Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistent cytomegalovirus infection of semen increases risk of AIDS.

To evaluate if persistent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of semen in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antibody-positive men increases AIDS risk, serial cultures for CMV every 3-6 months were attempted four or more times from 164 men followed 3 years. CMV was never isolated from 58 men, in 1 or 2 samples from 54 (intermittently positive), and in > or = 3 samples from 52 (persistently positive). The Cox model was used to estimate relative hazards while controlling for CD4 cell number. The relative hazard was 2.9 for those intermittently and 4.0 for those persistently positive (P < .001). No Kaposi's sarcoma occurred in culture-negative men, 3 cases (5.6%) in intermittently positive men, and 4 cases (7.7%) in persistently positive men (P < .04). Persistent CMV in semen increases the hazard of AIDS in HIV-1 antibody-positive men, possibly by activating CD4 cells to produce HIV-1. Thus, control of CMV in HIV-1-infected persons may slow progression to AIDS.
Hip Muscle Weakness and Overuse Injuries in Recreational Runners

Objective: To test for differences in strength of 6 muscle groups of the hip on the involved leg in recreational runners with injuries compared with the uninvolved leg and a control group of noninjured runners. Design: Descriptive analysis. Setting: Three outpatient physical therapy clinics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Participants: Thirty recreational runners (17 female, 13 male) experiencing a single leg overuse injury that presented for treatment between June and September 2002. Thirty noninjured runners (16 female, 14 male) randomly selected from a pool of 46 volunteers from a distance running club served as controls. Main Outcome Measures: Self-report demographic information on running habits, leg dominance demonstrated by preferred kicking leg, and injury information. Muscle strength of the 6 major muscle groups of the hip was recorded using a hand-held dynamometer. The highest value of 2 trials was used, and strength values were normalized to body mass2/3. Results: Results comparing the injured and noninjured groups showed that leg dominance did not influence the leg of injury (χ2(1) = 0.134; P = 0.71). Correlations for internal reliability of muscle measurements between trials 1 and 2 with the hand-held dynamometer ranged from 0.80 to 0.90 for the 6 muscle groups measured, and all P values were less than 0.0001. No significant side-to-side differences in hip group muscle strength were found in the noninjured runners (P = 0.62-0.93). Among the injured runners, the injured side hip abductor (P = 0.0003) and flexor muscle groups (P = 0.026) were significantly weaker than the noninjured side. In addition, the injured side hip adductor muscle group was significantly stronger (P = 0.010) than the noninjured side. Duration of symptoms was not a contributing factor to the extent of injury as measured by muscle strength imbalance between injured and uninjured sides. Conclusions: Although no cause-and-effect relationship has been established, this is the first study to show an association between hip abductor, adductor, and flexor muscle group strength imbalance and lower extremity overuse injuries in runners. Because most running injuries are multifaceted in nature, areas secondary to the site of pain, such as hip muscle groups exhibiting strength imbalances, must also be considered to gain favorable outcomes for injured runners. The addition of strengthening exercises to specifically identified weak hip muscles may offer better treatment results in patients with running injuries.
Finding edges of buildings via a junction process in high-resolution remotely sensed images

This paper addresses the problem of finding edges of buildings in high-resolution remotely sensed images, which is of great help for subsequent analysis of built-up areas in urban remote sensing. More precisely, we propose a novel algorithm to extract meaningful edges associated to buildings with their saliency, by integrating an edge detection procedure with a junction process. This is inspired by the observation that meaningful junctions mainly emerge around buildings rather than on non-building objects in high-resolution remote sensing images. Thus, given a high-resolution remotely sensed image, we first use an edge detection algorithm, e.g. canny edge extractor, to compute all possible candidate edges of buildings, and then refine those candidates by meaningful junctions around buildings with their significance. The meaningful junctions are provided by an a-contrario junction detector, whose significance is related to the structural saliency in the images. For the evaluation of the proposed method, we test it on a small set of remote sensing images of half-meter resolution from WorldView-2, IKONOS and QuicBird. It demonstrates that our approach can find and locate edges of buildings with high precision and efficiency.
LUNG INFLAMMATION INDUCED BY ENDOTOXIN IS ENHANCED IN RATS DEPLETED OF ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES WITH AEROSOLIZED CLODRONATE

