Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors and prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows in Croatia

The purpose of this study was to assess the risks or associations between the prevalence of subclinical ketosis (SCK) and some periparturient diseases in Holstein cows, by determining beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) serum levels using a Precision Xceed® BHBA meter (Abbott, USA) or spectrophotometer, and to evaluate the reproductive performance of cows positive for SCK. The study was conducted on 841 cows, from 107 randomly selected farms, aged 2-8 years, divided into two groups: positive (POS = BHBA level≥1200 μmol/L), with clinical or SCK, and a negative (control) group (NEG = BHBA level<1200 μmol/L). Blood samples were collected from lactating cows in the period between 1-15 days after parturition. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.99 ; P<0.0001) between BHBA determined spectrophotometrically and by using Precision meter. The correlation between BHBA concentration and milk yield (total lactation) was not significant (r = 0.04 ; P = 0.26). The POS group of cows had a significantly higher mean lactation yield (P<0.001) than the NEG group of cows (7076 kg vs. 6409 kg). The cows in the NEG group had a significantly shorter period of median days open to pregnancy (MDOP) compared to the POS group (124 vs. 138 ; P<0.0001). The hazard ratio (HR) for days open to pregnancy (DOP) in the POS group of cows was 0.66 (P<0.0001). The results showed that multiparous cows had 1.41 times more chance of being affected with SCK than primiparous cows. The prevalence of SCK was15.8% in Holstein cows from central, northern, northwestern and eastern parts of Croatia. About 55.6% of the cows with SCK were affected by some of the observed periparturient diseases (relative risk was 1.91 ; P = 0.001).
Distribution of IS1311 and IS1245 in Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Revisited

ABSTRACT We demonstrated that IS1245 is not present in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis by restriction fragment length polymorphism and that the designated three-banded bird pattern of IS1245 in M. avium subsp. avium consists of one copy of IS1245 and two copies of IS1311. Cross hybridization between the two elements can be avoided by using more specific probes.
Human T cells depend on functional calcineurin, tumour necrosis factor‐α and CD80/CD86 for expansion and activation in mice

Dysregulated T cells are a hallmark of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; thus, models to study human T cells in vivo are advantageous, but limited by lacking insight into human T cell functionality in mice. Using non‐obese diabetic (NOD), severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) or recombination activating gene‐1 (RAG1)−/− and interleukin‐2 receptor gamma‐chain (IL‐2Rγ)−/− mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we have studied the mechanisms of human T cell expansion and activation in mice. Injection of human PBMCs into mice caused consistent xeno‐engraftment with polyclonal expansion and activation of functional human T cells and production of human cytokines. Human T cell expansion coincided with development of a graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD)‐like condition observed as weight loss, multi‐organ immune infiltration and liver damage. CD8+ T cells alone were sufficient for expansion and required for disease development; in contrast, CD4+ T cells alone expanded but did not induce acute disease and, rather, exerted regulatory capacity through CD25+CD4+ T cells. Using various anti‐inflammatory compounds, we demonstrated that several T cell‐activation pathways controlled T cell expansion and disease development, including calcineurin‐, tumour necrosis factor‐α and co‐stimulatory signalling via the CD80/CD86 pathway, indicating the diverse modes of action used by human T cells during expansion and activation in mice as well as the pharmacological relevance of this model. Overall, these data provide insight into the mechanisms used by human T cells during expansion and activation in mice, and we speculate that PBMC‐injected mice may be useful to study intrinsic human T cell functions in vivo and to test T cell‐targeting compounds.
On the connectivity of radio networks

The connectivity of a two-dimensional radio network as a function of the range of the transmitters is still an open problem. It has bee conjectured that the critical range of this problem is the same as the one for the covering problem. The analysis of the one-dimensional problem makes it clear that situations can exist where these two ranges are different. It is conjectured that the critical ranges of the two-dimensional problems are also different. The author presents results to substantiate this conjecture. >
The use of ICT in the informal recycling sector: The Brazilian case of Relix

