Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serial Vaccination and the Antigenic Distance Hypothesis: Effects on Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness During A(H3N2) Epidemics in Canada, 2010–2011 to 2014–2015

Background The antigenic distance hypothesis (ADH) predicts that negative interference from prior season's influenza vaccine (v1) on the current season's vaccine (v2) protection may occur when the antigenic distance is small between v1 and v2 (v1 ≈ v2) but large between v1 and the current epidemic (e) strain (v1 ≠ e). Methods Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H3N2) illness was estimated by test-negative design during 3 A(H3N2) epidemics (2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015) in Canada. Vaccine effectiveness was derived with covariate adjustment across v2 and/or v1 categories relative to no vaccine receipt among outpatients aged ≥9 years. Prior vaccination effects were interpreted within the ADH framework. Results Prior vaccination effects varied significantly by season, consistent with the ADH. There was no interference by v1 in 2010-2011 when v1 ≠ v2 and v1 ≠ e, with comparable VE for v2 alone or v2 + v1: 34% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -51% to 71%) versus 34% (95% CI = -5% to 58%). Negative interference by v1 was suggested in 2012-2013 with nonsignificant reduction in VE when v1 ≈ v2 and v1 ≠ e: 49% (95% CI = -47% to 83%) versus 28% (95% CI = -12% to 54%). Negative effects of prior vaccination were pronounced and statistically significant in 2014-2015 when v1 ≡ v2 and v1 ≠ e: 65% (95% CI = 25% to 83%) versus -33% (95% CI = -78% to 1%). Conclusions Effects of repeat influenza vaccination were consistent with the ADH and may have contributed to findings of low VE across recent A(H3N2) epidemics since 2010 in Canada.
A Survey of the Ontogeny of Tool Use: From Sensorimotor Experience to Planning

In this paper, we review current knowledge on tool use development in infants in order to provide relevant information to cognitive developmental roboticists seeking to design artificial systems that develop tool use abilities. This information covers: 1) sketching developmental pathways leading to tool use competences; 2) the characterization of learning and test situations; 3) the crystallization of seven mechanisms underlying the developmental process; and 4) the formulation of a number of challenges and recommendations for designing artificial systems that exhibit tool use abilities in complex contexts.
Avoiding the Conflict: Metacognitive Awareness Drives the Selection of Low-Demand Contexts

Previous research attempted to explain how humans strategically adapt behavior in order to achieve successful task performance. Recently, it has been suggested that 1 potential strategy is to avoid tasks that are too demanding. Here, we report 3 experiments that investigate the empirically neglected role of metacognitive awareness in this process. In these experiments, participants could freely choose between performing a task in either a high-demand or a low-demand context. Using subliminal priming, we ensured that participants were not aware of the visual stimuli creating these different demand contexts. Our results showed that participants who noticed a difference in task difficulty (i.e., metacognitive aware participants) developed a clear preference for the low-demand context. In contrast, participants who experienced no difference in task difficulty (i.e., metacognitive unaware participants) based their choices on variables unrelated to cognitive demand (e.g., the color or location associated with a context), and did not develop a preference for the low-demand context. Crucially, this pattern was found despite identical task performance in both metacognitive awareness groups. A multiple regression approach confirmed that metacognitive awareness was the main factor driving the preference for low-demand contexts. These results argue for an important role of metacognitive awareness in the strategic avoidance of demanding tasks.
On Tailoring Thread Schedules in Protocol Design: Experimental Results

A number of factors motivate and favor the implementation of communication protocols in user-space. This motivation is particularly strong in the context of providing multiway connectionless transport for distributed computing, multimedia, and conferencing applications. Here, protocol implementations can hold the key to optimal functionality and performance. As part of a larger study investigating experimental strategies for general multiway, connectionless transport for a variety of applications and multiple media, we report our experiences with the implementation of an unreliable transport mechanism. This step is a precursor to multiway reliable transport. We focus on the use of user-space threads and UDP-based protocol actions, presenting strategies for scheduling threads that either do a client's application-processing or retrieve packets from a client's network receive buffer. Efficient packet retrieval is crucial especially when transport is reliable, because higher packet-loss implies longer network delays. With experiments performed on a Sun SPARe 5 LAN environment, we show how different threads scheduling strategies yield different levels of application-processing efficiency and packet-loss. • Supported in part by NSF-eCR 9311862, ONR-9310233 and ARO-93G0045. t Supported in part by NSF-ASC-9527186 and ONR-9310278
Hepatic PHD2/HIF‐1α axis is involved in postexercise systemic energy homeostasis