Clodronate liposomes were given to rats via intratracheal inhalation to investigate the importance of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in inhaled endotoxin-induced lung injury. When AM depletion was maximal (87% to 90%), rats were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline. Neither clodronate nor saline liposomes induced an influx of neutrophils (PMNs) into the lungs. However, depleted LPS-exposed rats had 5- to 8-fold higher numbers of lavage PMNs and greater lavage cell reactive oxygen species release compared to undepleted rats. Although AM depletion by itself did not significantly increase inflammatory cytokine expression in lung tissue, LPS-induced message levels for interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were approximately 2-fold higher in AM-depleted rats compared to undepleted rats. These results indicate that cells other than AMs can recruit inflammatory cells into the lungs during acute LPS-induced injury and that AMs play an important suppressive role in the innate pulmonary inflammatory response.
Crystal structure of 4-hydroxypyridin-1-ium 3,5-dicarboxybenzoate

A 1:1.4 molar equivalent of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid cocrystallized with 4-hydroxypyridine yields the 4-hydroxypyridin-1-ium 3,5-dicarboxybenzoate salt.
Improved temporal texture compression using camera motion estimation

In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm for continuous estimation of camera motion and zoom. We show that this method can be used to warp previously encoded frames into the perspective of the frame that is currently encoded. In particular, for so-called video or dynamic texture, that is, sequences exhibiting some kind of temporal periodicity or stationarity, a frame with a given temporal distance can be warped and added into the reference picture buffer to complement conventional reference frames. The rationale is that with these sequences, frames, or parts of frames, tend to reappear in a similar form after some time. We show that by combining a specifically tailored method for frame warping with exploitation of dynamic texture properties, bitrate savings surpassing the state-of-the-art can be achieved with a recent version of the HM software.
Uncharted Territory: Research on the Socialization of Special Education Teachers

E ACH YEAR, thousands of students enter preparation programs in anticipation of becoming special education teachers, and each year as well, thousands more graduate to take positions as special education teachers in our nation’s schools. As they enter the workplace of schools, what kinds of professionals will they become? What will influence their professional self-identities in the transition from student to practicing teacher? Questions of this nature fall into the domain of teacher socializa-
IL‐5‐mediated eosinophil survival requires inhibition of GSK‐3 and correlates with β‐catenin relocalization

Interleukin (IL)‐5 is a hematopoietic cytokine able to regulate differentiation, survival, and effector functions of eosinophils. It binds specifically to its receptor, which is composed of a cytokine‐specific α‐chain and a β‐chain shared with the receptors for IL‐3 and the granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor. The molecular mechanisms by which IL‐5 modulates eosinophil survival remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that IL‐5 withdrawal induces eosinophil apoptosis through a mitochondria‐dependent pathway, independently of Fas receptor activation. The lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase plays a crucial role in the maintenance of eosinophil survival, as inhibition of its activity results in apoptosis. IL‐5 induces phosphorylation and thus, inhibition of the Forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK‐3). We analyzed expression of FOXO3a‐dependent transcriptional targets: Fas ligand or Bim (a proapoptotic Bcl‐2 family member), but neither was detected in apoptotic eosinophils. We further show that GSK‐3 is activated after IL‐5 withdrawal, and inhibition of its activity rescues eosinophils from apoptosis. β‐catenin, a direct GSK‐3 substrate, is present in the nucleus of IL‐5‐stimulated eosinophils, but it is translocated to the plasma membrane in the absence of cytokine in a GSK‐3‐dependent manner. This is the first report describing a potential role for GSK‐3 and β‐catenin in regulating eosinophil survival and suggests a novel mechanism by which IL‐5 inhibits the constitutive apoptotic program in these cells.
Fecal Microbiota Composition of Breast-Fed Infants Is Correlated With Human Milk Oligosaccharides Consumed

