Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IgM Antibodies to Epstein‐Barr Virus‐Associated Membrane Antigen in Sera of Infectious Mononucleosis Patients

By the indirect immunofluorescence technique, IgM antibodies to the cell surface of an Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) producer cell line, P3HR‐1, were detected in sera from infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients but not in sera from patients with Burkitt lymphoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma nor in sera from healthy adult donors having antibodies to EBV‐specific viral capsid antigen (VCA). Titers of the IgM antibodies were higher in the earlier stages of IM, a pattern similar to that for IgM antibodies to VCA. The IgM antibodies to the cell surface were identified as being those against the EBV‐specific membrane antigen (MA) by the following criteria: (1) The antibodies were reactive to MA‐positive cell preparations but not to MA‐negative cell preparations. (2) Titers of the IgM antibodies were not significantly affected after absorption of sera with sheep red blood cells which could completely eliminate heterophil antibodies in the same sera. Detection of the IgM antibodies to MA may have a particular diagnostic value for providing evidence of a recent EBV infection.
Lack of support for the presence of an osteoarthritis susceptibility locus on chromosome 6p.

OBJECTIVE To replicate, in a Northern Irish population, the previously reported association between a locus on chromosome 6 and hip osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS Patients with hip OA were identified from a registry of patients who had undergone total hip replacement surgery over an 8-year period at a single large orthopedic unit in Northern Ireland. Patients identified as index cases were contacted by mail and asked to reply only if another family member also had undergone total hip replacement surgery. Using this approach, we identified 288 sibling pairs concordant for primary hip OA. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and microsatellite markers were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and subsequently genotyped. RESULTS No evidence of linkage to this region was demonstrated by either 2-point analysis or multipoint analysis of 17 microsatellites. CONCLUSION The reported association between a locus on chromosome 6 and hip OA could not be confirmed in this population. Different methods of ascertainment and phenotyping of OA may contribute to the current inability to replicate genetic associations for hip OA.
On the selection of concentric needle electromyogram motor unit action potentials: Is the rise time criterion too restrictive?

Concentric needle electromyogram motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) were recorded from the biceps brachii muscle of normal subjects and in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Although the MUAPs had a crisp sound and appeared sharp, their rise time (RT), measured from the maximum negative peak to the preceding maximum positive peak before it, was often >500 μs. All MUAPs with a RT ≤500 μs were recorded from within the motor unit (MU) territory. MUAP recordings from outside the MU territory had a long RT but also low amplitude (<50 μV) and/or a characteristic initial negative deflection. In the remaining recordings from within the MU territory, MUAP duration remained relatively constant while MUAP amplitude and RT varied inversely with each other. These MUAPs may be useful in electrodiagnosis but discarded due to their longer RT. We feel that while the current RT criterion for MUAP selection ensures that the electrode tip is within the MU territory, it is also too restrictive. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The California Tobacco Control Program’s effect on adult smokers: (2) Daily cigarette consumption levels

Objective: To investigate the association of the California Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program with self-reported population trends of cigarette consumption during 1992–2002. Setting and Participants: Participants were non-Hispanic white daily smokers (aged 20–64 years, n = 24 317) from the Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Survey (1992–2002). We compared age-specific trends in consumption among daily smokers in three groups of states with differing tobacco control initiatives: California (CA; high cigarette price/comprehensive programme), New York and New Jersey (high cigarette price/no comprehensive programme), and tobacco-growing states (TGS; low cigarette price/no comprehensive programme). Results: There was a general decline in cigarette consumption across all age groups in each category of states between 1992 and 2002, except the oldest age group in the TGS. The largest annual decline in the average number of cigarettes per day was observed among daily smokers in CA who were aged ⩾35 years (−0.41 cigarettes/day/year (95% CI −0.52 to −0.3)). This rate was significantly higher than the −0.22 cigarettes/day/year (95% CI −0.3 to −0.16; p<0.02) observed in same-age daily smokers from New York and New Jersey, and significantly higher than the rate in same-age daily smokers from the TGS (−0.15 cigarettes/day/year (95% CI −0.22 to −0.08; p<0.002)). There were no significant differences across state groups in the decline observed in daily smokers aged 20–34 years. In 2002, only 12% of daily smokers in CA smoked more than a pack per day, which was significantly lower than the 17% in New York and New Jersey, which again was significantly lower than the 25% in the TGS. Conclusions: The California Tobacco Control Program was associated with significant declines in cigarette consumption among daily smokers aged ⩾35 years of age, which in turn should lead to declines in tobacco-related health effects. The decline in consumption among young adult smokers was a national trend.
A Severity-Based Clinical Staging Model for the Psychosis Prodrome: Longitudinal Findings From the New York Recognition and Prevention Program

