Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of age and previous diet of Anopheles gambiae on the infectivity of natural Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from human volunteers

Abstract The effect of age and dietary factors of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) on the infectivity of natural Plasmodium falciparum parasites was studied. Mosquitoes of various ages (1–3, 4–7 and 8–11 day old) and those fed blood (either single or double meals) and sugar meals were experimentally co-infected with P. falciparum gametocytes obtained from different naturally infected human volunteers. On day 7, midguts were examined for oocyst infection to determine whether mosquito age or diets have significant effects on parasite infectivity. The age of the mosquitoes did not significantly influence the oocyst infection rates (χ2 = 48.32, df = 40, P = 0.172) or oocyst load (# of oocysts/midgut) (P = 0.14) observed. Oocyst load between groups was not significantly different. Similarly, the type of diet (either blood or sugar) did not influence oocyst infection rates (χ2 = 16.52, df = 19, P = 0.622). However, an increase in oocyst infection rates resulted after previous feeding on double blood meals (35%) compared to single blood meals (25%), with comparable oocyst load. These observations are in agreement with those reported in previous studies suggesting that increased mosquito nutritional reserves resulting from increased dietary resources is favorable for malaria infectivity. This field-based study indicates that vector competence of An. gambiae to natural P. falciparum parasites does not vary with age and that nutritional resources acquired prior to an infectious blood meal plays a crucial role in mosquito-parasite relationships. oocyst load number of oocysts per midgut oocyst infection rates percent of midguts with oocysts
Pronounced Seasonal Changes in the Movement Ecology of a Highly Gregarious Central-Place Forager, the African Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)

Background Straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) migrate over vast distances across the African continent, probably following seasonal bursts of resource availability. This causes enormous fluctuations in population size, which in turn may influence the bats’ impact on local ecosystems. We studied the movement ecology of this central-place forager with state-of-the-art GPS/acceleration loggers and concurrently monitored the seasonal fluctuation of the colony in Accra, Ghana. Habitat use on the landscape scale was assessed with remote sensing data as well as ground-truthing of foraging areas. Principal Findings During the wet season population low (~ 4000 individuals), bats foraged locally (3.5–36.7 km) in urban areas with low tree cover. Major food sources during this period were fruits of introduced trees. Foraging distances almost tripled (24.1–87.9 km) during the dry season population peak (~ 150,000 individuals), but this was not compensated for by reduced resting periods. Dry season foraging areas were random with regard to urban footprint and tree cover, and food consisted almost exclusively of nectar and pollen of native trees. Conclusions and Significance Our study suggests that straw-coloured fruit bats disperse seeds in the range of hundreds of meters up to dozens of kilometres, and pollinate trees for up to 88 km. Straw-coloured fruit bats forage over much larger distances compared to most other Old World fruit bats, thus providing vital ecosystem services across extensive landscapes. We recommend increased efforts aimed at maintaining E. helvum populations throughout Africa since their keystone role in various ecosystems is likely to increase due to the escalating loss of other seed dispersers as well as continued urbanization and habitat fragmentation.
Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) improve weaned intestinal microbiota and mucosal barrier using a piglet model

Proanthocyanidins have been suggested as an effective antibiotic alternative, however their mechanisms are still unknown. The present study investigated the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins on gut microbiota and mucosal barrier using a weaned piglet model in comparison with colistin. Piglets weaned at 28 day were randomly assigned to four groups treated with a control ration, or supplemented with 250 mg/kg proanthocyanidins, kitasamycin/colistin, or 250 mg/kg proanthocyanidins and half-dose antibiotics, respectively. On day 28, the gut chyme and tissue samples were collected to test intestinal microbiota and barrier function, respectively. Proanthocyanidins treated piglets had better growth performance and reduced diarrhea incidence (P < 0.05), accompanied with decreased intestinal permeability and improved mucosal morphology. Gene sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA revealed that dietary proanthocyanidins improved the microbial diversity in ileal and colonic digesta, and the most abundant OTUs belong to Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes spp. Proanthocyanidins treatment decreased the abundance of Lactobacillaceae, and increased the abundance of Clostridiaceae in both ileal and colonic lumen, which suggests that proanthocyanidins treatment changed the bacterial composition and distribution. Administration of proanthocyanidins increased the concentration of propionic acid and butyric acid in the ileum and colon, which may activate the expression of GPR41. In addition, dietary proanthocyanidins improved the antioxidant indices in serum and intestinal mucosa, accompanied with increasing expression of barrier occludin. Our findings indicated that proanthocyanidins with half-dose colistin was equivalent to the antibiotic treatment and assisted weaned animals in resisting intestinal oxidative stress by increasing diversity and improving balance of gut microbes.
Axonal transport of mitochondria along microtubules and F-actin in living vertebrate neurons

