Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the CNS Penetration-Effectiveness rank for quantifying antiretroviral penetration into the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether penetration of a combination regimen into the central nervous system (CNS), as estimated by the CNS Penetration-Effectiveness (CPE) rank, is associated with lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral load. DESIGN Data were analyzed from 467 participants who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and who reported antiretroviral (ARV) drug use. Individual ARV drugs were assigned a penetration rank of 0 (low), 0.5 (intermediate), or 1 (high) based on their chemical properties, concentrations in CSF, and/or effectiveness in the CNS in clinical studies. The CPE rank was calculated by summing the individual penetration ranks for each ARV in the regimen. RESULTS The median CPE rank was 1.5 (interquartile range, 1-2). Lower CPE ranks correlated with higher CSF viral loads. Ranks less than 2 were associated with an 88% increase in the odds of detectable CSF viral load. In multivariate regression, lower CPE ranks were associated with detectable CSF viral loads even after adjusting for total number of ARV drugs, ARV drug adherence, plasma viral load, duration and type of the current regimen, and CD4 count. CONCLUSIONS Poorer penetration of ARV drugs into the CNS appears to allow continued HIV replication in the CNS as indicated by higher CSF HIV viral loads. Because inhibition of HIV replication in the CNS is probably critical in treating patients who have HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, ARV treatment strategies that account for CNS penetration should be considered in consensus treatment guidelines and validated in clinical studies.
Declarative approach to DSS design for supervisory control of production orders portfolio

Under consideration is portofolio orders consists of unique production orders. The typyical goal is to yield a declarative representation allows to state main scheduling problems. The studied further problems (straight and reverse) of a newly suggested projects portfolio subject with taken into account constraints. These constraints were generated by enterprise multiproject environment. Considered here Problems regard typical routine problems as rule encountered by managers or governors that can be expressed either in the straight or reverse way. Proposed methodology is illustrated by applicable examples.
Multidipole Analysis of Simulated Epileptic Spikes With Real Background Activity

&NA; This simulated magnetoencephalographic study was designed to determine the variability in source parameters with real subject background activity when applying multidipole spatial‐temporal dipole analyses, for which the correct model was compared with undermodeled and overmodeled cases. The simulated sources were created from patches of the cortical surface of each subject's MRI. One‐ and two‐source frontal lobe spikes were generated in two cortical regions seen commonly in frontal lobe epilepsy patients tested at our site (orbital frontal and premotor cortex). In general, the modeling results were adequate for the correct model order and the correct model order plus one. In addition, if the localization error was less than 10 mm from the simulated source, the peak latency of the spike and orientation were very reliable, but the peak amplitude was not. The additional source in the overmodeled condition, on the other hand, was not localized reliably across the different epochs within subjects. The results suggest that consistency of the spike localization and inconsistency of other sources will allow one to determine reliably the appropriate model order in real data, and therefore determine single and multifocal spike generators.
Effect of dietary electrolyte balance on nutrient digestibility determined at the end of the small intestine and over the total digestive tract in growing pigs.

A replicated 4 x 4 Latin square digestion trial was conducted to determine the effect of electrolyte balance (EB = Na + K - Cl meq/kg of the diet) on apparent nutrient digestibilities in pigs fitted with ileal T-cannulas. Experimental diets were composed of corn and soybean meal with dietary EB altered by the substitution of CaCl2 for CaCO3, or NaHCO3 for corn and soybean meal. Electrolyte balance levels examined were -50, 100, 250 or 400 meq/kg of the diet. Increasing dietary EB concentration linearly increased (P less than .05 to P less than .02) apparent ileal digestibility of N, energy, DM and all amino acids, except alanine and methionine. However, nutrient and amino acid digestibilities measured over the total digestive tract were similar (P greater than .16) among EB levels. Increasing dietary EB resulted in a linear and quadratic (P less than .03) effect on daily urinary N excretion, resulting in a linear (P less than .05) improvement in N retention expressed both as a percentage of N intake and of absorbed N. Blood pH, total CO2, HCO3 and base excess concentrations increased linearly (P less than .02 to P less than .001) with increasing dietary EB. Dietary EB concentrations influenced nutrient and amino acid absorption measured near the end of the small intestine. Additionally, the N balance data per unit of N intake or N absorbed are indicative of an improved N utilization in pigs fed increasing dietary EB concentrations from -50 to 400 meq/kg.
In vivo identification of multiple promoter domains of adenovirus EIIA‐late promoter.

