Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Efficacy of Five Types of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets Against Anopheles fluviatilis, the Primary Malaria Vector in East-Central India

ABSTRACT Five types of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LNs), namely, Olyset, Netprotect, PermaNet, DuraNet, and Interceptor, were tested after 20 washes for efficacy in terms of mortality, deterrence effect, blood-feeding inhibition, and induced exophily of the malaria vector Anopheles fluviatilis in experimental huts in Malkangiri district of Odisha State, India. Efficacy of the three synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) used in the LNs was also analyzed. Use of LNs reduced the entry of An. fluviatilis into the huts by 73.3–83.2%, and the five LNs were comparable in terms of deterrence. The exit rate of An. fluviatilis from the huts with untreated net was 56.3%, and relative to this, Olyset followed by DuraNet induced significantly a higher exophily. In contrast, the exit rate was significantly lower with Interceptor. Among the three SPs, permethrin induced significantly greater exophily relative to the untreated control, and as a result of this, permethrin-treated Olyset produced a lower mortality. Blood-feeding rate of An. fluviatilis was significantly lower with all the five LNs than the control. Similarly, all the three SPs significantly inhibited blood feeding compared with the control. Interceptor and DuraNet, both alphacypermethrin-treated LNs, caused relatively a higher mortality of An. fluviatilis than the other LNs. The five brands of LNs and three SPs tested in the current study were equally effective in terms of deterrence and blood-feeding inhibition; only exiting and killing effect differed among them. Permethrin-treated LNs induced greater exophily, while, overall, alphacypermethrin-treated LNs killed more An. fluviatilis that entered the huts. Advantage of deterrence, excito-repellent, and killing effects of LNs and appropriate selection of SP for net treatment are discussed in this paper.
A Comprehensive Interaction Map of the Human Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) Complex*

Assembly of the Sm-class of U-rich small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (U snRNPs) is a process facilitated by the macromolecular survival of motor neuron (SMN) complex. This entity promotes the binding of a set of factors, termed LSm/Sm proteins, onto snRNA to form the core structure of these particles. Nine factors, including the SMN protein, the product of the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease gene, Gemins 2-8 and unrip have been identified as the major components of the SMN complex. So far, however, only little is known about the architecture of this complex and the contribution of individual components to its function. Here, we present a comprehensive interaction map of all core components of the SMN complex based upon in vivo and in vitro methods. Our studies reveal a modular composition of the SMN complex with the three proteins SMN, Gemin8, and Gemin7 in its center. Onto this central building block the other components are bound via multiple interactions. Furthermore, by employing a novel assay, we were able to reconstitute the SMN complex from individual components and confirm the interaction map. Interestingly, SMN protein carrying an SMA-causing mutation was severely impaired in formation of the SMN complex. Finally, we show that the peripheral component Gemin5 contributes an essential activity to the SMN complex, most likely the transfer of Sm proteins onto the U snRNA. Collectively, the data presented here provide a basis for the detailed mechanistic and structural analysis of the assembly machinery of U snRNPs.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 is responsible for macrophage recruitment following injury to sciatic nerve

