Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of transmission-blocking antibody ingested in primary and secondary bloodfeeds, upon the development of Plasmodium berghei in the mosquito vector

Summary The effects of purified monoclonal immunoglobulins from control, or transmission-blocking anti-Pbs21 antibodies, upon the infection of Anopheles stephensi by ookinetes of Plasmodium berghei are compared. Anti-Phs21 antibody reduced mean intensity and prevalence of infection by 94·7 and 58·7% respectively if added to the infectious bloodfeed at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. Fab fragments were of similar efficacy. No transmission enhancement was detected with declining antibody concentrations. Addition to subsequent (second) feeds reduced mean oocyst intensity but not prevalence. The reduction in blockade declined from 41% at day 2, to 4% at day 8. Second bloodfeeds, containing control globulin taken 4 or 6 days (but not 2 days) after infection, increased sporozoite burden in the salivary glands. At all times anti-Pbs21 reduced sporozoite number in the thorax compared to time-matched controls, but again highest gland intensities were obtained when the second bloodfeed was given on day 4. We conclude that second bloodfeeds containing transmission-blocking antibody simultaneously serve two opposing roles, (1) inhibition of parasite development and (2) the supply of nutrients which permit more sporozoites to be produced by each oocyst.
evelopment of multiplex nucleic acid sequence-based amplification for etection of human respiratory tract viruses ok

A group of common lower respiratory tract infections, influenza A, influenza B, human parainfluenza virus 1–4 (HPIV1–4), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rubella virus (RV) and Coxsackie virus (CSV), were selected for the development of a multiplex nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) assay. Quantifiable measurement utilizing an enzyme-linked oligonucleotide capture (EOC) optical detection vailable online xxx eywords: ucleic acid sequence-based amplification nzyme-linked oligonucleotide capture ultiplex nfluenza method, which was described previously, alleviated the requirement of specialized instrumentation that is commonly used in other molecular techniques. Multiplex NASBA–EOC provided rapid and specific detection of a single virus from a multiplexed group, reducing laboratory testing time and enabling high throughput screening. The uniquely designed primers and probes proved to be highly sensitive and specific, exemplifying the robustness of the multiplex NASBA–EOC technique. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. nzymes-linked immunosorbent assay
T‐strip‐fed high‐permittivity rectangular dielectric resonator antenna for broadband applications

A rectangular low‐density, high‐permittivity dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) excited by T‐shaped microstrip feed offering a 2:1 VSWR bandwidth of ∼22% at 2.975 GHz is reported. The design methodology and experimental results of the antenna are discussed. The excellent gain and radiation performance of the proposed antenna projects it as a potential candidate for telecommunication applications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 47: 226–228, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21131
Composite Marginal Likelihoods to the Normal Bradley-Terry Model

Inference in generalized linear mixed models with crossed random effects is often made cumbersome by the high-dimensional intractable integrals involved in the marginal likelihood. This article presents two inferential approaches based on the marginal composite likelihood for the normal Bradley-Terry model. The two approaches are illustrated by a simulation study to evaluate their performance. Thereafter, the asymptotic variances of the estimated variance component are compared.
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations ≥40 ng/ml Are Associated with >65% Lower Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis of Randomized Trial and Prospective Cohort Study