Exercise plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease and associated metabolic disorders. A single bout of exercise induces tissue blood flow redistribution, which decreases splanchnic circulation and leads to physiologic hypoxia in the gastrointestinal system and liver. The transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), and its regulator, prolylhydroxylase 2 (PHD2), play pivotal roles in the response to oxygen flux by regulating downstream gene expression levels in the liver. We hypothesized that exercise increases the HIF‐1α levels in the liver, and that the hepatic PHD2/HIF‐1α axis is involved in postexercise restoration of systemic energy homeostasis. Through constant O2 consumption, CO2 production, food and water intake, and physical activity detection with metabolic chambers, we observed that one 30‐min session of swimming exercise enhances systemic energy metabolism in mice. By using the noninvasive bioluminescence imaging ROSA26 oxygen‐dependent domain Luc mouse model, we reveal that exercise increases in vivo HIFa levels in the liver. Intraperitoneal injections of the PHD inhibitor, dimethyloxalylglycine, mimicked exercise‐induced HIFα increase, whereas the HIF‐1α inhibitor, PX‐478, blocked this effect. We next constructed liver‐specific knockout (LKO) mouse models with albumin‐Cre‐mediated, hepatocyte‐specific Hifla and Phd2 deletion. Compared with their controls, Hifla‐LKO and Phd2‐LKO mice exhibited distinct patterns of hepatic metabolism‐related gene expression profiles. Moreover, Hifla‐LKO mice failed to restore systemic energy homeostasis after exercise. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that a single bout of exercise disrupts systemic energy homeostasis, increasing the HIF‐1a levels in the liver. These findings also provide evidence that the hepatic PHD2/HIF‐1α axis is involved in postexercise systemic metabolic homeostasis. —Luo, B. , Xiang, D. , Wu, D. , Liu, C. , Fang, Y. , Chen, P., Hu, Y. ‐P. Hepatic PHD2/HIF‐1α axis is involved in postexercise systemic energy homeostasis. FASEB J. 32, 4670–4680 (2018). www.fasebj. org
New Insights into the Generation of CD4 Memory May Shape Future Vaccine Strategies for Influenza

Influenza viral evolution presents a formidable challenge to vaccination due to the virus’ ability to rapidly mutate to evade immune responses. Live influenza infections generate large and diverse CD4 effector T cell responses that yield highly protective, long-lasting CD4 T cell memory that can target conserved viral epitopes. We review advances in our understanding of mechanisms involved in generating CD4 T cell responses against the influenza A virus (IAV), focusing on specialized follicular helper (TFH) and CD4 cytotoxic (ThCTL) effector subsets and on CD4 T cell memory. We also discuss two recent findings in context of enhancing vaccine responses. First, helper T cells require priming with APC secreting high levels of IL-6. Second, the transition of IAV-generated effectors to memory depends on IL-2, costimulation and antigen signals, just before effectors reach peak numbers, defined as the “memory checkpoint. ” The need for these signals during the checkpoint could explain why many current influenza vaccines are poorly effective and elicit poor cellular immunity. We suggest that CD4 memory generation can be enhanced by re-vaccinating at this time. Our best hope lies in a universal vaccine that will not need to be formulated yearly against seasonal antigenically novel influenza strains and will also be protective against a pandemic strain. We suggest a vaccine approach that elicits a powerful T cell response, by initially inducing high levels of APC activation and later providing antigen at the memory checkpoint, may take us a step closer to such a universal influenza vaccine.
Promising curaua fiber-reinforced polyester composite for high-impact ballistic multilayered armor