Clinical staging improved the possibility of intervening during the psychosis prodrome to limit progression of illness. The current study aimed to validate a novel 4-stage severity-based model with a focus on clinical change over time and risk for conversion to psychosis. One hundred seventy-one individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis were followed prospectively (3 ± 1.6 y) as part of the Recognition and Prevention (RAP) program and divided into 4 diagnostic stages according to absence/presence and severity of attenuated positive symptoms. Twenty-two percent of the combined sample recovered (no prodromal symptoms) by study outcome. The negative symptoms only subgroup had the highest symptom stability (70%), but the lowest conversion rate at 5.9%. The subgroup with more severe baseline attenuated positive symptom levels had a higher conversion rate (28%) and a more rapid onset when compared to the moderate attenuated positive symptom subgroup (11%). Finally, the Schizophrenia-Like Psychosis (SLP) subgroup showed low stability (3%), with 49% developing a specific psychotic disorder. The proposed stage model provides a more finely grained classification system than the standard diagnostic approach for prodromal individuals. All 4 stages are in need of early intervention because of low recovery rates. The negative symptom only stage is possibly a separate clinical syndrome, with an increased risk of functional disability. Both subgroups with attenuated positive symptoms are appropriate for studying the mechanisms of psychosis risk, however, individuals with more severe baseline positive symptoms appear better suited to clinical trials. Finally, the SLP category represents an intermediate outcome group appropriate for preventative intervention research but questionable for inclusion in prodromal studies of mechanisms.
Comparison of Two-Criterion Evolutionary Filtering Techniques in Cardiovascular Predictive Modelling

In this paper we compare a number of two-criterion filtering techniques for feature selection in cardiovascular predictive modelling. We design two-objective schemes based on different combinations of four criteria describing the quality of reduced feature sets. To find attribute subsystems meeting the introduced criteria in an optimal way, we suggest applying a cooperative multi-objective genetic algorithm. It includes various search strategies working in a parallel way, which allows additional experiments to be avoided when choosing the most effective heuristic for the problem considered. The performance of filtering techniques was investigated in combination with the SVM model on a population-based epidemiological database called KIHD (Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study). The dataset consists of a large number of variables on various characteristics of the study participants. These baseline measures were collected at the beginning of the study. In addition, all major cardiovascular events that had occurred among the participants over an average of 27 years of follow-up were collected from the national health registries. As a result, we found that the usage of the filtering technique including intra- and inter-class distances led to a significant reduction of the feature set (up to 11 times, from 433 to 38 features) without detriment to the predictive ability of the SVM model. This implies that there is a possibility to cut down on the clinical tests needed to collect the data, which is relevant to the prediction of cardiovascular diseases.
A review of electronic inductor technique for power factor correction in three-phase adjustable speed drives

Electronic Inductor (EI) techniques are promising approaches for improving the grid-side current quality, and they are suitable for motor drive applications. In this paper, different EI topologies are investigated from the efficiency perspective, including the effect of employing Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices. Moreover, the influence of partial loading on component sizing in Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs) is studied. Finally the analytical loss modelling of power switches is utilized for efficiency measurement. The theoretical analyses are verified by experimental benchmarking in an ASD system.
Prediction and Analysis of Injury Severity in Traffic System using Data Mining Techniques

Road traffic is an essential part to life, but the repeated road accidents bring severe bodily harm and loss of property. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are considered as major public health concern, resulting in 1.2 million deaths and 50 million injuries worldwide each year as per estimation. The want of study is to scrutinize the performance of different taxonomy methods using WEKA and TANAGRA tool on Traffic Injury Severity Dataset. This paper presents results comparison of three supervised data mining algorithms using various performance criteria. The performance is evaluated by the algorithms Naive bayes, ID3 and Random tree. Comparison of Performance of data mining algorithm based on Error rate, Computing time, precision value and accuracy. The comparison of the model using WEKA experimenter showed that Naive Bayes outperforms Random tree and ID3 algorithms with an accuracy of 50.7%, 45.07 and 25.35% respectively and comparison of the model using TANAGRA experimenter showed that Random tree outperforms Naive Bayes and ID3 algorithms with an accuracy of 92.95%, 67.6% and 57.74% respectively. In the end, we have to conclude that TANAGRA tool is the best data mining tools as compare to the WEKA.
High efficiency gene transfer into the embryonic chicken CNS using B‐subgroup retroviruses

