Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study of the knowledge and attitude towards pulse polio immunization in semi urban areas of South India.

BACKGROUND The government of India launched the pulse polio immunization (PPI) programme in 1995 with the aim of eradicating poliomyelitis by the end of 2000. Despite this, 733 children with polio were reported in 2009 alone. Therefore, there is a need to understand the reason underlying such high numbers of cases after so many years of programme implementation. This study was performed to assess the knowledge of the general population about poliomyelitis and PPI and their attitude and practice towards PPI. METHOD This cross-sectional study was undertaken in two semi- urban areas of Mangalore city. Only houses in which children under five lived were included in the study. Data was collected by interviewing any adult member of the household using a pretested questionnaire. RESULTS The literacy rate of study participants was 99%. Only 35(10.9%) participants knew the correct mode of transmission of polio. More than one quarter of the study population were under the misconception that polio is a curable disease. The primary source of information about PPI in majority of participants was the television (n = 192; 60%). Two-hundred and eighty eight (90%) participants knew that the purpose of PPI was to eradicate polio. Only 128 (40%) participants knew that polio drops can be given to children with mild illnesses and an identical number of participants knew that hot food stuff should not be given for at least half an hour following vaccination administration. Misconceptions such as PPI causing vaccine overdose was identified among 7 (2.2%) participants, it is a substitute for routine immunization was believed among 30 (9.4%) participants and that oral polio vaccine prevents other diseases was seen among 76 (23.7%) participants. The educational status of the participants was significantly associated with their awareness level (χ(2) =13.668, DF=6, P=0.033). CONCLUSION This study identified a few important misconceptions associated with polio and PPI which need to be addressed by large scale awareness campaigns in order to achieve polio eradication in the near future.
Pdl1 Is a Putative Lipase that Enhances Photorhabdus Toxin Complex Secretion

The Toxin Complex (TC) is a large multi-subunit toxin first characterized in the insect pathogens Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, but now seen in a range of pathogens, including those of humans. These complexes comprise three protein subunits, A, B and C which in the Xenorhabdus toxin are found in a 4∶1∶1 stoichiometry. Some TCs have been demonstrated to exhibit oral toxicity to insects and have the potential to be developed as a pest control technology. The lack of recognisable signal sequences in the three large component proteins hinders an understanding of their mode of secretion. Nevertheless, we have shown the Photorhabdus luminescens (Pl) Tcd complex has been shown to associate with the bacteria's surface, although some strains can also release it into the surrounding milieu. The large number of tc gene homologues in Pl make study of the export process difficult and as such we have developed and validated a heterologous Escherichia coli expression model to study the release of these important toxins. In addition to this model, we have used comparative genomics between a strain that releases high levels of Tcd into the supernatant and one that retains the toxin on its surface, to identify a protein responsible for enhancing secretion and release of these toxins. This protein is a putative lipase (Pdl1) which is regulated by a small tightly linked antagonist protein (Orf53). The identification of homologues of these in other bacteria, linked to other virulence factor operons, such as type VI secretion systems, suggests that these genes represent a general and widespread mechanism for enhancing toxin release in Gram negative pathogens.
Genome-Wide Association Study of CSF Levels of 59 Alzheimer's Disease Candidate Proteins: Significant Associations with Proteins Involved in Amyloid Processing and Inflammation

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 42 amino acid species of amyloid beta (Aβ42) and tau levels are strongly correlated with the presence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology including amyloid plaques and neurodegeneration and have been successfully used as endophenotypes for genetic studies of AD. Additional CSF analytes may also serve as useful endophenotypes that capture other aspects of AD pathophysiology. Here we have conducted a genome-wide association study of CSF levels of 59 AD-related analytes. All analytes were measured using the Rules Based Medicine Human DiscoveryMAP Panel, which includes analytes relevant to several disease-related processes. Data from two independently collected and measured datasets, the Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), were analyzed separately, and combined results were obtained using meta-analysis. We identified genetic associations with CSF levels of 5 proteins (Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), Interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R) and Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3)) with study-wide significant p-values (p<1.46×10−10) and significant, consistent evidence for association in both the Knight ADRC and the ADNI samples. These proteins are involved in amyloid processing and pro-inflammatory signaling. SNPs associated with ACE, IL6R and MMP3 protein levels are located within the coding regions of the corresponding structural gene. The SNPs associated with CSF levels of CCL4 and CCL2 are located in known chemokine binding proteins. The genetic associations reported here are novel and suggest mechanisms for genetic control of CSF and plasma levels of these disease-related proteins. Significant SNPs in ACE and MMP3 also showed association with AD risk. Our findings suggest that these proteins/pathways may be valuable therapeutic targets for AD. Robust associations in cognitively normal individuals suggest that these SNPs also influence regulation of these proteins more generally and may therefore be relevant to other diseases.
A Novel Random Access Scan Flip-Flop Design

