Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Xanthomonas citri T6SS mediates resistance to Dictyostelium predation and is regulated by an ECF &sgr; factor and cognate Ser/Thr kinase

Plant-associated bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas cause disease in a wide range of economically important crops. However, their ability to persist in the environment is still poorly understood. Predation by amoebas represents a major selective pressure to bacterial populations in the environment. In this study, we show that the X. citri type 6 secretion system (T6SS) promotes resistance to predation by the soil amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. We found that an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor (EcfK) is required for induction of T6SS genes during interaction with Dictyostelium. EcfK homologues are found in several environmental bacteria in association with a gene encoding a eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr kinase (pknS). Deletion of pknS causes sensitivity to amoeba predation and abolishes induction of T6SS genes. Phosphomimetic mutagenesis of EcfK identified a threonine residue (T51) that renders EcfK constitutively active in standard culture conditions. Moreover, susceptibility of ΔpknS to Dictyostelium predation can be overcome by expression of the constitutively active version EcfKT51E from a multicopy plasmid. Together, these results describe a new regulatory cascade in which PknS functions through activation of EcfK to promote T6SS expression. Our work reveals an important aspect of Xanthomonas physiology that affects its ability to persist in the environment.
Complications and Mortality Following One to Two-Level Anterior Cervical Fusion for Cervical Spondylosis in Patients Above 80 Years of Age

Study Design. A retrospective database review. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the complication and mortality rates in patients 80 years of age and older who were treated with anterior cervical fusion surgery and to compare these rates against those of other elderly patients. Summary of Background Data. Cervical spondylosis is frequently observed in the elderly and is the most common cause of myelopathy in older adults. With increasing life expectancies, a greater proportion of patients are being treated with spine surgery at a later age. Limited information is available regarding outcomes following anterior cervical fusion surgery in patients 80 years of age or older. Methods. Medicare data from the PearlDiver Database (2005–2012) were queried for patients who underwent primary one to two-level anterior cervical spine fusion surgeries for cervical spondylosis. After excluding patients with prior spine metastasis, bone cancer, spine trauma, or spine infection, this cohort was divided into two study groups: patients 65 to 79 (51,808) and ≥80 years old (5515) were selected. A cohort of matched control patients was selected from the 65 to 79-year-old and 90-day complication rates and 90-day and 1-year mortality rates were compared between cohorts. Results. The proportion of patients experiencing at least one major medical complication was relatively increased by 53.4% in patients aged ≥80 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.63]. Patients 80 years of age or older were more likely to experience dysphagia (OR 2.16), reintubation (OR 2.34), and aspiration pneumonitis (OR 3.17). Both 90-day (OR: 4.34) and 1-year (OR 3.68) mortality were significantly higher in the ≥80 year cohort. Conclusion. Patients 80 years of age or older are more likely to experience a major medical complication or mortality following anterior cervical fusion for cervical spondylosis than patients 65 to 79 years old. Dysphagia, aspiration pneumonitis, and reintubation rates are also significantly higher in patients 80 years of age or older. Although complication rates may be higher in this patient population, carefully selected patients could potentially derive much benefit from surgery and should not be screened out solely on the basis of age. Level of Evidence: 4
End-to-End Flow Correlation Tracking with Spatial-Temporal Attention

Discriminative correlation filters (DCF) with deep convolutional features have achieved favorable performance in recent tracking benchmarks. However, most of existing DCF trackers only consider appearance features of current frame, and hardly benefit from motion and inter-frame information. The lack of temporal information degrades the tracking performance during challenges such as partial occlusion and deformation. In this paper, we propose the FlowTrack, which focuses on making use of the rich flow information in consecutive frames to improve the feature representation and the tracking accuracy. The FlowTrack formulates individual components, including optical flow estimation, feature extraction, aggregation and correlation filters tracking as special layers in network. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to jointly train flow and tracking task in deep learning framework. Then the historical feature maps at predefined intervals are warped and aggregated with current ones by the guiding of flow. For adaptive aggregation, we propose a novel spatial-temporal attention mechanism. In experiments, the proposed method achieves leading performance on OTB2013, OTB2015, VOT2015 and VOT2016.
Fully automatic left ventricular myocardial strain estimation in 2D short-axis tagged magnetic resonance imaging

