Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiologic aspects of human cryptosporidiosis and the role of waterborne transmission.

As a result of the massive outbreak of waterborne cryptosporidiosis that occurred recently in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, affecting an estimated 403,000 individuals (1), there is renewed interest in the epidemiology, surveillance, and prevention of the emerging infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidiwn (2). Cryptosporidiwn is now recognized worldwide as a common cause of infectious gastroenteritis which characteristically results in a watery diarrhea that may sometimes be profuse and prolonged. The severity, persistence, and ultimate outcome of the infection is typically dependent on a variety of parasite characteristics and host factors. Although little is known regarding the pathogenic characteristics of the parasite, important host factors include both the immune status and frequency of exposure of the infected individual (3). In healthy, immunocompetent subjects, the disease most commonly presents as an acute, selflimited but often persistent enterocolitis. However, in immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals, particularly those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, Cryptosporidium infection may be insidious in onset and may progress to a chronic and life-threatening disease resulting in multisystem involvement and mortality (3, 4). Although early reports of human cryptosporidiosis were often described in immunologically deficient adults, subsequent studies have confirmed that in many regions of the world peak incidence is seen among otherwise healthy children aged 1-5 years. Unfortunately, although more than 80 antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic agents
Wanneer een lach een vuist wordt: perceptie van gezichts- en lichaamsexpressie bij gewelddadige delinquenten

Mannen zouden gemiddeld minder goed zijn in het herkennen van emoties dan vrouwen, aandacht van mannen zou over het algemeen meer naar agressieve signalen worden toegetrokken. Bij agressieve mannelijke delinquenten zijn deze twee kenmerken versterkt ten opzichte van gezonde mannen. Mariska Kret laat zien dat delinquenten die een gewelddadig delict hebben gepleegd, problemen hebben met het verwerken van meerdere emotionele signalen tegelijkertijd, vooral wanneer er agressieve cues aanwezig zijn.
Finished Genome Sequence of Collimonas arenae Cal35

ABSTRACT We announce the finished genome sequence of soil forest isolate Collimonas arenae Cal35, which comprises a 5.6-Mbp chromosome and 41-kb plasmid. The Cal35 genome is the second one published for the bacterial genus Collimonas and represents the first opportunity for high-resolution comparison of genome content and synteny among collimonads.
Las TT.II.CC. en la enseñanza universitaria. La UPV como caso de estudio

Las tecnologias de la informacion estan sirviendo de gran apoyo a la evolucion y mejora de la docencia universitaria, ejemplo de lo cual lo tenemos en la Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. En este trabajo veremos algunos de los servicios de las TT.II. CC que esta ha incorporado en los ultimos anos a sus programas y las ventajas que estos suponen tanto para el profesorado como para estudiantes, gracias al estudio de los diferentes recursos y al analisis tanto cualitativo como cuantitativo de los datos acerca de su uso y alcance, con el objetivo de demostrar como estas nuevas tecnologias dan un valor anadido a la ensenanza adaptandola a los nuevos tiempos y en aras siempre de progreso.
Time frequency analysis and event detection in noise signals

Linear time frequency analysis is employed for event detection in transportation noise signals and condition monitoring of marine diesel engines. Detected events in transportation noise signals are analysed in the time frequency domain and narrow band components of the signal are calculated in order to extract event types. In marine diesel engines shaft torque signals are monitored using the concept of a localised analysis in time and frequency to identify cylinder misfires. Local analysis is performed using a recursive implementation of the short-time Fourier transform.
Percepção de homens e mulheres maiores de 50 anos sobre a estética do envelhecimento

O envelhecimento sadio nao e so uma questao de genetica ou sorte. E uma conquista construida ao longo da vida. A genetica pode ampliar as fronteiras da idade, mas nao garante qualidade de vida. O objetivo deste estudo e verificar as reacoes e atitudes de individuos com idade superior a 50 anos, frente as modificacoes que o corpo apresenta durante o processo de envelhecimento. A metodologia utilizada a partir do objetivo acima explicitado levou em conta o instrumento de trabalho. Um questionario modelo do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) para classificacao das classes sociais e um roteiro com questoes abertas e fechadas elaboradas pela pesquisadora para obtencao da coleta de dados qualitativos. Participaram desta pesquisa 83 individuos (57 mulheres e 26 homens). Observou-se que a saude e aparencia foram fatores de preocupacao em todas as classes sociais, considerando-se que o sexo masculino teve como principal fator preocupante a saude ficando a aparencia em segundo plano. Para o sexo feminino os dois fatores, saude e aparencia, tiveram nivel de preocupacao igual. Verificou-se que entre as classes sociais que perceberam mais precocemente os sinais de envelhecimento foi a classe social E, seguido das classes C e D, ressalta-se aqui que o envelhecimento nas classes sociais A1, A2, B1, e B2 foram percebidos mais tardiamente. As principais reacoes e atitudes manifestadas pelos individuos dentro do processo de envelhecimento levaram-nos a concluir que, homens e mulheres tem percepcoes diferentes sobre o envelhecimento, bem como para as diferentes classes sociais
The effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on pulmonary blood volume in isolated perfused lungs.

