Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Levels of Antibodies to Multiple Domains and Strains of VAR2CSA Correlate with the Absence of Placental Malaria in Cameroonian Women Living in an Area of High Plasmodium falciparum Transmission

ABSTRACT Placental malaria, caused by sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes in the placenta, is associated with increased risk of maternal morbidity and poor birth outcomes. The parasite antigen VAR2CSA (variant surface antigen 2-chondroitin sulfate A) is expressed on infected erythrocytes and mediates binding to chondroitin sulfate A, initiating inflammation and disrupting homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface. Although antibodies can prevent sequestration, it is unclear whether parasite clearance is due to antibodies to a single Duffy binding-like (DBL) domain or to an extensive repertoire of antibodies to multiple DBL domains and allelic variants. Accordingly, plasma samples collected longitudinally from pregnant women were screened for naturally acquired antibodies against an extensive panel of VAR2CSA proteins, including 2 to 3 allelic variants for each of 5 different DBL domains. Analyses were performed on plasma samples collected from 3 to 9 months of pregnancy from women living in areas in Cameroon with high and low malaria transmission. The results demonstrate that high antibody levels to multiple VAR2CSA domains, rather than a single domain, were associated with the absence of placental malaria when antibodies were present from early in the second trimester until term. Absence of placental malaria was associated with increasing antibody breadth to different DBL domains and allelic variants in multigravid women. Furthermore, the antibody responses of women in the lower-transmission site had both lower magnitude and lesser breadth than those in the high-transmission site. These data suggest that immunity to placental malaria results from high antibody levels to multiple VAR2CSA domains and allelic variants and that antibody breadth is influenced by malaria transmission intensity.
How Motivations, Constraints, and Demographic Factors Predict Seniors' Overseas Travel Propensity

This study investigates the influences of travel motivations, travel constraints, and demographic variables on seniors’ overseas travel intentions. A survey of Taiwanese seniors was conducted for the purpose of identifying the significant predicators of overseas travel. Using factor analyses, four motivations (relaxation, novelty, escape, and socialization) and three travel constraints (perceived risks, time commitments, and personal reasons) are delineated. The results from the logistic regression analysis suggest that the main factors predicting seniors’ overseas travel propensity include age, income source, employment status, relaxation motive, novelty motive, socialization motive, and personal reasons constraint.
Evaluation of the effects of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) in broiler diets

Cereal grains such as maize and wheat are used extensively in feed formulations for poultry as the primary source of carbohydrates. High cost of these grains in many developing countries necessitates the evaluation of other ingredients that are grown locally. Sweet potato is one such crop. The study was conducted as a proof of concept experiment to test the hypothesis that in the presence and absence of enzyme, sweet potato roots when included in diets of broiler chickens may affect the total metabolisable energy content of the diets which may exert certain influences on dry matter digestibility of these diets as well as impacting on production and certain gut parameters. A total of 120 chicks were raised on a commercial starter feed from day 0 to 19. On day 22, the birds were individually weighed and allocated to 96 single bird metabolism cages to conduct a 7-day classical apparent metabolisable energy (AME) assay. The test diets contained 0% and 25% sweet potato flour (SPF) with and without enzyme supplementation (Rovabio Excel AP T-flex) and replicated 24 times. AME of the control diet with and without enzyme was 14.05 and 13.91 MJ/kg whilst the AME of the SPF diets with and without enzymes were 13.45 and 13.43 MJ/kg respectively. AME of SPF was 12.08 MJ/kg. Birds fed the SPF had significantly reduced end weights (p = .002) and weight gains (p < .001) leading to significantly higher intake (p = .004) and FCRs (p < .001) in birds. These effects in growth parameters highlight the need to balance dietary protein and total amino acids when using SPF in broiler diets and may not be a negative effect of SPF per say as AME and dry matter digestibility of SPF diets were comparable to the control diet. The level of sucrase activity in the jejunum was significantly (p < .001) lower due to enzyme inclusion. Use of SPF in the current study did not negatively influence the activities of the brush border enzymes maltase and sucrase, gut morphology in the jejunum of broilers or the load of Enterobacteriaceae in the caecal of birds. This finding is promising in that the gut parameters associated with digestive capacity and gut health were not compromised with feeding of SPF to broilers.
The four points of the HCI research compass

