Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enterovirus infections in young infants: Are children still protected by maternal antibodies?

Enterovirus infections are frequent in childhood and may be involved in development of several chronic diseases including type 1 diabetes. Maternal antibodies have a protective effect in young infants. It has been proposed that this protection is now vanishing due to decreasing circulation of enteroviruses in Western countries. We aimed to analyse the occurrence of enterovirus infections in 55 infants and to assess the protection provided by maternal antibodies to these children and the development of enterovirus antibodies in a prospective cohort study. In addition, the presence of enteroviruses was detected in faeces using RT-PCR and their serotype identified using VP1 region sequencing. Our results showed that before polio vaccination 12 of 194 faecal samples were positive for enterovirus RNA (coxsackieviruses A4, A5, A16 or echoviruses 13 and 16). After vaccination Sabin 1, 2 and 3 poliovirus strains predominated in stool samples. From birth to 6 months of age polio IgG and IgA increased in most of children whereas the levels of other enterovirus antibodies started to increase from 6 months to 24 months age. The frequency of maternal neutralizing antibodies was generally quite high but still 3 out of 8 infants had no maternal antibodies against the enterovirus serotype which they had in stool sample. This study shows that enterovirus infections are relatively frequent already before the age of 3 months. Considerable proportion of infants lack maternal antibodies against the virus causing their infection. The significance of this phenomenon needs to be evaluated in larger studies.
The Agrarian System of Mughal India 1556-1707

This book provides a comprehensive account of land revenue, administration, agrarian economy, and social structure in India during the Mughal period. It examines areas like agricultural production and technology; trade in agricultural produce, conditions of the peasantry; zamindars; revenue grants and assignments; and the agrarian crisis of the Mughal Empire. The volume also provides information on land measurements; weights; coinages; revenue statistics; price movements; and the village community. Including a comprehensive bibliography, descriptive index, illustrations, and maps, this book is a compulsory read for students, teachers, and scholars of medieval India particularly those interested in agrarian systems.
Measurement of SOA Linewidth Enhancement Factor With a Sagnac Fiber Loop

We demonstrate a novel method to measure the linewidth enhancement factor (alpha-factor) of the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). We derived theoretically the quantitative relationships among the alpha-factor, the cross-gain modulation, the cross-phase modulation, and the contrast ratio of an SOA-based Sagnac fiber loop. We found that the alpha-factor value can be calculated directly from the maximum power contrast ratio measurement. Our experiment results show that the obtained alpha-factor fluctuates within a small range of 5.23 to 6.83 when the bias current varies from 130 to 240 mA. Compared with existing measurement methods, our method is more attractive because of its simple configuration and better stability
Functional Performance With Age: The Role of Long-Term Strength Training

Background and Purpose: Physical function is shown to decline with age. However, how long-term strength training may attenuate the age-related limitation in functional tasks with various force demands is unclear. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we assessed maximal muscle strength, initial and late phase rate of force development (RFD), as well as 4 tests of functional performance in 11 strength-trained master athletes (MAs), 11 recreationally active older adults (AEs), 10 sedentary older adults (SOAs), and 9 moderately active young controls. Functional performance was divided into 2 categories: more force-demanding (chair-rising ability and stair-climbing power) and less force-demanding (habitual walking speed and 1-leg standing) tasks. Results: MA exhibited 75%, 45%, and 26% higher leg press maximal strength compared with SOA, AE, and young, respectively (P < .01). MA leg press RFD was not different from young, but was higher compared to AE and SOA during both the initial (0-50 ms: 104%-177%, P < .05) and late phase (100-200 ms: 37%-52%, P < .05) of muscle contraction. MA also showed better mean (SD) performance compared with AE and SOA (P < .05) in more force-demanding functional tasks; chair-rising ability (MA: 6.2 (1.2) seconds; AE: 8.6 (1.8) seconds; SOA: 9.7 (3.0) seconds; young: 6.5 (1.0) seconds) and stair-climbing power (MA: 701 (161) W; AE: 556 (104) W; SOA: 495 (116) W; young: 878 (126) W). No differences (mean (SD)) were observed between MA and AE in less force-demanding tasks, but both groups were superior (P < .05) compared with SOA in walking speed (MA: 1.49 (0.21) m·s−1; AE: 1.56 (0.17) m·s−1; SOA: 1.27 (0.22) m·s−1; young: 1.62 (0.22) m·s−1) and balance test completion (MA: 45%; AE: 45%; SOA: 0%; young: 100%). Conclusion: Our results reveal that maintaining a high muscle force–generating capacity into older age is related to beneficial effects on functional performance, which may not be achieved with recreational activity, thus highlighting strength training as an important contribution to healthy aging.
Development Times and Age-Specific Life Table Parameters of the Native Lady Beetle Species Coccinella novemnotata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Its Invasive Congener Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

