Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LIPOPROTEIN METABOLISM ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL INSUFFICIENCY

Summary: Patients with chronic renal insufficiency on hemodialysis develop lipoprotein abnormalities that may contribute to increased risk for atherosclerosis. The atherogenic risk for chronic renal insufficiency patients and dialysis treated patients was assessed by measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and calculating the ratio: TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C. The examined group consisted of 18 cronic renal insufficiency patients and 60 patients on hemodialysis. The results were compared to a control group of 85 voluntary blood donors. Serum lipid parameters were examined by standard methods. All lipid parameters in hemodialysis patients were statistically different compared to the control group (p<0.05) while chronic renal insufficiency patients showed significant difference only in triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. Hypertriglyceridemia was present in both examined groups of patients and HDL-cholesterol was lower within both groups. All calculated atherogenic ratios were higher for patients than the control group. Lipid parameters were compared between chronic renal insufficiency and hemodialysis patients but statistical significantly difference was obtained only for HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05). We conclude that increased values of triglycerides and lower HDL-cholesterol in chronic renal insufficiency patients contribute to high incidence of cardiovascular disease. Chronic renal insufficiency patients have impaired reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral cells to lipoproteins, decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia prevalence of small, dense LDL and increased levels of potentially atherogenic remnant particles.
A Comprehensive Analysis and Modeling of the Self-Powered Synchronous Switching Harvesting Circuit With Electronic Breakers

Self-powered realization for synchronous switching circuits is a hot spot for piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting. As a well-known approach, the electronic breaker is widely used for its simplicity and reliability. It plays an important role on the performance of the piezoelectric generator by affecting the available open-circuit voltage and the switching phase lag. In this paper, a comprehensive model is developed for improved performance analysis with missed factors included in comparison with previous investigations. The combined influence of the envelope resistor and the capacitor on both the phase lag and the open-circuit voltage is newly considered while the additional phase lag effect induced by charging the switch parasitic capacitance with the envelope capacitance is supplemented. Experiments and simulations validate the proposed model with better accuracy and the results show that these supplemented factors are important to the generator performance, especially for the micropower energy harvesting with small piezoelectric capacitance or displacement magnitude. Moreover, more detailed design guidelines are deduced from the proposed model.
Effect of egg size, age of hen and storage period on fertility, hatchability, embryo mortality and chick malformations in eggs of japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of egg size, age of hen and storage period of eggs before incubation on fertility, hatchability, embryo mortality and chick malformations in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The study was carried out in quail farm located at Tanah Merah, Kelantan. Totally 1441 eggs of quail were set into the incubator by applying 9 treatments groups: 3 groups for egg size (6-7 g, 8-9 g and 10-11 g), 3 groups for hen age (≥ 3 - 0.05) on fertility and chick malformations. The age of hen had insignificant (P>0.05) effect on every aspect except fertility. Storage period had highly significant (P<0.01) effect on fertility, hatchability and embryo mortality rate. Results from this study concluded that heavy egg weight (10-11 g), middle aged hen (≥5 - <8 month) and shortest storage period (≥4 - <6 days) gave the best hatching performances.
Ethnic Inequality: Theory and Evidence from Formal Education in Nigeria

We study the causes of inequality in human capital accumulation across ethnic and religious groups. An overlapping generations model in which agents decide how much time to invest in human capital versus ethnic capital shows that the demand for human capital is affected positively by parental and group’s older cohort human capital and negatively by group size. Two ex ante identical groups may diverge in human capital accumulation, with the divergence mostly occurring among their low-ability members. Furthermore, group and ethnic fragmentation increases the demand for human capital. We validate these predictions using household data from Nigeria, where ethnicity and religion are the primary identity cleavages. We document persistent ethnic and religious inequality in educational attainment. Members of ethnic groups that historically converted to Christianity outperform those whose ancestors converted to Islam. Consistent with theory, there is little difference between the high-ability members of these groups, but low-ability members of historically Muslim groups choose Koranic education as an alternative to formal education, even when formal education is free. Moreover, minorities and more religiously fragmented ethnic groups fare better, and local ethnic fragmentation increases the demand for formal education. Our analysis sheds light on the political context that underlies the recent violent opposition to “Western education” in this country.
Methods of coping and burden of illness: Cause or confound?

