Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulating Phenotypic Plasticity to Improve Population Establishment of a Classical Biological Control Agent (the Psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji) for Invasive Knotweeds

The psyllid Aphalara itadori was approved for release as a biocontrol agent for invasive knotweeds (Fallopia sp.) in Canada, but has had limited success establishing in the field. Establishing biocontrol agent populations in the field is a common problem and one unexplored possibility in improving establishment is the manipulation of an agent’s phenotype prior to release. We developed a series of laboratory bioassays to assess the psyllid’s fecundity and offspring fitness in response to host plants of varying quality. Results show an increase in fitness measures that appear unrelated to the host plant quality and more closely determined by temperature or humidity. This suggests phenotypic plastic responses in A. itadori populations are less sensitive to changes in their host and more sensitive to environmental variables. Determining which environmental factors drive changes in these fitness variables and rearing A. itadori in these conditions prior to release may improve population establishment.
Determination of viability within serotypes of a soil population of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii

Concern has been raised about the percentage of viable cells within soil rhizobia populations measured by the immunofluorescence direct count method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a direct viable count technique which is based on the fact that viable bacteria in natural populations undergo cell elongation when they are exposed to a combination of substrate and the inhibitor of DNA gyrase, nalidixic acid. A soil extraction procedure was developed to recover a high proportion of soil bacteria (ca. 10(9)/g of soil) in suspensions with an optical clarity suitable for accurate microscopic enumeration. After incubation for 16 to 20 h at 27 degrees C in the presence of yeast extract (200 mg/liter) and nalidixic acid (10 mg/liter), between 65 and 74% of the bacteria in soil suspension became significantly elongated (greater than or equal to 4.2 microns). In contrast, less than or equal to 0.5% of the same population could be cultured, regardless of the medium composition, nutrient concentration, or incubation conditions. The direct viable count method was combined with immunofluorescence to compare the percent viability and kinetics of appearance of elongated cells within serotypes of a soil population of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii. Although the majority of these organisms were viable, as observed by immunofluorescence, we obtained evidence that subpopulations within the soil rhizobia community were in different states of competence to respond to substrate. A consistently low percentage (less than or equal to 30%) of the population of serotype 23 was elongated even after 24 h of incubation and regardless of when the soil was sampled. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A resampling approach to estimate the stability of one-dimensional or multidimensional independent components

When applying unsupervised learning techniques in biomedical data analysis, a key question is whether the estimated parameters of the studied system are reliable. In other words, can we assess the quality of the result produced by our learning technique? We propose resampling methods to tackle this question and illustrate their usefulness for blind-source separation (BSS). We demonstrate that our proposed reliability estimation can be used to discover stable one-dimensional or multidimensional independent components, to choose the appropriate BSS-model, to enhance significantly the separation performance, and, most importantly, to flag components that carry physical meaning. Application to different biomedical testbed data sets (magnetoencephalography (MEG)/electrocardiography (ECG)-recordings) underline the usefulness of our approach.
Birthright citizenship and education - Do immigrant children need a passport to thrive?

This paper evaluates the effect of becoming citizen of the host-country at birth on educational outcomes of immigrant children in Germany. We exploit the introduction of birthright citizenship for newborn children in Germany starting on the 1st of January, 2000, to obtain difference-in-differences estimates for the effect of citizenship on the children s educational performance, in particular, their transition to different tracks of secondary school. Using data from the newly established National Education Panel Study (NEPS), the empirical results indicate an increase in the probability of migrant children to enter the middle school track rather than the lower one. This suggests that growing up with the citizenship of the host country has a beneficial impact on the later integration of migrant children.
Experiences of Medical Imaging Students and Clinical Learning in a Limited Resource Setting - A Qualitative Study in Rwanda

Results: Qualitative exploratory descriptive research was conducted in March 2017 through FDGs. The recorded data was transcribed, anonymized, coded, categorized and conceptualized into four themes: theory-practice gap, teaching and learning support, occupational health and safety, resources and infrastructure. Data was analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that there were aspects which negatively impacted clinical experiences of medical imaging students. This valuable information is important to create awareness among medical imaging academia and practicing professionals about the challenges faced by medical imaging students in clinical practice.
Relationship between air pollution and metal levels in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues

