Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Alterations in Selected Haematological Parameters of Ascariasis Patients in Umudike, Abia Stae, Nigeria

Ascaris lumbricoides is the causative organism that causes ascariasis. Ascariasis is an intestinal infection that is becoming common in this part of the World due to poor sanitation. It is causing a lot of harm to our people who treat other things which may not be the real cause of their disease. The study was done to determine the alterations in haematological parameters. The study was done in a secondary health institution in Umudike. A total of sixty five (65) subjects were recruited for the study, thirty (30) subjects were ascariasis patients (Test) and thirty five (35) subjects were apparently healthy individuals (control). Venous EDTA anticoagulated blood was used for the haematological assays. The results were analysed with student t-test and significance level set at P<0.05. The results showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in haemoglobin, PCV, RBC, WBC and neutrophil of the ascariasis subjects compared to the control and significant increase (P<0.05) in lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil. This shows that ascariasis infection leads to anaemia and leukopaenia. The immunity of the patients is challenged. Cytokines are secreted leading to inflammatory reaction and hypersentivity reactions. Proper treatment should be given to the affected patients immediately and should eat blood building foods such as vegetables.
Thermal analysis of CPU with variable heat sink base plate thickness using CFD

The computational fluid dynamics is concentrated on the forced air cooling of the CPU using a heat sink. This paper utilizes CFD to identify a cooling solution for a desktop computer, which uses an 80 W CPU maximum whereas this number will be increased in the range of 70-120W in the forthcoming desktop computer systems. The design is able to cool the chassis with one fan with air blowing over heat sink attached to the CPU is adequate to cool the whole system and the power supply fan. This paper considers the optimal plate fin heat sink design and cylindrical fin heat sink design with variable copper base plate and the control of CPU heat sink processes. To have a better heat dispersion performance, a computational fluid dynamics is utilized to search for an optimal set of plate-fin or cylindrical fin shape parameters. Base plate thickness, fin thickness, fin profile and fin material parameters are to be handled together due to the frequently encountered space limitations. Three different thickness Plate and cylindrical heat sink designs with 2.5mm to 5mm thickness copper base plate are analyzed by using commercial CFD software packages Gambit and Fluent. The well converged, grid independent and well posed simulations are performed, and the results are compared with the experimental data. Especially, replacing aluminum with copper as base plate material improved the performance. This study will benefit the design engineers involved in electronic cooling and also help to reduce the significant increases in the sound power emitted by the CPU.
Supervised Gaussian Process Latent Variable Model for Hyperspectral Image Classification

Discriminative features are significant for hyper-spectral image (HSI) classification. In this letter, we apply the supervised dimensionality reduction (DR) model termed supervised latent linear Gaussian process latent variable model (SLLGPLVM) for feature extraction. As a semiparametric classification model, the new model has ability in simultaneous feature extraction and classification and demonstrates high classification accuracy with only a small training set. This is therefore suitable for HSI classification. Experimental results on six real HSI data sets show that the proposed SLLGPLVM outperforms several conventional supervised DR models and the support vector machine implemented in the original spectral space.
Shared moments: opportunities for mobile phones in religious participation

The near ubiquity of mobile phones in the world and in people's lives, have created new opportunities for reinterpretation of what these devices are and what they do. One area that has recently seen some interest is the use of mobile phones in religious practice; however, designers currently lack a framework for designing in the space. This research explores the appropriate role for a mobile phone in religious practice looking specifically at Zen Buddhists. Despite the assumed dysfunction between mobile technology and Buddhist philosophy of being present in the world, we found many opportunities for the phone to help maintain and enhance the bonds between members the religious community, making them feel a stronger sense of participation.
Low-Cost Arbitrary Waveform Generator for Educational Environment Using ARM 7

This paper reports a new architecture for arbitrary function Generator generating any periodic function with desired frequency. Finally the system is implemented on an ARM-7. The Implementation is the main challenge in this work. In modern industrial detection and communication, a signal generator has gained increasing applications. Currently available signal generators are mainly based on the DDS technology. It is a kind of frequency synthesis technology which directly synthesizes waveform on the basis of phase. As the appearance of Advance Risc machine (ARM-7) chips, ARM-7 are used to realize DDS logic to meet different demand of the user. A harmonic signal generator with adjustable frequency, phase and harmonic proportion is designed in this paper.
Association of the MEFV Gene Variations With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Turkey

