Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on the motility of Plasmodium sporozoites.

SYNOPSIS Albumin was found to have a striking stimulatory effect on motility of Plasmodium sporozoites, while serum globulins had an inhibitory effect. Albumin also preserved viability of sporozoites in vitro at 4 C for several days. P. berghei, P. cynomolgi, and P. falciparum sporozoites each had a distinct and characteristic type of motility. P. berghei sporozoites from oocysts had a different type of motility from that of salivary gland sporozoites, each type presumably associated with different invasive capacities at different times during the life cycle of the parasite. This change in sporozoite motility during development was also associated with other physiologic developmental changes in the sporozoite. The degree of motility of a given pool of sporozoites was to some degree associated with other parameters of metabolic activity of these sporozoites, i.e. infectivity, immunogenicity, and secretory activity. Secretions of the rhoptry-microneme complex may play a role in sporozoite motility.
Automatic Sensor Placement from Vision Task Requirements

The problem of automatically generating the possible camera locations for observing an object is defined, and an approach to its solution is presented. The approach, which uses models of the object and the camera, is based on meeting the requirements that: the spatial resolution be above a minimum value, all surface points be in focus, all surfaces lie within the sensor field of view and no surface points be occluded. The approach converts each sensing requirement into a geometric constraint on the sensor location, from which the three-dimensional region of viewpoints that satisfies that constraint is computed. The intersection of these regions is the space where a sensor may be located. The extension of this approach to laser-scanner range sensors is also described. Examples illustrate the resolution, focus, and field-of-view constraints for two vision tasks. >
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in a Young Man

A 29-year-old man presents with a recent episode of light-headedness of sudden onset. Although he denies associated loss of consciousness, witnesses report that he was briefly unresponsive to verbal stimuli. He also denies chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, and diaphoresis; he is currently asymptomatic.
Aldehyde Oxidase Activity in Donor-Matched Fresh and Cryopreserved Human Hepatocytes and Assessment of Variability in 75 Donors

Studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of time and cryopreservation on aldehyde oxidase (AO) activity in human hepatocytes isolated from 10 donor livers, using O6-benzylguanine as a probe substrate. In addition, variability in activity was assessed using cryopreserved hepatocytes from 75 donors. Substantial donor-dependent loss in AO activity within 24 hours after isolation of hepatocytes was observed (average loss of 42%, range 15%–81%). Meanwhile, AO activity in cryopreserved hepatocytes more closely represented the activity observed in fresh hepatocytes that were incubated immediately after isolation for the same donors (within 81% of fresh, range 48%–100%). Activity of AO in cryopreserved hepatocytes from 75 donors varied by at least 17-fold (≤ 5.4 to 90 ml/minute per kilogram of body weight), with 63% of the donors having higher activity than a pooled 19-donor lot (34.2 ml/minute per kilogram). Comparison of demographics such as gender, body mass index, age, and ethnicity showed no statistically significant correlations with activity. Evaluation of medical histories revealed that three of the five donors with no measurable activity had immediate histories of extensive alcohol abuse. Meanwhile, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for AOX1 (rs3731772 and rs55754655) were detected in our donor pool and showed allelic frequencies similar to those reported from other cohort studies. However, these SNPs did not correlate with a statistically significant difference in intrinsic clearance compared with wild-type donors. With a general lack of clarity about what causes highly variable AO activity, prescreening donors for AO activity and creating a custom high-activity pooled lot of cryopreserved hepatocytes are advised to minimize underpredictions of clearance.
Cell yield, chondrogenic potential, and regenerated cartilage type of chondrocytes derived from ear, nasoseptal, and costal cartilage

Functional reconstruction of large cartilage defects in subcutaneous sites remains clinically challenging because of limited donor cartilage. Tissue engineering is a promising and widely accepted strategy for cartilage regeneration. To date, however, this strategy has not achieved a significant breakthrough in clinical translation owing to a lack of detailed preclinical data on cell yield and functionality of clinically applicable chondrocytes. To address this issue, the current study investigated the initial cell yield, proliferative potential, chondrogenic capacity, and regenerated cartilage type of human chondrocytes derived from auricular, nasoseptal, and costal cartilage using a scaffold‐free cartilage regeneration model (cartilage sheet). Chondrocytes from all sources exhibited high sensitivity to basic fibroblast growth factor within 8 passages. Nasoseptal chondrocytes presented the strongest proliferation rate, whereas auricular chondrocytes obtained the highest total cell amount using comparable cartilage sample weights. Importantly, all chondrocytes at fifth passage showed strong chondrogenic capacity both in vitro and in the subcutaneous environment of nude mice. Although some significant differences in histological structure, cartilage matrix content and cartilage type specific proteins were observed between the in vitro engineered cartilage and original tissue; the in vivo regenerated cartilage showed mature cartilage features with high similarity to their original native tissue, except for minor matrix changes influenced by the in vivo environment. The current study provides detailed preclinical data for choice of chondrocyte source and thus promotes the clinical translation of cartilage regeneration approach.
Is There a Reliable Index of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Critically Ill Patients?