Aarseth, P. G. Nicolaysen, and B. A. Waaler, The effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on pulmonary blood volume in isolated perfused lungs. Acta physiol. scand. 1971. 81. 448–454. Stimulations of the vago-sympathetic nerve trunk at 5–10 imp/sec have been carried out in isolated dog lung preparations perfused at constant volume inflow. When the left atrial pressure was kept at 3–4 cm of water, the predominant response to these stimulations was a weight reduction of the preparation. This response is interpreted as being due to a reduction in pulmonary blood volume. Nerve stimulations caused only small weight reductions, or even weight augmentations, when the left atrial pressure was at or near zero. The blood volume reductions resulting from nerve stimulations appeared to be mediated via sympathetic nerve fibres and an α-receptor mechanism.
Sb-HEMT: Toward 100-mV Cryogenic Electronics

In this paper, we present a first full set of characteristics (dc, fT, fmax, and noise) of InAs/AlSb high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) operating under cryogenic temperature and low-power conditions. Those results are systematically compared and deeply analyzed at room temperature and 77 K. The characteristics improvement achieved at 77 K open up the possibility to develop ultralow-power cryogenic electronics (low-noise amplifier), featuring excellent high-frequency/noise performances below 100-mV dc biasing.
Individual variation in 3D visual fatigue caused by stereoscopic images

The individual variation in the visual fatigue experienced after watching 3D movies was investigated via a subjective questionnaire method. The gender dependency, age-specific influences, and genetic relationships with the visual fatigue caused by stereoscopic images were specifically examined. The results reveal that about 36 percent of people experience considerable or heavy visual fatigue caused by stereoscopic images. In particular, about 7 percent of people are unable to continue watching a 3D movie due to severe visual fatigue. This proportion is sufficiently large so as to negatively influence 3D IT industries. We were also able to show that visual fatigue is largely influenced by hereditary factors but influenced very little by repeated long interval viewing. This means that the cause of visual fatigue is related to personal characteristics and that an individual's visual fatigue may be characterized in index form.
Violencia de la pareja íntima contra las mujeres en el embarazo: una lectura crítica con perspectiva de género

Este articulo presenta una revision critica, basada en la perspectiva de genero, en la que se identificaron y seleccionaron estudios sobre violencia de la pareja intima en el embarazo. Se analizaron 72 articulos provenientes de 23 paises, publicados entre 1994 y 2013. La violencia de la pareja intima durante el embarazo se asocia con complicaciones obstetricas y del parto, tiene consecuencias sobre la salud mental y efectos en el recien nacido como bajo peso al nacer. Los paises con puntajes mas bajos de desarrollo humano muestran tasas mas altas de estas implicaciones. Se ven asociadas condiciones sociodemograficas como el nivel educativo, el estatus social, la edad y el estado civil. Si bien en la mayoria de los paises, en el embarazo se reduce la violencia de pareja, hay excepciones que sugieren que no es necesariamente un factor protector. La importancia dada a la maternidad y el embarazo en diferentes grupos sociales y el nivel de presencia de relaciones patriarcales pueden ofrecer una explicacion a este fenomeno. La violencia psicologica es la mas frecuentemente reportada. La investigacion en este campo debe fortalecer el enfoque cualitativo. Los contextos en que se incrementa la violencia de pareja y donde prevalece la violencia fisica durante el embarazo requieren ser estudiados. Es imprescindible capacitar a los proveedores de salud para detectar y prevenir la violencia de pareja. Es necesario tener en cuenta la autonomia de la mujer como un eje central en la salud sexual y reproductiva.
A Population of Myogenic Stem Cells That Survives Skeletal Muscle Aging

Age‐related decline in integrity and function of differentiated adult tissues is widely attributed to reduction in number or regenerative potential of resident stem cells. The satellite cell, resident beneath the basal lamina of skeletal muscle myofibers, is the principal myogenic stem cell. Here we have explored the capacity of satellite cells within aged mouse muscle to regenerate skeletal muscle and to self‐renew using isolated myofibers in tissue culture and in vivo. Satellite cells expressing Pax7 were depleted from aged muscles, and when aged myofibers were placed in culture, satellite cell myogenic progression resulted in apoptosis and fewer total differentiated progeny. However, a minority of cultured aged satellite cells generated large clusters of progeny containing both differentiated cells and new cells of a quiescent satellite‐cell‐like phenotype characteristic of self‐renewal. Parallel in vivo engraftment assays showed that, despite the reduction in Pax7+ cells, the satellite cell population associated with individual aged myofibers could regenerate muscle and self‐renew as effectively as the larger population of satellite cells associated with young myofibers. We conclude that a minority of satellite cells is responsible for adult muscle regeneration, and that these stem cells survive the effects of aging to retain their intrinsic potential throughout life. Thus, the effectiveness of stem‐cell‐mediated muscle regeneration is determined by both extrinsic environmental influences and diversity in intrinsic potential of the stem cells themselves.
A multivariate analysis of 416 patients with glioblastoma multiforme: prognosis, extent of resection, and survival.