Sir, I read with much interest the article of Creado et al[1] which demonstrated, among other findings, that there were significant correlations between methods of coping and burden of illness among the caregivers of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Specifically, higher escape avoidance, fatalism and passivity scores were associated with higher burden of illness, and higher expressive action and problem-solving scores were associated with lower burden of illness. Creado et al[1] concluded that expressive action and problem-solving are methods of coping which can decrease burden of illness, whereas escape avoidance, fatalism and passivity are methods of coping which can increase burden of illness.
Ros-Induced Histone Modifications and their Role in Cell Survival and Cell Death

Much is known about the distal DNA damage repair response. In particular, many of the enzymes and auxiliary proteins that participate in DNA repair have been characterized. In addition, knowledge of signaling pathways activated in response to DNA damage is increasing. In contrast, comparatively less is known of DNA damage-sensing molecules or of the specific alterations to chromatin structure recognized by such DNA damage sensors. Thus, precisely how chromatin structure is altered in response to DNA damage and how such alterations regulate DNA repair processes remain important unanswered questions. In vertebrates, phosphorylation of the histone variant H2A.X occurs rapidly after double-strand break formation, extends over megabase chromatin domains, and is required for stable accumulation of repair proteins at damage foci. We have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA single-strand breaks induce the incorporation of 32P specifically into histone H3. ADP-Ribosylation of histones may stimulate local chromatin relaxation to facilitate the repair process, and, indeed, histone ribosylation preceded DNA damage-induced histone H3 phosphorylation. However, H3 phosphorylation occurred concomitant with overall chromatin condensation, as revealed by decreased sensitivity of chromatin to digestion by micrococcal nuclease and by DAPI staining of nuclei. Inhibitors of the ERK and p38MAPK pathways and inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase all reduced ROS-induced H3 phosphorylation, chromatin condensation, and cell death. Precisely how changes in the post-translational modification of histone H3 regulate the survival response remains unclear. Attempts to determine the precise site of histone H3 phosphorylation, putative histone H3 kinases, and histone H3 interacting proteins are underway.
Enzyme immunoassay for direct detection of influenza type A and adenovirus antigens in clinical specimens

Detection of viral antigens in specimens without prior cultivation in cell culture provides the most rapid method for specific viral diagnosis. A solid-phase, double-antibody enzyme immunoassay was developed for this purpose and tested with clinical specimens containing influenza type A and adenovirus. Polystyrene microtiter wells were the solid phase and were coated with virus-specific guinea pig immunoglobulins. Specimens were added, and bound viral antigens were detected by addition of virus-specific rabbit immunoglobulins followed by enzyme-labeled goat antirabbit immunoglobulin G. Two methods of labeling goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G with horseradish peroxidase were investigated: covalent attachment and a noncovalent, immunological binding of antibody to enzyme, the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Both methods of labeling resulted in assays that could detect 10(3.5) 50% tissue culture infectious doses of influenza type A and 10(3.8) 50% tissue culture infectious doses of adenovirus. Equal sensitivity was noted with alkaline phosphatase-labeled goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G. An increase in sensitivity of three- to sixfold was achieved when virus-specific rabbit immunoglobulins and conjugate were diluted in 1% gelatin. The solid-phase, double-antibody enzyme immunoassay detected influenza type A and adenovirus in isolation-positive clinical specimens with 53% (21/40) and 62% (13/21) efficiency, respectively. The solid-phase, double-antibody enzyme immunoassay has considerable potential as a practical and rapid method for detection of respiratory viral antigens in nasal wash and throat swab specimens. For optimal value, however, greater sensitivity than was provided by the present methods is desirable.
Efficient and Flexible Inference for Stochastic Systems

Many real world dynamical systems are described by stochastic differential equations. Thus parameter inference is a challenging and important problem in many disciplines. We provide a grid free and flexible algorithm offering parameter and state inference for stochastic systems and compare our approch based on variational approximations to state of the art methods showing significant advantages both in runtime and accuracy.
Model Predictive Control of a Parallel Hybrid Vehicle Drivetrain

Hybrid vehicles gain importance and attention as the need for more fuel-efficient propulsion concepts increases. This article describes the modelling and the control of the longitudinal dynamics of a hybrid vehicle with a parallel configuration. The key aspect of the displayed hybrid concept is the smooth but quick transition between pure electrical driving and hybrid driving which has to occur without interruption of the demanded driving power and jerk. A model predictive control concept is presented for solving this task.
Wide-area power oscillation damping control in nordic equivalent system

A study is presented on power oscillation damping (POD) control using wide area measurements applied to a single static var compensator (SVC). An equivalent power system model representing key characteristics of the Nordic power system is used. Feedback signals from remote phasor measurement units (PMUs) in Norway and Finland are used to damp the critical inter-area modes through a large SVC unit located in south-east Norway. A comparison between two control design approaches: (i) model-based POD (MBPOD) - dependant on accurate system model and (ii) indirect adaptive POD (IAPOD) - which relies only on measurements - is made. For MBPOD an optimisation approach is used to obtain the parameters of the controller while the IAPOD is based on online Kalman filter estimation and adaptive pole-shifting control. It is shown that the IAPOD yields almost similar performance as the MBPOD with very little prior information about the system. The performance comparison is verified for several tie-line outages.
Ciguatera fish poisoning in the Cook Islands.

