Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Histological evaluation of Accell Connexus® and Bio-Oss® on quality and rate of bone healing: a single blind experimental study on rabbit’s calvarium

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Accell Connexus® on the quality and rate of healing in experimental defects of rabbit calvarium compared to Bio-Oss®. Materials and Methods: Twelve 2.5–3.5 kg weighing New Zealand white rabbits were used. Three defects (3×6 mm) were created in the cranium of the animals subsequently filled with Accell Connexus®, Bio-Oss® or served as controls. The animals were sacrificed four, six and eight weeks postoperatively and the histology blocks were studied in terms of inflammation, trabeculation thickness, bone type regeneration, foreign body and remained biomaterial by light microscope. The data were subject to Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Increased inflammatory reaction, foreign body reaction, delayed bone formation and lower rate of ossification were observed in DBM-filled defects compared to Bio-Oss® or controls. However, no significant differences were observed in bone formation between Bio-Oss®, Accell Connexus® and control specimens in the three time intervals. Furthermore, no significant differences were noted between Bio-Oss® and control groups. Conclusion: Accell Connexus® showeda lower rate of ossification and bone healing compared to Bio-Oss® or controlgroups. Other studies in this field seem necessary.
Wildlife Encounters by Lewis and Clark: A Spatial Analysis of Interactions between Native Americans and Wildlife

Abstract The Lewis and Clark journals contain some of the earliest and most detailed written descriptions of a large part of the United States before Euro-American settlement. We used the journal entries to assess the influence of humans on wildlife distribution and abundance. Areas with denser human population, such as the Columbia Basin and the Pacific Coast, had lower species diversity and a lower abundance of large mammals. The opposite effect was observed on the Plains. We believe that overhunting before Euro-American contact and the introduction of the horse, which heightened the effects of hunting, may have been major contributors to the historical absence of some species that are present in the archaeological record. The results show considerable human influence on wildlife even under relatively low human population densities. This finding has major implications for conservation biology and ecological restoration, as human influence is often underestimated when considering presettlement conditions.
Markov random field terrain classification of large-scale 3D maps

Simultaneous localization and mapping, drivability classification of the terrain and path planning represent three major research areas in the field of autonomous outdoor robotics. Especially unstructured environments require a careful examination as they are unknown, continuous and the number of possible actions for the robot are infinite. We present an approach to create a semantic 3D map with drivability information for wheeled robots using a terrain classification algorithm. Our robot is equipped with a 3D laser range finder, a Velodyne HDL-64E, as primary sensor. For the registration of the point clouds, we use a featureless 3D correlative scan matching algorithm which is an adaption of the 2D algorithm presented by Olson. Every 3D laser scan is additionally classified with a Markov random field based terrain classification algorithm. Our data structure for the terrain classification approach is a 2D grid whose cells carry information extracted from the laser range finder data. All cells within the grid are classified and their surface is analyzed regarding its drivability for wheeled robots. The main contribution of this work is the novel combination of these two algorithms which yields classified 3D maps with obstacle and drivability information. Thereby, the newly created semantic map is perfectly tailored for generic path planning applications for all kinds of wheeled robots. We evaluate our algorithms on large datasets with more than 137 million annotated 3D points that were labeled by multiple human experts. All datasets are published online and are provided for the community.
Molecular diagnostics for dairy-borne pathogens.

Advances in diagnostic assays based on nucleic acids will revolutionize the ability of the industry to maintain the safety of dairy foods. Two complementary assay formats are explored, one of which permits the rapid detection of bacterial pathogens and the other the identification of reservoirs of these pathogens. The first format is an assay based on the polymerase chain reaction that employs homogeneous detection (TaqMan polymerase chain reaction detection; Perkin Elmer, Applied Biosystems Division, Foster City, CA) of the target sequence. This assay has been applied to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes. A primary problem with current assays that are based on polymerase chain reaction is the complexity of sample handling and the quantification of the initial target number. This fluorogenic assay takes advantage of the endogenous 5',3'-endonuclease activity in Taq DNA polymerase. Approximately 100 samples can be analyzed in 2 to 3 h with a sensitivity of < 50 cells and a dynamic range of > 1000-fold. The TaqMan polymerase chain reaction detection assay is a robust format that is readily applicable to a wide array of other pathogens found in foods and in the environment. The second format is an instrument for automated ribosomal RNA analysis (Riboprinter; DuPont, Wilmington, DE) that can be used to locate the reservoirs harboring the bacterial pathogen. Use of this typing method it has been shown that, although a number of different ribotypes can be isolated from a single environmental sample, only a selected number of these strains apparently have the ability to cause disease. The future of food microbiology lies in the development and integration of molecular methods that can be automated into a testing regimen that extends from the farm to finished products.
Extracellular amino acid levels in the paraventricular nucleus and the central amygdala in high- and low-anxiety dams rats during maternal aggression: Regulation by oxytocin

