Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paid donation and plasma trade: unrecognized forces that drive the AIDS epidemic in developing countries

The commercial plasma industry and blood trade can fuel the transmission of HIV in a community by the most efficient way in which HIV is transmitted: the parenteral route. Paid donors get infected at the time of donation through practices like the re-use of needles, and/or injecting human blood. Paid donors from developing countries are a major source for plasma used by the pharmaceutical industry, that in 1999 fractionated 26 million litres. Paid donors also constitute an important source of blood for local use, contributing to rapid transmission of HIV through blood transfusion. This happened in Mexico in the 1980s and more recently in China. This route of HIV transmission can be efficiently prevented through a global safe blood programme and there is an urgent need to combat the epidemic.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Bandpass Filter With Embedded Band Notch Structures

A compact ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with narrow notched (rejection) band in the UWB passband realized on a microstrip line is implemented and presented in this letter for use in wireless communication applications within the unlicensed UWB range set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The filter consists of five short-circuited stubs separated by nonredundant connecting lines in order to exhibit a high selectivity filtering characteristic. The narrow notched (rejection) band was introduced by using a new technique which involves embedding open stubs in the first and last connecting lines in order to reject any undesired existing radio signal which may interfere with the determined UWB passband. The bandwidth of the notched filter can be controlled by adjusting the width of the stubs or the gaps or both. The length of the stubs can be tuned to select a specific frequency for the notched band. The embedded stubs can be used to excite single or double band-reject response. Two UWB BPFs with narrow notched band having a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of about 4.6% and 6.5% were realized theoretically and verified by full-wave EM simulation and the experiment. Excellent agreement between the predicted and measured results was obtained and is demonstrated
Significance of nitric oxide in the stimulation of intestinal fluid absorption in the rat jejunum in vivo

1 The effects of inhibiting nitric oxide (NO)‐synthase on fluid transport, mucosal cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels and intraluminal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)‐release were studied in a model of ligated jejunal loops of anaesthetized rats in vivo. Experiments were performed under basal conditions as well as under conditions, when net fluid secretion was induced by Escherichia coli heat stable enterotoxin a (E. coli STa) or PGE2. 2 Intravenous infusion of the NO‐synthase inhibitor Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, 0.25–50 mg kg−1, 45 min) dose‐dependently reversed net fluid absorption to net secretion, whereas infusion of d‐NAME, the inactive enantiomer of l‐NAME, in corresponding doses did not influence net fluid transport. Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NOARG, 25 mg kg−1), another NO‐synthase inhibitor, also elicited net secretion of fluid. 3 l‐NAME (25 mg kg−1)‐induced net fluid secretion was reversed to net absorption by infusion of l‐arginine (400 mg kg−1) or sodium nitroprusside (1 mg kg−1) and s.c. administration of indomethacin (10 mg kg−1). Hexamethonium (1 mg kg−1, s.c.), a ganglionic blocker and granisetron (100 μg kg−1, s.c.), a 5‐HT3‐receptor antagonist, did not influence l‐NAME‐induced net secretion. 4 Net fluid secretion induced by intraluminal instillation of E. coli STa (10 units ml−1) was enhanced by infusion of l‐NAME (25 mg kg−1) and was inhibited by infusion of l‐arginine (400 mg kg−1) and sodium nitroprusside (1 mg kg−1). d‐Arginine (400 mg kg−1) did not influence E. coli STa‐induced fluid secretion. Likewise, net fluid secretion induced by i.a. infusion of PGE2 (79 ng ml−1, 30 min) was enhanced by infusion of l‐NAME and was inhibited by l‐arginine and sodium nitroprusside. d‐Arginine (400 mg kg−1) did not influence PGE2‐induced fluid secretion. 5 PGE2 levels in intraluminal fluid were not elevated after infusion of l‐NAME (25 mg kg−1) compared to controls. 6 Mucosal cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels after l‐NAME‐treatment were not different from control values. 7 These results indicate that nitric oxide plays an important role in the regulation of intestinal fluid transport. The data suggest a nitric oxide‐dependent proabsorptive tone in the intestine, which possibly involves the enteric nervous system and suppression of prostaglandin formation. This proabsorptive tone also may downregulate fluid secretion induced by E. coli STa or PGE2.
Plasma CEA, tumor CEA, and tumor histology

