Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunization with the Haemophilus ducreyi Hemoglobin Receptor HgbA Protects against Infection in the Swine Model of Chancroid

ABSTRACT The etiologic agent of chancroid is Haemophilus ducreyi. To fulfill its obligate requirement for heme, H. ducreyi uses two TonB-dependent receptors: the hemoglobin receptor (HgbA) and a receptor for free heme (TdhA). Expression of HgbA is necessary for H. ducreyi to survive and initiate disease in a human model of chancroid. In this study, we used a swine model of H. ducreyi infection to demonstrate that an experimental HgbA vaccine efficiently prevents chancroid, as determined by several parameters. Histological sections of immunized animals lacked typical microscopic features of chancroid. All inoculated sites from mock-immunized pigs yielded viable H. ducreyi cells, whereas no viable H. ducreyi cells were recovered from inoculated sites of HgbA-immunized pigs. Antibodies from sera of HgbA-immunized animals bound to and initiated antibody-dependent bactericidal activity against homologous H. ducreyi strain 35000HP and heterologous strain CIP542 ATCC; however, an isogenic hgbA mutant of 35000HP was not killed, proving specificity. Anti-HgbA immunoglobulin G blocked hemoglobin binding to the HgbA receptor, suggesting a novel mechanism of protection through the limitation of heme/iron acquisition by H. ducreyi. Such a vaccine strategy might be applied to other bacterial pathogens with strict heme/iron requirements. Taken together, these data suggest continuing the development of an HgbA subunit vaccine to prevent chancroid.
Complications of Absorbable Fixation in Maxillofacial Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

Background The use of titanium during maxillofacial fixation is limited due to its palpability, mutagenic effects and interference with imaging, which lead to the requirement for subsequent removal. The use of a biologically absorbable fixation material will potentially eliminate these limitations. In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the complications of absorbable fixation in maxillofacial surgery. Methods We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for trials published through December 2012. Data extracted from literature were analyzed with Review manager 5.0. 24. Results Relevant data was extracted from 20 studies (1673 participants) and revealed that patients in the absorbable group had significantly more complications than those in the titanium group (RR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.02–1.42; P = 0.03) in all enrolled maxillofacial surgeries. For bimaxillary operation subgroup, the absorbable fixation group did not have a significant increase in complications when compared with the titanium group (RR = 1.89; 95% CI: 0.85–4.22; P = 0.12). There was no significant difference observed between the absorbable and titanium groups receiving a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 0.84–2.48; P = 0.18) and Le Fort I osteotomy (RR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.34–1.23; P = 0.18). The combined results of the five trials revealed that the absorbable group had a significantly lower rate of complications compared to the titanium group (RR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52–0.97; P = 0.03) in fracture fixation. Conclusion This meta-analysis shows that absorbable fixation systems used for fixation in maxillofacial surgery do not have adequate safety profiles. Subgroup indicated the safety of absorbable fixation systems was superior during fracture fixation. The absorbable fixation systems tend to have a similar favorable safety profile as titanium fixation during Le Fort I, bimaxillary operation and BSSRO.
Histone Deacetylases Control Neurogenesis in Embryonic Brain by Inhibition of BMP2/4 Signaling

Background Histone-modifying enzymes are essential for a wide variety of cellular processes dependent upon changes in gene expression. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) lead to the compaction of chromatin and subsequent silencing of gene transcription, and they have recently been implicated in a diversity of functions and dysfunctions in the postnatal and adult brain including ocular dominance plasticity, memory consolidation, drug addiction, and depression. Here we investigate the role of HDACs in the generation of neurons and astrocytes in the embryonic brain. Principal Findings As a variety of HDACs are expressed in differentiating neural progenitor cells, we have taken a pharmacological approach to inhibit multiple family members. Inhibition of class I and II HDACs in developing mouse embryos with trichostatin A resulted in a dramatic reduction in neurogenesis in the ganglionic eminences and a modest increase in neurogenesis in the cortex. An identical effect was observed upon pharmacological inhibition of HDACs in in vitro-differentiating neural precursors derived from the same brain regions. A reduction in neurogenesis in ganglionic eminence-derived neural precursors was accompanied by an increase in the production of immature astrocytes. We show that HDACs control neurogenesis by inhibition of the bone morphogenetic protein BMP2/4 signaling pathway in radial glial cells. HDACs function at the transcriptional level by inhibiting and promoting, respectively, the expression of Bmp2 and Smad7, an intracellular inhibitor of BMP signaling. Inhibition of the BMP2/4 signaling pathway restored normal levels of neurogenesis and astrogliogenesis to both ganglionic eminence- and cortex-derived cultures in which HDACs were inhibited. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a transcriptionally-based regulation of BMP2/4 signaling by HDACs both in vivo and in vitro that is critical for neurogenesis in the ganglionic eminences and that modulates cortical neurogenesis. The results also suggest that HDACs may regulate the developmental switch from neurogenesis to astrogliogenesis that occurs in late gestation.
NON-EXTENSIVE STATISTICS TO THE COSMOLOGICAL LITHIUM PROBLEM

Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) theory predicts the abundances of the light elements D, 3He, 4He, and 7Li produced in the early universe. The primordial abundances of D and 4He inferred from observational data are in good agreement with predictions, however, BBN theory overestimates the primordial 7Li abundance by about a factor of three. This is the so-called “cosmological lithium problem. ” Solutions to this problem using conventional astrophysics and nuclear physics have not been successful over the past few decades, probably indicating the presence of new physics during the era of BBN. We have investigated the impact on BBN predictions of adopting a generalized distribution to describe the velocities of nucleons in the framework of Tsallis non-extensive statistics. This generalized velocity distribution is characterized by a parameter q, and reduces to the usually assumed Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution for q = 1. We find excellent agreement between predicted and observed primordial abundances of D, 4He, and 7Li for 1.069 ≤ q ≤ 1.082, suggesting a possible new solution to the cosmological lithium problem.
Inhibition by ultraviolet and photosynthetically available radiation lowers model estimates of depth‐integrated picophytoplankton photosynthesis: global predictions for Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus

Phytoplankton photosynthesis is often inhibited by ultraviolet (UV) and intense photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), but the effects on ocean productivity have received little consideration aside from polar areas subject to periodic enhanced UV‐B due to depletion of stratospheric ozone. A more comprehensive assessment is important for understanding the contribution of phytoplankton production to the global carbon budget, present and future. Here, we consider responses in the temperate and tropical mid‐ocean regions typically dominated by picophytoplankton including the prokaryotic lineages, Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. Spectral models of photosynthetic response for each lineage were constructed using model strains cultured at different growth irradiances and temperatures. In the model, inhibition becomes more severe once exposure exceeds a threshold (Emax) related to repair capacity. Model parameters are presented for Prochlorococcus adding to those previously presented for Synechococcus. The models were applied to estimate midday, water column photosynthesis based on an atmospheric model of spectral radiation, satellite‐derived spectral water transparency and temperature. Based on a global survey of inhibitory exposure severity, a full‐latitude section of the mid‐Pacific and near‐equatorial region of the east Pacific were identified as representative regions for prediction of responses over the entire water column. Comparing predictions integrated over the water column including versus excluding inhibition, production was 7–28% lower due to inhibition depending on strain and site conditions. Inhibition was consistently greater for Prochlorococcus compared to two strains of Synechococcus. Considering only the surface mixed layer, production was inhibited 7–73%. On average, including inhibition lowered estimates of midday productivity around 20% for the modeled region of the Pacific with UV accounting for two‐thirds of the reduction. In contrast, most other productivity models either ignore inhibition or only include PAR inhibition. Incorporation of Emax model responses into an existing spectral model of depth‐integrated, daily production will enable efficient global predictions of picophytoplankton productivity including inhibition.
Heavy rainfall equations for the “Manuel Alves da Natividade” river watershed, Tocantins, Brazil

Knowledge of the equation that relates intensity, duration and frequency of heavy rainfall is of great technical interest in hydraulic projects. The aim of this study was to obtain the intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) relation­ship of heavy rainfall in the Manuel Alves da Natividade river watershed, located in the southeastern region of the state of Tocantins, Brazil. We used the rainfall disaggregation model, with adjustment of the heavy rainfall equation by nonlinear multiple regression, in addition to historical series of six pluviometric stations, obtained from the Hydrological Information System of the National Water Agency (Hidroweb-ANA). Gumbel probability distribution was adequate to model the frequency distribution of annual maximum daily rainfall series, according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test at 20% significance level. The heavy rainfall equations presented good statistical quality, with coefficients of determination above 0.92, which characterize them as useful tools in the context of water resource management in the Manuel Alves da Natividade river watershed.
Forest Structure : A Key to the Ecosystem

