Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ability of preventive therapy to cure latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected individuals in high-burden settings

Significance Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is a key tuberculosis prevention strategy in high-HIV-prevalent settings. While randomized controlled trials have shown IPT provides protection against tuberculosis disease in HIV-positive patients during therapy, protection was quickly lost after cessation of therapy. It was not known whether this loss of protection is due to reinfection and rapid progression to disease, or lack of cure. Using mathematical modeling, fitted to trial data, we show IPT does not cure Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the majority of HIV-infected individuals. These results contrast with long-held beliefs about the working mechanism of IPT, but explain the empirical results. These results are important for determining appropriate clinical guidelines for IPT use in varying epidemiological settings. Trials of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for people living with HIV in southern Africa have shown high rates of tuberculosis disease immediately after cessation of therapy. This could be due to the lack of cure following preventive therapy or reinfection with rapid progression to disease. Using a model fitted to trial data, we estimate the degree to which preventive therapies cure latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected individuals in high-tuberculosis-burden settings. We identified randomized controlled trials that compared IPT to placebo or alternative regimen in HIV-positive, tuberculin skin test positive individuals. A mathematical model describing tuberculosis transmission in a closed cohort of HIV-positive, M. tuberculosis infected, antiretroviral therapy naive individuals following completion of preventive therapy (or placebo) was fitted to posttherapy tuberculosis rates to estimate the annual risk of M. tuberculosis reinfection and the proportion of individuals whose latent infection was cured after therapy. Three trials met our inclusion criteria. Estimated annual risks of reinfection ranged between 3.7 and 4.9%. Our results suggest 6 mo of isoniazid cured in a small proportion [estimated proportion cured = 0% (interquartile range 0–30.9%)]. The proportion cured for 3-mo regimens containing rifampicin or rifapentine was 19–100%. IPT alone does not cure existing infections in the majority of HIV-infected individuals. In high-incidence settings, continuous IPT should be integrated with HIV care. Where the risk of reinfection is lower, preventive therapy with more curative drugs should be preferred for HIV-positive individuals to achieve durable patient benefit.
Emotion regulation: exploring the impact of stress and sex

Emotion regulation is a major prerequisite for adaptive behavior. The capacity to regulate emotions is particularly important during and after the encounter of a stressor. However, the impact of acute stress and its associated neuroendocrine alterations on emotion regulation have received little attention so far. This study aimed to explore how stress-induced cortisol increases affect three different emotion regulation strategies. Seventy two healthy men and women were either exposed to a stressor or a control condition. Subsequently participants viewed positive and negative images and were asked to up- or down-regulate their emotional responses or simultaneously required to solve an arithmetic task (distraction). The factors stress, sex, and strategy were operationalized as between group factors (n = 6 per cell). Stress caused an increase in blood pressure and higher subjective stress ratings. An increase in cortisol was observed in male participants only. In contrast to controls, stressed participants were less effective in distracting themselves from the emotional pictures. The results further suggest that in women stress enhances the ability to decrease negative emotions. These findings characterize the impact of stress and sex on emotion regulation and provide initial evidence that these factors may interact.
A Testing Framework for High-Speed Network and Security Devices

There is an increasing availability of high throughput networks which leads to the need of security appliances in these networks. Testing these appliances with regards to performance and effectiveness relies on testing tools that can achieve or even surpass the capabilities of the devices and networks under test. However, current tools are not capable of achieving both the flexibility and performance demands of modern high-speed security equipment. We propose a concept and an architecture that can fulfil these demands and introduce the General Purpose Network Testing Framework (GPNTF) as a prototype implementation. This framework can achieve high throughput while being highly adaptable with regard to networktesting scenarios.
Deep Architectures and Deep Learning in Chemoinformatics: The Prediction of Aqueous Solubility for Drug-Like Molecules

Shallow machine learning methods have been applied to chemoinformatics problems with some success. As more data becomes available and more complex problems are tackled, deep machine learning methods may also become useful. Here, we present a brief overview of deep learning methods and show in particular how recursive neural network approaches can be applied to the problem of predicting molecular properties. However, molecules are typically described by undirected cyclic graphs, while recursive approaches typically use directed acyclic graphs. Thus, we develop methods to address this discrepancy, essentially by considering an ensemble of recursive neural networks associated with all possible vertex-centered acyclic orientations of the molecular graph. One advantage of this approach is that it relies only minimally on the identification of suitable molecular descriptors because suitable representations are learned automatically from the data. Several variants of this approach are applied to the problem of predicting aqueous solubility and tested on four benchmark data sets. Experimental results show that the performance of the deep learning methods matches or exceeds the performance of other state-of-the-art methods according to several evaluation metrics and expose the fundamental limitations arising from training sets that are too small or too noisy. A Web-based predictor, AquaSol, is available online through the ChemDB portal ( cdb.ics.uci.edu ) together with additional material.
Provenance and trade of volcanic rock millstones from Etruscan-Celtic and Roman archaeological sites in Central Italy

