Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Abnormalities in HIV-Positive Patients

Background: The clinical presentation of cardiac abnormalities in HIV-infected patients may be atypical or masked by concurrent illnesses that lead to misdiagnosis or they remain undiagnosed; therefore, this study was aimed to determine the frequency of cardiac abnormalities in HIV-infected patients. Material and Methods: Consecutive HIV-infected patients of age >13 years were studied for 3 months, after obtaining their consent. After clinical assessment, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, 2-dimensional echocardiography and serum Troponin T levels were done. Results: A total of 100 patients were studied, cardiomegaly was observed in the x-ray of 15% of them, abnormal electrocardiogram was seen in 18%, 2-dimensional echocardiography was abnormal in 67%; and diastolic dysfunction (42.8%) was the commonest abnormality followed by dilated cardiomyopathy (17.6%). Serum troponin T was elevated in 8%. The variables, opportunistic infections (OIs), antiretroviral therapy (ART), stage of HIV disease, and CD4 counts, did not affect the frequency of diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: The diastolic dysfunction is the most common cardiac abnormality observed in HIV-infected patients.
Sequences within the Herpesvirus-Conservedpac1 and pac2 Motifs Are Required for Cleavage and Packaging of the Murine Cytomegalovirus Genome

ABSTRACT The DNA sequence motifs pac1 [an A-rich region flanked by poly(C) runs] and pac2 (CGCGGCG near an A-rich region) are conserved near herpesvirus genomic termini and are believed to mediate cleavage of genomes from replicative concatemers. To determine their importance in the cleavage process, we constructed a number of recombinant murine cytomegaloviruses with a second cleavage site inserted at an ectopic location within the viral genome. Cleavage at a wild-type ectopic site occurred as frequently as at the natural cleavage site, whereas mutation of this ectopic site revealed that some of the conserved motifs of pac1 and pac2 were essential for cleavage whereas others were not. Withinpac1, the left poly(C) region was very important for cleavage and packaging but the A-rich region was not. Withinpac2, the A-rich region and adjacent sequences were essential for cleavage and packaging and the CGCGGCG region contributed to, but was not strictly essential for, efficient cleavage and packaging. A second A-rich region was not important at all. Furthermore, mutations that prevented cleavage also blocked duplication and deletion of the murine cytomegalovirus 30-bp terminal repeat at the ectopic site, suggesting that repeat duplication and deletion are consequences of cleavage. Given that the processes of genome cleavage and packaging appear to be highly conserved among herpesviruses, these findings should be relevant to other members of this family.
Avidity of IgA Antibody to Escherichia coli Polysaccharide and Diphtheria Toxin in Breast Milk from Swedish and Pakistani Mothers

The avidity of breast milk IgA antibody was studied with the aid of thiocyanate elution of antibody from solid‐phase bound E. coli polysaccharides and diphtheria toxoid. The relative avidity index for each sample was determined by the molarity of thiocyanate required to elute 50% of the bound IgA antibody under conditions of antigen excess. Milk samples collected from Pakistani mothers during early lactation (2–4 weeks after delivery; n= 12) had a significantly lower median relative avidity index of IgA antibody to E. coli antigens than did early lactation samples from Swedish mothers (n= 11; avidity indices 1.78 m and 2.65 m; P<0.02). Samples collected from Pakistani mothers in mid‐lactation showed a significant rise in the relative avidity index to a median of 2.50 m (P<0.01), with a subsequent fall in late lactation (28–36 weeks after delivery) to 1.75 m (P<0.01). Milk samples from Pakistani mothers in mid‐lactation (n= 12) also had a lower median relative avidity index of IgA antibody to diphtheria toxoid than did samples from Swedish mothers (n= 14;avidity indices 2.35 m and 4.30 m; P<0.002). The lower avidity of breast milk IgA in Pakistani mothers in comparison with Swedish mothers may arise from differences in antigen exposure or nutritional status or could possibly be genetically determined.
Contract Linkages and Resource Use in Grain Production: The Argentine Pradera Pampeana

