Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stigma reduces and social support increases engagement in medical care among persons with HIV infection in St. Petersburg, Russia

The proportion of people living with HIV (PLH) in care and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Russia is lower than in Sub‐Saharan Africa [ 1 ]. This is undoubtedly due to a variety of systems and structural issues related to poor treatment access, linkage and care delivery models. However, little research has explored the reasons that PLH are not in care from their own perspectives. This information can help to guide the development of approaches for improving HIV care engagement in the country.
Rises in [Ca2+]i mediate capsaicin‐ and proton‐induced heat sensitization of rat primary nociceptive neurons

Capsaicin (CAPS) as well as acidic pH induces Ca2+ influx in a subset of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Here we show that CAPS as well as three different approaches to induce experimental tissue acidification (phosphate buffered solution pH 5.4, CO2‐gassed solution pH 6.1 and NPE‐caged protons) yielded a transient heat sensitization of peripheral nociceptive terminals in rat skin in vitro. The heat sensitization induced by CAPS (1 μm) could be prevented by preloading the neurons with the neuroprotective calcium chelator BAPTA‐AM (1 mm). However, this pretreatment had no effect on the sensitization following exposure to acidic solutions (pH 5.4 and pH 6.1). Therefore, the membrane‐permeant proton buffer SNARF‐AM (200 μm) was used together with BAPTA‐AM in order to prevent changes in intracellular pH. Under these conditions heat sensitization by low pH did not occur. To investigate the underlying membrane mechanisms, current recordings together with simultaneous calcium measurements using FURA‐2 were performed in neurons isolated from rat dorsal root ganglia. In a subset of these neurons, an increase in [Ca2+]i and concomitant facilitation of heat‐activated ionic currents was observed after application of CAPS as well as pH 5.6. Rises in [Ca2+]i thus appear to play an essential role in plastic changes not only of central neurons but also of peripheral nociceptive terminals which may account for heat hyperalgesia.
An overview of mechanisms by which sulphate‐reducing bacteria influence corrosion of steel in marine environments

This communication provides an overview of the literature on the biocorrosion of steel in marine media, influenced by the presence of sulphate‐reducing bacteria (SRB). Electrochemical aspects, microbial interactions within biofilms, the significance of medium composition and the role of iron sulphides, and hydrogen effects are discussed. A brief description of recent experiments involving the use of electrochemical techniques for corrosion assessment, surface studies employing energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microprobe complemented with electron microscopy observations, as well as the application of novel techniques, such as micro sensors and atomic force microscopy, is given. The growth of SRB in marine environments causes significant modifications of many physicochemical parameters at the steel/seawater interface, including local changes in pH and redox potential values, variations in anion and cation concentrations and alteration of the composition and structure of corrosion products. Complex chemical and biological reactions and equilibria are also markedly altered during bacterial proliferation. These effects, which are absent in abiotic media, often lead to significant changes in the corrosion behaviour of steel. The complicated nature of the local environment at the steel/seawater interface is enhanced in the presence of microorganisms and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). As a consequence of biofilm heterogeneity, areas with different ion concentrations are formed and the development of corrosion product layers of dissimilar protective characteristics occurs.
Effects of Nicotine on the Functions of Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes In Vitro

Effects of nicotine on migration, extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes, and superoxide anion (O2) production of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were studied. Nicotine (5 × 10−6 to 5 × 10−4 M) had no effect on random migration, chemotaxis to fMet‐Leu‐Phe, nor on chemokinesis induced by fMet‐Leu‐Phe. Nicotine, however, inhibited both extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes from PMN and O2 production of PMN, both of which were induced by fMet‐Leu‐Phe and cytochalasin B. The inhibition of enzyme release and O2 production by nicotine was not affected by atropine, hexame‐ thonium, or acetyl β ‐methylcholine, suggesting a direct action of nicotine on PMN functions. It is presumed that nicotine does not affect PMN migration to inflammatory sites, but inhibits the microbicidal functions of PMN. Exposure to PMN to nicotine introduced into the body by smoking could suppress their functions. This might result in harmful influences on the host defense mechanism, including antitumor function.
Relative indemnity: risk, insurance, and kinship in Indian microfinance

