Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of sampling sites and laboratory diagnostic tests for S. equi subsp. equi in horses from confirmed strangles outbreaks.

BACKGROUND Strangles is a contagious equine-specific disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Unfortunately, detection of S. equi can fail in up to 40% of horses with strangles. Whereas recent molecular biologic methods and sampling techniques have improved recovery of S. equi optimal sampling methods and laboratory analyses remain ill-defined. OBJECTIVES To determine the yield of S. equi from horses with acute strangles in confirmed outbreaks by field-sampling methods subjected to culture and biochemical identification, and real-time PCR directly and after culture. ANIMALS Fifty-seven horses of varying breeds and ages from 8 strangles outbreaks. METHODS Prospective study. Culture with biochemical identification and real-time PCR directly, and from culture, were performed on nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and nasopharyngeal lavages. RESULTS Real-time PCR directly from samples identified the highest number of infected horses, with 45/57 nasal swabs, 41/57 nasopharyngeal swabs, and 48/57 nasopharyngeal lavages S. equi positive. Biochemical identification (highest positives 22/57) was inferior to real-time PCR for S. equi recovery regardless of sampling method. Real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal lavage directly and after culture yielded 52/57 positives whereas direct real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal lavage combined with either nasopharyngeal swabs or nasal swabs yielded 53/57 positives. Three horses were negative on all samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Nasopharyngeal lavage analyzed by a combination of real-time PCR directly and after culture or, alternatively, real-time PCR directly on a nasopharyngeal lavage and a nasal/nasopharyngeal swab can identify S. equi in over 90% of acute strangles cases.
Batai and Ngari Viruses: M Segment Reassortment and Association with Severe Febrile Disease Outbreaks in East Africa

ABSTRACT Ngari virus is an orthobunyavirus recently recognized as a reassortant between Bunyamwera virus and an as yet unidentified M segment donor. Analysis of M segment sequences of Batai and Ilesha viruses revealed 95% deduced amino acid identity between Batai virus and Ngari virus. These findings suggest Batai virus as the donor of Ngari virus M segment sequence. Analysis of Batai virus-related African isolates identified UgMP-6830, isolated from mosquitoes in Uganda, as an isolate of Batai virus. KV-141, isolated during a febrile disease outbreak in Sudan, was identified as another isolate of Ngari virus, emphasizing a role of this reassortant virus in severe human illness throughout East Africa.
Prevalence of vestibular dysfunction and associated factors in South Korea

Objective To report the nationwide prevalence of dizziness and vestibular dysfunction in the Korean population and determine the associated factors. Design Cross-sectional analysis of a nationwide health survey. Methods We obtained data from the 2009 to 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which were cross-sectional surveys of the South Korean civilian, non-institutionalised population aged 40 years and older (N=3267). A field survey team performed interviews and physical examinations. Structured questionnaires were handed out and balance function tests using the modified Romberg test of standing balance on firm and compliant support surfaces were performed on participants. Failure on the modified Romberg test was regarded to indicate vestibular dysfunction. Results The prevalence of dizziness during the past year was 16.70% (95% CI 14.65% to 18.76%). The presence of vestibular dysfunction was noted in 1.84% (95% CI 1.18% to 2.51%). In addition, the prevalence of experiencing falls and positional dizziness were 1.46% (95% CI 0.87% to 2.06%) and 1.73% (95% CI 1.17% to 2.29%), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that dizziness was associated with increased age, female gender, hearing loss and stress. Vestibular dysfunction was associated with increased age, history of dizziness and hearing loss. Conclusions Vertigo and dizziness are the greatest contributors to the burden of disability in the aged population. Screening for dizziness and vestibular dysfunction, and management of associated factors might be important for improving compromised quality of life due to postural imbalance caused by vestibular problems.
Influence of different maceration times on the anthocyanin composition and sensory properties of Blatina wines.

