Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lyme Disease Borrelia spp. in Ticks and Rodents from Northwestern China

ABSTRACT In May 1999, field surveys of Lyme disease spirochetes were conducted around the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern People's Republic of China. Ixodes persulcatus ticks were obtained in a Tianchi Lake valley with primary forest, while the tick fauna was poor in the semidesert or at higher altitudes in this region. Species identities were confirmed by molecular analysis in which an internal transcribed spacer sequence was used. Of 55 adult ticks, 22 (40%) were positive for spirochetes as determined by Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly culture passages. In addition, some rodents, including Apodemus uralensis (5 of 14 animals) and Cricetulus longicaudatus (the only animal examined), and some immature stages of I. persulcatus (4 of 11 ticks) that had fed on A. uralensis were positive for spirochetes. Based on 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and reactivity with monoclonal antibodies, 35 cultures (including double isolation cultures) were identified as Borrelia garinii (20 isolates, including 9 Eurasian pattern B isolates and 11 Asian pattern C isolates),Borrelia afzelii (10 pattern D isolates), and mixed cultures (5 cultures, including isolates that produced B. garinii patterns B and C plus B. afzelii pattern D). These findings revealed that Lyme disease pathogens are distributed in the mountainous areas in northwestern China even though it is an arid region, and they also confirmed the specific relationship betweenI. persulcatus and genetic patterns ofBorrelia spp. on the Asian continent.
Beneficial Effect of Propofol on Arterial Adenosine Triphosphate-sensitive K+ Channel Function Impaired by Thromboxane

Background:It is not known whether thromboxane A2 impairs adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channel function via increased production of superoxide in blood vessels and whether propofol as a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor restores this modification. Methods:Rat aortas without endothelium were used for isometric force recording, measurements of membrane potential, and superoxide production and Western immunoblotting. Vasorelaxation to an ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener levcromakalim was obtained during contraction to phenylephrine (3 × 10−7 m) or a thromboxane A2 analogue U46619 (3 × 10−8 m). In some experiments, aortas were incubated with an ATP-sensitive K+ channel antagonist glibenclamide, a superoxide inhibitor Tiron, a nonselective NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, a hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, a thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ29548 or propofol (3 × 10−7 to 3 × 10−6 m). Results:Levcromakalim-induced vasorelaxation was abolished by glibenclamide in rings contracted with either vasoconstrictor agent. Tiron, apocynin, and propofol, but not catalase, augmented the vasodilator response as well as the hyperpolarization by levcromakalim in aortas contracted with U46619. Tiron, apocynin, SQ29548, and propofol, but not allopurinol, similarly reduced in situ levels of superoxide within aortic vascular smooth muscle exposed to U46619. Protein expression of a NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox increased in these arteries, and this augmentation was abolished by propofol. Conclusions:Thromboxane receptor activation induces vascular oxidative stress via NADPH oxidase, resulting in the impairment of ATP-sensitive K+ channel function. Propofol reduces this stress via inhibition of a NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox and, therefore, restores ATP-sensitive K+ channel function.
Telecubes: mechanical design of a module for self-reconfigurable robotics

A Telecube is a cubic module that has six prismatic degrees of freedom whose sides can expand more than twice its original length and has the ability to magnetically (de)attach to other modules. Many of these modules can be connected together to form a modular self-reconfigurable robot. The paper presents the intended functions, discusses the physical requirements of the modules and describes two key mechanical components: a compact telescoping linear actuator and a switching permanent magnet device.
Hybrid origins and the earliest stages of diploidization in the highly successful recent polyploid Capsella bursa-pastoris

Significance Plants have undergone repeated rounds of whole-genome duplication, followed by gene degeneration and loss. Using whole-genome resequencing, we examined the origins of the recent tetraploid Capsella bursa-pastoris and the earliest stages of genome evolution after polyploidization. We conclude the species had a hybrid origin from two distinct Capsella lineages within the past 100,000–300,000 y. Our analyses suggest the absence of rapid gene loss but provide evidence that the species has large numbers of inactivating mutations, many of which were inherited from the parental species. Our results suggest that genome evolution following polyploidy is determined not only by genome redundancy but also by demography, the mating system, and the evolutionary history of the parental species. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) events have occurred repeatedly during flowering plant evolution, and there is growing evidence for predictable patterns of gene retention and loss following polyploidization. Despite these important insights, the rate and processes governing the earliest stages of diploidization remain poorly understood, and the relative importance of genetic drift, positive selection, and relaxed purifying selection in the process of gene degeneration and loss is unclear. Here, we conduct whole-genome resequencing in Capsella bursa-pastoris, a recently formed tetraploid with one of the most widespread species distributions of any angiosperm. Whole-genome data provide strong support for recent hybrid origins of the tetraploid species within the past 100,000–300,000 y from two diploid progenitors in the Capsella genus. Major-effect inactivating mutations are frequent, but many were inherited from the parental species and show no evidence of being fixed by positive selection. Despite a lack of large-scale gene loss, we observe a decrease in the efficacy of natural selection genome-wide due to the combined effects of demography, selfing, and genome redundancy from WGD. Our results suggest that the earliest stages of diploidization are associated with quantitative genome-wide decreases in the strength and efficacy of selection rather than rapid gene loss, and that nonfunctionalization can receive a “head start” through a legacy of deleterious variants and differential expression originating in parental diploid populations.
Control of one-dimensional guided formations using coarsely quantized information

