Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A placebo controlled clinical trial of transfer factor in lepromatous leprosy.

The effects of repeated injections of transfer factor over a period of 20 weeks were investigated in fourteen bacteriologically positive patients at the lepromatous side of the leprosy spectrum. All patients showed negative (0 mm induration) skin tests to M. leprae antigens (i.e. leprolin and lepromin). Of these patients, seven were treated with transfer factor with a total of 9 units (1 unit being equivalent to 5 x 10(8) lymphocytes) and seven with a placebo. Maintenance treatment with clofazimine was continued. Transfer factor was prepared from the lymphocytes of donors who showed positive skin tests to M. leprae antigens (i.e. leprolin greater than or equal to 12 mm induration, average 15.5 mm or lepromin greater than or equal to 8 mm induration, average 13.6 mm), as well as a positive lymphocyte transformation in vitro to M. leprae (the average transformation being higher than the average transformation of lymphocytes of tuberculoid leprosy patients). No differences were found between the two groups as regards the clinical course of the disease, the histopathological and bacteriological evaluation of skin biopsies, changes in skin test reactivity to various antigens (i.e. lepromin, leprolin, PPD, Mumps, C. albicans, Tr. rubrum and Varidase), as well as the lymphocyte transformation in vitro to various mitogens (i.e. PHA, PWM, Con A) and antigens (i.e. M. leprae, leprolin, PPD, BCG, Mumps, C. albicans, Trichophyton and Varidase). No evidence was found to suggest that transfer factor is a valuable adjuvant in the treatment of lepromatous leprosy patients or that it increases cell-mediated immune reactivity towards M. leprae.
Parenting and Digital Media

Understanding the family dynamic surrounding media use is crucial to our understanding of media effects, policy development, and the targeting of individuals and families for interventions to benefit child health and development. The Families, Parenting, and Media Workgroup reviewed the relevant research from the past few decades. We find that child characteristics, the parent-child relationship, parental mediation practices, and parents’ own use of media all can influence children’s media use, their attitudes regarding media, and the effects of media on children. However, gaps remain. First, more research is needed on best practices of parental mediation for both traditional and new media. Ideally, this research will involve large-scale, longitudinal studies that manage children from infancy to adulthood. Second, we need to better understand the relationship between parent media use and child media use and specifically how media may interfere with or strengthen parent-child relationships. Finally, longitudinal research on how developmental processes and individual child characteristics influence the intersection between media and family life is needed. The majority of children’s media use takes place within a wider family dynamic. An understanding of this dynamic is crucial to understanding child media use as a whole.
Live cell imaging of SOS and prophage dynamics in isogenic bacterial populations

Almost all bacterial genomes contain DNA of viral origin, including functional prophages or degenerated phage elements. A frequent but often unnoted phenomenon is the spontaneous induction of prophage elements (SPI) even in the absence of an external stimulus. In this study, we have analyzed SPI of the large, degenerated prophage CGP3 (187 kbp), which is integrated into the genome of the Gram‐positive Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032. Time‐lapse fluorescence microscopy of fluorescent reporter strains grown in microfluidic chips revealed the sporadic induction of the SOS response as a prominent trigger of CGP3 SPI but also displayed a considerable fraction (∼30%) of RecA‐independent SPI. Whereas approx. 20% of SOS‐induced cells recovered from this stress and resumed growth, the spontaneous induction of CGP3 always led to a stop of growth and likely cell death. A carbon source starvation experiment clearly emphasized that SPI only occurs in actively proliferating cells, whereas sporadic SOS induction was still observed in resting cells. These data highlight the impact of sporadic DNA damage on the activity of prophage elements and provide a time‐resolved, quantitative description of SPI as general phenomenon of bacterial populations.
A cluster of meningococcal disease on a school bus following epidemic influenza.