Rectangular hopper-rubber (Olynthian-style) and rotary (Pompeian-style) millstones were found, respectively, in the archaeological sites of Monte Bibele (4th–3th century B.C., Etruscan-Celtic Age) and Fossombrone (2nd century B.C.-6th century A.D., Roman Period). All the hopper-rubber millstones from Monte Bibele and three rotary millstones from Fossombrone were made using the leucite phonolite lavas from the same quarries which are located near Orvieto (Vulsini Volcanic District, Roman Volcanic Province; Central Italy). Since these leucite phonolites were also used in the Iron Age (pre-6th century B.C.) to produce small oval saddle-querns, a long continuous period of quarrying and production of millstones is therefore established for the Orvieto centre. Euganean Hills (Na-trachyte), Etna (hawaiite) and Iblean Mounts (tholeiitic basalt) were also identified as additional volcanic source areas for some millstones, mortars and/or worked lavas found at Fossombrone. This strongly supports the existence of a well organized millstone trade from different volcanic areas in the Roman Period.
Do More Investments or Higher Justice Win the Higher Loyalty?

Researchers have found that customer loyalty is an important source of competitive advantage of a business. This concept has been widely tested in reference to various objects. To date, however, few researchers have addressed the issues on the impact of relationship investment and justice on behavioral loyalty mediated by three elements of relationship quality. Present research has developed an integrated model of the above issue and has investigated visitors from two kinds of leisure farm in Taiwan. The results indicate justice might act as an important driver of behavioral loyalty. Finally, some implications and suggestions are offered based on the results.
Universal Time Variations in the ap and Dst Indices and Their Possible Cause

The universal time (UT) variation in the ap index for the years 1932-1956 and 1957-1986 is analyzed. Results are compared with the UT variation in the Dst index and with that in the rate of energy input into the ring current estimated from the Dst index. It is found that the UT variation of the ap index does not agree with that of the Dst index, but is in agreement with the UT variation in the rate of energy input into the ring current. Results on the seasonal variation of the ap index indicate that the UT variation has mostly a minimum around 1030 UT for different seasons, though the average values have features similar to the well-known semiannual variation in geomagnetic activity. The averaged ap values and the numbers of events of the ap greater than 30, 50, or 100 reach a minimum around 1030 UT or during the UT time interval 0900-1200. These values are anti-correlated with the UT variation of the magnetic flux that would occupy the nightside auroral oval approximated by offset circles in corrected geomagnetic coordinate system. The modulation of E × B drift speed in the magnetosphere by the UT variation of the oval magnetic flux could be the source of the UT variation in the ap and the Dst index.
Bifactor Modeling and the Estimation of Model-Based Reliability in the WAIS-IV

Previous confirmatory factor analytic research that has examined the factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) has endorsed either higher order models or oblique factor models that tend to amalgamate both general factor and index factor sources of systematic variance. An alternative model that has not yet been examined for the WAIS-IV is the bifactor model. Bifactor models allow all subtests to load onto both the general factor and their respective index factor directly. Bifactor models are also particularly amenable to the estimation of model-based reliabilities for both global composite scores (ω h ) and subscale/index scores (ω s ). Based on the WAIS-IV normative sample correlation matrices, a bifactor model that did not include any index factor cross loadings or correlated residuals was found to be better fitting than the conventional higher order and oblique factor models. Although the ω h estimate associated with the full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) scores was respectably high (.86), the ω s estimates associated with the WAIS-IV index scores were very low (.13 to .47). The results are interpreted in the context of the benefits of a bifactor modeling approach. Additionally, in light of the very low levels of unique internal consistency reliabilities associated with the index scores, it is contended that clinical index score interpretations are probably not justifiable.
Performance anomaly of 802.11b

