Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of antibody-dependent infection enhancement of four dengue virus serotypes by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.

Although its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, data comparing each of the four dengue virus serotypes suggest that in vitro antibody-dependent infection enhancement is a reproducible and measurable phenomenon related to other serological measures of antibody-virus binding. Information characterizing infection enhancement may provide clues to disease pathogenesis for dengue and other viruses that exhibit antibody-enhanced infection. We propose criteria for the detection and quantification of in vitro antibody-dependent enhancement of flavivirus infection based on observations using all four dengue virus serotypes, macrophage-like cell lines and human peripheral blood monocytes, and various immune sera and monoclonal antibodies. It is proposed that antibody-dependent infection enhancement is defined by the following findings: (i) significantly increased virus production is measured in quantitative assays at different points on the growth curve; (ii) assays of the virus output of cells infected with mixtures of constant amounts of virus and serial dilutions of the pre-existing antibody source produce characteristic 'enhancement profiles' of rising and falling virus output over at least a 10(-3)-fold dilution range; (iii) for each enhancing antibody source the dilution producing maximal infection enhancement is related to other serological measures of binding to the envelope, or another virus component; (iv) infection enhancement is detected with different antibody sources and virus strains (when available) tested over a range of m.o. i. ; (v) other causes of enhanced virus production are ruled out.
UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 Gene Polymorphisms and Total Bilirubin Levels in an Ethnically Diverse Cohort of Women

The objective of this study was to investigate variations in UGT1A1 polymorphisms and haplotypes among African-American and Caucasian women and to assess whether variants other than UGT1A1*28 are associated with total serum bilirubin levels. The (TA)n repeats and 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UGT1A1 gene were genotyped in 335 African Americans and 181 Caucasians. Total serum bilirubin levels were available in a subset of 125 women. Allele frequencies of all SNPs and (TA)n repeats were significantly different between African Americans and Caucasians. In Caucasians, three common haplotypes accounted for 71.8% of chromosomes, whereas five common haplotypes accounted for only 46.6% of chromosomes in African Americans. Mean total serum bilirubin levels were significantly lower (p = 0.005) in African Americans (0.36 mg/dl) than in Caucasians (0.44 mg/dl). The (TA)n repeats explained a significant amount of variation in total bilirubin levels (R2 = 0.27, p < 0.0001), whereas other SNPs were less correlative. Thus, significant variations in UGT1A1 haplotype structure exist between African Americans and Caucasians in this relatively large cohort of women. The correlation of UGT1A1 with total bilirubin levels was mainly due to (TA)n repeats in Caucasians but a clear correlation was not observed in African Americans because of the high diversity of haplotypes and the small sample size. These data have implications for the design of epidemiologic studies of cancer susceptibility and pharmacogenetic studies for adverse drug reactions in populations of African ancestry.
Is Islam Compatible with Free-Market Capitalism? An Empirical Analysis, 1970–2010

Abstract Are majority-Muslim countries laggards when it comes to developing liberal economic institutions? Using an Index of Economic Freedom and its component parts, this study finds that Muslim-dominant countries (>50% of the population) are positively associated with free-market capitalism. Protestant dominance is also positively correlated, but the association stems from just two components of the index, mainly “legal security and property rights protection. ” Surprisingly, Protestant countries correlate negatively with “small government” and “freedom to trade,” two critical components of free-market capitalism. Muslim dominance shows positive correlations with all areas except for “legal security and property rights. ” The results are consistent when assessing similar variables measuring property rights and government ownership of the economy collected by the Varieties of Democracy Project. Capitalistic policies and institutions, it seems, may travel across religions more easily than culturalists claim.
Determinants for tuberculosis in HIV-infected adults in Northwest Ethiopia: a multicentre case–control study

Objective The objective of this study was to identify determinants for tuberculosis (TB) among HIV-infected adults in Northwest Ethiopia. Design Case–control study. Setting Three hospitals and 10 health centres in Northwest Ethiopia. Participants A total of 446 individuals consented to participate in the study (150 cases and 296 controls). Cases were HIV-infected adults diagnosed with active TB, and controls were HIV-infected adults without active TB. Main outcome measure The link between TB and determinants was assessed using logistic regression. Determinants were categorised as sociodemographic, host-related, clinical and environmental. Results Smoking (adjusted OR (AOR) 5.47; 95% CI 2.26 to 13.22), presence of a TB patient in the family (AOR 2.66; 95% CI 1.25 to 5.66), alcohol consumption (AOR 2.49; 95% CI 1.29 to 4.80) and chewing khat (AOR 2.22; 95% CI 1.11 to 4.41) were independent determinants for increased occurrence of TB. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (AOR 0.25; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.51), isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) (AOR 0.22; 95% CI 0.11 to 0.41) and cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.55) had a protective effect against TB. Conclusions HIV-infected adults with substance abuse (tobacco smoking, khat chewing and alcohol) should be prioritised for TB screening. This study reaffirmed that HAART and IPT are some of the best strategies for reducing TB occurrence in HIV-infected adults. These findings provide impetus to intensify tracing of TB household contacts.
One gang dies, another gains? The network dynamics of criminal group persistence

