Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internet Use among Ugandan Adolescents: Implications for HIV Intervention

Background The Internet is fast gaining recognition as a powerful, low-cost method to deliver health intervention and prevention programs to large numbers of young people across diverse geographic regions. The feasibility and accessibility of Internet-based health interventions in resource-limited settings, where cost-effective interventions are most needed, is unknown. To determine the utility of developing technology-based interventions in resource-limited settings, availability and patterns of usage of the Internet first need to be assessed. Methods and Findings The Uganda Media and You Survey was a cross-sectional survey of Internet use among adolescents (ages 12–18 years) in Mbarara, Uganda, a municipality mainly serving a rural population in sub-Saharan Africa. Participants were randomly selected among eligible students attending one of five participating secondary day and boarding schools in Mbarara, Uganda. Of a total of 538 students selected, 93% (500) participated. Of the total respondents, 45% (223) reported ever having used the Internet, 78% (175) of whom reported going online in the previous week. As maternal education increased, so too did the odds of adolescent Internet use. Almost two in five respondents (38% [189]) reported already having used a computer or the Internet to search for health information. Over one-third (35% [173]) had used the computer or Internet to find information about HIV/AIDS, and 20% (102) had looked for sexual health information. Among Internet users, searching for HIV/AIDS information on a computer or online was significantly related to using the Internet weekly, emailing, visiting chat rooms, and playing online games. In contrast, going online at school was inversely related to looking for HIV/AIDS information via technology. If Internet access were free, 66% (330) reported that they would search for information about HIV/AIDS prevention online. Conclusions Both the desire to use, and the actual use of, the Internet to seek sexual health and HIV/AIDS information is high among secondary school students in Mbarara. The Internet may be a promising strategy to deliver low-cost HIV/AIDS risk reduction interventions in resource-limited settings with expanding Internet access.
A model for user-level memory management in a distributed, persistent environment

The Grasshopper operating system provides a flexible environment for conducting research into orthogonal persistence. In particular, it allows user-level software to perform memory management so that new techniques may be investigated without having to modify or even reboot the kernel. We describe the facilities provided to support this and show how they are used by both the kernel and user-level software.
Cooperative Effect of miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p in the Regulation of Targets in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background Due to the poor prognosis for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), there is an urgent need for new therapeutic targets and for prognostic markers to identify high risk tumors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in tumors, play a crucial role during carcinogenesis and therefore might be promising new biomarkers. In previous studies, we identified miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p to be downregulated in clear cell RCC (ccRCC). Our objective was to investigate the functional association of these miRNAs, focusing on the cooperative regulation of new specific targets and their role in ccRCC progression. Methods The effect of miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p on cell migration was examined by overexpression in 786-O cells. New targets of both miRNAs were identified by miRWalk, validated in 786-O and ACHN cells and additionally characterized in ccRCC tissue on mRNA and protein level. Results In functional analysis, a tumor suppressive effect of miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p by decreasing migration and invasion of RCC cells could be shown. Furthermore, co-overexpression of the miRNAs seemed to result in an increased inhibition of cell migration. Both miRNAs were recognized as post-transcriptional regulators of the targets EAPP, HS6ST2, LOX, TGFB2 and VRK2. Additionally, they showed a cooperative effect again as demonstrated by a significantly increased inhibition of HS6ST2 and LOX expression after simultaneous overexpression of both miRNAs. In ccRCC tissue, LOX mRNA expression was strongly increased compared to normal tissue, allowing also to distinguish between non-metastatic and already metastasized primary tumors. Finally, in subsequent tissue microarray analysis LOX protein expression showed a prognostic relevance for the overall survival of ccRCC patients. Conclusion These results illustrate a jointly strengthening effect of the dysregulated miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p in various tumor associated processes. Focusing on the cooperative effect of miRNAs provides new opportunities for the development of therapeutic strategies and offers novel prognostic and diagnostic capabilities.
Ageing of modified wood. Part 1: Wetting properties of acetylated, furfurylated, and thermally modified wood

