Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Epidemiology of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpes Virus, and Risk Factors in HIV-infected Patients in Tehran, 2014

Background Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) remains the most common malignancy among HIV-infected patients. Human herpesvirus type-8 (HHV-8) is regarded as the infectious etiological agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KSHV). Diagnostic procedures associated with KSHV are not routinely performed in HIV-infected subjects. Objectives The main objective of this study is to obtain information on KSHV epidemiology in Iranian HIV-infected individuals. Patients and Methods In the present cross-sectional study, 109 patients with established HIV infection, who visited a governmental and referral center for HIV screening in Tehran (Tehran west health center (TWHC)) between May 2014 and July 2015 were enrolled according to the convenience sample strategy. After peripheral blood collection, isolation of plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) compartments, DNA extraction was performed. KSHV DNA was analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) using primers from ORF-26 (virus minor capsid). Results Among all 109 HIV-infected patients, 67 (61.5%) were male, with an age range of 2 - 64 years (mean ± standard deviation 35.8 ± 13.3). KSHV DNA was found in PBMC and plasma samples of six (5.5%) and four (3.6%) patients, respectively. Conclusions This study revealed a considerable prevalence of KSHV DNA, during latent and lytic phases, among HIV-infected patients. Risk factors for KSHV infection acquisition and concurrent. 0+infection with HIV were also evaluated. Diagnosis of KSHV in the group could be helpful for prognosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma and clinical management.
The Word Processing Deficit in Semantic Dementia: All Categories Are Equal, but Some Categories Are More Equal than Others

It has been claimed that semantic dementia (SD), the temporal variant of fronto-temporal dementia, is characterized by an across-the-board deficit affecting all types of conceptual knowledge. We here confirm this generalized deficit but also report differential degrees of impairment in processing specific semantic word categories in a case series of SD patients (N = 11). Within the domain of words with strong visually grounded meaning, the patients' lexical decision accuracy was more impaired for color-related than for form-related words. Likewise, within the domain of action verbs, the patients' performance was worse for words referring to face movements and speech acts than for words semantically linked to actions performed with the hand and arm. Psycholinguistic properties were matched between the stimulus groups entering these contrasts; an explanation for the differential degrees of impairment must therefore involve semantic features of the words in the different conditions. Furthermore, this specific pattern of deficits cannot be captured by classic category distinctions such as nouns versus verbs or living versus nonliving things. Evidence from previous neuroimaging research indicates that color- and face/speech-related words, respectively, draw most heavily on anterior-temporal and inferior-frontal areas, the structures most affected in SD. Our account combines (a) the notion of an anterior-temporal amodal semantic “hub” to explain the profound across-the-board deficit in SD word processing, with (b) a semantic topography model of category-specific circuits whose cortical distributions reflect semantic features of the words and concepts represented.
Exploring Evolutionary Relationships Across the Genome Using Topology Weighting

We introduce the concept of topology weighting, a method for quantifying relationships between taxa that are not necessarily monophyletic, and visualizing how these relationships change across the genome. A given set of taxa can be related in a limited number of ways, but if each taxon is represented by multiple sequences, the number of possible topologies becomes very large. Topology weighting reduces this complexity by quantifying the contribution of each taxon topology to the full tree. We describe our method for topology weighting by iterative sampling of subtrees (Twisst), and test it on both simulated and real genomic data. Overall, we show that this is an informative and versatile approach, suitable for exploring relationships in almost any genomic dataset. Scripts to implement the method described are available at http://github.com/simonhmartin/twisst.
The Rural-Urban Interface in England: A Framework of Analysis

The post war years have seen a steady flow of inmigration into the rural hinterlands of conurbations, emanating both from the surrounding rural areas and from the urban complexes themselves. By 1981 over one-fifth of Britain's population was resident in a rural district, the majority falling within zones close to urban centres. This study of southern Staffordshire, part of the rural hinterland of the West Midlands Conurbation, and southern Hampshire, adjacent to the SouthamptonPortsmouth axis, the South Hampshire Conurbation, assesses this process. Using the technique of cluster analysis, three broad groupings of settlement are identified: the small agricultural settlement, the urbanized commuter village and settlements in the process of consolidation between the two. An analysis is undertaken of the 'hinterland population', the diverse populations now resident within the rural hinterlands. Nine broad groupings emerge from this population, identifiable with reference to socio-economic characteristics and ways of life. These groups are represented in various proportions within each settlement type, in relation to the dominant housing class found there. As a result a variety of community forms are seen to be developing, with a polarization of settlements along class lines.
Chemical abundances in spiral and irregular galaxies. O and N abundances derived from global emission-line spectra