With the growth of commercial microfinance in India, the poor have been increasingly enfolded into circuits of global finance. In making these collateral-free loans, however, microfinance institutions (MFIs) engage in new forms of risk management. While loans are made to women with the goal of economic and social empowerment, MFIs require male kin to serve as guarantors. Drawing on fieldwork in the city of Kolkata, I argue that through the requirement of male guarantors, MFIs hedge on kinship, even as they speculate on the bottom of the pyramid as a new market of accumulation.
Toll-like receptor 9 drives the maturation of B lymphocytes in the salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Introduction Epithelial structures of inflamed tissues in Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) patients are sheathed with lymphocytes, among which autoreactive B cells (1). A minority of B lymphocytes are organized as follicular germinal centers (GC) in salivary glands (SG) of patients, whilst a majority is aggregated with characteristics of transitional and marginal zone (MZ) B cells (2). All these B lymphocytes need tonic signaling to stay alive. Given that Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) that recognizes microbial but also self DNA leads to the survival of the cells (3), our objective was to evaluate the consequence of TLR9 stimulation on Bcell differentiation and the possible influence on specific B-cell organization within the SG of SS patients.
Mock circulation loop to investigate hemolysis in a pulsatile total artificial heart.

Hemocompatibility of blood pumps is a crucial parameter that has to be ensured prior to in vivo testing. In contrast to rotary blood pumps, a standard for testing a pulsatile total artificial heart (TAH) has not yet been established. Therefore, a new mock circulation loop was designed to investigate hemolysis in the left ventricle of the ReinHeart TAH. Its main features are a high hemocompatibility, physiological conditions, a low priming volume, and the conduction of blood through a closed tubing system. The mock circulation loop consists of a noninvasive pressure chamber, an aortic compliance chamber, and an atrium directly connected to the ventricle. As a control pump, the clinically approved Medos-HIA ventricular assist device (VAD) was used. The pumps were operated at 120 beats per minute with an aortic pressure of 120 to 80 mm Hg and a mean atrial pressure of 10 mm Hg, generating an output flow of about 5 L/min. Heparinized porcine blood was used. A series of six identical tests were performed. A test method was established that is comparable to ASTM F 1841, which is standard practice for the assessment of hemolysis in continuous-flow blood pumps. The average normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) values of the VAD and the ReinHeart TAH were 0.018 g/100 L and 0.03 g/100 L, respectively. The standard deviation of the NIH was 0.0033 for the VAD and 0.0034 for the TAH. Furthermore, a single test with a BPX-80 Bio-Pump was performed to verify that the hemolysis induced by the mock circulation loop was negligible. The performed tests showed a good reproducibility and statistical significance. The mock circulation loop and test protocol developed in this study are valid methods to investigate the hemolysis induced by a pulsatile blood pump.
Calpain Cleavage of the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Integrin β2 Subunit (*)

The cytoplasmic domains of integrin β subunits are involved in bidirectional transmembrane signaling. We report that the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin β3 subunit undergoes limited proteolysis by calpain, an intracellular calcium-dependent protease. Calpain cleavage occurs during platelet aggregation induced by agonists such as thrombin. Five cleavage sites have been identified. Four of these sites (C-terminal to Thr741, Tyr747, Phe754, and Tyr759) are utilized in intact platelets and flank two NXXY motifs (Asn744-Pro-Leu-Tyr747 and Asn756-Ile-Thr-Tyr759). The fifth site (Ala735) is accessible to calpain after EDTA treatment of the αIIbβ3 heterodimer. The NXXY motif is critical to the bidirectional signaling functions of β3 integrins and their association with the cytoskeleton. Thus, calpain cleavage of the β3 cytoplasmic domain may provide a means to regulate integrin signaling functions.
Allelic Polymorphism Synergizes with Variable Gene Content to Individualize Human KIR Genotype1

Killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) genes are a multigene family on human chromosome 19. KIR genes occur in various combinations on different haplotypes. Additionally, KIR genes are polymorphic. To examine how allelic polymorphism diversifies KIR haplotypes with similar or identical combinations of KIR genes, we devised methods for discriminating alleles of KIR2DL1, -2DL3, -3DL1, and -3DL2. These methods were applied to 143 individuals from 34 families to define 98 independent KIR haplotypes at the allele level. Three novel 3DL2 alleles and a chimeric 3DL1/3DL2 sequence were also identified. Among the A group haplotypes were 22 different combinations of 2DL1, 2DL3, 3DL1, and 3DL2 alleles. Among the B group haplotypes that were unambiguously determined were 15 distinct haplotypes involving 9 different combinations of KIR genes. A and B haplotypes both exhibit strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between 2DL1 and 2DL3 alleles, and between 3DL1 and 3DL2 alleles. In contrast, there was little LD between the 2DL1/2DL3 and 3DL1/3DL2 pairs that define the two halves of the KIR gene complex. The synergistic combination of allelic polymorphism and variable gene content individualize KIR genotype to an extent where unrelated individuals almost always have different KIR types. This level of diversity likely reflects strong pressure from pathogens on the human NK cell response.
GLYCERALDEHYDE‐3‐PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE ASSOCIATES WITH ACTIN FILAMENTS IN SERUM DEPRIVED NIH 3T3 CELLS ONLY

The in vitro interaction between the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and cytoskeletal elements is well documented. To verify this association within cells, the intracellular distribution of GAPDH under various metabolic conditions has been investigated in immunostained cells or cells expressing GAPDH as a GFP fusion protein. GAPDH was homogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm and no interaction of GAPDH with cytoskeletal elements, neither with microfilaments nor microtubules or intermediate filaments, was detectable. In living cells expressing GFP‐GAPDH, stress fibres were excluded from the fluorescence. In contrast to proliferating cells, the cytoplasmic GAPDH of serum‐depleted cells was not homogeneously distributed, but colocalised with stress fibres. The mechanism for stimulating this actin‐binding affinity was independent of the NO‐signalling pathway. The results support the idea of a specialised function for the interaction of GAPDH and cytoskeletal elements, rather than a general function, as e.g. microcompartmentalization of glycolytic enzymes.
A Novel Miniaturized Electromagnetically Excited Vibrating Membrane Rheometer

Viscosity and mass density sensing utilizing vibrating microstructures has become an important field of research in recent years. Often clamped-free cantilevers operating in their fundamental normal mode with costly optical read-out mechanisms are employed for this purpose. In this contribution an electromagnetically excited clamped-clamped structure made of a polyester based foil with an inductive read-out is investigated. Several vibrational modes can be excited this way. The relatively large amplitudes and its low operation frequency makes these devices suitable for the rheological analysis of more complex liquids like suspensions or emulsions.
Tornado Motion Synthesis from Video Footage

In this paper we present a novel method to generate 3D animation of tornados from video clips taken from a single camera. Our source of input data is a variety of tornado video clips of widely-varying ﬁdelity available on the world wide web. By extracting the silhouette of the foreground ﬁg-ure and using a model-based approach, the problem is re-formulated as a local, optimized search of the shape space. The silhouette of the ﬁgure from the captured video is compared against the silhouette of a synthetic revolute using a pixel-by-pixel cost function. By using temporal coherence, physical constraints, and knowledge of tornado motion, the motion can be reconstructed. Additionally, we use this reconstruction to synthesize animations of the captured phenomena. Our main contribution is a method to synthesize a motion of highly dynamic objects like the tornado from a single video source. In addition, we employ simple yet robust 2D shape descriptors to reconstruct the shape and form of the tornado.
Stability Conditions for Multidimensional Queueing Systems with Computer Applications

