Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SEROLOGICAL RESPONSES AND IMMUNITY TO SUPERINFECTION WITH AVIAN MALARIA IN EXPERIMENTALLY-INFECTED HAWAII AMAKIHI

Six of seven Hawaii Amakihi (Hemignathus virens) with chronic malarial infections had no increases in peripheral parasitemia, declines in food consumption, or loss of body weight when rechallenged with the homologous isolate of Plasmodium relictum 61 to 62 days after initial infection. Five uninfected control amakihi exposed at the same time to infective mosquito bites developed acute infections with high parasitemias. Reductions in food consumption and loss of body weight occurred in all control birds and three of these individuals eventually died. When surviving birds were rechallenged >2 yr later with either the same parasite isolate or an isolate of P. relictum collected on the island of Kauai, all individuals were immune to superinfection. Chronically infected birds developed antibodies to a common suite of malarial antigens ranging in size from 22 to 170 kDa that were detectable as early as 8 days post infection on immunoblots of SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Antibodies to this suite of malarial antigens persisted as long as 1,248 days after initial infection and were consistently detectable at times when parasites were not easily found by microscopy on Giemsa-stained blood smears. The immunoblotting method that is described here appears to be an effective technique for identifying birds with chronic, low-intensity malarial infections when circulating parasites are not easily detectable by microscopy. Hawaiian honeycreepers that are capable of recovering from acute infections develop concomitant immunity to superinfection, making them functionally immune in areas where malaria transmission has become endemic.
Application-Specific Autonomic Cache Tuning for General Purpose GPUs

Cache tuning has been widely studied in CPUs, and shown to achieve substantial energy savings, with minimal performance degradations. However, cache tuning has yet to be explored in General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU), which have emerged as efficient alternatives for general purpose high-performance computing. In this paper, we explore autonomic cache tuning for GPGPUs, where the cache configurations (cache size, line size, and associativity) can be dynamically specialized/tuned to the executing applications' resource requirements. We investigate cache tuning for both the level one (L1) and level two (L2) caches to derive insights into which cache level offers maximum optimization benefits. To illustrate the optimization potentials of autonomic cache tuning in GPGPUs, we implement a tuning heuristic that can dynamically determine each application's best L1 data cache configurations during runtime. Our results show that application-specific autonomic L1 data cache tuning can reduce the average energy delay product (EDP) and improve the performance by 16.5% and 18.8%, respectively, as compared to a static cache.
Aetiological factors of peptic ulcer: Perspectives of epidemiological observations this century

Abstract There are five known environmental, causative factors for peptic ulcer, namely, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID), Helicobacter pylori infection, cigarette smoking, environmental stress and dietary habit. There have been six factual, epidemiological observations on peptic ulcer this century: the rise and fall of ulcer frequency in Western societies; geographical variations in ulcer rates; in sex ratios; in duodenal: gastric ulcer ratios; and in placebo healing rates; and seasonal variation in ulcer frequencies. This report examines each of these epidemiological observations to see if each of the environmental factors can explain the observations. The secular trends and the variation in ulcer rates can be related to all the environmental factors. The sex ratios can be explained on the basis of cigarette smoking and environmental stress, whereas the duodenal: gastric ulcer ratios may be ascribed to NSAID use. Placebo healing and seasonal occurrence of ulcer is probably more related to environmental stress. Helicobacter pylori infection alone cannot explain the sex ratios, the duodenal: gastric ulcer ratios, the placebo healing and the seasonal occurrence of ulcer. Cigarette smoking or NSAID use alone does not tally with the seasonal variation of ulcer frequencies. Environmental stress alone does not fit into the recent fall of ulcer rates in Western countries. This report supports the concept of heterogeneity in peptic ulceration.
Associations among Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, and Antisocial Personality: A Review of Literature

Current practice through both diagnostic systems and clinical approaches tends to view alcoholism, drug abuse, and antisocial personality as completely distinct systems. In the course of research with other goals, the authors noted the apparent associations of each pair within this triad. As prior reviews of the literature on associations among these did not deal with implications of frequent association, this literature was re-evaluated with a more comprehensive assessment of the studies and reports bearing on these associations. After a broad search, studies were examined that reponed statistics indicating an association or none between one or more of the pairs of the triad. About 75% to 80% of the studies meeting the criteria showed positive associations between pairs. Also, a common etiological matrix may predispose one to behaviors diagnostic of each aspect of the triad: alcoholism, drug abuse, and antisocial personality. Although many studies contained methodological difficulties, the review suggests where diagnosis of one aspect is made, the other two should be suspected and the patient so evaluated.
WEIGHT CHANGE 1 YEAR FOLLOWING TOTAL KNEE OR HIP ARTHROPLASTY

