Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Australian Aboriginal population genetics at the D1S80 VNTR locus

The Aboriginal Australian population have continuously inhabited the vast Australian continent for in excess of 50 000 years, making them one of the most distinctive modern human population groups. At the time of European colonisation, it was estimated there were as many as 500 tribes with defined territorial lands and distinct linguistic and cultural traits. Unfortunately, the contribution of genetic data from Aboriginal Australia to studies of modern human global migration has been limited. Likewise, there are limited data from tribal populations from across Australia, and therefore a limited understanding of the genetic differentiation among tribal groups. This research is the first to analyse population data from Aboriginal Australians using the polymorphic minisatellite locus D1S80. Considerable differentiation was observed among the tribal groups that are represented in this Northern Australian dataset. The most genetically distinct tribal groups identified in this study (East Arnhem Land and Tiwi Island) are groups which have been previously noted in anthropological studies as having distinct cultural and/or linguistic characteristics.
Advances in predicting CYP-mediated drug interactions in the drug discovery setting

Advances in high-throughput screening methodologies, biological reagents and in silico techniques relating to cytochrome p450 (CYP)-mediated drug–drug interactions have led to reduced clinical attrition rates and to the development of safer therapeutics. Greater understanding of the impact of genetic variability and CYP induction on drug interactions, particularly for low therapeutic index drugs, has facilitated improved clinical study design. This review outlines recent developments using in vitro and in silico technologies to study CYP-mediated drug interactions and describes how those tools have been combined to drive improved candidate selection and in vivo predictions early in the drug discovery process.
Randomized Controlled Study of the Safety and Immunogenicity of Pneumococcal Vaccine Formulations Containing PhtD and Detoxified Pneumolysin with Alum or Adjuvant System AS02V in Elderly Adults

ABSTRACT Six vaccine formulations containing AS02V or alum (aluminum phosphate [AlPO4]) adjuvant with pneumococcal proteins, pneumococcal histidine triad D (PhtD), and/or detoxified pneumolysin (dPly), either as a polysaccharide carrier in an 8-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (8PCV) or as free (unconjugated) proteins, were evaluated in adults -65 to 85 years of age. In this phase I observer-blind study, 167 healthy subjects were randomized to receive two doses (days 0 and 60) of 10 or 30 μg PhtD-dPly plus AS02V or alum, 8PCV plus AS02V or alum, or one dose (day 0) of 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (23PPV) as a control (placebo on day 60). The safety, reactogenicity, and antibody-specific responses to these vaccines were evaluated. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. The incidences of solicited local and specific general (fatigue and myalgia) symptoms tended to be higher in the AS02V groups than in other groups. Anti-PhtD and anti-Ply antibody responses were observed in all groups except the control group. One month post-dose 2, the anti-PhtD and anti-Ply antibody geometric mean concentrations tended to be higher with AS02V than with alum, higher with a dose of 30 μg than with 10 μg for PhtD-dPly and higher with 30-μg PhtD-dPly formulations than with conjugated PhtD and dPly (8PCV) formulations. Functional antibody responses, measured by an opsonophagocytic activity assay, tended to be higher with 8PCV than with 23PPV. In conclusion, vaccine formulations containing free or conjugated PhtD and dPly had acceptable reactogenicity and safety profiles in elderly adults. Immune responses were enhanced with an AS02V-adjuvanted formulation containing free 30-μg PhtD-dPly compared to those with alum adjuvant and conjugated proteins. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00756067.)
MONITORING NETWORKS FOR LONG-TERM RECHARGE CHANGE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA

This paper was prepared by at a workshop sponsored by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Energy Commission or the State of California. The Energy Commission, the State of California, its employees, contractors and subcontractors make no warrant, express or implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this paper; nor does any party represent that the uses of this information will not infringe upon privately owned rights. This paper has not been approved or disapproved by the California Energy Commission nor has the California Energy Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information in this paper. This paper has not been approved or disapproved by the full Commission.
Using permutations to hide information