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that the fecal bacterial genera of breast-fed (BF) and formula-fed (FF) infants differ and that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) modulate the microbiota of BF infants. Methods: Fecal samples were obtained from BF (n = 16) or FF (n = 6) infants at 3-month postpartum. Human milk samples were collected on the same day when feces were collected. The microbiota was assessed by pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes. HMOs were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography–chip time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results: The overall microbiota of BF differed from that of FF (P = 0.005). Compared with FF, BF had higher relative abundances of Bacteroides, lower proportions of Clostridium XVIII, Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Veillonella (P < 0.05). Bifidobacterium predominated in both BF and FF infants, with no difference in abundance between the 2 groups. The most abundant HMOs were lacto-N-tetraose + lacto-N-neotetraose (LNT + LNnT, 22.6%), followed by 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL, 14.5%) and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I, 9.5%). Partial least squares regression of HMO and microbiota showed several infant fecal bacterial genera could be predicted by their mothers’ HMO profiles, and the important HMOs for the prediction of bacterial genera were identified by variable importance in the projection scores. Conclusions: These results strengthen the established relation between HMO and the infant microbiota and identify statistical means whereby infant bacterial genera can be predicted by milk HMO. Future studies are needed to validate these findings and determine whether the supplementation of formula with defined HMO could selectively modify the gut microbiota.
Two-Component Response Regulators Ssk1p and Skn7p Additively Regulate High-Osmolarity Adaptation and Fungicide Sensitivity in Cochliobolus heterostrophus

ABSTRACT Filamentous ascomycetous fungi possess many histidine kinases and two conserved response regulators, Ssk1p and Skn7p, in their two-component signaling systems. We previously reported that the fungus unique group III histidine kinase regulates high-osmolarity adaptation and iprodione/fludioxonil fungicide sensitivity by controlling the phosphorylation of Hog1-type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in filamentous ascomycetes. Here, we have characterized the response regulator genes ChSsk1 and ChSkn7 in the southern corn leaf blight fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Both ChSsk1- and ChSkn7-disrupted mutants showed little sensitivity to high-osmolarity stress and moderate resistance to the iprodione/fludioxonil fungicides. The phosphorylation of Hog1-type MAPK BmHog1p induced by high-osmolarity stress and fungicide treatments was only regulated by ChSsk1p, indicating that ChSkn7p has roles in high-osmolarity adaptation and fungicide sensitivity that are independent from the activation of BmHog1p. The Chssk1 Chskn7 double mutants clearly showed higher sensitivity to osmolar stress and higher resistance to fungicides than the single mutants. The dose responses of the double mutants fit well with those of the group III histidine kinase-deficient strain. These results suggest that in filamentous ascomycetes, the Ssk1- and Skn7-type response regulators control high-osmolarity adaptation and fungicide sensitivity additively with differential mechanisms under the regulation of the group III histidine kinase. This study provides evidence that filamentous fungi have a unique two-component signaling system that is different from that of yeast and is responsible for high-osmolarity adaptation and fungicide sensitivity.
Lipid rafts and membrane dynamics

Cell membranes contain a variety of lipid species that differ in their physico-chemical properties. Lipid-lipid immiscibility gives rise to lateral heterogeneities in the membrane plane, a subset of which are termed lipid rafts ([Simons and Vaz, 2004][1]). Originally defined biochemically as
Gender and the Orthodoxies of Leadership