This paper aims to understand the uses of technology in the informal recycling sector. We investigated the case of Relix, in northeast Brazil. The Relix project consists of cultural and educational interventions that promote recyclable waste picking and provides a mobile application to connect the local population to waste pickers. Methodological procedures included semistructured interviews with different groups of stakeholders. We adopted the Multilevel and pluralistic conceptual framework to analyze the groups according to the use of technology and perceptions in which they live based on context, process, and content. Results demonstrate that although the mobile application (app) can help waste pickers and the population to connect, it cannot single‐handedly promote any meaningful changes in the lives of people. Additional actions should be taken. This study has two important contributions. First, it describes how the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve working conditions and create more innovative and equitable environments. Second, it enriches the theoretical discussion on the use of technology in social practice and the advances of applying a theoretical framework in the context of informal recycling.
Role of natural transformation in thermophilic bacteria : a powerful mechanism for horizontal gene transfer leading to thermoadaptation ?

Natural transformation permits the transport of DNA through bacterial membranes and represents a dominant mode for the transfer of genetic information between bacteria and between microorganisms of distant evolutionary lineages and even between members of different domains. This phenomenon, known as horizontal, or lateral, gene transfer, has been a major force for genome plasticity over evolutionary history, and is largely responsible for the spread of fitness-enhancing traits, including antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. In particular, for adaptation of prokaryotes to extreme environments, lateral gene transfer seems to have played a crucial role. Here, we present a survey of the natural transformation machinery of the thermophile Thermus thermophilus HB27. A tentative model of the transformation machinery comprising of components similar to proteins of type IV pili and type II secretion systems is presented. A comparative discussion of the subunits and the structure of the DNA translocator and the underlying mechanism of transfer of free DNA in T. thermophilus highlights conserved and unique features of the DNA translocator in T. thermophilus. We hypothesize that the extraordinary broad substrate specificity and the high efficiency of the T. thermophilus DNA uptake system is of major importance for thermoadaptation and interdomain DNA transfer in hot environments.
Simulating Arctic Climate Warmth and Icefield Retreat in the Last Interglaciation

In the future, Arctic warming and the melting of polar glaciers will be considerable, but the magnitude of both is uncertain. We used a global climate model, a dynamic ice sheet model, and paleoclimatic data to evaluate Northern Hemisphere high-latitude warming and its impact on Arctic icefields during the Last Interglaciation. Our simulated climate matches paleoclimatic observations of past warming, and the combination of physically based climate and ice-sheet modeling with ice-core constraints indicate that the Greenland Ice Sheet and other circum-Arctic ice fields likely contributed 2.2 to 3.4 meters of sea-level rise during the Last Interglaciation.
Familial Paget's disease in The Netherlands: occurrence, identification of new mutations in the sequestosome 1 gene, and their clinical associations.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the occurrence of familial Paget's disease of bone in The Netherlands, to examine the prevalence of mutations of the sequestosome 1 gene (SQSTM1) in identified families, and to assess potential genotype-phenotype associations. METHODS We performed a case-control study of patients with Paget's disease and a mutation analysis of the SQSTM1 gene of index patients with familial disease and of the relatives of those with a mutation. Serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity was assessed, and bone scintigraphy was performed. RESULTS Five percent of patients had at least 1 first-degree relative with the disease, compared with 0.5% of the controls (relative risk 10; 95% confidence interval 1.3-75.6). In 38.9% of patients with familial disease, heterozygous mutations in the SQSTM1 gene were identified. These were the previously described P392L mutation, which was present in 22.2% of patients, and 3 new mutations, S399P, G425R, M404T, 9 of which were present in 3 different families. All mutations were located in the ubiquitin-associated domain of the gene. There was a relationship between serum AP activity, as a marker of the disease, and the presence or absence of the G425R and P392L mutations, the subject's age, and the presence of Paget's disease. CONCLUSION Our data provide further evidence of a causal role of SQSTM1 gene mutations in the pathogenesis of Paget's disease and allow the design of a strategy based on measurements of serum AP activity and age for investigating asymptomatic relatives of patients with familial Paget's disease of bone.
The importance of race and ethnic background in biomedical research and clinical practice.

