Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antigenicity of Recombinant Proteins Derived from Rhoptry-Associated Protein 1 of Plasmodium falciparum

ABSTRACT Rhoptry-associated protein 1 (RAP1) of Plasmodium falciparum is a potential component of a malaria vaccine. We have expressed in Escherichia coli eight recombinant RAP1 proteins representing almost the entire sequence of the mature protein and assessed the antigenicity of the proteins by immunization of mice. Antisera to six of the recombinant proteins reacted specifically with parasite-derived RAP1 (PfRAP1), as determined by indirect immunofluorescence and by immunoblotting. These proteins were then used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to evaluate human antibody responses to RAP1 during naturally transmitted infections in The Gambia. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies specifically reactive with the recombinant RAP1 proteins are directed mostly towards fragments containing the N-terminal sequences of mature PfRAP1. The most N-terminal segment (residues 23 to 175) contains only minor epitopes, while major epitopes are outside this region. Antibodies from malaria patients do not compete for a linear epitope recognized by an inhibitory anti-RAP1 monoclonal antibody. Analysis of IgG subclass distribution shows that human anti-RAP1 antibodies are predominantly IgG1.
EEG sLORETA Functional Imaging During Hypnotic Arm Levitation and Voluntary Arm Lifting

Abstract This study (N = 37 with high, medium, and low hypnotizables) evaluated depth reports and EEG activity during both voluntary and hypnotically induced left-arm lifting with sLORETA functional neuroimaging. The hypnotic condition was associated with higher activity in fast EEG frequencies in anterior regions and slow EEG frequencies in central-parietal regions, all left-sided. The voluntary condition was associated with fast frequency activity in right-hemisphere central-parietal regions and slow frequency activity in left anterior regions. Hypnotizability did not have a significant effect on EEG activity, but hypnotic depth correlated with left hemisphere increased anterior slow EEG and decreased central fast EEG activity. Hypnosis had a minimal effect on depth reports among lows, a moderate one among mediums, and a large one among highs. Because only left-arm data were available, the full role of the hemispheres remains to be clarified.
Serotonin as a New Therapeutic Target for Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is a monoamine that has various functions in both neuronal and non-neuronal systems. In the central nervous system, 5-HT regulates mood and feeding behaviors as a neurotransmitter. Thus, there have been many trials aimed at increasing the activity of 5-HT in the central nervous system, and some of the developed methods are already used in the clinical setting as anti-obesity drugs. Unfortunately, some drugs were withdrawn due to the development of unwanted peripheral side effects, such as valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. Recent studies revealed that peripheral 5-HT plays an important role in metabolic regulation in peripheral tissues, where it suppresses adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Inhibition of 5-HT synthesis reduced the weight gain and improved the metabolic dysfunction in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Genome-wide association studies also revealed genetic associations between the serotonergic system and obesity. Several genetic polymorphisms in tryptophan hydroxylase and 5-HT receptors were shown to have strong associations with obesity. These results support the clinical significance of the peripheral serotonergic system as a therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes.
Optimal Access in OFDMA Multi-RAT Cellular Networks With Stochastic Geometry: Can a Single RAT Be Better?

From the perspective of a single user, concurrent utilization of all available radio access technologies (RATs) is always beneficial for increasing individual data rate. However, given the interactions among users, occupying multiple RATs at each user might not be optimal from a network-wide viewpoint. In this paper, we explore the answer to the posed question what is the optimal access strategy in multi-RAT cellular networks, solving a distributed RAT access control problem for maximizing network throughput. With stochastic geometry, we analytically evaluate network throughputs for two different access modes: 1) single RAT access (altruistic access) and 2) simultaneous multiple RATs access (selfish access). Comparing the network throughputs for the two modes, we first show that the network throughput can be maximized by properly mixing the two access modes and then derive the optimal portions of each mode in a network, which motivates a distributed RAT access control in a probabilistic sense. The optimal mixture of the two modes controls scheduling contention and interference among users to maximize the network throughput. We also analyze the effects of various system parameters, such as the number of frequency sub-bands for each RAT, user density, and access point density, on the optimal portions of the two access modes.
Public Capital and Regional Economic Growth: a SVAR Approach for the Spanish Regions

