Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Considerations in developing lipid-based nutrient supplements for prevention of undernutrition: experience from the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project.

The International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project began in 2009 with the goal of contributing to the evidence base regarding the potential of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) to prevent undernutrition in vulnerable populations. The first project objective was the development of acceptable LNS products for infants 6-24 months and for pregnant and lactating women, for use in studies in three countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana and Malawi). This paper shares the rationale for a series of decisions in supplement formulation and design, including those related to ration size, ingredients, nutrient content, safety and quality, and packaging. Most iLiNS supplements have a daily ration size of 20 g and are intended for home fortification of local diets. For infants, this ration size is designed to avoid displacement of breast milk and to allow for dietary diversity including any locally available and accessible nutrient-dense foods. Selection of ingredients depends on acceptability of flavour, micronutrient, anti-nutrient and essential fatty acid contents. The nutrient content of LNS designed to prevent undernutrition reflects the likelihood that in many resource-poor settings, diets of the most nutritionally vulnerable individuals (infants, young children, and pregnant and lactating women) are likely to be deficient in multiple micronutrients and, possibly, in essential fatty acids. During ingredient procurement and LNS production, safety and quality control procedures are required to prevent contamination with toxins or pathogens and to ensure that the product remains stable and palatable over time. Packaging design decisions must include consideration of product protection, stability, convenience and portion control.
AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)

To empirically evaluate the ambitious NeuroIS visions in this paper we asked the brain and its owner, using 10 psychophysiological NeuroIS instruments and traditional subjective assessments during the execution of Microsoft Excel tasks that took place within a realistic large-scale experimental setup. To simultaneously elicit perceptive, psychophysiological and if possible objective data, we chose a multi-method research approach. By strictly following the NeuroIS guidelines we found evidence that NeuroIS measures are more objective and that a combination of various NeuroIS tools increases validity – supporting the corresponding NeuroIS claims. In addition we found that worst performers had a much greater workload during their task performance compared to top performers, which was coherently measurable by every single NeuroIS indicator – supporting the NeuroIS claim of effective triangulation.
Cutting Edge: Membrane Lymphotoxin Regulates CD8+ T Cell-Mediated Intestinal Allograft Rejection1

Blocking the CD28/B7 and/or CD154/CD40 costimulatory pathways promotes long-term allograft survival in many transplant models where CD4+ T cells are necessary for rejection. When CD8+ T cells are sufficient to mediate rejection, these approaches fail, resulting in costimulation blockade-resistant rejection. To address this problem we examined the role of lymphotoxin-related molecules in CD8+ T cell-mediated rejection of murine intestinal allografts. Targeting membrane lymphotoxin by means of a fusion protein, mAb, or genetic mutation inhibited rejection of intestinal allografts by CD8+ T cells. This effect was associated with decreased monokine induced by IFN-γ (Mig) and secondary lymphoid chemokine (SLC) gene expression within allografts and spleens respectively. Blocking membrane lymphotoxin did not inhibit rejection mediated by CD4+ T cells. Combining disruption of membrane lymphotoxin and treatment with CTLA4-Ig inhibited rejection in wild-type mice. These data demonstrate that membrane lymphotoxin is an important regulatory molecule for CD8+ T cells mediating rejection and suggest a strategy to avoid costimulation blockade-resistant rejection.
Polygenic Risk of Psychosis and Ventral Striatal Activation During Reward Processing in Healthy Adolescents.

IMPORTANCE Psychotic disorders are characterized by attenuated activity in the brain's valuation system in key reward processing areas, such as the ventral striatum (VS), as measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging. OBJECTIVE To examine whether common risk variants for psychosis are associated with individual variation in the VS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A cross-sectional study of a large cohort of adolescents from the IMAGEN study (a European multicenter study of reinforcement sensitivity in adolescents) was performed from March 1, 2008, through December 31, 2011. Data analysis was conducted from October 1, 2015, to January 9, 2016. Polygenic risk profile scores (RPSs) for psychosis were generated for 1841 healthy adolescents. Sample size and characteristics varied across regression analyses, depending on mutual information available (N = 1524-1836). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Reward-related brain function was assessed with blood oxygen level dependency (BOLD) in the VS using the monetary incentive delay (MID) task, distinguishing reward anticipation and receipt. Behavioral impulsivity, IQ, MID task performance, and VS BOLD were regressed against psychosis RPS at 4 progressive P thresholds (P < .01, P < .05, P < .10, and P < .50 for RPS models 1-4, respectively). RESULTS In a sample of 1841 healthy adolescents (mean age, 14.5 years; 906 boys and 935 girls), we replicated an association between increasing psychosis RPS and reduced IQ (matrix reasoning: corrected P = .003 for RPS model 2, 0.4% variance explained), supporting the validity of the psychosis RPS models. We also found a nominally significant association between increased psychosis RPS and reduced MID task performance (uncorrected P = .03 for RPS model 4, 0.2% variance explained). Our main finding was a positive association between psychosis RPS and VS BOLD during reward anticipation at all 4 psychosis RPS models and for 2 P thresholds for reward receipt (RPS models 1 and 3), correcting for the familywise error rate (0.8%-1.9% variance explained). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings support an association between psychosis RPS and VS BOLD in adolescents. Genetic risk for psychosis may shape an individual's response to rewarding stimuli.
Regulation of p53 Function and Stability by Phosphorylation

