Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breastmilk RNA viral load in HIV-infected South African women: effects of subclinical mastitis and infant feeding

Objective: To investigate determinants of breastmilk RNA viral load among HIV-infected South African women, with particular attention to infant feeding mode and subclinical mastitis. Design: Observational, longitudinal study. Methods: Information on current infant feeding practice and a spot milk sample from each breast were obtained from 145 HIV-infected lactating women at 1, 6 and 14 weeks postpartum. The sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) ratio in milk was taken as an indicator of subclinical mastitis. The association between milk RNA viral load and maternal and infant characteristics was investigated using uni- and multivariate models. Results: Milk viral load was below the limit of detection of the HIV RNA assay (< 200 copies/ml) in 63/185 (34.1%), 73/193 (37.8%) and 68/160 (42.5%) of samples at 1, 6 and 14 weeks, respectively. Multivariate models predicted between 13 and 26% of variability in milk viral load in the first 14 weeks. Low blood CD4 cell count (< 200 × 106 cells/l) during pregnancy and raised milk Na+/K+ ratio were significantly associated with raised milk RNA viral load at all times, but there were no consistent associations between infant feeding mode and RNA viral load in milk. There was a non-significant trend for the six infants known to be infected postnatally, compared with the 88 infants who remained uninfected, to have been exposed to breastmilk of higher viral load at each time point. Conclusions: Breast milk HIV RNA viral load in the first 14 weeks of life varied; high levels were associated with subclinical mastitis and severe maternal immunosuppression. Multivariate models had limited predictive value for milk RNA viral load, illustrating the multiple contributors to viral load.
Changing the activity of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction by tuning the surface electronic structure.

The fuel cell is a promising alternative to environmentally unfriendly devices that are currently powered by fossil fuels. In the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC),the main fuel is hydrogen,which through its reaction with oxygen produces electricity with water as the only by-product. To make PEMFCs economically viable,there are several problems that should be solved; the main one is to find more effective catalysts than Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR),1/2 O 2 + 2H + + 2e = H2O. The design of inexpensive,stable,and catalytically active materials for the ORR will require fundamental breakthroughs,and to this end it is important to develop a fundamental understanding of the catalytic process on different materials. Herein,we describe how variations in the electronic structure determine trends in the catalytic activity of the ORR across the periodic table. We show that Pt alloys involving 3d metals are better catalysts than Pt because the electronic structure of the Pt atoms in the surface of these alloys has been modified slightly. With this understanding,we hope that electrocatalysts can begin to be designed on the basis of fundamental insight.
Theory of the quantum confinement effect on excitons in quantum dots of indirect-gap materials.

The quantum confinement effect on excitons in quantum dots of indirect-gap materials is investigated and a mechanism that induces an indirect-to-direct conversion of the character of the optical transition is clarified. The exciton transition energy and the exciton binding energy are calculated and found to be in good agreement with experimental results on Si and Ge nanostructures. The large exciton binding energy in Si and Ge quantum dots suggests that the photoluminescence from these nanostructures is of excitonic origin even at room temperature. The estimated radiative lifetime of excitons is strongly size dependent and varies from nanosecond to millisecond corresponding to the diameter from \ensuremath{\sim}10 to \ensuremath{\sim}30 \AA{}. These theoretical results suggest strongly the importance of the quantum confinement effect in the luminescence processes of porous Si.
A novel mutation in the NF1 gene in two siblings with neurofibromatosis type 1 and bilateral optic pathway glioma

We present the clinical and ophthalmological findings, genetic analysis, and therapy of two siblings with NF1 and bilateral OPG. In genetic analysis, a heteroduplex profile was detected in exon 4b of the NF1 gene for the affected patients and mother. Sequencing of the DNA samples identified a C > T nucleotide change in exon 4b (c484CAG > TAG). This nonsense mutation resulted in a change of glutamine to a stop codon (Q162X) and is a novel NF1 gene alteration. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:713–715. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cybersickness induced by desktop virtual reality