Recently, a significant share of the empirical analysis on the impact of public capital on regional growth has used multivariate time-series frameworks based on vector autoregressive (VAR) models. Nevertheless, not as much atten- tion has been dedicated to the analysis of the long-run determinants of regional growth processes using multi-region panel data and applying panel integration and co-integration techniques. This paper estimates the dynamic domestic effects of public infrastructure using a structural vector autoregressive (S-VAR) methodol- ogy for the Spanish regions. From a methodological point of view, the paper con- tains several features that can be viewed as a contribution to the existing empirical literature. First, the important issues of the stationarity of the data and the existence and estimation of cointegrating relationships in the long-run are addressed in the context of the analysis of panel data. Secondly, the long-run cointegrating produc- tion function is embedded within structural vector error correction (S-VEC) short- run models to produce consistent estimates of impulse responses, contrary to many researchers who have estimated unrestricted VAR models in levels or VAR models in first differences. The estimates reveal new results with respect to the previous empirical evidence.
New approaches to quantifying aerosol influence on the cloud radiative effect

The topic of cloud radiative forcing associated with the atmospheric aerosol has been the focus of intense scrutiny for decades. The enormity of the problem is reflected in the need to understand aspects such as aerosol composition, optical properties, cloud condensation, and ice nucleation potential, along with the global distribution of these properties, controlled by emissions, transport, transformation, and sinks. Equally daunting is that clouds themselves are complex, turbulent, microphysical entities and, by their very nature, ephemeral and hard to predict. Atmospheric general circulation models represent aerosol−cloud interactions at ever-increasing levels of detail, but these models lack the resolution to represent clouds and aerosol−cloud interactions adequately. There is a dearth of observational constraints on aerosol−cloud interactions. We develop a conceptual approach to systematically constrain the aerosol−cloud radiative effect in shallow clouds through a combination of routine process modeling and satellite and surface-based shortwave radiation measurements. We heed the call to merge Darwinian and Newtonian strategies by balancing microphysical detail with scaling and emergent properties of the aerosol−cloud radiation system.
A reconfigurable architecture for real-time prediction of neural activity

In this paper, we propose an FPGA-based hardware architecture for conducting real-time prediction of neural activity using a second-order generalized Laguerre-Volterra model (GLVM). This architecture serves as a rapid prototype of the prediction module of the future cognitive neural prosthetic device. We validate the functionality of the hardware model by utilizing the neuronal firing data of behaving rats trained to perform the delayed nonmatch-to-sample (DNMS) memory task.
Allpass delay chain-based IIR PR filterbank and its application to multiple description subband coding

A class of infinite impulse response (IIR) perfect reconstruction (PR) filterbank is obtained with an allpass delay chain and finite impulse response (FIR) matrices at the analysis side. Such a formulation leads to a filterbank that can be optimized to any desired response. For a first-order allpass, the synthesis bank becomes FIR. Design examples showing warping of the frequency scale and filters with unequal passband widths are presented. The latter part of the work deals with designing a filterbank for a multiple description coding scenario. This is achieved in two parts: by obtaining the MMSE synthesis bank for a given analysis bank and channel state and by optimizing the analysis response to minimize the average distortion in the presence of channel erasures and quantization. The proposed IIR filterbank, as well as the well-known FIR paraunitary filterbank, are optimized for various channels, and their performances for the two-channel case have been compared with the derived optimal performance.
A multifunctional, neuroprotective drug, ladostigil (TV3326), regulates holo‐APP translation and processing