The transcriptional control elements of the Adenovirus (Ad) type 5 EIIA‐late (L) promoter were analyzed in the context of the viral chromosome. Promoter mutants constructed in vitro [deletion and linker‐scanning (LS)] were re‐introduced into the non‐essential EIII region of an Ad5 variant which lacked the EIA gene. They were then analyzed in human 293 cells for EIA‐dependent and in HeLa cells for EIA‐independent transcription. These studies revealed that a minimum of approximately 157 bp upstream from the Cap site are sufficient for the efficient transcription of this promoter in the presence or absence of the EIA gene products. Within the 157‐bp sequence, multiple control elements can be identified. These are (i) a sequence block between −55 and −21 which contained a sequence resembling the TATA box and an Sp1 recognition site 5′‐TGGGCGTGGT‐3′, (ii) a sequence block between −84 and −67 which contained a second Sp1 recognition sequence, 5′‐CGGGCGGGAT‐3′ and a 5′‐CCAAT‐3′ box in the non‐coding strand and (iii) a 56‐bp sequence block between −157 and −101 which contained a 5′‐CCAAT‐3′ sequence in the non‐coding strand. The transcriptional pattern of the LS mutants in 293 cells was very similar to that of HeLa cells suggesting that neither of the EIA gene products interact with EIIA‐L promoter directly to modulate transcription. A purified Sp1 protein protected DNA sequences from −56 to −33 which includes the Sp1 recognition sequence closer to the cap site whereas the distal Sp1 recognition sequence showed a very weak affinity for the Sp1 factor. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Early screening for critical congenital heart defects in asymptomatic newborns in Mazovia province: experience of the POLKARD pulse oximetry programme 2006-2008 in Poland.

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) may be missed both during prenatal echocardiography and the short stay in the neonatal nursery, leading to circulatory collapse or death of the newborn before readmission to hospital. AIM To assess the usefulness of pulse oximetry as a screening test in early diagnosis of CCHD in newborns. METHODS A prospective screening pulse oximetry test was conducted in 51 neonatal units in the Mazovia province of Poland as part of the POLKARD 2006-2008 programme between 16 January, 2007 and 31 January, 2008. Newborns with no circulatory symptoms or coexisting diseases, and no prenatal diagnosis, were enrolled. The test was performed between the 2(nd) and 24(th) hours of life in stable newborns. A double arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) reading < 95% on a lower extremity led to cardiovascular evaluation and echocardiography. RESULTS From a population of 52,993 newborns (14.2% of births in Poland), a group of 51,698 asymptomatic infants was isolated. CCHD was diagnosed solely by pulse oximetry in 15 newborns, which constituted 18.3% of all CCHD; 14 (0.026%) false positives were obtained and there were four false negative results. The sensitivity of the test was 78.9% and specificity 99.9%. The positive predictive value was 51.7% and negative 99.9%. CONCLUSIONS Pulse oximetry fulfilling the screening test criteria, performed on a large population of newborns in Poland, proved useful in supporting prenatal diagnostics and postnatal physical examination in the early detection of initially asymptomatic CCHD. Good sensitivity and specificity results of the pulse oximetry test have allowed it to be recommended for use in neonatal units nationwide.
After oil companies, what? Entrepreneurship experiences in the ecuadorian amazon

