Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mother-to-child HIV-transmission prevention programs in a sub-Saharan African setting: The Gabonese experience

In many developing countries, mothers’ awareness remains a challenge despite the scaling up of antenatal care and programs preventing mother-to-child (MTC) HIV transmission. The present study was done in Libreville, Gabon where all antenatal care (delivery included) is free of charge. Here we assessed the timing of antenatal antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis initiation, HIV-exposed infants’ age at their first postnatal HIV check visit and investigated the association between mothers’ awareness or knowledge on their ARV therapy and infants’ HIV infection. We interviewed HIV-positive mothers on their first and subsequent laboratory visits to investigate infants’ HIV status and tested infants for HIV RNA and antibody between 2012 and 2014. We established that (1) of 718 HIV-positive mothers, only 6% were fully aware and knew what ARV treatment they were on during pregnancy; (2) half of the women (54%) start their antenatal ARV prophylaxis initiation during the second trimester of pregnancy; (3) 64% of HIV-exposed infants had their first HIV infection screening between birth and three months of age; (4) the overall prevalence of HIV infection in infants born from infected mothers was 8.9%; and (5) infants born from mothers uncertain about taking prophylactic ARV therapy were 13.3 times more likely to be infected by HIV than infants born from mothers certain about taking prophylactic ARV therapy. In conclusion, the study showed that despite free antenatal care, early access and adherence to components of MTC, HIV transmission preventive care remains unsatisfactory.
On LUT cascade realizations of FIR filters

This paper first defines the n-input q-output WS function, as a mathematical model of the combinational part of the distributed arithmetic of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter. Then, it shows a method to realize the WS function by an LUT cascade with k-input q-output cells. Furthermore, it 1) shows that LUT cascade realizations require much smaller memory than the single ROM realizations; 2) presents new design method for a WS function by arithmetic decomposition, and 3) shows design results of FIR filters using FPGAs with embedded memories.
The Improvement of Hypertension by Probiotics: Effects on Cholesterol, Diabetes, Renin, and Phytoestrogens

Probiotics are live organisms that are primarily used to improve gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, lactose intolerance, and to inhibit the excessive proliferation of pathogenic intestinal bacteria. However, recent studies have suggested that probiotics could have beneficial effects beyond gastrointestinal health, as they were found to improve certain metabolic disorders such as hypertension. Hypertension is caused by various factors and the predominant causes include an increase in cholesterol levels, incidence of diabetes, inconsistent modulation of renin and imbalanced sexual hormones. This review discusses the antihypertensive roles of probiotics via the improvement and/or treatment of lipid profiles, modulation of insulin resistance and sensitivity, the modulation of renin levels and also the conversion of bioactive phytoestrogens as an alternative replacement of sexual hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics of Myxoid Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Myxoid soft-tissue sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumors characterized by a predominantly myxoid matrix, including myxoid liposarcoma (MLS), low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS), extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC), myxofibrosarcoma, myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS), and myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Cytogenetic and molecular genetic analyses have shown that many of these sarcomas are characterized by recurrent chromosomal translocations resulting in highly specific fusion genes (e.g., FUS-DDIT3 in MLS, FUS-CREB3L2 in LGFMS, EWSR1-NR4A3 in EMC, and COL1A1-PDGFB in myxoid DFSP). Moreover, recent molecular analysis has demonstrated a translocation t(1; 10)(p22; q24) resulting in transcriptional upregulation of FGF8 and NPM3 in MIFS. Most recently, the presence of TGFBR3 and MGEA5 rearrangements has been identified in a subset of MIFS. These genetic alterations can be utilized as an adjunct in diagnostically challenging cases. In contrast, most myxofibrosarcomas have complex karyotypes lacking specific genetic alterations. This paper focuses on the cytogenetic and molecular genetic findings of myxoid soft-tissue sarcomas as well as their clinicopathological characteristics.
Optimizing iterative decoding of low-density parity check codes on programmable pipelined parallel architectures

This paper investigates the problem of minimizing the latency of iterative decoding of low-density parity check codes using the sum-product algorithm on a proposed low-complexity programmable pipelined parallel architecture. We present heuristic techniques for solving the NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems of mapping and scheduling the processing tasks of decoding an arbitrary LDPC code on n parallel pipelined processing units so as to minimize the total number of clock cycles required to complete a single decoding iteration. We compare the quality of result and running time of the proposed techniques to those of simple randomized techniques. We also investigate the effect of using local buffering at the pipelined processing units. In the case of zero local buffering, the proposed mapping and ordering techniques offer an improvement of 75.1% over randomized alternatives for the case of n=16. The proposed mapping technique always leads to an improvement of at least 11% over randomized mapping even if infinite local buffering is used. It is shown that a speedup factor of 1.12n-0.024n/sup 2/ can be achieved using a local buffer size of only 32 words.
The potential role of fatty acids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

