Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy intake and gross efficiency comparisons from calorimetric and field data on the same lactating cows.

Field estimates on gross efficiency were obtained from intake and production data on 30 pluriparous Holsteins cows during wk 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 postpartum. Energy intake and efficiency from the energy chamber on the same cows were measured during wk 6, 10, and 14 postpartum. Measures of gross efficiency were expressed in terms of the utilization of metabolizable energy or net energy for lactation and maintenance. Within corresponding postpartum periods, chamber measures and field estimates were compared by canonical correlation analysis. All estimates from field data of energy and gross efficiencies closely approximated measures of the same traits from energy chamber data. Variation among cows in traits of energy partition and gross efficiency was similar for field estimates and energy chamber measures. Correlations were > . 66 between field estimates and chamber measures on observations of maintenance energy and milk energy. Field estimates and chamber measurements of metabolizable energy and net energy had correlations of . 76 and . 70, respectively.
Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of new root canal sealers.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effect of AH-26, RealSeal (RS), and GuttaFlow after 24 hours and after one week. METHODOLOGY All sealers were prepared according to the manufacturers' directions immediately before testing. The microorganisms used in this assay included Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, which were prepared from isolated species in the microbiology laboratory. The antimicrobial effects of each sealer were determined by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition in millimeters after incubation at 37 degrees C for 24 hours and for seven days in a humid atmosphere. Each test was repeated three times. RESULTS In the 24-hour samples, as well as in seven-day samples, the antibacterial activity of AH-26 was significantly greater than two other materials tested against both bacteria (p < 0.05). The antibacterial activities of RS and GuttaFlow against Staphylococcus aureus were not significantly different from each other (p > 0.05) in 24-hour as well as seven-day samples, but RS had significantly greater effect against Streptococcus mutans than GuttaFlow (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The products studied exhibited some variable antibacterial properties. In 24 hours, as well as in seven days, the AH-26 exerted the greatest activity against both organisms tested.
Administration of Antithrombin Concentrate in Infants and Children on Extracorporeal Life Support Improves Anticoagulation Efficacy

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is required in children on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to maintain circuit patency. When high-dose UFH is inadequate to maintain an anticoagulant effect, the addition of antithrombin concentrate (ATC) is considered. The objective of this study was to review clinical experience giving 1,000 units (U) of ATC to patients on ECLS and UFH anticoagulation. Specifically, antithrombin (AT) levels pre- and post-administration of high-dose ATC, estimation of the efficacy of high-dose ATC administration as measured by the level of anticoagulation, and the incidence of adverse effects were determined. A retrospective chart review of all infants and children on ECLS who received ATC between June 2008 and May 2011 at Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, Canada, was performed. A total of 78 doses of ATC were administered to 36 patients with a median age of 2.9 months (interquartile range, 0.6–12.6) on ECLS. Mean dose of ATC was 241 U/kg (95% confidence interval, 199–283). Mean AT level pre- and post-administration was 0.40 and 0.93 U/ml, respectively. Mean anti-Xa level pre- and post-AT administration was 0.23 and 0.41 U/ml, respectively. There were no associated acute adverse events. The administration of high-dose ATC decreases UFH dose requirements.
Increased spontaneous polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes in mice with spontaneous autoimmune disease.

Early in life, mice of four kinds [NZB, (NZB X NZW)F1, MRL/1, and male BXSB] with autoimmune disease spontaneously produced far more (greater than 3 S.D.) anti-hapten antibody-forming cells in spleens and greater concentrations of anti-hapten antibodies in sera than immunologically normal strains of mice (AKR, BALB/c, C57BL/6, DBA/1-J, DBA/2J, LG/J, 129, NZW, and female BXSB). This increased nonspecific antibody production by the abnormal animals' B cells correlated well with the spontaneous development of anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies, but not with serum levels of the viral envelope glycoprotein, gp70. These results suggest that the spontaneous formation of autoantibodies in mice whose immunologic disorder is manifested by a lupus-like disease may result from polyclonal activation of B cells by endogenous or exogenous B cell activators.
Consensus of Second-Order Delayed Multi-Agent Systems with Leader-Following