Background: Pain secondary to osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee is often used as a reason to not lose weight prior to total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA). This study followed the weight change of patients who subjectively increased their activity levels 1 year following TKA or THA.
Valuable markers for contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

BACKGROUND Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) frequently complicates cardiac catheterization, so the objectives of present study were to investigate the usefulness of cystatin C before catheterization and establish a cut-off level for CIN, and to examine the changes in cystatin C and several other markers in patients with and without CIN. METHODS AND RESULTS Prospective study of consecutive 87 patients who underwent elective catheterization: moderate renal disease defined as glomerular filtration rate 30-59 ml . min(-1) . 1.73 mm(-2); cystatin C and creatinine (Cr), urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), alpha1, beta2 microglobulins, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, and microalbumin were measured immediately before, and 1, 2, and 3 days after catheterization. CIN occurred in 18 patients and receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed a higher area-under-the-curve for cystatin C compared with serum Cr (0.933 vs 0.832 p=0.012). At a cut-off level of >1.2 mg/L, cystatin C before catheterization exhibited 94.7% (95% confidence interval: 0.851-1.015) sensitivity and 84.8% specificity for detecting CIN. Cystatin C levels were higher in CIN patients than in those without CIN, even before catheterization (cystatin C: 1.08+/-0.22 vs 1.36+/-0.28 mg/L, p=0.007). Urinary L-FABP was increased on days 1 and 2 in patients with moderate renal disease. CONCLUSION Cystatin C was useful for predicting the occurrence of CIN. Urinary L-FABP was the only marker of transient renotubular damage.
Changes in elemental concentrations are associated with early stages of apoptosis in human monocyte–macrophages exposed to oxidized low‐density lipoprotein: an X‐ray microanalytical study

This study examines ion homeostasis in monocyte–macrophages committed to death by apoptosis. X‐ray microanalysis has been used to demonstrate that intracellular concentrations of potassium decreased whilst those of sodium increased following 3 h of exposure to 100 µg/ml of oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro. In contrast, the maximal incidence of cell death, as determined by the inability to exclude trypan blue, was not seen until 24 h of exposure. At 12 h, less than 1 per cent of cells were stained using terminal transferase‐mediated DNA nick‐end labelling, which is generally accepted as a marker of late stages in the apoptotic pathway. This is the first demonstration of early perturbations of ion homeostasis in monocyte–macrophages exposed to concentrations of oxidized LDL known to cause apoptosis. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated molecule‐4 polymorphism in Turkish patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis

We previously shown that in a Turkish population, the A/G polymorphism in exon 1 of the cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte‐associated molecule‐4 (CTLA‐4) gene is associated with Graves’ disease, and that the G allele may contribute to susceptibility for developing Graves’ disease. This polymorphism was identified in 197 patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) (126 women, 71 men; aged, 42.92 ± 13.4 years) and 98 healthy individuals (56 women, 21 men; aged, 42.27 ± 13.43 years) in Turkish population. Polymorphisms were analysed using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Frequency of the A/G genotypes was not significantly different in patients with HT when compared with controls in both sexes (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in age, sex, cigarette smoking, initial serum thyroid hormone levels, initial goiter size and thyroid autoantibodies among the patients with the three different genotypes (G/G, A/G and A/A). We concluded that A/G polymorphism of CTLA molecule is linked to occurence of Graves’ disease bu not to HT in the Turkish population.
P-cycle based protection schemes for multi-domain networks

In multi-domain networks, the domains are typically run by different operators, which do not want to share all the internal information with competitors. Furthermore, broadcasting all the internal informations would unnecessarily overload the network with state messages. We decompose the multi-domain resilience problem into two sub-problems, namely the higher level inter-domain protection, and the lower level intra-domain protection. Building p-cycles at the higher level is accomplished by certain tasks at the lower level including straddling link connection, capacity allocation, and path selection. We show that p-cycles offer high availability and acceptable resource usage without the knowledge of paths that makes p-cycles very good candidate for protecting inter-domain traffic.
Blood cell changes in asymptomatic divers.

Many recent reports have suggested that diving and decompression cause changes in blood cells even when no overt symptoms of decompression sickness are present. This study subjected 10 normal persons to a pressure exposure of 100 fsw (30.5 msw) for 60 min followed by the standard U.S. Navy decompression schedule. No subject had symptoms of clinical decompression sickness. Repeated blood samples over a 3-week period spanning the simulated dive were analyzed for numbers of red cells, white cells, reticulocytes, platelets (by three methods), and size distribution of platelets. The study was designed to detect postdive changes of less than 5%. Small but definite decreases were found in levels of red cells, white cells, hematocrit, and platelets (by microscopic methods but not by machine), and the proportion of large platelets rose. The changes were too mild to support a proposed mechanism of decompression damage.
Induction and Possible Role of Fibrinolysis in Diabetes Mellitus

