Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A combination of new screening assays for prioritization of transmission-blocking antimalarials reveals distinct dynamics of marketed and experimental drugs.

OBJECTIVES The development of drugs to reduce malaria transmission is an important part of malaria eradication plans. We set out to develop and validate a combination of new screening assays for prioritization of transmission-blocking molecules. METHODS We developed high-throughput assays for screening compounds against gametocytes, the parasite stages responsible for onward transmission to mosquitoes. An existing gametocyte parasitic lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay was adapted for use in 384-well plates, and a novel homogeneous immunoassay to monitor the functional transition of female gametocytes into gametes was developed. A collection of 48 marketed and experimental antimalarials was screened and subsequently tested for impact on sporogony in Anopheles mosquitoes, to directly quantify the transmission-blocking properties of antimalarials in relation to their effects on gametocyte pLDH activity or gametogenesis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The novel screening assays revealed distinct stage-specific kinetics and dynamics of drug effects. Peroxides showed the most potent transmission-blocking effects, with an intermediate speed of action and IC50 values that were 20-40-fold higher than the IC50s against the asexual stages causing clinical malaria. Finally, the novel synthetic peroxide OZ439 appeared to be a promising drug candidate as it exerted gametocytocidal and transmission-blocking effects at clinically relevant concentrations.
Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults-a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Age-related sarcopenia and dynapenia have negative effects on strength and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Resistance training (RT) increases muscle mass and strength in older adults and is an established countermeasure for sarcopenia and dynapenia, and creatine may enhance this effect. We aimed to determine whether the addition of Cr to RT increased gains in muscle mass, strength, and function in older adults over RT alone by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS PubMed and Healthstar databases were searched. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials that involved older adults supplemented with Cr and included RT regimens (>6 wk) were included. Data were analyzed using fixed or random (if data were heterogeneous) effects meta-analysis using RevMan 5. RESULTS The meta-analysis comprised 357 older adults (average ± SD Cr: 63.6 ± 5.9 yr, Pl: 64.2 ± 5.4 yr) with 12.6 ± 4.9 wk of RT. Cr + RT increased total body mass (P = 0.004) and fat-free mass (P < 0.0001) with no effect on fat mass as compared with RT alone. Cr + RT increased chest press (P = 0.004) and leg press (P = 0.02) one-repetition maximum to a greater extent than RT alone, with no difference in the effect on knee extension or biceps curl one-repetition maximum, isokinetic or isometric knee extension peak torque. Cr + RT had a greater effect than RT alone on the 30-s chair stand test (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION Retention of muscle mass and strength is integral to healthy aging. The results from this meta-analysis are encouraging in supporting a role for Cr supplementation during RT in healthful aging by enhancing muscle mass gain, strength, and functional performance over RT alone; however, the limited number of studies indicates further work is needed.
Transcatheter thrombolytic therapy for acute mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of transcatheter thrombolytic therapy in 20 patients with acute or subacute (symptoms <40 days) portal and/or mesenteric vein thrombosis with severe symptoms, deteriorating clinical condition, and/or persistent symptoms despite anticoagulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study examined 12 male patients and eight female patients seen over a period of 11 years. The average age was 37.6 years. Four of the patients had previously undergone liver transplantation. An anatomic classification system was established to describe the extent of thrombus at the time of diagnosis. Patients were treated with thrombolytic therapy via the transhepatic route, common femoral vein route, and/or superior mesenteric artery route. Improvement in symptoms, avoidance of bowel resection, complications, and radiographic evidence of clot resolution were the main clinical outcomes. RESULTS Fifteen of the 20 patients exhibited some degree of lysis of the thrombus. Three patients had complete resolution, 12 had partial resolution, and five had no resolution. Eighty-five percent of patients (n = 17) had resolution of symptoms. Sixty percent of patients (n = 12) developed a major complication. No patients required bowel resection after thrombolytic therapy. One patient died with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and septic shock 2 weeks after thrombolytic therapy. Other major complications included bleeding and conditions requiring transfusion. No patients developed new portal or mesenteric thromboses. Two of the patients who received transplants eventually required repeat transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Transcatheter thrombolysis was beneficial in avoiding patient death, resolving thrombus, improving symptoms, and avoiding bowel resection. However, there was a high complication rate, indicating that this therapy should be reserved for patients with severe disease. Further evaluation of these techniques and outcomes should continue to be pursued.
Eyelid dermatitis: A report of 215 patients