Cybersickness, a syndrome resulting from exposure to virtual reality displays, raises ethical and liability issues. We have found that, contrary to the majority of previous reports in the literature, cybersickness can be induced by desktop virtual reality. Moreover, our findings suggest that some individuals susceptible to cybersickness can be screened out on the basis of their self-reported susceptibility to motion sickness.
Identification of a region of a murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat with novel transcriptional regulatory activities

The 93-bp region downstream of the enhancer (DEN) in the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the mink cell focus-forming virus (MCF13) has been shown to be important for transcriptional activation and viral lymphomagenicity (J. C. Tupper, H. Chen, E. F. Hays, G. C. Bristol, and F. K. Yoshimura, J. Virol. 66:7080-7088, 1992). In this report, we have further explored the role of the DEN region in transcriptional activation. We observed that it has enhancer-like abilities as well as some unique LTR properties. Transcriptional activation by the DEN region involved interactions with enhancer sequences that were either synergistic or additive, depending on the cell type. The most intriguing property of the DEN region is its ability to induce transcription in activated T cells. This activity is unique for the LTR in that no other LTR region can do this. We also examined the role of the DEN region in retroviral lymphomagenesis. We cloned and sequenced proviral LTRs integrated upstream of the cellular c-myc gene from DNA obtained from thymic tumors induced by DEN region deletion mutant viruses in AKR mice. We determined that for transcriptional activation of the c-myc proto-oncogene, enhancer sequences can substitute for the DEN region. This study identifies the significance of non-enhancer sequences in the LTR for the oncogenesis of the MCF13 retrovirus.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Clinical activity score as a guide in the management of patients with Graves ' ophthalmopathy

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The bone‐marrow depressant and antitumor properties in animals of some new alkylating agents

YLERAN (1,4-DIMETHANESULFONOXYBU-M tane) and other bis-mesylates have been shown to exert marked inhibition of the growth of mouse sarcoma 180 and other animal neoplasms in vivo49 10, 14.22-24 and to exhibit a palliative effect against human chronic myelocytic leukemia.2? 3,5,9 These radiomimetic compounds are capable of inhibiting cellular growth and division, inducing mutations, and causing damage to genetic material, as evidenced by the production of chromosome breaks. The ability of the bis-mesylates to act as alkylating agents under physiological conditions is shared by such varying chemical types as the sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, bis-epoxides, ethylenedi-amines
Lymphocytes as Models for the Study of Mammalian Cellular Differentiation

We shall present the case for the lymphocyte population of the mouse as material for studying the molecular biology of cellular differentiation. This will be discussed from the viewpoint that mechanisms established for the various cell populations cx)llectively termed 'lymphocytes' may be relevant to differentiation generally. The importance of selecting suitable systems for investigating cellular differentiation is obvious. Each of the better known models has its attraction. The slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, offers the advantages of a primitive organism in which the essentials of cellular differentiation are represented without the elaborations of more highly evolved forms. The T/t locus of the mouse is prominent as a model of embryogenetic differentiation, in an organism phylogenetically close to man himself. We describe here several unique opportimities afforded by the mouse lympho^ cyte model.
De lo hardcore a lo light: injurias y homofobia cordial en El Salvador

Este articulo tiene por objetivo analizar la produccion de discursos conservadores sobre homosexualidad en El Salvador que se han emitido al interior del proceso de reforma constitucional para prohibir los matrimonios de personas del mismo sexo. Para este fin se recopilaron 60 posicionamientos publicos registrados en periodicos y medios digitales entre los anos 2003 hasta 2017. Como metodologia se utilizo el analisis del discurso. Los discursos conservadores son los emitidos por representantes de los grupos de poder al interior del pais que son contrarios al reconocimiento de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos como derechos humanos. La produccion de discursos se puede temporalizar en dos momentos: 1) Hardcore, reconociendo al silencio-tabu y la injuria publica como dispositivos discursivos culturales para legitimar procesos de discriminacion y 2) Light, representado en la homofobia cordial como estrategia discursiva y arma politica que acciona categorias como afecto, carino, tolerancia, caridad y acogimiento para negar y rechazar cualquier tipo de reconocimiento de derechos para personas salvadorenas lesbianas, gay, bisexuales, personas trans e intersexuales (LGBTI).
Fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine in Oman.

