Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy and therapeutic exercise for supraspinatus and biceps tendinopathies in 29 dogs

Supraspinatus tendinopathy (ST) and biceps tendinopathy (BT) are common causes of forelimb lameness in large-breed dogs and have historically been treated with conservative management or surgery. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and therapeutic exercise (TE) are thought to be treatment options for these conditions. The objectives of this study were to report the clinical presentations of dogs treated with ESWT for shoulder tendinopathies, to determine the association between shoulder lesion severity identified on ultrasonography or MRI and outcome, and to compare the outcomes of dogs treated with ESWT with and without TE. Medical records of 29 dogs diagnosed with shoulder tendinopathies and treated with ESWT were reviewed, and 24 dogs were diagnosed with either unilateral BT or BT and ST. None were found to have unilateral ST. Five dogs were diagnosed with bilateral disease. Eighty-five per cent of dogs had good or excellent outcomes determined by owner assessment 11–220 weeks after therapy. Outcomes were found to be better as tendon lesion severity increased (P=0.0497), regardless if ESWT was performed with or without TE (P=0.92). ESWT should be considered a safe primary therapeutic option for canine shoulder tendinopathies. Larger controlled prospective studies are needed to adequately assess these findings.
High-Resolution Functional Mapping of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Genome by Insertional Mutagenesis and Massively Parallel Sequencing

We have developed a high-resolution genomic mapping technique that combines transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis with either capillary electrophoresis or massively parallel sequencing to identify functionally important regions of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) genome. We initially used a capillary electrophoresis method to gain insight into the role of the VEEV nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) in viral replication. We identified several regions in nsP3 that are intolerant to small (15 bp) insertions, and thus are presumably functionally important. We also identified nine separate regions in nsP3 that will tolerate small insertions at low temperatures (30°C), but not at higher temperatures (37°C, and 40°C). Because we found this method to be extremely effective at identifying temperature sensitive (ts) mutations, but limited by capillary electrophoresis capacity, we replaced the capillary electrophoresis with massively parallel sequencing and used the improved method to generate a functional map of the entire VEEV genome. We identified several hundred potential ts mutations throughout the genome and we validated several of the mutations in nsP2, nsP3, E3, E2, E1 and capsid using single-cycle growth curve experiments with virus generated through reverse genetics. We further demonstrated that two of the nsP3 ts mutants were attenuated for virulence in mice but could elicit protective immunity against challenge with wild-type VEEV. The recombinant ts mutants will be valuable tools for further studies of VEEV replication and virulence. Moreover, the method that we developed is applicable for generating such tools for any virus with a robust reverse genetics system.
Enhancing the accuracy of men’s perceptions of women’s sexual interest in the laboratory.

Objective: We evaluate a novel feedback-based procedure designed to enhance the accuracy of men’s judgments of women’s sexual interest in the laboratory, as misperception of sexual interest is implicated in male-initiated sexual aggression toward acquaintances. Method: In an initial rating task, 183 undergraduate males judged the sexual interest of women in full-body photographs; the women varied along sexual interest, clothing style, and attractiveness dimensions. Half of the participants received feedback on their ratings. In a related transfer task, participants indicated whether women in photographs would respond positively to a sexual advance. History of sexual aggression and rape-supportive attitudes were assessed. Results: Participants relied substantially on both affective and nonaffective cues when judging women’s sexual interest. High-risk men relied less on affect and more on attractiveness. Feedback enhanced focus on women’s affective cues and decreased focus on nonaffective cues for both low-risk and high-risk men. Feedback affected transfer performance indirectly, via altered cue usage in the training task. Conclusions: The current work documents high-risk men’s altered focus on women’s affective and nonaffective cues and provides encouraging support for the potential use of a cognitivetraining paradigm to enhance men’s perceptions of women’s sexual-interest cues, albeit to a lesser degree for high-risk men.
Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials - Report 1.

PURPOSE The high-performance visual function associated with central vision is mediated by the macula (the central retina), which accumulates three diet-derived pigments (the carotenoids lutein [L], zeaxanthin [Z], and meso-zeaxanthin [MZ]). Our study sought to investigate the impact on visual function, including contrast sensitivity (CS), of supplementation with these naturally occurring carotenoids, in individuals with low retinal concentrations. METHODS Subjects consumed daily a formulation containing 10 mg L, 2 mg Z, and 10 mg MZ (active group; n = 53) or placebo (n = 52) for a period of 12 months. Study visits were at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Contrast sensitivity at 6 cycles per degree (cpd) was the primary outcome measure (POM). Secondary outcome measures included CS at other spatial frequencies, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), glare disability, photostress recovery, and light scatter. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using dual-wavelength autofluorescence, and serum carotenoid concentrations were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS Compared to placebo, statistically significant improvements from baseline CS were detected at 6 (P = 0.002) and 1.2 (P = 0.004) cpd in the active group. Additionally, improvements in CS were commensurate with the observed increases in retinal concentrations of these carotenoids (r = 0.342, P = 0.002 at 6 cpd). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that dietary fortification with the macular carotenoids can have meaningful effects on visual function.
Crystal structure of aquabis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-κN 3)aniline-κN]zinc dinitrate

