Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virus and Cell RNAs Expressed during Epstein-Barr Virus Replication

ABSTRACT Changes in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cell RNA levels were assayed following immunoglobulin G (IgG) cross-linking-induced replication in latency 1-infected Akata Burkitt B lymphoblasts. EBV replication as assayed by membrane gp350 expression was ∼5% before IgG cross-linking and increased to more than 50% 48 h after induction. Seventy-two hours after IgG cross-linking, gp350-positive cells excluded propidium iodide as well as gp350-negative cells. EBV RNA levels changed temporally in parallel with previously defined sensitivity to inhibitors of protein or viral DNA synthesis. BZLF1 immediate-early RNA levels doubled by 2 h and reached a peak at 4 h, whereas BMLF1 doubled by 4 h with a peak at 8 h, and BRLF1 doubled by 8 h with peak at 12 h. Early RNAs peaked at 8 to 12 h, and late RNAs peaked at 24 h. Hybridization to intergenic sequences resulted in evidence for new EBV RNAs. Surprisingly, latency III (LTIII) RNAs for LMP1, LMP2, EBNALP, EBNA2, EBNA3A, EBNA3C, and BARTs were detected at 8 to 12 h and reached maxima at 24 to 48 h. EBNA2 and LMP1 were at full LTIII levels by 48 h and localized to gp350-positive cells. Thus, LTIII expression is a characteristic of late EBV replication in both B lymphoblasts and epithelial cells in immune-comprised people (J. Webster-Cyriaque, J. Middeldorp, and N. Raab-Traub, J. Virol. 74:7610-7618, 2000). EBV replication significantly altered levels of 401 Akata cell RNAs, of which 122 RNAs changed twofold or more relative to uninfected Akata cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinase levels were significantly affected. Late expression of LTIII was associated with induction of NF-κB responsive genes including IκBα and A20. The exclusion of propidium, expression of EBV LTIII RNAs and proteins, and up-regulation of specific cell RNAs are indicative of vital cell function late in EBV replication.
Use of Toxoplasma gondii expressing beta-galactosidase for colorimetric assessment of drug activity in vitro

A microtiter assay for drug evaluation has been developed with a strain of Toxoplasma gondii that expresses bacterial beta-galactosidase. By using chlorophenol red-beta-D-galactopyranoside (CPRG) as the substrate for beta-galactosidase, the efficacy of a drug against the parasite can be determined with a colorimetric readout. Drugs known to have activity against T. gondii (specifically, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, atovaquone, and clindamycin) were tested, and efficacies were determined by CPRG cleavage. The 50% inhibitory concentrations determined by the CPRG-based colorimetric assay were similar to those determined by the traditional radiolabelled uracil incorporation assay. Since CPRG is nontoxic to the parasite, viable drug-treated parasites can be obtained at the conclusion of the assay for further evaluation if desired. This assay provides a high-throughput and nonradioactive alternative for the identification of anti-T. gondii compounds.
`Extending Society': the role of personal networks and gratification-utilities in the use of interactive communication media

This study examined the relationship among personal network characteristics, gratification-utilities and the frequency of use of three interactive communication technologies (landline telephone, email and instant messaging). A conceptual framework is presented, providing a rationale for three hypotheses predicting positive relationships between personal network characteristics (size, intimacy and physical proximity), gratification-utilities and frequency of use.The participants were 286 college students, whom research shows are primary users of interactive media. Hypotheses 1 and 2, proposing a link between network characteristics and gratification-utilities with frequency of use, were supported, while Hypothesis 3, predicting a link between the prior two variables, was only partially supported. Frequency of use was associated more strongly with network characteristics than with gratification-utilities across the three technologies. Of the network characteristics, network size was significantly associated with gratification-utilities. Directions for future research are discussed.
A short history of progression of research into seating and postural support

Numerous solutions for cushioning the contact area between product and user have been designed during the past centuries, but only in recent decades has systematic research been conducted on the underlying mechanical principles and the consequences of mechanical load imposed on the human skin and muscular skeletal system. In this paper a short history and future perspectives on the research in pressure ulcers is discussed and innovations in the field in the perspective of the history of the innovations are presented. Research in the past century on pressure ulcers has not (yet) led to the eradication of the problem. What can be observed is that the oxygen supply and blood flow to the cells has been studied in many different ways and reported throughout the last century. After the internal capillary pressure was measured in the famous study of Landis, external interface pressures on the tissue was the object of many studies. In these studies different devices that could measure interface pressure were used, but they mainly introduced more sophisticated and innovative means to measured blood flow and oxygenation. After decades of pressure measurements, devices were designed that could measure the missing component of the mechanical load, namely shear. Recently, commercially available shear sensors have been designed, and will, with no doubt, lead to many studies on the combined mechanical load on the tissue. However, although they are interrelated, still a large gap exists between measurements on external mechanical load and the study on the etiology of pressure ulcers.
Climate change decreases habitat suitability for some tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) in South Africa