Summary Skin maceration contact time is essential winemaking technique to aff ect anthocyanin concentration and high quality of red wines. Th e aim of this work was to investigate the changes in basic composition, anthocyanin profi le and sensory properties of Blatina wines obtained with skin contact time from 4, 8, 12 to 16 days. Results indicate that longer period of maceration positively infl uenced the quality of Blatina wines. Blatina wines obtained by 12 or 16 days of maceration presented a signifi cant increase of the dry extract, ash, total phenol and pH value. It was observed that the concentration of total and individual anthocyanins signifi cantly increased reaching a maximum value within 12 days of the skin maceration. In all wines, the dominant anthocyanin was malvidin 3-glucoside. Best organoleptic properties were observed in the wines macerated for 16 days.
Properties of Concrete After High-Temperature Heating and Cooling

Stiffness and strength property reduction have been the main concentrations of experimental studies on concrete under high temperatures in the past. Binding materials, types of aggregates used, heating rate, maximum temperature, and loading paths (that is, before, during, and after high temperature testing mechanical loading application) are among the various experimental parameters examined. Little data exists on concrete permeability, stiffness, and strength with consideration given to rate of cooling after fire damage. Concrete durability properties are severely affected and remaining concrete structure service life is reduced through increased permeability. The study's purpose is investigation of concrete cylinders' permeability, stiffness, and strength properties when subjected to various cooling and heating scenarios. Specimen cracks, color changes, weight losses, and thermal diffusivity are also reported.
Two new species of calcareous sponges (Porifera: Calcarea) from the deep Antarctic Eckström Shelf and a revised list of species found in Antarctic waters

The paper reports on two new species of calcareous sponges (Porifera, Calcarea) from the Antarctic Weddell Sea, Clathrina brandtae sp. nov. and Leucetta delicata sp. nov., collected at 600 m depth during the ANT XXIV/2-SYSTCO expedition in January 2008. The new species are described based on a combination of morphological and molecular data. With these new additions the number of species of calcareous sponges reported from south of 50°S (~south of the Polar Front) reaches 50 species. We report an exceptionally high degree of endemism within the group, and as many as 44 out of the 50 species of calcareous sponges are solely confined to Antarctic waters. An updated list of species of calcareous sponges from the area is provided.
Hemodynamic effects of medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol and medetomidine-midazolam-buprenorphine combinations and reversibility by atipamezole in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the hemodynamic effects of medetomidine (1 mg/m2 of body surface area; dosage, 39 to 46 micrograms/kg of body weight, IM) and midazolam (1 mg/kg of body weight, i.v.) combined with butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.), buprenorphine (10 micrograms/kg, i.v.) or saline solution. Reversibility of these effects by atipamezole (2.5 mg/m2; dosage, 97.5 to 115 micrograms/kg, IM) was evaluated. DESIGN 2 treated groups and 1 control group, without repetition. ANIMALS 15 clinically normal dogs (3 groups of 5). PROCEDURE Medetomidine was administered at time 0; midazolam and butorphanol, buprenorphine, or saline solution at time 20; and atipamezole at time 60. Heart rate, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, central venous pressure, body temperature, cardiac output, and arterial and mixed venous blood gas tensions and pH were measured. Cardiac index, stroke index, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances, and left and right stroke work indexes were calculated. RESULTS Body temperature, heart rate, cardiac index, and stroke index were significantly decrease below baseline values in some groups. Central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and systemic vascular resistance were significantly increased above baseline in all groups. Arterial and venous PO2 and pH decreased in all groups and PCO2 increased, but these changes were more pronounced when buprenorphine was administered. Arterial pressure decreased after atipamezole administration. CONCLUSION The combinations seemed to result in cardiorespiratory depressant effects of similar importance and most of these effects, which are related to medetomidine, were reversed by atipamezole.
Backtracking with cut via a distributive law and left-zero monoids*

Abstract We employ the framework of algebraic effects to augment the list monad with the pruning cut operator known from Prolog. We give two descriptions of the resulting monad: as the monad of free left-zero monoids, and as a composition via a distributive law of the list monad and the ‘unary idempotent operation’ monad. The scope delimiter of cut arises as a handler.
Studies on cell migration and axon guidance in the developing distal auditory system of the mouse