Assessment of renal function in critically ill patients is important for appropriate individualization of dosage regimens and nutrition, but is complicated by a high incidence of acute renal failure (ARF). The most common cause of ARF in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is hypoperfusion. Other causes of ARF include intrinsic injury, nephrotoxicity, and postrenal obstruction. ARF is associated with a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), reduced or maintained urine output (nonoliguric renal failure), and alterations in other commonly obtained urinary indices. Twenty-four-hour or shorter urinary creatinine clearance studies may overpredict GFR as creatinine is both filtered and secreted. The use of serum creatinine in empiric predictive equations is impaired in ICU patients because of decreases in creatinine production due to immobilization and malnutrition or increases in creatinine production due to catabolic illnesses. Adjustment of empiric methods by employing lean body weight, ideal body weight, or corrected serum creatinine values has not been evaluated against uncorrected values in this population, but is routinely performed in clinical practice. Inulin and radiolabeled substances are not practical for routine clinical use and may overpredict GFR in ARF due to backleak of large molecular-weight substances through the tubules. Comparative clinical trials have shown essentially equivalent performance of empiric methods relative to 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance in adults. No studies have compared these methods to a reference method for determination of GFR. Until conclusive data become available, clinicians should cautiously compare results from at least two independent methods of assessment to estimate renal functional impairment in ICU patients.
Global molecular phylogeography reveals persistent Arctic circumpolar isolation in a marine planktonic protist

The high-latitude planktonic foraminifera have proved to be particularly useful model organisms for the study of global patterns of vicariance and gene flow in the oceans. Such studies demonstrate that gene flow can occur over enormous distances in the pelagic marine environment leading to cosmopolitanism but also that there are ecological and geographical barriers to gene flow producing biogeographic structure. Here, we have undertaken a comprehensive global study of genetic diversity within a marine protist species, the high-latitude planktonic foraminiferan Neogloboquadrina pachyderma. We present extensive new data sets from the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans that, in combination with our earlier data from the North Atlantic and Southern Oceans, allow us to determine the global phylogeography of this species. The new genetic data reveal a pattern of Arctic circumpolar isolation and bipolar asymmetry between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We show that the ancestry of North Pacific N. pachyderma is relatively recent. It lies within the upwelling systems and subpolar waters of the Southern Hemisphere and remarkably not within the neighboring Arctic Ocean. Instead, the Arctic Ocean population forms a genetic continuum with the North Atlantic population, which became isolated from the southern populations much earlier, after the onset of Northern hemisphere glaciation. Data from the planktonic foraminiferal morphospecies Globigerina bulloides is also introduced to highlight the isolation and endemism found within the subpolar North Pacific gyre. These data provide perspective for interpretation and discussion of global gene flow and speciation patterns in the plankton.
Rites of terror : Emotion, metaphor and memory in Melanesian initiation cults

Il n'est pas rare que les cultes d'initiation melanesiens comprennent des rites instillant chez les novices qui les subissent une terreur profonde et aux effets prolonges. Cet article passe en revue quelques theories actuelles concernant ces epreuves traumatisantes pour montrer que leurs conlusions generalisantes s'etablissent aux depends d'un engagement satisfaisant avec le processus cognitif et emotionnel implique dans la performance rituelle. L'A. propose une theorie alternative fondee sur les theories de la memoire flashbulb, qui sont plus a meme de penetrer les experiences religieuses engendrees par les rites traumatisants, et de rendre compte du caractere recurrent de certaines formes d'association politique au sein des systemes d'initiation. Pour l'A. , les 'rites de terreur' font partie d'un nexus de processus psychologiques et sociologiques travesti en 'mode imagistique de religiosite'
Conserving iteroparous fish stocks in regulated rivers: the need for a broader perspective!

