Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Cardiac Structure and Function Across the Glycemic Spectrum in Elderly Men and Women Free of Prevalent Heart Disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk In the Community Study”.

We thank Dr Monneret et al for their kind words commending our article describing cardiac structure and function across the glycemic spectrum in elderly men and women free of prevalent heart disease from the Atherosclerosis Risk in the Community (ARIC) study.1 Dr Monneret et al raise an important question about the potential impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the incidence of dysglycemia, as well as subclinical impairments of cardiac structure and function. OSA is reportedly prevalent in ≤17% of men and 9% of women; however, it frequently remains underdiagnosed.2 It is well known that OSA frequency and severity is highly associated with common cardiovascular risk factors, such as …
Perlecan-Stimulated Nodules Undergo Chondrogenic Maturation in Response to rhBMP-2 Treatment In Vitro

The heparan sulfate proteoglycan, perlecan, is localized to hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plates of long bones. Mice mutants for perlecan display severe cartilage and skeletal defects. Previously, we demonstrated that C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts cultured on perlecan stimulated extensive formation of dense nodules reminiscent of embryonic cartilaginous condensations. These nodules stain intensely with Alcian blue, and antibodies specific for collagen type II and aggrecan; however, nodules do not express collagen type X, a marker of chondrogenic maturation. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that addition of rhBMP-2 to perlecan-induced nodules would promote chondrogenic maturation in vitro. C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts were seeded in Lab-Tek® chambered "Permanox" slides uncoated or coated with perlecan (B&D, 5 w g/well), at a density of 2 2 10 5 cells/well. The cells were maintained in CMRL-1066 media supplemented with ascorbic acid, citrate, and pyruvate (50 ng/ml). C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts seeded on perlecan-coated wells began to condense and form cell aggregates within 15 min. On the third day postplating, the media was replaced and supplemented with or without rhBMP-2 (50 ng/ml, Genetics Institute®). On day 6 of culture, microscopy revealed that rhBMP-2-treated cultures had significantly proliferated; however, untreated cultures had not. By day 12 of culture, confocal microscopy revealed that perlecan-stimulated nodules treated with rhBMP-2 express a late stage marker of chondrogenesis (collagen type X). Morphologically, cells expressing collagen type X in rhBMP-2-treated nodules appear larger in diameter, relative to cells not expressing collagen type X. Cells cultured on plastic and treated with rhBMP-2 did not form nodules, but attached and spread, yielding a high-density monolayer. In response to rhBMP-2 treatment, these cells also express collagen type X. However, the appearance of collagen type X occurs at a later time point relative to the appearance of collagen type X in perlecan-stimulated nodules. Thus, perlecan-stimulated nodules do mature at a faster rate when treated with rhBMP-2 relative to monolayer cells.
Random coding technique for digital fingerprinting codes: fighting two pirates revisited

This paper considers the fingerprinting problem for the particular case when coalitions of pirates consist of no more than two users. It proves that random binary fingerprinting codes are secure against size-2 coalitions with probability of error tending to zero and code rate R=1-1/21og/sub 2/3=0.2075. This is an improvement by a factor of eight over the best known schemes that provide the error probability tending to zero.
Life Cycle Assessment of the Potential Carbon Credit from No- and Reduced-Tillage Winter Wheat in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Decisions about reducing agricultural land tillage to offset global warming potential (GWP) are based on the evaluation of the agricultural eco-system and the profitability to local farms. Carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions from winter wheat (WW) cropping were evaluated by modeling typical dryland cropping systems in eastern Washington. Variations in rainfall, tillage intensity and crop rotation were considered. System boundaries were expanded to consider fertilizer production and use of machinery in a standard life cycle assessment (LCA) study. GWP was evaluated both for WW crop alone and also for the entire crop rotation. Potential earnings from carbon credits obtained by converting to reduced and no-till scenarios were evaluated and compared with conventional tillage farm budgets. Assuming equivalent yields across tillage regimes, tillage reduction is economically feasible in high rainfall zones. In lower rainfall zones, reduced tillage systems are less profitable than the conventional tillage systems, assuming equivalent yields. In addition, less carbon sequestration occurs when tillage is reduced in this region, which reduces potential earnings from carbon credits.
Revisiting the role of positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography in determining the need for planned neck dissection following chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer

Planned neck dissection following chemoradiation (CR) has been advocated in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) with advanced nodal disease and a clinical complete response to CR because of the potential for residual occult nodal disease. The utility of positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography (PET‐CT) in identifying occult nodal disease in this scenario is controversial.
Longitudinal surveys of prevalence rates and use patterns of illicit drugs at selected high-prevalence areas in China from 1993 to 2000.

