Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth performance of broilers in experimental Reovirus infections.

Background: The avian reoviruses have emerged to induce various manifestations in chickens. They are associated with disease conditions including malabsorption syndrome, tenosynovitis etc. Reoviruses are an important cause of suboptimum performance in broilers, resulting in poor growth performance. Poultry industry in India is facing a catastrophe due to such infections which go unnoticed in field due to masking of the symptoms by secondary infections and commonly observed nutritional disorders. Aim: To investigate the effect of reovirus infection on overall performance of broiler birds. Material and Methods: The broiler birds were challenged with homologous strains of malabsorption syndrome and tenosynovitis syndrome of reovirus. The growth performance was recorded. Results and conclusion: The growth performance and immune response to NDV did not differ in the birds challenged with tenosynovitis syndrome strain of reo virus as compared to un challenged birds. However, poor live body weight, feed intake, FCR, PE and BPEI and better serum NDV titres were found in chicks challenged with malabsorption syndrome strain of reovirus as compared to the chicks from control group.
Outcomes of implementation of enhanced goal directed therapy in high-risk patients undergoing abdominal surgery

Background and Aims: Advanced monitoring targeting haemodynamic and oxygenation variables can improve outcomes of surgery in high-risk patients. We aimed to assess the impact of goal directed therapy (GDT) targeting cardiac index (CI) and oxygen extraction ratio (O 2 ER) on outcomes of high-risk patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: In a prospective randomised trial, forty patients (American Society of Anaesthesiologists II and III) undergoing major abdominal surgeries were randomised into two groups. In-Group A mean arterial pressure ≥ 65 mmHg, central venous pressure ≥ 8-10 mmHg, urine output ≥ 0.5 mL/kg/h and central venous oxygen saturation ≥ 70% were targeted intra-operatively and 12 h postoperatively. In-Group-B (enhanced GDT), in addition to the monitoring in-Group-A, CI ≥ 2.5 L/min/m 2 and O 2 ER ≤ 27% were targeted. The end-points were lactate levels and base deficit during and after surgery. The secondary end points were length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital stay and postoperative complications. Wilcoxon Mann Whitney and Chi-square tests were used for statistical assessment. Results: Lactate levels postoperatively at 4 and 8 h were lower in-Group-B (P < 0.05). The mean base deficit at 3, 4, 5 and 6 h intra-operatively and postoperatively after 4, 8 and 12 h were lower in-Group-B (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in ICU stay (2.10 ± 1.52 vs. 2.90 ± 2.51 days) or hospital stay (10.85 + 4.39 vs. 13.35 + 6.77 days) between Group A and B. Conclusions: Implementation of enhanced GDT targeting CI and OER was associated with improved tissue oxygenation.
The brain and HAART: collaborative and combative connections

Purpose of reviewTo summarize contemporary observations regarding the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the brain. Recent findingsThe effects of HAART on the structure and function of the brain during HIV/AIDS is currently a subject of intense interest because the brain is one of the most drug-impenetrable organs that is infected by HIV-1 and as such represents an important reservoir for replication-competent virus. The effects of HAART on neurocognitive impairment caused by HIV-1 infection remain uncertain with both beneficial and adverse outcomes reported with different HAART regimens. Similarly, the effects of individual HAART regimens on viral quantity in cerebrospinal fluid as a surrogate indicator of brain virus burden are variable. Indeed, the situation is further complicated by the ranking of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) by their central nervous system penetration-effectiveness score on the basis of ART concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid. Experimental studies have also yielded equivocal findings depending on the model and individual ART. At the same time, a burgeoning body of experimental data has demonstrated neurotoxic effects of several ARTs, including nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs). SummaryHAART selection strategies are currently guided by efficacy, resistance testing, toxicity, potential drug interactions and theoretical brain penetration. As improved strategies are developed to target the viral reservoir within the brain, greater knowledge of the effects of ARTs on neural tissues will be needed to operationalize their use in a rational manner that maximizes antiretroviral efficacy and minimizes the neurotoxic complications.
Advances in research of the artificial cultivation of Ophiocordyceps sinensis in China