As currently defined, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) encompasses a broad constellation of behavioural and learning problems and its definition and diagnosis remain controversial. The aetiology of ADHD is acknowledged to be both complex and multifactorial. The proposal considered here is that at least some features of ADHD may reflect an underlying abnormality of fatty acid metabolism. Clinical and biochemical evidence is discussed which suggests that a functional deficiency of certain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids could contribute to many of the features associated with this condition. The implications in terms of fatty acid treatment proposals are also discussed; such a form of treatment is relatively safe compared to existing pharmacological interventions, although further studies are still needed in order to evaluate its potential efficacy in the management of ADHD symptoms.
Wetlands in the Arid Northern Territory : a report to the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage on the inventory and significance of wetlands in the arid NT

This report summarises current knowledge of wetlands in the arid part of the Northern Territory, defined as that portion of the Northern Territory (NT) that is south of 20 degrees latitude (20° S). It is based on a project to inventory the wetlands and assess their significance for ecological conservation. The project was carried out with financial assistance from the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT), as part of the National Wetlands Program, administered by Environment Australia (now the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage).
The corporate image of auditors in a developing audit market within the EU: the case of Spain

This paper examines the images of audit firms in Spain. Spain offers a valuable research context in that it is a relatively new audit market and one where the top company audits are not totally dominated by the large multinational audit firms, allowing for a comparison of the images of such firms against those associated with smaller, national audit firms. The findings of this survey are pertinent given the current level of debate internationally over the role, regulation and quality of auditing services and concerns over the potential impact of recent corporate scandals on auditor reputation. Our study shows that the images of audit firms in Spain have differed on a number of dimensions, mostly concerned with the pricing of audit services and the spread of audit clients. Significantly, no differences were obtained in relation to the perceived competence or ethical standing of the large multinational and Spanish, national audit firms. The study also shows the areas of the audit firm's corporate image where the actual image of the firm differs significantly from that desired by the management of their clients.
Micromorphological analysis of liquefaction features in alluvial and coastal environments of Christchurch, New Zealand

This study presents a micromorphological analysis of liquefaction features (dykes, sills and sand blows) associated with the 2010 to 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes Sequence, dykes of an earlier generation of liquefaction (palaeoliquefaction) and hosting soil. The aim of this research was to determine whether diagnostic features existed that would allow robust identification of liquefaction features and discrimination of different generations of liquefaction features in thin sections. This study serves to enhance the tools available to support palaeoliquefaction studies and earthquake hazard assessment. Similarities were found in the sedimentary fabric between all forms and ages of liquefaction features distinct from hosting soil. Palaeoliquefaction features could also be distinguished on the basis of microscopic pedogenic characteristics. Liquefaction and palaeoliquefaction were investigated in two distinctive sedimentary settings: the floodplain of the Halswell River, and coastal sand dunes near or in Christchurch. Analysis was carried out on thin sections prepared from resin‐impregnated blocks of soil sediment hosting the liquefaction features. The fabric of modern liquefaction features in the alluvial and coastal system is similar, both showing a single grain micro‐structure, with moderate to well‐sorted grains with many simple packing voids and planar voids. In both environments it was possible to see evidence of fluidization such as water escape structures, cutans and silt caps. The palaeoliquefaction fabric can be distinguished from the modern liquefaction fabric by the presence of textural pedogenic features in the form of silt coating of grains, infilling of planar voids, coating and hypocoating of voids and excrement pedofeatures. The results presented in this manuscript demonstrated how thin section analysis can be a valuable tool to corroborate field identification of liquefaction features, and to discriminate between features of different relative ages where stratigraphic evidence is equivocal.
Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases and matrix degrading activity in vulnerable regions of human atherosclerotic plaques.

Dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism may contribute to vascular remodeling during the development and complication of human atherosclerotic lesions. We investigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of enzymes that degrade ECM components in human atherosclerotic plaques (n = 30) and in uninvolved arterial specimens (n = 11). We studied members of all three MMP classes (interstitial collagenase, MMP-1; gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9; and stromelysin, MMP-3) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs 1 and 2) by immunocytochemistry, zymography, and immunoprecipitation. Normal arteries stained uniformly for 72-kD gelatinase and TIMPs. In contrast, plaques' shoulders and regions of foam cell accumulation displayed locally increased expression of 92-kD gelatinase, stromelysin, and interstitial collagenase. However, the mere presence of MMP does not establish their catalytic capacity, as the zymogens lack activity, and TIMPs may block activated MMPs. All plaque extracts contained activated forms of gelatinases determined zymographically and by degradation of 3H-collagen type IV. To test directly whether atheromata actually contain active matrix-degrading enzymes in situ, we devised a method which allows the detection and microscopic localization of MMP enzymatic activity directly in tissue sections. In situ zymography revealed gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activity in frozen sections of atherosclerotic but not of uninvolved arterial tissues. The MMP inhibitors, EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, as well as recombinant TIMP-1, reduced these activities which colocalized with regions of increased immunoreactive MMP expression, i.e., the shoulders, core, and microvasculature of the plaques. Focal overexpression of activated MMP may promote destabilization and complication of atherosclerotic plaques and provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Tacit Knowledge Management in Automobile R&D Process

Starting with the introduction of the background of tacit knowledge management, this paper analyzes its meaning for automobile enterprises, discusses the essence of tacit knowledge management, and then studies the tacit knowledge run through the automobile R&D process. Based on the tacit knowledge management mechanism, this paper puts forward the tacit knowledge management model and proposes the implementation methods of tacit knowledge management in automobile R&D process. To a certain extent, this paper expands the span and depth of the application of knowledge management in automobile R&D process.
Stoichiometric modeling of oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (Riscs) in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

The prokaryotic oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RISCs) is a topic of utmost importance from a biogeochemical and industrial perspective. Despite sulfur oxidizing bacterial activity is largely known, no quantitative approaches to biological RISCs oxidation have been made, gathering all the complex abiotic and enzymatic stoichiometry involved. Even though in the case of neutrophilic bacteria such as Paracoccus and Beggiatoa species the RISCs oxidation systems are well described, there is a lack of knowledge for acidophilic microorganisms. Here, we present the first experimentally validated stoichiometric model able to assess RISCs oxidation quantitatively in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (strain DSM 17318), the archetype of the sulfur oxidizing acidophilic chemolithoautotrophs. This model was built based on literature and genomic analysis, considering a widespread mix of formerly proposed RISCs oxidation models combined and evaluated experimentally. Thiosulfate partial oxidation by the Sox system (SoxABXYZ) was placed as central step of sulfur oxidation model, along with abiotic reactions. This model was coupled with a detailed stoichiometry of biomass production, providing accurate bacterial growth predictions. In silico deletion/inactivation highlights the role of sulfur dioxygenase as the main catalyzer and a moderate function of tetrathionate hydrolase in elemental sulfur catabolism, demonstrating that this model constitutes an advanced instrument for the optimization of At. thiooxidans biomass production with potential use in biohydrometallurgical and environmental applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 2242–2251. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investor sentiment, institutional investors and the accrual anomaly : an empirical analysis of China's listed companies

The accrual anomaly is a phenomenon that investors gain future abnormal returns through accruals-based hedge portfolios. This paper first shows that China's institutional investors have a better understanding of the persistence of accounting accruals and they more accurately assess stock prices, and that an accrual-based hedge portfolio yields smaller future abnormal returns for firms with high institutional ownership. The results suggest that in China's stock market, the accrual anomaly can be weakened by the activities of institutional investors. Second, with the cross-section data of listed companies from 2001 to 2013, this paper uses empirical analysis of the classified samples to examine how the stock prices react to accruals with the level of investor sentiment. The results suggest stock prices of companies with a small proportion of institutional investors are more sensitive to the impact of investor sentiment on the accrual anomaly. Lastly, this paper examines the effect of investor sentiment on managers' accrual decisions. I find that accruals are higher in positive sentiment environments for companies with high proportion of individual investors, which suggests managers might be exploiting naive individual investor behavior. Thesis Supervisor: Christopher F. Noe Title: Senior Lecturer
Extracellular K+ Is a Prerequisite for the Function and Plasma Membrane Stability of HERG Channels

Rationale: The human ether-a-go-go–related gene (HERG) encodes the pore-forming subunits of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKr) that is important for cardiac repolarization. Dysfunction of HERG causes long QT syndrome (LQTS) which can lead to sudden cardiac death. We previously showed that a reduction in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) prolongs QT intervals in intact rabbits, and decreases the cell surface density of IKr in rabbit ventricular myocytes and of the HERG channel expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. Objective: The goal of the present study was to gain insights into the mechanisms for low [K+]o induced reduction in HERG expression levels. Methods and Results: Using patch clamp, Western blot and confocal imaging methods, we demonstrated that at low [K+]o, the HERG channel entered a novel nonconducting state. Furthermore, this novel functional state triggered rapid internalization and degradation of the cell surface HERG channels. Thus, our data demonstrated for the first time a direct link between a gating state and the plasma membrane stability of an ion channel, HERG. Using HERG-permeant cations and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified the sites in the channel which are involved in the K+o dependence of HERG channels. Conclusions: Extracellular K+ is a prerequisite for HERG function and membrane stability.
Repolarization of the mammalian heart action potential is modulated by changes in osmotic strength.

