Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zinc or Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation to Reduce Diarrhea and Respiratory Disease in South African Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Prophylactic zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce diarrhea and respiratory illness in children in many developing countries, but its efficacy in children in Africa is uncertain. Objective To determine if zinc, or zinc plus multiple micronutrients, reduces diarrhea and respiratory disease prevalence. Design Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Setting Rural community in South Africa. Participants Three cohorts: 32 HIV-infected children; 154 HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers; and 187 HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-uninfected mothers. Interventions Children received either 1250 IU of vitamin A; vitamin A and 10 mg of zinc; or vitamin A, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K and copper, iodine, iron, and niacin starting at 6 months and continuing to 24 months of age. Homes were visited weekly. Outcome Measures Primary outcome was percentage of days of diarrhea per child by study arm within each of the three cohorts. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms and percentage of children who ever had pneumonia by maternal report, or confirmed by the field worker. Results Among HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers, median percentage of days with diarrhea was 2.3% for 49 children allocated to vitamin A; 2.5% in 47 children allocated to receive vitamin A and zinc; and 2.2% for 46 children allocated to multiple micronutrients (P = 0.852). Among HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-uninfected mothers, median percentage of days of diarrhea was 2.4% in 56 children in the vitamin A group; 1.8% in 57 children in the vitamin A and zinc group; and 2.7% in 52 children in the multiple micronutrient group (P = 0.857). Only 32 HIV-infected children were enrolled, and there were no differences between treatment arms in the prevalence of diarrhea. The prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms or incidence of pneumonia did not differ by treatment arms in any of the cohorts. Conclusion When compared with vitamin A alone, supplementation with zinc, or with zinc and multiple micronutrients, did not reduce diarrhea and respiratory morbidity in rural South African children. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00156832
Study of the interaction between fisetin and human serum albumin: a biophysical approach.

The binding of fisetin with human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied at different pH using UV-Vis, FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The binding constants were found to increase with the rise in pH of the media. The negative ΔH° (kJ mol-1) and positive ΔS° (J mol-1 K-1) indicate that fisetin binds to HSA via electrostatic interactions with an initial hydrophobic association that result in a positive ΔS° . In presence of potassium chloride (KCl) the binding constants were found to be decrease. The α-helical content of HSA increased after binding with fisetin as analyzed from both CD and FTIR methods. The site marker displacement studies using fluorescence anisotropy suggest that fisetin binds to the hydrophobic pocket (Site 1, subdomain IIA) of HSA which is in good accordance with the molecular docking study. The change in accessible surface area (ASA) of residues of HSA was calculated to get a better insight into the binding.
Notice of RetractionAn effective terminal condition ensuring stability of MPC

The stability of MPC is a tighten problem and can be guaranteed through choosing a set of ingredients which satisfying stability conditions. The ingredients are the terminal cost function, the local control law and the terminal constraint set. In this paper, a novel way of choosing these ingredients is shown. The solution of the optimal problem which is changed by adding the slaw-rate items into the cost function is chosen to be the local stability controller, the optimal value function of the problem is chosen to be the terminal cost function and the level set of the value function is chosen to be the terminal constraint set. Finally, a simple example is given to lay out the application of the new algorithm. Based on the ensuring process and the example, we believe that the chosen ingredients are a set of effective terminal conditions that ensuring the stability of the MPC.
desenvolvimento Motor de Crianças com indicadores de dificuldades na aprendizagem escolar