Motivated by applications of platoon formations, the paper studies the problem of guiding mobile agents in a one-dimensional formation to their desired relative positions. Only coarsely quantized information is used which is communicated from a guidance system that monitors in real time the agents' motions. The desired relative positions are defined by the given distance constraints between the agents under which the overall formation is rigid in shape and thus admits locally a unique realization. It is firstly shown that even when the guidance system can only transmit at most four bits of information to each agent, it is still possible to design control laws to guide the agents to their desired positions. We further delineate the thin set of initial conditions for which the proposed control law may fail using the example of a three-agent formation. Tools from non-smooth analysis are utilized for the convergence analysis.
Cluster strong lensing in the Millennium simulation: the effect of galaxies and structures along the line-of-sight

We use ray-tracing through the Millennium simulation to study how secondary matter structures along the line-of-sight and the stellar mass in galaxies affect strong cluster lensing, in particular the cross-section for giant arcs. Furthermore, we investigate the distribution of the cluster Einstein radii and the radial distribution of giant arcs. We find that additional structures along the line-of-sight increase the strong-lensing optical depth by ∼10–25 per cent, while strong-lensing cross-sections of individual clusters are frequently boosted by as much as ∼50 per cent. The enhancement is mainly due to structures that are not correlated with the lens. Cluster galaxies increase the strong-lensing optical depth by up to a factor of 2, while interloping galaxies are not significant. We conclude that these effects need to be taken into account for predictions of the giant arc abundance, but they are not large enough to fully account for the reported discrepancy between predicted and observed abundances. Furthermore, we find that Einstein radii defined via the area enclosed by the critical curve are 10–30 per cent larger than those defined via radial surface mass density profiles. The contributions of radial and tangential arcs to the radial distribution of arcs can be clearly distinguished. The radial distribution of tangential arcs is very broad and extends out to several Einstein radii. Thus, individual arcs are not well suited for constraining Einstein radii.
Health Outcomes in US Children with Abdominal Pain at Major Emergency Departments Associated with Race and Socioeconomic Status

Objective Over 9.6 million ED visits occur annually for abdominal pain in the US, but little is known about the medical outcomes of these patients based on demographics. We aimed to identify disparities in outcomes among children presenting to the ED with abdominal pain linked to race and SES. Methods Data from 4.2 million pediatric encounters of abdominal pain were analyzed from 43 tertiary US children’s hospitals, including 2.0 million encounters in the emergency department during 2004-2011. Abdominal pain was categorized as functional or organic abdominal pain. Appendicitis (with and without perforation) was used as a surrogate for abdominal pain requiring emergent care. Multivariate analysis estimated likelihood of hospitalizations, radiologic imaging, ICU admissions, appendicitis, appendicitis with perforation, and time to surgery and hospital discharge. Results Black and low income children had increased odds of perforated appendicitis (aOR, 1.42, 95% CI, 1.32- 1.53; aOR, 1.20, 95% CI 1.14 – 1.25). Blacks had increased odds of an ICU admission (aOR, 1.92, 95% CI 1.53 - 2.42) and longer lengths of stay (aHR, 0.91, 95% CI 0.86 – 0.96) than Whites. Minorities and low income also had lower rates of imaging for their appendicitis, including CT scans. The combined effect of race and income on perforated appendicitis, hospitalization, and time to surgery was greater than either separately. Conclusions Based on race and SES, disparity of health outcomes exists in the acute ED setting among children presenting with abdominal pain, with differences in appendicitis with perforation, length of stay, and time until surgery.
Development and characterisation of polypyrrole/metal junctions for electronic applications

Preliminary results are presented on the fabrication and analysis of junctions formed between metals and semi-conducting and conducting polypyrrole. Rectifying junctions were observed between aluminium and indium with semi-conducting polypyrrole in a sandwich geometry using current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) analysis techniques, respectively. All planar junctions analysed were non-rectifying, while both gold and platinum were observed to form ohmic junctions in both the sandwich and planar geometries. Preliminary analysis using ideal Schottky barrier theory was attempted with various junction parameters determined, with significant deviation from the ideal theory observed. It is proposed that this deviation is due to the synthesis history of the polymer and the presence of an insulating oxide layer between the polymer and the metal.
Shear stress-induced reorganization of the surface topography of living endothelial cells imaged by atomic force microscopy.