A typical multilayered armor system (MAS) is composed of a harder front ceramic tile, which is able to erode heavy ammunition, such as the 7.62 mm bullet, followed by a second layer to further reduce the impact energy. Aramid fabric is a common choice for the second layer. In the present work, polyester matrix composites reinforced with 10 to 30 vol% of curaua fibers, despite having much lower strength and stiffness than aramid fabric, displayed similar trauma indentation in a standard clay witness simulating the human body. Impedance matching and scanning electron microscopy analyses suggest effective energy absorption through ceramic fragment capture by curaua composites. Additionally, because of the high cost of aramid fabric, a full MAS with curaua fiber composite is much cheaper than a MAS composed of aramid fabric. Taking into consideration, both the economical and environmental advantages of natural fibers, it is concluded that curaua fiber-reinforced polyester composite could replace aramid fabric as the second layer in MASs for personal ballistic protection. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Enhanced Performance of an All-Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Employing Graphene Modified Carbon Paper Electrodes

Fuel cell grade gas-diffusion layer carbon paper (CP) electrodes are subjected to electrophoresis in N,N’dimethylformamide (DMF) consisting of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The rGO modified electrodes are compared with CP in a single asymmetric all-vanadium redox battery system (employing a double serpentine flow channel for each half-cell). Peak power densities improved by 4% when the rGO deposits were facing the ion-exchange membrane (cell performance was poorer when the rGO was facing the flow field). Cycling of the cells showed least degradation of the CP electrodes that were coated with rGO in comparison to pristine samples. Keywords—All-vanadium redox flow batteries, carbon paper electrodes, electrophoretic deposition, reduced graphene oxide.
Hypnotic Focused Analgesia Obtained Through Body Dysmorphism Prevents Both Pain and Its Cardiovascular Effects

Hypnotic focused analgesia, comparable to chemical local anesthesia, has been widely documented in our Laboratory after hypnotic suggestions. This study is aimed at producing hypnotic local anesthesia suggesting that a hand does not belong to the body (body dysmorphism) without any direct suggestions of analgesia. Eight healthy, highly hypnotizable volunteers underwent a cold pressor test keeping left hand at 0 °C, a painful maneuver, being free to stop the test at any time. Such procedure was repeated after hypnotic induction with suggestion of dysmorphism. The highest pain reached at the first minute and at the end of the experiment, both in prehypnotic conditions and during dysmorphism, was subjectively quantified through a decimal visual scale. The objective measure of local anesthesia was based on time of tolerance and on reflex response to pain. During dysmorphism, pain perception was 92.5% lower at 1st minute and 87.5% lower at the end of the experiment (highest tolerable pain) than in prehypnotic conditions, and nullified in 5 subjects (62%). Tolerance to pain (minutes of voluntary immersion in icy water) increased by 315%. While in prehypnotic conditions pain produced a reflex increase in blood pressure, heart rate and resistance, no increase was found during dysmorphism. Hypnotic dysmorphism without any specific suggestion of analgesia reduced and often nullified subjective pain perception. Objective pain tolerance contextually raised, and the reflex stimulation of the sympathetic drive was prevented. Analgesia produced through hypnotic dysmorphism is therefore not a mere consequence of dissociation but a real physiological phenomenon.
Implications of TCO Topography on Intermediate Reflector Design for a-Si/μc-Si Tandem Solar Cells—Experiments and Rigorous Optical Simulations

The influence of the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) topography was studied on the performance of a silicon oxide intermediate reflector layer (IRL) in a-Si/μc-Si tandem cells, both experimentally and by 3-D optical simulations. Therefore, cells with varying IRL thickness were deposited on three different types of TCOs. Clear differences were observed regarding the performance of the IRL as well as its ideal thickness, both experimentally and in the simulations. Optical modeling suggests that a small autocorrelation length is essential for a good performance. Design rules for both the TCO topography and the IRL thickness can be derived from this interplay.
Genome-wide association analysis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis identifies a new susceptibility locus at chromosomal region 3q13.