AIMS To identify the prevalence, patterns and trends of illicit drug use in the general population of selected high-prevalence areas in China between 1993 and 2000. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Cluster sampling was employed and the Epidemiological Inventory for Illicit Drug Use (EIIDU) used as survey instrument. In 1993, 1996 and 2000, 56 792, 67 319 and 53 747 individuals aged 15 or above in community were interviewed, respectively, at the three time-points. MEASUREMENTS Demographics and drug-related data were collected and the prevalence patterns of illicit drug are described. FINDINGS The life-time prevalences of illicit drug use in the three consecutive surveys in 1993, 1996 and 2000 were 1.08, 1.60 and 1.52%, respectively, and the 1-year prevalence rates were 0.91, 1.17 and 1.17%, respectively. Heroin was the first choice for drug use (51.8% in 1993, 83.4% in 1993 and 95.9% in 2000). The two most frequent routes of drug administration were inhalation (89.2% in 1993, 60.1% in 1996 and 93.5% in 2000) and intravenous injection (27.2% in 1993, 31.0% in 1996 and 25.7% in 2000). CONCLUSION At least for the time being, illicit drug use may have plateaued in these selected high-prevalence areas.
Popular narrative ballads of modern Egypt

Transcription of colloquial Arabic texts. Part 1 A survey: popular literature - a tentative survey facts - the beginnings and outlets of the narrative ballad facts - themes and forms facts - balladmongers inferences - composition and transmission linguistic and literary characteristics underlying social values lines of demarcation concluding generalizations. Appendix: a musicologist's description of three narrative ballads. Part 2 An anthology: an erotic tale - "In Izbikiyya" a fable - "The Snare and the Sparrow" Muslim scriptural stories - "The Story of God's Prophet Adam, on whom be Peace", "The Lady Mary" a Christian scriptural story - "O Radiant Night" an Islamic legend - "The Story of the Beduin" or "The Camel's Utterance" a Muslim saint - "Ghareeb" a Christian saint - "St George the Roman" a political event - "Danshaway I and II" a contemporary event - "The New Era" honour crimes - "Mitwalli", "The Girgawi Affair", "Hasan and Naeema". Glossary. Bibliography. Index.
Structural dependence of HET-s amyloid fibril infectivity assessed by cryoelectron microscopy

HET-s is a prion protein of the fungus Podospora anserina which, in the prion state, is active in a self/nonself recognition process called heterokaryon incompatibility. Its prionogenic properties reside in the C-terminal “prion domain. ” The HET-s prion domain polymerizes in vitro into amyloid fibrils whose properties depend on the pH of assembly; above pH 3, infectious singlet fibrils are produced, and below pH 3, noninfectious triplet fibrils. To investigate the correlation between structure and infectivity, we performed cryo-EM analyses. Singlet fibrils have a helical pitch of approximately 410 Å and a left-handed twist. Triplet fibrils have three protofibrils whose lateral dimensions (36 × 25 Å) and axial packing (one subunit per 9.4 Å) match those of singlets but differ in their supercoiling. At 8.5-Å resolution, the cross-section of the singlet fibril reconstruction is largely consistent with that of a β-solenoid model previously determined by solid-state NMR. Reconstructions of the triplet fibrils show three protofibrils coiling around a common axis and packed less tightly at pH 3 than at pH 2, eventually peeling off. Taken together with the earlier observation that fragmentation of triplet fibrils by sonication does not increase infectivity, these observations suggest a novel mechanism for self-propagation, whereby daughter fibrils nucleate on the lateral surface of singlet fibrils. In triplets, this surface is occluded, blocking nucleation and thereby explaining their lack of infectivity.
Changes in the epigenetic status of the SOX‐9 promoter in human osteoarthritic cartilage

Whether osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with alterations in the epigenetic status of anabolic factors is largely unknown. To answer the question, we investigated the DNA methylation and histone modification of SOX‐9 gene promoter, a typical anabolic gene, in the articular cartilage from nine patients with femoral neck fractures without OA and from nine hip OA patients. Methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing analysis (BSQ) showed that the methylation of SOX‐9 promoter was increased in OA cartilage compared to normal cartilage. The decreased SOX‐9 gene and protein expression in OA chondrocytes was reversed by the treatment of 5‐azacytidine (5‐AzaC), the demethylating agent. Methylation of SOX‐9 proximal promoters reduced the binding affinity of transcription factors CCAAT‐binding factor/nuclear factor‐Y and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element–binding. There was a significant increase in H3K9 and H3K27 trimethylation and a significant decrease in the acetylation of H3K9, 15, 18, 23, and 27 at SOX‐9 promoters in OA chondrocytes. These findings suggest that hip OA is associated with a change in the epigenetic status of SOX‐9 promoter, including increased DNA methylation and altered histone modification. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Plasma Levels of Lipoprotein(a) Are Elevated in Patients with the Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Summary The mechanisms underlying clinical abnormalities associated with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APAS) have not been elucidated. We measured plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], the active form of plasminogen activator inhibitor (active PAI), thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and soluble thrombomodulin (TM), to investigate the relationship of these factors to thrombotic events in APAS. Mean plasma levels of Lp(a), TAT, active PAI and TM were all significantly higher in patients with aPL than in a control group of subjects. Plasma levels of Lp(a) and active PAI were significantly higher in patients with aPL and arterial thromboses than in patients with aPL but only venous thromboses. There was a significant correlation between plasma levels of Lp(a) and active PAI in patients with aPL. These findings suggest that patients with aPL are in hypercoagulable state. High levels of Lp(a) in plasma may impair the fibrinolytic system resulting in thromboses, especially in the arterial system.
Virulence Plasmid Diversity in Clostridium perfringens Type D Isolates