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been thought to be a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of colorectal cancer. Initial descriptions of CEA as a tumor specific antigen suggests a relationship between tumor CEA and circulating plasma CEA. To define the relationship between CEA and colorectal carcinoma, we have studied the CEA concentration of preoperative plasma, tumor tissue, and normal bowel distant from tumor in 35 patients who had clinically curative resections. Tumor histology was evaluated for Dukes class, histologic grade, necrosis, and vessel invasion.
Human OS-9, a Lectin Required for Glycoprotein Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation, Recognizes Mannose-trimmed N-Glycans*

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lectins and processing enzymes are involved in quality control of newly synthesized proteins for productive folding as well as in the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded proteins. ER quality control requires the recognition and modification of the N-linked oligosaccharides attached to glycoproteins. Mannose trimming from the N-glycans plays an important role in targeting of misfolded glycoproteins for ERAD. Recently, two mammalian lectins, OS-9 and XTP3-B, which contain mannose 6-phosphate receptor homology domains, were reported to be involved in ER quality control. Here, we examined the requirement for human OS-9 (hOS-9) lectin activity in degradation of the glycosylated ERAD substrate NHK, a genetic variant of α1-antitrypsin. Using frontal affinity chromatography, we demonstrated that the recombinant hOS-9 mannose 6-phosphate receptor homology domain specifically binds N-glycans lacking the terminal mannose from the C branch in vitro. To examine the specificity of OS-9 recognition of N-glycans in vivo, we modified the oligosaccharide structures on NHK by overexpressing ER α1,2-mannosidase I or EDEM3 and examined the effect of these modifications on NHK degradation in combination with small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of hOS-9. The ability of hOS-9 to enhance glycoprotein ERAD depended on the N-glycan structures on NHK, consistent with the frontal affinity chromatography results. Thus, we propose a model for mannose trimming and the requirement for hOS-9 lectin activity in glycoprotein ERAD in which N-glycans lacking the terminal mannose from the C branch are recognized by hOS-9 and targeted for degradation.
Schistosomiasis in school-age children in Burkina Faso after a decade of preventive chemotherapy

Abstract Objective To assess the impact of a decade of biennial mass administration of praziquantel on schistosomiasis in school-age children in Burkina Faso. Methods In 2013, in a national assessment based on 22 sentinel sites, 3514 school children aged 7–11 years were checked for Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni infection by the examination of urine and stool samples, respectively. We analysed the observed prevalence and intensity of infections and compared these with the relevant results of earlier surveys in Burkina Faso. Findings S. haematobium was detected in 287/3514 school children (adjusted prevalence: 8.76%, range across sentinel sites: 0.0–56.3%; median: 2.5%). The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was higher in the children from the Centre-Est, Est and Sahel regions than in those from Burkina Faso’s other eight regions with sentinel sites (P < 0.001). The adjusted arithmetic mean intensity of S. haematobium infection, among all children, was 6.0 eggs per 10 ml urine. Less than 1% of the children in six regions had heavy S. haematobium infections – i.e. at least 50 eggs per 10 ml urine – but such infections were detected in 8.75% (28/320) and 11.56% (37/320) of the children from the Centre-Est and Sahel regions, respectively. Schistosoma mansoni was only detected in two regions and 43 children – i.e. 1 (0.31%) of the 320 from Centre-Sud and 42 (8.75%) of the 480 from Hauts Bassins. Conclusion By mass use of preventive chemotherapy, Burkina Faso may have eliminated schistosomiasis as a public health problem in eight regions and controlled schistosome-related morbidity in another three regions.
A superfamily of metalloenzymes unifies phosphopentomutase and cofactor‐independent phosphoglycerate mutase with alkaline phosphatases and sulfatases