We report the first topographical data of the surface of living endothelial cells at sub-light-microscopic resolution, measurements essential for a detailed understanding of force distribution in the endothelium subjected to flow. Atomic force microscopy was used to observe the surface topography of living endothelial cells in confluent monolayers maintained in static culture or subjected to unidirectional shear stress in laminar flow (12 dyne/cm2 for 24 hours). The surface of polygonal unsheared cells was smooth, with mean excursion of surface undulation between peak height (over the nucleus) and minima (at intercellular junctions) of 3.4 +/- 0.7 microns (mean +/- SD); the mean height to length ratio was 0.11 +/- 0.02. In cells that were aligned in the direction of flow after a 24-hour exposure to laminar shear stress, height differentials were significantly reduced (mean, 1.8 +/- 0.5 micron), and the mean height to length ratio was 0.045 +/- 0.009. Calculation of maximum shear stress and maximum gradient of shear stress (delta tau/delta x, where tau is shear stress at the cell surface) at constant flow velocity revealed substantial streamling of aligned cells that reduced delta tau/delta x by more than 50% at a nominal shear stress of 10 dyne/cm2. Aligned cells exhibited ridges extending in the direction of flow that represented imprints of submembranous F-actin stress-fiber bundles mechanically coupled to the cell membrane. The surface ridges, approximately 50 nm in height and 200 to 1000 nm in width, were particularly prominent in the periphery of the aligned cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Satisfaction Spillovers Across Categories

We provide a descriptive study of the cross-category effects of satisfaction with financial services on retention behavior. Behavioral contrast and learning theories provide the bases for our understanding of these effects. Our empirical results reveal the following: (i) Across banking and investment categories, when customers have different providers, satisfaction with one lowers the retention probability in the other service. (ii) A customer who is dissatisfied with the investment service is more likely to stay with the current banking service. (iii) Significantly, we find that when the same firm is involved in both categories, dissatisfaction with the firm in the investment category spills over into the banking category thereby lowering its retention probability. We also find that: (a) among customers who are satisfied with banking (investment), more exposure to media increases retention probability; (b) although switching costs and order of acquisition affect retention, they do not show cross-category interactions with satisfaction. We then obtain implications for customer lifetime value (CLV) and show that it can increase satisfaction by leveraging both the within and across category effects. Bottom line: It is important for a company providing multiple services to measure satisfaction at the category level but to manage customers across categories.Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mksc.2015. 0941 .
On the relevance of subcritical hydrodynamic turbulence to accretion disk transport

Hydrodynamic unstratified Keplerian flows are known to be linearly stable at all Reynolds numbers, but may nevertheless become turbulent through nonlinear mechanisms. However, in the last ten years, conflicting points of view have appeared on this issue. We have revisited the problem through numerical simulations in the shearing sheet limit. It turns out that the effect of the Coriolis force in stabilizing the flow depends on whether the flow is cyclonic (cooperating shear and rotation vorticities) or anticyclonic (competing shear and rotation vorticities); Keplerian flows are anticyclonic. We have obtained the following results: i/ The Coriolis force does not quench turbulence in subcritical flows; however, turbulence is more efficient, and much more easily found, in cyclonic flows than in anticyclonic ones. ii/ The Reynolds number/rotation/resolution relation has been quantified in this problem. In particular we find that the resolution demand, when moving away from the marginal stability boundary, is much more severe for anticyclonic flows than for cyclonic ones. Presently available computer resources do not allow numerical codes to reach the Keplerian regime. iii/ The efficiency of turbulent transport is directly correlated to the Reynolds number of transition to turbulence Rg , in such a way that the Shakura-Sunyaev parameter $\alpha\sim 1/Rg$. This correlation is nearly independent of the flow cyclonicity. The correlation is expected on the basis of generic physical arguments. iv/ Even the most optimistic extrapolations of our numerical data show that subcritical turbulent transport would be too inefficient in Keplerian flows by several orders of magnitude for astrophysical purposes. Vertical boundary conditions may play a role in this issue although no significant effect was found in our preliminary tests. v/ Our results suggest that the data obtained for Keplerian-like flows in a Taylor-Couette settings are largely affected by secondary flows, such as Ekman circulation.
Field and laboratory testing in young elite soccer players