OBJECT The extent of tumor resection that should be undertaken in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify significant independent predictors of survival in these patients and to determine whether the extent of resection was associated with increased survival time. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed 416 consecutive patients with histologically proven GBM who underwent tumor resection at the authors' institution between June 1993 and June 1999. Volumetric data and other tumor characteristics identified on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were collected prospectively. CONCLUSIONS Five independent predictors of survival were identified: age, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, extent of resection, and the degree of necrosis and enhancement on preoperative MR imaging studies. A significant survival advantage was associated with resection of 98% or more of the tumor volume (median survival 13 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.4-14.6 months), compared with 8.8 months (95% CI 7.4-10.2 months; p < 0.0001) for resections of less than 98%. Using an outcome scale ranging from 0 to 5 based on age, KPS score, and tumor necrosis on MR imaging, we observed significantly longer survival in patients with lower scores (1-3) who underwent aggressive resections, and a trend toward slightly longer survival was found in patients with higher scores (4-5). Gross-total tumor resection is associated with longer survival in patients with GBM, especially when other predictive variables are favorable.
Performance Analysis of Optimum and Suboptimum Selection Diversity Schemes on Rayleigh Fading Channels With Imperfect Channel Estimates

In this paper, we present a comparative analysis on the effects of channel estimation errors on the performance of optimum and suboptimum selection diversity (SD) receivers on Rayleigh-fading channels. By modeling the estimation errors as independent complex Gaussian random variables, we derive simple closed-form expressions for the average probability of error for both optimum and suboptimum SD schemes with noisy channel estimates. With dual diversity and imperfect estimates, we establish a connection between optimum SD and maximal-ratio combining (MRC), and between suboptimum SD and equal-gain combining diversity schemes. Interestingly, we show that the optimum SD receiver structure and the resulting performance for differential binary coherent phase-shift keying (DBPSK) signaling can be obtained, in a straightforward way, as a special case of the performance of the optimum SD scheme with binary PSK signaling and channel estimation errors. For a fixed average power and bit duration, in conjunction with pilot-assisted minimum mean-square error channel estimation, we show that the optimum coherent SD scheme coincides with that of the optimum noncoherent SD scheme with binary frequency-shift keying (BFSK) signaling, whereas the coherent MRC scheme coincides with the optimum noncoherent receiver (i.e., the square-law combiner) for BFSK. The optimum number of diversity channels, under an energy-sharing mode of operation, is also studied. Finally, we formulate the problem of optimal pilot placement, consider channel estimation with a practical pilot-symbol-assisted modulation technique, and present some numerical results illustrating the comparative performances of various SD receivers
Specific ultraviolet-C irradiation energy for functionalization of titanium surface to increase osteoblastic cellular attachment