OBJECTIVE In a genome-wide association study of Caucasian patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), we have previously described findings limited to autoimmunity loci shared by JIA and other diseases. The present study was undertaken to identify novel JIA-predisposing loci using genome-wide approaches. METHODS The discovery cohort consisted of Caucasian JIA cases (n = 814) and local controls (n = 658) genotyped on the Affymetrix Genome-Wide SNP 6.0 Array, along with 2,400 out-of-study controls. In a replication study, we genotyped 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1,744 cases and 7,010 controls from the US and Europe. RESULTS Analysis within the discovery cohort provided evidence of associations at 3q13 within C3orf1 and near CD80 (rs4688011) (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, P = 1.88 × 10(-6) ) and at 10q21 near JMJD1C (rs647989 [OR 1.59, P = 6.1 × 10(-8) ], rs12411988 [OR 1.57, P = 1.16 × 10(-7) ], and rs10995450 [OR 1.31, P = 6.74 × 10(-5) ]). Meta-analysis provided further evidence of association for these 4 SNPs (P = 3.6 × 10(-7) for rs4688011, P = 4.33 × 10(-5) for rs6479891, P = 2.71 × 10(-5) for rs12411988, and P = 5.39 × 10(-5) for rs10995450). Gene expression data on 68 JIA cases and 23 local controls showed cis expression quantitative trait locus associations for C3orf1 SNP rs4688011 (P = 0.024 or P = 0.034, depending on the probe set) and JMJD1C SNPs rs6479891 and rs12411988 (P = 0.01 or P = 0.04, depending on the probe set and P = 0.008, respectively). Using a variance component liability model, it was estimated that common SNP variation accounts for approximately one-third of JIA susceptibility. CONCLUSION Genetic association results and correlated gene expression findings provide evidence of JIA association at 3q13 and suggest novel genes as plausible candidates in disease pathology.
VIBROfocus: Design of a focal vibro-tactile robotic-assistive system for spasticity rehabilitation

The main focus of spasticity treatment is to alleviate pain, improve function and reduce risk of additional complications. In this paper the design of a robotic system with enhanced focal vibro-tactile stimulation for the treatment of spasticity in the upper limbs is presented. Building on emerging evidence on the use of vibrations in the treatment of spasticity, we propose a new integrated approach. Our design combines the use of vibro-tactile stimulation of the high tone muscle with robotic movement assistance to augment rehabilitation outcomes in patients with spasticity in the upper limbs.
Use of high-throughput in vitro toxicity screening data in cancer hazard evaluations by IARC Monograph Working Groups.

Evidence regarding carcinogenic mechanisms serves a critical role in International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph evaluations. Three recent IARC Working Groups pioneered inclusion of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ToxCast program high-throughput screening (HTS) data to supplement other mechanistic evidence. In Monograph V110, HTS profiles were compared between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and prototypical activators across multiple nuclear receptors. For Monograph V112-113, HTS assays were mapped to 10 key characteristics of carcinogens identified by an IARC expert group, and systematically considered as an additional mechanistic data stream. Both individual assay results and ToxPi-based rankings informed mechanistic evaluations. Activation of multiple nuclear receptors in HTS assays showed that PFOA targets not only peroxisome proliferator activated receptors, but also other receptors. ToxCast assays substantially covered 5 of 10 key characteristics, corroborating literature evidence of "induces oxidative stress" and "alters cell proliferation, cell death or nutrient supply" and filling gaps for "modulates receptor-mediated effects. " Thus, ToxCast HTS data were useful both in evaluating specific mechanistic hypotheses and in contributing to the overall evaluation of mechanistic evidence. However, additional HTS assays are needed to provide more comprehensive coverage of the 10 key characteristics of carcinogens that form the basis of current IARC mechanistic evaluations.
Management Information Systems Challenge to Regulation Compliance by Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Co-Operative Societies in Kenya

The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges to regulation compliance by Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (D.T.S) in Kenya. Further, since the D.T. S are ranked according to size, the study analysed the compliance level in these groupings. The objective was to establish the relationship between management information systems and regulation compliance, and whether SACCO size moderated this relationship. The study recommends that SACCOs should have dynamic MIS system with regular upgrades. They should also consider integrating their BOSA and FOSA banking software with the SASRA reporting portal. Of importance as well is for SACCOs to carry out regular MIS training of staff. The study further recommends that SACCOs should benchmark with other financial institutions. To fill in the gaps that exist within the organization the study advices SACCOs to have in-house dedicated IT departments and also establish operational MIS policies. Lastly the study recommends that transparent procuring from reputable firms is required in SACCOs and where possible the regulator needs to accredit software vendors for the SACCOs. A sample of 139 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling but only 108 respondents were interviewed using the questionnaire method. The major finding from the study was that there is a relationship between management information systems and regulation compliance. The study further established that while management information systems influences regulation compliance, SACCO size has a significant moderating influence in this relationship.
Visual maturation of term infants fed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid-supplemented or control formula for 12 mo.