Abstract Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis), a traditional Chinese medicine called DongChongXiaCao (DCXC) in Chinese, is well known and has been used in Asia countries since the fifteenth century, and it contains some valuable medicinal component defined by modern pharmacological science. DCXC only appears at high altitudes on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Consequently, it is difficult to find and harvest. Because of its rarity and medicinal value, DCXC has always been one of the most expensive medicines known. As the price of DCXC has risen in recent years, thousands of migrants have entered into the various grasslands to search for them in season, which makes ecological environments of the grassland more fragile. In order to relieve the environmental pressures and protect this valuable resource, the artificial cultivation of DCXC involving two aspects of the genus Hepialus and the fungi of the host larvae should be employed and applied at the first available time point. In this article, the reproduction of moth larvae of the genus Hepialus is first described, which includes their ecological characteristics and the methods of artificial feeding. Second, the generation and isolation method of the fungi from DCXC are subsequently summarized, and then the mechanism of fungal spores to attack the moth larvae are restated. Finally, the basic model of artificial cultivation of DCXC is introduced; meanwhile, the potential application of modern biotechnology to the artificial cultivation is analyzed in prospect. This review article will not only expand people’s knowledge regarding the artificial cultivation of DCXC, but also hopefully provide an informative reference for the development of this valuable resource and the environmental protection of alpine meadows.
Modelling of temperature losses in liquid metal during casting formation in expendable pattern casting process

Abstract A finite difference model has been developed to study the effects of polymer degradation on the temperature of the liquid metal during the formation of the casting in the expendable pattern casting process. The model has been used to estimate the endothermic losses in the liquid metal during the mould filling process. The calculations have been conducted for pure aluminium and a commercial aluminium alloy. The results indicate that the temperature of the metal front decreases continuously during the formation of the casting. The degradation of the polymer establishes thermal gradients in the bulk of the casting of the order of 2–2·5 K cm−1. Thermal gradients as high as 50 K cm−1 may be achieved in a zone near the metal front. The heat transfer coefficient at the metal/mould interface has been estimated to be 420 Wm−2 K−1. The model suggests that the thickness of the gas layer at the metal front is negligibly small. The model confirms the experimental observation that a large fraction of the polym.
Interspecific variation in xylem vulnerability to cavitation among tropical tree and shrub species.

In tropical moist forests, seasonal drought limits plant survival, productivity and diversity. Drought-tolerance mechanisms of tropical species should reflect the maximum seasonal water deficits experienced in a particular habitat. We investigated stem xylem vulnerability to cavitation in nine tropical species with different life histories and habitat associations. Stem xylem vulnerability was scored as the xylem water potential causing 50 and 75% loss of hydraulic conductivity (P50 and P75, respectively). Four shade-tolerant shrubs ranged from moderately resistant (P50=-1.9 MPa for Ouratea lucens Kunth. Engl.) to highly resistant to cavitation (P50=-4.1 MPa for Psychotria horizontalis Sw.), with shallow-rooted species being the most resistant. Among the tree species, those characteristic of waterlogged soils, Carapa guianensis Aubl. , Prioria copaifera Griseb. and Ficus citrifolia Mill. , were the most vulnerable to cavitation (P50=-0.8 to -1.6 MPa). The wet-season, deciduous tree, Cordia alliodora (Ruiz and Pav.) Oken. , had resistant xylem (P50=-3.2 MPa), whereas the dry-season, deciduous tree, Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. was among the most vulnerable to cavitation (P50=-0.8 MPa) of the species studied. For eight out of the nine study species, previously reported minimum seasonal leaf water potentials measured in the field during periods of drought correlated with our P50 and P75 values. Rooting depth, deciduousness, soil type and growth habit might also contribute to desiccation tolerance. Our results support the functional dependence of drought tolerance on xylem resistance to cavitation.
Novel Framework of Robot Force Control Using Reinforcement Learning