The performance of the IEEE 802.11b wireless local area networks is analyzed. We have observed that when some mobile hosts use a lower bit rate than the others, the performance of all hosts is considerably degraded. Such a situation is a common case in wireless local area networks in which a host far away from an access point is subject to important signal fading and interference. To cope with this problem, the host changes its modulation type, which degrades its bit rate to some lower value. Typically, 802.11b products degrade the bit rate from 11 Mb/s to 5.5, 2, or 1 Mb/s when repeated unsuccessful frame transmissions are detected. In such a case, a host transmitting for example at 1 Mb/s reduces the throughput of all other hosts transmitting at 11 Mb/s to a low value below 1 Mb/s. The basic CSMA/CA channel access method is at the root of this anomaly: it guarantees an equal long term channel access probability to all hosts. When one host captures the channel for a long time because its bit rate is low, it penalizes other hosts that use the higher rate. We analyze the anomaly theoretically by deriving simple expressions for the useful throughput, validate them by means of simulation, and compare with several performance measurements.
Telomerase Activity Is Sufficient To Allow Transformed Cells To Escape from Crisis

ABSTRACT The introduction of simian virus 40 large T antigen (SVLT) into human primary cells enables them to proliferate beyond their normal replicative life span. In most cases, this temporary escape from senescence eventually ends in a second proliferative block known as “crisis,” during which the cells cease growing or die. Rare immortalization events in which cells escape crisis are frequently correlated with the presence of telomerase activity. We tested the hypothesis that telomerase activation is the critical step in the immortalization process by studying the effects of telomerase activity in two mortal SVLT-Rasval12-transformed human pancreatic cell lines, TRM-6 and βlox5. The telomerase catalytic subunit, hTRT, was introduced into late-passage cells via retroviral gene transfer. Telomerase activity was successfully induced in infected cells, as demonstrated by a telomerase repeat amplification protocol assay. In each of nine independent infections, telomerase-positive cells formed rapidly dividing cell lines while control cells entered crisis. Telomere lengths initially increased, but telomeres were then maintained at their new lengths for at least 20 population doublings. These results demonstrate that telomerase activity is sufficient to enable transformed cells to escape crisis and that telomere elongation in these cells occurs in a tightly regulated manner.
Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells into the cochlea of chinchillas

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of bone marrow stromal cells for treatment of inner ear diseases. Autologous marrow cells labeled with DiI were implanted into the inner ear of five gentamicin-treated chinchillas. Histological analysis 3 weeks later revealed robust survival of grafted marrow cells in multiple regions within the cochlea. Marrow cells implanted in the basal turn of the cochlea migrated as far as the apical end or into the spiral ligament of the cochlea. Some grafted cells expressed a neuronal or glial cell marker, indicating their ability to differentiate into neuronal or glial cells. Survival, migrational mobility and differentiation of autologous marrow cells in damaged cochlea suggest their potential as transplants for treatment of various degenerative inner ear diseases.
Expertise among professional magicians: an interview study

The purpose of the present investigation was to analyse interviews of highly regarded Finnish magicians. Social network analysis (N = 120) was used to identify Finland's most highly regarded magicians (N = 16). The selected participants' careers in professional magic and various aspects of their professional conduct were examined by relying on semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that cultivation of professional level competence in magic usually requires an extensive period of time compared with other domains of expertise. Magic is a unique performing art and it differs from other professions focusing on deceiving the audience. A distinctive feature of magical expertise is that the process takes place entirely through informal training supported by communities of magical practitioners. Three interrelated aspects of magical activity were distinguished: magic tricks, performance, and audience. Although magic tricks constitute a central aspect of magic activity, the participants did not talk about their tricks extensively; this is in accordance with the secretive nature of magic culture. The interviews revealed that a core aspect of the magicians' activity is performance in front of an audience that repeatedly validates competence cultivated through years of practice. The interviewees reported investing a great deal of effort in planning, orchestrating, and reflecting on their performances. Close interaction with the audience plays an important role in most interviewees' activity. Many participants put a great deal of effort in developing novel magic tricks. It is common to borrow magic effects from fellow magicians and develop novel methods of implementation. Because magic tricks or programs are not copyrighted, many interviewees considered “stealing” an unacceptable and unethical aspect of magical activity. The interviewees highlighted the importance of personality and charisma in the successful pursuit of magic activity.
Enhancing Access To Classic Children’s Literature

Project Gutenberg is a digital library that contains mostly public domain books, including a large number of works that belong to children’s literature. Many of these classic books are offered in a text-only format, which does not make them appealing for children to read. Moreover, stories that were written for children one hundred or more years ago, might not be readily understandable by children today due to diverging vocabularies and experiences. In this poster, we describe ongoing work to enhance the access to this children’s literature repository. Firstly, we attempt to automatically illustrate the children’s literature. Secondly, we link the text to background information to increase understanding and ease of reading. The overall motivation of this work is to make such publicly available books more easily accessible to children by making them more entertaining and engaging.
Impacts of Marine Aggregate Dredging on Benthic Macrofauna off the South Coast of the United Kingdom