A large body of evidence indicates that microtubules (MTs) conduct organelle transport in axons, but recent studies on extruded squid axoplasm have suggested that actin microfilaments (MFs) may also play a role in this process. To investigate the separate contributions to transport of each class of cytoskeletal element in intact vertebrate axons, we have monitored mitochondrial movements in chick sympathetic neurons experimentally manipulated to eliminate MTs, MFs, or both. First, we grew neurons in the continuous presence of: (a) cytochalasin E to create neurites which had never contained MFs; or (b) nocodazole or vinblastine to produce neurites which had never contained MTs. Mitochondria moved bidirectionally at normal velocities along the length of neurites which contained MTs and lacked MFs, but did not even enter neurites grown without MTs but containing MFs. In a second approach, we treated established neuronal cultures with cytoskeletal drugs to disrupt either MTs or MFs in axons already containing mitochondria. In cytochalasin-treated cells, which retained MTs but lacked MFs, average mitochondrial velocity increased in both directions, but net directional transport decreased. In vinblastine- treated cells, which lacked MTs but retained essentially normal levels of MFs, mitochondria continued to move bidirectionally but the average mitochondrial velocity and excursion length were reduced for both directions of movement, and the mitochondria spent threefold as much time moving in the retrograde as in the anterograde direction, resulting in net retrograde transport. Treatment of established cultures with both drugs produced neurites lacking MTs and MFs but still rich in neurofilaments; these showed a striking absence of any mitochondrial motility. These data indicate that axonal organelle transport can occur along both MTs and MFs in vivo, but with different velocities and net transport properties.
Nocardia Co-Infection in Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains as one of the most serious infectious diseases in the world. Pulmonary tuberculosis can occur with other pulmonary diseases caused by opportunistic organisms such as Nocardia spp. particularly in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, diagnosis of co-infection at the early stage of the disease could be lifesaving. Objectives: The goal of this study was to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nocardia spp. in sputum specimens in order to assess the concomitant nocardiosis and tuberculosis in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients and Methods: From March 2011 to April 2012, 189 sputum specimens were obtained from patients who were suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis. Out of 189 samples, 32 of the samples belonged to hospitalized HIV-infected patients. Samples were examined by Gram and Ziehl-Nelsen staining, culture and PCR methods. Results: From 157 sputum specimens, positive samples by acid fast staining, culture and PCR for M. tuberculosis were reported for 7.6% (12/157), 10.1% (16/157) and 7% (11/157) of samples, respectively. No results were obtained by the described methods for Nocardia spp. Among 32 samples of HIV-infected patients, four (12.5%) had positive results for acid fast staining, culture and PCR detecting M. tuberculosis while only two samples had positive results for Nocardia spp. by PCR and no results were reported by culture, Gram and acid fast staining for this organism. Conclusions: Concurrent pulmonary nocardiosis and tuberculosis is frequent in HIV-infected patients. Rapid and sensitive methods such as PCR are recommended for detection of such co-infections.
Local Photorelease of Caged Thymosin β4 in Locomoting Keratocytes Causes Cell Turning