ESTRADA·PENA, A. 2003. Cl imate change decreases habitat suitability for some tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) in Soult1 Africa. Onderstepoort Joumal of Veterinary Research, 70:79-93 Models predicting current habitat availability for four prominent tick species in Africa (Boophilus dec%ratus, Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Hyalomma truncatum) were coostructed using remotely sensed information about abiotic variables and a pojnt-to-point similarity metric. Year-to-year variations in the forecasted habitat suitability over the period 1983---2000 show a clear decrease in habitat availability, which is attributed primarily to increasing temperature in the region over th is period. Climate variables were projected to the year 2015 using Fourier series analysis of the decadal abiotic data. The simulations show a trend toward the destruction of the habitats of the four tick species. In addition, a sensi1iYity analysis was developed to probe the changes in the habitat suitabi lity in response to variations in temperature, vegetation availabi lity and water vapour deficil. Four basic scenarios were studied: increasing or decreasing the temperature 1 or 2"C together with cOfrelated variations in the other abiotic variables. A decrease in temperature was pre· dieted to promote habitat gain for every species except H truncatum, while an increase of 1°C was forecast to sustain a small but positive response in A. hebraeum and B. decoloratus. Increasing the temperature by 2 °C was forecast to have damaging effects on the habitat structure of all four species. The effect 01 climate warming on the habitat range of lt1ese ticks is considered in the light of economically sound control measures over an ecological background.
The IDAR Graph

UML is the de facto standard for representing object-oriented designs. It does a fine job of recording designs, but it has a severe problem: its diagrams don’t convey what humans need to know, making them hard to understand. This is why most software developers use UML only when forced to. People understand an organization, such as a corporation, in terms of a control hierarchy. When faced with an organization of people or objects, the first question usually is, "What’s controlling all this? " Surprisingly, UML has no concept of one object controlling another. Consequently, in every type of UML diagram, no object appears to have greater or lesser control than its neighbors. These problems mean designs tend to become messy during both initial implementation and maintenance, resulting in more bugs and delays.
The Implications of Low Absolute CD4 Counts in Patients With Cirrhosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus

To the Editor—In their recent study, Baranoski et al [1] describe a high rate of liver disease progression in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-hepatitis B virus coinfection and CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3. The authors suggest that more advanced immunosuppression in these patients may lead to accelerated liver fibrosis. Because only 50% of the HIV-infected patients were taking antiretroviral therapy at study entry and 78% had detectable HIV viremia, this is a reasonable explanation for the progression of liver disease in these patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. However, another possible explanation is that a low absolute CD4 count may be an independent marker of liver dysfunction, even in patients without HIV. For example, a 2007 study of 60 HIV-negative patients with cirrhosis found that 43% had CD4 counts <350 cells/mm3 and 7% had CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3 [2]. Yet although low absolute CD4 counts were common in this study, 95% of these patients had normal CD4 cell percentages. Likewise, several studies of patients with HIV and liver disease have found an association between advanced liver disease and discordant absolute CD4 counts and CD4 percentages [3, 4]. One hypothesis is that liver dysfunction and portal hypertension may lead to splenic sequestration of CD4+ T cells and a low absolute CD4 count, even as the CD4 percentage remains relatively intact [5, 6]. In these patients, the low absolute CD4 count may be a sign of advanced liver disease as opposed to advanced immunosuppression. The clinical and immunologic implications of a low absolute CD4 count but normal percentage in patients with HIV and cirrhosis remain unclear. In the study by Baranoski et al [1], it is possible that CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3 were more likely to occur in patients with hepatic fibrosis or splenomegaly, and therefore progression of liver disease was more likely among these patients as well. However, whether or not immunosuppression itself contributed to this progression merits further investigation. In this regard, it would be helpful to know the rates of low CD4 percentages in this study, and whether low percentages were also associated with worsening liver disease in these patients. A link between low CD4 percentage and liver disease progression would support the authors' arguments regarding immunosuppression promoting hepatic fibrosis, whereas lack of association might support consideration of other causes.
Utilization of Patient-Reported Outcomes to Guide Symptom Management during Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

