the C-terminal confers a growth advantage in tissue culture cells. IMPORTANCE TlmPV is a member of the recently established genus Jeilongvirus. TlmPV encodes a large G protein and its G gene contains ORF-X. In this work, infectious TlmPV was recovered using reverse genetics. Using this system, we have demonstrated that 300 aa of C-terminal of G and the ORF-X are not required for viral replication in tissue culture cells.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK IN STOCK PRICING: A FURTHER STUDY OF ASIAN MARKETS

This study applies a two-factor asset pricing model (market and foreign exchange) to examine the stock pricing behaviors in export-oriented Asian markets (Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand) for the period 1994-2005. The three foreign exchange risk factors are Japanese yen, US dollar and EURO. GMM test results indicate only the US dollar exchange risk factor is priced in Asian stock markets, i.e., the appreciation/depreciation of the US dollar should affect investors’ buying/selling decision to some extent. The empirical results are valid for both subperiods as well as the whole period.
R&D in China: An Empirical Study of Taiwanese it Companies

This study extends the research on R&D (research and development) internationalization to a new environmental context (two Asian newly-industrialized economies, mainland China and Taiwan). Based on a survey of 56 major Taiwanese information technology (IT) companies, the status of R&D internationalization with Taiwan as the home and mainland China as the host is investigated. Human-capital-augmentation is found to be the key motive for Taiwanese IT companies to extend R&D activities to the mainland. Accessing capable yet cost effective local engineers with an additional benefit of geographical and linguistic proximity is the major context of this motive. The location decision is based on three considerations – access to engineers, proximity to manufacturing site, and competition avoidance. Finally, three operational patterns of conducting the international design and development (D&D) activities are categorized, which are ‘home-base-integration’, ‘host-base-integration’, and ‘product life cycle’.
Effectiveness of Morphological Instructions and Shared Book Reading on Chinese Literacy Development in Children with Dyslexia: A Single-subject Experiment

Existing research have reported the effectiveness of Shared Book Reading approach and Morphological Instructions in Chinese literacy in children with and without reading difficulties in China and Hong Kong. In a different context, such as Chinese language in Malaysia and with children diagnosed with dyslexia, effectiveness of Shared Book Reading and Morphological Instructions on Chinese literacy have not been examined yet. In 2010, Wang and Anderson designed a Chinese literacy intervention of Shared Book Reading approach and Morphological Instructions for a Chinese first grader diagnosed with dyslexia with proven effectiveness. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Shared Book Reading approach and Morphological Instructions on Chinese literacy development of children with dyslexia in Malaysia by adapted the Chinese literacy intervention by Wang and Anderson with Malaysian national curriculum for the Chinese language. A 7-year-old Chinese first grader diagnosed with dyslexia was recruited to participate in the present study. The present study employed single-subject experimental design, i.e. A (Baseline 1) - B (Morphological Instructions) - C (Shared Book Reading and Morphological Instructions) - A (Baseline 2) within-subject design. The results suggested that Shared Book Reading approach and Morphological Instructions were effective methods to improve Chinese literacy development in Chinese children with dyslexia. However, the effectiveness of Morphological Instructions would only be significant when it was utilized as a reading strategy along with the implementation of Shared Book Reading. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.
Baseline Synovial Blood Flow Signals in Very Early Rheumatoid Arthritis is Associated with Joint Inflammation and Radiographic Joint Damage

Background: Distinguishing which patient with early RA is to run a severe disease course with development of erosions and which is not at baseline evaluation is a major challenge in the management of RA. Objectives: To assess the changes of the blood flow signals in a total of 2 the studied joints from the start and after one year as well as to predict the future joint damage after one year by assessing the ability of synovial vascularity at baseline measured by power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 34 consecutive early RA patients naive to DMARDs and glucocorticoids who underwent clinical, laboratory, radiologic and ultrasonography (US) assessment at baseline, and 1 year. The degree of US synovial proliferation (US-SP) was investigated in 28 joints using gray-scale ultrasonography. Synovial vascularity was investigated using PDUS and were scored on a 4-grade scale, and the total of the scores in the 28 joints was regarded as the total signal score (US-TSS). Results: The PD-TSS and US-SP correlated with DAS28-CRP, CRP and radiographic score and to a lesser extent with TJC, SJC and VAS-pain at baseline and one year. PD-TSS and US-SP significantly correlated with HAQ at baseline but not one year. In univariate analysis, the total radiographic score at 1 year and radiographic progression were significantly associated with baseline presence of anti-CCP, presence of RF, US-SP, PD-TSS, radiographic score and the count of joints that had been persistently swollen for the year follow up period. The baseline parameters identified by logistic regression as an independent predictive factor of radiographic score at 1 year and radiographic progression were PD-TSS and radiographic score. Conclusion: Radiographic score after 1 year and radiographic progression was predicted by baseline synovial vascularity and baseline radiographic score of joint damage. Degree of synovial vascularity and synovial proliferation as measured by ultrasonography are correlated with rheumatoid activity.
Comparison between Anti-filaggrin, Anti-RA33 and Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Iraqi Patients