INTRODUCTION. The present investigation analyzes the elements that explain the failure of the undertakings carried out in the Ecuadorian Amazon. OBJECTIVE. The main objective of the study is to determine the socioeconomic factors that are difficult for the development of productive processes in the Amazonian indigenous communities, taking as a case study the community of Limoncocha. METHOD. Being a descriptive case study, qualitative research techniques were used 6 in-depth interviews with key actors and a focus group with 23 young people from the community. RESULTS. The analysis of the data obtained can be systematized in three determining aspects that hinder the development of community projects and sustainable undertakings over time: internal conflicts among the main leaders, educational system not oriented to entrepreneurship and the presence of inconclusive entrepreneurships. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. In conclusion, it is argued that the absence of entrepreneurship culture, derived from a relationship of historical economic dependence with different public and private institutions, has given rise to the current scenario, where the community perceives itself as incapable of developing, managing and sustain community projects of a productive nature.
External Instability in Transition: Applying Minsky's Theory of Financial Fragility to International Markets

This inquiry argues that the successful completion of the transition process in the post-Soviet economies is constrained by the prevailing social structure and low levels of technological progress, both of which require institutional reforms aimed at increasing growth in national income, productivity, and the degree of export competitiveness. Domestic policy implementation has not shown significant improvements on these fronts, given its short-term orientation, but instead resulted in stagnating growth rates, continuously accumulating levels of external debt, and decreasing living standards. The key to a successful completion of the transition process is therefore a combination of policies targeted at the dynamic transformation of production structures within an environment of financial stability and favorable macroeconomic conditions.
Glycoxidized HDL, HDL enriched with oxidized phospholipids and HDL from diabetic patients inhibit platelet function.

CONTEXT High-density lipoproteins (HDL) possess atheroprotective properties including anti-thrombotic and antioxidant effects. Very few studies relate to the functional effects of oxidized HDL on platelets in type 2 diabetes (T2D). OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of in vitro glycoxidized HDL and HDL from patients with T2D on platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid signaling cascade. At the same time, the contents of hydroxylated fatty acids were assessed in HDL. RESULTS Compared with control HDL, in vitro glycoxidized HDL had decreased proportions of linoleic (LA) and arachidonic (AA) acids in phospholipids and cholesteryl esters, and increased concentrations of hydroxy-octadecadienoic acids (9-HODE and 13-HODE) and 15-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), derived from LA and AA respectively, especially hydroxy derivatives esterified in phospholipids. Glycoxidized HDL dose-dependently decreased collagen-induced platelet aggregation by binding to scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI). Glycoxidized HDL prevented collagen-induced increased phosphorylation of platelet p38 MAPK and cytosolic phospholipase A2, as well as intracellular calcium mobilization. HDL enriched with oxidized phosphatidylcholine (PC), namely PC(16:0/13-HODE) dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation. Increased concentrations of 9-HODE, 13-HODE, and 15-HETE in phospholipids (2.1-, 2.1-, and 2.4-fold increase, respectively) were found in HDL from patients with T2D, and these HDL also inhibited platelet aggregation via SR-BI. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that in vitro glycoxidized HDL as well as HDL from patients with T2D inhibit platelet aggregation, and suggest that oxidized LA-containing phospholipids may contribute to the anti-aggregatory effects of glycoxidized HDL and HDL from patients with T2D.
Stencil Printing of Underfill for Flip Chips on Organic-Panel and Si-Wafer Substrates