Brain oxytocin (OT) regulates aspects of emotionality and stress coping including maternal behavior and maternal aggression. Maternal aggression correlates with the amount of OT released within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the central amygdala (CeA). OT, a key neurotransmitter or neuromodulator, is likely to modulate other neurotransmitter systems. Here, we investigated the dynamic changes in extracellular concentrations of the amino acids aspartate, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serine, histidine, arginine and taurine in the PVN and CeA in lactating rats bred for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behavior under basal conditions and during maternal aggression. Further, to determine whether local OT is involved in the regulation of amino acid release we infused a selective OT receptor antagonist (OTA) via local retrodialysis. Within the CeA, HAB and LAB dams differed in the basal release of glutamate and arginine. Infusion of a selective OTA increased the concentrations of glutamate and aspartate in LAB dams and GABA in HAB dams. In OTA-treated HAB and LAB dams taurine levels increased during maternal aggression. Within the PVN, the highly-aggressive HAB dams showed a more pronounced increase in aspartate and serine levels; the latter being attenuated by local OTA administration. However, OTA did not affect the level of any amino acid in the LAB dams. Thus, the extracellular concentrations of selected amino acids differed between lactating HAB and LAB dams under both basal conditions and following maternal aggression. The effects of OT within the CeA and PVN on maternal aggressive behavior might be related to its regulation of local amino acid release.
Individual-Based Model of Microbial Life on Hydrated Rough Soil Surfaces

Microbial life in soil is perceived as one of the most interesting ecological systems, with microbial communities exhibiting remarkable adaptability to vast dynamic environmental conditions. At the same time, it is a notoriously challenging system to understand due to its complexity including physical, chemical, and biological factors in synchrony. This study presents a spatially-resolved model of microbial dynamics on idealised rough soil surfaces represented as patches with different (roughness) properties that preserve the salient hydration physics of real surfaces. Cell level microbial interactions are considered within an individual-based formulation including dispersion and various forms of trophic dependencies (competition, mutualism). The model provides new insights into mechanisms affecting microbial community dynamics and gives rise to spontaneous formation of microbial community spatial patterns. The framework is capable of representing many interacting species and provides diversity metrics reflecting surface conditions and their evolution over time. A key feature of the model is its spatial scalability that permits representation of microbial processes from cell-level (micro-metric scales) to soil representative volumes at sub-metre scales. Several illustrative examples of microbial trophic interactions and population dynamics highlight the potential of the proposed modelling framework to quantitatively study soil microbial processes. The model is highly applicable in a wide range spanning from quantifying spatial organisation of multiple species under various hydration conditions to predicting microbial diversity residing in different soils.
Conditional inactivation of PDCD 2 induces p 53 activation and cell cycle arrest

PDCD2 (programmed cell death domain 2) is a highly conserved, zinc finger MYND domain-containing protein essential for normal development in the fly, zebrafish and mouse. The molecular functions and cellular activities of PDCD2 remain unclear. In order to better understand the functions of PDCD2 in mammalian development, we have examined PDCD2 activity in mouse blastocyst embryos, as well as in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We have studied mice bearing a targeted PDCD2 locus functioning as a null allele through a splicing gene trap, or as a conditional knockout, by deletion of exon2 containing the MYND domain. Tamoxifen-induced knockout of PDCD2 in MEFs, as well as in ESCs, leads to defects in progression from the G1 to the S phase of cell cycle, associated with increased levels of p53 protein and p53 target genes. G1 prolongation in ESCs was not associated with induction of differentiation. Loss of entry into S phase of the cell cycle and marked induction of nuclear p53 were also observed in PDCD2 knockout blastocysts. These results demonstrate a unique role for PDCD2 in regulating the cell cycle and p53 activation during early embryonic development of the mouse.
Epidemiological characteristics of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 and seasonal influenza infection

The median age of patients with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 infection was reported as 20–25 years in initial case series from Europe and the United States. This has been lowered to 13 years in the US after testing of more patients, but this may reflect differential increased testing of school‐aged children as part of the pandemic response. The median age of patients with seasonal influenza A(H1N1) infection identified through sentinel surveillance in Western Australia and Victoria in 2007–2008 was 18 and 22 years, respectively. For pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 infection, the median age of the first 244 patients identified in WA was 22 years, and median age of the first 135 patients identified through sentinel surveillance in Victoria was 21 years. Other comparisons of the epidemiological features of pandemic and seasonal influenza are difficult because much less laboratory testing is done for seasonal than for pandemic influenza. While early surveillance data indicated co‐circulation of both pandemic and seasonal strains in WA and Victoria, more recent data from both states indicate an increasing predominance of pandemic influenza. If the evolving pandemic allows, we should take advantage of the increased testing being conducted for pandemic influenza to learn more about the real impact of laboratory‐confirmed seasonal influenza.
Schizophrenia: a critical psychiatry perspective