BACKGROUND Several studies found a benefit of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) supplementation for visual or mental development, but others found no benefit. Likely contributors to differences among studies are the amount of LCP supplementation, functional outcomes, and sample size. OBJECTIVE We evaluated LCP supplementation in amounts typical for human milk (based on local and worldwide surveys) in a large cohort of infants by using sweep visual evoked potential (VEP) acuity as the functional outcome. DESIGN The study was a double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial in 103 term infants. By age 5 d, infants were randomly assigned to receive either formula with no docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or arachidonic acid (ARA) or formula supplemented with DHA and ARA as 0.36% and 0.72%, respectively, of total fatty acids. Sweep VEP acuity was the primary outcome. Random dot stereoacuity, blood lipid profile, growth, and tolerance were secondary outcomes. RESULTS VEP acuity in the LCP-supplemented group was significantly better than that in the control group at ages 6, 17, 26, and 52 wk. Stereoacuity in the LCP-supplemented group was significantly better than that in the control group at age 17 wk but not at ages 39 and 52 wk. By ages 17 and 39 wk, the red blood cell DHA concentration in the LCP-supplemented group was more than double and more than triple, respectively, that in the control group. Growth of infants fed LCP-supplemented and control formulas did not differ significantly, and both diets were well tolerated. CONCLUSION LCP supplementation of term infant formula during the first year of life yields clear differences in visual function and in total red blood cell lipid composition.
HIF-1α is required for disturbed flow-induced metabolic reprogramming in human and porcine vascular endothelium

Hemodynamic forces regulate vascular functions. Disturbed flow (DF) occurs in arterial bifurcations and curvatures, activates endothelial cells (ECs), and results in vascular inflammation and ultimately atherosclerosis. However, how DF alters EC metabolism, and whether resulting metabolic changes induce EC activation, is unknown. Using transcriptomics and bioenergetic analysis, we discovered that DF induces glycolysis and reduces mitochondrial respiratory capacity in human aortic ECs. DF-induced metabolic reprogramming required hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), downstream of NAD(P)H oxidase-4 (NOX4)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). HIF-1α increased glycolytic enzymes and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK-1), which reduces mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Swine aortic arch endothelia exhibited elevated ROS, NOX4, HIF-1α, and glycolytic enzyme and PDK1 expression, suggesting that DF leads to metabolic reprogramming in vivo. Inhibition of glycolysis reduced inflammation suggesting a causal relationship between flow-induced metabolic changes and EC activation. These findings highlight a previously uncharacterized role for flow-induced metabolic reprogramming and inflammation in ECs. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.25217. 001
Lattice Boltzmann method for binary fluids based on mass-conserving quasi-incompressible phase-field theory.

In this paper, a lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) model is proposed for binary fluids based on a quasi-incompressible phase-field model [J. Shen et al., Commun. Comput. Phys. 13, 1045 (2013)10.4208/cicp.300711. 160212a]. Compared with the other incompressible LBE models based on the incompressible phase-field theory, the quasi-incompressible model conserves mass locally. A series of numerical simulations are performed to validate the proposed model, and comparisons with an incompressible LBE model [H. Liang et al., Phys. Rev. E 89, 053320 (2014)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.89. 053320] are also carried out. It is shown that the proposed model can track the interface accurately. As the stationary droplet and rising bubble problems, the quasi-incompressible LBE gives nearly the same predictions as the incompressible model, but the compressible effect in the present model plays a significant role in the phase separation problem. Therefore, in general cases the present mass-conserving model should be adopted.