ABSTRACT The p53 tumor suppressor protein can be phosphorylated at several sites within the N- and C-terminal domains, and several protein kinases have been shown to phosphorylate p53 in vitro. In this study, we examined the activity of p53 proteins with combined mutations at all of the reported N-terminal phosphorylation sites (p53N-term), all of the C-terminal phosphorylation sites (p53C-term), or all of the phosphorylation sites together (p53N/C-term). Each of these mutant proteins retained transcriptional transactivation functions, indicating that phosphorylation is not essential for this activity of p53, although a subtle contribution of the C-terminal phosphorylation sites to the activation of expression of the endogenous p21Waf1/Cip1-encoding gene was detected. Mutation of the phosphorylation sites to alanine did not affect the sensitivity of p53 to binding to or degradation by Mdm2, although alteration of residues 15 and 37 to aspartic acid, which could mimic phosphorylation, resulted in a slight resistance to Mdm2-mediated degradation, consistent with recent reports that phosphorylation at these sites inhibits the p53-Mdm2 interaction. However, expression of the phosphorylation site mutant proteins in both wild-type p53-expressing and p53-null lines showed that all of the mutant proteins retained the ability to be stabilized following DNA damage. This indicates that phosphorylation is not essential for DNA damage-induced stabilization of p53, although phosphorylation could clearly contribute to p53 stabilization under some conditions.
Synthesis and in vitro Studies of Pyrone Derivatives as Scavengers of Active Oxygen Species

Summary The antioxidant properties of eleven α-pyrones and four γ-pyrones were evaluated by means of three different tests: reduction of the stable free radical, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion scavenging assay and lipid peroxidation assay. In the DPPH test, 6-aryl-5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxypyran-2-ones (3) and 4-hydroxypyran-2-one (5f) were the most active derivatives with IC50 values ranging from 36.7 to 394 µmol/l. Potent superoxide anion scavenging properties appeared in derivatives possessing phenol moieties. Thus phenolic pyrones 5e and 5f exhibited a note-worthy activity (IC50 = 0.180 and 0.488 mmol/1, respectively) when reference Compound, ascorbic acid, demonstrated only 24 % inhibition at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. In addition derivative 5f significantly inhibited the Fe2+/ADP/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes with an IC50 value of 0.069 mmol/1. Due to its multiple mechanism of protective action, compound 5f may be useful for the treatment of oxidative tissue injury in human disease.
An energy-efficient single-hop wireless sensor network using Repeat-Accumulate codes

Error-control coding (ECC) is a classic approach to save transmission energy in wireless sensor networks (WSN). In this paper, we consider a single-hop wireless sensor network, where Repeat-Accumulate (RA) codes are utilized. RA codes, which are asymmetric codes with low encoding complexity and high decoding complexity, are applied to WSN for the transmission from sensors to the base station. Experiments demonstrate that our proposed scheme can bring 24.1% energy cut compared to that with convolutional codes, and can extend the feasible single-hop range to 185 m. Therefore, the performance of the proposed scheme is superior to that with convolutional codes.
Acceleration of heavy ions by perpendicular collisionless shocks: Impact of the shock front nonstationarity