This editorial refers to ‘Osmotic modulation of slowly activating I Ks in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes’ by S. Missan et al . , pp. 429–436, this issue. Repolarization of the mammalian heart action potential is a very important physiological variable. It sets action-potential duration and thus strongly modulates contractility and refractoriness in both the atria and the ventricles. Repolarization is initiated and controlled by the time- and voltage-dependent onset of a variety of different outward potassium (K+) currents, some of which are highly non-linear.1 One of these currents, the so-called slow outward delayed rectifier, or I Ks, is expressed in the human ventricle. Its activation adds to the safety factor for repolarization (the so-called repolarization reserve) through its intrinsic time and voltage dependence. This is prominent following augmentation of I Ks by sympathetic nerve stimulation.2 A paper in this issue from the McDonald laboratory3 confirms and extends what is known about the modulation of I Ks in response to changes in osmotic strength of the external medium. A significant change in osmotic strength (±20–30%) may take place in the setting of ischaemia–reperfusion of the heart. This paper demonstrates relatively rapid (3–5 min to steady state) changes in I Ks in single ventricular myocytes obtained from the hearts of adult guinea pigs in response to alterations in osmotic strength: reductions result in reversible increases in I Ks and vice versa. These changes appear to be quite selective as judged by the reported lack of effect on a selected K+ current denoted HERG. The context for these findings and some aspects of their interpretation is aided …
WevQuery: Testing Hypotheses about Web Interaction Patterns

Remotely stored user interaction logs, which give access to a wealth of data generated by large numbers of users, have been long used to understand if interactive systems meet the expectations of designers. Unfortunately, detailed insight into users' interaction behaviour still requires a high degree of expertise and domain specific knowledge. We present WevQuery, a scalable system to query user interaction logs in order to allow designers to test their hypotheses about users' behaviour. WevQuery supports this purpose using a graphical notation to define the interaction patterns designers are seeking. WevQuery is scalable as the queries can then be executed against large user interaction datasets by employing the MapReduce paradigm. This way WevQuery provides designers effortless access to harvest users' interaction patterns, removing the burden of low-level interaction data analysis. We present two scenarios to showcase the potential of WevQuery, from the design of the queries to their execution on real interaction data accounting for 5.7m events generated by 2,445 unique users.
Cancellation and attenuation of harmonics in low voltage networks

Increasing numbers of various power electronic equipment, used both as passive devices (e.g. front-end rectifier loads) and as active devices (e.g. inverter-interfaced generation), is one of the main contributing factors to the higher harmonic distortion levels in low voltage distribution networks. The analysis and results presented in this paper discuss and demonstrate how modern power electronic devices interact with each other and with the low voltage network. To represent the effects of harmonic cancellation and harmonic attenuation, different types of power electronic equipment are analysed for several characteristic system impedance values and typically distorted voltage waveforms.
Scheduling algorithm for multi-item requests with time constraints in mobile computing environments

On-demand broadcast is an effective wireless data dissemination technique to enhance system scalability and capability to handle dynamic user access patterns. Previous studies on time-critical on-demand data broadcast were under the assumption that each client requests only one data item at a time. Little work, however, has considered the on- demand broadcast with time-critical multi-item requests. In this paper, we study the problem arising in this new environment and observe that existing single item based scheduling algorithms are unable to manage multi-item requests efficiently. Thus, a new scheduling algorithm that combines the benefit of data item scheduling and request scheduling is proposed. The performance results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to other classical algorithms under a variety of factors. Our algorithm not only reduces deadline-missing ratio of requests, but also saves broadcast channel bandwidth.
Reactive Rebalancing for Scientific Simulations running on ExaScale High Performance Computers

Exascale computers, the next generation of high performance computers, are expected to process 1 exaflops around 2018. However the processor cores used in these systems are very likely to suffer from unpredictable high variability in performance. We built a prototype generalpurpose reactive work rebalancer that handles such performance variability with low overhead. We did an experimental validation by developing a reactive rebalancer library in UPC, and using it in a 5-point stencil (heat) simulation. The experiments show that our approach has very limited overhead that compensates for runtime processor speed variations, with or without simulated processor slowdowns.