Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Ortleppascaris Sp. Larvae, Parasites of the Cane Toad Rhinella marina from Eastern Amazonia

Abstract: This study presents a new record for the occurrence of larval Ortleppascaris sp. (Sprent, 1978). The nematodes were collected from inside fibrous cysts found in the livers of cane toads, Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758), captured in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. This is the first record of Ortleppascaris sp. larvae in both Brazil and this amphibian host, increasing its distribution in South America as well as expanding the number of helminths known to infect this toad. The detailed description of Ortleppascaris sp. provides new taxonomic data for these larvae, as well as sequences of the internal transcribed spacers and small subunit DNA segments, and the cytochrome oxidase I gene, which will, in time, contribute to a better understanding of the phylogeny of this group of parasites.
Pediatric Cochlear Implantation: A Qualitative Study of Parental Decision-Making Processes in Flanders, Belgium

Factors contributing to parents' decision when they choose between cochlear implantation (CI) and traditional hearing aids for their child were examined. The subjects were children with severe/profound hearing loss, born 1999-2001, registered in the universal neonatal hearing screening program in the Flanders region of Belgium. Qualitative data collected retrospectively from parents were subjected to thematic content analysis. In their responses to professional advice, parents were segmented into 3 groups: (a) those whose primary considerations were the importance of oral language development and the relative potential of CI and traditional hearing aids; (b) those for whom alternative factors (e.g., medical risks, ethical issues) were paramount, even in the face of professional advocacy of CI; (c) those who followed professional advice against CI. The researchers conclude that care professionals should be sensitive to the impact of their advice and other factors in parental decision making.
Reflections on Working With Fellow Tool Builders

While it is true that fellow tool builders can threaten the success of a design study, there are also advantages to working with individuals that have strong software development skills. We present a review of two information visualization projects using thematic analysis, that provides additional insight and guidance for collaborating with people that have strong software development skills. Additionally, we discuss minor implications for the design of node-link diagrams and adjacency matrices, and report observed differences in engagement with respect to touch tables versus traditional keyboard, mouse, and monitor configurations.
An Active Approach for Charge Balancing in Functional Electrical Stimulation

Charge balancing is a major concern in functional electrical stimulation, since any excess charge accumulation over time leads to electrolysis with electrode dissolution and tissue destruction. This paper presents a new active approach for charge balancing using long-term offset regulation. Therefore, the electrode voltage is briefly monitored after each stimulation cycle and checked if it remains within a predefined voltage range. If not, an offset current is adjusted in order to track the biphasic current mismatch in upcoming stimulations. This technique is compared to a previously introduced active charge balancer as well as commonly used passive balancing techniques. Subsequently, the techniques are verified through experiments on a platinum black electrode in 0.9% saline solution.
New Resonant Gate Driver Circuit for High-Frequency Application of Silicon Carbide MOSFETs

Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are capable of processing high power at high switching frequencies with less switching losses and conduction losses. The gate driver circuit power consumption is directly proportional to the switching frequency. The power taken from the gate supply is dissipated in the gate resistance of the conventional gate driver (CGD) circuit. Instead of dissipating all the gate driver energy, some energy can be recovered or recycled by utilizing the principle of resonance. This reduces the net power being taken from the gate supply. This paper presents a new resonant gate driver (RGD) circuit which consumes less power compared to the CGD circuit at high switching frequencies. The proposed gate driver is designed for SiC MOSFETs. It can be modified appropriately to suit for insulated-gate bipolar transistors and other MOSFETs also. The performance of the proposed circuit is simulated in LTSpice environment, and an experimental prototype of the proposed circuit is developed to validate its performance. The proposed RGD circuit has achieved nearly 50% reduction in gate driver power consumption compared to the CGD circuit.
Multi-site diagnosis and management of 260 patients with Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-synchrony (Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder*)