It is difficult to advise people in Fiji how to avoid ciguatera poisoning because it is so sporadic. Some fish are more prone to cause ciguatera than others, especially at certain times of the year or in certain areas. However, Island peoples have known about ciguatera poisoning for centuries and local communities usually know which fish to avoid at which time of the year. The best way to avoid ciguatera poisoning is to seek the advice of the people living in the area. Ciguatera intoxication has increased recently due to movement of fish to larger urban centres where people are not able to use local knowledge for guidance.
Chlamydia trachomatis Serology: Diagnostic Value of Outer Membrane Protein 2 Compared with That of Other Antigens

ABSTRACT Different immunoassays using recombinant antigens or synthetic peptides were evaluated for the serodiagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Antigens used included cysteine-rich outer membrane protein 2 (OMP2), heat shock protein 60, the polypeptide encoded by open reading frame 3 of the plasmid (pgp3), synthetic peptides derived from species-specific epitopes in variable domain IV of the major OMP (MOMP) (Labsystems, Helsinki, Finland), and a fragment of the total lipopolysaccharide (Medac, Hamburg, Germany). Because cross-reactions between chlamydial species have been reported, Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific antibodies were also determined by immunoassays (Labsystems). Responses obtained with serum samples from patients with well-defined diseases (i.e., urethral or endocervical samples from which C. trachomatis DNA was amplified) were compared to those obtained with samples from healthy blood donors. The best sensitivity (79%) associated with the best specificity (82%) was obtained when immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to both MOMP and pgp3 were considered. The highest sensitivity (89%) was obtained with anti-OMP2 IgG, but the lowest specificity (57%) was obtained with this antibody, due to probable cross-reactivity with C. pneumoniae OMP2.
The effect of infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus on the fertility of cows and heifers.

In the current study, blood samples from 319 cows and heifers were studied. Antibodies against BVDV infections in serum samples and BVDV antigens in leukocytes were present in 203 (148 cows and 55 heifers) and 56 (28 cows and 28 heifers) samples, respectively. Although no significant difference was detected between seropositive SBVDV (Ag-/Ab+)¹ and uninfected SBVDV (Ag-/Ab-)¹ cows and heifers at the time of the first insemination (FIT), first service age (FSA) or conception rate (CR) (p>0.05), the difference in age of seropositive and infection free cows differed significantly (p 0.05). Differences between persistently infected SBVDV (Ag +/Ab -)¹ and uninfected cows for FIT, CR and age were statistically different (p 0.05). Even though, FSA of pregnant persistently infected or uninfected heifers was not different (p>0.05), there was a difference between the age and FIT of persistently infected and uninfected cows (p<0.001). However, pregnancy was not detected in any of the persistently infected cows. In conclusion, seropositivity for BVDV did not affect fertility of cows or heifers. Although, differences in fertility between persistently infected and uninfected pregnant cows and between persistently infected and uninfected non-pregnant cows were present, fertility of heifers was not affected by BVDV persistency.
The relationship between empathy and pet ownership, pet attitudes and pet attachment in late childhood

Many theorists have found companion animals to play an important role in the socioemotional development of a child. The current study aims to extend this research by exploring links between empathy and pet ownership, pet attitudes and pet attachment in late childhood. Particular attention has been awarded to gender and socio-economic background in relation to these variables. Participants (n=100) consisted of children in third class (8-10 years old) from a DEIS and non-DEIS school. A variety of correlational analyses were run between the total scores on the Bryant Empathy Index, the Pet Attitude Scale and the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale. Results obtained from this study indicate that there is a significant link between these variables with females displaying higher levels of empathy and pet attachment than males and children from the DEIS school (located in a socially disadvantaged area) exhibiting lower empathy levels and higher pet attachment and pet attitude scores than the nonDEIS school.
CD14 tobacco gene-environment interaction modifies asthma severity and immunoglobulin E levels in Latinos with asthma.

