Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entropy Density and Mismatch in High-Rate Scalar Quantization With Rényi Entropy Constraint

Properties of scalar quantization with th power distortion and constrained Rényi entropy of order are investigated. For an asymptotically (high-rate) optimal sequence of quantizers, the contribution to the Rényi entropy due to source values in a fixed interval is identified in terms of the “entropy density” of the quantizer sequence. This extends results related to the well-known point density concept in optimal fixed-rate quantization. A dual of the entropy density result quantifies the distortion contribution of a given interval to the overall distortion. The distortion loss resulting from a mismatch of source densities in the design of an asymptotically optimal sequence of quantizers is also determined. This extends Bucklew's fixed-rate and Gray et al.'s variable-rate mismatch results to general values of the entropy order parameter .
Kinetics of Hemagglutination-Inhibiting Antibodies Following Maternal Influenza Vaccination Among Mothers With and Those Without HIV Infection and Their Infants.

BACKGROUND We evaluated the immunogenicity of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) in pregnant women with and those without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the persistence of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies in mothers and infants. METHODS Antibodies were measured before vaccination, 1 month after vaccination, at delivery, and at postpartum week 24 in mothers and within 1 week of birth and at 8, 16, and 24 weeks of age in infants. RESULTS We enrolled 98 HIV-uninfected and 100 HIV-infected pregnant women, including 93% with a CD4(+) T-cell count of ≥ 200 cells/µL. Compared with HIV-uninfected women, HIV-infected women had lower seroconversion rates (ranging from 63%-92% vs 36%-40%), lower antibody titers through postpartum week 24, and overlapping antibody half-lives (ranging from 106-121 vs 87-153 days). Infant titers were lower than the maternal titers within 1 week of delivery, regardless of vaccine strain and HIV exposure status. Compared with HIV-unexposed infants, HIV-exposed infants had a similar transplacental influenza virus antibody transfer ratio, lower titers, and a lower frequency of titers ≥ 1:40 (ranging from 82%-95% vs 43%-79%) at birth and higher antibody half-lives (ranging from 43-45 vs 56-65 days). CONCLUSIONS Compared with HIV-uninfected pregnant women, HIV-infected pregnant women had lower antibody responses and persistence. Compared with HIV-unexposed infants, HIV-exposed infants had lower antibody levels at birth but similar antibody levels after 8 weeks of life. Early IIV3 administration during pregnancy did not decrease antibody titers among infants at birth.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are lower in blood lipids of Usher's type I but not Usher's type II.

PURPOSE Previous studies have shown that persons with retinitis pigmentosa and Usher's syndrome have lower blood levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In this study, the fatty acid composition of phospholipids from plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) was compared in persons with Usher's syndrome type I; Usher's syndrome type II; or no retinal disease (control subjects). METHODS Blood was drawn from fasting volunteers and separated into plasma and RBCs by centrifugation. Lipids were extracted and phospholipids were obtained by thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS There were no differences in plasma or RBC phospholipid fatty acid composition between control subjects (n = 54) and persons with Usher's syndrome type II (n = 20). However, all 20- and 22-carbon PUFA levels from RBCs of persons with Usher's syndrome type I were lower than those from control subjects and persons with Usher's Syndrome type II. Likewise, plasma levels of 20:3n-6, 20: 5n-3, and 22:6n-3 were lower in Usher's syndrome type I compared with the control group. In contrast, plasma levels of 18:1n-9 and RBC levels of 16:0 and 18:1n-9 were higher in the group with Usher's syndrome type I. CONCLUSIONS Plasma and RBCs from Usher's syndrome type I, but not type II, have lower levels of long-chain PUFAs than plasma and RBCs from control subjects.
The Neurotopography of Written Word Production: An fMRI Investigation of the Distribution of Sensitivity to Length and Frequency

This research is directed at charting the neurotopography of the component processes of the spelling system by using fMRI to identify the neural substrates that are sensitive to the factors of lexical frequency and word length. In spelling, word frequency effects index orthographic long-term memory whereas length effects, as measured by the number of letters, index orthographic working memory (grapheme buffering). Using the task of spelling to dictation in the scanner, we found a highly differentiated neural distribution of sensitivity to the factors of length and lexical frequency, with areas exhibiting sensitivity to length but not frequency and vice versa. In addition, a direct comparison with the results of a previous study [Rapp, B. , & Lipka, K. The literate brain: The relationship between spelling and reading. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 23, 1180–1197, 2011] that used a very different spelling task yielded a converging pattern of findings regarding the neural substrates of the central components of spelling. Also, with regard to relationship between reading and spelling, we replicated previous functional neuroimaging studies that have shown overlapping regions of activation in the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus and midfusiform gyrus for word reading and spelling.
Association Between NOS3 Gene G894T Polymorphism and Late-onset Alzheimer Disease in a Sample From Iran