Between April 2001 and October 2003, 215 persons presented with eyelid dermatitis for the first time. They ranged in age from 4 months to 95 years, with an average age of 49.6 years and a median age of 51 years. There were 173 females and 42 males. 165 of 215 had allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and another 9 had protein contact dermatitis without relevant positive patch tests. Atopic eczema comprised 37 of 215 (17%), but 33 of 37 also had contact allergies. Seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis or both were found in 35 (16%). Sources of ACD included personal care products in 54 (25%), including 12 with at least 1 positive patch test to cosmetic applicators and 12 sensitive to at least 1 botanical ingredient. Allergy to artificial nails and/or nail lacquer occurred in 18 of 215 (8%). 5 persons had rosacea or periorbital dermatitis, and 2 had dermatomyositis. Other causes included bacterial, fungal and viral infections, some of which were quite unusual. The evaluation of persons presenting with eyelid dermatitis remains a relatively complex but rewarding discipline.
CUBIC-FIT: A High Performance and TCP CUBIC Friendly Congestion Control Algorithm

With the recent popularity of Linux-based HTTP servers, TCP CUBIC, the default Linux congestion control algorithm, is close to the new de facto standard algorithm for the Internet congestion control. A need for new congestion control technologies for the TCP CUBIC-dominated Internet is therefore emerging. To cater to this trend, this paper proposes a novel TCP congestion control algorithm, CUBIC-FIT. Compared with TCP CUBIC and other state-of-the-art TCP algorithms, CUBIC-FIT can improve performance over a large range of network conditions and maintain graceful fairness with the widely deployed TCP CUBIC servers. Analytical and experimental studies over emulators and real networks validate the proposed algorithm and its performance.
Comparison of fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient among hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy stages 1, 2, and 3 and with nonasphyxiated newborns in 18 areas of brain

Abstract Purpose: To determine the area and extent of injury in hypoxic encephalopathy stages by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using parameters apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values and their comparison with controls without any evidence of asphyxia. To correlate the outcome of hypoxia severity clinically and significant changes on DTI parameter. Materials and Methods: DTI was done in 50 cases at median age of 12 and 20 controls at median age of 7 days. FA and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured in several regions of interest (ROI). Continuous variables were analyzed using Student's t-test. Categorical variables were compared by Fisher's exact test. Comparison among multiple groups was done using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Bonferroni test. Results: Abnormalities were more easily and accurately determined in ROI with the help of FA and ADC values. When compared with controls FA values were significantly decreased and ADC values were significantly increased in cases, in ROI including both right and left side of thalamus, basal ganglia, posterior limb of internal capsule, cerebral peduncle, corticospinal tracts, frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital with P value < 0.05. The extent of injury was maximum in stage-III. There was no significant difference among males and females. Conclusion: Compared to conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the evaluation of FA and ADC values using DTI can determine the extent and severity of injury in hypoxic encephalopathy. It can be used for early determination of brain injury in these patients.
Financial literacy gaps of the Austrian population

Most people lack financial knowledge and have trouble dealing competently with their financial affairs, as evidenced by recent empirical research on financial literacy in various countries. We investigate financial literacy among Austrians based on a novel dataset covering about 2,000 persons. Our findings corroborate the existence of substantial knowledge gaps, which are most conspicuous among respondents with low educational attainment and low incomes, among younger and older people as well as women. We provide tentative evidence for a positive link between financial knowledge scores and financial behavior, such as setting aside rainy day funds or using several sources of information when choosing financial products.
IL6 -174 genotype associated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in Indians.

AIM Genetic factors have recently been associated with presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans subgingivally in populations living in industrialized countries. The aim of this study was to analyse associations between Interleukin-6 (IL6) single nucleotide polymorphisms and presence and levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans and other subgingival microbes in a rural Indian population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 251 individuals from a rural village in India with a periodontal phenotype ranging from healthy to severe periodontitis were included. Checkerboard DNA-DNA analysis was performed to detect 40 periodontal taxa in subgingival plaque samples. Genomic DNA was extracted to genotype five polymorphisms in the IL6 promoter region. RESULTS The IL6-74 GG genotype was associated with high (above median) counts of A. actinomycetemcomitans (both in all subjects and in periodontally healthy only) and with presence and counts of Capnocytophaga sputigena. Differences in detection of several other bacteria were noted between periodontitis and healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the influence of genetic factors on the subgingival microbiota.
Leishmania major induces distinct neutrophil phenotypes in mice that are resistant or susceptible to infection