We describe a new image steganography method that uses permutations of selected pixels to hide information. The basic idea is that a subset of pixels is selected by a keyed random number generator. The values of these pixels are altered by as little as possible but such that the sorted ordering of these values corresponds to a specific permutation. N pixels can be ordered in N\ ways, corresponding to log2 N\ bits of hidden information. We explore two different methods of selecting the pixels, one that selects them in a scattered fashion and one that clusters them in small neighborhoods. We also examine the tradeoffs associated with large versus small subsets of pixels.
Characterization of native and reconstituted exosome complexes from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus

The eukaryotic exosome is a protein complex with essential functions in processing and degradation of RNA. Exosome‐like complexes were recently found in Archaea. Here we characterize the exosome of Sulfolobus solfataricus. Two exosome fractions can be discriminated by density gradient centrifugation. We show that the Cdc48 protein is associated with the exosome from the 30S−50S fraction but not with the exosome of the 11.3S fraction. While only some complexes contain Cdc48, the archaeal DnaG‐like protein was found to be a core exosome subunit in addition to Rrp4, Rrp41, Rrp42 and Csl4. Assays with depleted extracts revealed that the exosome is responsible for major ribonucleolytic activity in S. solfataricus. Various complexes consisting of the Rrp41‐Rrp42 hexameric ring and Rrp4, Csl4 and DnaG were reconstituted. Dependent on their composition, different complexes showed variations in RNase activity indicating functional interdependence of the subunits. The catalytic activity of these complexes and of the native exosome can be ascribed to the Rrp41‐Rrp42 ring, which degrades RNA phosphorolytically. Rrp4 and Csl4 do not exhibit any hydrolytic RNase activity, either when assayed alone or in context of the complex, but influence the activity of the archaeal exosome.
Plein feu sur la microfinance en 2005

En atteste la consecration par les Nations Unies de l’annee 2005 “Annee Internationale du Microcredit”, le microcredit s’impose a l’heure actuelle comme un instrument privilegie de lutte contre la pauvrete. Ce numero de Regards economiques en profite pour faire le point sur les grandes evolutions qui ont marque les etapes de la microfinance jusqu’a nos jours et faire le lien avec l’actualite politique belge.
An update on medications and noninvasive brain stimulation to augment language rehabilitation in post-stroke aphasia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aphasia is among the most debilitating outcomes of stroke. Aphasia is a language disorder occurring in 10–30% of stroke survivors. Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) is the gold standard, mainstay treatment for aphasia, but gains from SLT may be incomplete. Pharmaceutical and noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques may augment the effectiveness of SLT. Areas covered: Herein reviewed are studies of the safety and efficacy of these adjunctive interventions for aphasia, including randomized placebo-controlled and open-label trials, as well as case series from Pubmed, using search terms ‘pharmacological,’ ‘tDCS’ or ‘TMS’ combined with ‘aphasia’ and ‘stroke. ’ Expert commentary: Relatively small studies have included participants with a range of aphasia types and severities, using inconsistent interventions and outcome measures. Results to-date have provided promising, but weak to moderate evidence that medications and/or NIBS can augment the effects of SLT for improving language outcomes. We end with recommendations for future approaches to studying these interventions, with multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trials.
Aplicaciones bioquímicas y prácticas de un diluyente para la conservación líquida de semen de verraco a 5º y a 16 ºC