A fundamental question arising in the analysis of queueing systems is whether a system is stable or unstable. For systems modeled by infinite Markov chains, we may study the ergodicity and nonergodicity of the chains. Foster showed that sufficient conditions for ergodicity are linked with the average drift. However, complications arise when multidimensional Markov chains are analyzed. We present three methods that provide sufficient conditions for ergodicity and nonergodicity of a multidimensional Markov chain. These methods are next applied to two multidimensional queueing systems: buffered contention packet broadcast systems and coupled processor systems.
Investigation of Velocity Ripple Suppression for the Discontinuous Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Motor by Open Loop

Recently, the discontinuous permanent magnet linear synchronous motor is proposed as a driving source in the transportation systems. We proposed and had examined load angle constant control without position feedback, to decrease the velocity ripple which evolutes at the re-acceleration portion with the aim of the smooth drive of the discontinuous permanent magnet linear synchronous motor. This paper presents the examination result of load angle constant control by using the drive pattern that determines the acceleration deal with the aiming position of the secondary mover at the velocity ripple suppression in the re-acceleration portion
Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with diminished intracellular perforin

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by unexplained and prolonged fatigue that is often accompanied by abnormalities of immune, endocrine and cognitive functions. Diminished natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) is a frequently reported finding. However, the molecular basis of this defect of in vitro cytotoxicy has not been described. Perforin is a protein found within intracellular granules of NK and cytotoxic T cells and is a key factor in the lytic processes mediated by these cells. Quantitative fluorescence flow cytometry was used to the intracellular perforin content in CFS subjects and healthy controls. A significant reduction in the NK cell associated perforin levels in samples from CFS patients, compared to healthy controls, was observed. There was also an indication of a reduced perforin level within the cytotoxic T cells of CFS subjects, providing the first evidence, to our knowledge, to suggest a T cell associated cytotoxic deficit in CFS. Because perforin is important in immune surveillance and homeostasis of the immune system, its deficiency may prove to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of CFS and its analysis may prove useful as a biomarker in the study of CFS.
Study of calcium signaling in non‐excitable cells

The fundamental importance of calcium signaling in the control of cellular physiology is widely recognized. A dramatic illustration of this is the fact that a Medline search for review articles containing the word “calcium” in the title reveals 4,629 hits, whereas the whole body of calcium signaling literature (approximately 2 x 106 pages) is more than enough to fill a decent‐sized library. Most of this literature deals with calcium signaling in excitable cells types (mainly neurons and muscle cells), but non‐excitable cell types are capable of calcium signaling as well. Although calcium fluxes in the latter cell types have attracted much less interest, the literature involved is still vast. Nevertheless, in this review article we hope to contribute some valuable insights to the field. First we shall discuss the experimental techniques available to the researcher interested in calcium signaling in non‐excitable cell types with special attention to patch clamp electrophysiology. Subsequently, we shall review some of the results obtained with these techniques by focussing on the calcium‐regulating mechanisms in non‐excitable cells and discussing the importance of these mechanisms for physiology. Microsc. Res. Tech. 46:418–433, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vector-valued image regularization with PDE's: a common framework for different applications

We address the problem of vector-valued image regularization with variational methods and PDEs. From the study of existing formalisms, we propose a unifying framework based on a very local interpretation of the regularization processes. The resulting equations are then specialized into new regularization PDEs and corresponding numerical schemes that respect the local geometry of vector-valued images. They are finally applied on a wide variety of image processing problems, including color image restoration, in-painting, magnification and flow visualization.
Forecast models for suicide: Time-series analysis with data from Italy