What leads a minority of criminal groups to persist over time? Although most criminal groups are characterized by short life spans, a subset manage to survive over extended periods. Contemporary research on criminal groups has been primarily descriptive and static, leaving important questions on the correlates of group persistence unanswered. Drawing from competing perspectives on the relationship between cohesion and group persistence, the current study applies a longitudinal approach to examine the network dynamics influencing the life span of criminal groups. Nine years of official data on the criminal and social networks of gang-associates in Montreal is used to delineate criminal group boundaries and examine variation in group duration. Our statistical approach simultaneously considers within and between-group attributes to isolate how groups’ cohesion as well as their embeddedness in the wider gang structure impacts survival. Results show that group survival is a function of their cohesion and embeddedness. Yet, the relationship is not direct but moderated by group size. Whereas, large groups that adopt closed structures are more likely to persist, small groups’ survival depends on less cohesive and more versatile structures. The discussion considers the impact of these findings for the continued understanding of group trajectories.
The rice immune receptor XA21 recognizes a tyrosine-sulfated protein from a Gram-negative bacterium

A sulfated peptide activates a rice immune receptor. Surveillance of the extracellular environment by immune receptors is of central importance to eukaryotic survival. The rice receptor kinase XA21, which confers robust resistance to most strains of the Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is representative of a large class of cell surface immune receptors in plants and animals. We report the identification of a previously undescribed Xoo protein, called RaxX, which is required for activation of XA21-mediated immunity. Xoo strains that lack RaxX, or carry mutations in the single RaxX tyrosine residue (Y41), are able to evade XA21-mediated immunity. Y41 of RaxX is sulfated by the prokaryotic tyrosine sulfotransferase RaxST. Sulfated, but not nonsulfated, RaxX triggers hallmarks of the plant immune response in an XA21-dependent manner. A sulfated, 21–amino acid synthetic RaxX peptide (RaxX21-sY) is sufficient for this activity. Xoo field isolates that overcome XA21-mediated immunity encode an alternate raxX allele, suggesting that coevolutionary interactions between host and pathogen contribute to RaxX diversification. RaxX is highly conserved in many plant pathogenic Xanthomonas species. The new insights gained from the discovery and characterization of the sulfated protein, RaxX, can be applied to the development of resistant crop varieties and therapeutic reagents that have the potential to block microbial infection of both plants and animals.
Exercise-associated muscle cramps

E xercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) is a common condition that requires medical attention during sporting events. It is common among athletes who participate in long-distance endurance events, such as triathlon and marathon or ultra-marathon distance running, and it is documented in many other sports, including basketball, the various football codes, tennis, cricket and cycling.1 The prevalence of EAMC has been reported for triathletes (67%),2 marathon runners (between 30% and 50%),2 rugby players (52%)1 and cyclists (60%). 1 Despite the high prevalence of EAMC, its risk factors, pathophysiology, treatment and prevention are not completely understood. Muscle cramping can occur as a symptom of a variety of medical conditions. These include genetic causes, muscular diseases, endocrine and metabolic diseases, hydroelectrolyte disorders, and toxic and pharmacological agents.3 This article focuses on EAMC, and excludes muscle cramping in smooth muscle, cramping at rest and cramping associated with any underlying disease or drugs.
Adverse childhood experiences in a South Australian sample of young people in detention

Empirical knowledge about the prevalence and interrelatedness of adverse childhood experiences in young people involved in youth justice systems in Australia is limited. This study examined the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in a sample of young people who were detained in youth justice services in South Australia. It also explored how adverse childhood experiences are interrelated and their associations with violent offending. Assessment data for 2045 young people who spent time in detention between 1995 and 2012 were used. The results indicated that adverse childhood experiences were common in this population, were highly interrelated, and more prevalent among young people who had convictions for violent offences. Differences in the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences according to gender and cultural background were evident. Compared to males, females had a higher prevalence of individual adverse childhood experiences, as well as higher cumulative adverse childhood experience scores. Non-Aboriginal females had the highest prevalence for physical and sexual abuse, and household conflict, while both Aboriginal males and females reported more family criminality and substance use problems. These findings have important implications for the role of screening for adverse childhood experiences in offender populations, and the potential benefit of targeting interventions towards addressing the consequences of these traumatic experiences.
Studying X-ray reprocessing and continuum variability in quasars: PG 1211+143