The events that take place along the potential route of distal auditory axons (future vestibular component) prior to and during their outgrowth were examined morphologically using timed mouse embryos. During embry‐onic (E) day 9.5 a discrete zone of cell death appears in the rostrolateral wall of the otic cup. Necrosis is accompanied by outward migration of epitheloid cells from the same region of the otic wall. Temporally and spatially corre‐lated with these two events is the widening of extracellular spaces between otic neuroepithelial cells and the breakdown of basement membrane. During E 10.5 migrating epitheloid cells condense to form a funnel‐shaped configu‐ration. This cellular “funnel” begins narrowly at the dorsorostrolateral wall of the otocyst and broadens as it reaches the auditory ganglion. During E 11.5 through E 12.5, “pioneer” distal auditory axons take a circuitous route and ascend from the auditory ganglion to enter the otocyst. Axons extend toward the otocyst moving along cells of the “funnel,” maintaining an orien‐tation similar to that of the cells that compose it. Axon growth cones enter the otocyst at sites devoid of basement membrane and invade the wall of the otocyst moving tangentially along radially arranged cells that bridge the otocyst and the “funnel. ”
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology INT 6 / EIF 3 E Interacts with ATM and Is Required for Proper Execution of the DNA Damage Response in Human Cells

Altered expression of the INT6 gene, encoding the e subunit of the translational initiation factor eIF3, occurs in human breast cancers, but how INT6 relates to carcinogenesis remains unestablished. Here, we show that INT6 is involved in the DNA damage response. INT6 was required for cell survival following g-irradiation and G2–M checkpoint control. RNA interference–mediated silencing of INT6 reduced phosphorylation of the checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2 after DNA damage. In addition, INT6 silencing prevented sustained accumulation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) at DNA damage sites in cells treated with g-radiation or the radiomimetic drug neocarzinostatin. Mechanistically, this result could be explained by interaction of INT6 with ATM, which together with INT6 was recruited to the sites of DNA damage. Finally, INT6 silencing also reduced ubiquitylation events that promote retention of repair proteins at DNA lesions. Accordingly, accumulation of the repair factor BRCA1 was defective in the absence of INT6. Our findings reveal unexpected and striking connections of INT6 with ATM and BRCA1 and suggest that the protective action of INT6 in the onset of breast cancers relies on its involvement in the DNA damage response. Cancer Res; 72(8); 2006–16. 2012 AACR.
Are videogame training gains specific or general?

Many recent studies using healthy adults document enhancements in perception and cognition from playing commercial action videogames (AVGs). Playing action games (e.g., Call of Duty, Medal of Honor) is associated with improved bottom-up lower-level information processing skills like visual-perceptual and attentional processes. One proposal states a general improvement in the ability to interpret and gather statistical information to predict future actions which then leads to better performance across different perceptual/attentional tasks. Another proposal claims all the tasks are separately trained in the AVGs because the AVGs and laboratory tasks contain similar demands. We review studies of action and non-AVGs to show support for the latter proposal. To explain transfer in AVGs, we argue that the perceptual and attention tasks share common demands with the trained videogames (e.g., multiple object tracking (MOT), rapid attentional switches, and peripheral vision). In non-AVGs, several studies also demonstrate specific, limited transfer. One instance of specific transfer is the specific enhancement to mental rotation after training in games with a spatial emphasis (e.g., Tetris). In contrast, the evidence for transfer is equivocal where the game and task do not share common demands (e.g., executive functioning). Thus, the “common demands” hypothesis of transfer not only characterizes transfer effects in AVGs, but also non-action games. Furthermore, such a theory provides specific predictions, which can help in the selection of games to train human cognition as well as in the design of videogames purposed for human cognitive and perceptual enhancement. Finally this hypothesis is consistent with the cognitive training literature where most post-training gains are for tasks similar to the training rather than general, non-specific improvements.
ScribbleBoost: Adding Classification to Edge‐Aware Interpolation of Local Image and Video Adjustments