Following injury to the peripheral nervous system, circulating monocytes/macrophages are recruited to the damaged tissue, where they play vital roles during both nerve degeneration and subsequent regeneration. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), a member of the C‐C or β‐chemokine family, is a powerful leukocyte recruitment/activation factor that is relatively specific for monocytes/macrophages. Because these are the predominant leukocyte type recruited by injured nerve, we hypothesized that up‐regulation of MCP‐1 expression is involved in recruitment of these cells. Indeed, assay of steady‐state levels of MCP‐1 mRNA in rat sciatic nerve during tellurium‐induced primary demyelination indicated up‐regulation of this chemokine with a peak after 3 days of tellurium exposure, preceding the peak of accumulation of phagocytic macrophages (assayed as lysozyme mRNA levels) by 6 days. Increasing levels of MCP‐1 mRNA expression, induced by increasing levels of tellurium exposure, resulted in corresponding increases in subsequent recruitment of macrophages. In situ hybridization suggested that MCP‐1 mRNA was localized in Schwann cells. No expression of MIP‐2, which is a C‐X‐C or α‐chemokine that is specific for recruitment of neutrophils, was detected, consistent with the lack of recruitment of significant numbers of these cells. In addition, we also investigated the response seen following nerve transection (axonal degeneration and secondary demyelination with no subsequent regeneration) and nerve crush (degeneration followed by regeneration). In these latter two nerve injury models, there was also a marked, early up‐regulation of MCP‐1 mRNA, with a time course that is compatible with a role for this chemokine in macrophage recruitment. We conclude that MCP‐1 is involved in recruiting monocytes/macrophages to injured peripheral nerve and that the specificity of leukocyte types recruited results from specificity of chemokine production. J. Neurosci. Res. 53:260–267, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitigation of oxygen-induced retinopathy in α2β1 integrin-deficient mice.

PURPOSE The α2β1 integrin plays an important but complex role in angiogenesis and vasculopathies. Published GWAS studies established a correlation between genetic polymorphisms of the α2β1 integrin gene and incidence of diabetic retinopathy. Recent studies indicated that α2-null mice demonstrate superior vascularization in both the wound and diabetic microenvironments. The goal of this study was to determine whether the vasculoprotective effects of α2-integrin deficiency extended to the retina, using the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS In the OIR model, wild-type (WT) and α2-null mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days (postnatal day [P] 7 to P12) and subsequently returned to room air for 6 days (P12-P18). Retinas were collected at postnatal day 7, day 13, and day 18 and examined via hematoxylin and eosin and Lectin staining. Retinas were analyzed for retinal vascular area, neovascularization, VEGF expression, and Müller cell activation. Primary Müller cell cultures from WT and α2-null mice were isolated and analyzed for hypoxia-induced VEGF-A expression. RESULTS In the retina, the α2β1 integrin was minimally expressed in endothelial cells and strongly expressed in activated Müller cells. Isolated α2-null primary Müller cells demonstrated decreased hypoxia-induced VEGF-A expression. In the OIR model, α2-null mice displayed reduced hyperoxia-induced vaso-attenuation, reduced pathological retinal neovascularization, and decreased VEGF expression as compared to WT counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the α2β1 integrin contributes to the pathogenesis of retinopathy. We describe a newly identified role for α2β1 integrin in mediating hypoxia-induced Müller cell VEGF-A production.
Abstract and reduced-context representations in fault-finding training

The ability to transfer problem-solving expertise to new situations is regarded as an important practical skill but it is known to be sensitive to contextual differences. Employing abstract and reduced-context training tasks has been proposed as a method of fostering transferable skill but the evidence supporting this approach is limited. The research reported here aimed at assessing the effectiveness of training with diagnostic tasks of varying degrees of contextual detail. The criterion test used to measure training effectiveness was a context-rich diagnostic task that involved locating faults in a representation of a water supply and drainage system (WSDS). In the first study reported (baseline study), subjects were trained and tested on the WSDS task. Various training interventions were employed and a set of diagnostic heuristics proved to be the most effective. Two pilot studies were then carried out to determine whether training with abstract diagnostic tasks could produce transfer to the criterion test, the WSDS. Little evidence of transfer was found; therefore, it was decided to incorporate some context into training but not so much as to obscure important, conceptual task features. This was achieved by constructing reduced-context representations (RCO) of the WSDS at more than one level of abstraction (main study). Training with those representations took less time than training with the WSDS but transfer to the criterion test (the WSDS) was equally efficient. During training with the RCO representations, a technique of refusing costly test information was employed which is thought to have helped subjects discover efficient search strategies and consistently transfer them to the criterion test. This was contrasted with the verbal diagnostic heuristics of the baseline study, which had proved to be effective, but which were not always transferred consistently to the criterion test. This raises the question as to whether diagnostic strategies are necessarily best conveyed solely in verbal form, if the intention is to train transferable skill.
Psychiatric disorders in patients with dizziness and Ménière’s disease

