Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple TLRs Are Expressed in Human Cholangiocytes and Mediate Host Epithelial Defense Responses to Cryptosporidium parvum via Activation of NF-κB1

Infection of epithelial cells by Cryptosporidium parvum triggers a variety of host-cell innate and adaptive immune responses including release of cytokines/chemokines and up-regulation of antimicrobial peptides. The mechanisms that trigger these host-cell responses are unclear. Thus, we evaluated the role of TLRs in host-cell responses during C. parvum infection of cultured human biliary epithelia (i.e., cholangiocytes). We found that normal human cholangiocytes express all known TLRs. C. parvum infection of cultured cholangiocytes induces the selective recruitment of TLR2 and TLR4 to the infection sites. Activation of several downstream effectors of TLRs including IL-1R-associated kinase, p-38, and NF-κB was detected in infected cells. Transfection of cholangiocytes with dominant-negative mutants of TLR2 and TLR4, as well as the adaptor molecule myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88), inhibited C. parvum-induced activation of IL-1R-associated kinase, p-38, and NF-κB. Short-interfering RNA to TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 also blocked C. parvum-induced NF-κB activation. Moreover, C. parvum selectively up-regulated human β-defensin-2 in directly infected cells, and inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 signals or NF-κB activation were each associated with a reduction of C. parvum-induced human β-defensin-2 expression. A significantly higher number of parasites were detected in cells transfected with a MyD88 dominant-negative mutant than in the control cells at 48–96 h after initial exposure to parasites, suggesting MyD88-deficient cells were more susceptible to infection. These findings demonstrate that cholangiocytes express a variety of TLRs, and suggest that TLR2 and TLR4 mediate cholangiocyte defense responses to C. parvum via activation of NF-κB.
Optimal Dynamic Path during the Transition of Exchange Rate Regime: Analysis of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Malaysia, and Singapore

We consider the optimal exchange rate regime transition policy for three East Asian countries: the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Malaysia, and Singapore. In contrast to two traditional approaches to exchange rate regimes in East Asia, we conduct a dynamic transition analysis. Based on a small, open-economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model applied to these three countries, we define transition policies from a dollar peg regime to either a basket peg or a floating regime and compare the welfare gains of these policies relative to maintaining the current dollar peg regime. The quantitative analysis using PRC, Malaysian, and Singaporean data shows that the PRC would be better off shifting gradually from a dollar peg to a basket peg. In response to the PRC’s shift, both Malaysia and Singapore would opt to shift gradually to a basket peg regime.
Mixed signal op-amp in 65nm technology

This paper presents a new methodology for design of high speed CMOS operational amplifier in Sub-micron region. The op-amp uses a compensation technique which increases the unity gain frequency and phase margin simultaneously. The CMOS op-amp presented in this paper works on 1.5V designed in 65nm standard CMOS technology. It exhibits 86dB DC gain. With load of 5pF, the unity gain frequency and phase margin are 34MHz and 84° respectively. The op-amp is fairly small and slew rate is more than other low power low voltage op-amps reported. This op-amp is then simulated for application in peak detector.
Dynamic Analysis of Time Series Data Based on State Space Model

The state space model is effective on analyzing non-stationary time series data, especially in adapting better to the dynamic variation analysis of the time series data and forecasting demand,by replacing fixed parameters with the variable ones.This article elaborates the constructing process of state space model by the measurement equation and state equation. This article also selects M0 money supply, M1 money supply, M2 money supply as the characterize variables of monetary policy, selects the national housing climate Index as characterize variables of real estate development,status regression model with stronger dynamic analysis capabilities as empirical analysis tool, with 2005 to 2012 monthly data of relevant variables as empirical analysis object, carry out the empirical study of relationship between the development of China's real estate industry and the amount of the three currencies. The empirical results show that the amount of three currencies elastic influence for real estate development are positive, M2 money supply impact of greater intensity. Among, M0 money supply influence gradually weakened, M1 and M2 money supply influence gradually increased.
Changing Beliefs and Behaviors Related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Vulnerable Women: A Qualitative Study

Background: The first step in health education is awareness of the people and their acceptance to change their behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of empowerment program towards the concept of self-care and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women at risk of STDs. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted as a qualitative approach (step of action and observation of an action) by using conventional content analysis method. An empowerment program regarding STDs (Action) was performed among 32 (with convenient sample) drug user women with addicted husbands referring to the counseling center for vulnerable women (drop in enter) in Isfahan in 2015. The knowledge of quiddity, transmission, and prevention of STDs, as well as some items of life skills such as self-awareness, interpersonal communication, and assertive behavior were taught in an educational program. Teaching methods were lectures, group, and individual training and role play. The impact of the program on modified belief and behavior change regarding STDs was evaluated with structured interviews. Results: Analysis of the obtained results yielded three categories. The categories were awareness of STD, believing in being at risk, and decision and change. Conclusions: Promoting self-care and prevention through education programs based on action research can make a significant reduction in the incidence of problems and cause a behavior change in women with the disease or those at risk for STDs.
Additive models for geo‐referenced failure time data