The cation of the complex title salt, [Zn(C13H11N3)2(H2O)](NO3)2, lies about a twofold rotation axis, which passes through the ZnII atom and the O atom of the aqua ligand. The ZnII atom adopts a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry defined by two N atoms in axial positions [angle = 166.24 (7)°], and two N and one O atom in the equatorial plane [range of angles: 115.17 (7)–122.42 (3)°]. The dihedral angle between the imidazole and aniline rings is 23.86 (5)°. In the crystal, N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the components into a three-dimensional network.
Prevalence, characteristics, and survival of frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes

Objectives: To estimate the lifetime risk, prevalence, incidence, and mortality of the principal clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) using revised diagnostic criteria and including intermediate clinical phenotypes. Methods: Multisource referral over 2 years to identify all diagnosed or suspected cases of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), or corticobasal syndrome (CBS) in 2 UK counties (population 1.69 million). Diagnostic confirmation used current consensus diagnostic criteria after interview and reexamination. Results were adjusted to the 2013 European standard population. Results: The prevalence of FTD, PSP, and CBS was 10.8/100,000. The incidence and mortality were very similar, at 1.61/100,000 and 1.56/100,000 person-years, respectively. The estimated lifetime risk is 1 in 742. Survival following diagnosis varied widely: from PSP 2.9 years to semantic variant FTD 9.1 years. Age-adjusted prevalence peaked between 65 and 69 years at 42.6/100,000: the age-adjusted prevalence for persons older than 65 years is double the prevalence for those between 40 and 64 years. Fifteen percent of those screened had a relevant genetic mutation. Conclusions: Key features of this study include the revised diagnostic criteria with improved specificity and sensitivity, an unrestricted age range, and simultaneous assessment of multiple FTLD syndromes. The prevalence of FTD, PSP, and CBS increases beyond 65 years, with frequent genetic causes. The time from onset to diagnosis and from diagnosis to death varies widely among syndromes, emphasizing the challenge and importance of accurate and timely diagnosis. A high index of suspicion for FTLD syndromes is required by clinicians, even for older patients.
Factors Affecting the Association between Ambient Concentrations and Personal Exposures to Particles and Gases

Results from air pollution exposure assessment studies suggest that ambient fine particles [particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μg (PM2.5)], but not ambient gases, are strong proxies of corresponding personal exposures. For particles, the strength of the personal–ambient association can differ by particle component and level of home ventilation. For gases, however, such as ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), the impact of home ventilation on personal–ambient associations is untested. We measured 24-hr personal exposures and corresponding ambient concentrations to PM2.5, sulfate (SO42−), elemental carbon, O3, NO2, and SO2 for 10 nonsmoking older adults in Steubenville, Ohio. We found strong associations between ambient particle concentrations and corresponding personal exposures. In contrast, although significant, most associations between ambient gases and their corresponding exposures had low slopes and R2 values; the personal–ambient NO2 association in the fall season was moderate. For both particles and gases, personal–ambient associations were highest for individuals spending most of their time in high- compared with low-ventilated environments. Cross-pollutant models indicated that ambient particle concentrations were much better surrogates for exposure to particles than to gases. With the exception of ambient NO2 in the fall, which showed moderate associations with personal exposures, ambient gases were poor proxies for both gas and particle exposures. In combination, our results suggest that a) ventilation may be an important modifier of the magnitude of effect in time-series health studies, and b) results from time-series health studies based on 24-hr ambient concentrations are more readily interpretable for particles than for gases.
INTERPRETING THE CLUSTERING OF DISTANT RED GALAXIES