ABSTRACT We aimed to check the relationships between levels of metals (Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg and Zn) in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues and their link to air pollution, expressed as particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The study also examines the influence on metal concentration in the lung tissue of patients' sex and the distance of their homes from the nearest emitter. We found that the general pattern of ascending concentrations in tumor tissue was as follows: Hg < Cd < Cu < Ca < Zn < Fe. In non-affected lung tissue the order of concentrations of Ca and Fe was reversed. With the exception of Cd and Cu, levels of metals were found in higher accumulations in non-cancerous tissue (e.g., Fe 326.423 and Ca 302.730 μg/g d.w) than in tumorous tissue (Fe 150.735 and Ca 15.025 μg/g d.w). Neither the PM10 (PM of a diameter of 10 μm) concentration nor sex revealed any connection with metal concentrations. The shorter the distance from the emitter, the higher the metal concentrations that tended to be observed for almost all metals, but a statistically significant (but weak) relationship was noted only for Cu in tumor tissue (rs: −0.4869).
Hierarchical , Heterogeneous Control of Non-Linear Dynamical Systems using Reinforcement Learning

Non-adaptive methods are currently state of the art in approximating solutions to nonlinear optimal control problems. These carry a large computational cost associated with iterative calculations and have to be solve individually for different start and end points. In addition they may not scale well for real-world problems and require considerable tuning to converge. As an alternative, we present a novel hierarchical approach to non-Linear Control using Reinforcement Learning to choose between Heterogeneous Controllers, including localised optimal linear controllers and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers, illustrating this with solutions to benchmark problems. We show that our approach (RLHC) competes in terms of computational cost and solution quality with state-of-the-art control algorithm iLQR, and offers a robust, flexible framework to address large scale non-linear control problems.
Patient-Delivered Partner Treatment for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomonas Infection Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Kenya

Background Patient-delivered partner treatment (PDPT) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increases rates of partner treatment and decreases reinfection, but has not been evaluated during pregnancy. Methods This prospective cohort was nested within a larger study of peripartum HIV acquisition. Participants with microbiologic diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and/or Trichomonas vaginalis were screened for participation. Questionnaires were administered to determine PDPT acceptability and barriers. Women were reassessed at least 30 days to determine partner treatment and reinfection. Women whose partners did or did not receive PDPT were compared. Results One hundred twelve (22.2%) women in the parent cohort had a treatable STI; 78 within the PDPT study period, of whom 66 were eligible and 59 (89.3%) accepted PDPT. Fifty-one women had PDPT outcome data, 37 (73%) of whom reported partners treated with PDPT. Fourteen women (27%) refused or did not deliver partner treatment. Median age was 22 years (interquartile range, 20–26 years) and 88% were married. Compared with women who delivered PDPT, those who did not were more likely to have a partner living far away (23% vs. 0%, P = 0.004) and to report current intimate partner violence (14% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). Reported PDPT barriers included fear of partner's anger/abuse (5%) and accusations of being STI source (5%). Conclusion Patient-delivered partner treatment was acceptable and feasible for pregnant/postpartum Kenyan women and may reduce recurrent STIs in pregnancy.
Relative contribution of abundant and rare species to species–energy relationships

A major goal of ecology is to understand spatial variation in species richness. The latter is markedly influenced by energy availability and appears to be influenced more by common species than rare ones; species–energy relationships should thus be stronger for common species. Species–energy relationships may arise because high-energy areas support more individuals, and these larger populations may buffer species from extinction. As extinction risk is a negative decelerating function of population size, this more-individuals hypothesis (MIH) predicts that rare species should respond more strongly to energy. We investigate these opposing predictions using British breeding bird data and find that, contrary to the MIH, common species contribute more to species–energy relationships than rare ones.
A 5-/spl mu/m-wide 18-cm-long low-loss YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// coplanar line for future multichip module technology

Narrow and low-loss YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// (YBCO) coplanar lines, which can be used in multichip module technology for future high-density and high-speed digital circuits, have been developed. Etch-back planarization and a patterning process combining Ar-ion milling and wet-etching enabled us to form an 18-cm-long 5-/spl mu/m-wide YBCO coplanar line without electrical shorts, even for the narrow spacing of 2.5 /spl mu/m. The surface resistance of this line was kept at a level comparable to that of 10- or 25-/spl mu/m-wide YBCO coplanar lines and also comparable to that of unpatterned films. This indicates successful fabrication of the 5-/spl mu/m-wide YBCO coplanar line without notable loss increase resulting from process damage. The 5-/spl mu/m-wide line showed a low-transmission loss of 0.49 dB at 10 GHz and 55 K. This level of loss is similar to that in Cu coaxial cables. No significant increase in transmission loss was observed up to an input power level of 16 mW at 10 GHz and 55 K. This input power is comparable to the power-handling capability required for transmitting high-speed digital signals through the lines with characteristic impedance of 50 /spl Omega/. These results show that the narrow 5-/spl mu/m-wide YBCO coplanar line has great potential for high-density and high-speed digital circuits.
The Laffer Curve In An Incomplete-Markets Economy