The recent therapeutic approach in which drug candidates are designed to possess diverse pharmacological properties and act on multiple targets has stimulated the development of the bifunctional drug ladostigil (TV3326) [(N‐propargyl‐(3R) aminoindan‐5yl)‐ethyl methyl carbamate]. Ladostigil combines the neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug rasagiline, a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO)‐B inhibitor, with the cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity of rivastigmine in a single molecule, as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy Body disease. Here, we assessed the dual effects of lodostigil in terms of the molecular mechanism of neuroprotection and amyloid precursor protein (APP) regulation/processing by using an apoptotic model of neuroblastoma SKN‐SH cells. Ladostigil dose‐dependently decreased cell death via inhibition of the cleavage and prevention of caspase‐3 activation (IC501.05 µM) through a mechanism related to regulation of the Bcl‐2 family proteins, which resulted in reduced levels of Bad and Bax and induced levels of Bcl‐2 gene and protein expression. We have also followed APP regulation/ processing and found that ladostigil markedly decreased apoptotic‐induced levels of holo‐APP protein without altering APP mRNA levels, suggesting a posttranscriptional mechanism. In addition, the drug‐elevated phosphorylated protein kinase C (pPKC) levels and stimulated the release of the nonamyloidogenic ‐secretase proteolytic pathway. Similar to ladostigil, its S‐isomer, TV3279, which is a ChE inhibitor but lacks MAO inhibitory activity, exerted neuroprotective properties and regulated APP processing, indicating that these effects are independent of MAO inhibition. —Yogev‐Falach, M. , Bar‐Am, O. , Amit, T. , Weinreb, O. , Youdim, M. B. H. The multifunctional neuroprotective anti‐Alzheimer/ anti‐Parkinson drug ladostigil (TV3326) regulates holo‐APP translation and processing. FASEB J. 20, E1610 –E1618 (2006)
Hierarchical Parallelization of an H.264/AVC Video Encoder

Last generation video encoding standards increase computing demands in order to reach the limits on compression efficiency. This is particularly the case of H.264/AVC specification that is gaining interest in industry. We are interested in applying parallel processing to H.264 encoders in order to fulfill the computation requirements imposed by stressing applications like video on demand, videoconference, live broadcast, etc. Given a delivered video quality and bit rate, the main complexity parameters are image resolution, frame rate and latency. These parameters can still be pushed forward in such a way that special purpose hardware solutions are not available. Parallel processing based on off-the-shelf components is a more flexible general purpose alternative. In this work we propose a hierarchical parallelization of H.264 encoders very well suited to low cost clusters. Our proposal uses MPI message passing parallelization at two levels: GOP and frame. The GOP level encodes simultaneously several groups of consecutive frames and the frame level encodes in parallel several slices of one frame. In previous work we found that GOP parallelism alone gives good speed-up but imposes very high latency, on the other side frame parallelism gets less efficiency but low latency. Combining both approaches we obtain a compromise between speed-up and latency and then a broader spectrum of applications can be covered
Calidad percibida del deporte escolar como predictor del abandono deportivo en adolescentes

El abandono del deporte escolar supone una debilidad en la construccion de un estilo de vida saludable. En este trabajo se pretende conocer si la calidad percibida del deporte escolar se relaciona con el abandono deportivo. Se ha encuestado a un total de 1.109 adolescentes de 28 centros escolares que conforman un sistema deportivo. El instrumento utilizado fue EPOD. Se han utilizado diferentes tecnicas estadisticas: tablas de contingencia y prueba de chi cuadrado, ANOVA, correlaciones y regresion multiple. Los resultados muestran que un 39,45% de los adolescentes han abandonado la practica deportiva organizada, que la satisfaccion con el deporte escolar es buena, siendo el factor humano el mejor valorado, mientras que los espacios deportivos han obtenido la peor calificacion. Se ha hallado la existencia de relacion entre la valoracion del deporte escolar y la tasa de abandono. Los deportes peor valorados presentan tasas de abandono mas altas
Attention, Noticing, and Awareness in Second Language Acquisition