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common age-associated neurodegenerative disease caused by complicated interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The presence of the apolipoprotein ϵ4 allele, the only confirmed genetic risk factor for late-onset AD (LOAD), is neither sufficient nor necessary to explain all occurrences of the disease. Aberrant expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene has been demonstrated in degenerating neurons and glial cells in brains with AD. Molecular epidemiologic studies have presented contradictory results concerning a potential role of NOS3 gene G894T polymorphism in AD. To define a possible association of this polymorphism with LOAD in an Iranian population, we conducted a case-control study including a clinically well-defined group of 100 LOAD patients and 100 age-matched controls. G894T polymorphism in NOS3 gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms assay. Chi-square analysis showed a significantly increased number of individuals with the G/G genotype in AD patients compared with controls (P<0.05). These results demonstrate an association between G894T polymorphism and LOAD in an Iranian sample and the G/G genotype seems to have some effects in the development of AD either alone or through interaction with other risk factors.
Preparation, Characterization, and Optimization of an In Vitro C30 Carotenoid Pathway

ABSTRACT The ispA gene encoding farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) synthase from Escherichia coli and the crtM gene encoding 4,4′-diapophytoene (DAP) synthase from Staphylococcus aureus were overexpressed and purified for use in vitro. Steady-state kinetics for FPP synthase and DAP synthase, individually and in sequence, were determined under optimized reaction conditions. For the two-step reaction, the DAP product was unstable in aqueous buffer; however, in situ extraction using an aqueous-organic two-phase system resulted in a 100% conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate into DAP. This aqueous-organic two-phase system is the first demonstration of an in vitro carotenoid synthesis pathway performed with in situ extraction, which enables quantitative conversions. This approach, if extended to a wide range of isoprenoid-based pathways, could lead to the synthesis of novel carotenoids and their derivatives.
A Review Based Design and Implementation of Electronic Stethoscope for Heart Sound Analysis

In this present work an attempt is made to design of an electronic stethoscope based on a literature survey done and implemented in two ways hardware and software. The objective is to develop a peripheral interface controller based electronic stethoscope to capture the heart sound. In the proposed work we designed device consist of following hardware component integration: microphone, preamplifier, Butterworth filter, compensating circuit, AVR Atmega-32, power amplifier, speaker, graphic liquid crystal display[128×64]. The captured different heart sound can be sent to personal computer for software simulation analysis using Proteus software. This would be fast and more effective since there is a visual and audio representation to diagnose such cardiologic sound.
Quantification of bioactive compounds in Picual and Arbequina olive leaves and fruit.

BACKGROUND Olive leaves and fruit possess bioactive substances such as phenolic compounds and triterpenic acids that can be obtained from olive by-products generated during olive oil extraction. The aim of the present study was the characterization and quantification of these compounds in Picual and Arbequina cultivars from different locations and throughout two seasons in both olive leaves and fruit. RESULTS The major phenolic compound identified in the leaves was oleuropein, and the total content of phenolic compounds in this material reached 70 g kg-1 fresh weight. The leaves were also rich in triterpenic acids (20 g kg-1 fresh weight), with oleanolic acid being the most concentrated among them. With regard to olives, oleuropein and demethyloleuropein were the main phenolic compounds in the pulp of Picual and Arbequina cultivars, and the total concentration of these phenolic compounds reached 3.5% fresh weight. Olives can also be an important source of triterpenic acids, although this is mainly the skin part, where the maslinic and oleanolic acids are concentrated. CONCLUSION Olive leaves can contain up to 70 g kg-1 phenolic compounds and 20 g kg-1 triterpenic acids, and olive fruit can contain up to 35 g kg-1 of the former and 3 g kg-1 of the latter. It must also be noted that this level was constant both between seasons and orchard locations. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
An Assessment of the Potential Use of BNNTs for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Currently, nanostructured compounds have been standing out for their optical, mechanical, and chemical features and for the possibilities of manipulation and regulation of complex biological processes. One of these compounds is boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), which are a nanostructured material analog to carbon nanotubes, but formed of nitrogen and boron atoms. BNNTs present high thermal stability along with high chemical inertia. Among biological applications, its biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and functionalization potential can be highlighted, in addition to its eased utilization due to its nanometric size and tumor cell internalization. When it comes to new forms of therapy, we can draw attention to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), an experimental radiotherapy characterized by a boron-10 isotope carrier inside the target and a thermal neutron beam focused on it. The activation of the boron-10 atom by a neutron generates a lithium atom, a gamma ray, and an alpha particle, which can be used to destroy tumor tissues. The aim of this work was to use BNNTs as a boron-10 carrier for BNCT and to demonstrate its potential. The nanomaterial was characterized through XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The WST-8 assay was performed to confirm the cell viability of BNNTs. The cells treated with BNNTs were irradiated with the neutron beam of a Triga reactor, and the apoptosis caused by the activation of the BNNTs was measured with a calcein AM/propidium iodide test. The results demonstrate that this nanomaterial is a promising candidate for cancer therapy through BNCT.
Use of a potential probiotic Lactococcus lactis AR21 strain for the enhancement of growth in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis (Müller)

