Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Case of Intrauterine Fetal Death Associated with Maternal Campylobacter coli Bacteraemia

EDITORIAL COMMENT: We accepted this case report for publication to remind readers that intrauterine infection can cause fetal death even though the membranes are intact; of course in patients with vaginal discharge in the second trimester it is often uncertain whether or not the membranes are ruptured. We support the authors' statement that the placenta should always be sent for histological and microbiological analyses when the infant is stillborn or born in poor condition; it is also suggested that a Kleihauer test be performed on the mother's blood in such cases since fetomaternal haemorrhage is more common than previously believed. Although permission for autopsy may occasionally not be granted, the placenta should always be available for examination. Indeed the editor has never heard of parents refusing to have a placenta examined and it is doubtful if their permission for such examination is required. Indeed in many centres it is recommended that after all deliveries the placenta should be kept refrigerated within a plastic bag for 1 week in case a clinical complication arises in the baby or mother which indicates its further examination. Our legal consultant informs us that placentas, like surgical specimens, are the property of the hospital. Testing for Aids antibodies is a special situation since it is a community expectation that this will not be performed without consent following adequate counselling. The occasional couple may have a birth plan which includes taking the placenta home for special disposal; this wish should be respected but does not preclude examination of the organ.
Floorplanning Considering IR Drop in Multiple Supply Voltages Island Designs

Voltage island has become a very effective design style for power saving in low-power design. However, the new design style also brings forward new challenges, especially to the designers of power/ground (P/G) networks. In this paper, we study the power delivery problem in voltage island designs, and propose to consider voltage drop during the floorplanning process to reduce design iterations. Our analysis shows that it is unnecessary to consider the pitch of the P/G network in the floorplan stage. By using the simplified searching strategy in floorplanning, we can obtain more robust low power design within reasonable runtime. Experimental results have demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach.
Differential Metal Selectivity and Gene Expression of Two Zinc Transporters from Rice1

Zinc is an essential mineral for a wide variety of physiological and biochemical processes. To understand zinc transport in cereals, we identified putative zinc transporters in gene databases. Three full-length cDNAs were identified and characterized from rice (Oryza sativa). Two of the cDNAs partially complemented a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant deficient in zinc uptake at low concentrations. The two transporters showed many similarities in function but differed in ionic selectivity and pH optimum of activity. Expression patterns also differed between the two genes. One gene was broadly expressed under all conditions, and the other gene was mainly induced by zinc deficiency to higher levels in roots than in leaves. Although the timing of expression differed between the two genes, localization of expression overlapped in roots. Comparisons of the protein sequences, ionic selectivity, and gene expression patterns of the two transporters suggest that they may play different roles in the physiology of the whole plant.
Automatic LQR Tuning Based on Gaussian Process Optimization: Early Experimental Results

This paper proposes an automatic controller tuning framework based on linear optimal control combined with Bayesian optimization. With this framework, an initial set of controller gains is automatically improved according to a pre-defined performance objective evaluated from experimental data. The underlying Bayesian optimization algorithm is Entropy Search, which represents the latent objective as a Gaussian process and constructs an explicit belief over the location of the objective minimum. This is used to maximize the information gain from each experimental evaluation. Thus, this framework shall yield improved controllers with fewer evaluations compared to alternative approaches. A seven-degreeof-freedom robot arm balancing an inverted pole is used as the experimental demonstrator. Preliminary results of a lowdimensional tuning problem highlight the method’s potential for automatic controller tuning on robotic platforms.
‘What could I say?’ A critical discourse analysis of the construction of race in children’s literature

This article analyzes the construction of Whiteness in children’s literature that intentionally brings Whiteness to the surface. We wondered: do the authors re‐center Whiteness in their attempts to racialize White people? What literary strategies and linguistic techniques do the authors call on to present Whiteness and, subsequently, Blackness? Using a combination of critical analyses including intertextual and hermeneutical analyses as well as critical discourse analysis, we foreground the reconstructive and deconstructive aspects of White people talking about race. Our empirical analysis also relied on transactional theories of reading informed by cultural criticism and Whiteness studies. We focus on four themes that cut across the books in our findings: White talk, colorblind theories of race, historicizing racism, and the privileging effect. We demonstrate the ways in which the talk in texts between White characters sometimes recenters Whiteness and other times disrupts Whiteness as the center. We discuss our cooperative reflexivity as an inter‐racial research team conducting this inquiry.
The immunodepressive effect of Friend virus. II. Reduction of splenic haemolysin-producing cells in primary and secondary responses.