The aim of this study was to assess the psychomotor development and psychosocial characteristics from children with indicators of learning difficulties. The population was com - posed by 289 children enrolled in 1st to 4th series in a municipal school from Florianopolis/ SC, appraised about growth, posture, physical fitness and school performance aspects. The sample was composed by 31 children, characterized for learning difficulties indicators. Chil - dren were assessed by Psychomotor Development Scale- EDM (ROSA NETO, 2002), and a Psychosocial Questionnaire. In statistical analysis, the software Epi-Info 2000 (CDC, 2004) was used, with frequency, percentage, average, variance, standard deviation, minimum and maximum value, and medium value data. About EDM classification, 74,3% of the scholars presented index of "Normal Medium" to "Normal Low" with General Motor Quotient average in 89,48 (normal low). Of the total of assessed scholars, 87,1% (n=27) presented 16 months in average of delay motor. Great part of the students was originating from families with psycho- social alterations, suggesting correlation among these factors. It's emphasized the evaluation and intervention need in initial phases of school period, through strategies and techniques that minimize the deficits caused by adverse conditions, promoting larger social inclusion of these
Earnings and Community College Field of Study Choice in Canada

In this paper, we estimate a structural model of choice of field of study by community college students. We use data from the Canadian Survey of Graduates for 12,871 individuals who successfully completed their programs in Canadian community colleges (CEGEPs in Quebec) in 1990 and 1995. Over this period, the returns to fields such as health declined relative to other fields such as science and engineering, a fact that provides useful leverage for identifying the impact of earnings on the choice of field of study. Results indicate that the probability of selecting a specific college field of study depends significantly on expected earnings in this field relative to other fields. We also find that women put less weight on earnings than men when choosing a field of study and those students who were employed prior to starting college are more sensitive to earnings variations across fields of study than students with no prior work experience.
THE ROLE OF COCKROACH ALLERGY AND EXPOSURE TO COCKROACH ALLERGEN IN CAUSING MORBIDITY AMONG INNER-CITY CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

A BSTRACT Background It has been hypothesized that asthma-related health problems are most severe among children in inner-city areas who are allergic to a specific allergen and also exposed to high levels of that allergen in bedroom dust. Methods From November 1992 through October 1993, we recruited 476 children with asthma (age, four to nine years) from eight inner-city areas in the United States. Immediate hypersensitivity to cockroach, house-dust-mite, and cat allergens was measured by skin testing. We then measured major allergens of cockroach (Bla g 1), dust mites (Der p 1 and Der f 1), and cat dander (Fel d 1) in household dust using monoclonal-antibody–based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. High levels of exposure were defined according to proposed thresholds for causing disease. Data on morbidity due to asthma were collected at base line and over a one-year period. Results Of the children, 36.8 percent were allergic to cockroach allergen, 34.9 percent to dust-mite allergen, and 22.7 percent to cat allergen. Among the children’s bedrooms, 50.2 percent had high levels of cockroach allergen in dust, 9.7 percent had high levels of dust-mite allergen, and 12.6 percent had high levels of cat allergen. After we adjusted for sex, score on the Child Behavior Checklist, and family history of asthma, we found that children who were both allergic to cockroach allergen and exposed to high levels of this allergen had 0.37 hospitalization a year, as compared with 0.11 for the other children (P 0.001), and 2.56 unscheduled medical visits for asthma per year, as compared with 1.43 (P 0.001). They also had significantly more days of wheezing, missed school days, and nights with lost sleep, and their parents or other care givers were awakened during the night and changed their daytime plans because of the child’s asthma significantly more frequently. Similar patterns were not found for the combination of allergy to dust mites or cat dander and high levels of the allergen. Conclusions The combination of cockroach allergy and exposure to high levels of this allergen may help explain the frequency of asthma-related health problems in inner-city children. (N Engl J Med 1997; 336:1356-63.)
Regulation of Hyaluronidase Activity by Alternative mRNA Splicing*