This paper analyzes contractual arrangements in barley production in the Argentine pradera pampeana region. Barley constitutes an interesting case-study: its production and marketing conditions result in some degree of vertical contracting between primary producers and processors. Vertical coordination via contracting, however, is considerably less than that observed for example in poultry or some types of vegetable and fruit production. Barley is thus an intermediate case between coordination via impersonal market transactions and that resulting from different degrees of vertical integration. The objective of the paper is to determine the impacts of contracting on decisions such as input purchasing agreements, output marketing sharing, vertical integration, risk management and the use of technical know-how. The impact of contracting arrangements on input use and technology choice is also explored. Findings include the following. First, input purchase sharing, or output marketing sharing arrangements are infrequent amongst farmers. Some evidence exists, however, of barley farmers engaging in these arrangements more than farmers producing alternative crops. The (partial) “asset-specific” nature of the barley crop may explain these differences. Second, a higher proportion of barley farmers engage in different types of vertical arrangements with input suppliers or output purchasers. Third, farmers participating in the barley vertical chain are more likely to use formal insurance instruments than farmers producing other crops. Fourth, significant differences exist in input (fertilizer and ag chemical), and technical-know how between farmers that participate and those that do not participate in vertical arrangements with input suppliers and output purchasers. Formal contracting appears, in general, to have a positive impact on all these dimensions. The paper shows that contracts between barley producers and processors are relatively simple, relying for compliance on reputation and good-will more than on the formal “written word”. Possibly, relatively low benefits from non-compliance result in this type of arrangement working well. The paper also shows, however, that private arbitration, mediation and quality inspection institutions exist in order to reduce both the probability and costs of litigation. The Camara Arbitral (in existence since 1905) is an interesting example of this type of institution.
Correlating gamma‐aminobutyric acidergic circuits and sensory function in the electrosensory lateral line lobe of a gymnotiform fish

Electric fish generate an electric field, which they sense with cutaneous electroreceptors. Electroreceptors project topographically onto the medullary electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL). The ELL of gymnotiform electric fish is divided into four segments specialized to detect different aspects of the electrosensory input; it is also laminated with separate laminae devoted to electroreceptive input, interneurons, projection neurons, and feedback input. We have utilized antisera to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) to map the distribution of GABAergic cells and fibers in the ELL of the gymnotiform fish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus.
Charge Orbits of Extremal Black Holes in Five Dimensional Supergravity

We derive the U-duality charge orbits, as well as the related moduli spaces, of 'large' and 'small' extremal black holes in nonmaximal ungauged Maxwell-Einstein supergravities with symmetric scalar manifolds in d=5 space-time dimensions. The stabilizer groups of the various classes of orbits are obtained by determining and solving suitable U-invariant sets of constraints, both in 'bare' and 'dressed' charge bases, with various methods. After a general treatment of attractors in real special geometry (also considering nonsymmetric cases), the N=2 'magic' theories, as well as the N=2 Jordan symmetric sequence, are analyzed in detail. Finally, the half-maximal (N=4) matter-coupled supergravity is also studied in this context.
Protective effects of fluvastatin against reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage and mutagenesis

Oxidative stress may be an important factor in the development of diabetic complications. Advanced glycation end-products have drown attention as potential sources of oxidative stress in diabetes. We investigated the protective effects of fluvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, on oxidative DNA damage from reactive oxygen species or advanced glycation end-products in vitro, as well as effects of main fluvastatin metabolites and other inhibitors of the same enzyme, pravastatin and simvastatin. Protective effects were assessed in terms of the DNA breakage rate in a single-stranded phage DNA system in vitro. DNA was exposed to either reactive oxygen species or advanced glycation end-products. Fluvastatin and its metabolites showed a strong protective effect comparable to those seen with thiourea and mannitol, though pravastatin and simvastatin did not exert clear protective effects. Furthermore, fluvastatin reduced the mutagenesis by reactive oxygen species or advanced glycation end-products in Salmonella typhimurium test strains. Both pravastatin and simvastatin still lacked protective activity. Fluvastatin and its metabolites protect against oxidative DNA damage and may reduce risk of consequent diabetic complications.
Actin organization and hepatocyte differentiation are regulated by extracellular matrix via PI‐4,5‐bisphosphate in the rat

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays vital roles in both morphogenesis and regulation of gene expression in cells of adult organisms. How intracellular, cytoskeletal, and signaling factors connect and communicate with the ECM is a fundamental question. Using a cDNA microarray analysis, we identified phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PI[4,5]P2) phosphatase mRNA as being up‐regulated in hepatocytes cultured on a basement membrane matrix, Engelbreth‐Holm‐Swarm (EHS) gel, which led to the finding that the PI(4,5)P2 levels of hepatocytes decreased on EHS gel. These changes in hepatocytes on EHS gel were accompanied by promotion of actin depolymerization and differentiated phenotypes of the hepatocytes. Treatment with PI(4,5)P2 or a phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122, resulted in decreased mRNA expressions of albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF‐4) in hepatocytes. In contrast, actin‐disrupting agent gelsolin increased mRNA expressions of albumin and HNF‐4. In conclusion, organization of the actin cytoskeleton via PI(4,5)P2 is involved in the regulation of hepatocyte differentiation by the ECM. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:140–151.)
Single-Center Experience With Liver Transplantation From Controlled Non-Heartbeating Donors: A Viable Source of Grafts