Serial scan design causes unnecessary switching activity during testing causing enormous power dissipation. The test time increases enormously with the increase in number of flip-flops. An alternate to serial scan architecture is Random Access Scan (RAS). Here every flip-flop is uniquely addressed using an address decoder. Although it may seem to have solved most of the current problems associated with testing integrated circuits, yet one may impulsively conclude that the routing and area overhead associated with RAS is prohibitive. We present a design of the RAS flip-flop which uses a unique “toggle” mechanism, possible only in RAS. We minimize the number of gates (transistors) and eliminate the need for two globally routed (scan in and test control) signals present in earlier designs. Our design is built keeping in focus the address decoder complexity to a bare minimum. Our multistage scan-out system enables the addressed flip-flop to be observed without compromising performance due to a slow output bus. We have estimated the additional gates required to implement RAS over serial scan (SS). The design obtained equal fault coverage, 60% test vector reduction and 99% lesser power dissipation as compared to SS.
Impact of strawberries on human health: insight into marginally discussed bioactive compounds for the Mediterranean diet

Abstract Objective To review and update the current knowledge on the potential impact of strawberry on human health, with particular attention on compounds and indirect mechanisms of action not exhaustively considered. Design Personal perspectives and recent data. Setting International. Results Our research group was among the few groups that have recently investigated the folate content in fresh, stored and processed strawberries, and the data look very promising. As well, some in vivo evidence of the impact of strawberry intake on the folate status in humans have already been reported, but a new increasing interest on this field is strongly hoped. Furthermore, the hypouricaemic effects previously ascribed to cherry consumption need to be evaluated in respect to strawberry intake. At the moment, inconsistent results come from the few investigations designed at this proposal. In our studies, a great interindividual variability was observed on plasma urate levels in response to strawberry intake, suggesting a putative effect. Conclusions The mechanisms responsible for the potential health-promoting effects of strawberry may not be necessarily searched in the activity of phytochemicals. Particularly, a greater interest should be addressed to show whether a prolonged strawberry consumption may effectively improve the folate status and reduce the incidence of folate-related pathological conditions. Furthermore, the hypouricaemic effects of cherries need to be evaluated also in respect to strawberry intake, and the mechanisms of actions and anti-gout potentialities need to be studied in detail. Future investigations involving human trials should be aimed at following these underestimated scientific tracks.
Primary resistance to maraviroc in a large set of R5-V3 viral sequences from HIV-1-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES Evaluation of the prevalence of V3 mutational patterns associated with maraviroc resistance in R5-using variants. METHODS V3 sequences were obtained from 809 plasma specimens collected from maraviroc-naive HIV-1-infected individuals on regular follow-up at Hospital Carlos III. Sequences considered to harbour R5-tropic viruses were examined for the presence of primary maraviroc resistance mutational patterns, as found in both in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS A total of 498 R5-V3 sequences were identified. They belonged to recent HIV-1 seroconverters (55.6%), chronically antiretroviral-naive subjects (20.1%) and antiretroviral-experienced patients (24.3%). Most individuals (93.8%) were infected with HIV-1 subtype B. The overall prevalence of maraviroc resistance mutational patterns was low (≤5%). Likewise, specific polymorphisms 4L, 11R or 19S, recently found to be associated with lower clinical response to maraviroc, were found in <2% of tested samples. The rate of maraviroc resistance patterns did not differ significantly according to length of HIV-1 infection, antiretroviral exposure or HIV-1 subtype. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of maraviroc resistance mutations is low in maraviroc-naive HIV-1-infected individuals.
Smart Recycle Bin: A Conceptual Approach of Smart Waste Management with Integrated Web Based System

Nowadays, the trend is clear that the use of pervasive computing technology has taken place to improve waste management by providing electronic system which utilizing radio frequency identification at bin level. In this paper, we proposed a smart recycle bin application based on information in the smart card to automatically calculate the weight of waste and convert the weight into point then store it into the card. The wastes are tracked by smart bins using a RFID-based system integrating the web-based information system at the host server. Two crucial features of the selective sorting process can be improved using this approach. First, the user is assisted in the application of material waste classification. Second, the smart bin knows its content and can report back to the rest of the recycling chain.
Neurogenesis in the aging brain

