Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Body Size, Age, and Premating Experience on Male Mating Success in Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract Variation in male body size, age, and prior sexual experience may all influence male mating success in tephritid fruit flies. Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is an Australian pest tephritid for which the sterile insect technique (SIT) is being actively pursued, and for which information on what makes males more competitive is urgently needed. Pair-wise competitive mating trials were run using laboratory-reared flies in walk-in field cages, evaluating young, large, and virgin B. tryoni males against old, small, and nonvirgin males, respectively. Analysis of male sexual competitiveness indices revealed that young and large males obtained significantly more copulations compared to old and small males; there was no significant difference between virgin and nonvirgin males in obtaining mates. While SIT programs will always release young males, the results do show that rearing programs which focus on producing larger males, rather than greater numbers of smaller males, will produce more sexually competitive males. After release, virgin SIT males will not be at a competitive disadvantage with sexually experienced males based on prior mating experience.
Fake News Detection in Social Networks via Crowd Signals

Our work considers leveraging crowd signals for detecting fake news and is motivated by tools recently introduced by Facebook that enable users to flag fake news. By aggregating users' flags, our goal is to select a small subset of news every day, send them to an expert (e.g., via a third-party fact-checking organization), and stop the spread of news identified as fake by an expert. The main objective of our work is to minimize the spread of misinformation by stopping the propagation of fake news in the network. It is especially challenging to achieve this objective as it requires detecting fake news with high-confidence as quickly as possible. We show that in order to leverage users' flags efficiently, it is crucial to learn about users' flagging accuracy. We develop a novel algorithm, DETECTIVE, that performs Bayesian inference for detecting fake news and jointly learns about users' flagging accuracy over time. Our algorithm employs posterior sampling to actively trade off exploitation (selecting news that maximize the objective value at a given epoch) and exploration (selecting news that maximize the value of information towards learning about users' flagging accuracy). We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach via extensive experiments and show the power of leveraging community signals for fake news detection.
Autism, social cognition and superior temporal sulcus

Results on brain imaging studies have led to a better understanding of the neural circuits involved in social cognition and its implication in autism spectrum disorders(ASD). It has been shown that the superior temporal sulcus(STS)is highly implicated in social processes, from perception of socially relevant information, such as body movements or eye gaze, to more complex social cognition processes. Furthermore, several multimodal brain imaging results point to anatomo-functional abnormalities in the STS in both children and adults with ASD. These results are highly consistent with social impairments in ASD, among which eye gaze perception is particularly relevant. Gaze abnormalities can now be objectively measured using eye-tracking methodology, leading to a better characterization of social perception impairments in autism. Moreover, these gaze abnormalities have been associated with STS abnormalities in ASD. Based on these results, our hypothesis is that anatomo-functional anomalies in the STS occurring early across brain development could constitute the first step in the cascade of neural dysfunction underlying autism. In the present work, we’ll review recent data of STS contribution to normal social cognition and it’s implication in autism.
Long-term video interpolation with bidirectional predictive network

This paper considers the challenging task of long-term video interpolation. Unlike most existing methods that only generate few intermediate frames between existing adjacent ones, we attempt to speculate or imagine the procedure of an episode and further generate multiple frames between two non-consecutive frames in videos. In this paper, we present a novel deep architecture called bidirectional predictive network (BiPN) that predicts intermediate frames from two opposite directions. The bidirectional architecture allows the model to learn scene transformation with time as well as generate longer video sequences. Besides, we make attempts to extend our model to predict multiple possible procedures by sampling different noise vectors. A joint loss composed of clues in image and feature spaces and adversarial loss is designed to train our model. We demonstrate the advantages of BiPN on two benchmarks Moving 2D Shapes and UCF101 and report competitive results to recent approaches.
Geminin deficiency enhances survival in a murine medulloblastoma model by inducing apoptosis of preneoplastic granule neuron precursors