Purpose of review The term ‘schizophrenia’ has been hotly contested over recent years. The current review explores the meanings of the term, whether it is valid and helpful and how alternative conceptions of severe mental disturbance would shape clinical practice. Recent findings Schizophrenia is a label that implies the presence of a biological disease, but no specific bodily disorder has been demonstrated, and the language of ‘illness’ and ‘disease’ is ill-suited to the complexities of mental health problems. Neither does the concept of schizophrenia delineate a group of people with similar patterns of behaviour and outcome trajectories. This is not to deny that some people show disordered speech and behaviour and associated mental suffering, but more generic terms, such as ‘psychosis’ or just ‘madness’, would be preferable because they are less strongly associated with the disease model, and enable the uniqueness of each individual's situation to be recognized. Summary The disease model implicit in current conceptions of schizophrenia obscures the underlying functions of the mental health system: the care and containment of people who behave in distressing and disturbing ways. A new social framework is required that makes mental health services transparent, fair and open to democratic scrutiny.
Chloride current in mammalian cardiac myocytes. Novel mechanism for autonomic regulation of action potential duration and resting membrane potential

The properties of the autonomically regulated chloride current (ICl) were studied in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. This current was elicited upon exposure to isoproterenol (ISO) and reversed upon concurrent exposure to acetylcholine (ACh). ICl was time independent and exhibited outward rectification. The responses to ISO and ACh could be blocked by propranolol and atropine, respectively, and ICl was also elicited by forskolin, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine, indicating that the current is regulated through a cAMP-dependent pathway. The reversal potential of the ISO- induced current followed the predicted chloride equilibrium potential, consistent with it being carried predominantly by Cl-. Activation of ICl produced changes in the resting membrane potential and action potential duration, which were Cl- gradient dependent. These results indicate that under physiological conditions ICl may play an important role in regulating action potential duration and resting membrane potential in mammalian cardiac myocytes.
Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol Dependence Disorder among TB and HIV Infected Patients in Zambia

Objectives To determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol dependence disorders in persons receiving treatment for HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) at 16 Primary Health Care centres (PHC) across Zambia. Methods 649 adult patients receiving treatment for HIV and/or TB at PHCs in Zambia (363 males, 286 females) were recruited between 1st December 2009 and 31st January 2010. Data on socio-demographic variables, clinical disease features (TB and HIV), and psychopathological status were collected. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to diagnose alcohol dependence disorder. Correlates of alcohol dependence were analyzed for men only, due to low prevalence in women. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), using general estimating equations to allow for within-PHC clustering. Results The prevalence of alcohol dependence was 27.2% (95%CI: 17.7-39.5%) for men and 3.9% (95%CI: 1.4-0.1%) for women. Factors associated with alcohol dependence disorder in men included being single, divorced or widowed compared with married (adjusted OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.00-2.14) and being unemployed (adjusted OR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.01-1.67). The highest prevalence of alcohol dependence was among HIV-test unknown TB patients (34.7%), and lowest was among HIV positive patients on treatment but without TB (14.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.38). Conclusions Male TB/HIV patients in this population have high prevalence of alcohol dependence disorder, and prevalence differs by HIV/TB status. Further work is needed to explore interventions to reduce harmful drinking in this population.
A case study of the development of CS teaching assistants and their experiences with team teaching

Teaching assistants play a vital role in lab-based teaching at large institutions, with a large impact on students' success in CS1. How do TAs develop as teachers? We extended existing models of teacher development for our context of teaching CS labs in pairs. We found practice, teaching multiple courses, mentoring, effective staff meetings, team teaching, and feedback all contributed to TAs' development. Team teaching was a positive experience for our TAs, and allowed them to learn from each other. While teaching labs, TAs learnt mostly from partners who had more course-specific experience, rather than general teaching experience.
Scattering transform for intrapartum fetal heart rate characterization and acidosis detection

Early acidosis detection and asphyxia prediction in intrapartum fetal heart rate is of major concern. This contribution aims at assessing the potential of the Scattering Transform to characterize intrapartum fetal heart rate. Elaborating on discrete wavelet transform, the Scattering Transform performs a non linear and multiscale analysis, thus probing not only the covariance structure of data but also the full dependence structure. Applied to a real database constructed by a French public academic hospital, the Scattering Transform is shown to catch relevant features of intrapartum fetal heart rate time dynamics and to have a satisfactory ability to discriminate Normal subjects from Abnormal.
Retinoids in cosmeceuticals