Abstract Conclusions: The Self-Rating Depression Score (SDS) is a useful metric for identifying patients with possible psychiatric disorders. Objective: A dilemma commonly encountered by otolaryngologists is how to diagnose and treat depression and anxiety disorders in patients who have dizziness or Ménière’s disease. Methods: We administered the SDS and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to patients with dizziness (n = 116) or Ménière’s disease (n = 22). Overall, 31 and 9 patients, respectively, had SDS ≥ 41. We investigated the correlation between the two questionnaire scores and the relationship between scores and a diagnosis of depression by a psychiatrist. Results: We referred 12 patients with dizziness and 4 with Ménière’s disease to a psychiatrist. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were anxiety disorder and major depression. Overall, 7 of the 12 patients who had dizziness and all 4 patients with Ménière’s disease were diagnosed with major depression. Patients with an SDS ≥ 41 and ≥ 11 on the D portion of HADS were likely to be diagnosed with major depression (9 of 11). No psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in patients with an SDS < 41. No specific characteristics were identified by HADS in patients with a psychiatric comorbidity.
A Gaussian Mixture Model Based Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is increasingly being used to study the damage of brain microstructure due to neurodegenerative disorder. In this work an attempt is made to evaluate the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) for classification of Alzheimer's, healthy controls and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) subjects using diffusion tensor indices. GMM's performance is evaluated against linear discriminant analysis and Parzen window techniques of classification. Close to 90% classification accuracy has been achieved using this approach. The early diagnosis of Alzheimer's plays a critical role since the effect of drugs reduce drastically as disease becomes more pronounced thus this technique can be a viable tool for mass screening of Alzheimer disease.
CT and MR appearance of otolaryngologic packing materials.

PURPOSE To examine the CT and MR appearances of four packing materials commonly used in otolaryngologic surgery. METHODS The CT and MR appearances of bismuth and iodoform paraffin paste, aqueous betadine gauze, calcium sodium alginate, and triadocortyl cream were examined. CT attenuation values were measured using phantoms containing packing materials. MR characteristics were examined by packing the external auditory meati of volunteers. Two illustrative case reports also are presented. RESULTS Bismuth and iodoform paraffin paste has a high CT attenuation (> 3000 Hounsfield units) resulting in severe image degradation attributable to streak artifact. Aqueous betadine gauze was of high attenuation (258 Hounsfield units; SD, 16.5) but did not cause image degradation. The attenuation values of calcium sodium alginate and triadocortyl creme coincided with those of muscle and fat, respectively. On MR, calcium sodium alginate and bismuth and iodoform paraffin paste had imaging characteristics similar to muscle and aqueous betadine gauze had appearances similar to bone marrow. Triadocortyl cream had a high signal equal to that of fat on T1-weighted images but a lower signal similar to bone marrow on T2-weighted images. CONCLUSIONS The presence of bismuth and iodoform paraffin paste can give rise to clinically important image degradation on CT. More seriously, residual packing material may be misinterpreted as infection or tissue necrosis.
Education and Globalisation

Phd. Elvira Lussana University of Perugia The modernisation of process of Education (BOLOGNA process) demands of Universities to arrive at the formation of students able to research and work in an International context and to face the “change” that globalisation has caused in the New World Order and to read the big disorder that confounds today the geopolitical landscape, in other words to be able to analyse and explain the dimension and the nature of Planetary crises (political, social, cultural, environmental, economic, organisational, but above all existential). In this process of University we must keep present the thoughts of Thomas Jefferson that exalt the inseparable relation between scientific alphabetisation and civil participation that today some intellectuals like to considerer as technorealism (www.technorealism.org), a form of reflexion oriented to demolish some clichés among which that technology could resolve all market problems such as inequality and monopoly or that the markets could resolve all technological problems ”Technologies are not neutral” or Technology is not knowledge. From here the strong idea that technological comprehension must be an essential component of global citizenship
Identification of CPU Latency and Energy Consumption Across Various Publications