ABSTRACT The prediction of suicidal behavior is a complex task. To fine-tune targeted preventative interventions, predictive analytics (i.e. forecasting future risk of suicide) is more important than exploratory data analysis (pattern recognition, e.g. detection of seasonality in suicide time series). This study sets out to investigate the accuracy of forecasting models of suicide for men and women. A total of 101 499 male suicides and of 39 681 female suicides – occurred in Italy from 1969 to 2003 – were investigated. In order to apply the forecasting model and test its accuracy, the time series were split into a training set (1969 to 1996; 336 months) and a test set (1997 to 2003; 84 months). The main outcome was the accuracy of forecasting models on the monthly number of suicides. These measures of accuracy were used: mean absolute error; root mean squared error; mean absolute percentage error; mean absolute scaled error. In both male and female suicides a change in the trend pattern was observed, with an increase from 1969 onwards to reach a maximum around 1990 and decrease thereafter. The variances attributable to the seasonal and trend components were, respectively, 24% and 64% in male suicides, and 28% and 41% in female ones. Both annual and seasonal historical trends of monthly data contributed to forecast future trends of suicide with a margin of error around 10%. The finding is clearer in male than in female time series of suicide. The main conclusion of the study is that models taking seasonality into account seem to be able to derive information on deviation from the mean when this occurs as a zenith, but they fail to reproduce it when it occurs as a nadir. Preventative efforts should concentrate on the factors that influence the occurrence of increases above the main trend in both seasonal and cyclic patterns of suicides.
Relationship between life satisfaction and physical health in older adults: a longitudinal test of cross-lagged and simultaneous effects.

OBJECTIVE The emergence of positive psychology propelled scientific interest in the causal relationships between subjective well-being (SWB; e.g., happiness, life satisfaction [LS], positive affect) and physical health. However, it is becoming a controversial topic. Indeed, dependent on approach, LS is either considered a cause (top-down) or an effect (bottom-up). The aim of the present study was to investigate both cross-lagged and simultaneous effects between LS (as an enduring component of SWB) and physical health (as measured by self-perceived health and self-reported diseases), using 8-year longitudinal data from a sample of older adults. METHOD The study included 899 participants aged 64 to 97 years and assessed 5 times over an 8-year period. Cross-lagged and simultaneous models were specified and estimated using structural equation modeling. RESULTS Both cross-lagged and simultaneous coefficients indicated that poor health significantly predicted subsequent levels of life dissatisfaction, but LS did not predict subsequent levels of health. CONCLUSIONS These findings contradict, at least in our older sample, the postulates of positive psychology, and support the bottom-up approach to well-being as well as the popular adage, "As long as you've got your health. "
Arginine and glutamine availability and macrophage functions in the obese insulin‐resistant Zucker Rat

Increased susceptibility to infections in obese patients may be related to decreased availability of arginine and glutamine, which may affect immune cell functions. Our aim was to evaluate the in vitro effects of these amino acids on the function of macrophages from obese insulin‐resistant Zucker rats. Macrophages, isolated from male Zucker obese or lean rats by peritoneal lavage, were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) without arginine or glutamine. Arginine or glutamine was added to the medium at increasing final concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mM). After stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli (40 μg/ml), productions of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and of nitric oxide (NO) were measured after 3 or 48 h incubation, respectively. NO production, lower in macrophages from obese rats, decreased in macrophages from lean rats (0 mM: 2,423 ± 1,174 vs. 2 mM: 198 ± 31 μM/mg protein/24 h; P < 0.05), but not in those from obese rats, when glutamine was added. TNFα production, lower in macrophages from obese rats, was inversely correlated with glutamine concentration. In the presence of arginine, NO production was constantly higher in macrophages from obese rats. It peaked at 0.5 mM arginine and decreased thereafter in both groups. TNFα production in macrophages from lean rats was unaffected by arginine, but decreased in macrophages from obese rats (0 mM: 1920 ± 450 vs. 2 mM: 810 ± 90 μM/mg protein/3 h; P < 0.05). These results suggest that abnormalities in cell signalling or in arginine and glutamine metabolism in macrophages of obese rats, resulting in decreased TNFα production and increased NO release, may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection in insulin‐resistant states. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.