Background Higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been associated with a lower risk of multiple cancer types across a range of 25(OH)D concentrations. Objectives To investigate whether the previously reported inverse association between 25(OH)D and cancer risk could be replicated, and if a 25(OH)D response region could be identified among women aged 55 years and older across a broad range of 25(OH)D concentrations. Methods Data from two cohorts representing different median 25(OH)D concentrations were pooled to afford a broader range of 25(OH)D concentrations than either cohort alone: the Lappe cohort (N = 1,169), a randomized clinical trial cohort (median 25(OH)D = 30 ng/ml) and the GrassrootsHealth cohort (N = 1,135), a prospective cohort (median 25(OH)D = 48 ng/ml). Cancer incidence over a multi-year period (median: 3.9 years) was compared according to 25(OH)D concentration. Kaplan-Meier plots were developed and the association between 25(OH)D and cancer risk was examined with multivariate Cox regression using multiple 25(OH)D measurements and spline functions. The study included all invasive cancers excluding skin cancer. Results Age-adjusted cancer incidence across the combined cohort (N = 2,304) was 840 cases per 100,000 person-years (1,020 per 100,000 person-years in the Lappe cohort and 722 per 100,000 person-years in the GrassrootsHealth cohort). Incidence was lower at higher concentrations of 25(OH)D. Women with 25(OH)D concentrations ≥40 ng/ml had a 67% lower risk of cancer than women with concentrations <20 ng/ml (HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.12–0.90). Conclusions 25(OH)D concentrations ≥40 ng/ml were associated with substantial reduction in risk of all invasive cancers combined.
Simple, easily memorised “rules of thumb” for the rapid assessment of physiological compensation for respiratory acid-base disorders

Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are associated with compensatory physiological changes, including extracellular and intracellular buffering, and altered renal ion handling. In clinical practice, mixed acid-base disturbances may be misdiagnosed if the expected magnitude of compensation for a primary respiratory disorder is not known. The ability to assess physiological compensation rapidly for acid-base disorders can be achieved either through intuition gained after many years of clinical experience, by use of a graph or nomogram,1 or through the application of one of the published formulae for predicting compensation.2 3 However, nomograms are often not readily available in clinical environments, and the most accurate formulae are complex and difficult to memorise reliably. A comprehensive summary of previously published measurements of metabolic compensation …
Opposite Effects of D-Glucose and a Nonmetabolized Analogue of L-Leucine on Respiration and Secretion in Insulin-Producing Tumoral Cells (RINm5F)

D-Glucose increased the cytosolic NADH%/NAD+ ratio (but not the cytosolic NADPH/NADP+ ratio), augmented O2 uptake, raised the ATP/ADP ratio, decreased 86Rb outflow, and stimulated insulin release in tumoral insulin-producing cells of the RINm5Fline, L-Leucine and 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate also stimulated insulin secretion. In the RINm5F cells, as in normal islet cells, the nonmetabolized analogue of L-leucine, 2-aminobicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH), activated glutamate dehydrogenase, augmented L-[U−14C]glutamine oxidation, and induced a more reduced state of cytosolic redox couples. However, in sharp contrast to either its effect in normal islet cells or that of D-glucose in the tumoral cells, BCH severely decreased O2 uptake, lowered the ATP/ADP ratio, increased 86Rb outflow, and inhibited insulin release in the RINm5F cells. These findings are interpreted to support the concept that the rate of ATP generation represents an essential determinant of the secretory response of insulin-producing cells to nutrient secretagogues.
Tests for resistive and capacitive defects in address decoders

Presents a complete analysis, at the electrical level, of address decoder faults caused by resistive opens, and by capacitive-coupling between address lines. Several authors have demonstrated the importance of this class of faults. New test conditions, and new march tests are derived to detect the resulting faults; and industrial results, applied to DRAMS, show the effectiveness of the new tests.
Relationship between state medicaid policies, nursing home racial composition, and the risk of hospitalization for black and white residents.

OBJECTIVE To examine racial differences in the risk of hospitalization for nursing home (NH) residents. DATA SOURCES National NH Minimum Data Set, Medicare claims, and Online Survey Certification and Reporting data from 2000 were merged with independently collected Medicaid policy data. STUDY DESIGN One hundred and fifty day follow-up of 516,082 long-stay residents. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS 18.5 percent of white and 24.1 percent of black residents were hospitalized. Residents in NHs with high concentrations of blacks had 20 percent higher odds (95 percent confidence interval [CI]=1.15-1.25) of hospitalization than residents in NHs with no blacks. Ten-dollar increments in Medicaid rates reduced the odds of hospitalization by 4 percent (95 percent CI=0.93-1.00) for white residents and 22 percent (95 percent CI=0.69-0.87) for black residents. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate the effect of contextual forces on racial disparities in NH care.
New reagents for improved in vitro and in vivo examination of TGF-β signalling