The validity of oxygen and nitrogen abundances derived from the global emission-line spectra of galaxies via the P-method has been investigated using a collection of published spectra of individual H  regions in irregular and spiral galaxies. The conclusion of Kobulnicky et al. (1999, ApJ, 514, 544) that global emission-line spectra can reliably indicate the chemical properties of galaxies has been confirmed. It has been shown that the comparison of the global spectrum of a galaxy with a collection of spectra of individual H  regions can be used to distinguish high and low metallicity objects and to estimate accurate chemical abundances in a galaxy. The oxygen and nitrogen abundances in samples of UV-selected and normal nearby galaxies have been determined. It has been found that the UV-selected galaxies occupy the same area in the N/O−O/ Hd iagram as individual H  regions in nearby galaxies. Finally, we show that intermediate-redshift galaxies systematically deviate from the metallicity-luminosity trend of local galaxies.
Cancer and Fertility Program Improves Patient Satisfaction With Information Received.

PURPOSE A cancer and fertility program was established at a large cancer center to support clinicians in discussing treatment-related fertility risks and fertility preservation (FP) options with patients and in referring patients to reproductive specialists. The program provides resources, clinician education, and fertility clinical nurse specialist consultation. This study evaluated the program's impact on patient satisfaction with information received. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective cross-sectional surveys assessed satisfaction before (cohort 1 [C1]) and after (cohort 2 [C2]) program initiation. Questionnaires were investigator-designed, gender-specific, and anonymous. RESULTS Most C1 (150 males, 271 females) and C2 (120 males, 320 females) respondents were 2 years postdiagnosis; the most frequently reported cancers were testicular, breast, and lymphoma. A significant difference in satisfaction with the amount of information received was seen between C1 and C2. For males, satisfaction with information on fertility risks was high in both cohorts but significantly greater in C2 for information on sperm banking (χ(2) = 9.3, P = . 01) and finding a sperm bank (χ(2) = 13.3, P = . 001). For females, satisfaction with information was significantly greater in C2 for information on fertility risks (χ(2) = 62.1, P < . 001), FP options (χ(2) = 71.9, P < . 001), help with decision making (χ(2) = 80.2, P < . 001), and finding a reproductive endocrinologist (χ(2) = 60.5, P < . 001). Among patients who received and read information materials, 96% of males and 99% of females found them helpful. Among C2 females, fertility clinical nurse specialist consultation was associated with significantly greater satisfaction with information on FP options (χ(2) = 11.2, P = . 004), help with decision making (χ(2) = 10.4, P = . 006), and finding a reproductive endocrinologist (χ(2) = 22.6, P < . 001), with 10% reporting lack of knowledge as a reason for not pursuing FP. CONCLUSION Improvements in patient satisfaction with information received demonstrate the potential for fertility programs in cancer care settings to improve the quality of clinician-patient discussions about fertility.
Estimating the number of multiple-species geohelminth infections in human communities

SUMMARY Infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, Triclmris trichiura and the hookworm species are often found in the same communities and individuals. Hosts infected by more than one species are potentially at risk of morbidity associated with each infection. This paper describes the use of a probabilistic model to predict the prevalence of multiple-species infections in communities for which only overall prevalence data exist. The model is tested against field data, using log-linear analysis, and is found to be more effective at estimating the numbers of multiple infections involving hookworms than those involving only A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. This latter combination of infections is found, in half the communities examined, to be more common than expected by chance. An age-stratified analysis reveals that the degree of interaction between these two infections does not alter significantly with age in the child age classes of a Malaysian population.
Trypanosome-Derived Oligopeptidase B Is Released into the Plasma of Infected Rodents, Where It Persists and Retains Full Catalytic Activity

ABSTRACT A trypsin-like serine peptidase activity, levels of which correlate with blood parasitemia levels, is present in the plasma of rats acutely infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Antibodies to a trypanosome peptidase with a trypsin-like substrate specificity (oligopeptidase B [OP-Tb]) cross-reacted with a protein in the plasma of trypanosome-infected rats on a Western blot. These antibodies also abolished 80% of the activity in the plasma of trypanosome-infected rats, suggesting that the activity may be attributable to a parasite-derived peptidase. We purified the enzyme responsible for the bulk of this activity from parasite-free T. b. brucei-infected rat plasma and confirmed its identity by protein sequencing. We show that live trypanosomes do not release OP-Tb in vitro and propose that disrupted parasites release it into the host circulation, where it is unregulated and retains full catalytic activity and may thus play a role in the pathogenesis of African trypanosomiasis.
A preliminary study looking at parental emotions following cochlear implantation