A high-throughput method of post assembly underfill is presented in this paper. Emphasis is placed on the proposal of a specially designed stencil to print the underfill material for flip chips on large organic-panel and Si-wafer assemblies. After printing, the organic-panel or Si-wafer assemblies are placed on a hot plate for the underfill to totally fill the space between the chips, solder joints, and substrates by capillary action, and then cured. The cured assemblies are characterized by the C-mode scanning acoustic microscopy, X-ray, shear test, cross sectioning, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the viscosity, thermal enhancement, and multiple prints of underfills are examined. It is found that stencil printing of underfill for flip chips on organic-panel and Si-wafer substrates is a very high-throughput, simple, and low-cost process.
Transduction of the IL2 gene into human acute leukemia cells: induction of tumor rejection without modifying cell proliferation and IL2 receptor expression.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that some of the limitations associated with the administration of high-dose exogenous interleukin 2 (IL2) may be overcome, at least partly, by cytokine gene transfer modalities. These findings have prompted investigations into whether human tumor cells may be transduced with the IL2 gene and whether tumor cell lines could be engineered to release IL2. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of inducing a productive transfer of the IL2 gene into human acute leukemia cells and to assess the phenotypic and proliferative changes generated in the engineered cells, as well as their tumorigenic potential in nude mice. METHODS Three retroviral vectors (DC/TK/IL2, DC/AD/R/IL2, and N2/CMV/IL2) carrying the IL2 gene were used to transduce three human leukemic cell lines: K562 and U937 (myeloid) and ST4 (lymphoid). Messenger RNA expression of the IL2 gene was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and productive IL2 release using a human IL2 assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The expression of the p55 (alpha) and p75 (beta) chains of the IL2 receptor were determined by RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence. The kinetics of in vitro growth and proliferation of parental and engineered cells were also measured. Parental and IL2 gene-transduced ST4 lymphoblasts were injected into immunosuppressed nude mice that had their tumors measured twice weekly. RESULTS The productive insertion of the IL2 gene was achieved in all three cell lines studied. The amounts of IL2 constitutively released by the engineered neoplastic cells ranged between 1 and 11 U/mL of IL2 produced from 10(6) cells in 72 hours. A fivefold increase in IL2 production was obtained in ST4 cells by further limiting dilution cloning of the bulk-infected cells. The stable integration of the IL2 gene did not modify the phenotype of the leukemic cells, the expression of the IL2 receptor alpha and beta chains and of several cytokine genes, or the kinetics of in vitro growth and proliferation. In nude mice injected with various IL2-producing ST4 clones, tumor growth associated inversely with the amounts of IL2 secreted by the leukemic cells. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that the IL2 gene can be productively transduced into human myeloid and lymphoid leukemic cells without modifying their phenotypic and proliferative properties and that this transduction leads to a reduced or abrogated in vivo tumorigenic potential.
Ultrasonic B-scanning: a computer simulation

A method has been developed which can predict the appearance and properties of B-scan images. The theoretical basis for the tissue models used, and the assumptions made in the simulation concerning the nature of pulse-echo imaging, are discussed. A key feature of the simulation is the Fourier domain synthesis of the tissue model, which permits convenient specification of some statistical properties of a randomly inhomogeneous scattering medium. Other characteristics that may be specified include the ultrasonic pulse and beam shapes, and subsequent signal processing. Both the initial tissue model and the simulated B-scan image are displayed as grey-scale pictures, allowing visual comparison in the same way that clinical B-scans are currently observed. Preliminary results of applying the simulation are shown to have a number of features in common with clinical images and with scans of a test object. A better understanding of the nature of pulse-echo images is gained and conclusions drawn regarding the range of system and tissue parameters over which these images convey information about the tissue structure. The method may also be of use to determine optimum design of equipment for imaging and tissue characterisation, and to investigate the extent to which the acoustic structure of tissues can be described in terms of simple mathematical models.
Changing geographies of power in education: the politics of rescaling and its contradictions

In this chapter we outline what we argue is a new geography of power in education – an emerging functional, institutional and scalar division of the labour of education systems in the global economy. We draw upon two case studies that we elaborate in some detail; the construction of the ‘European education space’ within the EU and the rise of the World Trade Organisation and its agreements around trading in services in order to detail both the governance and scalar features of these new political projects as well as the contradictions posed for national systems of education.
Firm CFO Board Membership and Departures