Abstract Test results and management data are summarized for 260 patients with diagnoses of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD). Hearing aids were tried in 85 of these patients, and 49 patients tried cochlear implants. Approximately 15% reported some benefit from hearing aids for language learning, while improvement in speech comprehension and language acquisition was reported in 85% of patients who were implanted. Approximately 5% (13/260) of the total population developed normal speech and language without intervention. Patients were diagnosed at our laboratory (n=66) or referred from other sites (n=194), and all showed absent/grossly abnormal auditory brainstem responses (ABR), often ‘ringing’ cochlear microphonics, and the presence or history of otoacoustic emissions. Etiologies and co-existing conditions included genetic (n=41), peripheral neuropathies (n=20), perinatal jaundice and/or anoxia and/or prematurity (n=74). These patients comprise 10% or more of hearing impaired patients; their language acquisition trajectories are generally unpredictable from their audiograms. Sumario Se resumen los resultados de las pruebas y los datos del tratamiento de 260 pacientes con diagnóstico de Espectro de desórdenes de la Neuropatía Auditiva (ANSD). En 85 de estos pacientes se probó el uso de auxiliares auditivos y 49 pacientes recibieron un implante coclear. Aproximadamente 15% reportaron algún beneficio con los auxiliares auditivos para la adquisición del lenguaje mientras que el 85% de los que recibieron un implante reportaron una mejoría en la comprensión y la adquisición del lenguaje. Aproximadamente 5% (13/260) de la población total desarrolló lenguaje normal sin intervención. Los paciente fueron diagnosticados en nuestro laboratorio (n=66) o referidos de algún otro lado (n=194) y todos mostraron ausencia o anormalidad importante de los potenciales evocados (ABR), frecuentemente con una microfónica coclear “timbrante” y con presencia o historia de emisiones otoacústicas. La etiología o las condiciones co-existentes incluidas fueron: genéticas (n=41), neuropatías periféricas (n=20), ictericia perinatal y/o anoxia y/o prematurez (n=74). Estos pacientes representan 10% o más de los pacientes con hipoacusia; su trayectoria en el proceso de adquisición del lenguaje es generalmente impredecible a partir de sus audiogramas.
Prenatal care utilization and foetal outcomes at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES To examine the association between adverse infant outcomes and maternal under utilization of prenatal care, among women delivering at Harare Maternity Hospital. DESIGN Hospital based, cross sectional study. SETTING Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe. SUBJECTS A random sample of 3,864 pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prenatal care utilization, maternal socio-demographic information, as well as birth weight and other neonatal outcome characteristics. RESULTS Of the total number of women who participated in this study 3,491 (90%) had at least one prenatal care visit. Women receiving no prenatal care, were more likely to be younger, unmarried and to have been transferred for delivery as compared with women receiving prenatal care. Women receiving no prenatal care were seven times more likely to deliver an infant weighing less than 1,500 grams, adjusted odd ratio (OR) = 7.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.58 to 11.39 as compared with those who booked for care. Newborns of unbooked mothers were more likely to have a low apgar score at birth, adjusted OR = 1.71; to have been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, adjusted OR = 2.14, and to require intubation, adjusted OR = 3.35. A large proportion of women (31.4%) initiated prenatal care after 30 weeks gestation. CONCLUSIONS There were significant differences between maternal characteristics and foetal outcomes in relation to booking status. Under utilization of prenatal care was associated with sub-optimal foetal outcomes. Improving the socio-economic status of women, their education and access to health care, and family planning methods are all strategies that should contribute to the reduction of adverse foetal outcomes.
The NOTCH pathway contributes to cell fate decision in myelopoiesis

Background Controversy persists regarding the role of Notch signaling in myelopoiesis. We have used genetic approaches, employing two Notch zebrafish mutants deadly seven (DES) and beamter (BEA) with disrupted function of notch1a and deltaC, respectively, and Notch1a morphants to analyze the development of leukocyte populations in embryonic and mature fish. Design and Methods Myelomonocytes were quantified in early embryos by in situ hybridization using a myeloper-oxidase (mpx) probe. Morpholinos were used to knock down expression of Notch1a or DeltaC. Wound healing assays and/or flow cytometry were used to quantify myelomonocytes in 5-day post-fertilization (dpf) Notch mutants (BEA and DES), morphants or pu.1:GFP, mpx:GFP and fms:RFP transgenic embryos. Flow cytometry was performed on 2–3 month old mutant fish. Results The number of mpx+ cells in embryos was reduced at 48 hpf (but not at 26 hpf) in DES compared to WT. At 5 dpf this was reflected by a reduction in the number of myelomonocytic cells found at the wound site in mutants and in Notch1a morphants. This was due to a reduced number of myelomonocytes developing rather than a deficit in the migratory ability since transient inhibition of Notch signaling using DAPT had no effect. The early deficit in myelopoiesis was maintained into later life, 2–3 month old BEA and DES fish having a decreased proportion of myelomonocytes in both the hematopoietic organ (kidney marrow) and the periphery (coelomic cavity). Conclusions Our results indicate that defects in Notch signaling affect definitive hematopoiesis, altering myelopoiesis from the early stages of development into the adult.
Logic BIST and scan test techniques for multiple identical blocks

