Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isozyme variability and differentiation between Rhodnius prolixus, R.robustus and R.pictipes, vectors of Chagas disease in Venezuela

Abstract. Enzyme polymorphism in triatomine bugs of the genus Rhodnius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), vectors of Chagas disease, is analysed using both starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Out of forty‐five enzymes assayed, the electromorphs of seventeen of them: AO, CA, DIA, ES, ES‐A, FH, GPD, G6PD, GPI, MDH, ME, 6PGD, PGM, ACON, ACPH, LAP and SOD, involving twenty‐two putative structural loci, were scorable. These gene‐enzyme systems were therefore selected for routine characterization of R.prolixus Stal adults from different strains. The first thirteen enzymes, involving sixteen structural loci, were also analysed in first instar nymphs of the three species, R.prolixus, R.robustus Larrousse and R.pictipes Stal. Allelic frequencies were calculated for three R.prolixus strains: three to five loci appeared to be polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci (22%) and the average hetero‐zygosity (0.06) indicated low genetic variability, with significant differences between the strains at individual loci. Rhodnius prolixus and R.robustus were found to have identical isozymic patterns. R.pictipes was genetically well differentiated, with twelve diagnostic loci.
David Hume and Irving Fisher on the quantity theory of money in the long run and the short run

Abstract David Hume's classic statement of the quantity theory of money and the specie-flow mechanism of international adjustment in 1752 and Irving Fisher's authoritative restatement of the quantity theory in 1911 shared a concern with simultaneously upholding both the long-run neutrality and the short-run non-neutrality of money. This paper compares their approaches to attempting this reconciliation of the long run and short run, noting their shared emphasis on ‘illusion’ as the basis of short-run non-neutrality, and places their contributions in historical context. I argue that Hume and Fisher shared the same view of how automatic adjustment of the balance of payments worked under the gold standard, with Fisher's monetary reform proposals being an attempt to prevent the working of Hume's automatic adjustment mechanism.
Symptomatic 7-cm Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in an Otherwise Healthy 31-Year-Old Woman

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are rare in young women. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who underwent open surgical repair of a symptomatic 7-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The patient had no identifiable AAA risk factors. Laboratory and pathological analyses demonstrated a nonspecific inflammatory component.
Role of ICTs in India's rural community information systems

Discusses the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for rural communities. Highlights the factors preventing rural communities from reaping the benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and technological innovations to access them. Defines community information systems and lists selected successful models outside India. Despite the limitations in basic infrastructure and low‐level penetration of information technology in India, more than 50 grassroots projects are using modern ICTs for the benefit of rural communities. Describes selected community projects in India. Also identifies the bottlenecks in, possible solutions for and observations of the initiatives of rural projects. Concludes that creating information‐rich societies is a key element of poverty reduction and sustainable development. Community network centres can play a key role in meeting the socio‐economic aspirations of rural communities by successfully addressing the “eight Cs” of success in the digital age: connectivity, content, community, commerce, capacity, culture, co‐operation and capital.
DNA content and ploidy level of bovine placentomal trophoblast giant cells.

Cytophotometric measurement of the DNA content of Feulgen-stained nuclei in touch preparations of bovine placentomes (n =5) revealed that 8C nuclei occurred in all, 16C nuclei in two, and 32C nuclei in one specimen. The determination of ploidy level by in situ hybridization with a Y-chromosome specific DNA probe showed that the majority of the fetal nuclei in touch preparations of placentomes from male fetuses (n =5) are tetraploid. Generally two tetraploid nuclei lie close together. These findings indicate that polyploidization is a normal feature in the development of the mostly binucleate trophoblast giant cells (TGCs). A new model for the development of these cells is proposed: a primary acytokinetic mitosis leads to a binucleate cell with two diploid nuclei. This cell enters a second acytokinetic mitosis during which the chromosomes of both nuclei form a common metaphase plate. The resulting cell with two tetraploid nuclei undergoes an additional S-phase but does not enter a renewed mitosis. The functional significance of this genome multiplication may be an increased synthetic capacity of bovine TGCs, caused by an increased number of gene copies available for transcription. Since genome multiplication is a property of invasive trophoblast cells of different species, it may be advantageous for trophoblast invasion.
AN EXPLORATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF FISCAL VARIABLES ON GROWTH. THE CASE OF THE SPANISH REGIONS