Over the past decades, robotic technologies have advanced remarkably and have been proven to be successful, especially in the field of manufacturing. In manufacturing, conventional position-controlled robots perform simple repeated tasks in static environments. In recent years, there are increasing needs for robot systems in many areas that involve physical contacts with human-populated environments. Conventional robotic systems, however, have been ineffective in contact tasks. Contrary to robots, humans cope with the problems with dynamic environments by the aid of excellent adaptation and learning ability. In this sense, robot force control strategy inspired by human motor control would be a promising approach. There have been several studies on biologically-inspired motor learning. Cohen et al. suggested impedance learning strategy in a contact task by using associative search network (Cohen et al., 1991). They applied this approach to wall-following task. Another study on motor learning investigated a motor learning method for a musculoskeletal arm model in free space motion using reinforcement learning (Izawa et al., 2002). These studies, however, are limited to rather simple problems. In other studies, artificial neural network models were used for impedance learning in contact tasks (Jung et al., 2001; Tsuji et al., 2004). One of the noticeable works by Tsuji et al. suggested on-line virtual impedance learning method by exploiting visual information. Despite of its usefulness, however, neural network-based learning involves heavy computational load and may lead to local optimum solutions easily. The purpose of this study is to present a novel framework of force control for robotic contact tasks. To develop appropriate motor skills for various contact tasks, this study employs the following methodologies. First, our robot control strategy employs impedance control based on a human motor control theory the equilibrium point control model. The equilibrium point control model suggests that the central nervous system utilizes the springlike property of the neuromuscular system in coordinating multi-DOF human limb movements (Flash, 1987). Under the equilibrium point control scheme, force can be controlled separately by a series of equilibrium points and modulated stiffness (or more generally impedance) at the joints, so the control scheme can become simplified considerably. Second, as the learning framework, reinforcement learning (RL) is employed to optimize the performance of contact task. RL can handle an optimization problem in an
SIMULTANEOUS OBSERVATIONS OF GIANT PULSES FROM THE CRAB PULSAR, WITH THE MURCHISON WIDEFIELD ARRAY AND PARKES RADIO TELESCOPE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GIANT PULSE EMISSION MECHANISM

We report on observations of giant pulses from the Crab pulsar performed simultaneously with the Parkes radio telescope and the incoherent combination of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) antenna tiles. The observations were performed over a duration of approximately one hour at a center frequency of 1382 MHz with 340 MHz bandwidth at Parkes, and at a center frequency of 193 MHz with 15 MHz bandwidth at the MWA. Our analysis has led to the detection of 55 giant pulses at the MWA and 2075 at Parkes above a threshold of 3. 5σ and 6. 5σ, respectively. We detected 51% of the MWA giant pulses at the Parkes radio telescope, with spectral indices in the range of − 3.6 > &agr; > − 4.9 ? > ( S &ngr; ∝ &ngr; &agr; ? > ). We present a Monte Carlo analysis supporting the conjecture that the giant pulse emission in the Crab is intrinsically broadband, the less than 100% correlation being due to the relative sensitivities of the two instruments and the width of the spectral index distribution. Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the spectral index of giant pulses is drawn from normal distribution of standard deviation 0.6, but with a mean that displays an evolution with frequency from −3.00 at 1382 MHz, to −2.85 at 192 MHz.
Densification Forming of Alumina Powder—Effects of Power Law Creep and Friction

High temperature forming processes of alumina powder compacts were analyzed by using constitutive equations which are capable of predicting densification and grain growth under diffusional creep and power law creep. Experimental results for alumina powder compacts were compared with finite element calculations by using the constitutive equations. The effects of friction between alumina powder compact and punches during sinter forging of alumina powder compacts were also investigated. Densification mechanism maps of alumina powder, which can be used for the optimization of various process variables, were constructed under hot pressing and general states of stresses.
INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE DUE TO ANGIOID STREAKS