BACKGROUND We conducted a clinical trial of fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine administered to infants in Oman, in order to evaluate strategies for making the vaccine affordable for use in developing countries. METHODS We compared fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (0.1 ml, representing one fifth of a full dose) given intradermally with the use of a needle-free jet injector device, with full doses of vaccine given intramuscularly, with respect to immunogenicity and reactogenicity. Infants were randomly assigned at birth to receive either a fractional dose or a full dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months. We also administered a challenge dose of monovalent type 1 oral poliovirus vaccine at 7 months and collected stool samples before and 7 days after administration of the challenge dose. RESULTS A total of 400 infants were randomized, of whom 373 (93.2%) fulfilled the study requirements. No significant baseline differences between the groups were detected. Thirty days after completion of the three-dose schedule, the rates of seroconversion to types 1, 2, and 3 poliovirus were 97.3%, 95.7%, and 97.9%, respectively, in the fractional-dose group, as compared with 100% seroconversion to all serotypes in the full-dose group (P=0.01 for the comparison with respect to type 2 poliovirus; results with respect to types 1 and 3 poliovirus were not significant). The median titers were significantly lower in the fractional-dose group than in the full-dose group (P<0.001 for all three poliovirus serotypes). At 7 months, 74.8% of the infants in the fractional-dose group and 63.1% of those in full-dose group excreted type 1 poliovirus (P=0.03). Between birth and 7 months, 42 hospitalizations were reported, all related to infectious causes, anemia, or falls, with no significant difference between vaccination groups. CONCLUSIONS These data show that fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine administered intradermally at 2, 4, and 6 months, as compared with full doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine given intramuscularly on the same schedule, induce similar levels of seroconversion but significantly lower titers. (Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN17418767.)
The Human TRIM5α Restriction Factor Mediates Accelerated Uncoating of the N-Tropic Murine Leukemia Virus Capsid

ABSTRACT The host cell factors TRIM5αhu and Fv-1 restrict N-tropic murine leukemia virus (N-MLV) infection at an early postentry step before or after reverse transcription, respectively. Interestingly, the identity of residue 110 of the MLV capsid determines susceptibility to both TRIM5αhu and Fv-1. In this study, we investigate the fate of the MLV capsid in cells expressing either the TRIM5αhu or Fv-1 restriction factor. The expression of TRIM5αhu, but not Fv-1, specifically promoted the premature conversion of particulate N-MLV capsids within infected cells to soluble capsid proteins. The TRIM5αhu-mediated disassembly of particulate N-MLV capsids was dependent upon residue 110 of the viral capsid. Furthermore, the deletion or disruption of TRIM5αhu domains necessary for potent N-MLV restriction completely abrogated the disappearance of particulate N-MLV capsids observed with wild-type TRIM5αhu. These results suggest that premature disassembly of the viral capsid contributes to the restriction of N-MLV infection by TRIM5αhu, but not by Fv-1.
Transparency in environment impact assessment decision-making: recent developments in Western Australia

Transparency in decision-making, involving the establishment of explicit goals and objectives combined with open, facilitative procedures, has recently been advocated as an important principle for effective environmental impact assessment (EIA). This paper examines recent changes to EIA practice in Western Australia that emphasise clear procedures for decision-making. Current practices focus on objectives established for relevant environmental factors identified during the screening and scoping stages of EIA. These objectives are then used as decision criteria for project decision-making following public review. An example from a recent assessment is provided. Some strengths and weaknesses of this approach to transparent EIA decision-making are also examined.
An experimental system for LVRT of direct-drive PMSG wind generation system