We analyze the angular clustering of z ∼ 2.3 distant red galaxies (DRGs) measured by Quardi et al. We find that, with robust estimates of the measurement errors and realistic halo occupation distribution modeling, the measured clustering can be well fit within standard halo occupation models, in contrast to previous results. However, in order to fit the strong break in w(θ) at θ = 10″, nearly all satellite galaxies in the DRG luminosity range are required to be DRGs. Within this luminosity-threshold sample, the fraction of galaxies that are DRGs is ∼44%, implying that the formation of DRGs is more efficient for satellite galaxies than for central galaxies. Despite the evolved stellar populations contained within DRGs at z = 2.3, 90% of satellite galaxies in the DRG luminosity range have been accreted within 500 Myr. Thus, satellite DRGs must have known they would become satellites well before the time of their accretion. This implies that the formation of DRGs correlates with large-scale environment at fixed halo mass, although the large-scale bias of DRGs can be well fit without such assumptions. Further data are required to resolve this issue. Using the observational estimate that ∼30% of DRGs have no ongoing star formation, we infer a timescale for star formation quenching for satellite galaxies of 450 Myr, although the uncertainty on this number is large. However, unless all non-star-forming satellite DRGs were quenched before accretion, the quenching timescale is significantly shorter than z ∼ 0 estimates. Down to the completeness limit of the Quadri et al. sample, we find that the halo masses of central DRGs are ∼50% higher than non-DRGs in the same luminosity range, but at the highest halo masses the central galaxies are DRGs only ∼2/3 of the time.
UL31 of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Is Necessary for Optimal NF-κB Activation and Expression of Viral Gene Products

ABSTRACT Previous results suggested that the UL31 gene of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is required for envelopment of nucleocapsids at the inner nuclear membrane and optimal viral DNA synthesis and DNA packaging. In the current study, viral gene expression and NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation of a herpes simplex virus mutant lacking the UL31 gene, designated ΔUL31, and its genetic repair construct, designated ΔUL31-R, were studied in various cell lines. In Hep2 and Vero cells infected with ΔUL31, expression of the immediate-early protein ICP4, early protein ICP8, and late protein glycoprotein C (gC) were delayed significantly. In Hep2 cells, expression of these proteins failed to reach levels seen in cells infected with ΔUL31-R or wild-type HSV-1(F) even after 18 h. The defect in protein accumulation correlated with poor or no activation of NF-κB and JNK upon infection with ΔUL31 compared to wild-type virus infection. The protein expression defects of the UL31 deletion mutant were not explainable by a failure to enter nonpermissive cells and were not complemented in an ICP27-expressing cell line. These data suggest that pUL31 facilitates initiation of infection and/or accelerates the onset of viral gene expression in a manner that correlates with NF-κB activation and is independent of the transactivator ICP27. The effects on very early events in expression are surprising in light of the fact that UL31 is designated a late gene and pUL31 is not a virion component. We show herein that while most pUL31 is expressed late in infection, low levels of pUL31 are detectable as early as 2 h postinfection, consistent with an early role in HSV-1 infection.
On the lateral expansion of gamma-ray burst jets

The dynamics of gamma-ray burst jets during the afterglow phase have an important effect on the interpretation of their observations and for inferring key physical parameters such as their true energy and event rate. Semi-analytic models generally predict a fast lateral expansion, where the jet opening angle asymptotically grows exponentially with its radius. Numerical simulations, however, show a much more modest lateral expansion, where the jet retains memory of its initial opening angle for a very long time, and the flow remains non-spherical until it becomes subrelativistic, and only then gradually approaches spherical symmetry. Here we suggest a new analytic model based on a new physically derived recipe for the lateral expansion. We also generalize the model by relaxing the common approximations of ultrarelativistic motion and a narrow jet opening angle. We find that the new analytic model fits much better the results of numerical simulations, mainly because it remains valid also in the mildly relativistic, quasi-spherical regime. This model shows that for modest initial jet half-opening angles, xsθ0, the outflow is not sufficiently ultrarelativistic when its Lorentz factor reaches Γ= 1/θ0 and therefore the sideways expansion is rather slow, showing no rapid, exponential phase. On the other hand, we find that jets with an extremely narrow initial half-opening angle, of about θ0≪ 10−1.5 or so, which are still sufficiently ultrarelativistic at Γ= 1/θ0, do show a phase of rapid, exponential lateral expansion. However, even such jets that expand sideways exponentially are still not spherical when they become subrelativistic.
X/Ku Band CMOS LNA Design Techniques