Abstract The main objective of this work was to apply contact angle analysis to predict work of adhesion (W a ) between some modified wood materials and certain thermoplastics and adhesives. Wetting properties, i.e., contact angles, were measured by the Wilhelmy method on both freshly prepared and aged veneer samples of unmodified and acetylated Scots pine, furfurylated radiata pine, and heat treated Norway spruce. The sessile drop method was used to measure contact angles on a phenol resorcinol formaldehyde, an emulsion polymer isocyanate, and a one-component polyurethane adhesive. Contact angle data were also collected from the literature on polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and Nylon 6. Contact angle analysis based on the Chang-Qin-Chen model was then applied to determine so-called acid-base interaction parameters and W a between the wood samples and the selected thermoplastics and adhesives. Results show that the ageing process led to an increased hydrophobic character of unmodified, heat treated, and furfurylated wood samples. The freshly prepared acetylated wood samples had a pronounced hydrophobic character which remained approximately constant after ageing. The predicted W a between the wood and the adhesives was considerably higher than that between the wood and the thermoplastics. Furthermore, the predicted W a between the acetylated wood and both the thermoplastics and water was approximately unchanged when comparing the fresh and aged samples. In contrast, the ageing of all other wood samples resulted in a dramatic decrease of the wood-water W a and a moderate decrease of the wood-thermoplastics W a . The wood-adhesives W a , however, was unchanged for the unmodified and furfurylated wood when comparing the fresh and aged samples and even increased for heat treated and acetylated wood samples.
The Three-Layered DNA Uptake Machinery at the Cell Pole in Competent Bacillus subtilis Cells Is a Stable Complex

ABSTRACT Many bacteria possess the ability to actively take up DNA from the environment and incorporate it into the chromosome. RecA protein is the key protein achieving homologous recombination. Several of the proteins involved in the transport of DNA across the cell envelope assemble at a single or both cell poles in competent Bacillus subtilis cells. We show that the presumed structure that transports DNA across the cell wall, the pseudopilus, also assembles at a single or both cell poles, while the membrane receptor, ComEA, forms a mobile layer throughout the cell membrane. All other known Com proteins, including the membrane permease, localize again to the cell pole, revealing that the uptake machinery has three distinct layers. In cells having two uptake machineries, one complex is occasionally mobile, with pairs of proteins moving together, suggesting that a complete complex may lose anchoring and become mobile. Overall, the cell pole provides stable anchoring. Only one of two uptake machineries assembles RecA protein, suggesting that only one is competent for DNA transfer. FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) analyses show that in contrast to known multiprotein complexes, the DNA uptake machinery forms a highly stable complex, showing little or no exchange with unbound molecules. When cells are converted into round spheroplasts, the structure persists, revealing that the assembly is highly stable and does not require the cell pole for its maintenance. High stability may be important to fulfill the mechanical function in pulling DNA across two cell layers.
Simple Ordering in Complex Fluids

Ordering and the formation of crystals have long fascinated mankind. The reverence bestowed on gem‐stones and the fantastic properties attributed to crystalline matter arise from the unique optical, geometric and physical properties of the ordered state. Although scientific inquiry has focused mostly on molecular and atomic crystals, much also can be learned from the study of super‐molecular and colloidal arrays.
A Research of Earthquake Marking System Based on 2D GIS with ArcGIS

Taking ArcEngine as the 2D map symbols marking systems development tool, this study designs a 2D GIS marking desktop application system byusing Ortho vector map as its basic map, and implements such functions as map navigation operation, labelling major targets of earthquake-stricken areas, animation deduction of emergency rescue solutions, and exporting emergency rescue plans, etc.
Islet function within a multilayer microcapsule and efficacy of angiogenic protein delivery in an omentum pouch graft

Abstract. We have previously described a new multilayer alginate microcapsule system, and the goals of the present study were to assess the in vitro function of islets encapsulated in its inner layer, and the angiogenic ability of FGF-1 delivered from the external layer in an omentum pouch. Following isolation and culture, islets were encapsulated in the inner core of microspheres (500 - 600 μm in diameter) with a semi-permeable poly-L-ornithine (PLO) membrane separating two alginate layers, and both unencapsulated and encapsulated islet function was assessed by a dynamic glucose perifusion. For angiogenesis experiments, one group of microcapsules without FGF-1 (control) and another (test) containing FGF-1 with heparin encapsulated in the external layer were made. One hundred microcapsules of each group were transplanted in Lewis rats ( n = 5/group) and were retrieved after 14 days for assessment of angiogenesis. Glucose perifusion of unencapsulated and encapsulated islets resulted in similar stimulation indices. The release of FGF-1 resulted in increased vascular density compared to controls. In conclusion, islets encapsulated in the core of multilayer alginate microcapsules maintain functionality and the microcapsule’s external layer is effective in delivery of FGF-1 to enhance graft neovascularization in a retrievable omentum pouch.
Gender differences in predictors of health status in patients with COPD.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the health status (HS) of COPD patients and to identify the main predictors of HS in these patients according to gender. METHODS The study included 90 COPD patients (60 males and 30 females; mean age = 64 +/- 9 years) with a wide range of airway obstruction disorders (mean FEV1 = 56 +/- 19% of predicted). The men were individually matched to the women by % of predicted FEV1 (ratio: 2:1). The patients were assessed regarding body composition; six-minute walk distance; perception of dyspnea using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale; Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); Charlson comorbidity index; and the multidimensional Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise capacity (BODE) index. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of HS by gender. RESULTS Impairment of HS was greater among the women than among the men for SGRQ total score and for all SGRQ domains (total: 51 +/- 18% vs. 38 +/- 19%; p = 0.002; symptoms: 61 +/- 22% vs. 42 +/- 21%; p < 0.001; activity: 62 +/- 18% vs. 49 +/- 21%; p = 0.004; and impact: 41 +/- 19% vs. 27 +/- 18%; p = 0.001). The multiple linear regression showed that age and perception of dyspnea correlated with SGRQ total score for both genders (males, r(2) = 0.42; females, r(2) = 0.70; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed an association between gender and HS in COPD patients. Age and dyspnea are determinants of HS in both genders.
TRIUMF: A Trusted Middleware for Fault-tolerant Secure Collaborative Computing