I investigate firm financial management when the CFO is given greater authority by being on the board of directors to see if CFO board membership reflects a greater focus on firm financial management and, likewise, if CFO board membership matters in firm financial policy decisions. First, I find that firms are more likely to have their CFO on the board when firm-specific financial management is of greater strategic importance, when firms face greater external governance and when the board lacks other financial expertise, either in the CEO or in outside directors. Second, I employ a self-selection treatment model to account for the endogenous decision to have the CFO on the board and examine an array of firm financial policies. I find that firms with their CFO on the board, after controlling for endogenous selection, are associated with higher leverage, lower cash holdings, greater payout activity and improved operating performance. Moreover, these firms also exhibit faster adjustment toward their optimal capital structure following shocks and are less financially constrained. In addition, I find shareholders react more favorable to the announcement of the CFO’s board appointment when firms are engaging in more active financing, indicating a greater emphasis on firm financial strategy, and when agency concerns are low. The evidence suggests that being a director further enhances CFO influence and reveals important differences between internal and external financial expertise on corporate boards.
Specific bovine brucellosis diagnosis based on in vitro antigen-specific gamma interferon production

In order to improve the specificity of the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, we developed a test which can be regarded as an in vitro correlate of the delayed-type hypersensitivity test (DTH). A mixture of cytoplasmic proteins from Brucella melitensis B115 was used as a specific antigenic stimulus in bovine whole blood culture. Supernatants harvested at 18 to 24 h after the in vitro antigenic stimulus were assayed for their gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) content by using a commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The IFN-gamma assay was evaluated with 10 heifers during the course (80 days) of an experimental infection and with 14 cows from an ongoing brucellosis outbreak. All of these animals were slaughtered, and pertinent organs were subjected to classical bacteriological analyses. In addition, we analyzed 23 field cases in which false-positive serological reactions occurred. The IFN-gamma results were compared with those of the standard DTH and a battery of serological assays, and they were correlated with bacteriological data. Both for the experimental infection and for the field brucellosis outbreak, the IFN-gamma assay detected infection in more animals than any combination of the serological tests, and it detected infection earlier than these tests. Finally, none of the samples from cows showing false-positive serological reactions was classified as positive by the IFN-gamma assay, attesting to its specificity and to its usefulness in interpreting ambiguous serological results. A rapid and convenient alternative to the DTH, the IFN-gamma assay appears to be an ideal method that is complementary to the serological diagnosis protocols.
Monitoring perioperative changes in distribution of pulmonary ventilation by functional electrical impedance tomography

Background: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive technique providing cross‐sectional images of the thorax. We have tested an extended evaluation procedure, the functional EIT (f‐EIT), to identify the local shifts of ventilation known to occur during the transition between spontaneous, controlled and assisted ventilation modes.
Pkc1 and the Upstream Elements of the Cell Integrity Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rom2 and Mtl1, Are Required for Cellular Responses to Oxidative Stress*

In this study we analyze the participation of the PKC1-MAPK cell integrity pathway in cellular responses to oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Evidence is presented demonstrating that only Pkc1 and the upstream elements of the cell integrity pathway are essential for cell survival upon treatment with two oxidizing agents, diamide and hydrogen peroxide. Mtl1 is characterized for the first time as a cell-wall sensor of oxidative stress. We also show that the actin cytoskeleton is a cellular target for oxidative stress. Both diamide and hydrogen peroxide provoke a marked depolarization of the actin cytoskeleton, being Mtl1, Rom2 and Pkc1 functions all required to restore the correct actin organization. Diamide induces the formation of disulfide bonds in newly secreted cell-wall proteins. This mainly provokes structural changes in the cell outer layer, which activate the PKC1-MAPK pathway and hence the protein kinase Slt2. Our results led us to the conclusion that Pkc1 activity is required to overcome the effects of oxidative stress by: (i) enhancing the machinery required to repair the altered cell wall and (ii) restoring actin cytoskeleton polarity by promoting actin cable formation.