Curiosity and Wonder As the simplest and the most obvious point of the research compass, curiousity and wonder describe the natural characteristic of researchers to have a strong interest in and eagerness to know more about a topic. Many HCI research contributions came from researchers being fascinated by or curious about some issue, including technology, people, or interaction between technology • Skepticism, where we question the possibility of reaching some research goals. I argue here that these four directions are legitimate motivators for doing research, and that we need to support efforts in all of them. Indeed, each of these motivators has positive and negative sides, and awareness of the pros and cons can help us to do better research. I also contend the main question that we as a community need to answer is not which of these directions to follow, but rather, what is the right balance among contributions motivated Most discussions about research in human-computer interaction (HCI) focus on research methods and skills, on the question of how research should be conducted (e.g., [1]). Research tools and methods, however, are only passive instruments in the hands of motivated researchers. But what exactly motivates and drives HCI researchers? Here I address this question, arguing that we need to be more thoughtful about our research motivation, not just our research skills. Research skills can help us to do the research properly, but research motivation is the main force behind all of our research efforts. To support this discussion, and inspired by recent ideas from philosophy [2], I use the metaphor of a compass to discuss research motivation on the meta level, independent of the research methods being used. Using this metaphor I present a new, higher-level view on HCI research as being driven by four main motivators (Figure 1): • Curiosity and wonder, where we follow our strong interests and desires to learn new things; • Doubt, where we want to obtain deeper and more certain understanding; • Belief and vision, where we set or follow research ideals; and • Figure 1. The four points on the HCI research compass. in te ra c ti o n s M a y + j u n e 2 0 1 3
Macronutrient composition and gestational weight gain: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Abnormal gestational weight gain is associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Several risk factors have been identified, but the effect of macronutrient intake during pregnancy on gestational weight gain has not been systematically evaluated in both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature in 8 different databases (until 12 August 2015) to assess whether energy intake and macronutrient intake (i.e., protein, fat, and carbohydrate) during pregnancy were associated with gestational weight gain (following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines). RESULTS Of 7623 identified references, we included 56 articles (46 observational studies and 10 trials, 28 of which were in high-income countries and 28 of which were in low- and middle-income countries). Eleven of the included articles were of high quality (20%). Results of 5 intervention and 7 high-quality observational studies suggested that higher energy intake during pregnancy is associated with higher gestational weight gain (n = 52). Results from observational studies were inconsistent for protein intake (n = 29) and carbohydrate intake (n = 18). Maternal fat intake (n = 25) might be associated with gestational weight gain as suggested by observational studies, although the direction of this association might depend on specific types of fat (e.g., saturated fat). Macronutrient intake was not consistently associated with the prevalence of inadequate or excessive gestational weight gain. Associations were comparable for high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries. CONCLUSIONS The current literature provides evidence that energy intake is associated with gestational weight gain, but the roles of individual macronutrients are inconsistent. However, there is a need for higher-quality research because the majority of these studies were of low quality.
Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

The growth of anodic electroactive microbial biofilms from waste water inocula in a fed-batch reactor is demonstrated using a three-electrode setup controlled by a potentiostat. Thereby the use of potentiostats allows an exact adjustment of the electrode potential and ensures reproducible microbial culturing conditions. During growth the current production is monitored using chronoamperometry (CA). Based on these data the maximum current density (jmax) and the coulombic efficiency (CE) are discussed as measures for characterization of the bioelectrocatalytic performance. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), a nondestructive, i.e. noninvasive, method, is used to study the extracellular electron transfer (EET) of electroactive bacteria. CV measurements are performed on anodic biofilm electrodes in the presence of the microbial substrate, i.e. turnover conditions, and in the absence of the substrate, i.e. nonturnover conditions, using different scan rates. Subsequently, data analysis is exemplified and fundamental thermodynamic parameters of the microbial EET are derived and explained: peak potential (Ep), peak current density (jp), formal potential (Ef) and peak separation (ΔEp). Additionally the limits of the method and the state-of the art data analysis are addressed. Thereby this video-article shall provide a guide for the basic experimental steps and the fundamental data analysis.
Giving Choices in Dictator Games: Social Information, Motives, and Fairness Preferences *

An experimental dictator game has been conducted to examine whether subjects modify their allocation choices when information about the actions of others is provided. Experimental results show that (a) information on their own rank or absolute earnings of other dictators modestly reinforces subjects’ selfishness, (b) the frequency of a zero transfer increases with the knowledge of other subjects’ choices, (c) lower ranked subjects are more likely to give more or less in a new round, (d) the effects of information on rank are not different from those of information on absolute amount, (e) the stronger subjects’ altruism motive and fairness preference, the more they give, while the stronger subjects’ money-seeking motive, the less they give, and (f) money-seeking motive positively contributes to the likelihood of giving constantly zero in every round. The results have implications for future research focusing on distributional choices and social information.
Imperialism within Complex Organizations