A cell for the electrolytic deposition of metal at low temperatures and low electrical consumption in which an anode of a metal oxide and reducing agent immersed in an electrolytic molten halide salt bath comprises lithium chloride and sodium fluoride, the bath formulated to have high electrical conductivity and very low solubility for the metal oxide, as well as the recovered metal. The electrolytic molten halide salt bath is substantially absent of the metal to be recovered.
Fully Dynamic Evaluation of Sequence Pair

In the electronic design automation field, as well as in other areas, problem instances and solutions are often subject to discrete changes. The foundational significance of efficient updates of the criterion value after dynamic updates, instead of recomputing it from scratch each time, has attracted a lot of research. In this paper, motivated by the significance of the sequence pair (SP) representation for floorplanning, we develop a fully dynamic algorithm of SP evaluation, that efficiently updates a criterion value after insertions and deletions of SP elements and after modifications of element weights. Our result is based on a new data structure for the predecessor problem, which maintains the whole history of its dynamic modifications, and the path-compression technique from the union-find problem, which efficiently support predecessor queries. Numerical experiments showed that our algorithm exhibits linear-time behavior and considerably reduces the time of SP evaluation, compared to other approaches.
State-Based Usage Control Enforcement with Data Flow Tracking using System Call Interposition

Usage control generalizes access control to what happens to data in the future. We contribute to the enforcement of usage control requirements at the level of system calls by also taking into account data flow: Restrictions on the dissemination of data, for instance, as stipulated by data protection regulations, of course relate not to just one file containing the data, but likely to all copies of that file as well. In order to enforce the dissemination restrictions on all copies of the sensitive data item, we introduce a data flow model that tracks how the content of a file flows through the system (files, network sockets, main memory). By using this model, the existence of potential copies of the data is reflected in the state of the data flow model. This allows us to enforce the dissemination restrictions by relating to the state rather than all sequences of events that possibly yield copies. Generalizing this idea, we describe how usage control policies can be expressed in a related state-based manner. Finally, we present an implementation of the data flow model and state-based policy enforcement as well as first encouraging performance measurements.
A Descriptive Study of Feelings of Arrested Escape (Entrapment) and Arrested Anger in People Presenting to an Emergency Department Following an Episode of Self-Harm