One of the most common tasks in image and video editing is the local adjustment of various properties (e.g., saturation or brightness) of regions within an image or video. Edge‐aware interpolation of user‐drawn scribbles offers a less effort‐intensive approach to this problem than traditional region selection and matting. However, the technique suffers a number of limitations, such as reduced performance in the presence of texture contrast, and the inability to handle fragmented appearances. We significantly improve the performance of edge‐aware interpolation for this problem by adding a boosting‐based classification step that learns to discriminate between the appearance of scribbled pixels. We show that this novel data term in combination with an existing edge‐aware optimization technique achieves substantially better results for the local image and video adjustment problem than edge‐aware interpolation techniques without classification, or related methods such as matting techniques or graph cut segmentation.
Genetics of milk yield and fertility traits in Holstein-Friesian cattle on large-scale Kenyan farms.

Purebred Holstein-Friesian cows are the main exotic breed used for milk production on large, medium, and small farms in Kenya. A study was undertaken on seven large-scale farms to investigate the genetic trends for milk production and fertility traits between 1986 and 1997 and the genetic relationships between the traits. This involved 3,185 records from 1,614 cows, the daughters of 253 sires. There was a positive trend in breeding value for 305-d milk yield of 12.9 kg/ yr and a drop in calving interval of 0.9 d/yr over the 11-yr period. Bulls from the United States (U.S.) had an average total milk yield breeding value 230 kg higher than the mean of all bulls used; Canada (+121 kg), Holland (+15 kg), the United Kingdom (U.K., 0 kg), and Kenya (-71 kg) were the other major suppliers of bulls. Average breeding values of bulls for calving interval by country of origin were -1.31 (Canada), -1.27 (Holland), -0.83 (U.S.), -0.63 (Kenya), and 0.68 d (U.K.). The genetic parameters for 305-d milk yield were 0.29 (heritability), 0.05 (permanent environment effect as proportion of phenotypic variance) resulting in an estimated repeatability of 0.34. Using complete lactation data rather than 305-d milk yield resulted in similar estimates of the genetic parameters. However, when lactation length was used as a covariate heritability was reduced to 0.25 and the permanent environment effect proportion increased to 0.09. There was little genetic control of either lactation length (heritability, 0.09) or calving interval (heritability, 0.05); however, there were strong genetic correlations between first lactation milk yield, calving interval, and age at first calving.
The burden and consequences of inherited blood disorders among young children in western Kenya

Abstract Although inherited blood disorders are common among children in many parts of Africa, limited data are available about their prevalence or contribution to childhood anaemia. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of 858 children aged 6–35 months who were randomly selected from 60 villages in western Kenya. Haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, malaria, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and retinol binding protein (RBP) were measured from capillary blood. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Hb type, −3.7 kb alpha‐globin chain deletion, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) genotype and haptoglobin (Hp) genotype were determined. More than 2 out of 3 children had at least one measured blood disorder. Sickle cell trait (HbAS) and disease (HbSS) were found in 17.1% and 1.6% of children, respectively; 38.5% were heterozygotes and 9.6% were homozygotes for α+‐thalassaemia. The Hp 2‐2 genotype was found in 20.4% of children, whereas 8.2% of males and 6.8% of children overall had G6PD deficiency. There were no significant differences in the distribution of malaria by the measured blood disorders, except among males with G6PD deficiency who had a lower prevalence of clinical malaria than males of normal G6PD genotype (P = 0.005). After excluding children with malaria parasitaemia, inflammation (CRP > 5 mg L−1), iron deficiency (ferritin < 12 μg L−1) or vitamin A deficiency (RBP < 0.7 μg L−1), the prevalence of anaemia among those without α +‐thalassaemia (43.0%) remained significantly lower than that among children who were either heterozygotes (53.5%) or homozygotes (67.7%, P = 0.03). Inherited blood disorders are common among pre‐school children in western Kenya and are important contributors to anaemia.
Development of fibre-enriched gluten-free bread: a response surface methodology study