The role attention plays in the learning process has almost always been assumed since the earliest studies in the field of second language acquisition (SLA). Any exposure, be it aural or written, manipulated or authentic, to the foreign or second language (L2) is arguably premised on the role of attention on the part of the learner. The SLA field up to the mid-1990s had generally assumed that experimental conditions (instruction or exposure, be it explicit, that is, with awareness, or implicit, that is, without awareness) elicited the required attention paid to the targeted item(s) in the L2 input. This premise is evidenced in the type of research design employed in the studies, which was the classical pretest—experimental condition—posttest design, without any concurrent or online data on learners' actual attention paid to the targeted items in the input. Keywords: psycholinguistics; research methods in applied linguistics; second language acquisition
Identification of a small set of plasma signalling proteins using neural network for prediction of Alzheimer's disease

MOTIVATION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a dementia that gets worse with time resulting in loss of memory and cognitive functions. The life expectancy of AD patients following diagnosis is ∼7 years. In 2006, researchers estimated that 0.40% of the world population (range 0.17-0.89%) was afflicted by AD, and that the prevalence rate would be tripled by 2050. Usually, examination of brain tissues is required for definite diagnosis of AD. So, it is crucial to diagnose AD at an early stage via some alternative methods. As the brain controls many functions via releasing signalling proteins through blood, we analyse blood plasma proteins for diagnosis of AD. RESULTS Here, we use a radial basis function (RBF) network for feature selection called feature selection RBF network for selection of plasma proteins that can help diagnosis of AD. We have identified a set of plasma proteins, smaller in size than previous study, with comparable prediction accuracy. We have also analysed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) samples with our selected proteins. We have used neural networks and support vector machines as classifiers. The principle component analysis, Sammmon projection and heat-map of the selected proteins have been used to demonstrate the proteins' discriminating power for diagnosis of AD. We have also found a set of plasma signalling proteins that can distinguish incipient AD from MCI at an early stage. Literature survey strongly supports the AD diagnosis capability of the selected plasma proteins.
Social Representations of History

To illustrate, after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, NATO allies of the United States with similar objective interests reacted in very different ways. Britain became America's principal military ally, first in Afghanistan, then in Iraq. France dispatched troops to Afghanistan, but with greater reluctance and side-by-side with a philosopher (Bernard-Henri Levy) to both question and provide for moral support for French efforts. In Germany, debate over whether to support American war efforts triggered the first vote of confidence in a ruling party's government in over 20 years. Keywords: social representations theory; symbolic representations; warfare; realistic conflict; political culture; psychology of legitimacy; historical contingency; historical charters; historical narratives; collective remembering; collective guilt; social memory; social identity; group identity; nationalism; ethnocentrism
An Evaluation of the Relative Sensitivities of the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test and the Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination Test Among Patients Diagnosed With Primary Syphilis

Background: Because definitive methods for diagnosing primary syphilis are limited, it is important to optimize the sensitivity of serodiagnosis. Objective: To determine the most sensitive testing approach to the diagnosis of primary syphilis, using the commonly available serologic tests: the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TP-PA) test. Methods: Sensitivities of 2 serologic testing strategies for primary syphilis were compared among 106 darkfield-confirmed cases treated in San Francisco from January 2002 through December 2004. Results: The sensitivity of the diagnostic strategy using VDRL confirmed by TP-PA was 71% (95% CI, 61%–79%). Substituting Rapid Plasma Reagin test for VDRL in a subset of 51 patients produced the same sensitivity (71%; 95% CI, 56%–83%). The sensitivity of TP-PA as the first-line diagnostic test was 86% (95% CI, 78%–92%). The sensitivity of the former approach was significantly lower among HIV-positive patients, compared with HIV-negative patients (55% vs. 77%, P = 0.05). Conclusions: The TP-PA test as the first-line diagnostic test yielded higher sensitivity for primary syphilis than did the use of the currently recommended strategy.
The Facet Satisfaction Scale: Enhancing the measurement of job satisfaction.