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain cancer of childhood. Further understanding of tumorigenic mechanisms may define new therapeutic targets. Geminin maintains genome fidelity by controlling re-initiation of DNA replication within a cell cycle. In some contexts, Geminin inhibition induces cancer-selective cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and/or sensitizes cancer cells to Topoisomerase IIα inhibitors such as etoposide, which is used in combination chemotherapies for medulloblastoma. However, Geminin's potential role in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis remained undefined. Here, we found that Geminin is highly expressed in human and mouse medulloblastomas and in murine granule neuron precursor (GNP) cells during cerebellar development. Conditional Geminin loss significantly enhanced survival in the SmoA1 mouse medulloblastoma model. Geminin loss in this model also reduced numbers of preneoplastic GNPs persisting at one postnatal month, while at two postnatal weeks these cells exhibited an elevated DNA damage response and apoptosis. Geminin knockdown likewise impaired human medulloblastoma cell growth, activating G2 checkpoint and DNA damage response pathways, triggering spontaneous apoptosis, and enhancing G2 accumulation of cells in response to etoposide treatment. Together, these data suggest preneoplastic and cancer cell-selective roles for Geminin in medulloblastoma, and suggest that targeting Geminin may impair tumor growth and enhance responsiveness to Topoisomerase IIα-directed chemotherapies.
Immune response and intestinal permeability in children with acute gastroenteritis treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Probiotics have a possible role in the treatment of pediatric acute gastroenteritis. We report the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) on intestinal function, immune response, and clinical outcomes in Indian children with cryptosporidial or rotavirus diarrhea. METHODS Children with gastroenteritis aged 6 months to 5 years, testing positive for either rotavirus or Cryptosporidium species in stool (coinfections were excluded), were randomized to LGG (ATCC 53103) or placebo, once daily for 4 weeks. Baseline demographic and clinical details were obtained. Sera were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies to Cryptosporidium and rotavirus, and the lactulose to mannitol ratio for intestinal permeability was determined at baseline and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS Of the 124 children enrolled, 82 and 42 had rotavirus and cryptosporidial diarrhea, respectively. Median diarrheal duration was 4 days; one-third of the children had severe diarrhea. Baseline and clinical parameters were comparable between children receiving LGG and placebo. At the end of follow-up, fewer children with rotavirus diarrhea on LGG had repeated diarrheal episodes (25% vs 46%; P = .048) and impaired intestinal function (48% vs 72%; P = .027). Significant increase in IgG levels postintervention (456 vs 2215 EU; P = .003) was observed in children with rotavirus diarrhea receiving LGG. Among children with cryptosporidial diarrhea, those receiving LGG showed significant improvement in intestinal permeability. CONCLUSIONS LGG has a positive immunomodulatory effect and may be useful in decreasing repeated episodes of rotavirus diarrhea. Improvement in intestinal function in children with rotavirus and cryptosporidial gastroenteritis emphasizes the role of probiotics in treating intestinal impairment after infection. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION CTRI/2010/091/000339.
The Strength Distribution of 90° Plies in 0/90/0 Graphite-Epoxy Laminates

Graphite epoxy cross ply laminates show multiple cracking in the 90 ° ply before final rupture occurs. By the aid of a piezo-electric load cell crack formation was measured as a function of the applied load in (02/902)s, (02/903)s and (02/906) s laminates. With these experimental results and a shear lag analysis, to account for the non-homogeneous stress distribution in cracked 90° plies, it was possible to estimate the Weibull strength distribution of the respective 90° ply. it was found that at decreasing 90° ply thickness the shape factor increases. This can be attributed to a suppression of defect growth close to the 90°/0° interface. Because of the changing shape parameter at decreasing ply thickness a description of the thickness effect by a Weibull shape parameter is im possible.
Comparative experimental study of dynamic compressive strength of mortar with glass and basalt fibres