ABSTRACT To determine if differences in life history parameters contribute to native species exclusion, immature development times, larval survivorship, reproductive life history parameters, and age-specific life tables were determined for two populations (eastern United States and western United States) of ninespotted lady beetles (Coccinella novemnotata Herbst) and one population of sevenspotted lady beetles (Coccinella septempunctata L.). Developing larvae were provided an ad libitum diet of pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) at a constant temperature of 25°C. The first and fourth larval stadia of C. novemnotata were significantly longer than that of C. septempunctata, as was their total development time from egg to newly eclosed adult. Stage-specific developmental mortality was low for both species and did not exceed 7% for the entire development period. The preoviposition period of the two C. novemnotata populations was significantly shorter (15–20%) than that of C. septempunctata. C. novemnotata from both locations laid significantly fewer total eggs than C. septempunctata (34–40% fewer) over the 31-d test period, and also fewer eggs per day (37–43% fewer). The net reproductive rate of the C. novemnotata populations was 42–50% lower than that of C. septempunctata as was C. novemnotata's intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm: 0.1716 and 0.1840 vs. 0.1959 for western and eastern C. novemnotata and C. septempunctata, respectively).
Human Fetuses do not Register Chromosome Damage Inflicted by Radiation Exposure in Lymphoid Precursor Cells except for a Small but Significant Effect at Low Doses

Abstract Ohtaki, K. , Kodama, Y. , Nakano, M. , Itoh, M. , Awa, A. A. , Cologne, J. and Nakamura, N. Human Fetuses do not Register Chromosome Damage Inflicted by Radiation Exposure in Lymphoid Precursor Cells except for a Small but Significant Effect at Low Doses. Radiat. Res. 161, 373–379 (2004). Human fetuses are thought to be highly sensitive to radiation exposure because diagnostic low-dose X rays have been suggested to increase the risk of childhood leukemia. However, animal studies generally have not demonstrated a high radiosensitivity of fetuses, and the underlying causes for the discrepancy remain unidentified. We examined atomic bomb survivors exposed in utero for translocation frequencies in blood lymphocytes at 40 years of age. Contrary to our expectation of a greater radiosensitivity in fetuses than in adults, the frequency did not increase with dose except for a small increase (less than 1%) at doses below 0.1 Sv, which was statistically significant. We interpret the results as indicating that fetal lymphoid precursor cells comprise two subpopulations. One is small in number, sensitive to the induction of both translocations and cell killing, but rapidly diminishing above 50 mSv. The other is the major fraction but is insensitive to registering damage expressed as chromosome aberrations. Our results provide a biological basis for resolving the long-standing controversy that a substantial risk of childhood leukemia is implicated in human fetuses exposed to low-dose X rays whereas animal studies involving mainly high-dose exposures generally do not confirm it.
How multi-lane, one-way street design shapes neighbourhood life: collisions, crime and community