Job satisfaction is an important job-related attitude that has been linked to various outcomes for both the organization and its employees. In spite of this, researchers of the construct disagree about how job satisfaction is defined and measured. This study proposes the use of the Facet Satisfaction Scale, a new scale of measurement for job satisfaction that is based on more recent definitions of the construct. Reliability and preliminary predictive validity studies were conducted in order to determine the utility of this scale. Next steps in scale development are discussed.
Evidence-Based Management: Concept Cleanup Time?

Executive Overview The term evidence-based management (EBMgt) is relatively new, though the idea of using research evidence to help make managerial decisions is not. In this paper we identify and clarify a number of common misconceptions about EBMgt. Rather than a single rigid method, EBMgt is a family of approaches that support decision making. It is something done by practitioners, not scholars, although scholars have a critical role to play in helping to provide the infrastructure required for EBMgt. Properly conducted systematic reviews that summarize in an explicit way what is known and not known about a specific practice-related question are a cornerstone of EBMgt.
Monogamy of the Heart

Abstract Sixty-five coupled gay men were qualitatively interviewed to examine how they decided whether or not to be monogamous, and how some maintained openly nonmonogamous relationships. Unlike their monogamous counterparts, men in open relationships cognitively separated sex from intimacy and prized sexual variety. Although outside sex could stimulate insecurity, men in open couples established guidelines that safeguarded their health and affirmed couple primacy. Respondents in self-described monogamous unions who engaged in outside sex minimized its importance, and some reported that monogamy was assumed but never discussed with their partners. These findings suggest that clinicians be flexible regarding traditional ideas about sexual monogamy and commitment as they help gay couples improve communication and affirm couple boundaries.
Improved Diagnosis of Infection Associated with Osteosynthesis by Use of Sonication of Fracture Fixation Implants

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that sonication fluid cultures from removed orthopedic devices improved the microbiological diagnosis of orthopedic implant-associated infections; however, few of these investigations have applied sonication to the removed fracture fixation devices to evaluate its utility for the diagnosis of osteosynthesis-associated infection (OAI). We compared sonication fluid to conventional tissue cultures from 180 subjects with different sizes of plates and screws (n = 156), spinal implants (n = 26), and intramedullary nails (n = 3), of whom 125 and 55 subjects had OAI and noninfected osteosynthesis (NIO), respectively. The sensitivity for detecting OAI was 90.4% for sonication fluid culture and 56.8% for periprosthetic tissue cultures (P < 0.05), and the specificities were 90.9% and 96.4%, respectively. Sonication fluid culture detected more pathogens than peri-implant tissue culture (113 versus 71; P < 0.001), while polymicrobial infections were diagnosed by sonication fluid cultures and tissue cultures in 20.8% and 8% (P < 0.001), respectively. Microbiological diagnosis was achieved exclusively by sonication fluid cultures for 47 (90.4%) subjects, and among them, 18 (38.3%) had previously received antibiotics, whereas in five (9.6%) infected subjects, tissue culture was positive and the sonication fluid culture was negative. Among 39 (31.2%) OAI cases receiving antibiotics, the identification of the organisms occurred in 38.5% and 82.1% of the tissue and sonication fluid cultures, respectively (P < 0.049). We demonstrated that sonication fluid culture from removed osteosyntheses has the potential for improving the microbiological diagnosis of OAI.
Recruiting Transcultural Qualitative Research Participants: A Conceptual Model

Working with diverse populations poses many challenges to the qualitative researcher who is a member of the dominant culture. Traditional methods of recruitment and selection (such as flyers and advertisements) are often unproductive, leading to missed contributions from potential participants who were not recruited and researcher frustration. In this article, the authors explore recruitment issues related to the concept of personal knowing based on experiences with Aboriginal Hawai'ian and Micronesian populations, wherein knowing and being known are crucial to successful recruitment of participants. They present a conceptual model that incorporates key concepts of knowing the other, cultural context, and trust to guide other qualitative transcultural researchers. They also describe challenges, implications, and concrete suggestions for recruitment of participants.