Forest structure is both a product and driver of ecosystem processes and biological diversity. It has become apparent in recent years that changes in forest structure as a result of management for timber production have undesirable consequences for other components of forest ecosystems. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of what we have learned about the ecological roles of forest structure in the Pacific Northwest and how forest structure changes as a result of disturbance and succession. Forests are structurally diverse, but many structures derive from the same processes of disturbance and growth. Consequently, measurements on a few structural attributes can be used to estimate many other structural conditions. Particularly important components of forest structure include live-tree sizes, vertical foliage distributions, horizontal variation in canopy density, and coarse woody debris. Knowledge of the ecological roles of these structures has increased in recent years and we now have a general understanding of how these structures change during succession. Although the ecological values of forest structures are now more widely appreciated, we still have many significant knowledge gaps including the ecological roles of belowground structure, woody debris, and landscape pattern.
National Trends in the Incidence, Outcomes and Charges of Pediatric Osteoarticular Infections, 1997–2012

In the United States, the incidence of osteoarticular infections among hospitalized children increased 15% from 2.07 to 2.38 cases per 1000 admissions from 1997 through 2012. The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-coded infections increased from 0.02 to 0.36 cases per 1000 admissions. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus-coded cases had a larger number of therapeutic procedures, longer hospital stays and higher hospital charges.
Functional connectivity in a baseline resting-state network in autism

Brain activity in people with high-functioning autism has been shown to be atypical in a number of ways, including reduced synchronization across areas of activation measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. This activation atypicality has been observed mostly during the performance of cognitive tasks. This study compares the resting-state network of 57 participants with autism and 57 control participants matched for age and intelligence quotient. The results indicate that both groups have a resting-state network that is very similar both in volume and in organization, but in autism this network is much more loosely connected. This functional underconnectivity was observed in the anterior–posterior connections. The results expand the theory of cortical underconnectivity in autism to the resting state of the brain.
Divergent selection for shape of growth curve in Japanese quail. 7. Effect of egg storage at high temperature on embryo development and hatchability

Abstract 1. Hatching time, hatchability of fertile eggs and embryo mortality in relation to (1) physical quality of fresh eggs and (2) embryonic development during storage and incubation periods were analysed after egg storage for 1, 5 or 10 d at 30°C in the meat-type lines of Japanese quail, HG and LG, divergently selected for high and low relative weight gain between 11 and 28 d of age, respectively, and constant body weight at 49 d of age. 2. In both lines, the increase of egg storage temperature from 12°C (standard level) to 30°C increased the egg weight loss during storage, shortened the incubation period and reduced the hatching success. 3. Similar to standard egg storage temperature, LG quail hatched earlier than HG quail after egg storage at 30°C and early and late mortality of both lines increased with a prolonged period of egg storage. In contrast to the standard egg storage conditions, no line differences in hatchability were observed. 4. The results did not identify a relationship between the decrease in hatchability or embryo viability and line differences in external egg parameters as well as any important role of undesirable changes induced by a high storage temperature on albumen viscosity. 5. The pattern of embryonic death, low developmental rate of embryos and a dichotomy between the development of the extra-embryonic vascular system and the embryo itself during egg storage at high temperature implied that an insufficient nutrient supply in consequence of developmental delay could represent a key factor in increasing early and late embryo mortality.
Using Fast Weights to Attend to the Recent Past

Until recently, research on artificial neural networks was largely restricted to systems with only two types of variable: Neural activities that represent the current or recent input and weights that learn to capture regularities among inputs, outputs and payoffs. There is no good reason for this restriction. Synapses have dynamics at many different time-scales and this suggests that artificial neural networks might benefit from variables that change slower than activities but much faster than the standard weights. These ``fast weights'' can be used to store temporary memories of the recent past and they provide a neurally plausible way of implementing the type of attention to the past that has recently proven helpful in sequence-to-sequence models. By using fast weights we can avoid the need to store copies of neural activity patterns.
Android Malware Detection Based on Static Analysis of Characteristic Tree

The number of mobile malware is greatly increasing and the malware detection malware has become a critical problem. Android is fast becoming the most popular mobile platform resulting in quick increase in malware targeting the platform. Current static-analysis practice on Android application package (APK) mainly uses the features such as signature, md5 hash, permissions, data flows, API (Application Programming Interface) calls and etc. Extracted from the manifest file and the code. Such features lack consideration on the APK code organizations and object hierarchy, and thus they may be ineffective in detecting and predicting an APK'S application behaviors and maliciousness. Our research aims to find and implement a novel API-usage characterization approach for Android APK on different layers of resolutions, namely packages, classes, functions and APIs. A tree structure called "Characteristic Tree" is used to contain such API-usage information on different layers of the tree structure, and a comparison algorithm is designed for calculating characteristic-tree similarity. This new detection method detection provides more meticulous insights in classifying and detecting Android malware of different types and code families. The variations in API-usage on different code layers imply code functionalities and application behaviors, and thus they can be used to improve current static-analysis method in malware detection and signature generation. Realistic malware packet samples of various types and families were used to validate the proposed approach, and results were discussed for its performance and future improvement.
Warfarin Versus Aspirin for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Atrial Fibrillation: Randomized Controlled Trial (Birmingham Atrial Fibrillation Treatment of the Aged Study)