ABSTRACT Global recognition of the need for more liveable and “complete” streets has allowed for increased funding to bicycle and pedestrian projects. That said, many streets in urban neighbourhoods remain unsafe. This study hypothesises that some of these issues related to safety issues are tied to multi-lane, one-way streets, which exist primarily in urban business districts and historic neighbourhoods, often occupied by poor and minority residents. There has been little research in this area to test how one-way street configurations relate to collisions, crime and community. To examine this, we use three principal strategies: (1) a cross-sectional citywide evaluation using descriptive and inferential statistics on all collisions occurring within a five-year period in a mid-sized city; (2) a focused assessment of traffic collision data, crime data, counts of trees, housing valuation data, foreclosure and vacant and abandoned structures on a 13-block street segment with both one- and two-way streets and (3) a qualitative broken windows assessment, using photography to evaluate signs of visual distress on one-way versus two-way segments. Our results show a higher incidence of collisions and injuries on multi-lane streets than on their two-way counterparts – for motorists, bikes and pedestrians. Our photographic assessment suggests that these street typologies contribute to degradation and erosion of community. Our results show that neighbourhoods with one-way multi-lane streets experience greater abandonment, lower housing values and slower increases in property values. This research supports expanded thinking about one- to two-way street conversion as a method to improve safety, connectivity, community and sustainability.
Dependence of intrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells on uninterrupted homology

Recombination between a 360-base-pair (bp) segment of a wild-type thymidine kinase gene (tk) from each of three different strains (F, MP, and 101) of herpes simplex virus type one and a complete herpes simplex virus type 1 (strain F) tk gene containing an 8-bp insertion mutation was studied. The pairs of tk sequences resided as closely linked repeats within the genome of mouse LTK- cells. The frequency of recombination between sequences exhibiting 232 bp of uninterrupted homology and containing no mismatches other than the insertion mutation was comparable to the frequency of recombination between two sequences exhibiting four additional nucleotide mismatches distributed in such a way to preserve the 232-bp stretch of contiguous homology. In contrast, the placement of only two single-nucleotide mismatches (in addition to the insertion mutation) in such a manner to reduce the longest uninterrupted homology to 134 bp resulted in a 20-fold reduction in recombination. We conclude that the rate of intrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells is determined by the amount of uninterrupted homology available and not by the total number of mismatches within a given interval of DNA. Furthermore, efficient recombination appears to require between 134 and 232 bp of uninterrupted homology; single-nucleotide heterologies are most likely sufficient to disrupt the minimal efficient recombination target. We also observed that if recombination was allowed to initiate within sequences exhibiting perfect homology, the event could propagate through and terminate within adjacent sequences exhibiting 19% base pair mismatch. We interpret this to mean that heterology exerts most of its impact on early rather than late steps of intrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells.
Mucinous tumors of the ovary. Ultrastructural studies of mucinous cystadenomas with histogenetic considerations

On the basis of light microscopic and scanning and transmission ultrastructural observations, we have classified benign mucinous ovarian neoplasms into two types: a pure endocervical type and a mixed intestinal endocervical type. We have also reviewed the literature pertinent to the histogenetic origin of the ovarian mucinous cystoma and found convincing support for a mesodermal, coelomic epithelial, rather than a teratomatous, derivation.
Sex-specific charts for abdominal circumference in term and near-term Caucasian newborns

Abstract Aims: Abdominal circumference (AC) assessment may be used as an index of abdominal visceral size, fetal fat store, and intrauterine nutrition. The aim of this study is to construct sex-specific references and smoothed percentiles for AC at birth in term and near-term Caucasian infants. Methods: AC was measured in 4542 singleton newborns (2323 males, 2219 females), at a gestational age ≥35 weeks. Smoothed percentiles for AC were constructed by sex and gestational age according to the LMS method. Results: Males had higher AC than females but differences were only statistically significant beyond 37 weeks. AC increased from 35 to 41 weeks in both sexes. Conclusions: Sex-specific references constructed for AC in term and near-term Caucasian newborns might be used, as other anthropometric parameters, in the assessment of nutritional status at birth.
The nutritional value of narrow-leafed lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) for fattening pigs