Neurogenesis, or the birth of new neural cells, was thought to occur only in the developing nervous system and a fixed neuronal population in the adult brain was believed to be necessary to maintain the functional stability of adult brain circuitry. However, recent studies have demonstrated that neurogenesis does indeed continue into and throughout adult life in discrete regions of the central nervous systems (CNS) of all mammals, including humans. Although neurogenesis may contribute to the ability of the adult brain to function normally and be induced in response to cerebral diseases for self-repair, this nevertheless declines with advancing age. Understanding the basic biology of neural stem cells and the molecular and cellular regulation mechanisms of neurogenesis in young and aged brain will allow us to modulate cell replacement processes in the adult brain for the maintenance of healthy brain tissues and for repair of disease states in the elderly.
Viral videos and virtue: Moral elevation inductions shift affect and interpersonal goals in daily life

Abstract Laboratory studies suggest that witnessing virtuous acts triggers moral elevation, an emotion characterized by feeling uplifted and increased prosocial motives. However, it remains unknown whether regular inductions can increase elevation and prosocial motives in daily life without being vulnerable to habituation or adaptation effects. Participants (total N = 181) were randomly assigned to elevating vs. neutral or amusing inductions (video or recall tasks) for seven days (Study 1), ten days (Study 2), or 12 days over one month (Study 3). Multilevel growth models showed that relative to comparison conditions, elevation inductions increased daily elevation, positive affect, and prosocial outcomes (compassionate goals and affiliation), and decreased self-protective motives (self-image goals). Adaptation effects occurred for immediate responses when exercises occurred daily, but not when spaced out over time, and not for outcomes measured later each day. Results suggest benefits of brief, regular elevation experiences and have implications for interventions targeting specific emotions.
A Case of Implant Failure in Partial Wrist Fusion Applying Magnesium-Based Headless Bone Screws

This article presents a case of implant failure resulting in mechanical instability of a scaphotrapezotrapezoideal arthrodesis using magnesium-based headless bone screws. During revision surgery osteolysis surrounding the screws was observed as well as degraded screw threads already in existence at 6 weeks after implantation. The supposed osseous integration attributed to magnesium-based screws could not be reproduced in this particular case. Thus, it can be reasoned that the use of magnesium-based screws for partial wrist arthrodesis cannot be encouraged, at least not in dual use.
Psycho-Social, Work, and Marital Adjustment of Older Middle Aged Refugees from the Former Yugoslavia

Adopting the Ecological Contextual Model of Acculturation and Adjustment (Birman, 1994; Trickett, 1996) and the Stress and Coping paradigm (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984, 1986, 1991), the present thesis explored the psycho-social, work, and marital adjustment of 200 established older middle-aged refugees from the Former Yugoslavia living in the Ottawa area. More specifically, three studies were conducted to examine specific stressors and resources of relevance to the adjustment of Former Yugoslavian men and women, across the following three distinct life domains: psycho-social, work, and marital. Study I explored the potential buffering effects of interpersonal trust on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian refugees. Results demonstrated that interpersonal trust moderated the negative effects of war-related trauma on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian women. No such buffering effect was found for the men. Study II investigated Former Yugoslavians' work adjustment by exploring the influence of pre-migratory work-related expectations-outcome congruence, occupational mobility, work stress (general and discrimination), as well as personal (education, English language proficiency) and social resources (support at work) on their work satisfaction and distress. Results indicated that different factors emerged as significant predictors of work satisfaction and work distress for Former Yugoslavian men and women. Study III explored the potential moderating role of marital resilience on the relationship between marital stress (general and acculturative) and marital adjustment. Results showed that marital resilience moderated the negative effects of marital stress on the
When is Consumer Desire Driven by Difficulty of Recall? The Effects of the Type of Information and Time Pressure

Past research demonstrates that the difficulty of recalling past consumption of a preferred product influences desire through the use of the difficulty-of-recall inference. However, the analysis of boundary conditions is neglected. Across three studies, we examine the role of the type of information (semantic or episodic) and time pressure. Study 1 demonstrates that the difficulty of recalling past consumption influences desire positively when consumers recall semantic information. However, Study 2 shows that this influence is not replicated when consumers recall episodic information. Finally, Study 3 demonstrates that under time pressure, this positive influence is reestablished. Our results expand current knowledge about the role of processing difficulty of recall in consumer behavior.
The Nature of the Chemical Bond Revisited and an Alternative Maxwellian Approach