The analysis and comprehension of professional research publications is a vital skill for all aspiring computer engineers. In the spirit of exploring this often intimidating domain, the focus of this paper is thus to analyze 10 different professional research publications and compare specific data metrics therein. All publications centered around STT-RAM in contrast to SRAM, in regards to CPU cache. The chosen data metrics are write latency in ns, as well as the energy consumed in nJ. The data trends across the various publications revealed strong similarities in performance if one simply considers the range of data. However, if the data sets are contrasted the one another then it can be noted that some methods and techniques produce CPU cache energy consumption of 8 times and even 32 times improved efficiency. Keywords—STT-RAM, SRAM, eDRAM, MJT, Spin Transfer, AOS, hybrid, energy, latency, cache, MLC, ASTRO, PARSEC, PVANUCA
Influence of eddy current induced in steel rails on suspension force of EMS high-speed maglev system

It is a problem needs to overcome that steel rails induce eddy current when the maglev train runs. Most of the existing studies are about lower speed operations, and there are few studies aim at the situation of EMS high-speed maglev train. This paper simplifies the construction of EMS high-speed maglev train, simulates it by electromagnetic field simulation software Ansoft Maxwell, and researches the influence of eddy current induced in steel rails on Suspension Force of EMS High-Speed Maglev System in the 3D transient magnetic field.
Massive Blood Replacement: Correlation of Ionized Calcium, Citrate, and Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Fifty-three patients were studied intraoperatively during massive transfusion of CPD-preserved blood and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Baseline concentrations of total calcium (Ca), ionized calcium (Ca2+), albumin, total protein, and hydrogen ion concentration [H+] were measured prior to transfusion, at intervals during transfusion of 2500 ml of blood, and at the end of transfusion. Systemic arterial pressure (BPI, central venous pressure (CVP) and/or pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAW), and corrected Q-T intervals on electrocardiographic tracings were measured at the time blood samples were obtained. Ca2+ decreased from 2.07 ± 0.03 mEq/L at baseline to 1.52 ± 0.05 mEq/L (p < 0.01) during transfusion at peak rates of 33 ± 3.2 ml/kg/hr. Following completion of transfusion, Ca2+ was significantly higher than at peak rates of transfusion, but still below baseline. Serum citrate levels rose from a baseline value of 1.87 ± 0.17 mg/dl to 6.30 ± 0.49 mg/dl (p < 0.01) at peak rate of transfusion and fell to 4.76 ± 0.48 immediately upon completion of transfusion (p < 0.011. The changes in Ca2+ and serum citrate levels showed a strong statistical correlation with each other. [H+] increased, but not significantly, at peak rates of infusion; after completion of transfusion, [H+] was significantly lower than during peak rates of transfusion. Ca levels were 4.10 ± 0.05 mEq/L at baseline, 3.90 ± 0.05 mEq/L at peak rates of infusion, and 3.89 ± 0.06 mEq/L after transfusion was completed. Albumin levels at the same sampling intervals were 3.60 ± 0.07, 3.71 ± 0.06, 3.87 ± 0.07 g/dl, respectively. Total protein levels were 5.95 ± 0.07, 5.67 ± 0.07, and 5.88 ± 0.09 g/dl, respectively. Corrected Q-T intervals were significantly prolonged at peak rates of transfusion and upon completion of transfusion. Correlation between changes in Ca2+ and corrected Q-T intervals was statistically significant. However, hemodynamic variables remained stable throughout the period of observation.Massive transfusions depressed Ca2+ due to administration of citrate, but this was only transient. Ca2+ rapidly returned to normal levels as citrate was redistributed and metabolized. The changes in Ca2+ were without hemodynamic significance. Clinically significant metabolic acidosis due to transfusion was not observed. We conclude, therefore, that as long as circulating volume is maintaines, as determined by measurement of CVP or PAW, calcium salts need to be administered during blood replacement, either empirically on the basis of rate or volume or transfusion, or on the basis of changes in samples indicate the development of metabolic acidosis.
An electrophysiological investigation of deglutition in man