The effect of Friend virus on the response of Balb/c mice to sheep red cells, as measured by the numbers of haemolytic plaque forming cells in the spleen, was investigated. Virus injected with or before the antigen reduced the numbers of IgM and IgG antibody-producers, the latter more so than the former. Both the primary and the secondary responses were affected. Some possible mechanisms of action of the virus on immune responses are discussed.
Kinematic Study of the Blazar S5 0716+714

We determined the kinematics at the jet of 0716+714 from a reanalysis of multi-frequency VLBI data (5, 8.4, 15, 22 GHz) obtained during the last 10 years combined with data from the literature. For this intra-day variable blazar, only a lower limit of its distance is known (z >= 0.3). We find that 0716+714 is a relatively fast superluminal source (with a Lorentz factor of gamma >15), revising earlier results showing much slower motions. We discuss the new findings with emphasis on the interpretation of the observed rapid radio variability.
Perioperative administration of propranolol to women undergoing ovarian cancer surgery: A pilot study

Objective This study was done to evaluate whether perioperative propranolol (ß-blocker) in ovarian cancer patients undergoing debulking surgery reduced perioperative tumor growth induced by surgical stress. Methods This was a prospective randomized single institution analysis. The primary objective was to compare the changes in CA 125 level (changes between preoperation day 2 and postoperative day 7). As a study arm, patients received a low dose of propranolol 40 mg/day (4×10 mg) starting two days before surgery and 40 mg twice daily for three days following surgery. Results Twenty-two patients were enrolled and 16 were evaluable for efficacy. The drug was well tolerated. The mean decrease of CA 125 during the seven perioperative days was 83.1±8.9% in the propranolol group and 72.4±14.7% in the placebo group. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.044). The change of C-reactive protein, cortisol, and anxiety score (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-X1) were not different between the two groups. Conclusion This preliminary result is the first to directly test the role of perioperative propranolol on tumor growth. Even with the small sample size and short term use of the drug, perioperative propranolol was effective in reducing tumor burden (as measured by CA 125) suggesting its potential benefits in decreasing perioperative tumor growth.
Unifying Theories of Molecular, Community and Network Evolution

The origin of diversification and coexistence of genes and species have been traditionally studied in isolated biological levels. Ecological and evolutionary views have focused on the mechanisms that enable or constrain species coexistence, genetic variation and the genetics of speciation, but a unified theory linking those approaches is still missing. Here we introduce evolutionary graphs in the context of neutral theories of molecular evolution and biodiversity to provide a framework that simultaneously addresses speciation rate and joint genetic and species diversities. To illuminate this question we also study two models of evolution on graphs with fitness differences, which provide insights on how genetic and ecological dynamics drive the speed of diversification. Neutral evolution generates the highest speed of speciation, species richness (i.e. five times and twice as many species as compared to genetic and ecological graphs, respectively) and genetic--species diversity (i.e., twice as many as genetic and ecological graphs, respectively). Thus the speed of speciation, the genetic--species diversity and coexistence can differ dramatically depending on whether genetic factors versus ecological factors drive the evolution of the system. By linking molecular, sexual and trophic behavior at ecological and evolutionary scales, interacting graphs can illuminate the origin and evolution of diversity and organismal coexistence.
Stepping Up Glaucoma Management: When and How?

Glaucoma management aims to preserve patients’ quality of life by halting progressive visual loss. Intraocular pressure reduction is the pivotal strategy: we establish a “target” pressure based on extent of visual damage, threat to visual performance, risk profile for further damage, pre-treatment pressure levels, family history and a patient’s life expectancy. Once an acceptable treatment regimen has been instituted, review ascertains whether damage has advanced and/or the risk of progressive damage has changed. Increased damage and/or increased risk of progressive damage suggest accelerated treatment, and lowered target pressures. When should management be stepped up? When a glaucoma patient, or a glaucoma suspect is getting worse and it matters, and when an individual is at increased risk of getting worse and it matters. At each review, the ophthalmologist seeks change in disease status: is it stable, uncertain whether or not it is stable, or progressing? Equally, the level of risk of further damage is assessed: is it unchanged, uncertain whether it is unchanged, or increased? If both disease status and risk are stable, the patient continues as is; if either or both have changed, treatment either can be initiated for suspects, or accelerated for patients. This means, intervene to reduce the perceived risk of further damage, and this means reducing or further reducing pressure.
Biotinylated isocoumarins, new inhibitors and reagents for detection, localization, and isolation of serine proteases.