The effect of a potential probiotic on the growth performance of a rotifer and its inhibition against Vibrio anguillarum was studied. Probiotic strain AR21 had no significant observable effect on the growth rate of rotifers under optimal culture conditions in three consecutive experiments. In the first and second experiments, the AR21 strain exhibited an inhibitory effect against the V. anguillarum strain when rotifer cultures were maintained at a suboptimal feeding regime. The growth rate of the rotifers in suboptimal feeding conditions was significantly higher in the treatment receiving AR21 and V. anguillarum than in the treatment where only V. anguillarum was added.
Pesticide Acute Toxicity Is a Better Correlate of U.S. Grassland Bird Declines than Agricultural Intensification

Common agricultural birds are in decline, both in Europe and in North America. Evidence from Europe suggests that agricultural intensification and, for some species, the indirect effects of pesticides mediated through a loss of insect food resource is in part responsible. On a state-by-state basis for the conterminous Unites States (U.S.), we looked at several agronomic variables to predict the number of grassland species increasing or declining according to breeding bird surveys conducted between 1980 and 2003. Best predictors of species declines were the lethal risk from insecticide use modeled from pesticide impact studies, followed by the loss of cropped pasture. Loss of permanent pasture or simple measures of agricultural intensification such as the proportion of land under crop or the proportion of farmland treated with herbicides did not explain bird declines as well. Because the proportion of farmland treated with insecticides, and more particularly the lethal risk to birds from the use of current insecticides feature so prominently in the best models, this suggests that, in the U.S. at least, pesticide toxicity to birds should be considered as an important factor in grassland bird declines.
Kinetic Estimation of GFR Improves Prediction of Dialysis and Recovery after Kidney Transplantation

Background The early prediction of delayed graft function (DGF) would facilitate patient management after kidney transplantation. Methods In a single-centre retrospective analysis, we investigated kinetic estimated GFR under non-steady-state conditions, KeGFR, in prediction of DGF. KeGFRsCr was calculated at 4h, 8h and 12h in 56 recipients of deceased donor kidneys from initial serum creatinine (sCr) concentrations, estimated creatinine production rate, volume of distribution, and the difference between consecutive sCr values. The utility of KeGFRsCr for DGF prediction was compared with, sCr, plasma cystatin C (pCysC), and KeGFRpCysC similarly derived from pCysC concentrations. Results At 4h, the KeGFRsCr area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) for DGF prediction was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.56–0.83), while sCr was not useful (AUC 0.56, (CI: 0.41–0.72). Integrated discrimination improvement analysis showed that the KeGFRsCr improved a validated clinical prediction model at 4h, 8h, and 12h, increasing the AUC from 0.68 (0.52–0.83) to 0.88 (0.78–0.99) at 12h (p = 0.01). KeGFRpCysC also improved DGF prediction. In contrast, sCr provided no improvement at any time point. Conclusions Calculation of KeGFR from sCr facilitates early prediction of DGF within 4 hours of renal transplantation.
Does the Experience With the Use of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Improve Over Time in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants?

Objective. Early use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (ENCPAP) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants continues to be a source of debate. Centers are applying this management strategy with varying success. Our center has implemented this strategy of care over the past 4 years, and the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of experience over time with the use of ENCPAP on outcomes of ELBW infants. Methods. All ELBW infants who were born at our hospital since the institution of the ENCPAP practice (n = 101) were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 terciles according to their birth date. A baseline group of ELBW infants who were born in the 2 years preceding the institution of the ENCPAP practice (group 0; n = 45) were used for comparison. Trends in practices and outcomes over time were analyzed using the 2-sided Cochran-Armitage linear trend test. Statistical significance for these trends were then analyzed again using a multivariate regression model controlling for significant variables. Bivariate analyses comparing individual groups were also conducted. Results. There were no significant trends in mortality rate among the baseline group and the 3 terciles since the institution of the ENCPAP practice (26.7% vs 26.5% vs 11.8% vs 18.2%). ENCPAP management increased in the surviving infants over time (14% vs 19.2% vs 65.52% vs 70.4%), whereas the use of surfactant decreased (51.5% vs 48% vs 13.3% vs 33.3%) and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) decreased (33.3% vs 46.2% vs 25.9% vs 11.1%). The average ventilator days per infant decreased, the rate of sepsis decreased, and the average daily weight gain increased. There were no significant trends in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). When comparing the cohorts of survivors in the 3 terciles since the institution of ENCPAP system, ELBW infants who were started on ENCPAP but intubated within 1 week (CPAP failure) decreased over time (38.5% vs 13.8% vs 7.4%). There were other trends that did not reach significance, such as increased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In a multivariate analysis controlling for gestational age, birth weight, and sepsis, the incidence of BPD was significantly lower over time (regression coefficient = −1.002 ± 0.375). Conclusions. The frequency of use of ENCPAP in ELBW infants and its success improved in our unit over time. The major positive association in this population was a reduction in BPD rates and an increase in average weight gain. Relation of ENCPAP and NEC should be evaluated further.
Identification and characterization of striatal cell subtypes using in vivo intracellular recording and dye‐labeling in rats. III. Morphological correlates and compartmental localization

