Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hepatitis C Virus cis-Acting Replication Element Forms a Long-Range RNA-RNA Interaction with Upstream RNA Sequences in NS 5 B †

A Hepatitis C Virus cis-Acting Replication Element Forms a Long-Range RNA-RNA Interaction with Upstream RNA Sequences in NS5B † Sinéad Diviney, Andrew Tuplin, Madeleine Struthers, Victoria Armstrong, Richard M. Elliott, Peter Simmonds, and David J. Evans* Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, United Kingdom; and Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, United Kingdom
An integrated MEMS tactile tri-axial micro-force probe sensor for Minimally Invasive Surgery

In this paper, we describes an integrated MEMS tactile tri-axial micro-force probe sensor based on piezoresistive for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) as it's micro-structure, three-dimensional measurement and high resolution up to be micronewton (μN) scale. The sensor is 4×4×20.9mm3. The sensing element of the sensor is fabricated on Silicon on Insulator (SOI) wafer by surface and bulk micromachining technology. It uses four cantilever beams supporting the suspended mass. Twelve relief pieoresisters formed by iron implant and Inductive Couple Plasmas (ICP) etching technology are placed on the beams to detect the applied force. The pyrex glass bonded on the bottom of the SOI wafer by anodic bonding technology is the overload protection element. The tactile element is the quartz fiber probe which is no-pollution, low cost, small size and easy to process. It is glued on suspended mass of the sensing element by epoxy resin. After fabrication, the sensor is packaged and tested by precision test bench and analytical balance. The experimental results illustrate that the sensor has excellent characteristics especially with resolution better than 3µN.
The effect of human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection and stunting on measles immunoglobulin-G levels in children vaccinated against measles in Uganda.

BACKGROUND Measles is an important public health problem in developing nations and there is concern that immune response to measles vaccination may be compromised by paediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship of immunoglobulin-G (Ig-G) antibody levels in children vaccinated against measles and HIV-1 infection. Further analysis was done to assess the influence of nutritional status on this relationship. METHODS The authors measured HIV and measles antibodies in 243 vaccinated children aged 17-41 months from Kampala, Uganda. Children were from paediatric and HIV clinics. Potential confounders of this relationship included nutritional anthropometric measures, age at and time since vaccination, measles exposure, family crowding, vaccination clinic and gender. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to study these associations. RESULTS Fifty children (21%) were HIV infected. In univariable analysis, low measles antibody (<15 ELISA units/ml) was associated with HIV (P = 0.05; odds ratio (OR) = 1.86) and stunting (P = 0.06; OR = 1.68). Stunting, measured as height-for-age and defined as <-2 standard deviations of the reference population median, was a surrogate for chronic malnutrition. HIV was strongly associated with stunting (P = 0.0001; OR = 6.62). In multiple logistic regression, HIV was not associated with low measles antibodies; however, stunting (P = 0.04; OR = 1.81), and <3 children in the home (P = 0.01; OR = 1.96) were. Conversely, being male (P = 0.05; OR = 0.58), and measles in the home in the previous month (P = 0.04; OR = 0.33) were associated with high antibody levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that HIV in Ugandan children immunized for measles may indirectly interfere with measles antibody levels by causing malnutrition, the latter being the direct cause. Programmes to improve childhood nutrition, especially for HIV-infected children, should accompany measles control programmes in developing nations for maximum benefit from measles vaccination. HIV infection per se should not change measles vaccination programmes.
Reduktion der mit gSPECT gemessenen LVEF 1-3 Stunden nach Belastung bei KHK