Asthma researchers have found some evidence that geographical variations in susceptibility to asthma could reflect the effect of community level factors such as exposure to violence. Our methodology was motivated by a study of age at onset of asthma among children of inner‐city neighbourhoods in East Boston. Cox's proportional hazards model was not appropriate since there was not enough information about the nature of geographical variations so as to impose a parametric relationship. In addition, some of the known risk factors were believed to have non‐linear log‐hazard ratios. We extend the geoadditive models of Kamman and Wand to the case where the outcome measure is a possibly censored time to event. We reduce the problem to one of fitting a Poisson mixed model by using Poisson approximations in conjunction with a mixed model formulation of generalized additive modelling. Our method allows for low‐rank additive modelling, provides likelihood‐based estimation of all parameters including the amount of smoothing and can be implemented using standard software. We illustrate our method on the East Boston data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal Integration Model of Multiple Information Security Methods

With the ever growing number of hosts connected to the Internet, network and information security has become more and more important. Due to the increasing sophistication of attacking techniques and automated attacking tools, it is necessary for large scale information to combine multiple and heterogeneous security mechanisms’ collaboration to discover and defend various distributed and coordinated attacks. In order to allow for a coordinated Integration of existing information security technologies, a fusing multi-defense technology optimization model is proposed, which takes into account not only the security aspect but also its impact on the performance, usability, and cost. The relative preference among the objectives can be adjusted by varying the weights associated with each parameter of mathematic model. The model is illustrated and confirmed by applying it to a typical example problem in the information sharing field. This method can improve the scalability, accuracy and capability by adopting multi defense technology.
Bifocals in Down Syndrome Study (BiDS): Design and Baseline Visual Function

Purpose. Among children and young people with Down syndrome (DS) there is a high prevalence of reduced accommodation. Prescribing bifocals for these patients has not become fully clinically accepted, although it would be anticipated to improve visual acuity (VA). The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of bifocal correction on VA, visual perceptual skills and early literacy development in children with DS who have reduced accommodation and who are provided with a bifocal correction. This paper describes the study design and the baseline optometric findings. Methods. We have chosen a longitudinal design with frequent measures of subtests of performance to control for progression with time. The main outcome measures are early literacy and visual perception skills. Secondary outcomes are VA and accommodative function. These are measured at baseline, the participant followed for 6 months when bifocals are prescribed if necessary, and the participants were followed for another 6 months with bifocals. Results. Fourteen participants with DS aged 8 to 19 years were enrolled. At baseline 79% required a change in their distance spectacle prescription. One hundred percent had reduced accommodation both before and after new single vision glasses were prescribed. None had an adverse reaction to 0.5 or 1% Cyclopentolate. All the subjects were able to perform either a distance or near crowded Patti-pics symbols test and 93% were able to perform both. There was a significant improvement of near VA with the new single vision spectacles (p = 0.015). The mean binocular distance VA was 0.362 ± 0.17 logMAR whereas binocular near VA was 0.489 ± 0.235. Conclusion. This study confirms previous findings of a high prevalence of reduced accommodation and shows that near VA is reduced compared to distance VA. The present results indicate that all subjects might benefit from bifocals.
Intimate Partner Violence and Neighborhood Income

This investigation used a longitudinal design to examine the relationship between neighborhood-level income, individual-level predictors, and police-reported intimate partner violence in 5,994 urban couples followed over 2 years. At the baseline abuse incident, intimate partner violence rates were highest in the poorest neighborhoods (13.8 per 1,000 women in the lowest income quartile, followed by 12.1, 8.2, and 5.0 in the respective higher income quartiles). However, in the longitudinal analysis, weapon use at the baseline abuse event was a much stronger predictor of repeat abuse (incident rate ratios ranging from 1.72 for physical abuse to 1.83 for non-physical abuse) than neighborhood income.
The influence of temperature on the concentration homogeneity of patch test materials

The concentration homogeneity of Dieted sulphate 4.8%. pet, and potassium dichromate 0.5% pet. in patch test materials appeared to become less homogeneous if stored at room temperature compared storage al 4°C. after 2 months, The coefficient of variation of concentration for nickel sulphate alter storage at 4°C W;LS 3.0883%, and at room temperature 25.3098%. The coefficient of variation for potassium dichromate after storage at 4°C was 4.6124% and at room temperature 9.6334%. This indicates that patch less materials containing nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate should be Kepi refrigerated in the tropics.
Identification of the streptococcal competence‐pheromone receptor