Abstract A survey of benthic macrofauna in the vicinity of a coastal marine aggregate dredging site off the south coast of UK was carried out in 1999. The object of the survey was to determine impact of marine aggregate dredging on community composition, the extent of impact outside the boundaries of the dredge site, and the rate of recolonization and recovery of the fauna following cessation of dredging. Part of the site was intensively dredged by vessels at anchor whilst other parts were less intensively exploited by trailer dredger. The impact of dredging within the intensively exploited anchor dredge site was limited to the dredged area. Impacts included a suppression of species variety, population density and biomass, as well as differences in species composition compared with the surrounding deposits. In contrast, trailer dredging had no impact on community composition of macrofauna within the dredge site. No suppression of benthic community structure was recorded beyond 100 m from the dredge site. Species variety, population density, biomass and body size of macrofauna was enhanced for as much as 2 kilometers in each direction along the axis of the tidal streams. Whether this reflects organic enrichment derived from the dredge site warrants further investigation. The rate of restoration of biomass following dredging was slower than that recorded for species diversity and population density. The data for the North Nab study site allow a generalised recolonization sequence to be constructed for coastal deposits.
Modes of extinction, pseudo-extinction and distribution in Middle Jurassic ammonites: terminology

Mid-Jurassic Ammonitina (Cephalopoda, Mollusca) provide good examples of true and apparent "extinctions" (i.e., taxon or clade disappearances) at the local, regional, and global scales. A terminology is presented. Extinction is the termination of a phylogenetic lineage or entire clade (not of local demes or regional populations). Extinction was often preceded by progressive range contraction that resulted in diachronous regional disappearance ("extirpation") and occurred with the elimination of the last refuge. Other range contractions, however, were not terminal, but were followed by renewed expansions, resulting in temporary absence of the lineage over part of its known range only, due to pseudo-extinction. Some lineages, called Lazarus taxa, apparently disappeared entirely for short or extended periods by pseudotermination (causing a "phylogenetic hiatus"). This is an extreme form of pseudo-extinction with unknown refuge due to small size and (or) unsuitable facies and location. Lineage or clade reappe.
Proceedings of the SPDECE-2012. Ninth nultidisciplinary symposium on the design and evaluation of digital content for education

During the last few years learning management systems, such as Stud.IP, Moodle or ILIAS have gained an increasing acceptation as supporting tool for teaching at university. Thus, these systems are already used intensively for the management and distribution of teaching materials, like lecture notes, documents and exercises, as well as for the extensive administration of courses. Additionally, attractive teaching materials containing multimedia-based elements and interactive components can easily be created by utilization of such systems. In the following article, the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) is briefly depicted. Then, for a general understanding of learning management systems, a short report on the ILIAS-learning software is given. After that we present how learning management systems can be used to implement training videos and new types of tasks to help students acquiring practical skills in the laboratory. Based on this, we present an ILIAS-conception for a beginner ́s laboratory course for chemistry teachers. At the end of the course that concept was evaluated with a questionnaire study concerning the subjectively-felt-quality (N=52). The results of this study reveal that first-year students are able to develop a more precise idea of the laboratory ́s procedure, are feeling better-prepared and are more confident in their practical operation compared to script-based learning. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Ann Corney.
Characterizing joint effects of spatial extent, temperature magnitude and duration of heat waves and cold spells over Central Europe

Heat waves (HWs) and cold spells (CSs) have pronounced impacts on the natural environment and society. The main aim of this study was to identify major Central European HWs and CSs since 1950 and assess their severity not only from the viewpoint of temperature and duration but also as to the affected area. The HWs and CSs were delimited from the E‐OBS gridded data set. An extremity index was proposed that captures joint effects of spatial extent, temperature and duration of HWs and CSs. During the 1950–2012 period, we identified 18 major HWs and 24 major CSs over Central Europe. The most severe HW occurred in summer 1994, followed by the 2006 HW; both these events were far more extreme over Central Europe than HWs in the well‐known 2003 and 2010 summers. The most severe CSs occurred in the winters of 1955/1956 and 1962/1963. The recent winter of 2011/2012 was found to be the sixth coldest since 1950/1951 according to the seasonal sum of the extremity index. The HWs and CSs were classified through a hierarchical cluster analysis of their characteristics (temperature amplitude, spatial extent of the core and duration) into four basic types. The established list of major Central European HWs and CSs might be utilized in further analyses. The extremity index may be applied over different areas to perform comparative studies and used also for evaluation of regional climate model simulations.