This paper examines quantitative issues related to the Laffer curve in a neoclassical growth model with endogenous labor supply and complete or incomplete financial markets where distortionary taxes on labor, capital and consumption are used to finance government consumption, lump-sum transfers and debt repayments. We show that the shape of the Laffer curve related to each type of taxation differs a lot for the two model versions, especially when public debt is adjusted to fulfill the government budget constraint. In the incomplete markets setup, a given level of the fiscal revenues can be associated to three different levels of labor or capital income taxes. This finding occurs because the tax rates change non monotonically with public debt when markets are incomplete.
Sustained response to low‐dose rituximab in idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia

To evaluate the sustained response to low‐dose (LD) rituximab in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), the ex vivo effect on anti‐RBC antibody production by mitogen‐stimulated direct antiglobulin test (MS‐DAT), and the in vitro dose effect of the drug on the production of anti‐RBC antibodies.
Psychotropic drugs and ventricular repolarisation: The effects on QT interval, T-peak to T-end interval and QT dispersion

Objective: We aimed to investigate in a clinical setting, the effects of different classes of psychotropic drugs on cardiac electrophysiological measures linked with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a population of 1059 psychiatric inpatients studying the effects of various psychotropic drugs on the T-peak to T-end (TpTe) interval, QT dispersion and QT interval. Results: Methadone use showed a strong association with TpTe prolongation (odds ratio (OR)=12.66 (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.9–41.1), p<0.001), an effect independent from action on QT interval. Mood stabilisers showed significant effects on ventricular repolarisation: lithium was associated with a TpTe prolongation (OR=2.12 (95% CI, 1.12–4), p=0.02), while valproic acid with a TpTe reduction (OR=0.6 (95% CI, 0.37–0.98), p=0.04). Among antipsychotics, clozapine increased TpTe (OR=9.5 (95% CI, 2.24–40.39), p=0.002) and piperazine phenothiazines increased QT dispersion (OR=2.73 (95% CI, 1.06–7.02), p=0.037). Conclusions: Treatment with psychotropic drugs influences TpTe and QT dispersion. These parameters might be considered to better estimate the sudden cardiac death risk related to specific medications. Beyond antipsychotics and antidepressants, mood stabilisers determine significant effects on ventricular repolarisation.
Morbilliviral Disease in Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the 1987-1988 Epizootic

Lungs and lymph nodes of 79 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that died from 6 August 1987 to 16 April 1988 along the Atlantic coasts of New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida (USA) were examined histologically and were tested for the presence of morbillivirus antigen by an immunoperoxidase technique. Lung lesions included areas of interstitial pneumonia characterized by varying combinations of type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, interstitial fibroplasia and leukocytes, syncytia, and intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Fungal, bacterial, and mixed bacterial and fungal pneumonias were common. Lymphoid depletion, lymphocytosis, syncytia, and intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were present in lymph nodes. Morbillivirus antigen was detected in 42 (53%) of 79 dolphins examined. Based on histopathologic and immunocytochemical findings, we diagnosed morbillivirus-induced disease. This is the first report of disease caused by morbillivirus in bottlenose dolphins and in any cetacean species outside Europe.
Teacher Absences: Types, Frequency, and Impact on Student Achievement, Wake County Public School System, 2007-08. Measuring Up. E&R Report No. 09.37.

In December 2008, the WCPSS Board of Education adopted a two-part goal, with one part being “By 2014, all students will graduate on-time prepared to compete globally. ” In support of the goal, the district places emphasis on two vital behaviors: “teaching the North Carolina (NC) Standard Course of Study and ensuring that our students attend school” (http://www.wcpss.net/attachments/journal/2009_sept4.pdf), with the assumption that district teachers, all meeting the Highly Qualified standard of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, will be in the classroom as well. At the same time, there is recognition that some teacher absences cannot be avoided. According to data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics, Schools and Staffing Survey (2003-04), US public school teachers average between nine and 10 days of absence per year. Slightly higher averages have been reported in individual school districts: 12.6 days in Los Angeles (Kirk, 1998); 11.3 days in New York City (Podgursky, 2003); 11 days for only sick and personal leave in Phoenix, Arizona ABSTRACT In 2007-08, the WCPSS teacher absence rate was 10.3 days, slightly higher than a national rate of 9.5 days in 2004-05 but lower than the 11.3 to 14.6 days reported in large school districts more recently. In comparison with other studies, WCPSS teachers averaged smaller proportions of personal and sick leave days, slightly more annual leave days, and a higher proportion of administrative leave days. Teacher absences varied by years of experience and by schools’ grade span and proportion of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Overall, there is some evidence, low but significant, of a negative relationship between teacher absences and mathematics achievement in two of six grades, but not in reading or six high school courses. These and other findings, including screening and costs of substitute teachers, are detailed in this report.
Autonomic Dysfunction in Childhood Guillain-Barré Syndrome