Competence for genetic transformation in certain species of streptococci has been known for many years to be induced by a secreted protease‐sensitive pheromone, referred to as the competence factor or activator, which acts as a quorum‐sensing signal to co‐ordinate expression of late competence genes. We recently reported identification of the pheromone of Streptococcus pneumoniae strain Rx as a small unmodified peptide, which was termed competence‐stimulating peptide (CSP). By identifying the gene (comC) encoding the Rx CSP we were able to show that it is synthesized as a precursor peptide containing an N‐terminal double‐glycine type leader. In the present work, we describe two alleles of the corresponding gene from Streptococcus gordonii strains Challis and NCTC 7865, which are strains with distinct competence pheromones and corresponding specific pheromone reactivities. In addition, the nucleic acid sequences of two genes located downstream of comC were determined; interestingly, these genes encode a two‐component signal transduction system. We therefore speculated that their products, a histidine kinase (ComD) and its cognate response regulator (ComE), act downstream of the CSP in competence regulation. By tracing the CSP specificity of the competence response in these strains to strain‐specific alleles of comD, we obtained evidence demonstrating that the histidine kinase ComD is the competence‐pheromone receptor.
Impact of Restricted Reimbursement on the Use of Statins in Finland: A Register-Based Study

Objectives:New and expensive medicines are a driving force behind growth in medicine costs, and policies promoting use of less expensive products have been widely introduced. This study investigated the short-term consequences of the restricted reimbursement of expensive statins (atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) on the use of statins in Finland. Methods:Data on patients purchasing atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, or simvastatin in 2002–2007 were retrieved from the nationwide Prescription Register. Outcome measures included the time trend in the numbers of purchasers and initiators of different statins, the morbidities of new users before and after the new policy, and the proportion of users of expensive statins switching to other statins. Results:After the restriction, the numbers of purchasers of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin dropped, and atorvastatin and rosuvastatin were seldom prescribed as first-line therapy. Before the restriction, 20.9% of new users of atorvastatin and 18.4% of those of rosuvastatin had either coronary artery disease or familial hyperlipidemia. After the restriction the corresponding figures were 28.7% and 26.8%. After the restriction new users of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin were also more likely to use other cardiovascular medicines or antidiabetics or to have previous statin purchases. A total of 57.6% of those using atorvastatin and 49.2% of those using rosuvastatin before the restriction switched to a less expensive statin. Conclusions:Restricted reimbursement of expensive statins decreased their use. It seems that after the policy new statin treatments have channeled appropriately. Although it is likely that the cost-containment aim of the policy was reached, health and long-term effects are not known.
Colour‐coded duplex assessment alone before carotid endarterectomy

This study assessed whether carotid colour‐coded duplex imaging can provide sufficient information to investigate patients before carotid endarterectomy. One hundred patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease (amaurosis fugax 24, transient ischaemic attack 38 and established stroke 38) were assessed by both colour‐coded duplex imaging and arch angiography. Stenoses were graded at angiography using the linear method from the European Carotid Surgery Trial and on duplex using peak systolic velocity criteria. Angiograms were also analysed for any arch or intracerebral pathology which would alter surgical management. In defining 70–99 per cent stenoses, duplex had a sensitivity of 98 per cent, specificity 96 per cent, positive predictive value 96 per cent, negative predictive value 98 per cent and accuracy 97 per cent compared with angiography for both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotids (χ2 = 1.22, 1 d.f., P = 0.25). With respect to the symptomatic carotid arteries angiography gave different information from duplex in six patients (6 per cent): definition of 70–99 per cent carotid stenosis was different (four), visualization was poor on duplex (one) and an intracerebral aneurysm was identified by angiography. One patient died following arch angiography as a result of mesenteric thrombosis. Carotid duplex imaging alone would appear to be sufficient to assess most patients before carotid endarterectomy as an accurate, safe and relatively cheap investigation compared with angiography. In cases where duplex assessment does not allow full visualization of the carotid bifurcation angiography is required.
Dengue virus-induced autophagosomes and changes in endomembrane ultrastructure imaged by electron tomography and whole-mount grid-cell culture techniques