In this paper, a LVRT experimental platform for direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (D-PMSG) wind generation system is constructed. The paper uses DC motors, gearboxes and flywheels to simulate the torque characteristic, low speed characteristic and big inertia characteristic of actual wind turbine. Considering the voltage sag of actual power grid, different types of voltage sag are analyzed, and a control strategy for voltage sag generator, which can generate voltage sag of different types, sag depth and sag duration, is proposed. A coordinated control strategy of active power and reactive power for full power converters is proposed. When the grid voltage sag, the reactive power was conveyed to the power grid preferentially. Then the active power is transported furthest. Simulation and experiment show that the voltage sag generator can generate all types of power grid voltage sag waveform, and the LVRT platform can verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy effectively.
Modelling of Water Quality: An Application to a Water Treatment Process

The modelling of water treatment processes is challenging because of its complexity, nonlinearity, and numerous contributory variables, but it is of particular importance since water of low quality causes health-related and economic problems which have a considerable impact on people's daily lives. Linear and nonlinear modelling methods are used here to model residual aluminium and turbidity in treated water, using both laboratory and process data as input variables. The approach includes variable selection to find the most important factors affecting the quality parameters. Correlations of ∼0.7-0.9 between the modelled and real values for the target parameters were ultimately achieved. This data analysis procedure seems to provide an efficient means of modelling the water treatment process and defining its most essential variables.
Sclareol reduces CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Treg cells in a breast cancer model in vivo.

BACKGROUND Sclareol is a phytochemical used in people's diet in Southeast Asia. OBJECTIVE To investigate the immunotherapeutic effectiveness of Sclareol against breast cancer by direct intraperitoneal injection. METHODS Sclareol was isolated and purified from Salvia sclarea. Effect of Sclareol on cell growth inhibition was evaluated by MTT assay. Intraperitoneally injected Sclareol effects on reducing the tumor volume and shifting the cytokine profile were investigated. We also assessed if intraperitoneally injected Sclareol could improve the outcome of cancer therapy through suppressing the regulatory T cells. RESULTS The results confirmed a significant decrease in the tumor size. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the level of IL-4 and an increase in the level of IFN-γ were noticed in the intraperitoneally injected Sclareol group (p<0.05). It was also observed that the splenocytes of treated animals significantly increase in cell proliferation assay. Moreover, measurements of splenic T regulatory cell indicated that intraperitoneally injected Sclareol significantly decreased the number of splenic T regulatory cell. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that Sclareol, by reducing Treg cells frequency and also tumor size can enhance the effect of cancer therapy as an immuno-stimulant.
Subdifferentials of Marginal Functions in Semi-infinite Programming

This paper proposes two new constraint qualification conditions (CQs) which are useful for a unified study of CQs from both a convex analysis and a nonsmooth analysis point of view. Our CQs cover the existing CQs of Mangasarian-Fromovitz and Farkas-Minkowski types. Some sufficient conditions for the validity of the new CQs are given. Under these CQs, we derive formulae for computing and/or estimating the (basic and singular) subdifferentials of marginal/optimal value function in semi-infinite programming from some results of modern variational analysis and generalized differentiation. Examples are given to illustrate the obtained formulae.
Definition of a lipopolysaccharide-responsive element in the 5'-flanking regions of MuRantes and crg-2