This paper explores the effects of several fiscal variables on regional economic growth in Spain over period 1965-1997. Panel estimates are provided for this sample. The results show that public consumption affects negatively growth, public investment exerts a positive (but non significant) effect on growth rate and public deficit reduces private investment and hence economic growth. The effects of taxes and social benefits seem not to be beneficial for regional growth. Alternative estimates to deal with specification problems are considered.
Tribal Tourism in Fiji: An Application and Extension of Smith's 4Hs of Indigenous Tourism

Indigenous tourism has seen significant growth in recent years. This type of cultural tourism is often seen as a way to promote and reinforce native culture and provide pro-poor benefits to the local community. This research extends the predominantly supply-side view of indigenous tourism put forward by Smith [1996. Indigenous tourism: The four Hs. In R. Butler & T. Hinch (Eds.), Tourism and indigenous peoples (pp. 283–307). Toronto: International Thomson Business Press] who used the four Hs of Habitat, Heritage, History and Handicrafts as a framework to examine indigenous tourism. The paper argues that from the demand-side, tourists attracted to and interested in indigenous tourism are likely to be adventurous, want authenticity, seek education and desire personal interaction. These four attributes of the tourist complement the four “H”s of indigenous tourism. By combining both the demand and supply perspective, this research contributes to a more holistic view of indigenous tourism and provides an extended framework in which to analyse indigenous tourism.
A Comparison of Isokinetic and Functional Methods of Assessing Bilateral Strength Imbalance

Jones, PA and Bampouras, TM. A comparison of isokinetic and functional methods of assessing bilateral strength imbalance. J Strength Cond Res 24(6): 1553-1558, 2010-Muscle strength imbalances have been linked with poor agility performance and higher injury risk. Isokinetic dynamometry has been used to investigate such imbalances; however, this method is impractical and inaccessible for most strength and conditioning coaches. The aim of the study was to compare isokinetic dynamometry with functional field tests for assessing bilateral strength imbalance. Thirteen male athletes from various sports (mean ± SD: age 21 ± 1.1 years, height 179.8 ± 7.0 cm, body mass 80.8 ± 9.7 kg) participated in the study. Knee flexor and extensor strength at 60°·s−1 was assessed for both limbs with the use of isokinetic dynamometry. Field tests involved seated unilateral leg press, horizontal hop, single-leg vertical and drop jumps. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were found when comparing strength dominant (D) and nondominant (ND) limbs for all strength measures, ranging from 4.5% (hop test) to 12.4% (eccentric extension). No significant differences between the right and left limbs were found (p > 0.05). No significant relationships between strength D/ND ratios of isokinetic variables and the field tests were evident (p > 0.05). The findings provide support for the use of field tests to detect imbalances between lower limbs, but the ultimate choice of test used should depend on the specific strength quality that predominates in the sport.
Plant–plant interactions vary with different mycorrhizal fungus species

Because different species of mycorrhizal fungi have different effects on the growth of particular plant species, variation in mycorrhizal fungus species composition could cause changes in the strength of plant–plant interactions. Results are presented from a growth chamber experiment that compared the strength of interactions among seedlings of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) when the pines were colonized by two different groups of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the genus Rhizopogon. Plant density effects differed between the two groups of mycorrhizal fungi: plant growth was low regardless of density when plants were colonized with pine-specific Rhizopogon species, while plant growth declined with plant density when plants were colonized by Rhizopogon species having a broader host range. This result parallels results from previous studies showing that plant interactions are more antagonistic with mycorrhizal fungi than without, implying that plant responsiveness to beneficial mycorrhizal fungi declines with increasing plant density. If such effects are prevalent in plant communities, then variation in mycorrhizal fungus community composition is predicted to have a density-dependent effect on plants.
An Automated Tactile Sensing Strategy for Planar Object Recognition and Localization

The planning problem associated with tactile exploration for object recognition and localization is addressed. Given that an object has been sensed and is one of a number of modeled objects, and given that the data obtained so far are insufficient for recognition and/or localization, the methods developed determin the paths along which a point contact sensor must be directed in order to obtain further highly diagnostic measurements. Three families of sensor paths are found. The first is the family of paths for which recognition and localization are guaranteed. The second guarantees only that something will be learned. The third represents paths to avoid because nothing new will be learned. The methods are based on a small but powerful set of geometric ideas and are developed for two-dimensional, planar-faced objects. They are conceptually easily generalized to handle three-dimensional objects, including objects with through holes. >
New products for the treatment of haemophilia