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war zu prufen, ob die Verminderung der LVAF die 1 Stunde nach der Belastung auftritt, 3 Stunden nach Stress erhalten bleibt. Patienten, Methode: 46 Patienten mit koronarer Herzkrankheit (KHK) und 10 Gesunde (NMS) wurden untersucht. In allen Fallen wurde die Myokard-gSPECT nach 99mTc- Tetrofosmin-Injektion in Ruhe und unter Belastung durchgefuhrt. Die SPECT-Akquisition wurde 1 h nach Injektion in Ruhe und zweimal (1 h, 3 h) nach Injektion unter Belastung gestartet. Die LVAF wurde nach der Methode von Germano et al. berechnet. Ergebnisse: Die von allen drei Untersuchungen gewonnene LVAF-Werte waren bei KHK signifikant niedriger, als bei NMS. In NMS war die mittlere LVAF 1 h nach der Ruheinjektion ahnlich den beiden Werten nach Belastung (59.0 ± 4.1; 60.0 ± 5.9; 58.0 ± 4.6; p >0.05). Die KHK-Patienten zeigten eine Stunde nach dem Stress niedrigere LVAF-Werte als nach Ruheinjektion (50.8 ± 13.6 versus 49.3 ± 12.8; p
Villages abandoned: The case for mobile pastoralism in post-Harappan Gujarat

In most parts of Gujarat today pastoralism is an important subsistence activity along with millet farming. Specialised migratory pastoralists like Bharvads and Rabaris are responsible for the breeding and herding of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels in large areas of Gujarat. In fact in some areas like the Banni, in northern Kutch, cattle pastoralism is the only form of subsistence. In the eastern parts of Kutch, on the other hand, sheep and goat are more common. Alia Bet, an island at the mouth of the river
Stroke and Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality Trends in Brazil from 1979 to 1996

Stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality rates were analyzed in Brazilian subjects older than 30 years of age from 1979 to 1996. Population estimates were based on census surveys. Mortality data were obtained from the Ministry of Health. For stroke, the age-adjusted death rate (ADR) dropped from 200 to 164 and from 168 to 130 deaths/100,000 population in men and women, respectively (p < 0.001), in the interval study. For IHD, the ADR dropped from 194 to 164 and from 119 to 105 deaths/100,000 population in men and women, respectively (p < 0.001), in the same time period. Mortality from stroke and IHD combined was greater in men for all age groups (p < 0.001). Stroke was the most frequent cause of death in both women and men except for men aged between 40 and 69 years, in whom IHD was more common. Stroke and IHD were the main causes of death in the Brazilian population.
Pedestrian Classification Based on Full-SVM Decision Tree

Visual analysis has potential to be used for recognition, and it is one of the hottest but most difficult subjects in computer vision. In order to identify pedestrian movement in an Intelligent Security Monitoring System, the video activity in the prospect is represented by a series of spatio-temporal interest points. Since human posture has the characteristics of uncertainty and illegibility, the clustering centers of each class are computed by fuzzy clustering techniques. We presented a pedestrian classification method based on improved support vector machines in order to solve non-rigid objects that are difficult to identify in intelligent monitoring systems. The Support Vector Machine technology and the decision tree have combined into one multi-class classifier so as to solve multi-class classification problems. Then a full-SVM (Support Vector Machine) decision tree is constructed based on the conventional decision tree. At last, the method is evaluated on the KTH action dataset and receives a comparatively high correct recognition rate.
COMPARISON OF PROBLEM-BASED AND TRADITIONAL EDUCATION ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN THE OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLERKSHIP

Objective: To evaluate the hypothesis that students trained problem-based learning during basic sciences will have an advantage over traditionally trained students during clinical activities because of greater experience in patient care settings. Methods: A retrospective study encompassing the academic years 1985-1990 compared students' clinical performance during an obstetrics and gynecology third-year clerkship based on the method of basic science education problem-based 78, traditional 228). Results: No statistical difference could be demonstrated in student performance based on the basic science educational method and controlling for the timing of rotation. Conclusions: Participation in a problem-based curriculum does not affect students' performance on standardized objective examinations within the clinical curriculum. Using current evaluation tools, there is no measurable difference in clinical evaluations between basic science education by traditional versus problem-based learning methods.
A pharmacological profile of the aldehyde receptor repertoire in rat olfactory epithelium