[1] Both hybrid/full particle simulations and recent experimental results have clearly evidenced that the front of a supercritical quasi-perpendicular shock can be nonstationary. One responsible mechanism proposed for this nonstationarity is the self-reformation of the front itself being due to the accumulation of reflected ions. Important consequences of this nonstationarity are that not only the amplitude but also the spatial scales of fields components at the shock front (ramp and foot) are strongly varying within each cycle of the self-reformation. On the other hand, several studies have been made on the acceleration and heating of heavy ions but most have been restricted to a stationary shock profile only. Herein, one-dimensional test particle simulations based on shock profiles fields produced in PIC simulation are performed in order to investigate the impact of the shock front nonstationarity on heavy ion acceleration (He, O, Fe). Reflection and acceleration mechanisms of heavy ions (with different initial thermal velocities and different charge-mass ratios) interacting with a nonstationary shock front (self-reformation) are analyzed in detail. Present preliminary results show that: (1) the heavy ions suffer both shock drift acceleration (SDA) and shock surfing acceleration (SSA) mechanisms; (2) the fraction of reflected heavy ions increases with initial thermal velocity, charge-mass ratio and decreasing shock front width at both stationary shocks (situation equivalent to fixed shock cases) and nonstationary shocks (situation equivalent to continuously time-evolving shock cases); (3) the shock front nonstationarity (time-evolving shock case) facilitates the reflection of heavy ions; (4) a striking feature is the formation of an injected monoenergetic heavy ions population which persists in the shock front spectrum for different initial thermal velocities and ions species. The impact of the shock front nonstationarity on the heavy ions spectra within the shock front region and the downstream region are detailed separately. Present results are compared with previous experimental analysis and theoretical models of solar energetic particles (SEP) events. The variations of Fe/O spectra in high energy part have been retrieved, and the nonstationary effects of shock front strongly amplify these variations.
Radical-scavenging activity and phenolic constituents of propolis from different regions of Argentina

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources. The composition of propolis depends on the type of vegetation and the area of collection. We examined the radical-scavenging activity of propolis from the following regions of Argentina: Mendoza, Rio Negro, La Pampa, and Entre Rios. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared and their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities were evaluated. Furthermore, the major constituents in EEP were identified by HPLC with photodiode array (PDA) detection, and each component was quantitatively analysed. Almost all of the propolis samples, except La Pampa, had radical-scavenging activity. Propolis with strong radical-scavenging activity contained large amounts of antioxidative compounds, such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid phenethyl ester.
A CLASSIFICATION OF MANIPULATIVE HAND MOVEMENTS

The nature of manual manipulation of objects is discussed. It is argued that a functional distinction should be made between palmar grips which immobilise an object in the hand, and digital patterns which permit manipulation. Such a distinction is separate from any anatomically defined power and precision configurations. Manipulative hand movements may be grouped into three classes, based on differences between sequenced patterns of movement and synergies, the latter being further subdivided into simple and reciprocal patterns. Within each of the three classes, a number of individual movement patterns are described. These differ mainly in the number of digits involved and the way in which the thumb is employed. The classification is concerned with movements of the digits directed at manipulating an object within the hand. It is not concerned with movements of the hand as a whole, using the wrist or more proximal joints, while holding an immobilised object.
İŞÇİ GELİRLERİ VE EKONOMİK BÜYÜME İLİŞKİSİ: DİNAMİK PANEL VERİ ANALİZİ

Isci dovizlerinin giderek artan miktari ozellikle son yillarda hukumetler ve arastirmacilar tarafindan ilgi gormektedir. Gelismekte olan ulkeler icin onemli bir finansal kaynak olan isci dovizleri geldigi ulkedeki ekonomik buyumeyi olumlu ya da olumsuz bir sekilde etkilemektedir. Isci dovizlerinin ekonomik buyumeyi hangi yonde etkiledigi konusunda ise literaturde bir fikir birligi soz konusu degildir. Bu calismanin amaci da isci gelirlerinin buyume uzerindeki olasi etkisinin yonunu sorgulamaktir. Calismanin sonucunda, isci dovizleri ve buyume arasinda pozitif bir iliski tespit edilmistir. Modelde yer alan ve buyumeyi belirleyen diger degiskenler ise enflasyon orani, kamu harcamalari ve dis borclardir. Ticari aciklik oraninin ise istatistiksel olarak anlamli olmadigi gozlenmistir.
Study on the Consumption Structure of Chinese Rural Residents Based on Panel Data Model

Using the income and consumption data of rural residents of China from the year 2002 to 2008, this paper builds up the panel data model, analyzes the influence of income gap on the rural consumption structure in China, meanwhile consumption functions of various expenditure based on income gap are estimated, and further discussions are also carried out according to the estimation results.
Serum Albumin: Its Significance in Patients with ESRD

Hypoalbuminemia is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the ESRD population. The Core Indicators Project notes that the serum albumin value is a measure of the patient's nutritional status. Since 1994 every outcome parameter of the Core Indicators Project has shown improvement except for the serum albumin measurement. While the serum albumin level is a measure of the visceral protein pool size, a decrease in albumin synthesis is due to more than poor nutritional intake (in part related to inadequate dialysis). Acute‐phase reactants and the plasma volume status are other major factors that impact on serum albumin determination. Plasma volume expansion, albumin redistribution, exogenous loss (in peritoneal dialysis patients), and decreased albumin synthesis all contribute to hypoalbuminemia. Understanding the cause (s) of hypoalbuminemia will allow us to target treatment modalities directed at correcting the hypoalbuminemia. It is still unknown if the serum albumin can be effectively raised in the chronic dialysis patient. Also unknown is whether an increase in the serum albumin level can alter long‐term morbidity and mortality. We should not be using serum albumin as an indicator of adequate dialysis or nutritional status since the causes of hypoalbuminemia are multifactorial. It is recommended that the serum albumin level be eliminated as an indicator of nutritional status in the ESRD patient.
Photodynamic Treatment with Fractionated Light Decreases Production of Reactive Oxygen Species and Cytotoxicity In Vitro via Regeneration of Glutathione¶