Abstract This preliminary research investigated the emotions of parents with cochlear implanted children. The object for the research was first to compare four emotions engendered in parents of deaf children before and after cochlear implantation. Second, to monitor changes in these emotions during a period of up to four years after implantation. Third, to see whether any of the emotions studied was significantly more prominent than the others, and fifth to identify any differences in emotions that were related to the gender of parents. A self-report questionnaire was given to 112 participants of whom 53 replied. There were equal groups of parents in two categories, those with children up to two years after implantation, and those two to four years after implantation. The responses were interpreted using parametric statistics. The results highlight that grief is the strongest emotional condition that parents experience before and up to two years after implantation, alongside family adjustments. Parents of the up to two years after implantation group generally have stronger feelings and are less satisfied than parents in the over two years implanted group. Finally, fathers use denial more than mothers. Considerations for future research and implications for paediatric cochlear implant teams will be discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Restricted Diffusion in the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum After Cardiac Arrest

The value of MRI findings for coma prognostication is a question of great clinical and pathological relevance. We describe MRI evidence of restricted diffusion in the splenium in 5 patients with coma after cardiopulmonary resuscitation following cardiac arrest. The most common clinical presentation of corpus callosum lesions (of any cause) is altered mental status, consistent with the global importance of these extensive inter-hemispheric fibers. In our four cases with bilateral splenium restricted diffusion, none of the patients recovered consciousness. One patient with a unilateral (likely embolic) restricted diffusion lesion had excellent recovery. In contrast to unilateral ischemic callosal lesions, we believe that generalized, midline splenium restricted diffusion occurring after cardiopulmonary arrest represents Wallerian degeneration of interhemispheric neurons rather than direct ischemic damage to the white matter or axons of the callosum and thus will likely portend a poor prognosis.
New insight into crystal chemistry of topaz: A multi-methodological study

Abstract The crystal chemistry of a natural topaz [with OH/(OH + F) < 0.5] was reinvestigated by means of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (at 298 K) and neutron diffraction (at 298 and 10 K), and polarized infrared spectroscopy to define unambiguously the real symmetry of topaz, the location of the proton and its thermal displacement parameters at room and low temperatures, the hydrogen-bonding and the vibration modes (stretching and bending) of the OH dipole. X-ray and neutron structural refinements allow us to infer that the crystal structure of natural topaz with OH/(OH + F) < 0.5 can be described with the Pbnm space group. Violating reflections, found in the previous investigations and in this study, are likely due to Renninger effect (double diffraction phenomenon). The nuclear density Fourier map shows that the proton is located at Wyckoff 8d position and the refined coordinates are: x = 0.495(2), y = 0.252(1), z = 0.1629(7). The O-H bond lies on the (010)-plane and forms an angle of about 28.9° with the c-axis. Neutron structural refinements at 298 and 10 K show that the displacement ellipsoid of the proton is highly anisotropic. The H-bonding arrangement appears to be complex, with at least four potential H···O/F interactions (distances < 2.38 Å). The topological configuration of the O-H group described by the neutron structural refinements is confirmed by the infrared investigation: the OH stretching mode (at 3640 cm-1) has no component of vibration parallel to the b axis (i.e., the O-H direction is perpendicular to [010]). The OH bending mode (at 1161 cm-1) shows components along the three crystallographic axes, which appear to be more prominent along the a and b-axes. The possible distribution into the crystal structure of topaz of the minor/trace elements found (Na, Ca, Fe Cr, V, Ti, B), and the implied topological effects, is discussed.
The transformation of an online learning community from an organised facility to an organic fraternity

Abstract An online community of learning within a distance doctoral programme was explored to determine if and how the community evolved and transformed over time. This part-time doctoral programme gathers students into cohorts and runs a structured community with students and faculty for 18 months before students confirm candidatures and begin individual work with their own supervisors for the remaining 4–5 years of study. In particular, this study sought to determine if and how the community of learning continued and developed after the 18 months of shared structured learning had been completed. This research was initiated and conducted by the students, giving insights into the community from the students’ perspective. Findings are that the community has survived and will continue in the short-term at least, but with fewer members and operating in a different manner. There has been an ongoing transformation of the community, largely driven by choice and necessity.
On the Efficiency of Fermi Acceleration at Relativistic Shocks

We show that Fermi acceleration at an ultrarelativistic shock wave cannot operate on a particle for more than 1 Fermi cycles (i.e., u → d → u → d) if the particle's Larmor radius is much smaller than the coherence length of the magnetic field on both sides of the shock, as is usually assumed. This conclusion proves to be in excellent agreement with recent numerical simulations. We thus argue that efficient Fermi acceleration at ultrarelativistic shock waves requires significant nonlinear processing of the far-upstream magnetic field with strong amplification of the small-scale magnetic power. The streaming or transverse Weibel instabilities are likely to play a key role in this respect.
A closer look at thin-client connections: statistical application identification for QoE detection