An outbreak of meningococcal disease among children on a school bus offered the opportunity to study a proposed association between this infection and preceding influenza infection. Five students who rode the bus became ill with invasive group C meningococcus. Transmission was limited to the bus; there was no evidence for school transmission. All five students reported influenza-like symptoms within several weeks before the development of meningococcal disease. School absenteeism, principally due to upper respiratory tract illness, was higher during the 3 weeks before the outbreak of meningococcal disease than during any period in the preceding 3 1/2 years, suggesting an unusually severe outbreak of respiratory illness. A case-control study comparing students with and without influenza symptoms revealed that the outbreak of respiratory disease was due to B/Ann Arbor/1/86 influenza (geometric mean titers, 86 for 80 patients and 33 for 47 controls [P = .0007]). These data add to the evidence suggesting that influenza respiratory infection predisposes to meningococcal disease.
Demonstration of electron-Bernstein-wave heating in a tokamak via O-X-B double-mode conversion

The first demonstration of electron-Bernstein-wave heating by double-mode conversion from the O to the X mode in an overdense H-mode tokamak plasma has been achieved in the Tokamak a Configuration Variable device. This technique overcomes the upper density limit experienced by conventional microwave heating. The sensitive dependence of the O-X mode conversion on the microwave launching direction has been verified experimentally, and localized power deposition consistent with theoretical predictions has been observed at densities well above the conventional cutoff.
STRATEGI KESANTUNAN POSITIF & TINDAK TUTUR KOMISIF BERJANJI DALAM DEBAT PERDANA PILKADA DKI JAKARTA 2017

Penelitian dengan tinjauan pragmatik ini bertujuan (1) untuk mendefinisikan jenis-jenis strategi kesantunan positif dalam sub tindak tutur komisif berjanji yang masing-masing dituturkan oleh pasangan calon gubernur dan wakil gubernur DKI Jakarta 2017 selama enam sesi dan (2) untuk mendeskripsikan keefektifan penggunaan strategi kesantunan positf dalam sub tindak tutur komisif berjanji selama debat perdana DKI Jakarta 2017 berlangsung. Metode penelitian yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah metode kontekstual dan metode padan pragmatis. Sementara itu, teknik penyediaan data pada penelitian ini menggunakan teknik simak bebas libat cakap. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ditemukan bahwa strategi kesantunan positif penawaran dan janji serta strategi kesantunan positif bersikap optimistik mendominasi penggunaan sub tindak tutur komisif berjanji. Hal ini disebabkan karena masing-masing pasangan calon gubenrur dan wakil gubernur DKI Jakarta saling berlomba-lomba memaparkan visi misi, program kerja unggulan, beserta sumpah-sumpah terkait kebijakan gubernur dan wakil gubernur DKI Jakarta. Dengan demikian, masing-masing calon gubernur dan wakil gubernur DKI Jakarta 2017 harus bisa meyakinkan warga DKI Jakarta untuk menetapkan pilihan pada salah satu pasangan calon gubernur dan wakil gubernur DKI Jakarta 2017 dari ketiga pasangan calon yang ada. Selain strategi kesantunan positif penawaran dan janji, juga strategi kesantunan positif bersikap optimistik, strategi kesantunan positif lainnya turut mewarnai penggunaan sub tindak tutur komisif berjanji seperti strategi kesantunan positif menyiratkan atau menyatakan hal timbal balik serta strategi kesantunan positif melibatkan penutur dan mitra tutur dalam kegiatan yang akan dibahas lebih lanjut dalam artikel ini.
Treating Menorrhagia in Primary Care: An Overview of Drug Trials and a Survey of Prescribing Practice

Abstract Menorrhagia can be treated by drug therapy or surgery. General practitioners (GPs) can prescribe drugs to reduce menstrual blood loss as first-line treatment, referring patients for surgical treatment if drug therapy fails. This study examined the efficacy of drugs used to treat menorrhagia and surveyed British GPs to discover the extent to which they prescribed the most effective drugs for this condition. The results suggest that treatment of this condition in primary care falls short of desirable standards. A meta-analysis of randomized trials of drug therapy revealed wide differences in efficacy and side effects. The most effective drug (tranexamic acid) is little used by British GPs, whereas the least effective drug (norethisterone) is the most frequently prescribed.
Association of Selective HLA Class II Susceptibility-Conferring and Protective Haplotypes with Type 2 Diabetes in Patients from Bahrain and Lebanon