We present the results from a monitoring campaign of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxy PG 1211+143. The object was monitored with ground-based facilities (IIBVRI photometry; from 2007 February to July) and with Swift [X-ray photometry/spectroscopy and ultraviolet (UV)/optical photometry; between 2007 March and May]. We found PG 1211+143 in a historical low X-ray flux state at the beginning of the Swift monitoring campaign in 2007 March. It is seen from the light curves that while violently variable in X-rays, the quasar shows little variations in optical/UV bands. The X-ray spectrum in the low state is similar to other narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies during their low states and can be explained by a strong partial covering absorber or by X-ray reflection on to the disc. With the current data set, however, it is not possible to distinguish between both scenarios. The interband cross-correlation functions indicate a possible reprocessing of the X-rays into the longer wavelengths, consistent with the idea of a thin accretion disc, powering the quasar. The time lags between the X-ray and the optical/UV light curves, ranging from ~2 to ~18 d for the different wavebands, scale approximately as ∼λ 4/3 , but appear to be somewhat larger than expected for this object, taking into account its accretion disc parameters. Possible implications for the location of the X-ray irradiating source are discussed.
Linear thermodynamics and the mechanics of solids

The Thermodynamics of linear irreversible processes is presented from a unified viewpoint. This provides a new and synthetic approach to the linear mechanics of deformation of solids, which includes as particular cases the classical theory of Elasticity, Thermoelasticity and Viscoelasticity. The first two sections constitute an introduction to the general concepts and principles of linear Thermodynamics as developed in the writer’s earlier work and presented in somewhat more detail. This is followed by the application of the general thermodynamic theory to Thermoelasticity which combines the theories of Elasticity, Heat Transfer, and their coupled effects into a single treatment. Some immediate consequences are derived such as the property of diffusion of entropy and certain fundamental relations with reference to thermal stresses. The introduction of inertia forces leads to a general formulation of thermoelastic dissipation of dynamical systems by Lagrangian methods. The second order heat produced by the dissipation is evaluated. Linear Viscoelasticity and Relaxation Phenomena are also a particular case of the thermodynamic theory. The resulting stress-strain relations with heredity properties are discussed. The operational formulation of these relations leads naturally to a formal correspondence with the theory of Elasticity and to an operational-variational principle. The latter provides a generalization of Lagrange’s equations in integro-differential form to the dynamics and stress analysis of viscoelastic structures. Some specific applications of these principles are presented.
Australian Internet Stocks : Were They Special ?

and we acknowledge the contributions of participants at these conferences. All errors or omissions are our own. Abstract Were Australian Internet stock returns unusual? We examine daily returns on a primary sample of the 21 Australian Internet stocks in the Merrill Lynch (Australian) Internet Stock Index at the climax of the boom-bust period, between 21 September 1999 and 20 September 2000. Applying the Fama-French (1993) multi-factor model to our sample of Internet stocks and three control samples of non-Internet stocks, we find evidence that Internet stocks exhibited positive risk adjusted returns in the pre-Crash period but that these returns disappear in the post-Crash period. We investigate the possibility of misspecification in the three-factor model by including a share turnover factor and find this factor to be significant in explaining asset returns in all four samples. Finally, the inclusion of returns of U.S. Internet stocks does not fully explain the positive risk adjusted returns. We conjecture that the behavior we observe may be due to the existence of an irrational bubble in the market for Australian Internet stocks. Our bottom line is that Internet stock returns behaved differently from other stocks listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
Effect of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of grain sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Varieties

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is one of the leading drought-tolerant crops often used to mitigate droughts for meeting household food security in Ethiopia. However, poor stand establishment is one of the major factors that constrain productivity of the crop. Poor stand establishment of sorghum is affected by certain conditions after sowing, which have a large influence on speed of germination and seedling emergence that determine successful establishment of the crop under adverse growing conditions. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to elucidate the effect of seed priming on germination and seedling vigor of seeds of six sorghum varieties under a laboratory condition. The experiment was conducted during the 2014 main cropping season on the campus of Haramaya University. The treatments consisted of six sorghum varieties (Abshir, Dekeba, Macia, Meko-1, Melkam and Teshale), three priming media (water, 9 g urea L -1 , and 0.2 g ZnSO 4 L -1 ) and five priming durations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 h). The experiment was laid out as a completely randomized design (CRD) in a factorial arrangement and replicated four times per treatment. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) main effects of the treatments and interactions between priming media and duration, and variety and priming duration for all the traits studied. The highest improvements in final germination percentage (FGP) (6%), germination-index (GI) (8.4%), germination time (MGT) (4%), emergence-percentage (EP) (20%), seedling-length (SL) (12.5%), seedling-dry-weight (SDW) (26.5%), seedling-vigor-index-1 (SVI-1) (33.1%) and seedling-vigor-index-2 (SVI-2) (49.7%) were recorded in response to seed priming using ZnSO 4 followed by priming with Urea and water for 10 h priming over the unprimed seeds (control treatment). Likewise, the highest varietal performance was recorded for Melkam followed by Teshale and Dekeba with 10 h priming. The reduction in MGT and the increments in FGP, GI, EP, SL, SDW, SVI-1, and SVI-2 due to variety Melkam with 10 h priming respectively were 5.7, 7.7, 3.8, 22.7, 13.6, 30.2, 38.1, and 58.8% over the unprimed seeds. Therefore, the priming sorghum seeds for 10 hours with ZnSO 4 followed by Urea and water significantly improved germination, seedling growth, and seedling vigor under laboratory conditions, implying that the practice priming seeds with each of the media based on availability and affordability could be used by farmers to enhance sorghum seed germination, field stand establishment, and yield. Keywords: Hydro-priming; Nutrient priming; Priming duration; Priming media; Vigor index
Oil spill detection by means of synthetic aperture radar