In the first two reports of this series, in vivo intracellular recording techniques were used to characterize the electrophysiological properties of two types of striatal neurons that had been identified by their distinct response patterns to stimulation of corticostriatal afferents. In this paper, we examined whether cells showing Type I or Type II response patterns also differed with respect to their morphology or compartmental localization by combining intracellular recording and Lucifer yellow staining with immunocytochemical localization of calbindin 28 kd immunoreactivity.
Maturation of rat visual cortex: IV. The generation, migration, morphogenesis, and connectivity of atypically oriented pyramidal neurons

The generation, migration, and morphogenesis of atypically oriented pyramidal neurons in the rat visual cortex were examined. In the mature cortex, these neurons were distributed through layers II–VI. Moreover, the atypically oriented pyramidal neurons in a particular layer tended to be oriented in a specific way; atypically oriented pyramidal neurons in layer II, layers III–VIa, and layer VIb were obliquely, radially, and obliquely oriented, respectively. Ultrastructurally, the somata of atypically oriented pyramidal neurons contained large euchromatic ovoid nuclei and cytoplasm that was replete with rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. These somata formed only symmetric axosomatic synapses. Many atypically oriented pyramidal neurons projected axons into the white matter as demonstrated by a Golgi method and by a retrograde tract‐tracing technique; however, some of these pyramidal neurons in layers III–V had axons that ascended to layer I.
The affinity and activity of compounds related to nicotine on the rectus abdominis muscle of the frog (Rana pipiens)

1 . Series of pyridylalkyl‐ and substituted phenylalkyl‐trimethylammonium salts, triethylammonium salts, diethylamines and di‐n‐propylamines have been made. The substituents in the benzene ring were nitro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, hydroxy and amino groups and the alkyl residues had one, two, or three methylene groups separating the aromatic nucleus from the cationic head. 2 . Most of the trimethylammonium compounds caused a contracture of the frog rectus muscle, but some were partial agonists and a few were antagonists. The di‐n‐propylamines were all antagonists, as were most of the diethylamines and triethylammonium compounds, though some of these were partial agonists and a few triethylammonium compounds were agonists. The affinities of the antagonists and partial agonists for the receptors stimulated by β‐pyridylmethyltrimethylammonium (and by nicotine) were measured. The equipotent molar ratios of all the agonists were measured relative to β‐pyridylmethyltrimethylammonium. 3 . The dissociation constants of the pyridylmethyldiethylamines and substituted benzyldiethylamines were measured. The effects of substituents on the pKa of benzyldiethylamine were similar to their effects on the pKa of aniline, though there were differences with some of the o‐substituted compounds, which could be attributed to internal hydrogen‐bond formation. 4 . There is no obvious correlation between the effects of a substituent on the pKa of benzyldiethylamine and its effects on affinity. Although increasing the size of the cationic group usually increased affinity, it did not always do so. The compounds with the highest affinity, p‐hydroxybenzyldiethylamine (log K, 5·90) had about half the affinity of (+)‐tubocurarine (log K, 6·11), but the triethylammonium analogue (log K, 4·17) had only about one‐fiftieth of the affinity of the tertiary base. The binding of the drug to the receptor appears to involve many factors which include the size of the groups as well as their electron‐releasing or withdrawing nature and other properties, such as their polar and lipophilic or lipophobic character. 5 . There is no obvious correlation between the effects of a substituent on the affinity of the diethylamino or triethylammonium compounds and its effects on the activity of the trimethylammonium analogue. The most active compounds contain hydroxy‐ and amino‐, phenyl or β‐pyridyl groups, m‐hydroxyphenyl‐propyltrimethylammonium being about 50 times as active as nicotine, but the corresponding diethylamino or triethylammonium compounds do not have high affinity. There does not seem necessarily to be an inverse relationship between activity and affinity, however, because some m‐nitro and m‐chloro trimethylammonium compounds have considerable activity and the analogous triethylammonium compounds have considerable affinity. 6 . It is suggested that ability to activate these receptors is associated with the presence of substituents which can interact with water molecules which may be involved in the action of the drug at the receptor.