Hyaluronidase is a hyaluronic acid-degrading endoglycosidase that is present in many toxins and the levels of which are elevated in cancer. Increased concentration of HYAL1-type hyaluronidase correlates with tumor progression and is a marker for grade (G) 2 or 3 bladder cancer. Using bladder tissues and cells, prostate cancer cells, and kidney tissues and performing reverse transcription-PCR, cDNA cloning, DNA sequencing, and in vitro translation, we identified splice variants of HYAL1 and HYAL3. HYAL1v1 variant lacks a 30-amino acid (aa) sequence (301–330) present in HYAL1 protein. HYAL1v1, HYAL1v2 (aa 183–435 present in HYAL1 wild type), HYAL1v3 (aa 1–207), HYAL1v4 (aa 260–435), and HYAL1v5 (aa 340–435) are enzymatically inactive and are expressed in normal tissues/cells and G1 bladder tumor tissues. However, HYAL1 wild type is expressed in G2/G3 tumors and in invasive tumor cells. Stable transfection and HYAL1v1-specific antibody confirmed that the HYAL1 sequence from aa 301 to 330 is critical for hyaluronidase activity. All tumor cells and tissues mainly express HYAL3 variants. HYAL3v1 lacks a 30-aa sequence (299–328) present in HYAL3 protein, that is homologous to the 30-aa HYAL1 sequence. HYAL3v1, HYAL3v2 (aa 251–417 present in HYAL3 wild type), and HYAL3v3 (aa 251–417, but lacking aa 299–328), are enzymatically inactive. Although splicing of a single independent exon generates HYAL1v1 and HYAL3v1, internal exon splicing generates the other HYAL1/HYAL3 variants. These results demonstrate that alternative mRNA splicing controls cellular expression of enzymatically active hyaluronidase and may explain the elevated hyaluronidase levels in bladder/prostate cancer.
Efficient computation of algebraic operations over dynamically reconfigurable systems specified by rewriting-logic environments

Several algebraic operations can be efficiently implemented by arrays of functional units such as systolic arrays. Systolic arrays provide a large amount of parallelism. However, their applicability is restricted to a small set of computational problems due to their lack of flexibility. This limitation can be circumvented by using reconfigurable systolic arrays, where the node interconnections and operations can be redefined even at run time. In this context, several alternative systolic architectures can be explored and powerful tools are needed to model and evaluate them. Well-Known rewriting-logic environments such as ELAN and Maude can be used to specify, simulate and even synthesize complex application specific digital systems. In this paper, we propose the use of rewriting-logic to model and evaluate reconfigurable systolic architectures which are applied to the efficient treatment of algebraic operations such as matrix multiplication and the FFT.
Using Markets and Spam to Combat

We propose an economic mechanism to reduce the incidence of malware that delivers spam. Earlier research proposed attention markets as a solution for unwanted messages, and showed they could provide more net benefit than alternatives such as filtering and taxes. Because it uses a currency system, Attention Bonds faces a challenge. Zombies, botnets, and various forms of malware might steal valuable currency instead of stealing unused CPU cycles. We resolve this problem by taking advantage of the fact that the spam-bot problem has been reduced to financial fraud. As such, the large body of existing work in that realm can be brought to bear. By drawing an analogy between sending and spending, we show how a market mechanism can detect and prevent spam malware. We prove that by using a currency (i) each instance of spam increases the probability of detecting infections, and (ii) the value of eradicating infections can justify insuring users against fraud. This approach attacks spam at the source, a virtue missing from filters that attack spam at the destination. Additionally, the exchange of currency provides signals of interest that can improve the targeting of ads. ISPs benefit from data management services and consumers benefit from the higher average value of messages they receive. We explore these and other secondary effects of attention markets, and find them to offer, on the whole, attractive economic benefits for all – including consumers, advertisers, and the ISPs.2 1Co-Authored with Marshall van Alstyne 2This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0114368. Funding was also provided by a Boston University Dean’s research fellowship. iv
Abstract interpretation-based formal description of data obfuscation

This paper presents an abstract interpretation-based formal description of data obfuscation, which makes it possible to formally analyze and certify not only the correctness but also the potency of data obfuscating transformations. First, a semantic data obfuscating transformation is given, which is expressed as an abstract interpretation of program semantics with a variable obfuscation function and a corresponding variable deobfuscation function. Then, the syntactic data obfuscating transformation is systematically derived by composition of source-to-semantics, semantics-to-data obfuscating transformed semantics and semantics-to-source abstractions applied to fix-point trace semantics.
RE-1 Silencer of Transcription/Neural Restrictive Silencer Factor Modulates Ectodermal Patterning during Xenopus Development