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death and frequently result in local myocardial dysfunction. Among the numerous imaging modalities available to detect these dysfunctional regions, cardiac deformation imaging through tagged magnetic resonance imaging (t-MRI) has been an attractive approach. Nevertheless, fully automatic analysis of these data sets is still challenging. In this work, we present a fully automatic framework to estimate left ventricular myocardial deformation from t-MRI. This strategy performs automatic myocardial segmentation based on B-spline explicit active surfaces, which are initialized using an annular model. A non-rigid image-registration technique is then used to assess myocardial deformation. Three experiments were set up to validate the proposed framework using a clinical database of 75 patients. First, automatic segmentation accuracy was evaluated by comparing against manual delineations at one specific cardiac phase. The proposed solution showed an average perpendicular distance error of 2.35 ± 1.21 mm and 2.27 ± 1.02 mm for the endo- and epicardium, respectively. Second, starting from either manual or automatic segmentation, myocardial tracking was performed and the resulting strain curves were compared. It is shown that the automatic segmentation adds negligible differences during the strain-estimation stage, corroborating its accuracy. Finally, segmental strain was compared with scar tissue extent determined by delay-enhanced MRI. The results proved that both strain components were able to distinguish between normal and infarct regions. Overall, the proposed framework was shown to be accurate, robust, and attractive for clinical practice, as it overcomes several limitations of a manual analysis.
Identifying The Species, Effects And Seasonal Dynamics Of Honeybee Varroa Mites: A Newly Emerging Parasite To Ethiopian Honeybee

The loss of bee colonies in recent years is a global phenomenon and Ethiopia is not exceptional. No single cause has been identified for the lose interactions of biotic and abiotic factors are speculated for the global bee colony decline. Following global warming and human population fast growth, natural forests which are used to be habitat and sources bee feed has been destroyed at fast rate. Also the contribution of bee pests and diseases is thought considerable for bee colony diminishing. Recently (2010), globally identify as causing bee colony dames bee mite varroa destructor has been reported in most beekeeping regions of Ethiopia. However, the effects of mite on bee colonies and their products, the mite strain type and its seasonal dynamics under local incident remain uncertain. Therefore, controlled experiment has been designed to unveil the basic questions with regards to the nature and the effects of the parasite under local conditions. Ten bee colonies were set up at Bako area which is 250 km west of Addis Ababa. Data collections were done for three years on monthly basis and collections of information were done on the parameters like the number of varroa mites on adults and brood bees and brood, pollen and nectar areas. Besides, morpho-size of the collected varroa mites were measured and compared with the morpho-sizes varroa mites collected from different localities. The study investigated negative correlation (P < -0. 0.513) between the number of mite and number of adult bees as well as brood, pollen and nectar areas. However, the number of mites on adult and brood bees as well as the mite’s pessimistic effect varied between the colonies and the seasons. Based on morpho-size measurement, the mites were grouped into five mopho-clusters, but generally confirming all the strains belong to varroa destructor type. In spite of the presence of the parasitic varroa mite in all the bee colonies year round, all the colonies appeared to be healthy. The result from this study has enlightened local understanding on the seasonal dynamics, effects and species of varroa mite. However, further study that entails investigations on biological/ behavior of both the parasite and the host is suggested to avail better understanding on how local bees were not affected following the number of parasailing varroa mite.
Confirmation of suboptimal protocols in spinal immobilisation?

Background Spinal immobilisation during extrication of patients in road traffic collisions is routinely used despite the lack of evidence for this practice. In a previous proof of concept study (n=1), we recorded up to four times more cervical spine movement during extrication using conventional techniques than self-controlled extrication. Objective The objective of this study was to establish, using biomechanical analysis which technique provides the minimal deviation of the cervical spine from the neutral in-line position during extrication from a vehicle in a larger sample of variable age, height and mass. Methods A crew of two paramedics and four fire-fighters extricated 16 immobilised participants from a vehicle using six techniques for each participant. Participants were marked with biomechanical sensors and relative movement between the sensors was captured via high-speed infrared motion analysis cameras. A three-dimensional mathematical model was developed and a repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare movement across extrication techniques. Results Controlled self-extrication without a collar resulted in a mean movement of 13.33° from the neutral in-line position of the cervical spine compared to a mean movement of 18.84° during one of the equipment-aided extrications. Two equipment-aided techniques had significantly higher movement (p<0.05) than other techniques. Both height (p=0.003) and mass (p=0.02) of the participants were significant independent predictors of movement. Conclusions These data support the findings of the proof of concept study, for haemodynamically stable patients controlled self-extrication causes less movement of the cervical spine than extrications performed using traditional prehospital rescue equipment.
The chosen few: the low-mass haloes that host faint galaxies