Sequence analysis of the probable archaeal phosphoglycerate mutase resulted in the identification of a superfamily of metalloenzymes with similar metal‐binding sites and predicted conserved structural fold. This superfamily unites alkaline phosphatase, N‐acetylgalactosamine‐4‐sulfatase, and cerebroside sulfatase, enzymes with known three‐dimensional structures, with phosphopentomutase, 2,3‐bisphosphoglycerate‐independent phosphoglycerate mutase, phosphoglycerol transferase, phosphonate monoesterase, streptomycin‐6‐phosphate phosphatase, alkaline phosphodiesterase/nucleotide pyrophosphatase PC‐1, and several closely related sulfatases. In addition to the metal‐binding motifs, all these enzymes contain a set of conserved amino acid residues that are likely to be required for the enzymatic activity. Mutational changes in the vicinity of these residues in several sulfatases cause mucopolysaccharidosis (Hunter, Maroteaux‐Lamy, Morquio, and Sanfilippo syndromes) and metachromatic leucodystrophy.
À l’écoute des locuteurs : production participative de ressources langagières pour des langues non standardisées [Listening to speakers: crowdsourcing of language resources for non-standardized languages]

Les sciences participatives, et en particulier la production participative (crowdsourcing) benevole, sont un moyen encore peu exploite de creer des ressources langagieres pour les langues peu dotees dont suffisamment de locuteurs sont presents sur le Web. Nous presentons ici nos experiences concernant l'annotation en parties du discours pour des langues non standardisees, en l'occurrence l'alsacien et le creole guadeloupeen. Nous de-taillons la methodologie utilisee, montrons qu'elle est adaptable a plusieurs langues, puis nous presentons les resultats obtenus. L'analyse des limites de la plateforme d'origine nous a conduites a en developper une nouvelle, qui, outre l'annotation en parties du discours, permet la creation de corpus bruts et d'un lexique multi-variantes. Les plateformes creees, les ressources langagieres, et les modeles de taggers entraines sont librement disponibles.
Nonomuraea thermotolerans sp. nov., a thermotolerant actinomycete isolated from mushroom compost.

A novel thermotolerant actinomycete, designated strain 3-33-9BT, was isolated from mushroom compost in Nanning, Guangxi province, China. The strain grew at 25-60 °C, pH 7.0-11.0 and with 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain 3-33-9BT formed extensively branched aerial mycelia and substrate mycelia. Spiral spore chains with one to three turns were composed of about 3-15 non-motile spores with a wrinkled surface. The organism contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained madurose, galactose, glucose and ribose. The cellular fatty acid profile mainly consisted of iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 0. The quinone system was predominantly composed of MK-9(H4). The DNA G+C content of strain 3-33-9BT was 72.5 mol%. The organism showed a combination of morphological and chemotaxonomic properties typical of members of the genus Nonomuraea. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis also showed that the organism belonged to the genus Nonomuraea; in the 16S rRNA gene tree of the genus Nonomuraea, strain 3-33-9BT formed a distinct phyletic line and was most closely related to Nonomuraea fastidiosa NBRC 14680T (97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). However, phenotypic characteristics of strain 3-33-9BT were significantly different from N. fastidiosa NBRC 14680T, and DNA-DNA hybridization showed little relatedness (31.6-35.2 %) between the two strains. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain 3-33-9BT represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea thermotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3-33-9BT ( = ATCC BAA-2629T = CGMCC 4.7161T).
Comparative Study on In Vitro Activities of Citral, Limonene and Essential Oils from Lippia citriodora and L. alba on Yellow Fever Virus

The aim of this study was to compare the antiviral activities in vitro of citral, limonene and essential oils (EOs) from Lippia citriodora and L. alba on the replication of yellow fever virus (YFV). Citral and EOs were active before and after virus adsorption on cells; IC50 values were between 4.3 and 25 μg/mL and SI ranged from 1.1 to 10.8. Results indicate that citral could contribute to the antiviral activity of the L. citriodora EO. Limonene was not active and seemed to play an insignificant role in the antiviral activity of the examined EOs.
A Model for Escherichia coli DNA Polymerase III Holoenzyme Assembly at Primer/Template Ends