This investigation correlated incidence and degree of autonomic dysfunction with the degree of motor impairment in children hospitalized with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Motor weakness varies, as does the effect on autonomic function including heart rate, vasomotor stability, sweating, continence, and blood pressure. After Institutional Review Board approval, hospitalized patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome <19 years were included for retrospective chart review. There were 26 patients (12 boys), with a mean age of 11.3 years (range, 6-17 years). The average hospital stay was 10.6 days. Twenty-four (92%) recovered by 2 to 6 months without functional disability. Bradycardia and sweating disturbances were not observed. Hypertension occurred in 18 of 26 (69%) and tachycardia in 20 of 26 (77%) patients. The proportion of children with hypertension and/or tachycardia increased, as did the motor disability grade (P < .043 and P < .018, respectively). Hypertension occurred 9 to 15 days from symptom onset and within 24 to 48 hours of maximum motor disability in 89%. Multiple autonomic disturbances compound the course of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Residual tumor uptake of [99mTc]‐sestamibi after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast carcinoma predicts survival

Studies utilizing serial [99mTc]‐sestamibi (MIBI) scintimammography have reported accurate prediction of tumor response in patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma (LABC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The pathologic response of LABC to presurgical treatment regimens is a prognostic indicator of survival. The authors tested whether MIBI uptake posttherapy predicted survival.
Breast Tumor Resembling the Tall Cell Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract: We describe the case of a 66‐year‐old woman with a palpable mass in her left breast. Although the diagnosis on core biopsy was an intraductal papilloma, the surgically excised lesion showed it to be an infiltrating carcinoma which appeared to arise in a complex sclerosing lesion and is similar to the recently described breast tumor resembling the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Identification and Expression of Babesia ovis Secreted Antigen 1 and Evaluation of Its Diagnostic Potential in an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

ABSTRACT In order to identify immunoreactive proteins that are usable for the immunological diagnosis of Babesia ovis infections, a phage lambda cDNA expression library was constructed and screened using parasite-specific immune serum. Immunoscreening resulted in the identification of a full-length cDNA clone encoding a secreted protein designated Babesia ovis secreted antigen 1 (BoSA1). The full-length BoSA1 cDNA contained a 1,137-bp open reading frame that encoded a protein of 378 amino acids, with a signal peptide and 2 internal repeat domains. The theoretical molecular mass of the mature protein was 42.5 kDa. Recombinant BoSA1 (rBoSA1) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli strain DH5α cells as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein and was purified by affinity chromatography. Purified rBoSA1 was tested for reactivity with sera from animals experimentally or naturally infected with B. ovis, in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that specific antibodies against rBoSA1 were detectable on days 7 and 8 of the experimental infection and were maintained during the sampling period. Additionally, 38 field sera taken from sheep naturally infected with B. ovis gave strong positive reactions in the ELISA between day 20 and day 30 of treatment. As a result, the identified recombinant BoSA1 protein seems to be a promising diagnostic antigen that is usable for the development of serological assays for the diagnosis of ovine babesiosis. This is the first report on the molecular cloning, expression, and potential use of a recombinant antigen for the diagnosis of ovine babesiosis.
An asymmetric small-gain technique to construct Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals for nonlinear time-delay systems with static components

The standard ISS small-gain theorem and the recently-developed ISS small-gain theorem assume that system components are characterized in a symmetric way with respect to the equilibrium. Dissipative properties of a nonlinear system is usually asymmetric. Formulating them into symmetric properties sometimes causes crucial conservativeness. The purpose of this paper is to develop a technique to take the asymmetry into account in stability analysis of time-delay systems. The result is based on decomposition of a system into integral input-to-state stable dynamic components and static components characterized in an asymmetric way with respect to the equilibrium. A Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional establishing robustness with respect to disturbances in the presence of time delays is constructed, and its effectiveness is illustrated by a network flow control example. The proposed iISS methodology covers a broader class of systems than existing approaches based on operator norms or the ISS gain.