Background: Anti-filaggrin, Anti-RA33 and anti-CCP antibodies are highly specific markers for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but they are not detectable in all RA patients, Anti-filaggrin antibody are antibodies that reacts with keratinized tissue of animal esophagus(Anti-Keratin antibody) . Anti-RA33 antibodies are directed to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 (hnRNP-A2),while anti-CCP antibodies are directed to modified epitope on proteins that undergo conversion of amino acid arginine to citrullin by citrullination. Objectives: The aim of this study was to show the correlation between anti-filaggrin antibodies, anti-RA33 antibodies, antiCCP antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) in terms of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in Iraqi patients. Subjects and methods: This study was conducted in the period between April 2011 and October 2011 gathering 90 subjects. Fifty (50) of them were diagnosed as established RA patients and they were on treatment (the patients group) who were attending the rheumatology out patients clinic or admitted to Baghdad teaching hospital ,and forty (40) subjects were apparently without any arthritis (the control group). From each subject 5mls of venous blood was aspirated and centrifuged to separate the serum. The sera were stored at -20C and tested for anti-filaggrin antibodies, anti-RA33 antibodies, anti-CCP antibodies, and RF (IgM) antibodies using enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results: There were forty two (42) seropositive patients (84.0%) and eight (8) seronegative patients (16.0%),with thirty four (34) (68.0 %) patients were anti-CCP antibodies positive and sixteen (16) (32.0%) patients were anti-CCP antibodies negative, while there were twenty nine (29)(58.0%) patients anti-RA33 antibodies positive and (21)(42.0%)patients were anti-RA33 antibodies negative. anti-filaggrin antibodies were positive in forty four (44) (88%) and it was negative only in six (6) (12%) patients. Conclusion: Anti-CCP antibodies have the highest specificity and anti-filaggrin antibodies have the highest sensitivity than anti-RA33 antibodies, but anti-RA33 antibodies are helpful in the diagnosis of patients who are anti-CCP negative and RF negative.
AB0013 Expression levels of mir-124 in the plasma of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background Micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) comprise a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression on post transcriptional level. Levels of miR-124 have been found to be decreased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synoviocytes and in vivo studies have shown that treatment with pre-miR-124 suppresses the progression of joint damage1. Objectives To evaluate the expression levels of miR-124–3 p in plasma of RA patients and to determine its possible role as biomarker for diagnosis and disease activity. Methods 34 RA patients according to the 1987 ACR criteria were included in the study. Expression levels of miR-124–3 p in the plasma were determined by PCR (SYBR Green technology). 2-ΔΔCt method was used for analysis. 10 healthy donors were used as controls. Results Expression levels of miR-124–3 p were upregulated in the plasma of 33 (97.06%) of the patients when compared to controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the expression levels of the studied miRNA in the plasma. Area under the curve for miR-124–3 p was 0.879 (95% CI=0.740–1.00), p=0.303 × 10–3. When the relative quantification (RQ) cut value was 2.89, the sensitivity was 91.2% and the specificity was 80%. Levels of miR-124–3 p in plasma correlated with the diagnosis (p=0.106 × 10–3), with markers of inflammation – ESR (p=0.0497) and CRP (p=0.047) as well as with the immunological activity – the presence of RF (p=0.007), RF IgM (p=0.004), RF IgG (p=0.004), RF IgA (p=0.005) and anti-CCP antibodies in the serum (p=0.025). Conclusions In contrary to the literature data that report levels of miR-124 to be decreased in RA synovial fibroblasts we found increased expression of miR-124–3 p in the plasma of RA patients which might reflect the pathophysiological response to the inflammation, the effect of the treatment regimen or the presence of miR-124a gene promotor hypermethylation in the synovial tissue which might downregulate miR-124 locally.1 2 To our knowledge this is the first study to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma levels of miR-124 in RA patients as well as the possibility of using miR-124 as biomarker for disease activity but larger set is needed to confirm these results in the clinical practice. References [1] Nakamachi Y, et al. MicroRNA-124a is a key regulator of proliferation and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 secretion in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Arthritis Rheum2009;60(5):1294–1304. [2] Zhou Q, et al. Research of the Methylation Status of miR-124a Gene Promoter among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Clin Dev Immunol2013(2013):524204. Acknowledgements The study was supported by Grant 76/2016 funded by Medical University – Sofia, Bulgaria. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Assessment of biological richness in different altitudinal zones in the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh, India