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the nutrient digestibility of seeds of four varieties of narrow-leafed lupines (Lupinus angustifolius) and the possibility of soya bean meal (SBM) substitution by lupine seeds alone and in combination with rapeseed meal (RSM) in the diets of pigs. The seeds of the lupine varieties Kalif, Sonet, Zeus and Boruta were analysed. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined on 50 cross-bred pigs using the difference method with titanium dioxide as a marker. The substitution of SBM by lupine seeds alone (at 0 – 100%) was tested on 60 pigs (20–105 kg body weight (BW)) and by a combination of lupine seeds and RSM on 180 fattening pigs (35–80 kg BW). The chemical composition of lupine seeds differed considerably, especially in terms of crude protein and mineral content. All seeds contained less than 0.05% alkaloids and 9.3% oligosaccharides in dry matter. The ATTD of protein ranged from 70% to 74%, those of ether extract from 36% to 55% and those of gross energy from 77% to 84%. The entire replacement of SBM by lupine seeds (var. Sonet) did not have a negative effect on the performance of grower and fattener pigs. The substitution of SBM by a combination of lupines and RSM reduced the performance of growing and finishing pigs significantly.
An Ascending Auction in the Presence of Rationality and Herd Behaviour

In this paper we analyse a common value English auction. We argue that rational bidders attempt to estimate each others private signals, to take advantage of the additional information disclosed through the bids. If this happens, herd behaviour might arise, because a particular bidder may have an incentive to follow his estimate of some other bidders signal, thus dropping his own, and staying in the auction longer than previously optimal. Acting upon beliefs might take the auction to an inefficient outcome, where the bidder who most values the good ends up not getting the object for sale.
SEXUALLY ANTAGONISTIC COEVOLUTION IN A MATING SYSTEM: COMBINING EXPERIMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE APPROACHES TO ADDRESS EVOLUTIONARY PROCESSES

Abstract We combined experimental and comparative techniques to study the evolution of mating behaviors within in a clade of 15 water striders (Gerris spp.). Superfluous multiple mating is costly to females in this group, and consequently there is overt conflict between the sexes over mating. Two alternative hypotheses that could generate interspecific variation in mating behaviors are tested: interspecific variation in optimal female mating rate versus sexually antagonistic coevolution of persistence and resistance traits. These potentially coevolving traits include male grasping and female antigrasping structures that further the interests of one sex over the other during premating struggles. Both processes are known to play a role in observed behavioral variation within species. We used two large sets of experiments to quantify behavioral differences among species, as well as their response to an environmentally (sex-ratio) induced change in optimal female mating rate. Our analysis revealed a large degree of continuous interspecific variation in all 20 quantified behavioral variables. Nevertheless, species shared the same set of behaviors, and each responded in a qualitatively similar fashion to sex-ratio alterations. A remarkably large proportion (> 50%) of all interspecific variation in the magnitude of behaviors, including their response to sex ratio, could be captured by a single multivariate axis. These data suggest tight coevolution of behaviors within a shared mating system. The pattern of correlated evolution was best accounted for by antagonistic coevolution in the relative abilities of each sex to control the outcome of premating struggles. In species where males have a relative advantage, mating activity is high, and the opposite is found in species where females have gained a relative advantage. Our analyses also suggested that evolution has been unconstrained by history, with no consistent evolutionary tendency toward or away from male or female relative advantage. Corresponding Editor: P. Dunn
Rapid Report