BACKGROUND A recent family-based genomewide screen revealed linkage between the 5q31 region and the diagnosis of asthma, but only in those exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Among the candidate genes in this region is CD14. METHODS To determine whether polymorphisms in the CD14 gene are related to this gene-by-environment interaction in Latinos, we used both family-based and cross-sectional cohort analysis to test for interactions between CD14 genotypes/haplotypes, exposure to ETS, and asthma-related phenotypes in 659 Mexican and Puerto Rican families. RESULTS We identified 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD14 gene by sequencing 72 Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and African Americans with asthma. Three SNPs, -810, -159, and +1437, were further genotyped in families with asthma. Among all subjects with asthma exposed to ETS, without regard to ethnicity, CD14 +1437 genotypes were associated with asthma severity. SNP +1437 GG or GC genotypes were significantly associated with lower baseline FEV1 using both family-based (p = 0.0009) and cross-sectional cohort (p = 0.03) analyses. Subjects with asthma with the GG or GC genotypes who were exposed to ETS had mean baseline FEV1 (% predicted) values 8.6% lower than subjects not exposed to ETS (p = 0.03). As previously observed in whites, we found an interaction between plasma IgE levels, SNP -159 genotypes, and ETS exposure (p = 0.0002). The lowest IgE levels were in those subjects with the TT genotype and who were exposed to ETS regardless of ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a gene-by-environment interaction between CD14 genotypes and ETS, which affects pulmonary function and IgE levels among Latinos with asthma.
Driving Forces of Proteasome-catalyzed Peptide Splicing in Yeast and Humans*

Proteasome-catalyzed peptide splicing (PCPS) represents an additional activity of mammalian 20S proteasomes recently identified in connection with antigen presentation. We show here that PCPS is not restricted to mammalians but that it is also a feature of yeast 20S proteasomes catalyzed by all three active site β subunits. No major differences in splicing efficiency exist between human 20S standard- and immuno-proteasome or yeast 20S proteasome. Using H218O to monitor the splicing reaction we also demonstrate that PCPS occurs via direct transpeptidation that slightly favors the generation of peptides spliced in cis over peptides spliced in trans. Splicing efficiency itself is shown to be controlled by proteasomal cleavage site preference as well as by the sequence characteristics of the spliced peptides. By use of kinetic data and quantitative analyses of PCPS obtained by mass spectrometry we developed a structural model with two PCPS binding sites in the neighborhood of the active Thr1.
Acute intermittent porphyria-related leukoencephalopathy

Objective: To identify the genetic etiology of a distinct leukoencephalopathy with autosomal recessive inheritance in a single family. Methods: We analyzed available MRIs and retrospectively reviewed clinical information and laboratory investigations. We performed whole-exome sequencing to find the causal gene variants. Results: We identified 3 family members with a similar MRI pattern characterized by symmetrical signal abnormalities in the periventricular and deep cerebral white matter, thalami, and central part of the pons. Cerebellar atrophy was noted in advanced disease stages. Clinical features were childhood-onset slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and in 2 patients, optic atrophy as well as vertical gaze and convergence palsies and nystagmus. Whole-exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous missense variants in the HMBS gene, both associated with the autosomal dominant disorder acute intermittent porphyria. Sanger sequencing of 6 healthy siblings confirmed the bi-allelic location of the variants and segregation with the disease. Patients had a slight and moderate increase in urinary and plasma porphobilinogen and 5′-aminolevulinic acid, respectively, and a 50% to 66% decrease in hydroxymethylbilane synthase enzyme activity compared to normal. Conclusions: Bi-allelic HMBS variants have been reported before as cause of severe encephalopathy with early childhood fatality in acute intermittent porphyria. Our cases demonstrate childhood onset, but milder and slower disease progression in middle-aged patients. With this, a novel phenotype can be added to the disease spectrum associated with bi-allelic HMBS variants: a leukoencephalopathy with early onset, slowly progressive neurologic symptomatology, and long life expectancy.
Antiviral Treatment of Influenza in Children

Influenza causes substantial morbidity in children in the United States each year. The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic disproportionately affected the pediatric population and resulted in a substantially increased number of hospitalizations and deaths among children. Early influenza antiviral treatment reduces the duration of illness, frequency of complications, antibiotic use, and health care utilization costs attributable to influenza. A comprehensive strategy to reduce influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths among children should include empiric antiviral treatment for suspected or confirmed influenza of any severity in children who are hospitalized; who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness; or who are at high risk for influenza complications. Here, we summarize data on the burden of influenza among children in the United States, the indications for influenza antiviral treatment among children, the available evidence for influenza antiviral treatment, and antiviral treatment considerations, including resistance and adverse events.
The Big Impact of Small Groups on College Drinking

College drinking is a problem with severe academic, health, and safety consequences. The underlying social processes that lead to increased drinking activity are not well understood. Social Norms Theory is an approach to analysis and intervention based on the notion that students' misperceptions about the drinking culture on campus lead to increases in alcohol use. In this paper we develop an agent-based simulation model, implemented in MATLAB, to examine college drinking. Students' drinking behaviors are governed by their identity (and how others perceive it) as well as peer influences, as they interact in small groups over the course of a drinking event. Our simulation results provide some insight into the potential effectiveness of interventions such as social norms marketing campaigns.