Specimen reinforced with glass and basalt fibers were prepared using Standard Portland cement (CEM I, 52.5 R as prescribed by EN 197-1) and standard sand, in accordance with EN 196-1. From this cementitious mixture, a reference cement mortar without fibers was first prepared. Compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and mod of fracture were determined for all specimens. Static and dynamic properties were investigated using Instron testing machine and split Hopkinson pressure bar, respectively. Content of the glass fibers in the mortar does not influence the fracture stress at static loading conditions in a clearly observed way. Moreover at dynamic range 5% content of the fiber results in a significant drop of fracture stress. Analysis of the basalt fibers influence on the fracture stress shows that optimal content of this reinforcement is equal to 3% for both static and dynamic loading conditions. Further increase of the fiber share gives the opposite effect, i.e. drop of the fracture stress.
Two rsaM Homologues Encode Central Regulatory Elements Modulating Quorum Sensing in Burkholderia thailandensis

ABSTRACT The bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis possesses three N-acyl-l-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing (QS) systems designated BtaI1/BtaR1 (QS-1), BtaI2/BtaR2 (QS-2), and BtaI3/BtaR3 (QS-3). These QS systems are associated with the biosynthesis of N-octanoyl-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL), N-3-hydroxy-decanoyl-homoserine lactone (3OHC10-HSL), and N-3-hydroxy-octanoyl-homoserine lactone (3OHC8-HSL), which are produced by the LuxI-type synthases BtaI1, BtaI2, and BtaI3 and modulated by the LuxR-type transcriptional regulators BtaR1, BtaR2, and BtaR3. The btaR1-btaI1 and btaR2-btaI2 gene clusters each carry an additional gene encoding a homologue of the QS repressor RsaM originally identified in the phytopathogen Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and thus here named rsaM1 and rsaM2, respectively. We have characterized the functions of these two conserved rsaM homologues and demonstrated their involvement in the regulation of AHL biosynthesis in B. thailandensis strain E264. We quantified the production of C8-HSL, 3OHC10-HSL, and 3OHC8-HSL by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the wild-type strain and in the rsaM1 and rsaM2 mutants, and we monitored btaI1, btaI2, and btaI3 expression using chromosomal mini-CTX-lux transcriptional reporters. The transcription of btaR1, btaR2, and btaR3 was also measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). We observed that RsaM1 mainly represses the QS-1 system, whereas RsaM2 principally represses the QS-2 system. We also found that both rsaM1 and rsaM2 are QS controlled and negatively autoregulated. We conclude that RsaM1 and RsaM2 are an integral part of the QS circuitry of B. thailandensis and play a major role in the hierarchical and homeostatic organization of the QS-1, QS-2, and QS-3 systems. IMPORTANCE Quorum sensing (QS) is commonly involved in the coordination of gene transcription associated with the establishment of host-pathogen interactions and acclimatization to the environment. We present the functional characterization of two rsaM homologues in the regulation of the multiple QS systems coexisting in the nonpathogenic bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis, which is widely used as a model system for the study of the human pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei. We found that inactivation of these rsaM homologues, which are clustered with the other QS genes, profoundly affects the QS circuitry of B. thailandensis. We conclude that they constitute essential regulatory components of the QS modulatory network and provide additional layers of regulation to modulate the transcription of QS-controlled genes, particularly those linked to environmental adaptation.
Differential Kv1.3, KCa3.1, and Kir2.1 expression in “classically” and “alternatively” activated microglia

Microglia are highly plastic cells that can assume different phenotypes in response to microenvironmental signals. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) promote differentiation into classically activated M1‐like microglia, which produce high levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide and are thought to contribute to neurological damage in ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease. IL‐4 in contrast induces a phenotype associated with anti‐inflammatory effects and tissue repair. We here investigated whether these microglia subsets vary in their K+ channel expression by differentiating neonatal mouse microglia into M(LPS) and M(IL‐4) microglia and studying their K+ channel expression by whole‐cell patch‐clamp, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. We identified three major types of K+ channels based on their biophysical and pharmacological fingerprints: a use‐dependent, outwardly rectifying current sensitive to the KV1.3 blockers PAP‐1 and ShK‐186, an inwardly rectifying Ba2+‐sensitive Kir2.1 current, and a Ca2+‐activated, TRAM‐34‐sensitive KCa3.1 current. Both KV1.3 and KCa3.1 blockers inhibited pro‐inflammatory cytokine production and iNOS and COX2 expression demonstrating that KV1.3 and KCa3.1 play important roles in microglia activation. Following differentiation with LPS or a combination of LPS and IFN‐γ microglia exhibited high KV1.3 current densities (∼50 pA/pF at 40 mV) and virtually no KCa3.1 and Kir currents, while microglia differentiated with IL‐4 exhibited large Kir2.1 currents (∼ 10 pA/pF at −120 mV). KCa3.1 currents were generally low but moderately increased following stimulation with IFN‐γ or ATP (∼10 pS/pF). This differential K+ channel expression pattern suggests that KV1.3 and KCa3.1 inhibitors could be used to inhibit detrimental neuroinflammatory microglia functions. GLIA 2016;65:106–121
Effect of Toothpaste Use Against Mineral Loss Promoted by Dental Bleaching.