La yema de huevo ha sido el componente mas comun de los diluyentes desde que se descubrio su accion protectora contra el choque frio en espermatozoides de toro suspendido en una solucion tampon fosfato (Philips, 1939). Se ha confirmado que las fracciones lipoproteicas de los fosfolipidos de la yema de huevo protegen a los espermatozoides contra el choque frio durante la estabilizacion de la integridad de la membrana espermatica (Kampschamidt et al., 1953; Blackshaw, 1954). En las experiencias realizadas con distintas tecnicas de laboratorio y con distintos constituyentes lipidicos individuales aislados de la yema de huevo se ha podido demostrar que los mecanismos de union de los lipidos a la membrana espermatica son, especialmente, soportados por las fracciones de lipoproteinas de baja densidad (LDF) (Pace y Graham, 1974; Watson, 1975; Watson, 1981). Hasta el momento, la naturaleza de la interaccion de las lipoproteinas de la yema de huevo con la membrana espermatica no ha podido ser perfectamente clarificado. Los estudios realizados con tecnicas de fluorescencia han mostrado que cuando se utiliza la yema de huevo como componente en los diluyentes para la conservacion de semen de carnero, se forma una union reversible que puede ser eliminada lavando los espermatozoides con el diluyente sin yema de huevo anadida (Watson, 1975). Esta observacion no coincidia con los resultados obtenidos por Foulkes (1977) que demostro, utilizando lipidos unidos a un marcador radioactivo, que las fracciones lipidicas de la yema de huevo se unen firmemente a la membrana espermatica y esta union no puede ser eliminada mediante lavados intensivos con el diluyente sin yema de huevo. La accion protectora de los fosfolipidos contra el choque frio depende de de las interacciones con las estructuras lipidicas de la membrana espermatica (Quinn et al., 1980). Ademas, en las experiencias llevadas a cabo con tecnicas inmunoquimicas utilizando suero anti-lipoproteinas, se observo que la union de las lipoproteinas a la membrana del espermatozoide de toro era permanente (Cookson et al., 1984). Debemos tener en cuenta que, ademas de las diferencias que existen entre las distintas especies animales en los mecanismos de interaccion de los lipidos de la yema de huevo con la membrana espermatica, los cambios cuantitativos en la relacion fosfolipidos: colesterol pueden tener, tambien, una accion significativa. El mecanismo de la accion protectora de la yema de huevo se basa en la forma de interaccion entre las lipoproteinas y la membrana espermatica o de integracion de los fosfolipidos en el plasmolema. Otros efectos beneficiosos de la yema de huevo son el mantenimiento de la presion coloidal (Foulkes, 1977), la reduccion de los danos en la membrana inducidos por los radicales de oxigeno libres (Jones y Mann, 1977) y en las interacciones intracelulares con las proteinas presentes en el plasma seminal (Jeyendran y Graham, 1980).
Variable Size Packets (VSP) for transport of IP datagrams over satellite links: Physical and access layer optimization

This paper presents a novel approach called VSP (Variable Size Packets) for satellite access lower layers. The VSP solution aims at optimizing the transport of packets issued from network layers with highly variable sizes. Therefore, VSP relies on the definition of multiple encapsulation sizes associated to a waveform, and an access adapted to the transport of variable size packets. We recall the VSP concept, insisting on its impact at the physical and access layers, and present an efficient coding and modulation scheme for the VSP solution, resources allocation constraints and packet sizes and slot sizes definition strategies.
Bayesian Interpretation of Tree-Ring Dates in Practice

Abstract This paper uses a series of case studies to demonstrate recent developments in the interpretation of dendrochronological dating evidence (Miles 2005; 2006), and to evaluate the accuracy of the approach in practice. The adoption of a standardised protocol for the presentation of dates is suggested in order to provide a clear distinction between those results that incorporate a Bayesian approach to interpretation and those that do not. Individual and combined felling date ranges produced by existing methods are compared with those obtained using the new methodology. In particular, the selected case studies allow further appraisal of the Bayesian approach to the production of a combined felling date range for a group of timbers, and highlight the potentially delicate balance between accuracy and precision.
Analysis of an interrupted circuit with fast-slow bifurcation

In this paper, we discuss, with focus on the border-collision bifurcation, the relationship between the fast-scale bifurcation and the slow-scale bifurcation in an interrupted electric circuit. First, we show the circuit model and explain its dynamics. Then, we define the discrete map in the fast-scale dynamics and the slow-scale dynamics, respectively. Using the discrete map, we derive the 1-parameter bifurcation diagram in the slow-scale dynamics. Finally, we discuss how the border-collision bifurcation in the fast-scale dynamics affects the slow-scale bifurcation.
Tactile and Haptic Illusions

This paper surveys the research literature on robust tactile and haptic illusions. The illusions are organized into two categories. The first category relates to objects and their properties, and is further differentiated in terms of haptic processing of material versus geometric object properties. The second category relates to haptic space, and is further differentiated in terms of the observer's own body versus external space. The illusions are initially described and where possible addressed in terms of their functional properties and/or underlying neural processes. The significance of these illusions for the design of tactile and haptic displays is also discussed. We conclude by briefly considering a number of important general themes that have emerged in the materials surveyed.
Type- and Subcomplex-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies against Domain III of Dengue Virus Type 2 Envelope Protein Recognize Adjacent Epitopes