The enrichment of gluten-free (GF) baked products with dietary fibre (DF) seems to be necessary since it has been reported that coeliac patients have generally a low intake of DF due to their GF diet. Response surface methodology was used to optimize a fibre-enriched GF bread formulation based on corn starch, rice flour and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Maize fibre and water were the predictor variables (factors), and loaf specific volume, crumb firmness and crumb L value were the dependent variables (responses) used to assess the product quality. The optimal formulation, determined from the data, contained 6.5% maize fibre and 102.5% water, starch/flour base. The developed mathematical models for the measured responses could be successfully used for their prediction during baking. Shelf-life study of the optimized formulation revealed that bread stored under modified atmosphere packaging exhibited lower crumb firmness and moisture content values, and thus remained softer through storage. Scanning electron microscopy of the crumb showed a continuum matrix between starch and maize fibre, in the optimized formulation, obtaining a more aerated structure.
SOCIAL DIALOGUE WITH EMBODIED CONVERSATIONAL AGENTS

The functions of social dialogue between people in the context of performing a task is discussed, as well as approaches to modelling such dialogue in embodied conversational agents. A study of an agent’s use of social dialogue is presented, comparing embodied interactions with similar interactions conducted over the phone, assessing the impact these media have on a wide range of behavioural, task and subjective measures. Results indicate that subjects’ perceptions of the agent are sensitive to both interaction style (social vs. task-only dialogue) and medium.
Formation of 06-Methylguanine by Alkylation of Rat Liver, Colon, and Kidney DNA following Administration of

cinogen (3, 31). Tumors were also produced in the duo denum, small intestine, liver, and kidney by 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine (3, 10, 13, 31). The distribution of tumors de pended on the dosage and method of application, but even a single injection resulted in the formation of some tumors in the colon and kidney (3, 10). The mechanism by which 1,2-dimethylhydrazine exerts its carcinogenic action has been postulated to be similar to that of cycasin and simple aliphatic nitroso compounds in that metabolism of the carcinogen leads to the formation of an active alkylating agent (3, 10, 31, 35, 36). In confirma tion of this hypothesis, it has been shown that, like dimeth ylnitrosamine and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, 1,2-dimethylhy drazine leads to the methylation of nucleic acids in tissues in which tumors are produced (11, 12). In these experi ments, it was found that 7-methylguanine was formed in the DNA of liver, colon, and kidney of rats and mice given 1,2-dimethylhydrazine by s.c. injection. For some time al kylation of DNA has been considered the likely means by which cancer is induced by cycasin and the nitroso corn pounds (16â€”i 8, 22, 23, 29). However, more recent studies have suggested that the 06-position of guanine rather than the 7-position may be the critical site for the alkylation (17â€” 20, 29). The presence of 06-methylguanine, but not 7methylguanine, causes mutation in phage (21) and miscod ing by nucleic acid polymerases (8). In studies with simple aliphatic nitrosamines and nitrosamides, the formation and persistence of 06-alkylguanine in various tissues including brain, kidney, and liver correlated well with tumorigenesis (9, 24, 27, 30). Conversely, the alkylating agents methyl methanesulfonate and ethyl methanesulfonate, which are only weakly carcinogenic, resulted in much less 0-alkyl guanine formation (18, 30, 33, 34). These experiments support the hypothesis that the formation and persistence of 06-alkylguanine until cell replication leads to the herita ble, usually irreversible, change to neoplastic growth. There is evidence that this abnormal purine can be enzymatically removed in some organs, and it appears that persistence results from either a lack of this enzyme System or its inhibition rsaturation (25,28,29). Since it was not known to what extent 1,2-dimethylhydra zine alkylated DNA at the 0-position of guanine in target cells or whether cells in the colon were able to carry out the removal of 06-methylguanine seen in the liver (9, 24, 28, 29), the production and persistence of this methylated purine was measured in rat colon, kidney, and liver after
Fast motion estimation methods for HEVC

Compared with H.264, the High Efficiency Video Coding standard has higher compression efficiency and better transmission performance, and will be used in wider field. TZ search method is adopted to perform integer pixel search in HEVC. Its performance is very perfect but very time-consuming. In this paper, we use hexagon search method in place of TZ search method to speed up motion estimation process. Simulation results show that this scheme accelerates 2-6 times and the performance loss is negligible in sequences with slow movements.