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are key components of the inflammatory response contributing to the development of pathogen‐specific immune responses. Following infection with Leishmania major, neutrophils are recruited within hours to the site of parasite inoculation. C57BL/6 mice are resistant to infection, and BALB/c mice are susceptible to infection, developing unhealing, inflammatory lesions. In this report, we investigated the expression of cell surface integrins, TLRs, and the secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines by PMN of both strains of mice, in response to infection with L. major. The parasite was shown to induce CD49d expression in BALB/c‐inflammatory PMN, and expression of CD49d remained at basal levels in C57BL/6 PMN. Equally high levels of CD11b were expressed on PMN from both strains. In response to L. major infection, the levels of TLR2, TLR7, and TLR9 mRNA were significantly higher in C57BL/6 than in BALB/c PMN. C57BL/6 PMN secreted biologically active IL‐12p70 and IL‐10. In contrast, L. major‐infected BALB/c PMN transcribed and secreted high levels of IL‐12p40 but did not secrete biologically active IL‐12p70. Furthermore, IL‐12p40 was shown not to associate with IL‐23 p19 but formed IL‐12p40 homodimers with inhibitory activity. No IL‐10 was secreted by BALB/c PMN. Thus, following infection with L. major, in C57BL/6 mice, PMN could constitute one of the earliest sources of IL‐12, and in BALB/c mice, secretion of IL‐12p40 could contribute to impaired, early IL‐12 signaling. These distinct PMN phenotypes may thus influence the development of L. major‐specific immune response.
Mum’s the word: Public testimonials and gendered experiences of negotiating caring responsibilities with work in the film and television industries

This article explores parents’ published accounts of their (gendered) experiences of reconciling caring responsibilities with work in the film and television industries, paying particular attention to mothers. It is based on detailed analysis of the testimonials of parents who work in the sector, produced for and published on the website of UK activist organisation, Raising Films. As Wing-Fai et al. argue, the new labouring subjectivities produced and demanded by media industries’ working cultures are antithetical to those with caring responsibilities, in turn creating a climate in which the challenges of care are silenced. Recent reports and initiatives have sought to challenge this silencing, employing quantitative methodologies to identify the number of parents working in film and television who are affected by duties of care. What has been less attended to is the way in which these negotiations make cultural workers feel, and more specifically, the gendered dimensions of these inequalities. This article addresses this gap by offering a detailed analysis of the testimonials of mothers published on the website. I argue that women’s testimonials contribute to challenging the silencing around issues of care in the sector. While at times women reinforce new labouring subjectivities that privilege self-regulation, they simultaneously critique the punishing nature of neoliberal working cultures, commonly reflecting on the industries’ demand to suppress the challenges of care. These critiques are rarely framed as resistance to explicit gender inequalities. However, I argue that the testimonials’ presentation – published collectively and alongside one another on the site – allows for recurring experiential patterns to emerge that make it difficult to see these accounts as an individual woman’s problem and, importantly, highlight the specific gendered dimensions of the emotional violence of neoliberal labouring practices.
Self-assembling Peptide Scaffolds Promote Enamel Remineralization

Rationally designed β-sheet-forming peptides that spontaneously form three-dimensional fibrillar scaffolds in response to specific environmental triggers may potentially be used in skeletal tissue engineering, including the treatment/prevention of dental caries, via bioactive surface groups. We hypothesized that infiltration of caries lesions with monomeric low-viscosity peptide solutions would be followed by in situ polymerization triggered by conditions of pH and ionic strength, providing a biomimetic scaffold capable of hydroxyapatite nucleation, promoting repair. Our aim was to determine the effect of an anionic peptide applied to caries-like lesions in human dental enamel under simulated intra-oral conditions of pH cycling. Peptide treatment significantly increased net mineral gain by the lesions, due to both increased remineralization and inhibition of demineralization over a five-day period. The assembled peptide was also capable of inducing hydroxyapatite nucleation de novo. The results suggest that self-assembling peptides may be useful in the modulation of mineral behavior during in situ dental tissue engineering.
The role of weighting in corporate governance ratings

This methodological paper highlights the differences and the resulting implications from the application of the three most commonly applied weighting index methods to measuring corporate governance quality at an aggregate level: the Dichotomous; the partial compliance (PC) unweighted; and the Experts’ methods. In particular, first, we demonstrate how each method is applied and provide the details needed for readers to replicate each method. Second, we employ these methods on a sample of companies and compare the corresponding scores by testing their differences statistically. Third, as an indicative example of the potential implications arising from the use of these measures, we test whether the relation between market value and corporate governance levels differs, depending on the method applied. We find that the three methods produce significantly different overall and relative (i.e., ranking order) scores and, consequently, the relation between market value and corporate governance levels differs, depending on the method applied. Thus, we contribute to the corporate governance literature by showing that weighting in corporate governance indices matters and we recommend simultaneous application of at least two methods (i.e., the PC unweighted and the Experts’ methods) for deriving robust findings.
Finite-element analysis of vibrational modes in piezoelectric ceramic disks