Hydroelectric dams and weirs often represent barriers for a wide range of migratory fish species and may cause population fragmentation (Jungwirth 1998; Lucas & Baras 2001; Heggenes & Roed 2006). In general, the migratory system of diadromous fishes requires both upand downstream migrations during the life cycle. Anadromous and potamodromous fish, such as Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. , brown trout, Salmo trutta L. , steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) and grayling, Thymallus thymallus L. , exhibit a varying degree of iteroparity and perform repeat migrations between habitats (Fleming 1996; Klemetsen, Amundsen, Dempson, Jonsson, Jonsson, O Connell & Mortensen 2003; Keefer, Wertheimer, Evans, Boggs & Peery 2008). Catadromous eels (Anguilla spp.) and most Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) are semelparous, but are still vulnerable to migration problems (Jansen, Winter, Bruijs & Polman 2007; Ferguson 2008). When human encroachment creates obstacles for migratory individuals, the benefits gained from migration may be reduced or even eliminated. Increased mortality may occur from contact with turbine blades, pressure changes in powerhouses and traumas caused by other artificial migration routes (e.g. Cada 2001; Ferguson 2008). As a consequence, the expression of iteroparity among migrating fish species may decrease or even disappear. Thus, residency may replace migratory life history strategies in some species (Bohlin, Pettersson & Degerman 2001). Maintaining or restoring migratory fish populations in regulated rivers depend on implementing measures at the right scale. Establishing fishways are obvious measures to mitigate the negative impact caused by dams and weirs, but numerous studies document migratory problems and selectivity in fishways (Laine, Jokivirta & Katapodis 2002; Carlsson, Aarestrup, Nordwall, Naslund, Eriksson & Carlsson 2004; Antonio, Agostinho, Pelicice, Bailly, Okada & Dias 2007). However, on a broad spatial as well as a temporal scale, fishways and other efforts to aid upstream migration represent only one element in the overall problem complex encountered by migrants after hydropower development. In this paper, temporal and spatial challenges regarding iteroparous fish migrations in regulated rivers are examined. Traditionally, measures to mitigate barriers to fish migration focused on a very narrow time-window: the migration towards spawning grounds. Maintaining the spawning run in regulated rivers by constructing suitable fishways at migration barriers is of major importance for reproduction. However, iteroparous species need to pass the same barriers in a downstream direction after spawning. This may be a problem, particularly for autumn spawners (e.g. the genera
Diode rectification of multiphase synchronous generators for aircraft applications

Increased electrical loading on aircraft power systems has led to interest in DC electrical networks for aircraft applications. This paper investigates a wound-field synchronous generator and uncontrolled diode rectifier as the DC source and analyses the power quality of the AC and DC sides of the rectifier. The paper gives expressions for voltage and current distortion for a multiphase generator as a function of the number of phases. For a star-connected machine, the power quality on the AC side is shown to deteriorate rapidly as the phase number increases, resulting in increased losses and a higher rating requirement. A delta connection provides better utilisation of the generator; however, at the expense of the fault tolerance. Mathematical models for the multiphase system are developed and the analysis is supported by simulation results; verified through laboratory testing.
The CLD Position Statements

Editor's Comment: As a matter of policy the editorial staff of the Journal of Learning Disabilities (JLD) considers for publication reports and position papers prepared by professional organizations which concern persons with learning disabilities. Such material is subject to the peer review process and can be rejected if the staff and consulting editors feel that the information presented is inappropriate for JLD. In this issue, three position papers of the Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) are presented. These position statements oppose (a) the use of discrepancy formulas in the identification of individuals with learning disabilities, (b) the inclusion of nonhandicapped low achievers and underachievers in learning disability programs, and (c) the measurement and training of perceptual and perceptual-motor functions. As has been done in the past with statements of other professional organizations, these publications are preceded by a brief discussion of the organization and evolution of the statements. Dr. Jim Leigh describes CLD and the development of these three statements. Readers' comments are welcome. —JLW
Feature-based video mosaic

A complete method to create a panoramic video mosaic is proposed in this paper. This method includes three principal processes: real-time frame selection, feature based estimation of an eight-parameter projective coordinate transformation, and image mosaic composing. This proposed method works well on many video sequences captured from a PC camera to generate both 360 degree and planar panoramas. Experimental results demonstrate the validity and superior quality of this proposed method.
Addition of Esophageal Impedance Monitoring to pH Monitoring Increases the Yield of Symptom Association Analysis in Patients off PPI Therapy