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling controls many aspects of cell behaviour and is implicated as a key regulator in tumour formation and progression. However, evaluating levels of active TGF-β in culture medium or patient plasma and gaining definitive information regarding the activity of downstream substrates such as Sma- and Mad-related protein 3 (Smad3) in vivo with accuracy and sensitivity has been problematic. Therefore, to overcome these technical issues we have created a NIH3T3 cell line with stable pCAGA12-luc expression that can now be utilised to detect TGF-β activity with high sensitivity. In addition, we have created an adenoviral Smad3 luciferase reporter construct pAd.CAGA12-luc to successfully infect cells for in vitro assays, or prior to injection into mice and used to measure transcriptional activity in vivo. Thus, the NIH3T3-pCAGA12-luc cell line and the pAd.CAGA12-luc adenovirus will be extremely useful tools to measure TGF-β signalling activity with far greater efficiency and reliability compared to original and currently used reagents.
Assessing Stability, Durability, and Protein Adsorption Behavior ofHydrophilic Silane Coatings in Glass Microchannels

Microfluidics-based separation of biomolecules has numerous applications, including fundamental characterization of biomolecules, sequencing of genomes for biological functions, biometric fingerprinting, and identification of pathogens and genetic diseases. One of the main drawbacks, however, for making microfluidic based separations more commercially viable is the non-specific adsorption of biomolecules at the channel walls during separations. Herein, we compare five commonly employed surface coatings, and evaluate their performance in terms of successful silanization of channel surface walls, long term stability, and antifouling performance, using BSA or IgG as model proteins. We compare adsorption of fluorescently-tagged proteins on glass slides with those confined within channels, showing similar behavior with static measurements, but differences when incorporating electrokinetic flow. Based on these data, we find that MPEG is an effective surface coating for applications where long term stability is critical. However, for separation experiments, where the channel is used shortly after coating, a silanized zwitterionic sultone has superior anti-fouling characteristics.
Automatic Alignment of Shape Collections

We present a method for automatically aligning a collection of similar shapes in arbitrary initial poses. By analyzing the shape collection we extract a deformation model to capture the variability in the collection. We use this information to deform an extracted template shape and use it to align pairs of shapes by direct PCA alignment. We evaluate our method on synthetically created model collections in arbitrary initial poses and demonstrate accurate results with near ground truth alignment. Our algorithm signiﬁcantly outperforms existing direct PCA alignment methods, without signiﬁcant computational overhead.
MCAF Mediates MBD1-Dependent Transcriptional Repression

ABSTRACT DNA methylation is involved in a variety of genome functions, including gene control and chromatin dynamics. MBD1 is a transcriptional regulator through the cooperation of a methyl-CpG binding domain, cysteine-rich CXXC domains, and a transcriptional repression domain. A yeast two-hybrid screen was performed to investigate the role of MBD1 in methylation-based transcriptional repression. We report a mediator, MBD1-containing chromatin-associated factor (MCAF), that interacts with the transcriptional repression domain of MBD1. MCAF harbors two conserved domains that allow it to interact with MBD1 and enhancer-like transactivator Sp1. MCAF possesses a coactivator-like activity, and it seems to facilitate Sp1-mediated transcription. In contrast, the MBD1-MCAF complex blocks transcription through affecting Sp1 on methylated promoter regions. These data provide a mechanistic basis for direct inhibition of gene expression via methylation-dependent and histone deacetylation-resistant processes.
Identification of Faults in Power System Using Fuzzy Logic Technique