Background: Association of NOD2 (CARD15) gene mutations with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is well known. We herein aimed to investigate the role of familial Mediterranean fever-associated MEFV variations in IBD patients as additional regional-specific risk factor. Study: One hundred thirty-seven (78 female, 56.9%) IBD patients [62 Crohn’s disease (CD), 75 ulcerative colitis (UC)] were enrolled into the study. The diagnosis of all patients was confirmed by colonoscopy, histopathology, and the clinical findings. One hundred one healthy donors’ samples were used as healthy controls. All patients were genotyped for the most common E148Q, M608I, M694V, and V726A variations of the MEFV and R702W, G908R, and 1007fs of the NOD2. Results: The overall MEFV variation frequency was found to be higher in the IBD (25.5%) patients (28% in UC, 22.6% in CD) compared with controls (9.9%, P=0.006). This association was stronger with the penetrant exon 10 variations (M694V, M680I, V726A; odds ratio =4.5, P=0.001). Contribution of M694V was higher compared with the other variations (14.5% in CD, 17.3% in UC and 3% in controls, odds ratio =6.039, 95% confidence intervals, 1.7-20.7, P=0.002). The overall frequency of 3 NOD2 variants in the IBD group was not different from that of controls. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the MEFV variations may be an additional susceptibility factor for IBD in certain parts of the world where the carrier rate is high, and the genetic background of the IBD patients may show regional changes.
Agile Orientation and Psychological Needs, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Support: A Two Job-Level Comparison

Agile software development introduces a new paradigm into software engineering. The research presented in this paper questioned what individual characteristics, such as psychological needs, self-efficacy and perceived support from peers and managers, can tell us about the agile orientation of software practitioners. Data were gathered using questionnaires completed by 376 software developers employed in two divisions of an international Israeli company. In addition to the research description and findings, we also suggest specific implications derived from the research findings.
Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism in Omani Dyslipidemic Patients With and Without Coronary Artery Disease

ABSTRACT Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism is a predictor of interindividual variability in plasma levels of lipids and lipoproteins and a predictor of risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied the relationship between APOE polymorphism and lipid profiles and risk of CAD in Omani dyslipidemic patients. This retrospective study included 244 dyslipidemic patients, of whom 67 had CAD. Fasting blood glucose, lipids, and plasma lipoprotein levels were measured using standard methods, and APOE genotypes were detected by PCR-RFLP. The dyslipidemic patients had the following APOE allele frequencies: APOE*2, 0.030; APOE*3, 0.894; and APOE*4, 0.076. APOE allele frequencies between patients with and without CAD showed no significant differences. Compared to APOE*3/*3 homozygotes, APOE*4 allele patients had higher mean levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p = 0.014), apoB (p = 0.031), lower mean levels of apoA1 (p = 0.043), and a trend of higher mean level of total cholesterol (p = 0.084). Thirty-one percent of patients with CAD had the APOE*4 allele compared to 26% with the APOE*3 allele, but this difference was not significant. Compared with APOE*3/*3 homozygotes, patients with the APOE*4 allele had 1.3 times higher risk for CAD after ignoring dyslipidemia, but this risk was modified after adjusting for dyslipidemia. In conclusion, among dyslipidemic patients, carriers of APOE*4 compared to homozygous carriers of APOE*3 had significantly higher levels of LDL cholesterol and apoB, but no relationship with CAD was found.
Improving Wound Healing with Topical Gene Therapy.

BACKGROUND Impaired wound healing remains a major clinical problem with many etiologies. Altering gene expression to enhance healing is an innovative therapeutic approach. In recent years, we have developed a means to topically silence genes at the post-transcriptional level to locally alter wounds and improve the healing process. THE PROBLEM Many types of chronic wounds have been associated with alterations in the expression of genes that mediate healing. Targeting the expression of these genes in a way that can improve healing while limiting systemic side effects has been very challenging. BASIC/CLINICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES Our laboratory's recent work has focused on the use of topically applied small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) to inhibit messenger RNA expression of certain mediators involved in healing in two different types of cutaneous injury-radiation-induced cutaneous injury and the diabetic excisional wound. By successfully inhibiting specific gene mediators with topical siRNA, we reversed downstream signaling pathways, which led to expedited wound healing in diabetic wounds and restoration to a more normal phenotype in radiation-induced skin injuries. CLINICAL CARE RELEVANCE The signaling pathways and gene mediators that we targeted and inhibited in murine models are present in humans. Applying parallel treatment strategies in humans may provide novel means of treating these burdensome and costly conditions. CONCLUSION Our novel method for local gene silencing is effective in treating various types of cutaneous murine wounds. Topical gene silencing with siRNA obviates the side effects of systemic medication and has the potential to be effective in healing or preventing a wide array of cutaneous human conditions.
Functional differences between members of the P300 complex: P3e and P3b.