Purpose The objective of this in vitro study was to examine the influence of the total energy of ultraviolet-C preirradiation on the number and morphology of osteoblastic cells attached to turned or acid-etched titanium surfaces, and physicochemical properties of the surface. Materials and methods Rat bone marrow-derived osteoblasts were incubated with turned or acid-etched titanium disks preirradiated with ultraviolet-C at 1 or 3 mW/cm2, resulting in total energies of 10, 100, 250, 400, 500, 600, 750, or 1000 J/cm2. Osteoblast attachment to the surface was evaluated using the WST-1 assay. Physicochemical changes of the titanium were evaluated by measuring water wettability and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Results Number of attached cells was greater on turned or acid-etched surface preirradiated with 500 or 750 J/cm2 of 3 mW/cm2 ultraviolet-C than on the nonirradiated surface, respectively. However, the further irradiation energy did not increase the numbers on both types of the surfaces. These phenomena were also seen on the surfaces preirradiated at different ultraviolet-C intensities. Ultraviolet-C irradiation induced superhydrophilicity on both types of surface even with the less irradiation energy. The amount of carbon on ultraviolet-C preirradiated titanium surfaces decreased gradually with an increase in the total irradiation energy. Conclusion Specific ultraviolet-C energy used to irradiate turned or acid-etched surfaces increased the number of osteoblastic cells attached to each of the surface. This was canceled by overirradiation, despite maintenance of both the acquired superhydrophilicity and the accompanying reduction in carbon on each surface.
Survey of pertussis in patients with prolonged cough.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pertussis is an acute respiratory tract illness resulting from Bordetella pertussis. Widespread use of pertussis vaccine over the past 50 years has decreased the incidence of pertussis. The incidence of pertussis in adolescents and adults has increased in many areas of the world. This study aimed to evaluate the etiologic role of B. pertussis in patients with prolonged cough in Taiwan. METHODS Patients with cough lasting for more than 1 week were recruited. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken for culture of B. pertussis and detection of nucleic acid of B. pertussis by polymerase chain reaction. Serum samples were collected in a subset of patients for assay of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A antibodies against pertussis toxin. RESULTS In total, 111 patients were recruited. Thirty-three patients agreed to have their serum samples taken and tested. Eight patients had evidence of acute infection with B. pertussis; among them, 1 was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction and 7 by serology. Older subjects were more likely to suffer from pertussis than younger subjects. The incidence of pertussis in patients with prolonged cough was 7.2%. However, the rate could have been as high as 21% in those with serum samples tested. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that pertussis is a prevalent disease in Taiwan, especially in adolescents and adults.
Worms to the rescue: Can worm glycans protect from autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases represent a significant health burden, especially in Western societies. For the majority of these diseases, no cure exists. Recently, research on parasitic worms (helminths) has demonstrated great potential for whole worms, their eggs or their excretory/secretory proteins in down‐regulating inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo, in various disease models and, in some cases, even in clinical trials. The worms are thought to induce Th2 and regulatory T cells, interfere with Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signaling and to down‐regulate Th17 and Th1 responses. The molecular mechanisms underlying the worms' ability to modulate the host immune response are not well understood, and many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the observed immune modulation. Increasing evidence suggests that carbohydrate structures (glycans), for example, phosphorylcholine‐modified glycans or Galβ1‐4(Fucα1‐3)GlcNAc‐ (Lewis X, LeX) containing glycans, expressed by the worms contribute to these modulating properties by their interaction with antigen presenting cells. Helminths express a broad variety of protein‐ and lipid‐linked glycans on their surface and on secretory products. These glycans differ in amount and composition and several of these structures are species specific. However, worms also express glycan antigens that are found in a wide variety of different species. Some of these “common” worm glycans are particularly interesting with regard to regulating host responses, because they have the potential to interact with C‐type lectins on dendritic cells and thereby may interfere with T‐cell polarization. Helminths and helminth‐derived molecules form a novel and promising group of therapeutics for autoinflammatory diseases. However, much has to be learned about the molecular mechanisms behind the helminth‐mediated antiinflammatory properties. This review will describe some of the emerging evidence in selected disease areas as well as discuss the putative role of glycans in helminth‐mediated immunosuppression. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(4): 303–312, 2010
Slits and robos in the developing chicken inner ear

Mechanosensory hair cells in the chick inner ear synapse onto afferent neurons of the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG). During development, these neurons extend a central process to the brain and a peripheral process into one of eight sensory organs. A combination of cues, including chemoattractants and chemorepellents, direct otic axons to their peripheral targets. As a first step in evaluating the role of known axon guidance molecules, Slits and Robos, we examined expression of their transcripts in the chick inner ear from embryonic day 2–11 (Hamburger and Hamilton stages 14–37). Robo2 and slit2 are in migrating neuroblasts and the SAG, while both slits and robos are in the otic epithelium. We speculate that this family of signaling molecules may be involved in repulsion, first of otic neuroblasts and then of otic axons. Later our expression data revealed a potentially novel role for these molecules in maintaining sensory/nonsensory boundaries. Developmental Dynamics 237:476–484, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family, Community, and School Influences on Resilience among American Indian Adolescents in the Upper Midwest.

This study examines resilience among a sample of American Indian adolescents living on or near reservations in the upper Midwest. Data are from a baseline survey of 212 youth (115 boys and 97 girls) who were enrolled in the fifth through eighth grades. Based upon the definition of resilience, latent class analyses were conducted to identify youth who displayed pro-social outcomes (60.5%) as opposed to problem behavior outcomes. A measure of family adversity was also developed that indicated only 38.4% of the youth lived in low-adversity households. Defining resilience in the context of positive outcomes in the face of adversity, logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of pro-social outcomes among youth who lived in moderate- to high-adversity households. The analyses identified key risk and protective factors. A primary risk factor appeared to be perceived discrimination. Protective factors were from multiple contexts: family, community, and culture. Having a warm and supportive mother, perceiving community support, and exhibiting higher levels of enculturation were each associated with increased likelihood of pro-social outcomes.