Several lines of evidence suggest that odorants are recognized through a combinatorial process in the olfactory system; a single odorant is recognized by multiple receptors and multiple odorants are recognized by the same receptor. However few details of how this might actually function for any particular odour set or receptor family are available. Approaching the problem from the ligands rather than the receptors, we used the response to a common odorant, octanal, as the basis for defining multiple receptor profiles. Octanal and other aldehydes induce large EOG responses in the rodent olfactory epithelium, suggesting that these compounds activate a large number of odour receptors (ORs). Here, we have determined and compared the pharmacological profile of different octanal receptors using Ca2+ imaging in isolated olfactory sensory neurones (OSNs). It is believed that each OSN expresses only one receptor, thus the response profile of each cell corresponds to the pharmacological profile of one particular receptor. We stimulated the cells with a panel of nine odorants, which included octanal, octanoic acid, octanol and cinnamaldehyde among others (all at 30μm). Cluster analysis revealed several distinct pharmacological profiles for cells that were all sensitive to octanal. Some receptors had a broad molecular range, while others were activated only by octanal. Comparison of the profiles with that of the one identified octanal receptor, OR‐I7, indicated several differences. While OR‐I7 is activated by low concentrations of octanal and blocked by citral, other receptors were less sensitive to octanal and not blocked by citral. A lower estimate for the maximal number of octanal receptors is between 33 and 55. This large number of receptors for octanal suggests that, although the peripheral olfactory system is endowed with high sensitivity, discrimination among different compounds probably requires further central processing.
Abnormalities of pulmonary function tests after marrow transplantation predict nonrelapse mortality.

To determine whether pulmonary function test (PFT) results after marrow transplantation were predictive of nonrelapse mortality, a review was made of prospective, nonrandomized PFT results for association with nonrelapse mortality by log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards modeling. The setting was a tertiary referral center. The patients were all marrow recipients who performed PFT between Days 60 and 120 after marrow transplantation between July 1, 1983 and December 31, 1990 (n = 906). At 3 mo after transplantation, the mean values for total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusing capacity decreased, and restrictive ventilatory defects (TLC < 80% of predicted) were noted in 34% of the cohort. Airflow rates (FEV1/FVC) were unchanged. A restrictive lung defect at 3 mo after transplant or a significant decline (> or = 15%) in TLC from baseline despite remaining within the normal range was associated with a twofold increased risk of nonrelapse mortality. Neither airflow obstruction nor impairment in diffusing capacity was associated with an increased risk. Abnormalities of the TLC at 3 mo after transplant were associated with death with respiratory failure, but not with an increased risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). There is an increase in the nonrelapse mortality rate associated with either the presence of a restrictive defect 3 mo after marrow transplantation or a significant decline in lung volume compared with baseline. This effect is most pronounced more than 1 yr after marrow transplant and appears to be a result of an increase in the rate of death with respiratory failure, not chronic GVHD. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relationship of insulin concentration to blood metabolites in the dairy cow.

Jugular blood samples were taken at regular intervals from 31 ketosis-prone cows from 2 wk prepartum to 7 wk postpartum. Eleven cows exhibited elevated blood ketones and depressed blood glucose indicative of subclinical ketosis. There were no significant differences between means of normal and subclinically-ketotic cows in serum insulin or blood metabolites prior to calving. However, in early lactation, those cows which developed ketosis showed depressed serum insulin, blood glucose, and plasma triglycerides with elevated ketones, acetate in blood, and free fatty acids and cholesterol in plasma. Milk production was also lower in ketotic cows. Correlations within cow between serum insulin and glucose, total ketones, acetate of blood and free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol in plasma were . 014,--. 307, . 080,--. 421, . 413, and -. 002 for normal cows and . 348, -. 425, -. 324, -. 317, . 298, and -. 131 for subclinically-ketotic cows. It is suggested that low insulin during ketosis is a reflection of depressed blood glucose and, consequently, adipose lipolysis and hepatic ketogenesis are accentuated while acetate utilization and hepatic triglyceride release are depressed.
A National Survey on the Practice and Outcomes of Mechanical Ventilation in Korean Intensive Care Units