ABSTRACT Clostridium perfringens type D isolates are important in biodefense and also cause natural enterotoxemias in sheep, goats, and occasionally cattle. In these isolates, the gene (etx) encoding ε-toxin is thought to reside on poorly characterized large plasmids. Type D isolates sometimes also produce other potentially plasmid-encoded toxins, including C. perfringens enterotoxin and beta2 toxin, encoded by the cpe and cbp2 genes, respectively. In the current study we demonstrated that the etx, cpe, and cpb2 genes are carried on plasmids in type D isolates and characterized the toxin-encoding plasmids to obtain insight into their genetic organization, potential transferability, and diversity. Southern blotting of pulsed-field gels showed that the etx gene of type D isolates can be present on at least five different plasmids, whose sizes range from 48 to 110 kb. The etx plasmids also typically carried IS1151 and tcp open reading frames (ORFs) known to mediate conjugative transfer of C. perfringens plasmid pCW3. PCR studies revealed that other than their tcp ORFs, etx plasmids of type D isolates do not carry substantial portions of the conserved or variable regions in the cpe plasmids of type A isolates. Southern blotting also demonstrated that in type D isolates the cpe and cpb2 genes are sometimes present on the etx plasmid. Collectively, these findings confirmed that the virulence of type D isolates is heavily plasmid dependent and indicated that (i) a single type D isolate can carry multiple virulence plasmids, (ii) a single type D virulence plasmid can carry up to three different toxin genes, and (iii) many etx plasmids should be capable of conjugative transfer.
Witchcraft in Four African Societies: An Essay in Comparison

N THIS paper’ it is proposed to present a small-scale model of a comparaI tive analysis, more precisely, of an analysis of “concomitant variations” (to borrow Ilurkheim’s term), such as any enquiry concerned with the explanation of social facts must employ. The facts in question are particular variants of the belief in witchcraft. Indirectly, the study will also refer to a much discussed hypothesis, the assumption that infantile experiences represent a paramount determinant of culture. The comparison concerns two pairs of societies-the Nupe and Gwari in Northern Nigeria, and the Kotongo and Mesakin tribes in the Nuba Mountains of the Central Sudan. Each pair shows wide cultural similarities combined with a few marked divergences, one of these being the diversity in witchcraft beliefs. This discussion will proceed on two assumptions: (1) that any one relevant cultural divergence entails further, concomitant, divergences in the respective cultures; and (2) that witchcraft beliefs are causally related to frustrations, anxieties or other mental stresses precisely as psychopathological symptoms are related to mental disturbances of this nature.
Selective fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation of glucose, fructose and mannose mixtures.

THE knowledge of the chemical reactions involved in alcoholic fermentation and related glycolytic processes has been augmented in recent years by numerous researches on the later stages leading to the final products, carbon dioxide and alcohol. Although the individual enzymes forming the complex catalytic system " zymase " have not been separated, nor their scope, specificity, mode of action, and other properties definitely established, future findings may be expected to conform with our general conception of the mechanism of fermentation. Comparatively little is known of the primary reactions leading from carbohydrate to structures of three carbon atoms. The observation of Harden and Young coupling the evolution of carbon dioxide with the phosphorylation of a quantitatively correlated amount of sugar is the bridge between the two stages of alcoholic fermentation. Analogies occur in the carbohydrate metabolism of animal cells. The most striking feature of glycolysis, its high stereochemical specificity, remains to be explained. A number of investigators, Dubrunfaut [1847], and especially Bourquelot [1886] and Slator [1908], demonstrated that the "zymohexoses," glucose, fructose and mannose are fermented at about equal rates when offered singly to yeast, but from a mixture like invert sugar, glucose is preferred to fructose. Gayon and Dubourg [1890] were the first to observe that some Sauterne wine yeasts behaved differently and preferred the laevorotatory moiety of invert sugar. The selectivity of dried yeast (zymin) and yeast juice (Buchner's zymase) usually parallels that of the fresh yeast from which they are prepared, but in some cases Fernbach, Schoen and Mori [1927] observed a reversion of selectivity. Fernbach and Schiller [1924] noted that culturing in alkaline media will influence the selective power of a "glucose"yeast in the direction of increased fructose fermentation. The laws of these phenomena and of similar ones observed in other sugar mixtures will offer a clue to the mechanism of fermentation. The speed of fermentation is independent of the sugar concentration within wide limits, and depends only on the concentration of the yeast. As the final
Pneumocyte Biomarkers KL-6 and Surfactant Protein D Reflect the Distinct Findings of High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia

Background: Serum levels of pneumocyte biomarkers KL-6 and surfactant protein D (SP-D) are useful diagnostic markers for interstitial lung diseases. However, associations of serum KL-6 and SP-D with radiologic findings in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) remain unclear. Objectives: To determine whether serum levels of KL-6 and SP-D reflect fibrotic and/or inflammatory processes in NSIP, we investigated the correlation between high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and serum KL-6 and SP-D levels. Methods: Serum levels of KL-6 and SP-D were measured in 21 patients with biopsy-confirmed NSIP. The radiographic extent of 6 HRCT patterns and total HRCT score, defined as the scored fibrotic index, were assessed. Changes in the levels of serum markers and CT findings during follow-up were also monitored. Results: Serum levels of KL-6 in NSIP positively correlated with the total HRCT score and overall extent of interstitial disease. Serum levels of SP-D in NSIP showed a positive correlation with the area of ground-glass attenuation without traction bronchiectasis and the inflammatory CT pattern, but the levels were inversely correlated with the area of ground-glass attenuation with traction bronchiectasis and the fibrotic CT pattern. The follow-up CT and serum marker changes after treatment showed that percent change of disease extent was reflected in both markers, especially KL-6. Further, the decreased fibrotic pattern correlated with both biomarkers. Conclusions: The results indicate that serum levels of KL-6 in NSIP reflect the overall extent of interstitial lesions, which include both inflammatory and fibrotic lesions, while the levels of SP-D mainly reflect the extent of inflammatory lesions.
Using foresight to improve the efficiency of process equipment design

The study is intended for engineers designing hybrid systems. The analytic hierarchy method was used as the main tool of foresight. Nowadays, some experience in the design of optoelectronic systems is accumulated. However, in most cases, designers have to sort through all possible factors and parameters of devices. The involvement of experts for questionnaire survey will reduce the time range of designing. The results of the study show a high consistency of experts' opinions with the Kendall coefficient value of 0.782. Research materials in the future will allow planning experiments only with the most important factors. This will adjust the protocols for testing new optoelectronic systems and significantly reduce costs.
Extremely High Prevalence of Maternal and Neonatal Vitamin D Deficiency in the Arab Population

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem. The published literature on vitamin D deficiency is limited among Arab pregnant women and its association with different metabolic markers. Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Arab pregnant women and neonates and its association with various biomarker profiles. Methods: This is a multicenter study taken from a large prospective project in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Maternal biochemical levels were measured routinely. Maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D levels were assessed using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. A total of 1,097 pregnant women >16 years old with gestational ages <24 weeks were recruited from different tertiary hospitals in Riyadh between February 2011 and June 2012. Results: Almost 85% of pregnant subjects had 25(OH)D level <50 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency among neonates was 88%. Maternal 25(OH)D was significantly associated with neonatal 25(OH)D (r = 0.54, p < 0.01), as well as serum calcium (r = 0.16, p = 0.02) and phosphate levels (r = 0.17, p = 0.02), and had an inverse correlation with parathyroid hormone (r = -0.22, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Maternal and neonatal vitamin D deficiency is alarmingly high in Arabs and significantly associated with each another. Universal screening for serum 25(OH)D may be appropriate for Arab mothers and vitamin D supplementation mandatory until term. The study puts a spotlight on vitamin D deficiency with the hope that health professionals will address it adequately to prevent the known long-term consequences for metabolism and bone health of both mothers and their children.
A Foetus presenting a Combination of Rare Anomalies.

THE investigation of the interdependence of the various processes of growth is attracting less attention than the search for evidence of the interdependence of the various physiological processes in the circulatory, excretory and endo-crine systems. It therefore seems advisable to analyse all monsters with a view to ascertaining the extent of "action at a distance" in the various processes of growth. This attitude is the justification for the following description of a male foetus miscarried in the twenty-seventh week of pregnancy by a primiparous woman of 25 years of age. The foetus presented as a breech in the unruptured bag of membranes. The placenta was retained for one hour and its separation was followed by a sharp post-partum haemorrhage. The general health of the mother was good before and during pregnancy, and there was no history of a previous miscarriage. The paternal and family histories yielded nothing of note.