ABSTRACT Neutralization of flaviviruses in vivo correlates with the development of an antibody response against the viral envelope (E) protein. Previous studies demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against an epitope on the lateral ridge of domain III (DIII) of the West Nile virus (WNV) E protein strongly protect against infection in animals. Based on X-ray crystallography and sequence analysis, an analogous type-specific neutralizing epitope for individual serotypes of the related flavivirus dengue virus (DENV) was hypothesized. Using yeast surface display of DIII variants, we defined contact residues of a panel of type-specific, subcomplex-specific, and cross-reactive MAbs that recognize DIII of DENV type 2 (DENV-2) and have different neutralizing potentials. Type-specific MAbs with neutralizing activity against DENV-2 localized to a sequence-unique epitope on the lateral ridge of DIII, centered at the FG loop near residues E383 and P384, analogous in position to that observed with WNV-specific strongly neutralizing MAbs. Subcomplex-specific MAbs that bound some but not all DENV serotypes and neutralized DENV-2 infection recognized an adjacent epitope centered on the connecting A strand of DIII at residues K305, K307, and K310. In contrast, several MAbs that had poor neutralizing activity against DENV-2 and cross-reacted with all DENV serotypes and other flaviviruses recognized an epitope with residues in the AB loop of DIII, a conserved region that is predicted to have limited accessibility on the mature virion. Overall, our experiments define adjacent and structurally distinct epitopes on DIII of DENV-2 which elicit type-specific, subcomplex-specific, and cross-reactive antibodies with different neutralizing potentials.
Contribution des afférences tactiles plantaires au maintien de l'équilibre. Effets du port de semelles à picots sur le contrôle postural quasi-statique et la sensibilité cutanée plantaire de la personne âgée

La prevention des chutes chez les personnes âgees constitue aujourd'hui un objectif prioritaire en matiere de sante publique. Bien que les mecanismes associes au vieillissement soient complexes et variables selon les individus, la deterioration des fonctions sensorielles semble etre un des facteurs majeurs de la degradation du controle postural. Cette diminution des performances posturales augmente la probabilite de chute. L'alteration de la sensibilite cutanee qui apparait avec l'âge est, en particulier, a l'origine de problemes d'equilibre. Compte tenu de leur localisation a l'interface du corps et du support podal, les capteurs tactiles plantaires fournissent des informations tres pertinentes sur les oscillations du corps par rapport a la verticale. Dans le cadre de ce travail de these, nous nous sommes particulierement interesses aux effets d'une stimulation mecanique de la sole plantaire par le port de semelles a picots. Nos travaux ont mis en evidence que ce type de stimulation ameliore dans certaines conditions la stabilite posturale chez les jeunes, chez les personnes âgees saines ou atteintes d'une neuropathie diabetique. Les benefices observes ne sont ni correles a la sensibilite cutanee plantaire, ni aux performances posturales initiales du sujet et varient selon les individus. L'enrichissement du contexte sensoriel apporte par les picots pourrait constituer une methode de stimulation originale et particulierement appropriee pour les personnes qui presentent des problemes d'equilibre. Elle permettrait de reproduire dans une certaine mesure les effets benefiques d'un massage de la sole plantaire, ce qui eviterait ainsi l'intervention systematique d'un therapeute. Les perspectives de ce travail sont nombreuses et nous permettront de determiner le meilleur compromis en termes de duree, d'intensite, de frequence de stimulation et de confort afin de pouvoir quantifier plus precisement la stimulation optimale.
Initiation of protein synthesis in mammalian cells.