A study was undertaken to describe the practice and outcomes of mechanical ventilation throughout Korea. This prospective cohort study was conducted over a three-month period enrolling patients (n=519) who received mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hours in 21 university hospital intensive care units throughout Korea. The most common indication for mechanical ventilation was acute respiratory failure. The most common cause of acute-on-chronic respiratory failure was tuberculous lung disease. The most common initial mode for ventilation was volume-controlled ventilation. The mean tidal volume of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients was 7.6 ml/kg of the predicted body weight and the mean positive end-expiratory pressure was 9.4 cmH2O. The weaning success rate at 28 days was 50.3%. Pressure support and the T-piece were most commonly used as initial and final weaning modes respectively. Preventive measures against deep vein thrombosis during mechanical ventilation were performed more frequently in intensive care units with full-time critical care physicians than those without such physicians. Multivariate analysis showed that the APACHE II score, indication for mechanical ventilation, respiratory rate at 72 hours, enteral feeding and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis were prognostic factors for survival. In Korean intensive care units, tuberculous lung disease remains an important cause for mechanical ventilation. The practice of mechanical ventilation in Korean intensive care units in general appeared to comply with the current international recommendations with regard to lung protection and weaning. However, intensive care units lacking critical care physicians seemed to be adopting fewer ancillary measures, such as deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis.
Underwater thrust performance of tandem flapping fins: Effects of stroke phasing and fin spacing

In this study, the effects of fin stroke phase offset, fin position offset, and flapping frequency on thrust production are investigated for tandem pectoral fins. Two different fin geometries are considered, one rectangular and one bio-inspired. Experimental results are supported with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, validating the experimental methods as well as the computational modeling. Results demonstrate a significant correlation between fin position offset and thrust-optimal stroke phase offset, as well as between fin flap speed and thrust-optimal stroke phase offset. The results also highlight differences between the two fin geometries demonstrating higher thrust from the rectangular fin in isolation, but higher thrust from the bio-inspired fins in tandem suggesting a significant difference in wake signatures. This study provides a foundation for the development of an improved analytical tool for flapping fin and vehicle design.
Thallium perfusion defects predict subsequent cardiac dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the significance of thallium perfusion defects in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS This is a followup study of a series of 48 SSc patients who underwent thallium perfusion scans in the early 1980s. Their cardiac history and survival information over the last 10 years were obtained as part of the Pittsburgh Databank's yearly evaluation. We determined the frequency of subsequent development of arrhythmias requiring treatment or of congestive heart failure through patient and physician information. RESULTS Patients with larger thallium perfusion defects had a significantly increased risk of developing subsequent cardiac events or death. The size of the initial thallium defect was the best predictor of later adverse events compared with other disease-related features, in a logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION We conclude that patients with SSc who have significant thallium perfusion defects are at a significantly increased risk of developing subsequent cardiac disease or death.
Intronic c.573+79G>A polymorphism of protein Z gene in haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke

Victor Obach,1 Xavier Munoz,2 Nuria Sala,2 Pablo Garcia de Frutos,3 Angel Chamorro1 1Stroke Unit, Neurology Service and Institut d'Investigacio Biomedica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; 2Centre de Genetica Medica i Molecular, Institut de Recerca Oncologica-IDIBELL, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; 3Department of Neurological and Vascular Research, Institute for Biomedical Research of Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain Letters to the Editor
Gene transfer with microbubble ultrasound and plasmid DNA into skeletal muscle of mice: comparison between commercially available microbubble contrast agents.