Attempts to use replication‐competent retroviruses to target genes to the chick CNS have met with limited success for injections performed prior to stage 14 using A‐ or E‐subgroup viruses. This study was aimed at improving CNS infection by varying the stage of injection, viral envelope subgroup, viral titer, and the presence or absence of a transgene and/or the polycation polybrene in the inoculum. RCASBP vectors were injected into the neural tube of stages 3–13 embryos and protein expression was determined 9–48 hr later for forebrain, hindbrain, retina, and inner ear. Optimal injection parameters were defined which balanced good survival rates with high levels of transgene expression at early stages. The results demonstrate nearly complete expression of virus‐mediated transgenes in neural tissues at stages 15–21 following injection of B‐envelope RCASBP with polybrene at stages 7.5–12. This technique can now be applied to study the roles of genes in cell‐autonomous events such as cell connectivity, physiology, and differentiation, as well as neural patterning and regional identity. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytocompatible chitosan-graft-mPEG-based 5-fluorouracil-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery

Abstract Biodegradable materials like chitosan (CH) and methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) are widely being used as drug delivery carriers for various therapeutic applications. In this study, copolymer (CH-g-mPEG) of CH and carboxylic acid terminated mPEG was synthesized by carbodiimide-mediated acid amine reaction. The resultant hydrophilic copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR studies, revealing its relevant functional bands and proton peaks, respectively. Blank polymeric nanoparticles (B-PNPs) and 5-fluorouracil loaded polymeric nanoparticles (5-FU-PNPs) were formulated by ionic gelation method. Furthermore, folic acid functionalized FA-PNPs and FA-5-FU-PNPs were prepared for folate receptor-targeted drug delivery. FA-5-FU-PNPs were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, and in vitro drug release studies, resulting in 197.7 nm, +29.9 mv, and sustained drug release of 88% in 24 h, respectively. Cytotoxicity studies were performed for FA-PNPs and FA-5-FU-PNPs in MCF-7 cell line, which exhibited a cell viability of 80 and 41%, respectively. In vitro internalization studies were carried out for 5-FU-PNPs and FA-5-FU-PNPs which demonstrated increased cellular uptake of FA-5-FU-PNPs by receptor-mediated transport. Significant (p < .01) reduction (1.5-fold) of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was observed in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, revealing its potent antioxidant property. From the obtained results, it is concluded that folic acid functionalization of 5-FU-PNPs is an ideal approach for sustained and targeted drug delivery, thereby influencing better therapeutic effect.
Frequency synthesis using pulse width locked loop

Implemented fractional-N frequency synthesizer architecture based upon Pulse Width Locked Loop technique eliminates the need for δΣ Modulator within the loop while preserving the frequency resolution and accuracy of such synthesizers. Eliminating the modulator allows the designer to optimize the synthesizer loop bandwidth without any constraint imposed by the modulator. The loop operates by locking precisely the output frequency to a control voltage. Implemented loop occupies an area of 650µm by 630µm in 0. 35µm CMOS process and draws 383µA from a single 3.3V supply. It covers a frequency range of 4–70MHz with 76Hz resolution and has a measured phase noise performance of 104dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset with the worst spurious signal level of −70dBc.
Development of an Agitated Behavior Rating Scale for discrete temporal observations.

Agitation is a commonly encountered clinical problem, particularly among institutionalized geriatric patients. Agitation is particularly difficult to study because it is manifested in a variety of ways and may occur intermittently across the 24-hour day. Existing ratings scales offer rich behavioral descriptions of agitated behavior but fail to take into account the real-time component of when such behaviors occur. In this article we report the development of an agitated behavior rating scale based on discrete, intermittent real-time observation. Results indicated high levels of interobserver agreement among three trained observers. Percentage agreement exceeded 85% and kappa coefficients were statistically significant at the . 001 level for the most general categories of agitation. More specific categories of agitation yielded slightly lower, but still acceptable percentage agreements and kappas. These findings suggest that such a rating scale may have utility in the study of agitation and related phenomena across the 24-hour day.
Clustering of diet, physical activity and smoking and a general willingness to change

Addressing multiple health behaviours are important in preventing disease and mortality. The present study investigated the clustering of health behaviours, cognitive determinants and stages of change in 2827 adults for the lifestyle factors of physical activity, fruit, vegetable and fat consumption and smoking. The results showed that only 3% of the total population met recommended guidelines for all of the five behaviours. Behaviours were found to be weakly associated. Behaviour-specific cognitions and stages of change for the behaviours clustered more strongly, however. With respect to diet and physical activity, respondents in the preparation stage for one behaviour were likely also to be preparing to change another behaviour. Possible mechanisms for the apparent general willingness to change multiple behaviours are discussed, as well as potential implications for health promotion practice.
Meiosis-induced alterations in transcript architecture and noncoding RNA expression in S. cerevisiae.