Abstract Photodynamic therapy removes unwanted or harmful cells by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Fractionated light delivery in photodynamic therapy may enhance the photodynamic effect in tumor areas with insufficient blood supply by enabling the reoxygenation of the treated area. This study addresses the outcome of fractionated irradiation in an in vitro photodynamic treatment (PDT) system, where deoxygenation can be neglected. Our results show that fractionated irradiation with light/dark intervals of 45/60 s decreases ROS production and cytotoxicity of PDT. This effect can be reversed by addition of 1,3-bis-(2-chlorethyl)-1-nitrosurea (BCNU), an inhibitor of the glutathione reductase. We suggest that the dark intervals during irradiation allow the glutathione reductase to regenerate reduced glutathione (GSH), thereby rendering cells less susceptible to ROS produced by PDT compared with continuous irradiation. Our results could be of particular clinical importance for photodynamic therapy applied to well-oxygenated tumors.
Simulation model for energy assessment in ISP and web search engine collaboration

This paper proposes a simulation model to address the problem of evaluating the benefits of collaboration between an Internet Service Provider (ISP) comprising a P2P network supporting a cache mechanism and a Web Search Engine (WSE). Through this model, we aim to evaluate a cache-based approach to reduce the query traffic directed from the ISP network to the WSE. We present a comparative study based on discrete-event simulation. The studied performance metrics include overall cache hits, load balance and power consumption. In all cases, the results show that the cache-based approach leads to better performance than the state of the art approaches. Additionally, we evaluate how a low cost halfway cache service can reduce the query traffic up to 30%.
Improving the outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery in New York State.

OBJECTIVE To assess changes in outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in New York since 1989, when the State Department of Health began collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information regarding risk factors, mortality, and complications of CABG surgery. These new data stimulated specific quality improvement activities at hospitals throughout the state. DESIGN A clinical database was used to identify significant independent risk factors and to assess risk-adjusted provider mortality rates. SETTING All 30 hospitals performing CABG surgery in New York during the period 1989 through 1992. PATIENTS All 57,187 patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery who were discharged from New York State hospitals in 1989 through 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Actual, expected (from a logistic regression model), and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Actual mortality decreased from 3.52% in 1989 to 2.78% in 1992. Because average patient severity of illness increased, risk-adjusted mortality decreased even more--a decrease of 41% from 4.17% in 1989 to 2.45% in 1992. The risk-adjustment model performed well; there were no clinically or statistically significant differences between actual and predicted numbers of deaths at any of 10 levels of patient severity. CONCLUSIONS We believe that this quality improvement program, based on the collection and dissemination of risk-adjusted mortality data for CABG surgery, played a significant role in the observed decline in the death rate from this procedure. Quality improvement programs based on similar principles for other procedures and conditions should be undertaken.
Spectrum Sensing for TV Band using NI- USRP and Lab VIEW

- Spectrum sensing is a major part for the implementation of Cognitive Radio (CR) systems in order to enable dynamic access to the radio frequency spectrum. The digital transition of TV transmission will make available some TV frequencies which are to be geographically unused called as TV White Spaces. Our result shows poor spectrum utilization in TV band and good potential for Cognitive radio operation. In our present work, we have correlated Cyclostationary feature detection and Energy detection technique for spectrum sensing with their merits and demerits using NI Lab VIEW. We particularly focus on the detection method based on cyclostationary feature detectors (CFD) estimation. The advantage of CFD is its relative robustness against noise uncertainty compared with energy detection methods. The experimental results present in this paper show that the cyclostationary feature-based detection can be robust compared to energy-based technique in real time.
Analytical End-to-End PER Performance of Multi-Hop Cooperative Relaying and Its Experimental Verification

SUMMARY The end-to-end packet error rate (PER) performance of a multi-hop cooperative relaying system is discussed in this paper. In this system, the end-to-end PER performance improves with the number of hops under certain conditions. The PER performance of multi-hop cooperative networks is analyzed with the state transition technique. The theoretical analysis reveals that the PER performance can be kept almost constant, or even improved, as the number of hops is increased. Computer simulation results agree closely with the analysis results. Moreover, to confirm this performance characteristic in an actual setup, an in-lab experiment using a fading emulator was conducted. The experimental results confirm the theoretical end-to-end PER performance of this system. key words: cooperative relaying