In this paper, a second-order consensus algorithm of multi-agent dynamical systems with leader-following is presented. With the hypothesis of a directed weighted connected graph composed of n agents together with a leader and the leader as a globally reachable node, the consensus algorithm with heterogeneous input delays is studied in the frequency domain. By applying Gershgorin disc theorem and curvature theory, decentralized consensus conditions for the multi-agent systems with asymmetric coupling weights are obtained. Finally, a simulation example is used to show the design of the parameters and the validity of the result.
A Jarník type theorem for planar curves: everything about the parabola

Abstract The well-known theorems of Khintchine and Jarník in metric Diophantine approximation provide a comprehensive description of the measure theoretic properties of real numbers approximable by rational numbers with a given error. Various generalisations of these fundamental results have been obtained for other settings, in particular, for curves and more generally manifolds. In this paper we develop the theory for planar curves by completing the theory in the case of parabola. This represents the first comprehensive study of its kind in the theory of Diophantine approximation on manifolds.
Performance Enhancement in Ultra-Scaled SONOS FinFlash by Inclusion of High-k Dielectric in the Gate Stack

This paper presents the technological process and electrical behaviour of SONOS FinFlash devices fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates and including HfO2 in the inter poly dielectric (IPD). Using trimming techniques, ultra-scaled devices were processed with aggressive dimensions down to 10 nm channel width and 30 nm gate length. Good performances are obtained in Fowler-Nordheim (FN) operation on these structures.
Comparative Safety and Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events Associated With Efavirenz Use in First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Introduction:Efavirenz (EFV) is widely used for the treatment of antiretroviral-naive HIV-positive individuals, but there are concerns about the risk of adverse neuropsychiatric events. We systematically reviewed the safety of EFV in first-line therapy. Methods:Four databases were searched until October 2014 for randomized trials comparing EFV against non-EFV–based regimens for the treatment of antiretroviral-naive HIV-positive adults and children. The primary outcome was drug discontinuation as a result of any adverse event. Relative risks and proportions were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Results:Forty-two trials were included for review. A lower relative and absolute risk of discontinuations due to adverse drug reactions was seen with EFV compared to nevirapine. The relative and absolute risk of discontinuation was greater for EFV compared with low-dose EFV, rilpivirine, tenofovir, atazanavir, and maraviroc. The relative risk of discontinuation was greater for EFV compared with dolutegravir and raltegravir, but absolute risks were not significantly different. There was no difference in the risk of any severe clinical adverse events for any comparison. With the exception of dizziness, fewer than 10% of patients exposed to EFV experienced any other specific type of neuropsychiatric event. No suicides were reported. Conclusions:This review found that over 90% of patients remained on an EFV-based first-line regimen after an average follow-up time of 78 weeks. The relative risk of discontinuations due to adverse events was higher for EFV compared with most other first-line options, but absolute differences were less than 5% for all comparisons.
Iterative experiment design guides the characterization of a light-inducible gene expression circuit