It is taught that the chemical bond exists because of a phenomenon that is unique to quantum mechanics (QM). Specifically, the nature of the chemical bond is based on a nonphysical " exchange integral " that is a consequence of a postulated linear combination of product wave-functions, where it is implicit that each point electron with infinite self-electric and magnetic field energies must exist as a " probability-wave cloud " and be in two places at the same time (i.e., centered on two nuclei simultaneously! ). A further nonphysical aspect is that the molecular solution is obtained without considering the nuclei to move under the Born– Oppenheimer approximation, yet the molecule must have a further nonphysical perpetual-motion-type property of zero-point vibration (ZPV). Additional internal inconsistencies arise. The electron clouds mutually shield the nuclear charge to provide an adjustable parameter, the " effective nuclear charge, " yet neither has any self-shielding effect even though the clouds are mutually indistinguishable and must classically result in a self-interaction force equivalent to half the central attractive force. Furthermore, the hydrogen molecule is electron-spin paired. The magnitude of the corresponding force between the point electrons is equivalent to the electric force as the separation goes to zero. This term as well as the self-interaction term is conspicuously absent from the Hamiltonian. Instead, arbitrary types of variational parameters of the wave-functions and mixing of wave-functions as well as other adjustable parameters, such as the effective nuclear charge, ionic character, and correlation interactions, are introduced to force the solutions of a multitude of methods, such as valence bond, valence bond plus ionic terms, molecular orbital (MO) theory, MO with configuration interaction, self-consistent field method, SCF-LCAO-MO, Hartree–Fock, Slater orbitals, ionic terms, valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR), etc., to more closely approximate the experimental parameters. Yet the experimental bond energy is not calculated. Rather, a parameter D e is determined from which the ZPV is subtracted and an anharmonicity term in the ZPV is added to obtain the experimentally measurable bond energy D 0. ZPV has never been directly measured; it violates the second law of thermodynamics and is in conflict with direct experimental results such as the formation of solid hydrogen and Bose–Einstein condensates of molecules. As a consequence, the bond-energy predictions of QM have never been tested experimentally, and it is not possible to state that the methods predict the experimental bond energy at all. The many conflicting attempts …
Quantified UX: Towards a Common Organizational Understanding of User Experience

User Experience (UX) is increasingly being recognized as an important factor for the commercial success of digital products. In fact, it has become a buzzword, which is interpreted differently by different parties. This lack of common understanding inevitably leads to misunderstandings and inefficiency in industrial practice. We therefore propose a quantifiable way of describing User Experience (QUX). Based on the analysis of 84 UX evaluation methods, a sample of UX characteristics from literature, and 24 interviews with experts from academia and practice, we propose a formalism and a corresponding tool to measure, visualize, and communicate a product's UX within organizations. We showcase the benefits of our approach by integrating it into the product development processes of companies from three different industries.
Estimating U.S. output growth with vintage data in a state-space framework

This study uses a state-space model to estimate the "true" unobserved measure of total output in the U.S. economy. The analysis uses the entire history (i.e., all vintages) of selected real-time data series to compute revisions and corresponding statistics for those series. The revision statistics, along with the most recent data vintage, are used in a state-space model to extract filtered estimates of the "true" series. Under certain assumptions, Monte Carlo simulations suggest this framework can improve published estimates by as much as 30 percent, lasting an average of 11 periods. Real-time experiments using a measure of real gross domestic product show improvement closer to 10 percent, lasting for 1 to 2 quarters.
A Tune-up for Tor: Improving Security and Performance in the Tor Network

The Tor anonymous communication network uses selfreported bandwidth values to select routers for building tunnels. Since tunnels are allocated in proportion to this bandwidth, this allows a malicious router operator to attract tunnels for compromise. Since the metric used is insensitive to relative load, it does not adequately respond to changing conditions and hence produces unreliable performance, driving many users away. We propose an opportunistic bandwidth measurement algorithm to replace selfreported values and address both of these problems. We also propose a mechanisms to let users tune Tor performance to achieve higher performance or higher anonymity. Our mechanism effectively blends the traffic from users of different preferences, making partitioning attacks difficult. We implemented the opportunistic measurement and tunable performance extensions and examined their performance both analytically and in the real Tor network. Our results show that users can get dramatic increases in either performance or anonymity with little to no sacrifice in the other metric, or a more modest improvement in both. Our mechanisms are also invulnerable to the previously published low-resource attacks on Tor.