:- Power reliability and quality of electrical power supply is mostly affected by occurrence of faults in transmission/distribution network. To reduce the time of power outages and for the immediate restoration, the fault identification method must be very effective. Under faulty condition system operator receives very complex information difficult to make decision on restoring a tripped feeder to normal operation. Hence, to build the decision making ability effectively, fuzzy logic based fault diagnosis method is presented in this paper. This method can classify and identify the ten types of shunt faults that occur to Radial topology of transmission/distribution network. This method uses three phase feeder current, neutral current and phase voltages as input to the fuzzy inference system (FIS).
The FtsH Protease slr0228 Is Important for Quality Control of Photosystem II in the Thylakoid Membrane of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803*

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 contains four members of the FtsH protease family. One of these, FtsH (slr0228), has been implicated recently in the repair of photodamaged photosystem II (PSII) complexes. We have demonstrated here, using a combination of blue native PAGE, radiolabeling, and immunoblotting, that FtsH (slr0228) is required for selective replacement of the D1 reaction center subunit in both wild type PSII complexes and in PSII subcomplexes lacking the PSII chlorophyll a-binding subunit CP43. To test whether FtsH (slr0228) has a more general role in protein quality control in vivo, we have studied the synthesis and degradation of PSII subunits in wild type and in defined insertion and missense mutants incapable of proper assembly of the PSII holoenzyme. We discovered that, when the gene encoding FtsH (slr0228) was disrupted in these strains, the overall level of assembly intermediates and unassembled PSII proteins markedly increased. Pulse-chase experiments showed that this was due to reduced rates of degradation in vivo. Importantly, analysis of epitope-tagged and green fluorescent protein-tagged strains revealed that slr0228 was present in the thylakoid and not the cytoplasmic membrane. Overall, our results show that FtsH (slr0228) plays an important role in controlling the removal of PSII subunits from the thylakoid membrane and is not restricted to selective D1 turnover.
BSM dissemination with network coded relaying in VANETs at NLOS intersections

In vehicular ad hoc networks, the basic safety message (BSM) is periodically broadcast by every vehicle on the road. By exchanging BSMs with neighbors, vehicles aggregate the collected information to get aware of driving environment and react promptly in case of any danger. The BSM dissemination is particularly crucial for vehicles at urban road intersections to avoid car collisions. However, blocking from buildings and obstacles at road corners creates a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) condition for vehicle-to-vehicle communications. The direct broadcasting cannot guarantee a reliable BSM delivery. To solve this problem, we consider the relay-assisted scheme and apply the repetitive transmission pattern to increase the successful reception probability. By exploiting the benefit of network coding, we propose two promising network coded relaying schemes, coding at one relay node (RT-NCI) and coding at all relay nodes (RT-NC), to enhance the reliability of BSM dissemination and improve the system scalability. The superiorities of the proposed schemes are verified by simulation results.
Strategic Bidding for Price-Taker Hydroelectricity Producers

This paper introduces a stochastic programming model that integrates strategic bids or offers for electricity (in quantities and prices) in a deregulated electricity market. The model is designed to maximize the profits of a producer of electricity who manages a series of power plants along a river. The model is compared with a previously reported stochastic model where the bidding process is disregarded. The superiority of the new model is empirically demonstrated on historical data.
On the theory of two coupled cavities

This work presents research results on a novel analytical model of electromagnetic systems coupling through small size holes. The key problem regarding interactions of two cavities through an aperture in separating screen of finite thickness without making assumption on smallness of any parameters is considered. We are the first to calculate on the base of rigorous electromagnetic approach the coupling coefficients of the cylindrical cavities within the limit of small aperture and infinitely thin separating screen. The numeric results of electromagnetic characteristic dependencies that have been impossible to perform on the base of previous models are given.
Actinobacillus equuli Septicemia: an Unusual Zoonotic Infection

ABSTRACT We describe the isolation of Actinobacillus equuli from the blood of a 53-year-old butcher with septicemia. This species of the genus Actinobacillus is primarily associated with animals and animal diseases, especially septicemia in foals. This is the first report of the isolation of A. equuli from a human with septicemia.
The equilibrium and oscillations of dust grains in a flowing plasma