A debate has recently arisen over the use of racial classification in medicine and biomedical research. In particular, with the completion of a rough draft of the human genome, some have suggested that racial classification may not be useful for biomedical studies, since it reflects “a fairly small number of genes that describe appearance”1 and “there is no basis in the genetic code for race. ”2 In part on the basis of these conclusions, some have argued for the exclusion of racial and ethnic classification from biomedical research.3 In the United States, race and ethnic background have been used as cause .
Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Tortuosity and Body Mass Index

Background Extracranial internal carotid artery (eICA) tortuosity may trigger cerebral ischemia, and body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body mass based on height and weight. The main purpose of this study is to determine the influence of BMI on the tortuosity of eICA. Methods A total of 926 carotid artery angiograms were performed in 513 patients, of which 116 cases and matched controls were selected. Arterial tortuosity was defined as simple tortuosity, kinking, or coiling. The severity of tortuosity was measured by tortuosity index, formula: [(actual length/straight-line length − 1) × 100]. Results BMIs were different between the two groups [tortuosity: 27.06 kg/m2 (SD 2.81 kg/m2) versus none: 23.3 kg/m2 (SD 2.78 kg/m2); p < 0.001]. BMI was independently and significantly associated with eICA tortuosity (odds ratio 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.86; p < 0.001). eICA tortuosity index is linearly associated with BMI (exponential coefficient β = 1.067, p < 0.001). The optimal predictive threshold of BMI for eICA tortuosity was 25.04 kg/m2. The physiological mechanism underlying the reasons why higher BMI has negative influence on extracranial carotid artery tortuosity may be an intra-abdominal hypertension caused by a much higher amount of body fat stored in visceral adipose tissue. Conclusion Our result reveals a novel role for greater BMI on the presence of eICA tortuosity. For each increase in BMI of 1 kg/m2, there is a corresponding 1.59-fold increase in the risk of developing eICA tortuosity. The severity of eICA tortuosity increases linearly with increased BMI.
THE ECO-PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS OF HIBERNATING BATS ( CHIROPTERA ) IN THE NORTH OF THE EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION RANGE

The chiropteran fauna in hibernacula in Karelia is chiefly made up of widespread sedentary boreal species – the northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii (Keyserling & Blasius, 1839), Brandt’s bat Myotis brandtii (Eversmann, 1845) and brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758). The Daubenton’s bat M. daubentonii (Kuhl, 1817) and especially the whiskered bat M. mystacinus (Kuhl, 1817) are far more rare, and wintering of the pond bat M. dasycneme (Boie, 1825) and the Natterer’s bat M. nattereri (Kuhl, 1817) has not yet been confirmed. The comparative study of the immune status, antioxidant system and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme spectra in tissues (liver, heart, kidney, lung, spleen and skeletal muscle) of three Chiroptera species during hibernation was conducted. It was revealed that torpor drastically reduces the numbers of all types of circulating leukocytes. In addition, changes have been noted in the antioxidant system, such as the relatively high antioxidant protection displayed by their tissues, considering both constitutive antioxidant enzymatic activities and nutritional antioxidants. The LDH isoenzyme spectra in bat kidneys and heart had the high contents of hybrid fractions. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, vitamin E levels and leukocyte differential count were significantly different in three bat species. The differences may be due to the species-specific biological and eco-physiological features.
Prediction of neurologic outcome in acute spinal cord injury: the role of CT and MR.