In multi-million gate devices, the number of required test patterns may be beyond the limits of current external automatic test equipment (ATE) capabilities. Besides, excessive number of production test vectors results in prohibitive test time that increases the test cost and decreases the production capacity. This paper introduces a new technique to test multiple identical blocks in parallel. The proposed technique can be used either in conjunction with ATE or as a stand-alone BIST technique to test multiple identical blocks on the same chip. The test time and the number of test patterns for testing multiple blocks is only a little bit higher than what is required for testing one block.
CcpA Causes Repression of the phoPR Promoter through a Novel Transcription Start Site, PA6

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis PhoPR two-component system is directly responsible for activation or repression of Pho regulon genes in response to phosphate deprivation. The response regulator, PhoP, and the histidine kinase, PhoR, are encoded in a single operon with a complex promoter region that contains five known transcription start sites, which respond to at least two regulatory proteins. We report here the identification of another direct regulator of phoPR transcription, carbon catabolite protein A, CcpA. This regulator functions in the presence of glucose or other readily metabolized carbon sources. The maximum derepression of phoPR expression in a ccpA mutant compared to a wild-type stain was observed under excess phosphate conditions with glucose either throughout growth in a high-phosphate defined medium or in a low-phosphate defined medium during exponential growth, a growth condition when phoPR transcription is low in a wild-type strain due to the absence of autoinduction. Either HPr or Crh were sufficient to cause CcpA dependent repression of the phoPR promoter in vivo. A ptsH1 (Hpr) crh double mutant completely relieves phoPR repression during phosphate starvation but not during phosphate replete growth. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that CcpA repressed phoPR transcription by binding directly to the cre consensus sequence present in the promoter. Primer extension and in vitro transcription studies revealed that the CcpA regulation of phoPR transcription was due to repression of PA6, a previously unidentified promoter positioned immediately upstream of the cre box. EσA was sufficient for transcription of PA6, which was repressed by CcpA in vitro. These studies showed direct repression by CcpA of a newly discovered EσA-responsive phoPR promoter that required either Hpr or Crh in vivo for direct binding to the putative consensus cre sequence located between PA6 and the five downstream promoters characterized previously.
Understanding and Dealing with Operator Mistakes in Internet Services

Operator mistakes are a significant source of unavailability in modern Internet services. In this paper, we first characterize these mistakes by performing an extensive set of experiments using human operators and a realistic three-tier auction service. The mistakes we observed range from software misconfiguration, to fault misdiagnosis, to incorrect software restarts. We next propose to validate operator actions before they are made visible to the rest of the system. We demonstrate how to accomplish this task via the creation of a validation environment that is an extension of the online system, where components can be validated using real workloads before they are migrated into the running service. We show that our prototype validation system can detect 66% of the operator mistakes that we have observed.
The molecular defences against reactive oxygen species in yeast

There is rapidly expanding interest into the protective systems against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the eukaryotic cell, now that the links between oxidative damage, various disease states, and ageing, are firmly established in higher organisms. Yeast molecular genetics should be able to provide powerful insight into these mechanisms; this potential is now starting to be exploited. A number of primary antioxidant activities and systems of metal‐ion homeostasis or detoxification have now been demonstrated to contribute to oxidative‐stress protection in yeast. Also, evidence is emerging that the oxidative‐stress response of this organism is complex, involving separate transcription‐factor responses to peroxide, superoxide anion and metal ions.
The social amplification/attenuation of risk framework: application to climate change

The social experience of risk is not confined to the technical definition of risk, that is, the product of probability and magnitude. What human beings perceive as threat to their well‐being and how they evaluate probabilities and magnitudes of unwanted consequences is codetermined by values, attitudes, social influences, and cultural identity. This article introduces the social amplification of risk framework (SARF) and applies it to climate change. The SARF is based on the thesis that events pertaining to hazards interact with psychological, social, institutional, and cultural processes in ways that can heighten or attenuate individual and social perceptions of risk and shape risk behavior. Drawing upon the concept of social amplification of risk, this article investigates the mechanisms of amplification and attenuation in the climate change debate: it focuses first on the micro‐sociological and psychological literature on amplification and attenuation of individual responses (including behavior) in relation to climate change; and second on the application of functional resonance and common pool concepts to the intensity of societal concern and action, interpreted in the light of the SARF. WIREs Clim Change 2011 2 154–169 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.99
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for primary prostate cancer: A systematic review