Eight new biotinylated, mechanism-based isocoumarin serine protease inhibitors have been designed and synthesized to detect, localize, and isolate serine proteases. Isocoumarins that contain a 4-chloro group, a biotinylated substituent at the 7-position, and different 3-alkoxy groups are inhibitors of various serine proteases including human leukocyte elastase (HLE), porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), trypsin, human recombinant granzyme A, chymotrypsin, and cathepsin G. Insertion of spacers between the isocoumarin moiety and the biotin moiety enhanced enzyme inhibitory potency and may also promote binding of the enzyme-inhibitor complex to avidin. The 3-alkoxy groups conferred selectivity toward different serine proteases with chymotrypsin being inhibited effectively by compounds with 3-phenylethoxy groups while derivatives with 3-methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy groups were potent inhibitors of HLE and moderate inhibitors of PPE. Full enzymatic activity was regained after the immediate addition of hydroxylamine to the inactivated chymotrypsin and PPE derivatives, which indicated that a simple acyl enzyme derivative is formed initially in the inhibition reaction. Egg avidin did not effect the rate of spontaneous enzyme reactivation rate while streptavidin accelerated the reactivation reaction. PPE inhibited by 7-[[6-(biotinylamino)caproyl]amino]-4-chloro-3- ethoxyisocoumarin (BIC 5) or 7-[[6-[[6-(biotinylamino)caproyl]amino] caproyl]amino]-4-chloro-3-methoxyisocoumarin (BIC 7) was bound to immobilized avidin columns. Most of inhibited PPE could be eluted from the monomeric or tetrameric avidin columns but only a portion (40-70%) of the enzyme was active due to the partial formation of a stable alkylated enzyme derivative during the isolation process. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The occurrence and infection dynamics of Anisakis larvae in the black-scabbard fish, Aphanopus carbo, chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus, and oceanic horse mackerel, Trachurus picturatus from Madeira, Portugal

Abstract Larval stages of Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) were found encapsulated or free in the viscera and abdominal cavity of the black-scabbard fish, Aphanopus carbo, chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus and oceanic horse mackerel, Trachurus picturatus in Madeiran waters. The prevalence of infection reached 97.2% (n=142) for A. carbo, 69.5% (n=154) for S. japonicus and 62.5% (n=40) for T. picturatus. Considerable differences in parasite intensities between A. carbo and both S. japonicus and T. picturatus were found, with mean intensities up to 69.6 in A. carbo, while in the other two fish hosts the intensity reached only a maximum of 2.6. These differences were probably due to different feeding behaviours of the hosts. Intensities of Anisakis sp. in A. carbo were high irrespective of sex and season. No relationship between host length and prevalence of infection was observed for A. carbo, while for S. japonicus a weak positive significant relationship was found.
A General Measure of Ecological Behavior1

Measurement of ecological behavior across different domains has been troublesome. The present paper argues that the lack of agreement in measuring general ecological behavior may be due to the measurement approach that is commonly used. An ecological behavior measure should be grounded on a probabilistic measurement approach that takes the important features of ecological behavior into consideration. Such a measure was developed in a survey study of 445 members of 2 Swiss transportation associations. Three types of ecological behavior measures were included: a general measure, 3 multiple-item measures, and 3 single-item measures. Results are controlled for social desirability effects. Reliability, internal consistency, and validity scores indicate that a probabilistic measurement approach can measure general ecological behavior accurately and unidimensionally.
Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells Acquire a Lymphendothelial Phenotype and Enhance Lymphatic Regeneration In Vivo

Background— The importance and therapeutic value of stem cells in lymphangiogenesis are poorly understood. We evaluated the potential of human and murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to acquire a lymphatic phenotype in vitro and to enhance lymphatic regeneration in vivo. Methods and Results— We assessed the lymphendothelial differentiation of human and murine MSCs after induction with supernatant derived from human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, isolated lymphatic endothelial cells, and purified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C in vitro. We used human or murine progenitor MSC lines and then characterized the lymphatic phenotype by morphology, migratory capacity, and the expression of lymphatic markers such as Prox-1, podoplanin, Lyve-1, VEGF receptor-2, and VEGF receptor-3. Using a murine lymphatic edema model, we assessed the potential of these cells to form a functional lymphatic vasculature in vivo after injection of syngeneic MSCs. Incubation with supernatant from lymphatic endothelial cells induced an endothelium-like morphology and the expression of lymphendothelial markers in both human and murine MSCs in vitro. MSCs showed migratory activity along a VEGF-C gradient, which was enhanced by VEGF-C conditioning. In vivo, the local application of MSCs resulted in a significant decrease in edema formation (−20.1%; P<0.01 versus untreated tails) after 3 weekly cell injections and restored the drainage of intradermally injected methylene blue after 7 weekly injections. Conclusions— MSCs were capable of expressing a lymphatic phenotype when exposed to lymph-inductive media and purified VEGF-C. Migratory activity toward VEGF-C in vitro suggests homing capability in vivo. Restoration of lymphatic drainage after injection of MSCs in a lymphedema model indicates that MSCs play a role in lymphatic regeneration. The potential clinical application of MSC in wound healing and reduction of lymphatic edema warrants further research.
Adaptation to fluctuating environments in a selection experiment with Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract A fundamental question in life‐history evolution is how organisms cope with fluctuating environments, including variation between stressful and benign conditions. For short‐lived organisms, environments commonly vary between generations. Using a novel experimental design, we exposed wild‐derived Drosophila melanogaster to three different selection regimes: one where generations alternated between starvation and benign conditions, and starvation was always preceded by early exposure to cold; another where starvation and benign conditions alternated in the same way, but cold shock sometimes preceded starvation and sometimes benign conditions; and a third where conditions were always benign. Using six replicate populations per selection regime, we found that selected flies increased their starvation resistance, most strongly for the regime where cold and starvation were reliably combined, and this occurred without decreased fecundity or extended developmental time. The selected flies became stress resistant, displayed a pronounced increase in early life food intake and resource storage. In contrast to previous experiments selecting for increased starvation resistance in D. melanogaster, we did not find increased storage of lipids as the main response, but instead that, in particular for females, storage of carbohydrates was more pronounced. We argue that faster mobilization of carbohydrates is advantageous in fluctuating environments and conclude that the phenotype that evolved in our experiment corresponds to a compromise between the requirements of stressful and benign environments.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption and risk of lymphoma: Results of apopulation‐based case‐control study in Germany