The main findings of this study bear upon differences in the functional roles of P3b and a shorter latency, more centrally distributed endogenous positive component denoted as P3e. At the present writing, we have observed P3e only in conjunction with P3b. As in the case of P3b, P3e is fully endogenous in that it can be- elicited by omission of a stimulus if stimulus omission conveys relevant information to the subject. It was found that P3e and P3b relate differently to information delivery. Information delivery was manipulated by varying event probabilities and the discriminability of the events. The well known properties of P3b, namely that its amplitude is large when elicited by low probability (high information content) events and is reduced by perceptual difficulty (information loss-equivocation), were replicated in the current study. In contrast to P3b, variation of event probability had no effect upon P3e amplitude, but increased perceptual difficulty markedly reduced P3e amplitude. In addition, two CNV-type negativities were observed in the epochs prior to presentation of the informative signal event: 1) A negativity that was maximal over central scalp related to the subject's prediction that a rare or frequent event would be presented; 2) A negativity that was maximal over occipital scalp related to a stimulus that informed the subject whether the subsequent discrimination of the signal would be easy or difficult. Finally, there was a serendipitous Hading of an apparently new short duration component, tentatively labeled Px, which is elicited by presentation of the signal that informs the subject whether the subsequent discrimination will be easy or difficult.
A New approach to the evolution of cosmological perturbations on large scales

We discuss the evolution of linear perturbations about a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker background metric, using only the local conservation of energy-momentum. We show that on sufficiently large scales the curvature perturbation on spatial hypersurfaces of uniform-density is conserved when the non-adiabatic pressure perturbation is negligible. This is the first time that this result has been demonstrated independently of the gravitational field equations. A physical picture of long-wavelength perturbations as being composed of separate Robertson-Walker universes gives a simple understanding of the possible evolution of the curvature perturbation, in particular clarifying the conditions under which super-horizon curvature perturbations may vary.
The Impact of Prenatal Marijuana and Cocaine Use on the Infant and Child

The prevalence of cocaine use by pregnant women has been estimated by various researchers to range from 8-17%. Women who use cocaine during pregnancy are usually older and black and use more of other drugs. The effects of prenatal cocaine use on a variety of outcomes have not been substantiated. For each outcome discussed, there are as many reports of no effects as there are reports of detrimental effects. The studies that indicate that there are no effects of exposure are generally more sound methodologically. It is also possible that there are additional investigations of prenatal cocaine use that have not been published because of the hesitancy to publish reports in which no effects have been found. The findings regarding obstetric complications are equivocal. Although some investigators have demonstrated significant effects of cocaine use during pregnancy, particularly on abruptio placentae, many of these relationships disappear when factors such as prenatal care and polydrug use are assessed. The same pattern can be noted for the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on gestational age, growth, and morphology. Significant effects of prenatal cocaine use on these outcomes have been reported by some investigators. However, these results are found generally in studies where poly-drug-cocaine users are compared with non-drug-using women. Such comparisons do not control adequately for other factors in the lifestyles of the cocaine-using woman. There are few significant differences when the offspring of cocaine-using women are compared with those of women who use other drugs. It is difficult to evaluate the effects of prenatal cocaine use on either neonatal neurobehavioral outcomes or on long-term growth and development because of the insufficient number of studies and the equivocal findings. Longitudinal studies are needed to disentangle the effects of cocaine use from the effects of the lack of prenatal care, polydrug use, and the increased risks associated with a drug-using life style.
Orthotopic Total Aortic Root Replacement Model in Adult Sheep

Prosthetic heart valves undergo mandatory preclinical animal testing prior to human clinical trials. Historically, a non-site-specific placement of a valve prosthesis has been commonly performed; however, recently site-specific placement continues to attract interest. Various animal models have been used for preclinical evaluation of both aortic and mitral valve prostheses; however, a universally accepted animal model for orthotopic total aortic root replacement with acceptable early and late mortality for long-term evaluation has been lacking. This article reports a successful orthotopic model for placement of tissue valve conduit prosthesis for total aortic root replacement in adult sheep. This model utilized preoperative echocardiographic assessment, specific intraoperative surgical techniques, and both early and late postoperative management therapies. The combination of all of these components resulted in a successful model for orthotopic placement of a tissue valve prosthesis for total aortic root replacement in adult sheep for potential long-term assessment.
Mannose 6-Phosphorylated Proteins Are Required for Tumor Necrosis Factor-induced Apoptosis