PURPOSE 1) To determine whether MR appearances of the spinal cord in acute trauma correlate with clinical prognosis, and 2) to identify other MR and CT prognostic factors in acute spinal trauma. METHODS Retrospective evaluation of MR, CT, and clinical examinations in 32 acute spinal trauma patients examined between 1987 and 1990. RESULTS All 21 patients with abnormal spinal cords on MR had complete motor paralysis at presentation, compared to only three of 11 patients with normal cords. Whereas cord transection and hemorrhagic contusion had poor prognoses, 73% of patients with cord edema and 100% of patients with normal cord had useful motor function at outcome. At follow-up MR, areas of cord contusion developed into cysts, while edema resolved, leaving residual areas of myelomalacia. Associated spinal fractures, ligament injury, and cord compression were associated (P < .05) with a worse prognosis. Spondylotic changes were a significant risk factor for spinal cord injury, mediated by cord compression. CONCLUSIONS MR and CT are valuable techniques for quantifying injury and predicting prognosis in acute spinal trauma.
Comparison of Participation Constraints in Recreational Physical Activity of the Teachers Working Iğdir and Erzurum Provinces

The aim of the study is to compare the participation constraint for leisure activities of teachers who working In the Ministry of National Education (MNE). In order to determine the leisure time constraints leisure constraints scales (LCS) were applied to the participants. A total of 413 teachers (258 male and 155 female) working in the Ministry of National Education participated in the study in Iğdır and Erzurum provinces. No statistically significant difference was found at the level of p <0,05 in any of the sub-dimensions as a result of the inter-city comparison of the female participants. While there was a significant difference in the lack of information, facilities and time sub-dimensions of the male participants in the study, p <0.05 was not significant difference in the other sub-dimensions. It is seen that the difference is in favor of the participants from the province of Erzurum. There was no statistically significant difference between the two cities in terms of lack of information, facilities and time (p <0,05) in the subscales, as in male participants. The female teachers who working Iğdır and Erzurum province there was no difference between the scores in the LCS and the mean scores of both groups were close to each other. For the male participants working in Iğdır province, it was determined that the lack of information, facilities and time constraints were more effective in participation of recreational physical activities than male participants working in Erzurum province.
SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF INORGANIC ELEMENTS IN BACTERIA

Rouf, M. A. (Washington State University, Pullman). Spectrochemical analysis of inorganic elements in bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 88:1545–1549. 1964. —Quantitative spectrochemical analyses of inorganic elements in the vegetative cells of Escherichia coli, Sphaerotilus natans, Micrococcus roseus, Bacillus cereus, and the spores of B. cereus were made. The following elements were found to be present in the ash samples: B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, S, Ag, Sn, Ba, Pb, V, and Mo. These could be divided into major, minor, and trace elements, depending on the relative amounts in the cells. Mg, P, K, and S were considered as the major elements; Ca, Fe, Zn, and, perhaps, Cu and Mn as the minor elements, and the rest as trace elements. Mg concentrations were higher in the cells of the gram-positive M. roseus and B. cereus than in the gram-negative E. coli and S. natans. The latter organism contained 2.6% Fe2O3 (dry weight basis). The vegetative cells of B. cereus were higher in Mg, P, K, Na, Ag, and lower in Si, Ca, Zn, Mn, and Cu than were its spores.
How the Supply of Fake News Affected Consumer Behavior during the 2016 US Election

We characterize the effect of fake news on online browsing during the 2016 US presidential election. We estimate that weekday increases of 10 fake news articles — that were confirmed to be false by third-party services — increased the incidence of fake news site visits by 3.0%. To address endogeneity, we employ two approaches that attempt to isolate exogenous variation in fake news supply. We also estimate that weekday 10-article increases in fake news increase the odds of visiting one or more fake news sites by 3.7%. Overall, this evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of fake news production in reaching a diverse set of consumers.
Role of Lipooligosaccharide in the Attachment of Moraxella catarrhalis to Human Pharyngeal Epithelial Cells