Significance System identification addresses the problem of identifying unknown model parameters from measured data of a real system. In the case of biochemical reaction networks, the available measurements are typically sparse because of technical and/or economic reasons. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to maximize the information that can be gained by each experiment. Here, we apply a systematic design scheme for single-cell experiments based on information theoretic criteria. For the considered light-inducible gene expression circuit, we show that this scheme allows one to precisely identify model parameters that were practically unidentifiable from data measured in random experiments. This result provides evidence that optimal experiment design is a key requirement for the successful identification of biochemical reaction networks. Systems biology rests on the idea that biological complexity can be better unraveled through the interplay of modeling and experimentation. However, the success of this approach depends critically on the informativeness of the chosen experiments, which is usually unknown a priori. Here, we propose a systematic scheme based on iterations of optimal experiment design, flow cytometry experiments, and Bayesian parameter inference to guide the discovery process in the case of stochastic biochemical reaction networks. To illustrate the benefit of our methodology, we apply it to the characterization of an engineered light-inducible gene expression circuit in yeast and compare the performance of the resulting model with models identified from nonoptimal experiments. In particular, we compare the parameter posterior distributions and the precision to which the outcome of future experiments can be predicted. Moreover, we illustrate how the identified stochastic model can be used to determine light induction patterns that make either the average amount of protein or the variability in a population of cells follow a desired profile. Our results show that optimal experiment design allows one to derive models that are accurate enough to precisely predict and regulate the protein expression in heterogeneous cell populations over extended periods of time.
Severe Congenital Protein C Deficiency: Practical Aspects of Management

Subcutaneous (SC) protein C (PC) was used in a child with purpura fulminans secondary to severe congenital PC deficiency. For maintenance, PC 80–120 IU/kg, given over 60–90 min SC Q48hr, has been successful as a home therapy for more than 3 years. The treatment was monitored by measuring trough PC chromogenic activity (target ≥15%) and D‐dimer levels. No change in clinical course was appreciated after discontinuing enoxaparin (and leaving the patient on prophylactic PC replacement alone). A significant discrepancy between clotting‐based and chromogenic‐based PC activity is shown.
Development of brushless DC motor with low cogging torque for ceiling fan

The improvements of the new structure of a brushless DC (BLDC) motor with the low cogging torque for the ceiling fan is presented. The new type ceiling fan is designed by using BLDC motor theory and the six-step wave form for the purpose of the manufacture cost reduction. The energy also can be saved at least 50% when the new type motor is compared to the conventional fan based on the induction motor. The cogging torque also can be improvement by using the sin back EMF voltage with the sine wave form currents. The new BLDC motor is required to meet both of the basic ceiling fan control and the cost reduction.
Comparative effects of fission neutron and X irradiation on 7.5-day mouse embryos.

Dl MAJO, V. , BALLARDIN, E. , AND METALLI, P. Comparative Effects of Fission Neutron and X Irradiation on 7.5-Day Mouse Embryos. Radiat. Res. 87, 145-158 (1981). Fission spectrum neutrons (0-46.5 rad) were compared with 250-kV X rays (0-200 rad) for reduction of fetal weight and for embryolethal and teratogenic effects in mice. Animals were irradiated 7.5 days postcoitum (p.c.) and fetuses were examined 18.5 days p.c. Mortality showed a definite shoulder for both types of radiation. The shoulder was smaller for neutrons than for X rays, and at 20% mortality, the dose ratio was approximately 3. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for weight loss was 3.2 ? 0.8. The dose-effect relationships for major malformations after X irradiation showed a large shoulder (approximately 100 rad), while no apparent threshold could be seen in the neutron series, so that the relative efficiency of neutrons was dependent on the neutron dose. The equal effectiveness dose ratio estimated at 7% incidence of severe external malformations was 2.4, increasing to about 3.4 if more common head abnormalities were also included. In conclusion, fission neutrons induce the same types of effects as X rays in 7.5-day mouse embryos, being two to four times more effective than sparsely ionizing radiation at relatively high doses, except for major malformations where the RBE is higher with decreasing neutron doses.
Single‐stranded small interfering RNA are more immunostimulatory than their double‐stranded counterparts: A central role for 2′‐hydroxyl uridines in immune responses