Background:To increase the number of livers available for transplantation a non-heartbeating donor (NHBD) liver transplant program was started after obtaining hospital ethical committee approval. Methods:Controlled donors with a warm ischemia of <30 minutes were considered. A 5-minute stand-off period was observed from asystole to skin incision. A super-rapid technique was used for the retrieval. Methods used to assess the suitability for transplantation included liver function tests, morphologic and histologic assessment, and hepatocyte viability testing. Results:Sixty livers were retrieved from NHBDs. Of these, 33 were judged suitable for transplantation. Of these one was exported and transplanted, and one could not be matched to a suitable recipient. A further 27 were not used because of liver appearance in 21, prolonged hypoxia and hypotension in 4, poor perfusion in 1, and donor malignancy in 1. Mean donor age was 39.4 years (range, 0.75–67 years). Causes of death were head trauma in 10 donors, intracranial bleed in 24, and anoxic/ischemic brain injury in 26. Mean warm ischemia time was 14.7 minutes (range, 7–40 minutes). Thirty-two patients were transplanted (one split liver), and the mean age of the recipients was 38.4 years (range, 0.7–72 years). All grafts had good early function except one right lobe split. There were 4 deaths resulting from ischemic brain injury, chronic rejection, biliary sepsis, and multiorgan failure following retransplantation for primary nonfunction. Overall patient and graft survival is 87% and 84%, respectively, at a median follow-up of 15 months. Conclusions:Early results suggest that controlled NHBDs are a significant new source of grafts, but careful donor selection and short cold ischemia are mandatory.
Mobile Arm Supports: Evidence-Based Benefits and Criteria for Use

Abstract Background/Objective: To collect data from therapists regarding criteria for use and activities that individuals with C4-C5 tetraplegia can perform using a mobile arm support (MAS) that they otherwise could not. Reasons for nonuse, equipment design limitations, and therapist training needs were also studied. Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used to conduct an e-mail survey for which the response to each question was analyzed and used to formulate the subsequent question. Setting: Rehabilitation centers. Participants: Eighteen occupational therapists (most affiliated with 1 of the federally designated Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems) with extensive experience in the treatment of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Results: The key physical prerequisite for successful use of the MAS was at least minimal strength of the deltoid and biceps muscles; 92% of respondents indicated that they would fit an MAS for motivated patients having very weak (< 2/5) biceps and deltoid muscles. According to the therapists, 100% (n = 30) of their clients were able to perform at least 1 activity using a MAS that they were unable to perform without the device. These activities included (in descending frequency) eating, page turning, driving a power wheelchair, brushing teeth, keyboarding, writing, name signing, drawing, painting, scratching nose, playing board games, accessing electronic devices, drinking, and grooming. Equipment design limitations included increased wheelchair width and problems managing the arms while reclining. Conclusions: Mobile arm supports allow persons with C4-C5 tetraplegia to engage in activities that they otherwise cannot perform with their arms.
Large signal HBT model with measurement based charge formulations

A new large signal HBT model is proposed and experimentally evaluated, which contains measurement based diffusion charge and analytical depletion capacitance formulations. In order to account for the complicated dependency of diffusion charge on bias, transit times at various bias points are extracted from measured data and contour-integrated. Using spline functions in the interpolation of transit times, modeled RF characteristics are continuous and smooth up to 3rd order derivative with respect to collector current in the wide range of bias. Base-emitter depletion capacitance C be is implemented considering GaAs emitter capping layer as well as InGaP emitter layer. It is shown that the new formulations of diffusion charge and depletion capacitor improves the accuracy of the large-signal model. Simulation results are verified with comparison to measured S-parameter and gain characteristics in the whole bias range.
Strategic Resources, Competitive Advantage and Firms Performance: A Research Agenda

The environment in which firms operate is constantly changing and there is need for organizations to optimise the use of their resources and core competencies in order to create a sustainable competitive advantage and ensure superior performance. The general business environment has become very competitive and unpredictable thus calls for more agility amongst the organizations.Even though this relationship combined with that of innovation may lead to companies gaining competitive advantage, the previous studies have assumed a simple direct relationship and have failed to integrate other contextual characteristics of the market as espoused by some of the theoretical arguments that underpin the relationship. Sustained firm performance may result when a firm repeatedly leverages its resources and competitive advantage that service customers ever changing needs. This paper examines the direct relationship of Resources and performance while including the role of the Top Management Team and innovation . The emergent theoretical and model is proposed and various constructs and their relationship suggested.
Simulation-based FDP & FCP analysis with queueing models