The natural vibrational modes of axially symmetric piezoelectric ceramic disks have been calculated by the finite-element method. The disks are of the type used as active elements in compressional wave ultrasonic transducers, and are electrically polarized in thickness with full electrodes on the disk's major faces. To optimize disk geometry for ultrasonic transducer application, the dependence of the vibrational modes on the disk diameter-to-thickness ratio for ratios from 0.2 (a tall cylinder) to 10.0 (a thin disk) has been studied. Series and parallel resonance frequencies for each of the modes are determined through an eigenfrequency analysis, and effective electromechanical coupling coefficients are calculated. The modal displacement fields in the disk are calculated to determine the physical nature of each mode. An analysis of the complete spectrum of piezoelectrically active modes as a function of diameter-thickness ratio is presented for the ceramic PZT-5H, including and identification of radial, edge, length expander, thickness shear, and thickness extensional vibrations. From this analysis, optimal diameter-to-thickness ratios for good transducer performance are discussed. <<ETX>>
The Economic Impact of IMF-Supported Programs in Low-Income Countries

This paper aims to assess the economic impact of the IMF’s support through its facilities for low-income countries. It relies on two complementary econometric analyses: the first investigates the longer-term impact of IMF engagement—primarily through successive medium-term programs under the Extended Credit Facility and its predecessors (and more recently the Policy Support Instrument)—on economic growth and a range of other indicators and socioeconomic outcomes; the second focuses on the role of IMF shock-related financing—through augmentations of Extended Credit Facility arrangements and short-term and emergency financing instruments—on short-term macroeconomic performance.
Space charge formation and conductivity characteristics of PE and oil impregnated paper under a temperature gradient

Polyethylene (PE) and oil impregnated paper are widely used as insulation materials in high voltage power equipment however, at high voltages the space charge inside the insulating material can distort the electric field distribution and thus greatly influence aging and degradation. Moreover, there is usually a temperature gradient across the insulation when the equipment is in service, and this can also influence the space charge accumulation. In order to study the effect of temperature gradient systematically a PEA system suitable for measurement under a temperature gradient has been developed and appropriate corrections for the measurement error introduced by the temperature gradient implemented. Separate determinations of the space charge distributions of PE and oil-impregnated paper at different temperatures and voltages have been made. The results for both materials showed some similar characteristics. Obvious heterocharge accumulates at the low temperature side and the higher the temperature difference between the two electrodes or the higher the applied voltage, the more the heterocharge accumulates. As a result the electric field is greatly distorted and the maximum field always appears at the low temperature side. The effects of temperature gradient on the space charge distribution are discussed in detail, and the differences between the two materials are identified. The conductivity of both materials has also been investigated, and the space charge induced by the conductivity gradient produced by a temperature gradient in both materials has also been evaluated. The results show that in oil-impregnated paper the space charge induced by a conductivity gradient plays a great part in space charge formation, while in LDPE the conductivity gradient contributes much less to the space charge. These differences are discussed.
Capture–Recapture Studies Using Radio Telemetry with Premature Radio‐Tag Failure

Summary Radio tags, because of their high detectability, are often used in capture–recapture studies. A key assumption is that radio tags do not cease functioning during the study. Radio‐tag failure before the end of a study can lead to underestimates of survival rates. We develop a model to incorporate secondary radio‐tag failure data. This model was applied to chinook smolts (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) on the Columbia River, Washington. Estimates of fish survival from this model were much larger than those from the standard Cormack–Jolly–Seber analysis.
Caffeine supplementation affects the immunometabolic response to concurrent training

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of caffeine (CAF) and carbohydrate (CHO) intake on strength performance and its metabolic and inflammatory responses during concurrent training. Seven active males ingested a double-placebo (P), CAF (capsule 5 mg/kg) or CHO (20% maltodextrin solution) supplementation before strength exercise. Participants performed three randomized sessions of 5,000-m high-intensity intermittent aerobic exercise at maximal intensity followed by strength exercise, performing after the P, CHO, and CAF intake. The blood samples were collected before (pre) and immediately after concurrent strength exercise (post). We found a similar number of repetitions and total volume in all supplementation groups. There was a main effect of time on glucose, lactate, and interleukin (IL)-6 (P<0.05). When compared the changes between groups (postvalues minus prevalues), there was lower glucose in CAF group when compared to CHO group (CAF= 5.0±10.4 vs. CHO=27.8±20 vs. P=15.1±14, P=0.031) and higher IL-6 levels (CAF=11.9±9.2 vs. CHO=−2.4±1.7 vs. P=4.3± 11.7, P=0.017). There was significant interaction for glucose and lactate (P<0.001). In conclusion, CAF and CHO intake did not improve strength performance during concurrent strength training in active males. However, CAF affected immunometabolic responses.