Since reionization prevents star formation in most halos below 3 x 10^9 solar masses, dwarf galaxies only populate a fraction of existing dark matter halos. We use hydrodynamic cosmological simulations of the Local Group to study the discriminating factors for galaxy formation in the early Universe and connect them to the present-day properties of galaxies and halos. A combination of selection effects related to reionization, and the subsequent evolution of halos in different environments, introduces strong biases between the population of halos that host dwarf galaxies, and the total halo population. Halos that host galaxies formed earlier and are more concentrated. In addition, halos more affected by tidal stripping are more likely to host a galaxy for a given mass or maximum circular velocity, vmax, today. Consequently, satellite halos are populated more frequently than field halos, and satellite halos of 10^8 - 10^9 solar masses or vmax of 12 - 20 km/s, similar to the Local Group dwarf spheroidals, have experienced a greater than average reduction in both mass and vmax after infall. They are on closer, more radial orbits with higher infall velocities and earlier infall times. Together, these effects make dwarf galaxies highly biased tracers of the underlying dark matter distribution.
Software-Assisted Detection Methods for Secondary ESD Discharge During IEC 61000-4-2 Testing

When an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event reaches a nongrounded metallic part within a product, the voltage of this metal with respect to ground will increase. If the isolation to the ground is insufficient, a secondary ESD event can occur. As secondary ESD often leads to system upset or damage, and to poorly reproducible results, it is important to detect the occurrence of secondary ESD. If the discharge current is monitored using an oscilloscope, the test equipment may miss the secondary discharge waveform. This is because the time delay between the primary and secondary discharge events can vary between nanoseconds to milliseconds. Present oscilloscopes do not offer functionality to autodetect a secondary discharge event. The goal of this study is to analyze different types of secondary discharge events acquired with various measurement setups and identify waveform parameters for software-assisted detection methods. A learning sequence is proposed for identifying secondary ESD events starting from low ESD gun test voltages. The data are analyzed with respect to the waveform parameters such as the vertical threshold of the rising edge, the dI/dt of the current waveform, and total charge delivered, which enable automatic detection of secondary ESD while monitoring the discharge waveform at the ESD gun tip.
ATP Supply May Contribute to Light-Enhanced Calcification in Corals More Than Abiotic Mechanisms

Zooxanthellate corals are known to increase calcification rates when exposed to light, a phenomenon called light-enhanced calcification that is believed to be mediated by symbionts’ photosynthetic activity. There is controversy over the mechanism behind this phenomenon, with hypotheses coarsely divided between abiotic and biologically-mediated mechanisms. At the same time, accumulating evidence shows that calcification in corals relies on active ion transport to deliver the skeleton building blocks into the calcifying medium, making it is an energetically costly activity. Here we build on generally accepted conceptual models of the coral calcification machinery and conceptual models of the energetics of coral-zooxanthellae symbiosis to develop a model that can be used to isolate the biologically-mediated and abiotic effects of photosynthesis, respiration, temperature, and seawater chemistry on coral calcification rates and related metabolic costs. We tested this model on data from the Mediterranean scleractinian Cladocora caespitosa, an acidification resistant species. We concluded that most of the variation in calcification rates due to photosynthesis, respiration and temperature can be attributed to biologically-mediated mechanisms, in particular to the ATP supplied to the active ion transports. Abiotic effects are also present but are of smaller magnitude. Instead, the decrease in calcification rates caused by acidification, albeit small, is sustained by both abiotic and biologically-mediated mechanisms. However, there is a substantial extra cost of calcification under acidified conditions. Based on these findings and on a literature review we suggest that the energy aspect of coral calcification might have been so far underappreciated.
The Effect of a Formal Mentoring Program on Career Satisfaction and Intent to Stay in the Faculty Role for Novice Nurse Faculty

AIM The purpose of this mixed-method study was to explore the influence of a formal mentoring program on career satisfaction of novice full-time nurse faculty in academia. BACKGROUND The transition from the role of clinician to faculty in an academic setting can be challenging for novice nurse faculty. METHOD A link to an electronic survey with open-ended questions was emailed to 1435 participants. RESULTS The response rate was 17.6 percent (N = 124). Mean scores were obtained, and independent t-test were computed to compare scores of faculty who had participated in a mentoring program with scores of nonparticipants. Content analysis of the open-ended answers was conducted, and common themes were identified. CONCLUSION By examining characteristics that contribute to the success of novice nursing faculty, recruitment and retention of faculty may improve, which is essential due to the worsening nursing faculty shortage.
The Effect of Valproic Acid on Mesenchymal Pluripotent Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in Extracellular Matrices