ABSTRACT The association of HLA class II with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was investigated in Bahraini and Lebanese subjects. DRB1*070101 (Lebanese and Bahraini) and DQB1*0201 (Lebanese) were susceptibility-conferring alleles, and unique susceptibility-conferring/protective haplotypes were found in both patient groups. Regression analysis confirmed that DRB1*070101-DQB1*0201 (Bahraini) and DRB1*110101-DQB1*0201 (Lebanese) were susceptibility-conferring haplotypes.
Fertilisability and developmental ability of mouse oocytes with reduced amounts of cytoplasm

To determine the minimal amount of cytoplasm necessary to support normal development of mouse oocytes, mature unfertilised oocytes were reduced in size into approximately 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 by removing the cytoplasm, then inseminated. More than 80% of 1/2-size oocyte were fertilised normally and almost all fertilised eggs developed to blastocysts. When transferred to foster females, 31% of the blastocysts developed into normal offspring. In contrast, 1/4- and 1/8-size oocytes, although they were penetrable by spermatozoa and extruded the second polar bodies, could not reach the 2-cell stage. In these oocytes, sperm nuclei did not develop into full-sized pronuclei. These results suggest that an oocyte can develop to full term after losing about half its cytoplasm, but not more.
Skeletal histology of Bothriolepis canadensis (Placodermi, Antiarchi) and evolution of the skeleton at the origin of jawed vertebrates

We used light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to compile a complete histological description of the dermal skeleton of the antiarch placoderm, Bothriolepis canadensis. Placodermi is most often cited as the sister group of crown group Gnathostomata, but some recent authors propose that placoderms instead represent a paraphyly of forms leading to the crown. In either phylogenetic scenario, comparative analysis of placoderm and gnathostome histological data allows us to address the primitive condition of both the gnathostome skeleton and the jawed vertebrate skeleton. The results of this work support the interpretation that the external skeleton of Bothriolepis canadensis is comprised exclusively of cellular dermal bone tissue. The unique stratification of the antiarch thoracic skeleton that has led to controversial interpretations in the past is explained by the nature of the articulations between adjacent elements. Skeletal features long thought to be gnathostome innovations are instead discovered to arise along the gnathostome stem. These innovations include secondary osteons, the systematic reconstruction of the skeleton in response to growth, and unfused, overlapping joints that enable marginal growth while maximizing the area of the articulation surface. The extensive evidence for spheritic mineralization agrees with a model of the skeleton as one capable of a high growth rate and active remodeling. Dermal skeletal development in both placoderms and osteichthyans is primarily skeletogenetic with only a minor odontogenetic contribution in some taxa. This demonstrates the problem inherent with assuming a broad application for those hypotheses of dermal skeletal evolution that are based on a chondrichthyan model. Our results highlight the importance of anatomical and ontogenetic context in the interpretation of fossil tissues. J. Morphol. , 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Group Modeling: A Unified Velocity‐Based Approach

Crowd simulators are commonly used to populate movie or game scenes in the entertainment industry. Even though it is crucial to consider the presence of groups for the believability of a virtual crowd, most crowd simulations only take into account individual characters or a limited set of group behaviors. We introduce a unified solution that allows for simulations of crowds that have diverse group properties such as social groups, marches, tourists and guides, etc. We extend the Velocity Obstacle approach for agent‐based crowd simulations by introducing Velocity Connection; the set of velocities that keep agents moving together while avoiding collisions and achieving goals. We demonstrate our approach to be robust, controllable, and able to cover a large set of group behaviors.
Evaluating Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Delayed Cerebral Infarction after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with SAH are at increased risk of delayed infarction. Early detection and treatment of delayed infarction remain challenging. We assessed blood-brain barrier permeability, measured as permeability surface area product, by using CTP in patients with SAH with delayed infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with SAH with delayed infarction on follow-up NCCT. CTP was performed before the development of delayed infarction. CTP data were postprocessed into permeability surface area product, CBF, and MTT maps. Coregistration was performed to align the infarcted region on the follow-up NCCT with the corresponding location on the CTP maps obtained before infarction. Permeability surface area product, CBF, and MTT values were then obtained in the location of the subsequent infarction. The contralateral noninfarcted region was compared with the affected side in each patient. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed to determine statistical significance. Clinical data were collected at the time of CTP and at the time of follow-up NCCT. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with SAH were included in the study. There was a statistically significant increase in permeability surface area product in the regions of subsequent infarction compared with the contralateral control regions (P < .0001). However, CBF and MTT values were not significantly different in these 2 regions. Subsequent follow-up NCCT demonstrated new delayed infarction in all 21 patients, at which time 38% of patients had new focal neurologic deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals a statistically significant increase in permeability surface area product preceding delayed infarction in patients with SAH. Further investigation of early permeability changes in SAH may provide new insights into the prediction of delayed infarction.
WHY DO SOME MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS RELOCATE THEIR HEADQUARTERS OVERSEAS