Running desktop-as-a-service solutions in remote data centers is an emerging means of delivering virtual PCs in an inexpensive, secure, and easy-to-maintain way. The fact that such solutions rely on the presence of connectivity between users and their virtual PCs poses a challenging operational question: what is the quality of experience of the user when running a particular application inside the thin-client protocol? The challenge is to understand whether the path between the client and the server has enough resources to sustain the rendering of the specific application. To address this question, we propose a method that exploits statistical classification to infer on-the-fly the class of applications running inside a given thin-client connection. We then correlate such information with the key factor that limits thin-client performance (i.e., network latency) to obtain the current user's QoE. We evaluate how machine-learning techniques can robustly detect applications that exchange data over the Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol, with promising results (over 80 percent of accuracy for multimedia content). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt of using statistical techniques to monitor thin-client applications for QoE detection.
Evaluation of washing machine load potential for smart grid integration

This paper presents the lessons learned from a smart wash pilot, conducted with 24 employees of distribution system operator Enexis, who were equipped with an energy computer, smart washing machine, photovoltaic panels and smart meter. The pilot goal was to gain experience and knowledge about the application of these smart grid technologies in practice. Launched end of 2010 this was one of the first pilots focusing on consumer involvement. During the pilot consumers were encouraged to shift their load in order to match local electricity supply; to do their laundry while electricity is generated by their own photovoltaic panels. This paper contains an extensive analysis of the data the pilot brought forward and proposes an evaluation method to evaluate the washing machine load potential for smart grid integration. The coincidence factor of the daily load profiles and average load profiles of the participants is studied in order to define the significance of the results. Furthermore the paper elaborates on how the lessons learned during this pilot contributed to the design of a new smart grid pilot launched December 2012 in the Netherlands, `Your Energy Moment', focusing on demand side management of over 250 households.
A non-intrusive model to predict the exible energy in a residential building

The building energy consumption represent 60% of total primary energy consumption in the world. In order to control the demand response schemes for residential users, it is crucial to be able to predict the different components of the total power consumption of a household. This work provide a non intrusive identification model of devices with a sample frequency of one hertz. The identification results are the inputs of a model to predict the flexible energy. This corresponds at the different devices could be shift in a predetermined time. In a residential building, the heating and the hot water represent this flexible energy. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) enable an identification around 95% of heating, hot water, household electrical and a ensemble of decision tree provide the prediction for the next 15 minutes.
Prevalence, risk factors, and antimalarial resistance patterns of falciparum plasmodiasis among pregnant women in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria

Objective: Pregnant women infected with malaria represent a significant obstetric problem, especially in the face of antimalarial resistance. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of malaria parasitemia, associated risk factors as well as the antimalarial resistance pattern of Plasmodium isolates from pregnant women attending four selected secondary health facilities in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 353 pregnant women attending selected hospitals. Malaria microscopy and parasite density count were conducted based on standard protocols. Antimalarial susceptibility test (using chloroquine, artesunate, artether, and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine), and hemoglobin concentrations were determined using schizont maturation assay and methemoglobin method, respectively. Multiple-drug resistance (MDR) was defined by resistance against ≥3 antimalarial drugs. Results: The overall prevalence of plasmodiasis was 22.4%. Out of those infected, 5.2% was found to be anemic. Malaria parasitemia was significantly associated with parity, residential area, age of women, and use of preventive measures against malaria (P < 0.05) but not with hemoglobin concentration, occupation, and trimester of pregnancy (P > 0.05). Malaria parasites from the pregnant women exhibited the highest resistance against chloroquine, 75 (94.9%) followed Artemether, 30 (37.9%) then sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, 29 (36.7%) and least resistant to artesunate, 28 (35.4%). The prevalence of MDR was 40.5% (32/79). Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria was relatively high due to inadequate and/or ineffective preventive measures adopted by pregnant women. More so, significant isolates of Plasmodium falciparum exhibited MDR against antimalarial agents tested.
Mesomelic and rhizomelic short stature: The phenotype of combined Leri‐Weill dyschondrosteosis and achondroplasia or hypochondroplasia

We studied two children with combined genetic skeletal disorders. Both had Leri‐Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD); one also had achondroplasia and the other had hypochondroplasia. Both had severe short stature and evidence of rhizomelia and mesomelia as well as other phenotypic features of their individual genetic disorders. Achondroplasia was due to the G380R FGF3R mutation and hypochondroplasia to a N540K mutation in the same gene. The patient with hypochondroplasia had a heterozygous SHOX deletion; no SHOX mutation was identified in the child with achondroplasia. The phenotypes of combined LWD and achondroplasia or hypochondroplasia appeared to be less than additive, suggesting that SHOX and FGFR3 act on overlapping pathways of bone growth and development. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.