This article evaluates an approach for biological richness assessment at landscape level using satellite remote sensing, phytosociological data and knowledge base in a GIS domain at a test site in the Eastern Himalayan region. An attempt is made to establish the relationship existing between biological richness and biotic disturbances across an altitudinal gradient, divided into six zones based on different vegetation types. Biological richness was determined as a function of ecosystem uniqueness, species diversity, biodiversity value, terrain complexity and disturbance index. Satellite images of IRS 1C/1D LISS III are used to stratify different vegetation types following a hybrid approach supplemented with biogeographic and altitude zone maps. The number of economically important species, medicinal species and endemic species decreases with altitude. High level of disturbance was observed across settlements and road networks and the areas having simpler and easily accessible terrains. A declining trend in species richness and plant endemism is noticed with increase in altitude. Habitats with low disturbance, highly complex terrain, high degree of species richness, plant endemism and species uniqueness show high level of biological richness. In general, the disturbance decreased with increase in altitude, whereas biological richness shows a hump-shaped pattern for Arunachal Pradesh. It was observed that high biological richness and high disturbance occurred in lower altitudes, whereas high-altitude areas showed low biological richness and low level of disturbance. The study demonstrates integration of remote sensing and GIS for landscape ecological modelling and thereby contributes to the understanding of biodiversity distribution in the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh.
Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis

Abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG), caused by Haliotid herpesvirus-1 (HaHV-1; previously called abalone herpesvirus), is a disease that has been responsible for extensive mortalities in wild and farmed abalone and has caused significant economic losses in Asia and Australia since outbreaks occurred in the early 2000s. Researchers from Taiwan, China, and Australia have conducted numerous studies encompassing HaHV-1 genome sequencing, development of molecular diagnostic tests, and evaluation of the susceptibility of various abalone species to AVG as well as studies of gene expression in abalone upon virus infection. This review presents a timeline of the most significant research findings on AVG and HaHV-1 as well as potential future research avenues to further understand this disease in order to develop better management strategies.
Student characteristics associated with dominant approaches to studying: Comparing a national and an international sample

Abstract Background Productive approaches to studying (deep and strategic learning) are associated with a variety of favourable academic outcomes, and may be of particular importance for students in multifaceted and complex disciplines such as occupational therapy. Aim To explore associations between student characteristics and their dominant approaches to studying in two samples of occupational therapy students: a national sample of Norwegian first-year students, and an international sample of students in different year cohorts (Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Norway). Materials and methods A total of 180 (national sample) and 665 (international sample) students were included in the study. Approaches to studying were measured with the Approaches to Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST). Data were analyzed with adjusted multinomial regression analyses. Results Age, gender and prior higher education were not associated with the dominant study approach. More time spent on independent study (international sample: OR = 1.07/1.08, p < 0.01/<0.001) and having current study program as the top priority line of education at enrolment (national sample: OR = 2.89, p < 0.05) predicted productive study approaches. Conclusions and significance Factors such as age, gender and prior higher education seem to be of limited importance for understanding students’ dominant approaches to studying.
Long‐term effects of hormone replacement therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma risk and overall survival rate in women with chronic hepatitis C: A population‐based cohort study in Taiwan

The relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was discussed for several decades. However, the long‐term effects of HRT on female patients with hepatitis C during nature postmenopausal periods are unclear. This study aimed at investigating the effect of HRT on HCC risk and overall survival. We conducted a retrospective population‐based cohort study using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2013. The treated cohort, consisting of 1022 patients with hepatitis C who received hormone analog therapy for at least 90 days (treated cohort), was matched with the control cohort, consisting of 1022 untreated patients with hepatitis C (controls) who had never received a hormone prescription, through propensity score adjustment; furthermore, cumulative incidence was calculated, and multivariable analyses were performed. The treated and control cohorts were followed up for mean periods of 7.47 and 6.64 years, respectively. The treated cohort had a significantly lower crude hazard ratio (HR) of HCC of 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30‐0.61, P < .001), with an adjusted HR of 0.49 (95% CI 0.31‐0.76, P = .001). After adjustment for other confounders and comorbidities, the hormone analog treatment was associated with a reduced risk of HCC. Subgroup analyses provided estimates of the strength of the associations between HRT and reduced HCC risk in different age categories. Our retrospective population study in Taiwan revealed that using hormone analog reduces the risk of HCC and mortality in patients with hepatitis C virus infection who are receiving HRT, such as menopausal women.
The Islamic State’s Pattern of Sexual Violence: Ideology and Institutions, Policies and Practices

The Islamic State, which controlled significant territory in Iraq and Syria between 2014 and 2017, engaged in a wide repertoire of violence against civilians living in these areas. Despite extensive media coverage and scholarly attention, the determinants of this pattern of violence remain poorly understood. We argue that, contrary to a widespread assumption that the Islamic State wielded violence indiscriminately, it systematically targeted different social groups with distinct forms of violence, including sexual violence. Our theory focuses on ideology, suggesting it is a necessary element of explanations of patterns of violence on the part of many armed actors. Ideologies, to varying extent, prescribe organizational policies that order or authorize particular forms of violence against specific social groups and institutions that regulate the conditions under which they occur. We find support for our theory in the case of sexual violence by the Islamic State by triangulating between several types of qualitative data: official documents; social media data generated by individuals in or near Islamic State-controlled areas; interviews with Syrians and Iraqis who have knowledge of the organization’s policies including victims of violence and former Islamic State combatants; and secondary sources including local Arabic-language newspapers. Consistent with our theory, we find that the organization adopted ideologically motivated policies that authorized certain forms of sexual violence, including sexual slavery and child marriage. Forms of violence that violated organizational policies but were nonetheless tolerated by many commanders also occurred and we find evidence of two such practices: gang rape of Yazidi women and forced marriage of Sunni Muslim women.
Cerebro-placental Index in Perinatal Outcome of Pregnancy with Intra- Uterine Growth Restriction

Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) indicates a situation when the fetus has not achieved its genetically predetermined size and the birth weight is below 10thpercentile for their gestational age. We intend to find out the role of cerebroplacental index (CPI) using Doppler velocimetry procedure to determine the IUGR and its perinatal outcome. Study was done to determine the poor perinatal fetal outcome as morbidity or mortality in IUGR using Doppler cerebroplacental index. Material and methods: This study was conducted on 50 antenatal patients who have sub-optimal fundal growth delayed by 4 weeks and or IUGR diagnosed by ultrasound in tertiary care center of Arunachal Pradesh. They were divided into two groups according to CPI as; group (A) CPI >1 or normal and group (B) CPI ≤ 1 or abnormal CPI and it is correlated with perinatal outcome in relation to the normal and abnormal Doppler velocimetry. The diagnosis of IUGR was confirmed after delivery of fetus whether normal vaginal delivery or caesarean section delivery. Patients who do not remember last menstrual period (LMP), no ultrasound (USG) in first trimester, gross C/D or multiple gestations were excluded from the study. Statistical analyses used were X2test and student t-test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy in assessment of poor perinatal outcome was analyzed and discussed. Results: We found that the group A with CPI >1 has higher gestation age at delivery (38.182 week) than the group B CPI ≤1 (35.795 week). The difference is found to be highly significant (p < 0.01). Also there was higher birth weight of baby in average (2.464 ± 383 Kg) in group a with CPI >1 than the group CPI ≤ 1 with whose average baby weight is (1.756 ± 0.470 Kg) in CPI ≤ 1, Although this finding were statistically not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that CPI is a useful method to determine fetal outcome in IUGR.