This paper examines the decision by a multinational corporation (MNC) to relocate its business unit and/or corporate HQ overseas. We argue that business unit HQs move overseas in response to changes in the internal configuration of their unit’s activities and the demands of the product markets in which they operate, whereas corporate HQs move overseas is response to the demands of external stakeholders, in particular global financial markets and shareholders. Using data on 125 business unit HQs and 35 corporate HQs, we test and find support for these arguments. The research highlights important differences between corporate- and business-level strategy, and it suggests ways in which the theory of the MNC needs to be reconsidered.
On achieving minimal size test sets for scan designs

Abstract In this paper we provide experimental evidence that digital VLSI circuit designs using an earlier proposed DFT method called segmented scan may be testable using fewer tests than needed for unsegmented scan versions of the same designs. Results on ISCAS 89 benchmark circuits show that the test set sizes for detecting stuck-at faults in segmented scan designs may be lower than the lower bounds on test set sizes for unsegmented scan versions. Thus, segmented scan design may be a way to achieve minimal test set sizes for digital VLSI circuits.
Sediment concentration in interrill flow: interactions between soil surface conditions, vegetation and rainfall

A database composed of 673 natural rainfall events with sediment concentration measurements at the field or plot scale was analysed. Measurements were conducted on similar soil type (loess soils prone to sealing phenomenon) to apprehend the variability and complexity involved in interrill erosion processes attributable to soil surface conditions. The effects of the dominant controlling factors are not described by means of equations; rather, we established a classification of potential sediment concentration domain according to combination of the dominant parameters. Thereby, significant differences and evolution trends of mean sediment concentration between the different parameter categories are identified. Further, when parameter influences interact, it allows us to discern the relative effects of factors according to their respective degree of expression. It was shown that crop cover had a major influence on mean sediment concentration, particularly when soil surface roughness is low and when maximum 6‐min intensity of rainfall events exceeds 10 mm h−1: mean sediment concentration decreases from 8·93 g l−1 for 0–20 per cent of coverage to 0·97 g l−1 for 21–60 per cent of coverage. The established classification also indicates that the increase of the maximum 6‐min intensity of the rainfall factor leads to a linear increase of mean sediment concentration for crop cover over 21 per cent (e.g. from 2·96 g l−1 to 14·44 g l−1 for the 1–5 cm roughness class) and to an exponential increase for low crop cover (e.g. from 3·92 g l−1 to 58·76 g l−1 for the 1–5 cm roughness class). The implication of this work may bring perspective for erosion prediction modelling and give references for the development of interrill erosion equation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic estimates of contemporary effective population size: what can they tell us about the importance of genetic stochasticity for wild population persistence?

Genetic stochasticity due to small population size contributes to population extinction, especially when population fragmentation disrupts gene flow. Estimates of effective population size (Ne) can therefore be informative about population persistence, but there is a need for an assessment of their consistency and informative relevance. Here we review the body of empirical estimates of Ne for wild populations obtained with the temporal genetic method and published since Frankham's (1995 ) review. Theoretical considerations have identified important sources of bias for this analytical approach, and we use empirical data to investigate the extent of these biases. We find that particularly model selection and sampling require more attention in future studies.
A MULTISPECIES LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF RAPID SPOROPHYTE RECRUITMENT FROM DELAYED KELP GAMETOPHYTES 1