Coexpression of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels results in a 10‐fold increased current amplitude compared to that of KCNQ2 alone, suggesting the formation of heteromultimeric channels. There is no interaction of either channel with KCNQ1. We evaluated the C‐terminus as a potential interaction domain by construction of chimeras with interchanged C‐termini of KCNQ1, KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 and functional expression in Xenopus oocytes. The chimera of KCNQ1 with a KCNQ2 C‐terminus (Q1ctQ2) showed an 8‐fold increase in current amplitude, and Q1ctQ3 a 3‐fold increase when coexpressed with KCNQ3 and KCNQ2, respectively, indicating that the C‐terminus contains an interaction domain. To characterize this interacting region, we studied further chimeras of KCNQ1 containing different parts of the KCNQ3 C‐terminus for interaction with KCNQ2. We also evaluated short sequences of the KCNQ2 C‐terminus for a dominant‐negative effect on Q1ctQ3. According to the results of these experiments, functional interaction of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 requires a highly conserved region of about 80 amino acids, previously called the A‐domain, plus either 40 residues downstream of the A‐domain (B‐domain) or the proximal C‐terminus between S6 and the A‐domain. Furthermore, the chimeras Q1ctQ3 and Q2ctQ3 showed > 10‐fold increased current amplitudes compared to KCNQ1 or KCNQ2 alone and a strong depolarizing shift of voltage‐dependent activation. The proximal part of the KCNQ3 C‐terminus was necessary to produce these effects. Our results indicate that specific parts of the C‐terminus enable the interaction between KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels and that different parts of the KCNQ3 C‐terminus are important for regulating current amplitude.
Effects of Pre-Salt Regulation on the Market Value of Petrobras

ABSTRACT This article measures the impacts of the process of pre-salt development related to new regulations in Brazil applicable to the offshore pre-salt hydrocarbon reserves. For this purpose, Bai and Perron (2003) and Chow (1960) tests were used to identify structural breakpoints in the behavior of the price of Petrobras stock through a model that includes the ratio of the stock prices of Vale and Petrobras, and the proven oil reserves of Petrobras from 2000 to 2014. The results indicated structural breakpoints in the period of regulation change and when Petrobras issued new shares to raise funds for pre-salt development.
Right Ventricular Doppler Echocardiographic Study of Indeterminate Form of Chagas Disease

Background Patients with indeterminate form of Chagas disease/cardiac normality (ICD/CN) exhibited normal electrocardiograms and chest X-rays; however, more sophisticated tests detected some degree of morphological and functional changes in the heart. Objective To assess the prevalence of systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) in patients with ICD/CN. Methods This was a case–control and prevalence study. Using Doppler two-dimensional echocardiography (2D), 92 patients were assessed and divided into two groups: group I (normal, n = 31) and group II (ICD/CN, n = 61). Results The prevalence of RV systolic dysfunction in patients in groups I and II was as follows: fractional area change (0.0% versus 0.6%), mobility of the tricuspid annulus (0.0% versus 0.0%), and S-wave tissue Doppler (6.4% versus 26.0%, p = 0.016). The prevalence of global disorders such as the right myocardial performance index using tissue Doppler (16.1% versus 27.8%, p = 0.099) and pulsed Doppler (61.3% versus 68%, p = 0.141) and diastolic disorders such as abnormal relaxation (0.0% versus 6.0%), pseudonormal pattern (0.0% versus 0.0%), and restrictive pattern (0.0% versus 0.0%) was not statistically different between groups. Conclusion The prevalence of RV systolic dysfunction was estimated to be 26% (S wave velocity compared with other variables), suggesting incipient changes in RV systolic function in the ICD/CN group.
cAMP-regulated Protein Lysine Acetylases in Mycobacteria*

Cyclic AMP synthesized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been shown to play a role in pathogenesis. However, the high levels of intracellular cAMP found in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria suggest that additional and important biological processes are regulated by cAMP in these organisms. We describe here the biochemical characterization of novel cAMP-binding proteins in M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis (MSMEG_5458 and Rv0998, respectively) that contain a cyclic nucleotide binding domain fused to a domain that shows similarity to the GNAT family of acetyltransferases. We detect protein lysine acetylation in mycobacteria and identify a universal stress protein (USP) as a substrate of MSMEG_5458. Acetylation of a lysine residue in USP is regulated by cAMP, and using a strain deleted for MSMEG_5458, we show that USP is indeed an in vivo substrate for MSMEG_5458. The Rv0998 protein shows a strict cAMP-dependent acetylation of USP, despite a lower affinity for cAMP than MSMEG_5458. Thus, this report not only represents the first demonstration of protein lysine acetylation in mycobacteria but also describes a unique functional interplay between a cyclic nucleotide binding domain and a protein acetyltransferase.