This paper considers three orthodoxies related to gender and leadership. If orthodox is taken to mean the norm, then orthodox leadership is male. There is also an orthodox, stereotypical version of a 'macho' style of male leadership, which may be as inappropriate for men as it is for women. These two arguments are contextualised by a brief discussion of the 'orthodoxy' of theorising about leadership in education which still tends to marginalise gender. Findings from surveys of all female secondary head teachers and a one in three sample of male head teachers are used to show that, even though the numbers of women in leadership roles is growing, leadership is still identified with men. Women experience headship differently; for example, most are aware of stereotypes and sexism. Occupying the role of head teacher appears to have serious implications for women in terms of family life. However, the self-perceptions of both men and women head teachers are similar in relation to their management and leadership style. They see themselves as collaborative and people-centred leaders, incorporating a number of both 'feminine' and 'masculine' qualities, but tending towards the 'feminine' stereotype.
Comparison of topologies suitable for capacitor charging systems

This paper presents a comparison between topologies suitable for capacitor charging systems. The topologies under evaluation are a flyback converter, a half-bridge series resonant converter and a full-bridge phase-shifted converter. The main features of these topologies are highlighted, which allows the proper topology selection according to the application requirements. Moreover, the performed analysis permits to characterize the operational range of the main components thus allowing their appropriate sizing and selection. Simulation results are provided.
The Effects of Phthalates on Nereis diversicolor

Animals are exposed, in the natural environment, to a range of human activity related dissolved chemicals that are potentially impacting on their fitness. The animals responses to such stress determines its fitness, physiology and in case of chemical signals also its behaviour. If physical or chemical changes in the ecosystem make the detection of such a chemical impossible, then it can be reasonably assumed that vital behaviours of the animal will be significantly altered. Plastics are lighter, more durable, stronger and cheaper than other materials used for the same purposes, making them most suitable for producing a very broad range of goods and products. However, these same properties also make them serious environmental hazards i.e. they are easily carried and dispersed by water over long distances, and stopped by barriers and settle in the form of sediments that can persist for centuries. Phthalate esters are widely used as additives to offer flexibility to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins (Graham, 1973). DEHP and DMP are the most frequently used plasticizer in PVC formulas in consumer products (Metcalf et al. 1973; Carnevali et al. 2010). In general phthalate esters harmful environmental and human health effects are well documented and a range of studies documented harmful effects on both land and aquatic organisms (Metcalf et al. 1973; Lithner, et al. 2009). Neanthes (Nereis, Hediste) diversicolor is a bio-indicator species to monitor levels of pollution in a particular environment i.e. to by quantify levels of contaminant presents in the worms. Measuring these in N. diversicolor makes it possible to estimate and monitor levels of contamination in marine environments. The worms are easy to keep in laboratory conditions and can be collected in large numbers in the field and used as model species since the 1950s (Scaps, 2002). The main aim of this study is to investigate and determine the fate of phthalates in a Nereis culture system and to assess the impact of phthalates upon fitness such as feeding behaviours. For this worms are exposed to different concentration of DEHP and DMP (0.05, 2, and 10 ug/mL) over short term (days) and long term (3months / lifespan). The aim of short term of exposure was to determine the fate of phthalates in a Nereis culture system to examine if phthalate degradation takes place. GC-MS is used to measure the phthalates. Liquid: liquid extraction was used to extract phthalates from water and worm tissue whereas accelerated solvent extraction was used to extract phthalates from sediment. The aim of long term of exposure was to investigate and assess the impact of phthalates on animals’ functional traits (feeding response).
Culture, Power, Place: Explorations in Critical Anthropology