The γ complex of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III holoenzyme assembles the β sliding clamp onto DNA in an ATP hydrolysis-driven reaction. Interactions between γ complex and primer/template DNA are investigated using fluorescence depolarization to measure binding of γ complex to different DNA substrates under steady-state and presteady-state conditions. Surprisingly, γ complex has a much higher affinity for single-stranded DNA (K d in the nmrange) than for a primed template (K d in the μm range) under steady-state conditions. However, when examined on a millisecond time scale, we find that γ complex initially binds very rapidly and with high affinity to primer/template DNA but is converted subsequently to a much lower affinity DNA binding state. Presteady-state data reveals an effective dissociation constant of 1.5 nm for the initial binding of γ complex to DNA and a dissociation constant of 5.7 μm for the low affinity DNA binding state. Experiments using nonhydrolyzable ATPγS show that ATP binding converts γ complex from a low affinity “inactive” to high affinity “active” DNA binding state while ATP hydrolysis has the reverse effect, thus allowing cycling between active and inactive DNA binding forms at steady-state. We propose that a DNA-triggered switch between active and inactive states of γ complex provides a two-tiered mechanism enabling γ complex to recognize primed template sites and load β, while preventing γ complex from competing with DNA polymerase III core for binding a newly loaded β·DNA complex.
Dual reference sensing scheme with triple steady states for deeply scaled STT-MRAM

Spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) has emerged as a promising candidate for the next-generation nonvolatile memory. However, because of the increased process variations and reduced critical switching current of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), the readability has become a new obstacle for STT-MRAM in scaled technology nodes. Thermal fluctuations further aggravates this phenomenon. There are multifarious sensing schemes and circuits have been proposed recently to bate this problem. However the technical advancement is incremental and the performance improvement is limited as technology continuously scales. In this paper, we propose a novel sensing circuit to achieve constant-current sensing, named triple steady states sensing circuit (TSSSC), which directly compares the P/AP state with the P/AP state of the memory cell to improve the sensing margin (SM). Using a physics-based MTJ model and the STMicroelectronics process design-kit, Monte-Carlo simulations were carried out at 40 nm technology node. The results validate the effectiveness of the proposed sensing scheme.
Prostaglandin E2 induces fibroblast apoptosis by modulating multiple survival pathways

Although the lipid mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts antifibrotic effects by inhibiting multiple fibroblast functions, its ability to regulate fibroblast survival is unknown. Here, we examined the effects of this prostanoid on apoptosis and apoptosis pathways in normal and fibrotic lung fibroblasts. As compared to medium alone, 24 h of treatment with PGE2 increased apoptosis of normal lung fibroblasts in a dose‐dependent manner (EC50~50 nM), as measured by annexin V staining, caspase 3 activity, cleavage of poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase, and single‐stranded DNA levels. PGE2 also potentiated apoptosis elicited by Fas ligand plus cycloheximide. These proapoptotic actions were dependent on signaling through the EP2/EP4 receptors and by downstream activation of both caspases 8 and 9. Silencing and gene deletion of PTEN demonstrated that the effects of PGE2 involved decreased activity of the prosurvival molecule Akt. PGE2 also down‐regulated expression of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, and increased expression of Fas. Fibroblasts from patients with pulmonary fibrosis exhibited resistance to the apoptotic effects of PGE2. These findings show for the first time that, in contrast to its effects on many other cell types, PGE2 promotes apoptosis in lung fibroblasts through diverse pathways. They provide another dimension by which PGE2 may inhibit, and perhaps even reverse, fibrogenesis in patients with interstitial lung disease. —Huang, S. K. , White, E. S. , Wettlaufer, S. H. , Grifka, H. , Hogaboam, C. M. , Thannickal, V. J., Horowitz, J. C. , Peters‐Golden, M. Prostaglandin E2 induces fibroblast apoptosis by modulating multiple survival pathways. FASEB J. 23, 4317–4326 (2009). www.fasebj. org
Equivalent Circuit Modeling of an Asymmetric Disc-Type Ultrasonic Motor

This paper presents an equivalent circuit model of an asymmetric disc-type ultrasonic motor and discusses its applications in the evaluation of the motor's characteristics. The modeling process is based on the mechanical vibrations of the piezoelectric ceramic disk in both the radial (tangential) and coupling directions, the rigid body assumption of the rotor, and the assumption of a single contact point between the stator and the rotor with the most significant lateral elliptic motion effect. The overall model is composed of three admittance-type equivalent circuit models of the metal back plate, the stator, and the rotor. The advantages of the model are exemplified by comparing the numerical and experimental results, thereby showing that the model may be useful and pragmatic for electrical engineers in designing, simulating, and characterizing such motors.
How cells explore shape space: A quantitative statistical perspective of cellular morphogenesis