Purpose: To investigate the results of intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks and to assess the factors influencing disease progression. Methods: Patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) for CNV secondary to angioid streaks were reviewed retrospectively. In addition to demographic findings, ophthalmologic findings at baseline and during follow-ups were recorded. Results: Twenty-three eyes of 20 patients (mean age, 45.7 years; 7 women) were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 23 months. Mean number of injections was 5.1. Initial and final logMAR visual acuity was not different (0.53 ± 0.33 and 0.60 ± 0.40 logMAR, P = 0.79). At the last examination, patients with final active CNV (N = 14) were younger (mean age, 42 years) than patients with final inactive CNV (N = 9) (mean age, 52 years). The former group required higher number of injections (6.6 vs. 2.8, P = 0.013). Eyes with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (N = 10) needed injections every 4.4 months while the others (N = 13) every 7.2 months (P = 0.072). Pseudoxanthoma elasticum positivity ended up with active membranes in 70% of the cases, composing half of the overall final active CNVs in this study. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab stabilized vision in eyes with CNV and angioid streaks. At younger ages, CNV behaved more aggressively and seemed to be more resistant to treatment.
Effects of Hypericum montbretti Extract on the Central Nervous System and Involvement of GABA (A)/Benzodiazepine Receptors in its Pharmacological Activity

The present study was undertaken to investigate the putative activity of a methanol extract of Hypericum montbretti (Guttiferae) on the central nervous system. Rutin (1519 ppm) and quercitrin (784 ppm) were identified as the major phenolic compounds in the extract. When administered at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg doses, the extract decreased the total number of head‐dipping behaviours performed by mice during a hole‐board test. Administration of both the extract and diazepam (2 mg/kg) reduced spontaneous locomotory activity, potentiated hexobarbital (60 mg/kg)‐induced sleeping parameters and prevented pentylenetetrazole (80 mg/kg)‐induced seizures relative to the controls. These findings are the first to indicate the sedative and anticonvulsant activities of H. montbretti extract. Atropine (2 mg/kg) and naloxone (5 mg/kg) pre‐treatment did not reverse the sedative effect, indicating that muscarinic and opioidergic mechanisms did not contribute to the pharmacological action. However, pre‐treatment with flumazenil (a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist) reversed both the sedative and anticonvulsant effects induced by a 100 mg/kg dose of the extract, indicating the involvement of the GABA(A)‐benzodiazepine receptor complex. In conclusion, H. montbretti extract is a novel candidate as a sedative and anticonvulsant drug for the treatment of sleep disorders and for the prevention of epileptic seizures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
21-Aminosteroid lipid peroxidation inhibitor U74006F protects against cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

U74006F (21-[4-(2,6-di-1-pyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16 alpha-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione, monomethane sulfonate) is a novel and potent inhibitor of central nervous system tissue lipid peroxidation that is devoid of classical steroid hormonal activities. Its possible efficacy in attenuating postischemic mortality and neuronal necrosis was examined in gerbils following 3-hour unilateral carotid artery occlusion. Male Mongolian gerbils received two intraperitoneal injections of either vehicle or U74006F (3 or 10 mg/kg), the first injection 10 minutes before and the second injection at the end of the 3-hour ischemic episode. In an initial series of experiments, vehicle-treated gerbils displayed 60.9% (14 of 23) survival 24 hours after ischemia, which decreased to 34.8% (8 of 23) at 48 hours. In contrast, the 10 mg/kg U74006F-treated group showed 86.7% (13 of 15) survival at 24 hours (p less than 0.15 vs. vehicle) and 80.0% (12 of 15) survival at 48 hours (p less than 0.02). In a second series, neurons in the hippocampal CA1 subfield and the medial and lateral cerebral cortex were counted in gerbils surviving 24 hours after unilateral carotid artery occlusion. Comparison of neuronal densities in the ischemic hemisphere with those in the contralateral nonischemic hemisphere revealed significant neuronal preservation in all three brain regions of 10 mg/kg i.p. x 2 U74006F-treated gerbils. Our results show that U74006F can improve survival and attenuate neuronal necrosis in a severe brain ischemia model. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Competitive Athletic Participation, Thigh Muscle Strength, and Bone Density in Elite Senior Athletes and Controls