Introduction Utilization of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to guide symptom management during radiation therapy is increasing. This study focuses on the use of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP) as a tool to assess urinary and bowel bother during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and its utility in guiding medical management. Methods Between September 2015 and January 2017, 107 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated with 35–36.25 Gy via SBRT in five fractions. PROs were assessed using EPIC-CP 1 h prior to the first fraction and after each subsequent fraction. Symptom management medications were prescribed based on the physician clinical judgment or if patients reported a moderate to big problem. Clinical significance was assessed using a minimally important difference of 1/2 SD from baseline score. Results A median baseline EPIC-CP urinary symptom score of 1.5 significantly increased to 3.7 on the day of the final treatment (p < 0.0001). Prior to treatment, 9.3% of men felt that their overall urinary function was a moderate to big problem that increased to 28% by the end of the fifth treatment. A median baseline EPIC-CP bowel symptom score of 0.3 significantly increased to 1.4 on the day of the final treatment (p < 0.0001). Prior to treatment, 1.9% of men felt that their overall bowel function was a moderate to big problem that increased to 3.7% by the end of the fifth treatment. The percentage of patients requiring an increased dose of alpha-antagonist increased to 47% by the end of treatment, and an additional 28% of patients required a short steroid taper to manage moderate to big urinary problems. Similarly, the percentage of patients requiring antidiarrheals reached 12% by the fifth treatment. Conclusion During the course of SBRT, an increasing percentage of patients experienced clinically significant symptoms many of which required medical management. Monitoring patient symptoms during treatment allowed for prompt detection and management of acute urinary and bowel symptoms. The usage of symptom management medications was high in this study compared to historical controls and may be due to increased physician awareness of moderate to big patient problems.
El proceso de planeamiento de la defensa nacional

N la actualidad, son muchos los países de nuestro entorno que han adaptado sendos procesos de planeamiento de la defensa a la realidad política, estratégica, operativa y táctica del siglo XXI. España no ha sido una excepción: para modernizar nuestro ciclo de planeamiento y armonizarlo con el aliado, sistematizar el proceso de transformación y dotar a nuestras Fuerzas Armadas de un catálogo de capacidades polivalentes, flexibles y susceptibles de ser empleadas en una amplia gama de escenarios; nuestro país introdujo en el año 2005 un nuevo proceso de planeamiento de la defensa por capacidades. Teniendo estos elementos en cuenta, el presente artículo detallará este sistema de planeamiento y evaluará sus cualidades y limitaciones.
Predictive Factors for the Objective Burden of Informal Care in People With Dementia: A Systematic Review

Background:Informal care plays a substantial role in the provision of total care in dementia. Several reviews have been published on the predictive factors of subjective burden; however, such a review lacks information on objective burden, which refers to the amount and/or costs of informal care. Objectives:The objectives of this study were to (1) give an overview of the predictive factors that are associated with the objective burden of informal care; (2) discuss whether these factors are similar to the predictive factors of subjective burden; and (3) examine whether they are modifiable. Design:The literature in a number of international databases was systematically searched. Methodological quality and level of certainty were assessed. Results:Ten studies were identified as relevant for the purpose of this review, describing a total of 39 predictive factors. Three factors (behavioral problems and impairments regarding daily functioning and cognition) were considered to be predictors of objective burden. Three factors were not related; 12 were potential predictors; and the results of the remaining 22 factors were inconclusive. Conclusions:Many factors were found to be (potential) predictors of objective burden, reflecting its complex nature. Objective and subjective burdens are 2 different relevant aspects of informal care. Interventions aimed at countering behavioral problems and impairments regarding daily functioning could reduce objective burden.
Web-based Supplementary Materials for “ Penalized Gaussian Process Regression and Classification for High-Dimensional Nonlinear Data

Before we prove Theorem 1 and Theorem 2, we first discuss the regularity conditions and the resulting consistency theorems of the maximum likelihood estimator when the likelihood is based on dependent observations, which are formulated in Basawa and Prakasa Rao (1980). Let Y n = (Y1, . . . , Yn), n ≥ 1 be a sequence of random samples with density p(y; θ) = p(y1, . . . , yn; θ). Let θ0 be the true value of θ. Let
Automatic age estimation from face image

Age progression is generally indicated by skin texture. The skin texture changes with age progression of a person. This paper provides a technique to estimate the age of a person by analysis of wrinkle on face images. Wrinkle areas are detected and features are extracted from face image. Based on feature values of each face image is clustered using fuzzy c-means. Each face image is assigned to a cluster based on its maximum membership value. Age estimation is done using their membership values and average ages of each cluster. Total 20 face images are taken for training the system and 120 face images are tested. The obtained results are significant and accuracy up to 87.5%
Interaction of P2 bacteriophage with the dnaB gene of Escherichia coli