The broad aim of this work was to explore the feasibility of using light-directed perturbation techniques to study cell locomotion. Specifically, a caged form of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) was photoactivated in a defined local region of locomoting fish scale keratocytes and the resulting perturbation of locomotion was studied. Purified Tβ4 was produced in an inactive form by “caging” with ([n-nitroveratryl]oxy)chlorocarbamate. In vitro spectrophotofluorometric assays indicated that caged Tβ4 did not change the normal actin polymerization kinetics, whereas photoactivated Tβ4 significantly inhibited actin polymerization. With an a priori knowledge of the cytoplasmic diffusion coefficient of Tβ4 as measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments, the rapid sequestration of actin monomers by uncaged Tβ4 and the consequent reduction in the diffusional spread of the Tβ4–actin complex were predicted using Virtual Cell software (developed at the Center for Biomedical Imaging Technology, University of Connecticut Health Center). These simulations demonstrated that locally photoactivating Tβ4 in keratocytes could potentially elicit a regional locomotory response. Indeed, when caged Tβ4 was locally photoactivated at the wings of locomoting keratocytes, specific turning about the irradiated region was observed, whereas various controls were negative. Additionally, loading of exogenous Tβ4 into both keratocytes and fibroblasts caused very rapid disassembly of actin filaments and reduction of cellular contractility. Based on these results, a mechanical model is proposed for the turning behavior of keratocytes in response to photoreleased Tβ4.
The Time Delays of Gravitational Lens HE 0435–1223: An Early-Type Galaxy with a Rising Rotation Curve

We present Hubble Space Telescope images and 2 years of optical photometry of the quadruple quasar HE 0435-1223. The time delays between the intrinsic quasar variations are ΔtAD = -14.37, ΔtAB = -8.00, and ΔtAC = -2.10 days. We also observed nonintrinsic variations of ~0.1 mag yr-1 that we attribute to microlensing. Instead of the traditional approach of assuming a rotation curve for the lens galaxy and then deriving the Hubble constant (H0), we assume H0 = (72 ± 7) km s-1 Mpc-1 and derive constraints on the rotation curve. On the scale over which the lensed images occur (1.″2 = 5 h-1 kpc ≃ 1.5Re), the lens galaxy must have a rising rotation curve, and it cannot have a constant mass-to-light ratio. These results add to the evidence that the structures of early-type galaxies are heterogeneous.
Bounds for Multiprocessor Scheduling with Resource Constraints

One well-studied model ofa multiprocessing system involves a fixed number n ofidentical abstract processors, a finite set oftasks to be executed, each requiring a specified amount ofcomputation time, and a partial ordering on the tasks which requires certain tasks to be completed before certain others can be initiated. The nonpreemptive operation of the system is guided by an ordered list L of the tasks, according to the rule that whenever a processor becomes idle, it selects for processing the first unexecuted task on L which may validly be executed. We introduce an additional element of realism into this model by postulating the existence of a set of "resources" with the property that for each resource, the total usage ofthat resource at any instant oftime may not exceed its total availability. For this augmented model, we determine upper bounds on the ratio of finishing times achieved using two different lists, L and L', and exhibit constructions to show that the bounds are best possible. 2. The standard model. We consider a system composed of (usually n) abstract identical processors. The function of the system is to execute some given set
Effectiveness of the Online Weight Reduction Program KiloCoach™ and Comparison with Other Evaluated Commercial Direct Intervention and Online Programs

Objective: Preliminary results indicated effectiveness of the online weight reduction program KiloCoach. The current study presents a large collection of user data and compares KiloCoach with other evaluated commercial weight loss programs. Furthermore, potential factors influencing the effectiveness of internet weight loss programs should be identified. Method: 4,310 data sets of KiloCoach users were available, 3,150 of them were suitable for further analysis. 946 program users were considered completers (at least 60 days of continuous protocol). For comparison with other programs, different subsamples were drawn that matched to the inclusion criteria of reference studies. Results: On average, KiloCoach overweight and obese completers lost 4.5 % of initial body weight. KiloCoach was as effective as the commercial program Weight Watchers® after 1 year (6.4% vs. 5.3% weight loss; p = 0.11) and 2 years (5.1% vs. 3.2% weight loss; p = 0.15). KiloCoach proved to be more effective than other online programs (Viktklubb, eDiets.com) as well as an in-person behavioral program, but less effective than Vtrim®, an online behavioral program providing intensive support. Conclusion: In comparison to reference programs, KiloCoach proved to be effective for weight reduction. The effect of online weight reduction programs seems to depend on methods and features applied.
Effects of a Cardiac Glycoside on Regional Function, Blood Flow, and Electrograms in Conscious Dogs with Myocardial Ischemia