Macrophages are stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative organisms. The changes in LPS-stimulated macrophages include transcriptional activation of multiple immediate-early genes, which may contribute to the natural immunity to microorganisms. We have defined by deletion and mutational analysis LPS-responsive elements (LREs) in two chemokine genes, MuRantes and crg-2, which are activated in an immediate-early manner. LRE consists of two motifs, TCAYR, which is an AP-1 half site with two flanking bases, and (A/T) (G/C)NTTYC(A/T)NTTY, which resembles in part the interferon-stimulated responsive element (ISRE). The orientation of these two motifs relative to each other in MuRantes differed from that in crg-2. These two motifs are separated by 10 and 6 nonconsensus nucleotides in the MuRantes and crg-2 LREs, respectively. Stimulation of macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells with alpha/beta interferon did not activate MuRantes, indicating that the ISRE-like motif in MuRantes does not have ISRE activity. Upon stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with LPS, proteins capable of binding to LRE accumulate in the nuclei as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These LRE-binding proteins include c-Jun and CREB.
A 370-pJ/b Multichannel BFSK/QPSK Transmitter Using Injection-Locked Fractional-N Synthesizer for Wireless Biotelemetry Devices

This paper presents a 401–428-MHz BFSK/QPSK transmitter (TX) with two types of fractional-injection-locking techniques for multichannel transmission capabilities. A <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Sigma$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-based injection-locked ring oscillator is proposed to achieve fine frequency tuning with a frequency resolution of 1.3 kHz. The proposed method facilitates multichannel BFSK modulation. For high data rate wideband QPSK modulation, frequency tuning is achieved through sequential injection locking. The TX performs 550 Kb/s for BFSK and 11 Mb/s for band-shaped QPSK with EVM of 4.4% and 4.9%, respectively. It also achieves a settling time of less than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.8~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. This helps to save operating power of the wireless medical devices with duty-cycling protocol employed in the TX. Fabricated in 130-nm process technology, the TX achieves an energy efficiency of 370 pJ/b while delivering −13 dBm of output power with 1-V supply.
Mobile Permission Marketing: Framing the Market Inquiry

The emergence of a mobile data infrastructure interconnected with the Internet and television marks the advent of a new marketing channel based on mobile messaging and complementary to traditional marketing channels and the Internet. Mobile marketing test drives are proliferating around the world, with the United Kingdom as the laboratory of innovation. Powerful brand names are involved. Technologies and business models are assessed through experimental campaigns and user-attitude studies. This article frames the ongoing inquiry on mobile marketing through an overview of the novel marketing channel and proposes a brief analysis of the emerging industry structure, followed by a discussion of the split of resources between incumbents and new entrants (i.e., entrepreneurial mobile marketing companies) and their effective competitive positioning.
Democratising technology: making transformation using designing, performance and props

This study of personal transformation is offered as HCI increasingly seeks to change behavior with persuasive products. Performance-derived improvisation methods were used to inspire a sense of agency with ICT in people marginalized from digital design. A case study of an older person's experience shows the techniques supporting her to reconceive her response to technology. In particular, we analyze how using a "prop" as a design artifact allows her to imagine new possibilities and take a more assertive role.
Pollution assessment of Ennore (India) creek using macrobenthos

In the present study, the change in benthic community was identified in the coastal stretch from Ennore to Pulicat, total of 6 stations were identified to study benthic community. In order to understand the distribution of the benthic community structure with respect to macro fauna in the Buckingham canal benthic were collected from all the stations during high tide on Spring tide of each month from September 2004 to December 2005 from bed and bank. Higher nutrient concentration during summer coincides with high density of Polycheates and Molluscs and vice versa during monsoon season. Salinity is also an important factor for macro fauna distribution and growth. Salinity is high during pre-monsoon and summer which resulted in high production. From the Abundance and Biomass correlation it is inferred that Station 2 and 4 are grossly polluted. Stations 1, 3 and 5 are moderately polluted and Station 6 is less polluted.
Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by Plant NADPH Oxidases1

NADPH oxidases (NOX) catalyze the production of superoxides, a type of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The dramatic induction of ROS production by human NOX2 in activated blood phagocytic cells and its role in promoting pathogen killing has long motivated research in this area ([Babior et al., 2002][