Whereas caspases are essential components in apoptosis, other proteases seem to be involved in programmed cell death. This study investigated the role of lysosomal mannose 6-phosphorylated proteins in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced apoptosis. We report that fibroblasts isolated from patients affected with inclusion-cell disease (ICD), having a deficient activity of almost all lysosomal hydrolases, are resistant to the toxic effect of TNF. These mutant cells exhibited a defect in TNF-induced caspase activation, Bid cleavage, and release of cytochrome c. In contrast, TNF-induced p42/p44 MAPK activation and CD54 expression remained unaltered. Human ICD lymphoblasts and fibroblasts derived from mice nullizygous for Igf2 and the two mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) receptors, Mpr300 and Mpr46, which develop an ICD-like phenotype, were also resistant to CD95 ligand and TNF, respectively. Moreover, correction of the lysosomal enzyme defect of ICD fibroblasts, using a medium enriched in M6P-containing proteins, enabled restoration of sensitivity to TNF. This effect was blocked by exogenous M6P but not by cathepsin B or L inhibitors. Altogether, these findings suggest that some M6P-bearing glycoproteins modulate the susceptibility to TNF-induced apoptosis. As a matter of fact, exogenous tripeptidyl peptidase 1, a lysosomal carboxypeptidase, could sensitize ICD fibroblasts to TNF. These observations highlight the hitherto unrecognized role of some mannose 6-phosphorylated proteins such as tripeptidyl peptidase 1 in the apoptotic cascade triggered by TNF.
Selective bridging of bis-cysteinyl residues by arsonous acid derivatives as an approach to the characterization of protein tertiary structures and folding pathways by mass spectrometry.

Bis-cysteine selective modifications were successfully applied with melarsen oxide (MEL), an arsonous acid derivative, for tertiary structural studies of peptides and a model protein. The arsonous acid modified peptides and proteins were amenable to direct characterizations by mass spectrometry, e.g., direct molecular weight determinations and mass spectrometric peptide mapping that identified stoichiometry and sites of modification, respectively. Proteolytic digestion and mass spectrometric fragmentation of modified oxytocin showed that MEL-bridged peptide derivatives are structural homologues to the disulfide-bonded macrocyclic peptides. Mass spectrometric analyses determined the MEL modification site in partially reduced and selectively modified bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) bridging Cys-14 and Cys-38. The BPTI.MEL derivative was resistant to proteolysis by both Lys-C and trypsin and thus represented a rigid structure like native BPTI. MEL exhibited several advantageous features such as (i) cross-linking two closely spaced thiol groups, providing detailed tertiary structure information; (ii) high solubility as monomeric ortho acid in aqueous and organic solutions; (iii) adding a relatively large mass increment to proteins upon single modification; (iv) enabling UV monitoring of the derivatization due to a strong chromophor; and (v) performing fast and specific modifications of bis-thiol groups in proteins to form stable structures without any side reactions even with a high molar excess of MEL. The investigated physical and chemical properties of MEL suggest general applicability for selective bis-thiol modifications, enabling protein structure-function studies in both soluble and membrane proteins and the study of protein-folding reactions.
A Mercaptoacetamide‐Based Class II Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Suppresses Cell Migration and Invasion in Monomorphic Malignant Human Glioma Cells by Inhibiting FAK/STAT3 Signaling

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have emerged as potential anticancer agents for the treatment of solid and hematopoietic cancers. Several HDACIs delay cell growth, induce differentiation, or activate apoptosis in multiple types of tumors, including glioblastomas. In the present study, we showed that the mercaptoacetamide‐based HDACI W2 inhibits cell migration and invasion in monomorphic malignant human glioma cells. W2 treatment significantly decreased the activity and expression levels of matrix metalloprotease‐2 in malignant A172 cells but not in U373MG cells. Key signaling pathways involved in cell migration and invasion, including PI3K‐AKT, ERK‐JNK‐P38, and FAK/STAT3, were examined to identify the mechanism of action of W2. W2 increased the phosphorylation of AKT and altered cell migration and invasion in an AKT‐independent manner. W2 inhibited the phosphorylation of FAK/STAT3, and treatment with a FAK/STAT3 inhibitor significantly suppressed cancer cell migration and MMP‐2 activity in the presence of W2. In addition, W2 significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of phospho‐STAT3. Taken together, our results suggest that W2 suppresses cancer cell migration and invasion by inhibiting FAK/STAT3 signaling and STAT3 translocation to the nucleus in monomorphic malignant human glioma cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4672–4685, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design and Implementation of a Cooperative Enterprise Selection Mechanism for Allied Concurrent Engineering Environment

Allied concurrent engineering (ACE), which combines the concepts of virtual enterprise (VE) and concurrent engineering (CE), is a highly promising business strategy for enterprises in facing global competition. ACE is designed to integrate the activities, resources, information, and organization of enterprises via enterprise alliances, thus minimizing cost, increasing competitiveness, and achieving rapid response to customer expectations. However, success of ACE depends on effective and close cooperation among allied enterprises. Selecting cooperative partners in the context of ACE thus becomes pivotal in enhancing the efficiency of ACE. This study designs and implements a cooperative enterprise selection mechanism for ACE environment. In designing this mechanism, the model and evaluation indicators for selecting cooperative enterprises for ACE are first established. Subsequently, the evaluation indicators with fuzzy semantics are quantified as the weight value via FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) and made into a hierarchical structure. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) technique is then applied to evaluate suitable cooperative enterprises, ultimately select the best cooperative enterprise and consequently increase the cooperation effectiveness of allied enterprises. Finally, an illustrative example is presented and the system is implemented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.