RE-1 silencer of transcription/neural restrictive silencer factor (REST/NRSF), a transcriptional repressor, binds to the RE-1 element present in many vertebrate genes. In vitro studies indicate that REST/NRSF plays important roles in several stages of neural development. However, a full understanding of its physiological function requires in vivo approaches. We find that impairment of REST/NRSF function in Xenopus embryos leads to the perturbation of neural tube, cranial ganglia, and eye development. The origin of these defects is the abnormal patterning of the ectoderm during gastrulation. Interference of REST/NRSF function during the late blastula stage leads to an expansion of the neural plate, concomitant with a decrease of the expression of epidermal keratin and neural crest markers. Furthermore, neurogenesis proceeds abnormally, with loss of the expression of proneural, neurogenic, and neuronal genes. The interference of REST/NRSF mimics several features associated with a decreased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) function and counteracts some effects of BMP4 misexpression. Our results indicate that REST/NRSF function is required in vivo for the acquisition of specific ectodermal cell fates.
Post–traumatic Growth as Positive Personality Change: Evidence, Controversies and Future Directions

This target article focuses on the construct of post–traumatic growth—positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. Prominent theories of post–traumatic growth define it in terms of personality change, and as a result, this area of research should be of great interest to personality psychologists. Despite this fact, most of the research on this topic has not been sufficiently informed by relevant research in personality psychology, and much of the extant research suffers from significant methodological limitations. We review the literature on post–traumatic growth, with a particular focus on how researchers have conceptualized it and the specific methodological issues associated with these conceptualizations. We outline some ways in which personality science can both be enriched by the study of this phenomenon and inform rigorous research on post–traumatic growth and provide a series of guidelines for future research of post–traumatic growth as positive personality change. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology
Adaptability in frequency and amplitude of leg movements during human locomotion at different speeds.

In this study of human locomotion we investigate to what extent the normal frequency and amplitude of leg movements can be modified voluntarily at different constant velocities, and how these modifications are accomplished in terms of changes in duration and length of the support and swing phases of the stride cycle. Eight healthy male subjects performed walking and running on a motor-driven treadmill at speeds ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 m s-1 (walking) and 1.5 to 8.0 m s-1 (running), respectively. At each speed the subjects walked and ran with: normal stride frequency; the highest possible stride frequency, and the lowest possible stride frequency. Time for foot contact was measured with a special pressure transducer system under the sole of each shoe. At all speeds of walking and running it was possible to either increase or decrease the frequency of leg movements; that is, to decrease or increase stride cycle duration. The range of variation decreased with increasing speed. The mean overall stride frequency range was 0.41 (low frequency walk 1.0 m s-1)-3.57 Hz (high-frequency run 1.5 m s-1). Stride length ranged 0.40 (high frequency walk 1.0 m s-1)-5.00 m (low frequency run 6.0 m s-1). At normal frequency the overall ranges of stride frequency and length were 0.83-1.95 Hz and 1.16-4.10 m, respectively. The stride frequency increased with speed in low frequency walking and running (as in normal frequency) and decreased in high frequency, despite the effort to maintain extreme frequencies. Only in high frequency walking could the stride frequency be kept approximately constant. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Long-term control of Chagas disease in Venezuela: effects on serologic findings, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and clinical outcome.