Changes in transcript architecture can have powerful effects on protein expression. Regulation of the transcriptome is often dramatically revealed during dynamic conditions such as development. To examine changes in transcript architecture we analyzed the expression and transcript boundaries of protein-coding and noncoding RNAs over the developmental process of meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Custom-designed, high-resolution tiling arrays were used to define the time-resolved transcriptome of cells undergoing meiosis and sporulation. These arrays were specifically designed for the S. cerevisiae strain SK1 that sporulates with high efficiency and synchrony. In addition, new methods were created to define transcript boundaries and to identify dynamic changes in transcript expression and architecture over time. Of 8407 total segments, 699 (8.3%) were identified by our algorithm as regions containing potential transcript architecture changes. Our analyses reveal extensive changes to both the coding and noncoding transcriptome, including altered 5' ends, 3' ends, and splice sites. Additionally, 3910 (46.5%) unannotated expressed segments were identified. Interestingly, subsets of unannotated RNAs are located across from introns (anti-introns) or across from the junction between two genes (anti-intergenic junctions). Many of these unannotated RNAs are abundant and exhibit sporulation-specific changes in expression patterns. All work, including heat maps of the tiling array, annotation for the SK1 strain, and phastCONS conservation analysis, is available at http://groups.molbiosci. northwestern.edu/sontheimer/sk1meiosis.php. Our high-resolution transcriptome analyses reveal that coding and noncoding transcript architectures are exceptionally dynamic in S. cerevisiae and suggest a vast array of novel transcriptional and post-transcriptional control mechanisms that are activated upon meiosis and sporulation.
Maximizing the power of comparing single cases against a control sample: An argument, a program for making comparisons, and a worked example from the Pyramids and Palm Trees Test

In neuropsychological research, it is frequently necessary to compare the performance of a single case with that of a control sample. Recently, there has been a discussion about whether existing methods are adequate in preventing Type 1 errors due to increased variability in the single-case data (Crawford, Garthwaite, Howell, & Gray, 2004; Mitchell, Mycroft, & Kay, 2004; Mycroft, Mitchell, & Kay, 2002) and about the power of any comparisons. In this paper, we propose an extension of the modified t test introduced by Crawford and Howell (1998). We provide Monte Carlo simulations that show that it is possible to increase the power of the modified t test by retesting the single case. We also make available a computer program that implements the method introduced in this paper and that can be used by neuropsychologists to test for a difference between a single case and a control group. We apply our procedure to an example of a patient examined on the “Pyramids and Palm Trees” test.
PECAM-1 Polymorphism Affects Monocyte Adhesion to Endothelial Cells

Background. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) plays an important role in leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and transmigration. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of PECAM-1 encoding amino acid substitutions at positions 98 leucine/valine (L/V), 536 serine/asparagine (S/N), and 643 arginine/glycine (R/G) occur in strong genetic linkage resulting in two common haplotypes (LSR and VNG). These PECAM-1 polymorphisms are associated with graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and with cardiovascular disease, but whether they influence PECAM-1 function is unknown. Methods. We examined the effect of homozygous and heterozygous expression of the PECAM-1 LSR and VNG genotypes on the adhesive interactions of peripheral blood monocytes and activated endothelial cell monolayers under shear stress in a flow-based cell adhesion assay. Results. There was no difference in monocyte adhesion between the two homozygous genotypes of PECAM-1 but when monocytes expressed both alleles in heterozygous form, firm adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells was markedly increased. PECAM-1 polymorphism expressed in homozygous or heterozygous form by endothelial cells did not influence monocyte adhesion. Conclusions. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that PECAM-1 genotype can alter the level of monocyte binding to endothelial cells and a demonstration that heterozygous expression of a polymorphic protein may lead to altered function.
Reflections on “Governance”

In recent years, the use of the term “governance” has risen exponentially, often replacing the kindred term government. While the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, many scholars have sought to distinguish them by giving “governance” a broader and less political meaning. This approach, however, tends to underestimate the essential role of the state and to overlook the central importance of politics. On the whole, democracies tend to be better governed than autocracies, but there are exceptions to this rule. The distinction between good and bad government has long been understood by people everywhere, even in societies where there has been no notion of popular participation. The relationship between democracy and good governance is a very complex one, and a serious analysis of it leads toward the realm of political philosophy.