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer allows overall treatment times to be reduced to as little as 1 week while maintaining a non‐invasive approach. This study provides a comprehensive summary of the literature relating to SBRT in prostate cancer. A systematic review of the relevant literature was performed using structured search terms. Fourteen phase I–II trials and retrospective studies using SBRT for the treatment of prostate cancer were used. Three studies were identified which addressed cost. Dose fractionation, radiotherapy procedures, biochemical progression‐free survival, toxicity, cost and quality of life were critically appraised. A total of 1472 patients were examined across studies. Median follow‐up ranged from 11 to 60 months. The most common dose fractionation was 35–36.25 Gy in five fractions, used in nine out of 14 studies. Ten of 14 studies used CyberKnife. The overall biochemical progression‐free survival ranged 81–100%. Acute grade 2 urinary and rectal toxicities were reported in 5–42% and 0–27% of patients, respectively. Acute grade 3 or more urinary and rectal toxicity were 0.5% and 0%, respectively. Late grade 2 urinary toxicity was reported in 0–29% of patients, while 1.3% had a late grade 3 urinary toxicity. There were no late grade 4 urinary toxicities seen. Late grade 2 rectal toxicity was reported in 0–11%, while 0.5% had a late grade 3 rectal toxicity. Late grade 4 rectal toxicity was reported in 0.2% of patients.
Sexual harassment: Do gender and organizational status of harasser really matter?

The research investigated the impact of sexual harassment on withdrawal behaviors and attitudes toward harassment by examining the gender composition of the harassment dyad and the organizational status of the perpetrator in relation to the victim. Archival data from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan was used to obtain surveys in which participants rated their attitudes and experiences related to sexual harassment. Only individuals who reported experiencing sexual harassment within the 24 months prior to data collection are included in the current research. A MANOVA was conducted to determine if withdrawal behaviors and attitudes of victims varied by the gender dyad and/or the organizational status of the perpetrator. Results indicated that individuals harassed by people with higher organizational status displayed more withdrawal behaviors in the form of decreased productivity and increased use of sick, annual, and unpaid leave. Individuals harassed by a member of the same gender also used more unpaid leave. Interestingly, individuals harassed by members of the opposite gender, tended to disagree more strongly with the attitude index measuring cautious awareness of sexual harassment.
Almost everyone over 50 should be put on a statin to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease: A protagonist view.

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States (U.S.) and worldwide is immense. The total cost for CVD care in the U.S. for 2010 was over 400 billion dollars. ' The levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are critical determinants for the development of CVD.2 It has been clearly established that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statin drugs), are potent LDL-C lowering agents that are the cornerstone of CVD treatment. We will review here the developing evidence to support statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease for almost everyone over the age of 50.
Segmentation of Worked Examples: Effects on Cognitive Load and Learning

Summary Two ways to improve worked examples are investigated: presenting them in a segmented format (i.e., in pieces separated by blank lines) and instructing students to segment them actively (i.e., students must divide the examples in pieces). Segmented examples are expected to support learning because they show which information elements belong together. Learners might also be encouraged to think about which information elements belong together when they are instructed to actively segment, but on the negative side, this is an additional task that might impose extra cognitive load without facilitating learning. Results showed that students in the actively segmenting condition invested more effort in learning than students in the other conditions without performing better. Furthermore, studying segmented examples required less effort to achieve equal learning outcomes than studying nonsegmented ones. So, presenting learners with segmented examples improved the efficiency of the learning process, whereas instructing them to actively segment decreased this efficiency. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relational experience of Facebook : the impact of online social networking on users' relationships and relational selves

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The c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway mediates chrysotile asbestos-induced alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis

Exposure to chrysotile asbestos exposure is associated with an increased risk of mortality in combination with pulmonary diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Multiple mechanisms by which chrysotile asbestos fibers induce pulmonary disease have been identified, however the role of apoptosis in human lung alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) has not yet been fully explored. Accumulating evidence implicates AEC apoptosis as a crucial event in the development of both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asbestosis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether chrysotile asbestos induces mitochondria-regulated (intrinsic) AEC apoptosis and, if so, whether this induction occurs via the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Human A549 bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells with alveolar epithelial type II-like features were used. The present study showed that chrysotile asbestos induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in A549 cell viability, which was accompanied by the activation of the MAPK c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), but not the MAPKs extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38. Chrysotile asbestos was also shown to induce intrinsic AEC apoptosis, as evidenced by the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bak, alongside the activation of caspase-9, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and the release of cytochrome c. Furthermore, the specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked chrysotile asbestos-induced JNK activation and subsequent apoptosis, as assessed by both caspase-9 cleavage and PARP activation. The results of the present study demonstrated that chrysotile asbestos induces intrinsic AEC apoptosis by a JNK-dependent mechanism, and suggests a potential novel target for the modulation of chrysotile asbestos-associated lung diseases.