The goal of this study was to determine the role of lipooligosaccharide in the attachment of Moraxella catarrhalis to human pharyngeal epithelial cells. Strain 2951 and its Pk mutant strain 2951 galE were used in this study. This study suggests that the Pk epitope of LOS is not an adhesin for M. catarrhalis, but plays a crucial role by its surface charge in the initial stage of attachment.
EFFECTS OF SEX, AGE, CAPTURING METHOD, AND SEASON ON SERUM CHEMISTRY VALUES OF BROWN BEARS IN CROATIA

Sixty seven serum samples collected from 43 European brown bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia were tested for ≤31 serum chemistry parameters. Results were grouped and compared by bears origin (method of capture), sex, age, mass, and season sampled. Greatest differences were found between captive and free-living bears, and minor differences were found when sex, age, mass, or season of sampling were compared. Creatine kinase was significantly different among three categories of bears with the highest mean value of 924 IU/l in snare captured free-living bears compared to 67.8 IU/l in captive ones. Results of these tests provide reference values for European brown bears.
Fuzzy Modeling for Item Recommender Systems Or A Fuzzy Theoretic Method for Recommender Systems

Representation of features of items and user feedbacks that are subjective, incomplete, imprecise and vague, and reasoning about their relationships are major problems in recommender systems. The paper presents a Fuzzy Theoretic Method (FTM) for recommender systems that handles the non-stochastic uncertainty induced from subjectivity, vagueness and imprecision in the data, and the domain knowledge and task under consideration. FTM further advances methods of fuzzy modeling in recommender systems as well as empirically evaluates the methods’ performance through simulations using a benchmark movie data. FTM is comprised of representation method for items’ feature and user feedbacks on these items, and a content-based algorithm based on various fuzzy theoretic similarity measures such as the fuzzy theoretic extensions of the Jaccard Index, Cosine, Proximity or Correlation similarity measures, and recommendation strategies such as the maximum-minimum or weighted-sum fuzzy theoretic recommendation strategies. Compared to the baseline Crisp Set based method (CSM), simulation runs of the FTM using the movie data show an improvement in precision with comparable recall and F1-measure. The improvement in the performance of FTM is attributed to the use of fuzzy modeling. Also, lower model size and recommendation size produce satisfactory recommendation accuracy. Moreover, depending on a task, a guideline for recommender systems designers that will help them choose a combination of one of the fuzzy theoretic recommendation strategies and the fuzzy theoretic similarity measures is provided. From the results we can conclude that modeling uncertainty using fuzzy set and logic improves the performance of content-based recommender systems.
Routes for salmonella contamination of poultry meat: epidemiological study from hatchery to slaughterhouse

Data were collected on the prevalence of salmonella at different stages during the life cycle of 18 broiler flocks on different farms as well as during slaughter in different poultry slaughterhouses. For the isolation of salmonella, the highest sensitivity (93.9%) was obtained by enrichment in the semi-solid agar Diasalm. The ‘overshoe method’ utilizing several pairs of overshoes provided the highest sensitivity for determining the salmonella status of the broilers during rearing. A clear decrease of the relative importance of the first production stages was demonstrated for the salmonella contamination of the end product, whereas horizontal transmission of salmonella to broilers during rearing and to broiler carcasses in the slaughterhouse was shown to be the main determinative factor. Ten of the 18 flocks received a salmonella positive status with the highest shedding occurring during the first 2 weeks of rearing. The shedding of the animals was significantly negatively influenced by the use of subtherapeutic or therapeutic doses of antibiotics. The intake of portable material in the broiler house was identified as the most important risk factor for horizontal transmission. Significant associations were found between the contamination level of a flock and hygiene of the broiler house, feed and water in the broiler house and both animal and non-animal material sampled in the environment. No correlation was found between contamination during the rearing period and contamination found after slaughtering. The presence of faecal material in the transport crates and predominantly the identity of the slaughterhouse seemed to be the determining factors for carcass quality. Improved hygiene management during transport of broilers and in some slaughterhouses could significantly reduce the risk of salmonella contamination of poultry meat.