This article reviews the evidence supporting a relationship between an enhanced tissue injury, increased fibrin formation, defective fibrinolysis, and the evolution of the complications of late diabetic disease. Particular attention is drawn to the role of a defective endothelial cell mediated fibrinolysis with respect to increased fibrin formation and a delayed tissue repair in diabetic patients. Reviewed are studies that indicate that it is possible in patients with diabetes by means of sulfonylurea compounds to increase endothelial cell-produced t-PA without affecting PAI-1. It is advocated that potent compounds should be searched for, with the capability to modify the hemostatic process of the diabetic endothelial cell in order to express more fibrinolytic activity independent of the patient's metabolic state in an attempt to delay the complications of late diabetes.
Association for Information Systems

What is the subjective value assigned to information? Is the subjective value of information similar to the realistic or normative value, or are there deviations introduced by human processing, the framing of the information source, or the external qualities of packaging and ownership of the information? Do people assess information as having the same value when offered the chance to sell it (Willingness to Accept, WTA) as when facing the need to buy it (Willingness to Purchase, WTP)? This is an empirical, experimental investigation of the effects of expertise vs. content, and copy vs. exclusive original packaging of information on the WTA/WTP ratio. In an animated computer simulation of a business game players maximize their profits by making choices regarding inventory and prices. Participants were also offered the chance to bid in trade (buy or sell) information regarding the weather that may affect demand. We find, as hypothesized, that the subjective value of information does indeed follow the predictions of Endowment Effect theory. Participants revealed a ratio of Willingness to Accept to Willingness to Purchase (WTA/WTP) that resembles the ratio common in the case of private goods. In the decisions, choices and performance recorded for the 294 subjects, we also found support for the hypothesis that the WTA/WTP diverges from unity more often and in a more pronounced manner for information traded in the “original” form rather than as a copy of the original, although even for copies the WTA/WTP ratio is still double. Results yield a value of about three for the WTA/WTP ratio for original information regardless of whether the source is content or expertise. Valuations of content and expertise did not diverge. However, the source of information can be manipulated by system design to become more salient. Copy information received a subjective value which was significantly different (lower) than original information. Implications for both online trading and online sharing of information are discussed.
The nearest three virtual space vector PWM - a modulation for the comprehensive neutral-point balancing in the three-level NPC inverter

This letter presents a new modulation approach for the complete control of the neutral-point voltage in the three-level three-phase neutral-point-clamped voltage source inverter. The new modulation approach, based on the virtual space vector concept, guarantees the balancing of the neutral-point voltage for any load (linear or nonlinear) over the full range of converter output voltage and for all load power factors, the only requirement being that the addition of the output three-phase currents equals zero. The implementation of the proposed modulation is simple according to the phase duty-ratio expressions presented. These expressions are only dependent on the modulation index and reference vector angle. The performance of this modulation approach and its benefits over other previously proposed solutions are verified experimentally.
Study of the association of metabolic syndrome with schizophrenia in north eastern part of India

Background: During last several years there has been growing interest in metabolic abnormalities in Schizophrenia. Studies in this context are lacking in this part of India. Aims & Objective: To study the association of metabolic syndrome with schizophrenia in North eastern part of India. Material and Methods: 50 Adult schizophrenic patients diagnosed as per DSM-IV TR Criteria and age and sex matched 50 subjects of control group were included in for prevalence of MetS as per the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Informed consent was obtained. The study was approved by local ethical committee. Results: Maximum numbers of subjects were in the age group 21-30 years and males were more than female in schizophrenia group. 14 (28%) patients in schizophrenia group and 6 (12%) subjects in control group had MetS. The mean Serum triglyceride of schizophrenia (153.41 ± 57.26) was significantly higher (p
Preliminary results on the effect of sensor position on unobtrusive rollover detection for sleep monitoring in smart homes

Older adults experience increased sleep movement disorders and sleep fragmentation, and these are associated with serious health consequences such as falls. Monitoring sleep fragmentation and restlessness in older adults can reveal information about their daily and long-term health status. Long-term home monitoring is only realistic within the contact of unobtrusive, non-contact sensors. This paper presents exploratory work using the pressure sensor array as an instrument for rollover detection. The sensor output is used to calculate a center of gravity signal, from which five features are extracted. These features are used in a decision tree to classify detected movements in two categories; rollovers and other movements. Rollovers were detected with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 100% respectively, and a Mathew’s correlation coefficient of 0.86 when data from all sensor positions were included. Intrapositional and interpositional effects of movements on sensors placed throughout the bed are described.
The hmuUV genes of Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011 encode the permease and ATPase components of an ABC transport system for the utilization of both haem and the hydroxamate siderophores, ferrichrome and ferrioxamine B