Recent work suggests that the ability to delay reproduction as resistant haploid gametophytes may be important for seaweeds that experience unpredictable disturbances or seasonal periods of poor conditions that result in adult sporophyte absence. Further, delayed gametophytes of some kelp species (order Laminariales) may produce sporophytes more rapidly than if they had never experienced a delay, conferring a competitive advantage when conditions improve or after disturbance events. Here, it was determined that the gametophytes of the canopy‐forming kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh could delay reproduction in a one‐ to two‐cell state (<50 μm) for at least 7 months when grown under nutrient‐limiting conditions. These stages retained reproductive viability and produced sporophytes within 5 d once nutrients were increased. This finding suggests that gametophytes could potentially promote recovery of M. pyrifera populations after extended periods of sporophyte absence. In addition, the time required for sporophyte production between gametophytes of the four most conspicuous kelp species in Southern California that had delayed reproduction and gametophytes that had not was compared. For these four kelp species, a delay of at least 30 d conferred a 40%–76% reduction in the time required for sporophyte production once nutrients were received. Fecundity did not decrease with delay duration, suggesting there is no apparent cost of delayed development for kelps as has been observed in other organisms. Thus, delayed development may be a viable strategy for surviving and initially dominating in environments with variable quality.
IL17A-Mediated Endothelial Breach Promotes Metastasis Formation

IL17A and TH17 cells have been implicated in both tumor promotion and tumor protection. In this preclinical mouse study the IL17 produced by tumor-invading γδ T cells was found to promote transendothelial tumor invasion and lung metastasis. The role of the IL23/IL17A axis in tumor–immune interactions is a matter of controversy. Although some suggest that IL17A-producing T cells (TH17) can suppress tumor growth, others report that IL17A and IL23 accelerate tumor growth. Here, we systematically assessed the impact of IL17A-secreting lymphocytes in several murine models of tumor lung metastasis. Genetic fate mapping revealed that IL17A was secreted within lung metastases predominantly by γδ T cells, whereas TH17 cells were virtually absent. Using different tumor models, we found Il17a−/− mice to consistently develop fewer pulmonary tumor colonies. IL17A specifically increased blood vessel permeability and the expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 by lung endothelial cells in vivo. In transgenic mice, specific targeting of IL17A to the endothelium increased the number of tumor foci. Moreover, the direct impact of IL17A on lung endothelial cells resulted in impaired endothelial barrier integrity, showing that IL17A promotes the formation of lung metastases through tumor-endothelial transmigration. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(1); 26–32. ©2015 AACR.
PRODUKSI KARKAS DAN LEMAK ABDOMINAL AYAM BROILER STRAIN COBB DAN STRAIN LOHMANN YANG DIBERI PAKAN BERBEDA

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana produksi karkas, dan lemak abdominal ayam broiler strain Cobb dan Strain Lohmann yang diberi pakan berbeda. Materi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 90 ekor ayam broiler yang dipelihara selama lima minggu. Ayam penelitian dibagi dalam 18 petak kandang yang masing-masing petak diisi dengan 5 ekor ayam percobaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap pola faktorial 2x3 dengan dan 3 ulangan. Faktor A adalah strain ayam broiler (Cobb dan Lohman) dan faktor B pakan ayam broiler (pakan formulasi sendiri, pakan komersil BP 11-Bravo, dan pakan komersil BR-1). Parameter yang diamati adalah presentase karkas dan lemak abdominal. Data yang diperoleh disusun dan dianalisis berdasarkan analisis ragam. Jika perlakuan berbeda nyata dilakukan uji lanjut menggunakan Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa tidak terjadi interaksi antara strain dan pakan (P>0,05) terhadap produksi karkas dan lemak abdominal ayam broiler. Strain berbeda tidak berpengaruh (P>0,05) terhadap produksi karkas dan lemak abdominal ayam broiler, namun pemberian pakan berbeda berpengaruh (P<0,01) terhadap produksi karkas dan lemak abdominal ayam broiler. Kata kunci: Ayam Broiler, Strain, pakan, karkas, lemak abdominal