PURPOSE To compare three commercial microbubble contrast agents (Optison, SonoVue, and Levovist) for their effect on gene delivery in skeletal muscle in conjunction with the use of therapeutic ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee. Plasmid DNA (10 microg) encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was mixed with microbubbles (or saline control) and injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of mice with and without adjunct ultrasound (1 MHz, 2 W/cm2, 30 seconds, 20% duty cycle). The efficiencies of GFP transgene expression were determined with four experimental conditions: (a) plasmid and saline as control (six mice), (b) plasmid and Optison (six mice), (c) plasmid and SonoVue (four mice), and (d) plasmid and Levovist (air based, four mice). The right legs were exposed to ultrasound, while the left legs were unexposed. Transfection efficiency was assessed by counting the number of GFP-positive fibers. Tissue damage was assessed by measuring the maximal-damage area on serial sections. RESULTS When ultrasound was applied, both SonoVue and Optison significantly improved (P < .05) gene transfection efficiency. Optison was also effective (P < .05) even when no ultrasound was applied, which is consistent with previous studies. Levovist without ultrasound decreased the level of transfection (P < .05), with increased tissue damage. CONCLUSION Both non-air-based agents show promise in gene delivery in skeletal muscle with undetectable tissue damage. Enhanced gene transfer with additional ultrasound was achieved only with SonoVue.
The centrosome: a prospective entrant in cancer therapy

Introduction: The centrosome plays an essential role in the cell cycle. The centrosome and its associated proteins assist in nucleating and organizing microtubules. A structural or a functional aberration in the centrosome is known to cause abnormal cell proliferation leading to tumors. Therefore, the centrosome is considered as a promising anti-cancer target. Areas covered: This review begins with a brief introduction to the centrosome and its role in the cell cycle. We elaborate on the centrosome-associated proteins that regulate microtubule dynamics. In addition, we discuss the centrosomal protein kinase targets such as cyclin-dependent, polo-like and aurora kinases. Inhibitors targeting these kinases are undergoing clinical trials for cancer chemotherapy. Further, we shed light on new approaches to target the centrosomal proteins for cancer therapy. Expert opinion: Insights into the functioning of the centrosomal proteins will be extremely beneficial in validating the centrosome as a target in cancer therapy. New strategies either as a single entity or in combination with current chemotherapeutic agents should be researched or exploited to reveal the promises that the centrosome holds for future cancer therapy.
De l’intellectuel à l’expert. Les sciences sociales africaines dans la tourmente : le cas du Kenya

A l’instar de nombreux pays d’Afrique, le paysage universitaire du Kenya a connu de profondes mutations au cours des vingt dernieres annees. La liberalisation de l’offre d’enseignement superieur a genere des formes inedites de competition entre les formations et les etablissements prives et publics qui proposent desormais des filieres repondant au mieux aux besoins du marche. L’article revient sur l’emergence des nouveaux paradigmes inities par ces mutations structurelles. La dimension marchande de l’education superieure, dans laquelle les savoirs deviennent de simples biens commerciaux, determine la nature meme de ces savoirs scientifiques mais egalement leurs conditions de production et de transmission. Dans ce nouveau contexte, quelle est la place des lettres et des sciences humaines et sociales et comment parviennent-elles a s’adapter a ce nouveau paradigme ?
Channel capacity and capacity-range of beamforming in MIMO wireless systems under correlated fading with covariance feedback

We study the optimal transmission strategy of a single-user multiple-input/multiple-output communication system with covariance feedback. We consider the situation with correlated receive and correlated transmit antennas in Rayleigh flat fading. Furthermore, we assume that the receiver has perfect channel state information, while the transmitter knows only the transmit correlation matrix and the receive correlation matrix. We show that transmitting in the direction of the eigenvectors of the transmit correlation matrix is the optimal transmission strategy. In addition to this, the optimal power allocation is studied and a necessary and sufficient condition for optimality of beamforming is derived. All theoretical results are illustrated by numerical simulations.