We studied the effects of coronary occlusion and of subsequent ouabain administration on regional myocardial function, flow, and electrograms in 14 conscious dogs. Coronary occlusion resulted in a graded loss of regional function as reflected by measurements of segment length (SL), velocity of SL shortening and myocardial "work" from the normal to severely ischemic zones, along with graded flow (radioactive microsphere technique) reductions and graded elevation of the regional S-T segment. Ouabain, 20 μg/kg, improved function in the normal zone, in which stroke shortening rose by 0.23 ± 0.07 mm (mean ± SE) and "work" rose by 30.2 ± 9.5 mm Hg-mm. In moderately ischemic segments, stroke shortening rose by 0.60 ± 0.05 mm and "work" rose by 58.1 ± 6.1 mm Hg.rnm. In the majority of severely ischemic segments, stroke shortening and "work" also increased; the average effect in all severely ischemic segments was an increase in stroke shortening of 0.35 ± 0.10 nun and in "work" of 31.5 ± 9.9 mm Hg-mm. In addition, ouabain reduced S-T elevation by 0.90 ± 0.20 mV in moderately ischemic zones and by 3.14 ± 0.35 mV in severely ischemic zones, and increased flow by 28 ± 6% and 46 ± 9% in moderately and severely ischemic zones, respectively. All these changes were significant, P < 0.01. Thus, ouabain caused an improvement in perfusion of ischemic tissue, which was associated with significant enhancement of stroke shortening and "work. " Most strikingly, ouabain returned normal systolic shortening to 10 severely ischemic segments which previously were akinetic.
The emergence of rational behavior in the presence of stochastic perturbations

We study repeated games where players use an exponential learning scheme in order to adapt to an ever-changing environment. If the game's payoffs are subject to random perturbations, this scheme leads to a new stochastic version of the replicator dynamics that is quite different from the ``aggregate shocks'' approach of evolutionary game theory. Irrespective of the perturba- tions' magnitude, we find that strategies which are dominated (even iteratively) eventually become extinct and that the game's strict Nash equilibria are stochastically asymptotically stable. We complement our analysis by illustrating these results in the case of congestion games.
Neural Mechanism and Representation of English and Chinese Metaphors of Bilinguals with Different Second Language Proficiency: An ERP Study

Abstract Brain mechanism of metaphor processing has always been a focus in Neurolinguistics. This study approaches bilinguals’ metaphor semantic representation mechanism with Chinese bilinguals with different levels of second language proficiency by means of ERP (Event-related Potentials) technology. The experiment results showed that: 1) Both hemispheres collaborate in metaphor processing with the left hemisphere serving a leading semantic recognition role. The left hemisphere is more sensitive to first language input, while the right hemisphere is more active to second language input. 2) Compared with Chinese learners of higher proficiency in L2, learners of lower proficiency tend to adopt more Chinese neural mechanism in processing English metaphors. 3) When learners process metaphors, the neural mechanism difference of learners of higher proficiency is smaller than that of those of lower proficiency. The higher the second language proficiency, the higher the degree of common representation of Chinese and English metaphor.
Repeat Targeted Prostate Biopsy under Guidance of Multiparametric MRI-Correlated Real-Time Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Patients with Previous Negative Biopsy and Elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen: A Prospective Study