Changing trends in lifestyle exposures are suggested to be contributing factors to the increasing incidence rates for lymphoma. We investigated the relationship between smoking and alcohol consumption and the risk of lymphoma among adult participants of a population‐based case‐control study recently conducted in Germany. In 710 case‐control pairs, an increased risk of lymphoma was associated with a long duration of smoking (p for trend = 0.01 for men) and smoking of > 20 cigarettes per day(OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.4–5.2 for women). Elevated odds ratios were seen for most lymphoma subentities, albeit mostly without reaching statistical significance. A strong association was evident between smoking and multiple myeloma (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 0.98–5.74 for men; OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.1–7.4 for women) and Hodgkin's lymphoma among men (OR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.7–7.5). Alcohol consumption 10 years prior to the date of interview appeared to decrease the risk of lymphoma. Odds ratios for men who reported alcohol consumption were 53% lower (95% CI = 0.31–0.71) compared to men who drank very little or no alcohol. The same tendency was evident for women, although the association was less pronounced. The inverse relationship was also seen for low amounts of alcohol and did not appear to be restricted to specific types of beverages. Although biologic rationale for a protective effect of alcohol consumption may be given, a more in‐depth analysis involving genetic markers is indicated to clarify if ethanol, other components in alcoholic beverages, or factors associated with moderate drinking reduce lymphoma risk among adults. In conclusion, this investigation suggests a positive association between tobacco smoking and lymphoma risk and finds decreased odds ratios among consumers of alcohol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trypanosoma brucei Invasion and T-Cell Infiltration of the Brain Parenchyma in Experimental Sleeping Sickness: Timing and Correlation with Functional Changes

Background The timing of Trypanosoma brucei entry into the brain parenchyma to initiate the second, meningoencephalitic stage of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is currently debated and even parasite invasion of the neuropil has been recently questioned. Furthermore, the relationship between neurological features and disease stage are unclear, despite the important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Methodology Using a rat model of chronic Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection we determined the timing of parasite and T-cell neuropil infiltration and its correlation with functional changes. Parasite DNA was detected using trypanosome-specific PCR. Body weight and sleep structure alterations represented by sleep-onset rapid eye movement (SOREM) periods, reported in human and experimental African trypanosomiasis, were monitored. The presence of parasites, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the neuropil was assessed over time in the brain of the same animals by immunocytochemistry and quantitative analyses. Principal findings Trypanosome DNA was present in the brain at day 6 post-infection and increased more than 15-fold by day 21. Parasites and T-cells were observed in the parenchyma from day 9 onwards. Parasites traversing blood vessel walls were observed in the hypothalamus and other brain regions. Body weight gain was reduced from day 7 onwards. SOREM episodes started in most cases early after infection, with an increase in number and duration after parasite neuroinvasion. Conclusion These findings demonstrate invasion of the neuropil over time, after an initial interval, by parasites and lymphocytes crossing the blood-brain barrier, and show that neurological features can precede this event. The data thus challenge the current clinical and cerebrospinal fluid criteria of disease staging.
AdaSum: an adaptive model for summarization

Topic representation mismatch is a key problem in topic-oriented summarization for the specified topic is usually too short to understand/interpret. This paper proposes a novel adaptive model for summarization, AdaSum, under the assumption that the summary and the topic representation can be mutually boosted. AdaSum aims to simultaneously optimize the topic representation and extract effective summaries. This model employs a mutual boosting process to minimize the topic representation mismatch for base summarizers. Furthermore, a linear combination of base summarizers is proposed to further reduce the topic representation mismatch from the diversity of base summarizers with a general learning framework. We prove that the training process of AdaSum can enhance the performance measure used. Experimental results on DUC 2007 dataset show that AdaSum significantly outperforms the baseline methods for summarization (e.g. MRP, LexRank, and GSPS).