Aim: To determine if there are correlations between the physical fitness of young soccer players assessed by field and laboratory testing. Methods: Thirty four male soccer players took part in the study (mean (SD) age 17.5 (1.1) years, height 177.8 (6.7) cm, weight 70.5 (6.4) kg). Maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) during treadmill running and vertical jump height on a force platform were measured in the laboratory. Field tests consisted of a soccer specific endurance test (Bangsbo test) and 30 m sprint with 10 m lap times. Results: The Bangsbo test correlated with the lowest velocity associated with Vo2max (vVo2max; R2 = 0.55, p<0.001), but not with Vo2max. Sprint times at 30 m and 20 m were related to peak extension velocity and peak extension force measured during vertical jumping, but not to vertical jump height per se. The jumping force and velocity could explain 46% of the 30 m sprint performance (R2 = 0.46, p<0.001). Conclusion: The Bangsbo test and 30 m sprint test correlate with vVo2max and vertical jump force and velocity respectively. The Bangsbo test does not give a good estimate of Vo2max in young soccer players.
Interpolation and Extrapolation in Human Behavior and Neural Networks

Unlike most artificial systems, the brain is able to face situations that it has not learned or even encountered before. This ability is not in general echoed by the properties of most neural networks. Here, we show that neural computation based on least-square error learning between populations of intensitycoded neurons can explain interpolation and extrapolation capacities of the nervous system in sensorimotor and cognitive tasks. We present simulations for function learning experiments, auditory-visual behavior, and visuomotor transformations. The results suggest that induction in human behavior, be it sensorimotor or cognitive, could arise from a common neural associative mechanism.
Parental divorce and the well-being of children: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis involved 92 studies that compared children living in divorced single-parent families with children living in continuously intact families on measures of well-being. Children of divorce scored lower than children in intact families across a variety of outcomes, with the median effect size being . 14 of a standard deviation. For some outcomes, methodologically sophisticated studies yielded weaker effect sizes than did other studies. In addition, for some outcomes, more recent studies yielded weaker effect sizes than did studies carried out during earlier decades. Some support was found for theoretical perspectives emphasizing parental absence and economic disadvantage, but the most consistent support was found for a family conflict perspective.
A calculus for hardware description*

Abstract In efforts to overcome the complexity of the syntax and the lack of formal semantics of conventional hardware description languages, a number of functional hardware description languages have been developed. Like conventional hardware description languages, however, functional hardware description languages eventually convert all source programs into netlists, which describe wire connections in hardware circuits at the lowest level and conceal all high-level descriptions written into source programs. We develop a calculus, called lλ (linear lambda), which may serve as an intermediate functional language just above netlists in the hierarchy of hardware description languages. In order to support higher-order functions, lλ uses a linear type system, which enforces the linear use of variables of function type. The translation of lλ into structural descriptions of hardware circuits is sound and complete in the sense that it maps expressions only to realizable hardware circuits, and that every realizable hardware circuit has a corresponding expression in lλ. To illustrate the use of lλ as a practical intermediate language for hardware description, we design a simple hardware description language that extends lλ with polymorphism, and use it to implement a fast Fourier transform circuit and a bitonic sorting network.
Immunogenicity and Safety of Recombinant Rabies Viruses Used for Oral Vaccination of Stray Dogs and Wildlife

Rabies is a zoonotic disease and stray dogs, wild carnivores and bats are the natural reservoirs of rabies. Oral immunization with live vaccines is the only practical approach to eradicate rabies in free ranging terrestrial animals. We have developed the double glycoprotein (G) rabies virus (RV) variant SPBNGAS‐GAS that has great promise to be used as a live‐attenuated vaccine. Oral immunization of rodents and several target animal species with this double G RV variant resulted in the induction of protective immunity, superior to that induced by a single RV G variant (SPBNGAS). The high oral efficacy of SPBNGAS‐GAS is likely because of its increased ability to infect monocytes or immature dendritic cells (DCs), thereby inducing their conversion into mature DCs. Furthermore, infection of DCs with the double G variant resulted in a strong up‐regulation of the expression of genes related to the NFκB signalling pathway including IFN‐α and IFN‐β, which might underlie the protection conferred by this live RV vaccine. A potential problem associated with the use of live RVs for oral vaccination could rest in the possibility of reversion to the pathogenic phenotype because of the high mutation rate characteristic for all RNA viruses. In this respect, the presence of a second non‐pathogenic G gene decreases considerably the risk of reversion to the pathogenic phenotype because a non‐pathogenic G is dominant over a pathogenic G in determining the pathogenicity of the double G RV variant. Because of its excellent efficacy and safety, the SPBNGAS‐GAS vaccine may provide a distinct advantage over other live RV vaccine in its ability to vaccinate a broad range of mammalian species.
The influence of water temperature on sockeye salmon heart rate recovery following simulated fisheries interactions

This study describes sockeye salmon heart rate recovery profiles after a fisheries catch-and-release simulation in 16°C, 19°C and 21°C water. Warmer temperatures increased the peak heart rate, scope for heart rate, factorial heart rate and the initial rate of energy expenditure, though the overall recovery duration was consistent across treatments.