ABSTRACT: Retinoids are natural and synthetic vitamin A derivatives. They are lipophilic molecules and easily penetrate the epidermis. Their biologically active forms can modulate the expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation. Retinoic acid (tretinoin), its 13‐cis isomer isotretinoin, as well as various synthetic retinoids are used for therapeutic purposes, whereas retinaldehyde, retinol, and retinyl esters, because of their controlled conversion to retinoic acid or their direct receptor‐independent biologic action, can be used as cosmeceuticals. These natural retinoic acid precursors are thus expected to be helpful in (i) renewing epidermal cells, (ii) acting as UV filters, (iii) preventing oxidative stress, (iv) controlling cutaneous bacterial flora, and (v) improving skin aging and photoaging. Retinol and retinyl esters are not irritant, whereas demonstrating only a modest clinical efficiency. On the other hand, retinaldehyde, which is fairly well tolerated, seems to be the most efficient cosmeceutical retinoid; it has significant efficiency toward oxidative stress, cutaneous bacterial flora, epidermis renewing, and photoaging.
Quality Assessment of Surface Current Fields From TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X Along-Track Interferometry and Doppler Centroid Analysis

All existing examples of current measurements by spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) along-track (AT) interferometry (ATI) have suffered from short baselines and corresponding low sensitivities. Theoretically, the best data quality at X-band is expected at effective baselines on the order of 30 m, i.e., 30 times as long as the baselines of the divided-antenna modes of TerraSAR-X. In early 2012, we had a first opportunity to obtain data at near-optimum baselines from the TanDEM-X satellite formation. In this paper, we analyze two TanDEM-X interferograms acquired over the Pentland Firth (Scotland) with effective AT baselines of 25 and 40 m. For comparison, we consider a TerraSAR-X dual-receive-antenna (DRA)-mode interferogram with an effective baseline of 1.15 m, as well as velocity fields obtained by Doppler centroid analysis (DCA) of single-antenna data from the same three scenes. We show that currents derived from the TanDEM-X interferograms have a residual noise level of 0.1 m/s at an effective resolution of about 33 m × 33 m, while DRA-mode data must be averaged over 1000 m × 1000 m to reach the same level of accuracy. A comparison with reference currents from a 1-km resolution numerical tide computation system shows good agreement in all three cases. The DCA-based currents are found to be less accurate than the ATI-based ones but close to short-baseline ATI results in quality. We conclude that DCA is a considerable alternative to divided-antenna mode ATI, while our TanDEM-X results demonstrate the true potential of the ATI technique at near-optimum baselines.
Mutations in Topoisomerase IV and DNA Gyrase of Staphylococcus aureus: Novel Pleiotropic Effects on Quinolone and Coumarin Activity

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase interact with quinolones and coumarins in different ways. The MICs of coumarins (novobiocin and coumermycin) for MT5, a Staphylococcus aureus nov mutant, are higher than those for wild-type strains. Sequencing the gyrB gene encoding one subunit of the DNA gyrase revealed the presence of a double mutation likely to be responsible for this resistance: at codon 102 (Ile to Ser) and at codon 144 (Arg to Ile). For single-step flqA mutant MT5224c9, previously selected on ciprofloxacin, the fluoroquinolone MIC was higher and the coumarin MIC was lower than those for its parent, MT5. Sequencing the grlB andgrlA genes of topoisomerase IV of MT5224c9 showed a single Asn-470-to-Asp mutation in GrlB. Genetic outcrosses by transformation with chromosomal DNA and introduction of plasmids carrying either the wild-type or the mutated grlB gene indicated that this mutation causes both increased MICs of fluoroquinolones and decreased MICs of coumarins and that the mutant grlBallele is codominant for both phenotypes with multicopy alleles. Integration of these plasmids into the chromosome confirmed the codominance of fluoroquinolone resistance, butgrlB + appeared dominant over grlB(Asp-470) for coumarin resistance. Finally, the gyrA(Leu-84) mutation previously described as silent for fluoroquinolone resistance increased the MIC of nalidixic acid, a nonfluorinated quinolone. Combining the grlA (Phe-80) and grlB(Asp-470) mutations with this gyrA mutation also had differing effects. The findings indicate that alterations in topoisomerases may have pleiotropic effects on different classes of inhibitors as well as on inhibitors within the same class. A full understanding of drug action and resistance at the molecular level must take into account both inhibitor structure-activity relationships and the effects of different classes of topoisomerase mutants.
On-the-fly global activity prediction and anomaly detection

We propose a unified framework using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) for discovering behaviour global correlations over a distributed camera network. We explore LDA for categorising object motion patterns as local behaviours in each camera view before correlating these local behaviours globally over different physical locations in multi-camera views. In particular, a Temporal Order Sensitive LDA (TOS-LDA) is formulated to discover behaviour global temporal correlations of different durations among all camera views simultaneously. In addition, a novel on-line global activity prediction method is proposed based on which global anomalies can be detected on the fly. We validate the effectiveness of our approach using public multi-camera CCTV footages.