Anthropology has traditionally relied on a spatially localized society or culture as its object of study. The essays in Culture, Power, Place demonstrate how in recent years this anthropological convention and its attendant assumptions about identity and cultural difference have undergone a series of important challenges. In light of increasing mass migration and the transnational cultural flows of a late capitalist, postcolonial world, the contributors to this volume examine shifts in anthropological thought regarding issues of identity, place, power, and resistance. This collection of both new and well-known essays begins by critically exploring the concepts of locality and community; first, as they have had an impact on contemporary global understandings of displacement and mobility, and, second, as they have had a part in defining identity and subjectivity itself. With sites of discussion ranging from a democratic Spain to a Puerto Rican barrio in North Philadelphia, from Burundian Hutu refugees in Tanzania to Asian landscapes in rural California, from the silk factories of Hangzhou to the long-sought-after home of the Palestinians, these essays examine the interplay between changing schemes of categorization and the discourses of difference on which these concepts are based. The effect of the placeless mass media on our understanding of place—and the forces that make certain identities viable in the world and others not—are also discussed, as are the intertwining of place-making, identity, and resistance as they interact with the meaning and consumption of signs. Finally, this volume offers a self-reflective look at the social and political location of anthropologists in relation to the questions of culture, power, and place—the effect of their participation in what was once seen as their descriptions of these constructions. Contesting the classical idea of culture as the shared, the agreed upon, and the orderly, Culture, Power, Place is an important intervention in the disciplines of anthropology and cultural studies. Contributors . George E. Bisharat, John Borneman, Rosemary J. Coombe, Mary M. Crain, James Ferguson, Akhil Gupta, Kristin Koptiuch, Karen Leonard, Richard Maddox, Lisa H. Malkki, John Durham Peters, Lisa Rofel
Individual Differences in Route-Learning Strategy and Associated Working Memory Resources

Objective: The current investigation examined individual differences in route-learning strategies and their relative demands on visuospatial versus verbal working memory (WM) resources in virtual environments. Background: Learning new routes is a resource-demanding activity that must often be carried out in conjunction with other concurrent tasks. Virtual environments (VEs) are increasingly being used for training and research, pointing to the importance of determining the strategies people use to learn routes in these environments. Methods: Participants classified as having good or poor sense of direction (SOD) attempted to learn novel routes while concurrently performing either a verbal (articulatory suppression) or a visuospatial (tapping) WM interference task. Results: Different navigational strategies were observed in each SOD group. Individuals with poor SOD relied more heavily on verbal rather than visuospatial WM resources, as evidenced by greater disruption to route-learning performance from the articulatory suppression task relative to the tapping task. Conversely, individuals with good SOD exhibited more route-learning disruption from the tapping task, suggesting a greater reliance on visuospatial WM resources. Conclusion: Individuals differ from one another in the strategies they use and the WM resources they tap—verbal or visuospatial—to learn routes in VEs. Self-report measures can be used as indices of such individual differences in navigational strategy use in VE tasks. Application: Assessing SOD and associated WM resources have implications for targeted training for navigation in VEs and for the design of in-vehicle navigation systems.
Influence of Heart Rate and Inhibition of Autonomic Tone on the QT Interval

To evaluate whether heart-rate-induced changes of the QT interval are dependent on autonomic tone, we studied 13 healthy subjects, mean age 67.5 years. The maximal uncorrected QT from leads I, II, V1 and V6 was determined during atrial pacing at 90 beats/min and 130 beats/min before and after i.v. administration of propranolol, 0.1 mg/kg, and atropine, 0.02 mg/kg. Significant reductions (p < 0.01) of QT were induced by the paced increases in heart rate before drugs (10%), after propranolol (10%) and after the combination of atropine and propranolol (9%). Propranolol caused no significant change in the QT interval when heart rate was held constant by pacing. In contrast, atropine produced rate-independent reductions of QT interval (5%) in subjects with β-adrenergic blockade (p < 0.05). Bazett's formula for heart-rate correction of the QT interval (QTc) was not applicable for atrial overdrive pacing, as it gave proportionately longer QTc values at higher heart rates. These results show that heart rate is a major determinant of the duration of the QT interval and that paced changes in heart rate induce QT-interval responses that are essentially uninfluenced by autonomic tone. The rate-independent effect of the QT interval produced by elimination of cholinergic tone suggests a direct influence of cholinergic activity on the repolarization of ventricular myocardium.