Through statistical analysis of datasets describing single cell shape following systematic gene depletion, we have found that the morphological landscapes explored by cells are composed of a small number of attractor states. We propose that the topology of these landscapes is in large part determined by cell‐intrinsic factors, such as biophysical constraints on cytoskeletal organization, and reflects different stable signaling and/or transcriptional states. Cell‐extrinsic factors act to determine how cells explore these landscapes, and the topology of the landscapes themselves. Informational stimuli primarily drive transitions between stable states by engaging signaling networks, while mechanical stimuli tune, or even radically alter, the topology of these landscapes. As environments fluctuate, the topology of morphological landscapes explored by cells dynamically adapts to these fluctuations. Finally we hypothesize how complex cellular and tissue morphologies can be generated from a limited number of simple cell shapes.
Structure-Activity Landscape Index: Identifying and Quantifying Activity Cliffs

A new method for analyzing a structure-activity relationship is proposed. By use of a simple quantitative index, one can readily identify "structure-activity cliffs": pairs of molecules which are most similar but have the largest change in activity. We show how this provides a graphical representation of the entire SAR, in a way that allows the salient features of the SAR to be quickly grasped. In addition, the approach allows us view the SARs in a data set at different levels of detail. The method is tested on two data sets that highlight its ability to easily extract SAR information. Finally, we demonstrate that this method is robust using a variety of computational control experiments and discuss possible applications of this technique to QSAR model evaluation.
Experimental Study on Economic Long-haul Transmission Link Using standard SMF and All EDFAs

We systematically compare the transmission performance of three different modulation formats, return-to-zero (RZ), chirped RZ (CRZ) and vestigial sideband RZ (VSRZ) on the economically effective transmission link using standard single mode fiber (SSMF) and all Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). This link is composed of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) channels at 10 Gbit/s over 24 times 100 km amplifier spans without using new types of fibers and Raman amplifiers. The generation of each modulation format in experiments is optimized for more reasonable comparison, and their optical characteristics are investigated by comparing with simulation results. Optimum input powers into SSMF and dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) for each modulation format signal were explored and transmission performance was compared. In our cost-effective transmission link, CRZ signal showed the lowest input power and best performance among all the formats investigated.
Detection and Characterization of Plasmid pJP4 Transfer to Indigenous Soil Bacteria

ABSTRACT Prior to gene transfer experiments performed with nonsterile soil, plasmid pJP4 was introduced into a donor microorganism,Escherichia coli ATCC 15224, by plate mating withRalstonia eutropha JMP134. Genes on this plasmid encode mercury resistance and partial 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) degradation. The E. coli donor lacks the chromosomal genes necessary for mineralization of 2,4-D, and this fact allows presumptive transconjugants obtained in gene transfer studies to be selected by plating on media containing 2,4-D as the carbon source. Use of this donor counterselection approach enabled detection of plasmid pJP4 transfer to indigenous populations in soils and under conditions where it had previously not been detected. In Madera Canyon soil, the sizes of the populations of presumptive indigenous transconjugants were 107 and 108 transconjugants g of dry soil−1 for samples supplemented with 500 and 1,000 μg of 2,4-D g of dry soil−1, respectively. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR analysis of transconjugants resulted in diverse molecular fingerprints. Biolog analysis showed that all of the transconjugants were members of the genusBurkholderia or the genus Pseudomonas. No mercury-resistant, 2,4-D-degrading microorganisms containing large plasmids or the tfdB gene were found in 2,4-D-amended uninoculated control microcosms. Thus, all of the 2,4-D-degrading isolates that contained a plasmid whose size was similar to the size of pJP4, contained the tfdB gene, and exhibited mercury resistance were considered transconjugants. In addition, slightly enhanced rates of 2,4-D degradation were observed at distinct times in soil that supported transconjugant populations compared to controls in which no gene transfer was detected.