Objectives To prospectively determine whether multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) - contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) correlated, imaging-guided target biopsy (TB) method could improve the detection of prostate cancer in re-biopsy setting of patients with prior negative biopsy. Methods From 2012 to 2014, a total of 42 Korean men with a negative result from previous systematic biopsy (SB) and elevated prostate-specific antigen underwent 3T mpMRI and real-time CEUS guided TB. Target lesions were determined by fusion of mpMRI and CEUS. Subsequently, 12-core SB was performed by a different radiologist. We compared core-based cancer detection rates (CaDR) using the generalized linear mixed model (GLIMMIX) for each biopsy method. Results Core-based CaDR was higher in TB (17.92%, 38 of 212 cores) than in SB (6.15%, 31 of 504 cores) (p < 0.0001; GLIMMIX). In the cancer-positive TB cores, CaDR with suspicious lesions by mpMRI was higher than that by CEUS (86.8% vs. 60.5%, p= 0.02; paired t-test) and concordant rate between mpMRI and CEUS was significantly different with discordant rate (48% vs. 52%, p=0.04; McNemar’s test). Conclusion The mpMRI-CEUS correlated TB technique for the repeat prostate biopsy of patients with prior negative biopsy can improve CaDR based on the number of cores taken.
Conformational Features of Topologically Classified RNA Secondary Structures

Background Current RNA secondary structure prediction approaches predict prevalent pseudoknots such as the H-pseudoknot and kissing hairpin. The number of possible structures increases drastically when more complex pseudoknots are considered, thus leading to computational limitations. On the other hand, the enormous population of possible structures means not all of them appear in real RNA molecules. Therefore, it is of interest to understand how many of them really exist and the reasons for their preferred existence over the others, as any new findings revealed by this study might enhance the capability of future structure prediction algorithms for more accurate prediction of complex pseudoknots. Methodology/Principal Findings A novel algorithm was devised to estimate the exact number of structural possibilities for a pseudoknot constructed with a specified number of base pair stems. Then, topological classification was applied to classify RNA pseudoknotted structures from data in the RNA STRAND database. By showing the vast possibilities and the real population, it is clear that most of these plausible complex pseudoknots are not observed. Moreover, from these classified motifs that exist in nature, some features were identified for further investigation. It was found that some features are related to helical stacking. Other features are still left open to discover underlying tertiary interactions. Conclusions Results from topological classification suggest that complex pseudoknots are usually some well-known motifs that are themselves complex or the interaction results of some special motifs. Heuristics can be proposed to predict the essential parts of these complex motifs, even if the required thermodynamic parameters are currently unknown.
Feedforward frequency estimation for PSK: A tutorial review

This paper considers feedforward carrier frequency estimation methods in burst-mode digital transmission, with tutorial objectives foremost. Assuming PSK modulation, two scenarios are envisaged in which frequency estimates are derived either from a preamble appended to the data block, or directly from the modulated signal. Several estimation algorithms are considered with different and somewhat contrasting characteristics. The characteristics we focus on are: estimation accuracy, estimation range, minimum operating signal-to-noise ratio (threshold), and implementation complexity. They provide a framework within which current estimation methods can be evaluated. The paper reviews and compares some prominent algorithms proposed in literature, trying to single out the best ones for a given application.
Testing Intermediate-Age Stellar Evolution Models with VLT Photometry of Large Magellanic Cloud Clusters. I. The Data

This is the first of a series of three papers devoted to the calibration of a few parameters of crucial importance in the modeling of the evolution of intermediate-mass stars, giving special attention to the amount of convective core overshoot. To this end we acquired deep V and R photometry for three globular clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud, namely, NGC 2173, SL 556, and NGC 2155, in the age interval 1–3 Gyr. In this first paper, we describe the aim of the project and Very Large Telescope observations and data reduction and we make preliminary comparisons of the color-magnitude diagrams with both the Padova and Yonsei-Yale isochrones. Two following papers in this series present the results of a detailed analysis of these data, independently carried out by members of the Yale and Padova stellar evolution groups. This allows us to compare both sets of models and discuss their main differences, as well as the systematic effects that they would have on the determination of the ages and metallicities of intermediate-age single-stellar populations.