Background and Purpose— Atrial fibrillation is associated with decline of cognitive function. Observational evidence suggests that anticoagulation might protect against this decline. We report the first randomized controlled trial evidence on the effect of anticoagulation on cognitive function in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods— A total of 973 patients aged ≥75 years with atrial fibrillation were recruited from primary care and randomly assigned to warfarin (n=488; target international normalized ratio, 2–3) or aspirin (n=485; 75 mg/d). Neither participants nor investigators were masked to group assignment. Follow-up was for a mean of 2.7 years (SD, 1.2). Cognitive outcome was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination at 9-, 21-, and 33-month follow-up. Participants who had a stroke were censored from the analysis, which was by intention to treat with imputation for missing data. Results— There was no difference between mean Mini-Mental State Examination scores in people assigned to warfarin or aspirin at 9 or 21 months. At 33-month follow-up, there was a nonsignificant difference of 0.56 in favor of warfarin that decreased to 0.49 (95% confidence interval, –0.01 to 0.98) after imputation. Conclusions— We found no evidence that anticoagulation confers clinically important protection over aspirin against cognitive decline as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination in atrial fibrillation in the first 33 months of treatment other than that provided by preventing clinical stroke. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN89345269.
Atmospheric Signature of the Agulhas Current

Western boundary currents play an important role in the climate system by transporting heat poleward and releasing it to the atmosphere. While their influence on extratropical storms and oceanic rainfall is becoming appreciated, their coastal influence is less known. Using satellite and climate reanalysis data sets and a regional atmospheric model, we show that the Agulhas Current is a driver of the observed band of rainfall along the southeastern African coast and above the Agulhas Current. The Agulhas current's warm core is associated with sharp gradients in sea surface temperature and sea level pressure, a convergence of low‐level winds, and a co‐located band of precipitation. Correlations among wind convergence, sea level pressure, and sea surface temperature indicate that these features show high degree of similarity to those in the Gulf Stream region. Model experiments further indicate that the Agulhas Current mostly impacts convective rainfall.
Effects of Repeated Central Administration of Endothelin Type A Receptor Antagonist on the Development of Neuropathic Pain in Rats

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) predominates in the endothelin family effectively in vascular tone control, mitogenesis, and neuromodulation. Its receptors are widespread in the central nervous system (CNS) associated with endogenous pain control, suggesting an important role of ET-1 in central pain processing. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of central ET-1 on the development of neuropathic pain behaviour by repeated intrathecal administration of endothelin type A receptor (ETAR) antagonist (BQ-123) in a sciatic nerve ligation (SNL) animal model. BQ-123 was administered intrathecally to rats at dosages 15 μg, 20 μg, 25 μg, and 30 μg, daily for 3 days. Mechanical allodynia was assessed daily 30 minutes before/after injection, 1 hour after injection of BQ-123 from post-SNL day 4 to day 6, and once on day 7 (without BQ-123 administration) before rats were sacrificed. Increasing trends of mechanical threshold were observed, and they reached significance at all dosages on post-SNL day 7 (P < 0.05 at dosage 15 μg and P < 0.001 at dosages 20 μg, 25 μg, and 30 μg) in comparison to control group. BQ-123 at dosage 30 μg showed the most stable and significant mechanical threshold rise. Repeated central administration of BQ-123 alleviated mechanical allodynia after SNL. Our results provide insight into the therapeutic strategies, including timing, against neuropathic pain development with ETAR antagonist.
Control of Back-to-Back PWM Converters for DFIG Wind Turbine Systems under Unbalanced Grid Voltage

This paper presents a new control scheme for minimizing the torque ripple of the generator under unbalanced grid voltage for wind turbine systems using doubly-fed induction generators, where the negative sequence component of the rotor current is utilized. It is found that the generator torque ripples are related with the reactive power component. Increase of stator active power ripples caused by reducing the torque ripple is compensated by controlling the active power ripples of grid-side converter. Simulation results using PSCAD and experimental results show that the conventional vector control of DFIG without considering grid voltage unbalance results in excessive oscillations on the stator active and reactive power, and electromagnetic torque. On the other hand, with the proposed control strategy, improved system control and operation such as reducing oscillations of active power and generator torque can be achieved.