In this thesis work a new approach to observe sea oil spills by means of remotely sensed SAR data and physical scattering modeling has been developed. First the mahematical problem of the oil spill detection has looked for the objective definition of the feature space and of the nature of the classification problem. The oil spill classification problem is formulated as a one-class classification problem and an approach to perform a qualitatively analysis and to objectively select among the classical features, used in SAR oil spill classification procedures, is proposed. Successively, a new a speckle model for marine Single-Look Complex SAR images has been proposed. This model allowed showing that full-resolution speckled SAR images can be effectively employed to detect dark areas and strong scatterers. The new approach is based on the generalized K model (GK) which is able to embody very different scattering cases. Finally, two studies on sea oil spills observation by means of polarimetric SAR data are accomplished. In the first approach, a CFAR filter tailored for full-polarimetric SAR data has been first applied over marine images. The polarimetric CFAR filter is able to effectively identify the dark patches which may be due to oil spills. Further, it has been studied the relevance of the polarimetric features H, α and A to assist oil spill classification. Experiments results showed that the main polarimetric feature is H. In the second approach, a filtering technique based on the standard deviation of the co-polar phase difference (σφc) has been developed and tested. Experimental results showed the usefulness of using σφc to assist oil spill detection and, in particular, for distinguishing among oil spills and biogenic look-alikes.
Service Composition for Non-programmers: Prospects, Problems, and Design Recommendations

Although Service Oriented Architecture technologies are becoming widespread, user research to support the exploitation and composition of services by non-programmers is still in its infancy. This paper presents three user studies conducted during the user-centered design of the Serv Face Builder, a service composition tool for non-programmers. Results suggest that end users do not realize that services can be connected together and do not easily understand that information can flow between services. Further conceptual and usability problems of service composition for end users and some guidelines to overcome them are discussed.
The Transcriptome of Human Epicardial, Mediastinal and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues in Men with Coronary Artery Disease

Background The biological functions of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) remain largely unknown. However, the proximity of EAT to the coronary arteries suggests a role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The objectives of this study were to identify genes differentially regulated among three adipose tissues, namely EAT, mediastinal (MAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) and to study their possible relationships with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Methods and Results Samples were collected from subjects undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries. Gene expression was evaluated in the three adipose depots of six men using the Illumina® HumanWG-6 v3.0 expression BeadChips. Twenty-three and 73 genes were differentially up-regulated in EAT compared to MAT and SAT, respectively. Ninety-four genes were down-regulated in EAT compared to SAT. However, none were significantly down-regulated in EAT compared to MAT. More specifically, the expression of the adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA1), involved in myocardial ischemia, was significantly up-regulated in EAT. Levels of the prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) gene, recently associated with the progression of atherosclerosis, were significantly different in the three pairwise comparisons (EAT>MAT>SAT). The results of ADORA1 and PTGDS were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR in 25 independent subjects. Conclusions Overall, the transcriptional profiles of EAT and MAT were similar compared to the SAT. Despite this similarity, two genes involved in cardiovascular diseases, ADORA1 and PTGDS, were differentially up-regulated in EAT. These results provide insights about the biology of EAT and its potential implication in CAD.
Application of state space averaging method to sliding mode control of PWM DC/DC converters

A novel approach for the analysis and design of sliding mode controllers for PWM DC/DC power converters is presented. The main advantage of this nonlinear controller is that there is no restriction on the size of the signal variations around the operating point. Small as well as large signal variations around the operating point are considered. Sliding mode controllers for buck, boost, buck-boost, and Cuk power converters have been designed and discussed. These controllers have been simulated on a digital computer and their dynamic performances have been shown to be satisfactory. Finally, Lyapunov's second theorem has been used to verify the stability of the designed sliding mode controller for the Cuk power converter.