Continuous efforts have been devoted to software reliability modeling evolution over the past decades in order to adapt to the practical complex software testing environments. Many models have been proposed to describe the software fault related process. These software reliability growth models (SRGMs) have evolved from describing one fault detection process (FDP) into incorporating fault correction process (FCP) as well, in order to provide higher accuracy with more information. To provide mathematical tractability, models need to have closed form, with restrictive assumptions in a narrow sense. This in turn confines their capability for general applications. Alternatively, in this paper a general simulation based queueing modeling framework is proposed to describe FDP and FCP, with resource factors from practical software testing incorporated. Good simulation performance is observed with a numerical example. Furthermore, release time and debugger staffing issues are investigated with a revised cost model. The analysis is conducted through a simulation optimization approach.
Review of hardware implementation of Speech-To-Text Engine for Jawi Character

Jawi is a Malay writing script based on the Arabic script which adds six extra characters to accommodate Malay vocal sounds. Real-Time Speech-To-Text Engine for Jawi Character aims to help students to read Jawi more effectively. In this paper, we investigate the suitable method and device that best for speech-to-text hardware implementation. A complete set of Jawi Speech-To-Text tools will be implements by integrating the hardware with a microphone and Jawi word processor. The speech recognition will use Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) as feature extraction and Neural Network (NN) with Backpropagation will be use as a pattern classification. The implementation of this system will be tested using Xilinx Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) board.
Distribution of EphA5 receptor protein in the developing and adult mouse nervous system

The EphA5 receptor tyrosine kinase plays key roles in axon guidance during development. However, the presence of EphA5 protein in the nervous system has not been fully characterized. To examine EphA5 localization better, mutant mice, in which the EphA5 cytoplasmic domain was replaced with β‐galactosidase, were analyzed for both temporal and regional changes in the distribution of EphA5 protein in the developing and adult nervous system. During embryonic development, high levels of EphA5 protein were found in the retina, olfactory bulb, cerebral neocortex, hippocampus, pretectum, tectum, cranial nerve nuclei, and spinal cord. Variations in intensity were observed as development proceeded. Staining of pretectal nuclei, tectal nuclei, and other areas of the mesencephalon became more diffuse after maturity, whereas the cerebral neocortex gained more robust intensity. In the adult, receptor protein continued to be detected in many areas including the olfactory nuclei, neocortex, piriform cortex, induseum griseum, hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and septum. In addition, EphA5 protein was found in the claustrum, stria terminalis, barrel cortex, and striatal patches, and along discrete axon tracts within the corpus callosum of the adult. We conclude that EphA5 function is not limited to the developing mouse brain and may play a role in synaptic plasticity in the adult. J. Comp. Neurol. 514:310–328, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of baseline drifts in fMRI time series analysis.

PURPOSE Gradual drifting of baseline signal intensity is common in functional MRI (fMRI) time course data. Methods for dealing with this effect are studied. METHOD Simulations and fMRI data are used to study three statistical models that account for baseline drift. A method is proposed in which the time course data are linear least-squares fit to a reference function that includes the slope of the baseline drift as a free parameter. RESULTS It is shown that the least-squares method is equivalent to cross-correlation with Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization. Additionally, it is shown that certain paradigm designs improve the sensitivity of statistical tests when using any of the drift correction methods commonly employed. The least-squares method results in a variety of useful parameters such as activation amplitude, with a well characterized error. CONCLUSION Very simple techniques can effectively account for observed drifts. It is important to design paradigms that are symmetric about the midpoint of the time series. In calculating confidence levels, a proper statistical model that accounts for baseline drifts is necessary to ensure accurate confidence level assessment.
A role for the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in the autonomic control of heart and kidney

It is now well accepted that the sympathetic nervous system responds to specific afferent stimuli in a unique non‐uniform fashion. The means by which the brain transforms the signals from a single type of receptor into an appropriate differential sympathetic output is discussed in this brief review. The detection of and response to venous filling are used for illustration. An expansion of blood volume has been shown in a number of species to increase heart rate reflexly via sympathetic nerves and this effect is primarily an action of volume receptors at the venous–atrial junctions of the heart. Stimulation of these volume receptors also leads to an inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity. Thus the reflex response to an increase in plasma volume consists of a distinctive unique pattern of sympathetic activity to maintain fluid balance. This reflex is dependent on neurones in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Neurones in the PVN show early gene activation on stimulation of atrial receptors, and a similar differential pattern of cardiac sympathetic excitation and renal inhibition can be evoked by activating PVN neurones. Cardiac atrial afferents selectively cause a PVN GABA neurone‐induced inhibition within the PVN of PVN spinally projecting vasopressin‐containing neurones that project to renal sympathetic neurones. A lesion of these spinally projecting neurones abolishes the reflex. With regard to the cardiac sympathetics, there is a population of PVN spinally projecting neurones that selectively increase heart rate by the release of oxytocin, a peptide pathway that has no action on renal sympathetic outflow. In heart failure the atrial reflex becomes blunted, and evidence is emerging that there is a downregulation of nitric oxide synthesis and reduced GABA activity in the PVN. How this might give rise to increased sympathetic activity associated with heart failure is briefly discussed.