Current developments in haemophilia therapy are directed at two therapeutic targets: reduction of injection frequency and reduction or bypassing of inhibitors. A variety of new molecules addressing these aims are now completing clinical trials and are ready to enter clinical use. First amongst these are modified Factor VIII (FVIII) and Factor IX (FIX) molecules with extended half‐lives. FIX modifications have achieved 5‐fold prolongation of half‐life whilst effects on FVIII have been more modest, at less than two‐fold. We now face the problem of integrating these into clinical practice. Other approaches have generated chemically modified FVIII molecules with altered activation profiles. An alternative way of correcting the haemophilia defect is to reduce the activity of natural anticoagulants in an attempt to restore the balance of haemostasis. These methods are also giving promising results but, as with all new approaches, it will be some while before they all find their place in practice.
Psychologic Correlates of Serum Cholesterol in Man: A Longitudinal Study

&NA; Correlations between serum cholesterol levels and self‐reported intensities of various moods and feelings‐‐namely, motivation, arousal, happiness, depression, anger, fear and lethargy‐‐were investigated in 20 subjects over a 2‐month period. Consistent and occasionally significant negative correlations were seen between subjects' serum cholesterol levels and their moods and feelings of motivation, arousal and happiness. Consistent and more frequently significant positive correlations were evidenced between subjects' serum cholesterol concentrations and their moods and feelings of depression, anger, fear and lethargy.
Disinfection of eyelid specula with chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens) after examinations for retinopathy of prematurity.

BACKGROUND The preferred method of cleaning eyelid specula between examinations for retinopathy of prematurity is unknown. A previous study showed that disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol swabs fails to eliminate viruses and bacteria from the specula. OBJECTIVE To determine if alternative sterilization procedures would allow multiple use of a single speculum without risking nosocomial infection. METHODS In phase 1, 40 autoclave-sterilized eyelid specula were randomized into either "cleaned" or "patient control" groups after being used for routine retinopathy of prematurity examinations performed in the outpatient setting. Specula in the cleaned group were cleaned with chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens). Specula in the patient control group were not cleaned after use. All study specula were placed into enriched culture media from which bacterial and fungal cultures were obtained. In phase 2, 20 autoclave-sterilized eyelid specula were inoculated with a clinically relevant dilution of adenovirus serovar 5 or herpes simplex type 2. Specula were randomized into either a cleaned or a control group, and cell cultures and immunofluorescence assays were used to document and confirm, respectively, viral growth. RESULTS In phase 1, all 20 cultures from the patient control group grew bacteria compared with 0 (0%) of 20 cultures from the cleaned group and 0 (0%) of 5 from the cleaned control group. No fungi were isolated from any group. In phase 2, all 10 cultures from specula inoculated with adenovirus serovar 5 grew virus. None of the cultures from the 5 cleaned specula inoculated with herpes simplex type 2 grew virus. In contrast, all 5 cultures in the control group were positive for growth of herpes simplex type 2. CONCLUSIONS Autoclave sterilization is the ideal method of sterilization of eyelid specula between neonate examinations. When an alternative disinfection technique is required, washing the speculum with chlorhexidine gluconate and tap water is preferred over wiping with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:786-789
Caregiver Support Service Needs for Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease

Little is known about the service needs for persons caring for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this study, the level of support service need for caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer disease (AD; N=55) and MCI (N=25) was compared with normal controls (N=44). Study partners (ie, caregivers) completed questionnaires about their service needs and participants' neurobehavioral symptoms, functional abilities, and frailty. Total, social, and mental health service needs were significantly different among the 3 groups (P<0.0001), with MCI and AD caregivers reporting more need for services as compared with the normal control group. There was no significant difference between MCI and AD groups for total and social service need. In the MCI group, caregiver's service need was related to neurobehavioral symptoms and frailty, whereas service need among the AD caregivers was related to functional disability and frailty. Caregivers of individuals with MCI are already experiencing a need for increased services comparable to that of individuals caring for AD patients, though the pattern of patient-related factors is different between the 2 patient groups. These findings suggest possible areas of intervention that could be considered at the earliest stages of memory loss.
People in Public Health - a study of approaches to develop and support people in public health roles