AIM To investigate the effect of different toothpaste formulations used prior to dental bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) on the mineral content and surface morphology of enamel. METHODS Seventy bovine enamel blocks (4×4×2 mm) were submitted to in vitro treatment protocols using a toothbrushing machine prior to dental bleaching or a placebo procedure (n=10) as proposed in the following groups: unbleached control (PLA), bleached control (HP), and brushing with differing toothpastes prior to HP bleaching, including: potassium nitrate toothpaste containing sodium fluoride (PN), sodium monofluorophosphate/MFP toothpaste (FT), arginine-carbonate (8% arginine) (PA) or arginine-carbonate (1.5% arginine) toothpaste (SAN), and toothpaste containing bioactive glass (NM). Phosphorus concentration in gel ([P]) was evaluated (μg of P/mg of gel), and the elemental levels (wt%) of Ca, P, and Na as well as the proportion between Ca and P and spectra graphics were determined using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Tukey test (α=0.05). RESULTS HP demonstrated the greatest [P] values in gel, being statistically different from PLA. The [P] of NM was statistically similar to PLA. HP showed a significant decrease in the Ca% and Ca/P values when compared to PLA in EDS analysis. PA showed Ca/P values statistically different from HP. In accordance with SEM analysis, the PA, SAN, and NM groups presented a smooth and uniform enamel surface, while HP and FT demonstrated some alterations in morphology. CONCLUSION The toothpastes containing bioactive glass or arginine carbonate used prior to dental bleaching were effective in protecting enamel against mineral loss promoted by the whitening procedure.
The Effect of Burn Center Volume on Mortality in a Pediatric Population: An Analysis of the National Burn Repository

The effect of burn center volume on mortality has been demonstrated in adults. The authors sought to evaluate whether such a relationship existed in burned children. The National Burn Repository, a voluntary registry sponsored by the American Burn Association, was queried for all data points on patients aged 18 years or less and treated from 2002 to 2011. Facilities were divided into quartiles based on average annual burn volume. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared across groups, and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate relationships between facility volume, patient characteristics, and mortality. The authors analyzed 38,234 patients admitted to 88 unique facilities. Children under age 4 years or with larger burns were more likely to be managed at high-volume and very high–volume centers (57.12 and 53.41%, respectively). Overall mortality was low (0.85%). Comparing mortality across quartiles demonstrated improved unadjusted mortality rates at the low- and high-volume centers compared with the medium-volume and very high–volume centers although univariate logistic regression did not find a significant relationship. However, multivariate analysis identified burn center volume as a significant predictor of decreased mortality after controlling for patient characteristics including age, mechanism of injury, burn size, and presence of inhalation injury. Mortality among pediatric burn patients is low and was primarily related to patient and injury characteristics, such as burn size, inhalation injury, and burn cause. Average annual admission rate had a significant but small effect on mortality when injury characteristics were considered.
Interaction of Recanalization, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, and Cerebral Edema After Intravenous Thrombolysis