It has recently become apparent that certain small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences stimulate the innate immunity through endosomal Toll‐like receptors (TLR), particularly TLR7 and TLR8. However, it remains unclear whether siRNA duplexes act as specific ligands for these receptors. To address this question and to overcome the problem of immune activation by siRNA, several RNA sequences were chemically synthesized and their effects were investigated. Results indicate that human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) recognize and respond to a large number of sense or antisense single‐stranded (ss) siRNA. In most cases immunostimulatory RNA motifs are more effectively recognized by innate immunity in the context of ss siRNA as compared to siRNA duplexes. Novel immunostimulatory RNA motifs were identified and their replacement with adenosines abrogated immune activation. Most notably, replacement of the 2′‐hydroxyl uridines with either 2′‐fluoro, 2′‐deoxy or 2′‐O‐methyl uridines abrogated immune activation. Thus, immune recognition of RNA by TLR can be evaded by 2′‐ribose modifications of only uridines. Collectively, the data should facilitate the development of siRNA therapeutics and expand the understanding of how RNA is sensed by innate immunity.
Genomic sequence and cardiac expression of atrial natriuretic peptide in cats.

OBJECTIVE To determine the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in cats and its typical regions of cardiac expression. ANIMALS 5 healthy adult mixed-breed cats. PROCEDURE Total RNA was extracted from samples obtained from the left and right atrium, left and right ventricle, and interventricular septum of each cat. The RNA was used to produce cDNA for sequencing and northern blot analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from feline blood samples. Polymerase chain reaction primers designed from consensus sequences of other species were used to clone and sequence the feline ANP gene. RESULTS The feline ANP gene consists of 1,072 nucleotides. It consists of 3 exons (123, 327, and 12 nucleotides) separated by 2 introns (101 and 509 nucleotides). It has several typical features of eukaryotic genes and a putative steroid-response element located within the second intron. Preprohormone ANP consists of 153 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of the active form of feline ANP (ANP-30) is identical to that of equine, bovine, and ovine ANP-30 and differs from that of human, canine, and porcine ANP-28 only by 2 carboxy-terminal arginine residues. The ANP mRNA was detected only in the left and right atria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The genetic and protein structure and principal regions of cardiac expression of feline ANP are similar to those of other species. Results of this study should be helpful in future studies on the natriuretic response in cats to diseases that affect cardiovascular function.
Characteristic features of intracellular pathogenic Leptospira in infected murine macrophages

Leptospira interrogans is a spirochaete responsible for a zoonotic disease known as leptospirosis. Leptospires are able to penetrate the abraded skin and mucous membranes and rapidly disseminate to target organs such as the liver, lungs and kidneys. How this pathogen escape from innate immune cells and spread to target organs remains poorly understood. In this paper, the intracellular trafficking undertaken by non‐pathogenic Leptospira biflexa and pathogenic L. interrogans in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages was compared. The delayed in the clearance of L. interrogans was observed. Furthermore, the acquisition of lysosomal markers by L. interrogans‐containing phagosomes lagged behind that of L. biflexa‐containing phagosomes, and although bone marrow‐derived macrophages could degrade L. biflexa as well as L. interrogans, a population of L. interrogans was able to survive and replicate. Intact leptospires were found within vacuoles at 24 h post infection, suggesting that bacterial replication occurs within a membrane‐bound compartment. In contrast, L. biflexa were completely degraded at 24 h post infection. Furthermore, L. interrogans but not L. biflexa, were released to the extracellular milieu. These results suggest that pathogenic leptospires are able to survive, replicate and exit from mouse macrophages, enabling their eventual spread to target organs.
Analysis of an Engineered Salmonella Flagellar Fusion Protein, FliR-FlhB

ABSTRACT Salmonella FliR and FlhB are membrane proteins necessary for flagellar export. In Clostridium a fliR-flhB fusion gene exists. We constructed a similar Salmonella fusion gene which is able to complement fliR, flhB, and fliR flhB null strains. Western blotting revealed that the FliR-FlhB fusion protein retains the FlhB protein's cleavage properties. We conclude that the FliR and FlhB proteins are physically associated in the wild-type Salmonella basal body, probably in a 1:1 ratio.
Rifaximin has minor effects on bacterial composition, inflammation, and bacterial translocation in cirrhosis: A randomized trial

Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by disturbed hemodynamics, immune dysfunction, and high risk of infections. Translocation of viable bacteria and bacterial products from the gut to the blood is considered a key driver in this process. Intestinal decontamination with rifaximin may reduce bacterial translocation (BT) and decrease inflammation. A randomized, placebo‐controlled trial investigated the effects of rifaximin on inflammation and BT in decompensated cirrhosis.
Mobilization of plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells to mucosal sites in children with respiratory syncytial virus and other viral respiratory infections.

BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the principal etiologic agent of bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia in infants and young children. Yet, many aspects of its immunopathogenesis are not well understood. METHODS We analyzed the immune cells that are mobilized by RSV and other respiratory viruses, by studying nasal wash samples from children hospitalized with acute viral respiratory infections. RESULTS RSV mobilizes virtually all blood immune cells, including myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), to the nasal mucosa. DCs were also mobilized to the nasal mucosa of children with other viral respiratory infections. The increased number of pDCs in the nasal compartment significantly correlates with RSV load (P=.022), and it is associated with a significant decrease in the number of pDCs in the blood (P=.007). The influx of DCs in the nasal mucosa is not transient, as even higher numbers of both DC subsets were found in respiratory secretions weeks after the acute symptoms of RSV infection had resolved. Immunochemistry analysis of respiratory samples has demonstrated the presence of the RSV fusion protein within HLA-DR-positive cells. CONCLUSION Infection with RSV and other respiratory viruses mobilizes DCs to the site of viral entry.
Normoxic and hypoxic regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by astrocytoma cells is mediated by Ras

Vascular endothelial growth Factor (VEGF) has been identified as a key angiogenic factor involved in the growth and malignant progression of tumours. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are the most common primary human brain tumours, histo‐pathologically characterized by intense tumour angiogenesis. GBMs do not harbour oncogenic Ras mutations, but there is a functional up‐regulation of Ras signaling through activation of receptor tyrosine kinases overexpressed by these tumours. We demonstrate that Ras pathway activation regulates VEGF secretion in astrocytoma cell lines. Ras pathway inhibition was carried out using genetic and pharmacologic techniques. Astrocytoma cells that were transfected to express the dominant inhibitory mutant H‐RasN17 demonstrated a reduction in VEGF secretion under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cells treated with the farnesyl transferase inhibitor L‐744,832 demonstrated similar reductions in VEGF secretion. Furthermore, astrocytoma cells expressing a constitutively phosphorylated and truncated EGF‐R common in GBMs (EGFRvIII or p140EGF‐R) demonstrate further elevations in Ras activation, resulting in a further increase in VEGF secretion. We have previously demonstrated that activation of Ras plays a vital role in transducing mitogenic signals in human malignant astrocytoma cells. Our present results further extend the role of Ras activation in modulating tumour angiogenesis in these tumours. We propose that Ras may contribute to the angiogenic switch in astrocytomas. Int. J. Cancer, 81:118–124, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Digestive endoscopy and risk of upper limb biomechanical overload.

BACKGROUND For several years the literature has reported a high prevalence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among medical staff carrying out digestive endoscopy. OBJECTIVES The EPM research unit, in cooperation with the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED) and with the patronage of the Italian Society of Ergonomics (SIE), undertook research that would permit assessment of upper limb biomechanical overload using the OCRA method during gastroscopy and colonoscopy and, via a pilot study, collect health data on 179 workers employed in endoscopy services. RESULTS Risk analysis showed slight exposure levels for the arm bearing the instrument and a medium-to-high exposure for the other arm. However, the study of diseases in this sample showed a higher prevalence than in the reference population not exposed to risk for the upper limbs and in particular in the hand-wrist area. CONCLUSIONS Risk analysis highlighted possible ergonomic measures that would be easy to implement and which would significantly reduce the risk.