‘People in Public Health’ is a study about approaches to develop and support lay people in public health roles. The use of participatory approaches in public health programmes, both in national and international contexts, is well established and seen as necessary to deliver sustainable improvements in public health (Bracht and Tsouros, 1990; Rifkin et al., 2000; World Health Organization, 2002). Indeed a central argument in the Wanless reviews was that a ‘fully engaged scenario’ with high levels of public engagement in health would result in lower levels of public expenditure and better health outcomes (Wanless, 2002; Wanless, 2004). Government policy supports greater community engagement in health as a means of addressing public health priorities and tackling health inequalities (Department of Health, 2003). The health agenda on community involvement resonates with arguments for citizen empowerment and greater democratisation of services, not only in the NHS but across the public sector, in national agencies and local authorities (Campbell et al., 2008). Recent national guidance on community engagement noted the wide variety of approaches, indicating that those approaches based on higher levels of participation and greater community control were more likely to lead to increased health and social outcomes1 (National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness, 2008). There was a recommendation to recruit what were termed ‘agents of change’ in communities who become involved ‘to plan, design and deliver health promotion activities and to help address the wider social determinants of health’ by taking on roles such as peer educators, health champions or neighbourhood wardens (National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness, 2008:28). The concept of empowerment, the process of individuals and communities being enabled to undertake local action to effect change, is seen as core to health promotion (Tones and Tilford, 2001; World Health Organization, 1986; Wallerstein, 2006). Government policy on community empowerment advocates increased citizen involvement in planning and running services (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, 2008) and this agenda is linked to the personalisation of health and social services and patient and public involvement (Department of Health, 2005b; Department of Health, 2006; Secretary of State for Health, 2006). More evidence is required, however, about effective mechanisms for lay engagement and how public services can best enhance, support and sustain community involvement.
Increased susceptibility and reduced phytoalexin accumulation in drought-stressed peanut kernels challenged with Aspergillus flavus

Three genotypes of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), with ICG numbers 221, 1104, and 1326, were grown in three replicate plots and drought stressed during the last 58 days before harvest by withholding irrigation water. Within each plot there were eight levels of stress ranging from 1.1 to 25.9 cm of water. Kernels harvested from the plots were hydrated to 20% moisture and challenged with Aspergillus flavus. Fungal colonization, aflatoxin content, and phytoalexin accumulation were measured. Fungal colonization of non-drought-stressed kernels virtually ceased by 3 days after inoculation, when the phytoalexin concentration exceeded 50 micrograms/g (fresh weight) of kernels, but the aflatoxin concentration continued to rise exponentially for an additional day. When fungal colonization, aflatoxin production, and phytoalexin accumulation were measured 3 days after drought-stressed material was challenged, the following relationships were apparent. Fungal colonization was inversely related to water supply (r varied from -0.848 to -0.904, according to genotype), as was aflatoxin production (r varied from -0.876 to -0.912, according to genotype); the phytoalexin concentration was correlated with water supply when this exceeded 11 cm (r varied from 0.696 to 0.917, according to genotype). The results are discussed in terms of the critical role played by drought stress in predisposing peanuts to infection by A. flavus and the role of the impaired phytoalexin response in mediating this increased susceptibility.
Intelligence by design: principles of modularity and coordination for engineering complex adaptive agents

All intelligence relies on search — for example, the search for an intelligent agent’s next action. Search is only likely to succeed in resource-bounded agents if they have already been biased towards finding the right answer. In artificial agents, the primary source of bias is engineering. This dissertation describes an approach, Behavior-Oriented Design (BOD) for engineering complex agents. A complex agent is one that must arbitrate between potentially conflicting goals or behaviors. Behavior-oriented design builds on work in behavior-based and hybrid architectures for agents, and the object oriented approach to software engineering. The primary contributions of this dissertation are: 1. The BOD architecture: a modular architecture with each module providing specialized representations to facilitate learning. This includes one pre-specified module and representation for action selection or behavior arbitration. The specialized representation underlying BOD action selection is Parallel-rooted, Ordered, Slip-stack Hierarchical (POSH) reactive plans. 2. The BOD development process: an iterative process that alternately scales the agent’s capabilities then optimizes the agent for simplicity, exploiting tradeoffs between the component representations. This ongoing process for controlling complexity not only provides bias for the behaving agent, but also facilitates its maintenance and extendibility. The secondary contributions of this dissertation include two implementations of POSH action selection, a procedure for identifying useful idioms in agent architectures and using them to distribute knowledge across agent paradigms, several examples of applying BOD idioms to established architectures, an analysis and comparison of the attributes and design trends of a large number of agent architectures, a comparison of biological (particularly mammalian) intelligence to artificial agent architectures, a novel model of primate transitive inference, and many other examples of BOD agents and BOD development. Thesis Supervisor: Lynn Andrea Stein Title: Associate Professor of Computer Science