To evaluate the long-term effects (20 years) of a Chagas control program (CCP) in Venezuela, a prospective serologic evaluation was carried out from 1981 to 1984 on 5771 inhabitants (8%) of Roscio county. This region was selected as a representative area where the national CCP was implemented effectively. Comparison with a serologic survey performed in the same region before the CCP disclosed a reduction in seropositive subjects from 47.8% to 17.1% (p less than .001), most marked amongst children and teenagers from 29.9% to 1.9%, suggesting that transmission of the disease had diminished. Similar seropositivity changes after the CCP were observed nationwide. Because decreased superinfection would also be expected to occur, we tried to ascertain whether the clinical outcome of seropositive individuals living in Roscio county had improved. The mean age of seropositive subjects between both surveys increased significantly from 34.9 +/- 17.3 to 46.7 +/- 15.1 years (p less than .001). Additionally, we examined clinically and obtained electrocardiograms from 775 seropositive subjects. They were classified as asymptomatic (group A, n = 614) or as symptomatic, having mild-to-moderate heart symptoms (group B, n = 99) or having advanced congestive heart failure (group C, n = 62). Their electrocardiograms were compared with those of 923 seronegative subjects collected simultaneously and with published data obtained before the CCP. Comparison of the age-related rates of electrocardiographic abnormalities of seropositive individuals before and after the CCP showed that they did not differ significantly by linear regression analysis, by the Kruskal-Wallis test, or by the normal approximation to the binomial distribution. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Determinants of RING-E2 Fidelity for Hrd1p, a Membrane-anchored Ubiquitin Ligase*

A critical aspect of E3 ubiquitin ligase function is the selection of a particular E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme to accomplish ubiquitination of a substrate. We examined the requirements for correct E2-E3 specificity in the RING-H2 ubiquitin ligase Hrd1p, an ER-localized protein known to use primarily Ubc7p for its function. Versions of Hrd1p containing the RING motif from homologous E3s were unable to carry out Hrd1p function, revealing a requirement for the specific Hrd1p RING motif in vivo. An in vitro assay revealed that these RING motifs were sufficient to function as ubiquitin ligases, but that they did not display the E2 specificity predicted from in vivo results. We further refined the in vitro assay of Hrd1p function by demanding not only ubiquitin ligase activity, but also specific activity that recapitulated both the E2 specificity and RING selectivity observed in vivo. Doing so revealed that correct E2 engagement by Hrd1p required the presence of portions of the Hrd1p soluble cytoplasmic domain outside the RING motif, the placement of the Hrd1p ubiquitin ligase in the ER membrane, and presentation of Ubc7p in the cytosolic context. We confirmed that these conditions supported the ubiquitination of Hrd1p itself, and the transfer of ubiquitin to the prototype substrate Hmg2p-GFP, validating Hrd1p self-ubiquitination as a viable assay of ligase function.
Solving AI problems with memristors: A case study for optimal

This paper presents a novel circuit-level Cellular Automata (CA)-inspired computational scheme capable of executing computations within memory. The proposed computing structures exploit the threshold-based resistance switching behavior of memristors and of their multi-state composite components. Array-like circuit structures with memristors are designed and their ability to efficiently solve the classic "bin packing" problem is verified via a simulation-based validation using a published memristor device model. A fundamental memristive cell which implements a one-dimensional CA rule is described in detail and then employed in a sophisticated two-dimensional array able to execute the "First-Fit" (decreasing) bin packing algorithm.
Methylene blue: an effective treatment for contrast medium-induced anaphylaxis.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this paper is to propose methylene blue as a lifesaving alternative drug for the treatment of contrast-induced anaphylaxis. CASE REPORT In a cardiovascular catheterization laboratory invasive hemodynamic monitoring was used to document the lifesaving effect of IV bolus injections of 1.5-2 mg/Kg methylene blue solution to treat three patients for anaphylactic shock following radiocontrast injection during coronary angiography. Methylene blue administration was followed by prompt circulatory improvement, leading to hemodynamic stabilization and relief of other anaphylactic symptoms in each case. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that methylene blue can be lifesaving in anaphylactic shock, notwithstanding some transitory side effects, such as cardiac rhythm disturbances and chest pain, both of which possibly originate from sudden myocardial perfusion deficits.