Abstract The biogenesis events and formation of dengue virus (DENV) in the infected host cells remain incompletely understood. In the present study, we examined the ultrastructural changes associated with DENV-2 replication in three susceptible host cells, C6/36, Vero and SK Hep1, a cell line of human endothelial origin, using transmission electron microscopy, whole-mount grid-cell culture techniques and electron tomography (ET). The prominent feature in C6/36 cells was the formation of large perinuclear vacuoles with mature DENV particles, and on-grid whole-mount examination of the infected Vero cells showed different forms of DENV core structures associated with cellular membranes within 48 h after infection. Distinct multivesicular structures and prominent autophagic vesicles were seen in the infected SK Hep1 cells when compared with the other two cell lines. ET showed the three-dimensional organization of these vesicles as a continuous system. This is the first report of ET-based analysis of DENV-2 replication in a human endothelial cell line. These results further emphasizes the strong role played by intracellular host membranes–virus interactions in the biogenesis of DENV and strongly argues for the possibility of targeting compounds to block such structure formation as key anti-dengue agents.
The institutionalisation of political and corporate governance of information and communication technology in the public service of South Africa

This paper reflects the effort of the South African Government to improve service delivery through the implementation of corporate governance of Information and Communication Technology (CGICT), driven from the highest political leadership namely the President, through the implementation of a Management Performance Assessment System (MPAS) in the Office of the President and where the Executive Authorities (Ministers) are accountable to Cabinet on the performance of departments. It further deliberated on how the MPAS is utilised to elevate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to the same level than the other essential resources of government such as Human Resources and Finance and to raise the maturity of the implementation of CGICT in the Public Service. It will reflect on the improvement in the implementation of CGICT since 2012 by putting in place various mechanisms such as policies and assessment standards and through monitoring and evaluation.
Laser Soldering for Lead-free Assembly

Selective soldering is a process where some joints of a printed circuit assembly are prepared separately from the many reflowed ones. The most popular selective soldering processes are derivative wave-soldering processes. They are usually used to solder the pins of larger through-hole components (e.g. connectors) on a board, which is fully populated and reflowed using surface mount components. In the paper the laser soldering technology is discussed in detail, which -as the most promising alternative selective soldering technique -might replace the less energy-efficient derivative wave-soldering processes. Application oriented test boards were designed and applied for the investigation of the laser soldering process and qualification of the joints. Among the good results, the most interesting is that high quality solder joints could be prepared even when the temperature limit of the board was much lower than the melting point of the applied solder paste.
Is obesity becoming a public health problem in India? Examine the shift from under‐ to overnutrition problems over time

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and trends of overweight, obesity and undernutrition in recent decades in India. Based on a systematic literature search on PubMed and other data sources, most published studies were regional or local surveys in urban areas, while good representative data from the India National Family Health Surveys (NFHS, 1992–1993, 1998–1999 and 2005–2006) allowed for examining the trends at the national level. Overall, the available data showed that in India, prevalence of overweight was low while that of undernutrition remained high. Overweight was more prevalent among female, urban and high‐socioeconomic‐status (SES) groups. NFHS data showed that the prevalence of overweight in women and pre‐school children did not increase much in the last decade: 10.6% and 1.6% in 1998–1999 to 12.6% and 1.5% in 2005–2006 respectively. As for underweight, NFHS 2005–2006 showed high prevalence among ever‐married women (about 35%) and pre‐school children (about 42%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity had increased slightly over the past decade in India, but in some urban and high‐SES groups it reached a relatively high level. Factors associated with undernutrition need closer examination, and prevention of obesity should be targeted at the high‐risk groups simultaneously.
Mutation of BAX occurs infrequently in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome‐related non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)‐related non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (AIDS‐NHLs) consistently derive from B cells, are histologically heterogeneous, and are associated with distinct molecular pathways depending upon histology. Recently, it has been proposed that inactivating mutations of the bax death agonist may contribute to the pathogenesis of human tumors. In particular, among B‐cell malignancies, BAX mutations have been detected at a certain frequency in Burkitt lymphomas. This study is aimed at defining the status of the BAX gene throughout the clinicopathologic spectrum of AIDS‐NHL (n = 54), including AIDS‐related Burkitt lymphoma (n = 14), AIDS‐related Burkitt‐like lymphoma (n = 8), AIDS‐related diffuse large cell lymphoma (n = 15), AIDS‐related primary central nervous system lymphoma (n = 6), and AIDS‐related primary effusion lymphoma (n = 11). All 6 BAX exons and flanking sequences were subjected to mutational analysis by polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism followed by DNA direct sequencing of positive cases. Mutations of BAX among AIDS‐NHL were restricted to a cell line of AIDS‐related primary effusion lymphoma, which harbored a frameshift mutation causing the introduction of a proximal stop codon. All other AIDS‐NHL displayed wild‐type BAX alleles. In order to investigate whether BAX inactivation in AIDS‐NHL may occur through mechanisms other than gene mutation, bax protein expression was investigated by Western blot analysis or immunohistochemistry in selected cases. All AIDS‐NHL analyzed expressed normal bax proteins. Overall, this study indicates that deregulation of apoptotic control in AIDS‐NHL is not caused by BAX alterations. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:177–182, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.