The dnaB gene product of Escherischia coli is required for multiplication of temperate phage P2. At 37 C in dnaB-ts mutnats, P2 will not plaque and gives a very small burst of progeny. P2 mutants have been isolated which can grow well enough to plaque under these conditions. This type of phage mutant is cis dominant, and one such mutant (P2rlb1) has been mapped near the left end of the early gene B and to the right of the cox4 (excision) mutation. The rlb1 mutation does not lie at the replication origin, but may affect transcription in the early region, which includes the replication origin. It may also represent a site on the P2 DNA which interacts with the dnaB gene product.
On integral value iteration for continuous-time linear systems

This paper investigates the properties of integral value iteration (I-VI) which is one of the reinforcement learning (RL) technique for solving online the continuous-time (CT) optimal control problems without using the system drift dynamics. The target I-VI is the one applied to CT linear quadratic regulation problems. As a result, two modes of global monotone convergence of I-VI are presented. One behaves like policy iteration (PI) (PI-mode of convergence) and the other is named VI-mode of convergence. All of the other properties-positive definiteness, stability, and relation between I-VI and integral PI - are presented within these two frameworks. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to verify and further investigate these properties.
CONCEPTUALIZING A MODEL FOR CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION BY SMEs

Cloud computing is recognized as an emerging paradigm in today’s business environment. Nevertheless, it is not completely a new technology, it is widespread due to the fast development of the internet, mobile phones, higher bandwidth and increasing mobility requirements of the clients. In spite of the fact that the adoption of cloud computing services is proliferating in large companies, SMEs still reluctant to employ cloud computing services due to their lack of knowledge and a clear guideline in this area. This study intends to address this SMEs problem in adopting the cloud computing technology and highlight the potential of cloud computing technology for SMEs in today's competitive market. In this regard, various dimensions of this technology are emphasized and the serious challenges that are hindering the adoption of cloud computing in SMEs are highlighted in this research. Despite the existing concerns in adopting cloud computing in SMEs, its commercial viability and the easy pay-as-you-go cost system, especially in the existing economic complexities are discussed in details. To evaluate the determinants of cloud computing adoption in SMEs, a research model is developed according to the technology-organizationenvironment (TOE) framework and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory.
Melodic Pitch Perception and Lexical Tone Perception in Mandarin-Speaking Cochlear Implant Users

Objectives: To examine the relationship between lexical tone perception and melodic pitch perception in Mandarin-speaking cochlear implant (CI) users and to investigate the influence of previous acoustic hearing on CI users’ speech and music perception. Design: Lexical tone perception and melodic contour identification (MCI) were measured in 21 prelingual and 11 postlingual young (aged 6–26 years) Mandarin-speaking CI users. Lexical tone recognition was measured for four tonal patterns: tone 1 (flat F0), tone 2 (rising F0), tone 3 (falling-rising F0), and tone 4 (falling F0). MCI was measured using nine five-note melodic patterns that contained changes in pitch contour, as well as different semitone spacing between notes. Results: Lexical tone recognition was generally good (overall mean = 81% correct), and there was no significant difference between subject groups. MCI performance was generally poor (mean = 23% correct). MCI performance was significantly better for postlingual (mean = 32% correct) than for prelingual CI participants (mean = 18% correct). After correcting for outliers, there was no significant correlation between lexical tone recognition and MCI performance for prelingual or postlingual CI participants. Age at deafness was significantly correlated with MCI performance only for postlingual participants. CI experience was significantly correlated with MCI performance for both prelingual and postlingual participants. Duration of deafness was significantly correlated with tone recognition only for prelingual participants. Conclusions: Despite the prevalence of pitch cues in Mandarin, the present CI participants had great difficulty perceiving melodic pitch. The availability of amplitude and duration cues in lexical tones most likely compensated for the poor pitch perception observed with these CI listeners. Previous acoustic hearing experience seemed to benefit postlingual CI users’ melodic pitch perception. Longer CI experience was associated with better MCI performance for both subject groups, suggesting that CI users’ music perception may improve as they gain experience with their device.
Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation with Associated Mucinous Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma in a Neonate

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of lung is a rare hamartomatous disorder characterized by abnormal branching morphogenesis of the lung. We report an unusual case of a 2-day-old male newborn with a pulmonary cystic lesion and lobectomy revealed a CCAM of the lung that has overlapping features of type 1 and type 2, complicating with multifocal mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC). The case indicates that malignant transformation can occur in very early stage of the infancy in the patients with CCAM of lung.