BACKGROUND:The additional yield of esophageal impedance monitoring in identification of reflux as the cause of reflux symptoms is unknown.OBJECTIVES:To compare the yield of symptom–reflux association analysis of combined esophageal pH-impedance data with the yield of analysis of pH data alone.METHODS:In 60 patients with symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation combined, 24-h pH-impedance monitoring was performed. Acid-suppressive medication was stopped 1 wk in advance. Patients (48) with at least one symptom during the measurement period were selected for further analysis. Patients were instructed to note the time and nature of their symptoms. Eleven types of reflux episodes were defined, based on combinations of magnitude of the pH drop, nadir pH, and nature of the refluxate (gas and liquid) on impedance tracings. Symptom association analysis—symptom index, the symptom sensitivity index, and the symptom association probability (SAP)—was performed for each definition of reflux.RESULTS:The proportion of patients with a positive SAP (≥95.0%) varied between 62.5% and 77.1%, depending on the definition of reflux episodes. When both pH and impedance parameters were used to identify reflux, a higher proportion of patients had a positive SAP than with pH alone (77.1%vs 66.7%, p < 0.05). Symptom association analysis for acidic and weakly acidic reflux separately did not result in a higher yield than analysis with all reflux episodes pooled, regardless of pH.CONCLUSION:In patients off proton pump inhibitor, the addition of impedance monitoring to esophageal pH monitoring leads to an increase in the proportion of patients in whom an association between reflux episodes and symptoms can be identified.
Experimental investigations of a new adaptive dual-antenna array for handset applications

This paper presents the design and implementation of a new adaptive dual-antenna array for mitigation of both interference and multipath effects in digital mobile communications at the handset level. This proposed system employs a nonlinear adaptive algorithm in the front end of the receiver to enhance the transmission quality in confined areas. The enhancement is blind since no priori knowledge of spatial signatures or training sequences is required. Furthermore, to obtain a compact antenna array system, a miniaturized shorting postmicrostrip antenna that operates in the 1.9 GHz PCS band is used as a radiating element. Using this microstrip antenna, a new experimental adaptive dual-antenna array prototype was designed and implemented. To examine the expected performance of this approach, experimental measurements were carried out and the measured performances indicate that gain improvement of 7 dB can be achieved by using this approach.
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis experience in the Çukurova Region of Southern Turkey: detecting paternal mutations of sickle cell anemia and β‐thalassemia in cell‐free fetal DNA using high‐resolution melting analysis

This study used a high‐resolution melting (HRM) technique to detect paternal mutations for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) of β‐thalassemia and sickle cell anemia (HbS). We also determined the levels of cell‐free fetal DNA and total cell‐free DNA.
Five-year survival and median survival time of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the fourth most common cancer in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to determine the five-year survival rate and median survival time of NPC patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). METHODS One hundred and thirty four NPC cases confirmed by histopathology in Hospital USM between 1st January 1998 and 31st December 2007 that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were retrospectively reviewed. Survival time of NPC patients were estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Log-rank tests were performed to compare survival of cases among presenting symptoms, WHO type, TNM classification and treatment modalities. RESULTS The overall five-year survival rate of NPC patients was 38.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 29.1, 46.9). The overall median survival time of NPC patients was 31.30 months (95%CI: 23.76, 38.84). The significant factors that altered the survival rate and time were age (p=0.041), cranial nerve involvement (p=0.012), stage (p=0.002), metastases (p=0.008) and treatment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The median survival of NPC patients is significantly longer for age≤50 years, no cranial nerve involvement, and early stage and is dependent on treatment modalities.
Generalized estimating equations for genome‐wide association studies using longitudinal phenotype data

Many longitudinal cohort studies have both genome‐wide measures of genetic variation and repeated measures of phenotypes and environmental exposures. Genome‐wide association study analyses have typically used only cross‐sectional data to evaluate quantitative phenotypes and binary traits. Incorporation of repeated measures may increase power to detect associations, but also requires specialized analysis methods. Here, we discuss one such method—generalized estimating equations (GEE)—in the contexts of analysis of main effects of rare genetic variants and analysis of gene‐environment interactions. We illustrate the potential for increased power using GEE analyses instead of cross‐sectional analyses. We also address challenges that arise, such as the need for small‐sample corrections when the minor allele frequency of a genetic variant and/or the prevalence of an environmental exposure is low. To illustrate methods for detection of gene‐drug interactions on a genome‐wide scale, using repeated measures data, we conduct single‐study analyses and meta‐analyses across studies in three large cohort studies participating in the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium—the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, the Cardiovascular Health Study, and the Rotterdam Study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.