This paper reports two 11 GHz low-noise amplifiers (LNA) in 0.18mum CMOS technology. A cascade two stage LNA achieves 12 dB of power gain, 3.5 dB of noise figure, and an input/output match of -15 dB/-27 dB at 11GHz, while consuming 28mA from 1.8V supply. The second LNA is a modified cascode amplifier and it achieves 8 dB of gain, 3.1 dB of noise figure, and an input/output match of -12 dB/-15 dB at 11GHz, consuming 18mA from the 1.8V supply. The paper also discusses design considerations such the effects of layout on frequency tuning and noise
Cathepsin L Activity Is Essential to Elastase Perfusion–Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Objective—The development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) requires extensive aortic wall matrix degradation. Human AAA lesions express high levels of cathepsin L (CatL), one of the most potent mammalian elastases. Whether this protease participates directly in AAA pathogenesis, however, is unknown. Methods and Results—We generated experimental AAA with aortic elastase perfusion in mice and established an essential role of CatL in AAA formation. After 14 days postperfusion, most wild-type (Ctsl+/+) mice developed AAA, but none of the CatL-deficient (Ctsl−/−) mice did. AAA lesion macrophage contents, CD4+ T cell numbers, CD31+ and laminin-5 angiogenic fragment &ggr;2+ microvessel numbers, and elastin fragmentation were all significantly lower in Ctsl−/− mice than in Ctsl+/+ mice. While lesions from Ctsl−/− mice contained fewer Ki67+ proliferating cells than did Ctsl+/+ mice, the absence of CatL did not affect lesion apoptotic cell contents or medial smooth-muscle cell loss significantly. Mechanistic studies indicated that the absence of CatL reduced lesion chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 content, macrophage and T-cell in vitro transmigration, and angiogenesis, and altered the expression and activities of matrix metalloproteinases and other cysteinyl cathepsins in inflammatory cells, vascular cells, and AAA lesions. Conclusion—CatL contributes to AAA formation by promoting lesion inflammatory cell accumulation, angiogenesis, and protease expression.
Substratum karstificability, dispersal and genetic structure in a strictly subterranean beetle

The deep subterranean environment is an ideal system to test the effect of physical constraints on the ecology and evolution of species, as it is very homogeneous and with simple communities. We studied the effect of substratum karstificability in the dispersal of the strictly subterranean Troglocharinus ferreri (Reitter) (Coleoptera, Leiodidae) by comparing the genetic diversity and structure of populations in limestone (more soluble) and dolostone (less soluble) in the same karstic system.
Sectoral Energy- and Labour-Productivity 
Convergence

This paper empirically investigates the development of cross-country differences in energy- and labour productivity. The analysis is performed at a detailed sectoral level for 14 OECD countries, covering the period 1970–1997. A σ-convergence analysis reveals that the development over time of the cross-country variation in productivity performance differs across sectors as well as across different levels of aggregation. Both patterns of convergence as well as divergence are found. Cross-country variation of productivity levels is typically larger for energy than for labour. A β-convergence analysis provides support for the hypothesis that in most sectors lagging countries tend to catch up with technological leaders, in particular in terms of energy productivity. Moreover, the results show that convergence is conditional, meaning that productivity levels converge to country-specific steady states. Energy prices and wages are shown to positively affect energy- and labour-productivity growth, respectively. We also find evidence for the importance of economies of scale, whereas the investment share, openness and specialization play only a modest role in explaining cross-country variation in energy- and labour-productivity growth.
The role of finite displacements in vocal fold modeling.

Human vocal folds experience flow-induced vibrations during phonation. In previous computational models, the vocal fold dynamics has been treated with linear elasticity theory in which both the strain and the displacement of the tissue are assumed to be infinitesimal (referred to as model I). The effect of the nonlinear strain, or geometric nonlinearity, caused by finite displacements is yet not clear. In this work, a two-dimensional model is used to study the effect of geometric nonlinearity (referred to as model II) on the vocal fold and the airflow. The result shows that even though the deformation is under 1 mm, i.e., less than 10% of the size of the vocal fold, the geometric nonlinear effect is still significant. Specifically, model I underpredicts the gap width, the flow rate, and the impact stress on the medial surfaces as compared to model II. The study further shows that the differences are caused by the contact mechanics and, more importantly, the fluid-structure interaction that magnifies the error from the small-displacement assumption. The results suggest that using the large-displacement formulation in a computational model would be more appropriate for accurate simulations of the vocal fold dynamics.
Directed Search for Equilibrium Wage-Tenure Contracts

I construct a theoretical framework in which firms offer wage-tenure contracts to direct the search by risk-averse workers. All workers can search, on or off the job. I characterize an equilibrium and prove its existence. The equilibrium generates a non-degenerate, continuous distribution of employed workers over the values of contracts, despite that all matches are identical and workers observe all offers. A striking property is that the equilibrium is block recursive; that is, individuals' optimal decisions and optimal contracts are independent of the distribution of workers. This property makes the equilibrium analysis tractable. Consistent with stylized facts, the equilibrium predicts that (i) wages increase with tenure, (ii) job-to-job transitions decrease with tenure and wages, and (iii) wage mobility is limited in the sense that the lower the worker's wage, the lower the future wage a worker will move to in the next job transition. Moreover, block recursivity implies that changes in the unemployment benefit and the minimum wage have no effect on an employed worker's job-to-job transitions and contracts.