Sinorhizobium meliloti, the endosymbiont of Medicago sativa, can use haem compounds, including haemoglobin and leghaemoglobin, when growing in the free‐living state. The components of the system involved in haem acquisition were confirmed to be ShmR, an outer membrane receptor, and HmuTUV, predicted to be an ABC transport system comprising a periplasmic protein, a permease and an ATPase respectively. The roles of HmuTUV in haem transport were confirmed in a heterologous expression system in Escherichia coli in conjunction with HasR, the outer membrane haem receptor of Serratia marcescens. hmuTUV mutants of S. meliloti showed a reduced capacity to acquire haem, suggesting the presence of a second haem acquisition system in the organism. S. meliloti can also acquire iron from xenosiderophores and the genes encoding the outer membrane receptors for ferrichrome and ferrioxamine B, fhuA1 and fhuA2, respectively, were identified. In light of this it is proposed that fhuA2 should be renamed foxA in the S. meliloti 1021 genome sequence. A siderophore reductase, FhuF, with the capacity to complement an E. coli ferrioxamine B reductase mutant, was identified encoded by a gene next to fhuA2. In the same transcriptional unit as fhuF the gene fhuP was identified and shown to encode a protein necessary for transport of ferrichrome and ferrioxamine B and predicted to be periplasmic. Interestingly, the remaining components of the transport system for the siderophores are HmuU and HmuV. Ferrichrome, ferrioxamine B and haem compounds therefore share components of the same transport system in S. meliloti.
Role of the PI 3 K Regulatory Subunit in the Control of Actin Organization and Cell Migration

Cell migration represents an important cellular response that utilizes cytoskeletal reorganization as its driving force. Here, we describe a new signaling cascade linking PDGF receptor stimulation to actin rearrangements and cell migration. We demonstrate that PDGF activates Cdc42 and its downstream effector N-WASP to mediate filopodia formation, actin stress fiber disassembly, and a reduction in focal adhesion complexes. Induction of the Cdc42 pathway is independent of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) enzymatic activity, but it is dependent on the p85 a regulatory subunit of PI3K. Finally, data are provided showing that activation of this pathway is required for PDGF-induced cell migration on collagen. These observations show the essential role of the PI3K regulatory subunit p85 a in controlling PDGF receptor–induced cytoskeletal changes and cell migration, illustrating a novel signaling pathway that links receptor stimulation at the cell membrane with actin dynamics.
Acetabular revision for recurrent dislocations

17 acetabular revisions (16 patients) were performed for recurrent dislocations. 14 patients were examined clinically and radiographically after mean 3 (1-8) years. We found malpositions of components in 12 of 17 cases. 8 of 17 had redislocations and 2 were rerevised. Harris hip scores improved from 57 to 70. 10 of 14 patients were satisfied with the surgical result. Recurrent dislocations have several causes. In our patients, lack of cup anteversion was the commonest indication for revision surgery. We noted a high rate of redislocations and poor clinical results, despite correction of the preoperative component malposition in the 14 cases with follow-up.
Serum measles antibodies in multiple sclerosis

Serum haemagglutination inhibition/HI/antibody titres to measles virus were examined in 80 multiple sclerosis patients, their 20 sibs, in 990 healthy controls, and 25 control patients. The measles HI titres were significantly raised in the serum of multiple sclerosis patients compared with healthy controls. There was no statistical difference between the levels of HI antibody titres in multiple sclerosis patients and their sibs. The measles HI titres decreased significantly in older age groups of healthy controls, whereas an analogous drop was not found in the multiple sclerosis group. The levels of serum HI antibody titres did not correlate with the sex of patients with multiple sclerosis or the activity of the disease. In the CSF of six multiple sclerosis patients low titres of HI antibodies were detected, whereas none of eight control patients had measurable traces of measles antibodies in the CSF. The significance of these findings in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis is briefly discussed.
Elaboration on posttraumatic stress disorder diagnostic criteria: a factor analytic study of PTSD exposure to war or terror.

BACKGROUND In societies facing prolonged exposure to war and terror, empirical research provides mixed support for the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters groupings identified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) as re-experiencing the event, avoidance and emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. METHOD This study examines the validity of the PTSD symptom clusters in elements of Israeli society exposed to man-made trauma. Survivors (N=2,198) of seven different war and terror-related traumas were assessed using a DSM-IV-TR based PTSD inventory. Four confirmatory factor analytic models were compared. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS The most acceptable model was a correlated model consisting of four factors of re-experiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. DSM-IV-TR avoidance empirically split into active avoidance and emotional numbing. These results corroborate knowledge and suggest that in Israel, where stressors are ongoing, the PTSD symptom clusters may be reformulated in DSM-5 to consist of re-experiencing, active avoidance, emotional numbing and hyperarousal.