Valproic acid (2-n-propylpentanoic acid, VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drug. Previous studies have reported that VPA effects osteogenesis in vivo and in vitro, yet it remains unclear whether VPA promotes cell differentiation of osteoblasts derived from mesenchymal cells. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of VPA on undifferentiated pluripotent mesenchymal cell proliferation and differentiation into osteoblasts while analyzing the impact of the absence or presence of extracellular matrices (ECMs). Mouse mesenchymal cells were cultured on non-coated plastic, type I collagen-coated, and fibronectin-coated plates in the absence or presence of VPA. A cell proliferation assay was performed in which modified formazan dye content was analyzed and proliferation nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were counted at various concentrations of VPA. A high concentration of VPA did not clearly alter cell morphology, but large numbers of stress fibers were observed in these cells and the cell proliferation ratio was decreased with positive PCNA counts. In the presence of matrices, the cell proliferation ratio decreased at low VPA concentrations compared with the ratio obtained in the absence of these ECMs. On the other hand, VPA promoted osteoblastic differentiation in the presence of type I collagen. These findings indicate that for undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, VPA promotes a decrease in the cell proliferation rate in the presence of ECMs and promotes osteoblastic differentiation, both of which could provide insight into additional mechanisms of osteoblastic cell differentiation caused by VPA.
Genome‐wide association studies in Crohn's disease: Past, present and future

Over the course of the past decade, genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have revolutionised our understanding of complex disease genetics. One of the diseases that has benefitted most from this technology has been Crohn's disease (CD), with the identification of autophagy, the IL‐17/IL‐23 axis and innate lymphoid cells as key players in CD pathogenesis. Our increasing understanding of the genetic architecture of CD has also highlighted how a failure to suppress aberrant immune responses may contribute to disease development – a realisation that is now being incorporated into the design of new treatments. However, despite these successes, a significant proportion of disease heritability remains unexplained. Similarly, most of the causal variants at associated loci have not yet been identified, and even fewer have been functionally characterised. Because of the inarguable rise in the incidence of CD in regions of the world that previously had low disease rates, GWAS studies will soon have to shift from a largely Caucasian focus to include populations from other ethnic backgrounds. Future studies should also move beyond conventional studies of disease susceptibility into phenotypically driven ‘within‐cases’ analyses in order to explore the role of genetics in other important aspects of disease biology. These studies are likely to include assessments of prognosis and/or response to treatments and may be critical if personalised medicine is ever to become a reality.
A new voltage balancing controller applied on 7-level PUC inverter

In this paper a novel model of the packed U-cell (PUC) inverter is derived considering the concept of single-phase multilevel converters. Based on the proposed model, a voltage balancing controller is designed to apply on the 7-level PUC inverter. The applied controller is in charge of fixing the capacitor voltage in PUC structure at a desired value to have the seven levels of the voltages at the output. The 7-level pulse width modulation (PWM) technique is used to produce the associated pulses for firing the PUC switches. The performance of the introduced controller is investigated via simulations in various conditions including changes in the load and DC bus voltage variations. The results prove the ability of the good dynamic performance and fast response of the controller in stable and unstable conditions.
Accuracy of 2 Different Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is today provided by various techniques. This study aims to compare two different CGM-systems: the FreeStyle Libre subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring system (SC-CGM) and the Eirus intravascular microdialysis continuous glucose monitoring system (MD-CGM) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 26 patients were equipped with both the SC-CGM and the MD-CGM systems. The SC-CGM system was placed subcutaneously in the left upper-arm and the MD-CGM system was placed in the superior vena cava. Reference blood glucose values were obtained by analyzing arterial blood in a blood gas analyzer. Reference glucose values were then paired with glucose values from both CGM-systems and analyzed for accuracy. Results: In all, 514 paired MD-CGM/arterial blood gas glucose values and 578 paired SC-CGM/arterial blood gas glucose values were obtained. Mean difference (SD) for the MD-CGM system was 0.9 (15.1) mg/dl and for the SC-CGM system −43.4 (20) mg/dl. ISO criteria (ISO15197:2013) were not met by either CGM system. In the Clarke error grid, all paired samples were within the zones AB for the MD-CGM system, and 94% in zone A. For the SC-CGM system, 99.1% of the paired samples were within zones AB, and 18.9% in zone A. Both the MD-CGM and the SC-CGM systems were reliable and used without complications. Conclusions: These results indicate that the Eirus intravascular microdialysis system monitors glucose continuously with superior accuracy compared to the FreeStyle Libre subcutaneous glucose monitoring system, which repeatedly measured a glucose value that was lower than the reference method.