Detailed knowledge of the mechanism and regulation of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells has only emerged over the last 15 years. A phase of rapid development was in the early to middle 1970s, when most of the currently-known initiation factors were purified and their roles established by stepwise assembly of initiation complexes in vitro from the purified components. It was also found that phosphorylation of the initiation factor eIF-2 had an important role in the regulation of translation in reticulocytes. Another period of rapid advance began about 3-4 years ago. Further study of the role of phosphorylation of eIF-2 led to the discovery of
Der Tuberkulin-Hauttest: Literatur, Richtlinie und Umsetzung in der Praxis

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Aufgrund vermehrter Tuberkuloseausbrüche in Rinderbeständen in der Region Allgäu in den letzten Jahren wurde die flächendeckende Tuberkulinisierung in dieser Region wieder aufgenommen. Ziel dieser Studie war es, einen Überblick über die aktuellen Kenntnisse der Nutztierpraktiker bezüglich der Technik des Tuberkulinisierens zu erhalten sowie basierend auf der aktuellen Gesetzeslage einen Leitfaden zur Anwendung der Methode zu erstellen. Material und Methoden: Das Wissen und die Erfahrungen der Nutztierpraktiker zur aktuellen Tuberkulinisierung wurden mithilfe eines Fragebogens erfragt, gesammelt und ausgewertet. Die Antworten der Tierärzte wurden mit der aktuellen und den vorherigen Fassungen des Anhangs B der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1226/2002 der Kommission verglichen. Ergebnisse: An der Befragung nahmen insgesamt 137 Tierärzte teil. Sieben Fragebögen waren nicht auswertbar, sodass die Antworten von 130 Tierärzten in die Auswertung eingingen. Vierundvierzig dieser 130 Teilnehmer tuberkulinisierten zum Zeitpunkt der Befragung. Von 44 ausgefüllten Fragebögen der tuberkulinisierenden Teilnehmer konnten 42 in die abschließende Auswertung einfließen. Ein Großteil der Nutztierpraktiker nimmt die Tuberkulinisierung so vor, wie sie in der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1226/2002 der Kommission vom 8. Juli 2002 zur Änderung von Anhang B der Richtlinie 64/432/EWG des Rates gefordert ist. Bei der Kontrolle der Ergebnisse weichen jedoch viele Praktiker von den Vorgaben in der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1226/2002 ab. Die Tierärzte, die am stärksten davon abweichen, tuberkulinisieren ent weder nur einzelne Tiere oder nicht im stark betroffenen Regierungsbezirk Schwaben. Schlussfolgerungen: In den besonders von der Tuberkulose betroffenen Gebieten wird die Methode des Tuberkulini sierens von den im Rahmen dieser Studie befragten Tierärzten nahezu so ausgeführt, wie es die Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1226/2002 fordert. Beim Ablesen der Ergebnisse sollte allerdings ein einheitlicheres und sorgsameres Vorgehen angestrebt werden. Der im Rahmen dieser Studie verfasste Leitfaden kann dabei helfen. Die Informationen aus der Literatursichtung zeigen zudem, dass es bisher kein standardisiertes Verfahren zur Tuberkulinisierung gibt.
Predictors of benzodiazepine use among parents of children with cancer: a cross‐sectional study from Lebanon

Parents of children with cancer experience tremendous stress that affects the whole family. This emotional turmoil is due to the cancer diagnosis, lack of knowledge about the disease, its complications and treatment consequences, prognosis uncertainty, frequent hospitalizations, and lower quality of life. Parents may resort to medications like benzodiazepines to relieve their psychological distress. We investigated the prevalence of benzodiazepine use and parental emotional distress expressed as anxiety or depression among parents of children with cancer in Lebanon, a country where drug purchasing from drugstores is possible without a medical prescription. We also explored the association between benzodiazepine use and emotional distress. Findings may shed light on the magnitude of this problem and whether such parents need psychosocial support.
Comparative studies of Trypanosoma (Duttonella) vivax isolates from Colombia

SUMMARY The characterization of four Trypanosoma vivax isolates from Colombia in South America showed that although minor phenotypic differences existed between them, these parasites are antigenically related and belong to a single serodeme. Characterization by isoenzyme assay, karyotyping and DNA probe analysis, showed the Colombian isolates to be more similar to the West African than to Kenyan T. vivax. There was, however, little serological cross-reactivity between South American and African groups of T. vivax. Although the T. vivax isolates from Colombia were pathogenic for dairy calves which showed the typical sign of progressive emaciation, these parasites failed to infect mice or tsetseand could not be cultivated as bloodstream forms in vitro.This study represents initial attempts to establish the phenotypic and serological diversity amongst T. vivax isolates from South America.