This paper is concerned with a recent empirical trend observed in large, computerized formal organizations, and with a theoretical problem or lacuna in organizational sociology which is highlighted by this empirical development. With the widespread introduction of computers into complex organizations, there has been a growth and elaboration of certain kinds of organizational statistics. Specifically, in large bureaucracies or enterprises which have multiple sub-units (such as departments, divisions, or branches), databases are increasingly used which contain detailed statistical information
Arginine 16 Glycine Polymorphism in β2-Adrenergic Receptor Gene is Associated with Obesity, Hyperlipidemia, Hyperleptinemia, and Insulin Resistance in Saudis

Background. Several studies have shown an association between codon 16 polymorphism of the β2AR gene and obesity. Methods. We studied the association between Arg16Gly polymorphism and obesity and its influence on anthropometric parameters, lipids, insulin resistance and leptin in Saudi individuals. The study group included 329 individuals (males: 109 and females: 220). Metabolic parameters, including glucose, lipids, insulin, and leptin were analyzed and anthropometric parameters including waist and hip circumference, waist/hip (W/H) ratio, and body mass index (BMI) were measured and HOMA-IR was calculated. Genotyping was conducted by DNA sequencing of 353 bp fragments, carrying the Arg16Gly polymorphic site. Results and Conclusion. Overweight and obese subjects had a significantly higher frequency of Gly16 (0.375 and 0.38, resp.) compared with normal-weight subjects (0.200). In addition, subjects carrying Gly16 allele regardless of their BMI had greater waist and hip circumference, W/H ratio, plasma lipids, leptin, glucose level, and insulin resistance as judged from the HOMA-IR, compared to those with the wild-type allele. The findings of this study show a significant association between the Arg16Gly polymorphism in β2AR gene and the development of insulin resistance, overweight, and obesity in Saudi populations with an influence on the levels of lipid and leptin.
Bcl2's Flexible Loop Domain Regulates p53 Binding and Survival

ABSTRACT p53 not only functions as a transcription factor but also has a direct, apoptogenic role at the mitochondria. We have discovered that DNA damage-induced p53-Bcl2 binding is associated with decreased Bcl2-Bax interaction and increased apoptotic cell death in a mechanism regulated by Bcl2's flexible loop regulatory domain (FLD), since purified p53 protein can disrupt the Bcl2/Bax complex by directly binding to a negative regulatory region of the FLD (amino acids [aa] 32 to 68). Deletion of the negative regulatory region (Δ32-68) abolishes Bcl2-p53 binding and enhances Bcl2's antiapoptotic function. Conversely, removal of a positive regulatory region (aa 69 to 87) of the FLD, which contains the Bcl2 phosphorylation site(s) T69, S70, and S87, enhances Bcl2-p53 binding and significantly abrogates Bcl2's survival activity. The phospho-mimetic T69E/S70E/S87E (EEE) but not the nonphosphorylatable T69A/S70A/S87A (AAA) Bcl2 mutant displays a reduced capacity to bind p53 and potently inhibits p53-induced cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria. Furthermore, the FLD-only aa32-87 and aa32-68 peptides but not the aa69-87 peptide can directly bind p53 in vitro. p53-induced cytochrome c release occurs through a mechanism involving Bax's integral insertion into the outer mitochondrial membrane. Either DNA damage to cells or expression of p53 selectively targeted to the mitochondria results in Bcl2-p53 binding followed by exposure of Bcl2's BH3 domain in association with inactivation of Bcl2's antiapoptotic function, indicating a conformational change in Bcl2 can occur upon direct ligation of p53. Thus, Bcl2's FLD contains both positive and negative regulatory regions which functionally regulate Bcl2's antiapoptotic activity by affecting Bax or p53 binding.
Ferreting Out Tunneling: An Application to Indian Business Groups

In many countries, controlling shareholders are accused of tunneling, transferring resources from companies where they have few cash flow rights to ones where they have more cash flow rights. Quantifying the extent of such tunneling, however, has proven difficult because of its illicit nature. This paper develops a general empirical technique for quantifying tunneling. We use the responses of different firms to performance shocks to map out the flow of resources within a group of firms and to quantify the extent to which the marginal dollar is tunneled. We apply our technique to data on Indian business groups. The results suggest a significant amount of tunneling between firms in these groups.
Improvement of myocardial ischaemia by lipid lowering drugs.