Abstract McCrory, JL, Salacinski, AJ, Hunt Sellhorst, SE, and Greenspan, SL. Competitive athletic participation, thigh muscle strength, and bone density in elite senior athletes and controls. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 3132–3141, 2013—The relationship between participation in highly competitive exercise, thigh muscle strength, and regional and total body bone mineral density (BMD) in elite senior athletes and healthy elderly controls was investigated. One hundred and four elite senior athletes (age: 72.6 ± 6.4 years, height: 168.7 ± 8.6 cm, mass: 72.6 ± 13.5 kg, 57 male:47 female) and 79 healthy controls (age: 75.4 ± 5.6 years, height: 170.8 ± 25.5 cm, mass: 79.5 ± 11.7 kg, 46 male:33 female) participated in this cross-sectional study. Vitamin D and calcium intake were assessed via a recall survey. Isometric knee extension and flexion peak torque were measured via a custom strength measurement device. Total body and regional BMD of the hip, radius, and spine were assessed with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer. For each BMD site assessed, multivariate linear regression analysis was performed in 4 steps (&agr; = 0.10) to examine the contribution of (a) age, sex, bodyweight, and calcium and vitamin D intake; (b) group (elite senior athlete, control); (c) knee extension peak torque; and (d) knee flexion peak torque on BMD. Sex, age, bodyweight, and calcium and vitamin D intake explained a significant amount of variance in BMD in each site. Group was not significant. Knee extension peak torque explained an additional 3.8% of the variance in hip BMD (p = 0.06). Knee flexion peak torque was not correlated to BMD at any of the sites assessed. In conclusion, participation in highly competitive athletics was not related to total body or regional BMD. Age, sex, bodyweight, and vitamin D and calcium intake were significantly related to BMD at all the sites assessed. Quadriceps strength contributed slightly to hip BMD. Our results imply that participation in highly competitive senior athletics does not have a protective effect on BMD, perhaps because of a lower bodyweight or other confounding factors.
Analysis of C-Reactive Protein and Biochemical Parameters in Pericardial Fluid

This study was designed to examine the relationship between pericardial fluid and plasma CRP levels, and to alterations in other biochemical parameters in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). The study group consisted of 96 Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients who were referred to our clinic for a CABG procedure and from whom sufficient amount of pericardial fluid could be collected. The patients were classified into 3 groups: Stable Angina Pectoris (SAP) (n = 27), Unstable Angina Pectoris (USAP) (n = 36), and Post-Myocardial Infarction (PMI) (n = 33). Levels of CRP, glucose, albumin, total protein, Creatine Kinase (CK), Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in pericardial fluid samples and in simultaneously collected blood samples from radial artery. The pericardial CRP and LDH levels in the PMI group were higher than in the SAP (p = 0.015 and p = 0.000, respectively) and USAP (p = 0.011, p = 0.047) groups. Serum CRP levels in USAP (p = 0.014) and PMI (p = 0.000) groups were higher than those in the SAP group. Pericardial albumin levels in the PMI group were higher than in the USAP group (p = 0.038). In all groups, the pericardial fluid/serum protein ratio was > 0.5, the LDL ratio was > 0.6, and pericardial fluid LDH concentrations were > 300 mg/dl. CRP level of pericardial fluid was significantly higher in the PMI group than in other groups. However, pericardial fluid LDH levels were higher than blood LDH levels in this group and were also higher than pericardial fluid LDH levels of other groups.