Background and Purpose— Both intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and brain edema have been attributed to reperfusion after intravenous thrombolysis. We explored the interaction of recanalization and core size for imaging outcomes (ICH and vasogenic brain edema). Methods— In patients with anterior circulation occlusion given intravenous thrombolysis <4.5 hours and imaged with computed tomographic (CT) perfusion and CT angiography, we defined volumes of core (relative delay time >2 s and relative cerebral blood flow <40%) and penumbra (relative delay time >2 s). CT and CT angiography at 24 hours were reviewed for ICH (European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study [ECASS]-2 definition), early vasogenic edema (third International Stroke Trial [IST-3] criteria), and recanalization (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 2–3). Independent effects of recanalization, core volume and potential interactions on edema, ICH and day 90 outcomes were estimated by logistic regression. Results— In 123 patients, there was a trend for recanalization to be associated with H1/2 ICH (odds ratio [OR], 2.3 [0.97–5.5]; P=0.06) but not with PH1/2 ICH (OR, 1.7 [0.33–8.8]; P=0.5), any edema, or significant brain edema (OR, 1.45 [0.4–4.9]; P=0.55). Ischemic core (>50 mL) was associated with any ICH (OR, 4.0 [1.6–9.5]; P=0.003), edema (OR, 5.4 [2–14]; P<0.01), and significant brain edema (OR, 17.4 [5.3–57]; P<0.01) but not with PH1/2 ICH (OR, 1.2 [0.23–6.5]; P=0.8), after controlling for recanalization. There was no significant interaction of recanalization and large core for any adverse outcomes. Conclusions— Large ischemic core was associated with poorer outcomes and both early vasogenic brain edema and ICH, but recanalization on 24-hour CT angiography was associated with clinically favorable outcome. There was no significant interaction of recanalization and large core volume for any outcomes. The association of hemorrhage or brain edema with post-thrombolysis reperfusion is unclear.
Fate Mechanisms and Removal of Tetrabromobisphenol-A (2,2’,6,6’-Tetrabromo-4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol) in the Activated Sludge Process

FATE MECHANISMS AND REMOVAL OF TETRABROMOBISPHENOL-A (2,2’,6,6’-TETRABROMO-4,4’-ISOPROPYLIDENEDIPHENOL) IN THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS Christopher Michael Potvin Advisor: University of Guelph, 2012 Professor Hongde Zhou A novel method for determination of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), was developed using gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS). Samples of municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent were analyzed for TBBPA. Levels ranged from 1 to 41 ng L−1, with an average of 20 ± 14 ng L−1. Matrix effects were shown to be 30 ± 17 % in the influent and -30 ± 11 % in membrane permeate. The method limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng L−1 TBBPA. Sorption of TBBPA to fresh mixed-liquor suspended solids (MLSS) from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) were studied. In a kinetic study, sorption was found to be essentially complete after 12 hours of exposure to MLSS. Log Koc and log Kd were measured at 4.7 ± 0.8 and 1.9 ± 0.8 respectively (n = 22). These values were much higher than modelled estimates based on Kow (p ≥ 0.05), and higher than modelled estimates based on Kow and pKa (p ≥ 0.05). Data was successfully modelled using the Freundlich isotherm, having a Kf value of 8.5 and an n value of 1.7. TBBPA adsorbed to borosilicate glassware, with a wall-loss coefficient (Kw) of 0.15 ± 0.1 (n ≥ 3). TBBPA levels in WWTP influent varied from 13 to 29 ng L−1 while effluent concentrations varied from 0 to 2.2 ng L−1 over the same period. Three pilot-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) removed less TBBPA during the same time period, though MBR removal was also significant (p ≥ 0.05). Increasing MBR sludge residence time (SRT) increased removal at the 86 % confidence interval (p = 0.14). A nitrifying MABR was shown to remove TBBPA significantly when spiked with ammonia and TBBPA (p ≥ 0.05), showing that nitrifying bacteria can degrade TBBPA. An MABR hollow fibre was found to adsorb TBBPA. Various soluble microbial products (SMP) were studied from MBRs fed municipal influent. Using current measurement practices, SMP were shown to be sensitive to matrix effects. Use of the standard addition technique (SA) can compensate for this. Measurements using SA showed SMP degrades rapidly during storage in the fridge and due to freezing. SA was also used to compare commonly used SMP extraction techniques, and showed that extraction method influences recovery. ”Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I shall do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I shall even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:18-19