The equilibrium, stability, and trapping of dust particles associated with vertical motions in the plasma sheath and pre-sheath are calculated, taking into account the dependence of the variables (such as dust charge, ion flow velocity, etc.) on the local position in the sheath/pre-sheath region of a collisional plasma with an ionization source. It is demonstrated that an increase of the rate of ionization considerably influences the equilibrium positions of dust grains, shifting them towards the electrode as well as increasing the maximum possible (equilibrium) levitation grain size.
International Immunonutrition Workshop Session 7 : Prebiotics and probiotics usefulness against pathologies Potential role of the intestinal microbiota of the mother in neonatal immune education *

Anne Donnet-Hughes, Pablo F. Perez†, Joël Doré, Marion Leclerc, Florence Levenez, Jalil Benyacoub, Patrick Serrant, Iris Segura-Roggero and Eduardo J. Schiffrin‡ Nutrition and Health Department, Nestlé Research Centre, Nestec Ltd, PO Box 44, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland INRA, CR de Jouy-en-Josas, 78352 Jouy en Josas, France Nestlé Nutrition, Nestec Ltd, Avenue Reller 22, CH-1800 Vevey, Switzerland
Adolescents in Lesbian Families: DSM-Oriented Scale Scores and Stigmatization

The present study focused on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-oriented scale scores from Child Behavior Checklists completed by parents of the 17-year-old offspring in the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study (NLLFS; 39 girls/39 boys). In comparison with the scores of an age-matched normative sample (49 girls/44 boys; MANOVA), no significant differences in scores were found. Within the NLLFS sample, adolescents who reported stigmatization scored higher on affective, anxiety, and conduct problems. Although overall psychological functioning of the NLLFS adolescents fell within the healthy range, stigmatization had a negative impact on the well-being of some adolescents.
A Novel Printed UWB Slot Antenna With Reconfigurable Band-Notch Characteristics

A novel printed ultrawideband (UWB) slot antenna with reconfigurable band-notch characteristics is presented in this letter. The proposed antenna consists of a modified rectangular radiation patch with a circular and three rectangular-shaped slots etched on it. Additionally, by cutting two triangular-shaped slits on a modified ground plane, practical fractional bandwidth of more than 120% (3.12-12.51 GHz), defined by -10 dB return loss, is achieved. In order to generate single and dual band-notch characteristics, two p-i-n diodes are mounted across the circular slot. The designed antenna has small size of 20 × 20 mm2 with switchable single notched bands of 3.12-3.84 GHz WiMAX and 5-6.07 GHz WLAN, when diode 1 and diode 2 are respectively on. Also, dual bands of 3.12-3.82 and 4.9-6.06 GHz are eliminated from whole frequency band when both diodes are concurrently on.
Coordinated responses of soil communities to elevation in three subarctic vegetation types

Global warming has begun to have a major impact on the species composition and functioning of plant and soil communities. However, long-term community and ecosystem responses to increased temperature are still poorly understood. In this study, we used a well-established elevational gradient in northern Sweden to elucidate how plant, microbial and nematode communities shift with elevation and associated changes in temperature in three highly contrasting vegetation types (i.e. heath, meadow and Salix vegetation). We found that responses of both the abundance and composition of microbial and nematode communities to elevation differed greatly among the vegetation types. Within vegetation types, changes with elevation of plant, microbial and nematode communities were mostly linked at fine levels of taxonomic resolution, but this pattern disappeared when coarser functional group levels were considered. Further, nematode communities shifted towards more conservative nutrient cycling strategies with increasing elevation in heath and meadow vegetation. Conversely, in Salix vegetation microbial communities with conservative strategies were most pronounced at the mid-elevation. These results provide limited support for increasing conservative nutrient cycling strategies at higher elevation (i.e. with a harsher climate). Our findings indicate that climate-induced changes in plant community composition may greatly modify or counteract the impact of climate change on soil communities. Therefore, to better understand and predict ecosystem responses to climate change, it will be crucial to consider vegetation type and its specific interactions with soil communities.