This article describes a combined electrophysiological and mechanical method used to measure laryngeal movements and related submental EMG activity during swallowing. The mechanical upward and downward movements of the larynx were detected using a piezoelectric sensor while the submental integrated EMG (SM‐EMG) was recorded. Measurements were performed in 29 human subjects. The interval between the onsets of the two sensor signal deflections was used as a measure of the time the larynx remained in its superior position during swallowing. In 10 subjects, the cricopharyngeus muscle (CP) of the upper esophageal spinchter showed a continuous tonic EMG activity except during swallowing. All the parameters measured were influenced by the type and volume of the bolus material. The method presented in this study proved its usefulness in the study of the physiology of deglutition as well as in its objective clinical evaluation in patients with dysphagia. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Visible arrayed waveguide grating (400nm–700nm) for ultra-wide band (400–1700nm) integrated spectrometer for spectral tissue sensing

Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) find increasing use in applications in life science and medical that use wavelengths covering the full visible, near and short wave infrared region. In this paper we describe a PIC spectrometer for spectral tissue sensing, that measures the response of a broad band source, emitting light from 400 to 1700nm, scattered from the tip of a photonic needle that is in close contact with tissue. [1]. The detected spectrum enables to distinguish between different tissue constituents and types and serves as real-time feedback to a physician during an intervention. Using PICs supports the desire to lower the size and increase the usability of such equipment, making it more portable.
Stochastic Adaptive Multilevel Waterfilling in MIMO-OFDM WLANs

This paper presents a stochastic adaptive multilevel waterfilling algorithm for optimal power allocation in a MIMO- OFDM system using imperfect channel estimates. The algorithm has a self-learning capability that allows it to adapt to non- stationary fading channels. Analysis and simulations reveal the algorithm's excellent tracking ability in a slowly time-varying channel.
Detection of human cytomegalovirus by slot‐blot hybridisation assay employing oligo‐primed 32P‐labelled probe

A 32P‐labelled Hind III‐0 DNA fragment (nine Kilobases; Kb) from human cytomegalovirus AD‐169 (HCMV) was used in slot‐blot hybridisation assay for the detection of HCMV in clinical samples. The results obtained with DNA hybridisation assay (DNA HA) were compared with virus isolation using conventional tube cell culture (CTC) and centrifugation vial culture (CVC), immunofluorescence (IF), and complement fixation test (CFT). Of 15 CTC‐positive samples, 13 were positive with DNA HA (sensitivity 86.7%). Also, 14 additional samples were DNA HA‐positive but CTC‐negative. CVC and/or IF confirmed the diagnosis in nine of 14; the remaining five samples were from three patients who showed fourfold rising antibody titre by CFT. Although DNA HA using 32P‐labelled probes is relatively cumbersome and expensive, it is a valuable test for quantitation of viral shedding in patients with HCMV infections who may benefit from antiviral therapy.
Influence of terrestrial sedimentation in Pennsylvanian rocks of Croatia

Sedimentary rocks of Pennsylvanian age outcrop at several regions in Croatia. Most of these rocks were deposited in a marine environment, in different tectonic units: Karst (External) Dinarides, Internal Dinarides and Tisia. Pennsylvanian deposits contain a significant amount of terrestrial debris, related to the uplift of the Hercynian mountain belt and its intense erosion. Remnants of land flora are not common, but are present at almost all localities. The most diverse and the best preserved Pennsylvanian land flora in Croatia was discovered on the Velebit Mt. and in the Lika Region. It was dominated by ferns, pteridosperms and cordaitales. The fossil flora from Banovina is less diverse, with pteridosperms, scarce ferns, horsetails and lycopods. The sporadic occurrence of lycopods and horsetails was reported from the mountains of NW Croatia. In the Gorski Kotar Region only plant detritus was observed. Ferns and pteridosperms from Papuk Mt. were discovered in older, Mississippian deposits. Palaeobotanical data reopen the discussion about the palaeogeographic position of the research areas.