Coronary artery disease is characterized by the presence of atherosclerotic plaques that may limit or obstruct coronary flow, and by abnormal endothelial function, which may reduce luminal diameter either at rest or during stress conditions. The role of endothelial dysfunction in the clinical expression and progression of coronary artery disease is not very well defined. As regression of atherosclerotic plaques cannot be achieved in most coronary artery disease patients, research has focused on the potential role of risk factor modification to improve endothelial function, retard progression of coronary artery disease and alleviate myocardial ischaemia and anginal symptoms. Soft coronary atherosclerotic plaques with a high concentration of cholesterol-esters are highly likely to undergo disruption. These cholesterol rich ‘active plaques’ are also characterized by a high concentration of monocytes and macrophages. Atherectomy specimens obtained from patients with acute coronary syndromes (mainly unstable angina) revealed a higher concentration of macrophages compared to specimens obtained from patients with stable angina. Similar findings were reported from autopsy studies. The macrophage releases metalloproteins such as interstitial collagenase, gelatinase and stromalysin, which can accelerate the breakdown of extracellular matrix and promote plaque disruption. Reduction of cholesterol may not only reduce the lipid content of the plaque, but can also reduce the accumulation of monocytes and macrophages, thereby contributing to transformation of the ‘active plaque’ into a less active or quiescent plaque. In addition, lowering of LDL levels increases nitric oxide formation, which reduces platelet adhesion and thrombus formation. In coronary segments with atherosclerotic plaque, local secretion of endothelium-derived relaxing factor is reduced and release of endothelin-1 is increased leading to an exaggerated vasoconstrictive response in the areas of atherosclerotic plaque. This excessive vasoconstriction probably plays a significant role not only during unstable angina, but also in the many daily occurrences of ischaemic episodes in which increased coronary tone plays an important role. It appears that the reduced risk of acute ischaemic events is the result of a reduced tendency to exaggerate local vasoconstriction, secondary to lipid lowering. Improved vasomotor tone may improve daily occurrences of ischaemia and its main clinical expression, angina pectoris.
Probabilistic Multiparty Dialogue Management for a Game Master Robot

We present our ongoing research on multiparty dialogue management for a game master robot which engages multiple human participants to play a quiz game. The robot invites passing people to join the game, instructs participants on the rules of the game, and leads them in the game. The robot has to manage people leaving and coming at arbitrary times. Our approach maintains a dialogue manager for each participant, and a module takes a final action with each decision cycle; responsible to decide“what/whom/when to say”. We have implemented the dialogue manager with a probabilistic rules approach [4] and made preliminary evaluations with our multiparty human-robot game dialogue data that was collected in a WoZ fashion.
Oncogenic K-Ras Activates p38 to Maintain Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation during MEK Inhibition

Background: Colon carcinomas frequently contain activating mutations in the K-ras proto-oncogene. K-ras itself is a poor drug target and drug development efforts have mostly focused on components of the classical Ras-activated MEK/ERK pathway. Here we have studied whether endogenous oncogenic K-ras affects the dependency of colorectal tumor cells on MEK/ERK signaling. Methods: K-ras mutant colorectal tumor cell lines C26, HCT116 and L169 were used. K-ras or components of the MEK/ERK and p38 pathway were suppressed by RNA interference (RNAi). MEK was inhibited by U0126. p38 was inhibited by SB203850. Results: MEK inhibition, or suppression of MEK1/2 or ERK1/2 by RNA interference, reduced the proliferation rate of all colorectal cancer cell lines. However, cell proliferation returned to normal after two weeks of chronic inhibition, despite the continued suppression of MEK or ERK. In contrast, K-ras-suppressed tumor cells entered an irreversible senescent-like state following ERK pathway inhibition. MEK inhibition or ERK1/2 suppression caused activation of p38α in a K-ras-dependent manner. Inhibition or suppression of p38α prevented the recovery of K-ras mutant tumor cells during prolonged MEK inhibition. Conclusions: Oncogenic K-ras activates p38α to maintain cell proliferation during MEK inhibition. MEK-targeting therapeutics can create an acquired tumor cell dependency on p38α.
Kernel Additive Modeling for interference reduction in multi-channel music recordings

When recording a live musical performance, the different voices, such as the instrument groups or soloists of an orchestra, are typically recorded in the same room simultaneously, with at least one microphone assigned to each voice. However, it is difficult to acoustically shield the microphones. In practice, each one contains interference from every other voice. In this paper, we aim to reduce these interferences in multi-channel recordings to recover only the isolated voices. Following the recently proposed Kernel Additive Modeling framework, we present a method that iteratively estimates both the power spectral density of each voice and the corresponding strength in each microphone signal. With this information, we build an optimal Wiener filter, strongly reducing interferences. The trade-off between distortion and separation can be controlled by the user through the number of iterations of the algorithm. Furthermore, we present a computationally effective approximation of the iterative procedure. Listening tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Multilayer Dielectric Elastomers for Fast, Programmable Actuation without Prestretch

A novel method for the fabrication of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) combines acrylic polymers and single wall carbon nanotube network electrodes. DEAs made using this technique do not require prestretching, have extremely thin electrodes, and can be actuated at low voltage. The method is applied to create a multimorph device with nine actuation modes based on just four inputs.