Background and objectives To explore the role of elevated feelings of anger and desires to escape (fight/flight), which are experienced as inhibited, blocked, and arrested (i.e., arrested anger and arrested flight/escape leading to feelings of entrapment). This descriptive study developed measures of arrested anger and arrested flight and explored these in the context of a recent self-harm event in people presenting to a Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Methods Fifty-eight individuals presenting to an ED following an act of self-harm were recruited. Participants completed newly developed measures of arrested flight, arrested anger and anger with self in regard to self-harm, and suicide intent and depression. Results Ninety-three percent of participants presented after self-poisoning. The majority (95%) reported having experienced high escape motivation that felt blocked (arrested flight) with 69% reporting feeling angry with someone but unable to express it (arrested anger). For many participants (53.7%), strong desires to escape from current situations and/or to express anger did not diminish immediately after the act. Limitations As with many studies, a select group of participants agreed to take part and we did not keep records of how many refused. There are no other validated measures of arrested escape and arrested anger and so for this study, our short item-focused measures rely on face validity. Conclusion Arrested defenses of fight and flight, and self-criticism are common in those who have self-harmed and may continue after acts of self-harm. Many participants revealed that talking about their experiences of escape motivation and blocked anger (using our measures) was helpful to them. Practice points Feelings of entrapment and arrested anger are common in people who self-harm Clinicians could benefit from increased awareness and measures of arrested flight and arrested anger Discussing these concepts and experiences appears to be useful to people who have self-harmed Further research is needed on how best to help people with such experiences
Effect of Geographical Access to Health Facilities on Child Mortality in Rural Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Background There have been few studies that have examined associations between access to health care and child health outcomes in remote populations most in need of health services. This study assessed the effect of travel time and distance to health facilities on mortality in children under five years in a remote area of rural north-western Ethiopia. Methods and Findings This study involved a randomly selected cross sectional survey of 2,058 households. Data were collected during home visits to all resident women of reproductive age (15–49 years). A geographic information system (GIS) was used to map all households and the only health centre in the district. The analysis was restricted to 2,206 rural children who were under the age of five years during the five years before the survey. Data were analysed using random effects Poisson regression. 90.4% (1,996/2,206) of children lived more than 1.5 hours walk from the health centre. Children who lived ≥1.5 hrs from the health centre had a two to three fold greater risk of death than children who lived <1.5 hours from the health centre (children with travel time 1.5–<2.5 hrs adjusted relative risk [adjRR] 2.3[0.95–5.6], travel time 2.5–<3.5 hrs adjRR 3.1[1.3–7.4] and travel time 3.5–<6.5 hrs adjRR 2.5[1.1–6.2]). Conclusion Distance to a health centre had a marked influence on under five mortality in a poor, rural, remote area of Ethiopia. This study provides important information for policy makers on the likely impact of new health centres and their most effective location in remote areas.
Induction of Autophagy Promotes Preattachment Development of Bovine Embryos by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress1

ABSTRACT The coupling of autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in a variety of biological processes; however, little is known regarding the involvement of the autophagy/ER stress pathway in early embryogenesis or the underlying mechanism(s). Here, we showed that the developmental competence of in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos was highly dependent on the autophagy/ER stress balance. Although relative abundances of autophagy-associated gene transcripts, including LC3, Atg5, and Atg7 transcripts, were high in oocytes and throughout the early stages of preattachment development, extensive autophagosome formation was only detected in fertilized embryos. Using an inducer and inhibitor of autophagy, we showed that transient elevation of autophagic activity during early preattachment development greatly increased the blastocyst development rate, trophectoderm cell numbers, and blastomere survival; these same parameters were reduced by both inhibition and prolonged induction of autophagy. Interestingly, the induction of autophagy reduced ER stress and associated damage, while the developmental defects in autophagy-inhibited embryos were significantly alleviated by ER stress inhibitor treatment, indicating that autophagy is a negative regulator of ER stress in early embryos. Collectively, these results suggest that early embryogenesis of IVP bovine embryos depends on an appropriate balance between autophagy and ER stress. These findings may increase our understanding of important early developmental events by providing compelling evidence concerning the tight association between autophagy and ER stress, and may contribute to the development of strategies for the production of IVP bovine blastocysts with high developmental competence.
Secreted Proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gain Access to the Cytosolic MHC Class-I Antigen-Processing Pathway1

CD8+ T cells play an important role in the host response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Mtb resides in an arrested phagosome that is phenotypically similar to an early endosome. The mechanisms by which Mtb-derived Ags gain access to the HLA-I-processing pathway are incompletely characterized. Studies with CD8+ T cell lines have suggested that Mtb Ags gain access to the HLA-I pathway in an alternate vacuolar pathway that is both brefeldin A (BFA) and TAP independent. To define the requirements of entry of Ag into the HLA-I pathway, we have used human CD8+ T cell clones specific for the secreted Mtb Ag CFP10. Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells were pulsed with CFP10 expressed in a recombinant adenovirus, surface adsorbed to microspheres, or in its native form by Mtb. When delivered by adenovirus, processing and presentation of CFP10 were blocked by both BFA and the proteasomal blocker lactacystin. In contrast, processing of CFP10 adsorbed to the surface of microspheres was not affected by either of these Ag-processing inhibitors. BFA, lactacystin, and TAP inhibition blocked the recognition of Mtb-infected dendritic cells, suggesting that processing was via a cytosolic pathway for this secreted protein Ag. We conclude that secreted proteins from Mtb can be processed in a BFA- and proteasome-dependent manner, consistent with egress of Ag into the cytosol and subsequent loading of proteasomally derived peptides.