Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin Infusion Test of Gastric Acid Secretion

In view of the disadvantages of the standard insulin test for completeness of vagotomy a continuous insulin infusion test has been developed. Twenty-six tests were carried out on 12 healthy male volunteers. A dose of 0·04 unit of soluble insulin/kg/hr was found to produce the highest acid secretion with the least severity of symptoms of hypoglycaemia. The pattern of response was a plateau of acid secretion and of hypoglycaemia, and repeated studies in six subjects showed that the results were reproducible. Evaluation of this test after vagotomy and comparison with the standard insulin test are now required.
Identification of an IL-27/osteopontin axis in dendritic cells and its modulation by IFN-γ limits IL-17–mediated autoimmune inflammation

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in determining the induction of T cell responses. IL-27 production by DCs favors induction of IL-10–producing regulatory T cells, whereas osteopontin (OPN) promotes pathogenic IL-17 T cell responses. The regulatory mechanisms in DCs that control these two cells types are not understood well. Here, we show that IFN-γ induces IL-27 while inhibiting OPN expression in DCs both in vitro and in vivo and that engagement of IFN-γR expressed by DCs leads to suppression of IL-17 production while inducing IL-10 from T cells. DCs modified by IFN-γ acquire IL-27–dependent regulatory function, promote IL-10–mediated T cell tolerance, and suppress autoimmune inflammation. Thus, our results identify a previously unknown pathway by which IFN-γ limits IL-17–mediated autoimmune inflammation through differential regulation of OPN and IL-27 expression in DCs.
RSSI-based indoor positioning using diversity and Inertial Navigation

A substantial criterion with the use of wireless communication is the missing location information of the mobile participants. The RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)-based localization technique is an easy and well known method to predict the position of an unknown node in indoor environments whereas additional measures are required for a sufficient accuracy. The distance-pending path loss is affected by strong variations, especially appearing as frequency specific signal dropouts. A diversity concept with redundant data transmission in different frequency bands can reduce the dropout probability. Not only the availability of the communication and the positioning, but also the accuracy of the localization can be increased by the diversity concept. Another improvement can be reached by a sensor fusion of the RSSI-based position data with an Inertial Navigation System. First experimental results with miniaturized transceiver prototypes show that a good performance for precision and availability can also be reached with low infrastructural costs.
Methodology Developments in Sensor Placement for Health Monitoring of Civil Infrastructures

Optimal sensor placement (OSP) technique plays a key role in the structural health monitoring (SHM) of large-scale civil infrastructures. This paper outlines an overview of current research and development in the field of OSP problems in a perspective of both researchers and engineers. The paper begins with a definition of the model of sensor placement and provides the basic issues covering relevant methodologies. The primary evaluation criteria and main sensor placement methods are then discussed in details. Following that, the linkage between several influential sensor placement methods is described. Finally, existing problems and promising research efforts in the OSP problem of civil SHM are discussed.
The main occluding area in normal occlusion and mandibular prognathism.

OBJECTIVE To clarify whether the concept of main occluding area, where hard food is initially crushed, exists in patients who have a jaw deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nineteen subjects with normal occlusion, 18 patients with mandibular prognathism, and 11 patients with mandibular prognathism who had undergone orthognathic surgery participated in this study. The main occluding area was identified by clenching Temporary Stopping. The coincidence, location of the main occluding area, and distance from the first molars to main occluding area were examined. RESULTS High coincidence of the main occluding area was obtained in all groups, signifying that the main occluding area exists even in these patients. Mandibular main occluding area was located on the first molar in all groups. Maxillary main occluding area in subjects with normal occlusion was located on the first molar. However, it was located on the second premolar and first molar in patients with mandibular prognathism, and on the first and second molars in patients with mandibular prognathism who had undergone orthognathic surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in distance from the maxillary first molar to the main occluding area among groups, but there was no difference in the distance from the mandibular first molar among groups. CONCLUSION The main occluding area is more stable on the mandibular first molar than the maxilla in all groups.
SEROPREVALENCE OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-1 IGG ANTIBODIES IN CHILDREN ( 0-5 YEARS ) ATTENDING

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) caused by HSV-1 is considered the most common form of fatal sporadic encephalitis in the United States with annual incidence estimated to be 1 in 200,000 patients. Neonatal herpes is a potentially devastating consequence of perinatal transmission of HSV with significant morbidity and mortality. Approximately 1500-2200 neonates with HSV-1 are identified annually in the United State. This study determined the seroprevalence of HSV-1 IgG antibodies in children less than 5 years attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. A total of 125 blood samples was collected and serum obtained after centrifugation of blood samples was screened for presence HSV-1 antibodies (IgG) using commercially available Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Out of the 125 blood samples screened 80 representing 64.0% were seropositive. The association of HSV-1 seropositivity in relation to age, sex, and other demographic factors was obtained by the use of structured questionnaires administered to parent or caregivers. From this study, 2 HSV-1 childhood infection in ABUTH was found to be associated with age (? = 2 21.180, df = 4, P= 0.001), children's educational status ? = 9.37, df = 1, P= 0.031) and 2 clinical symptoms ? = 11.94, df =5, P= 0.036) presented by the children. The high prevalence of HSV-1 infection observed could be attributable to the mode of transmission of the virus, implying that 36% were still susceptible to this infection. These pockets of unimmunized children are still at risk of contracting the infection International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology and Social Strategies Volume 1, Number 1, JULY 2015.
Constraints on the Delivery of Animal-Source Foods to Infants and Young Children: Case Studies from Five Countries

Background Optimal feeding of infants and young children in developing countries includes daily feeding of animal-source foods. Objective To evaluate constraints on the availability of animal-source foods at the community level, access to animal-source foods at the household level, and intake of animal-source foods at the individual level among children under 3 years of age in case studies in five developing countries: Mexico, Peru, Haiti, Senegal, and Ethiopia. Methods Data were obtained from published and unpublished research and from program experiences of health and agriculture specialists. Results In Ethiopia, 27% to 51% of case-study chil- dren had consumed an animal-source food on the previous day; from 56% to 87% of children in the other case-study sites had consumed an animal-source food on the previous day. Data on intake of animal-source foods in grams were only available for the Latin American case-study sites, where daily milk intake was high in Mexico and Peru (195 and 180 g/day, respectively) and the intakes of meat, fish, and poultry (MFP) (29.0 and 13.6 g/day) and of egg (18.4 and 4.9 g/day) were low. The conceptual model guiding this work identified more constraining factors at the community and household levels than at the individual level. The most common constraints on feeding animal-source foods to young children were poverty, animal health, and land degradation at the community level; cost of animal-source foods and limited livestock holdings at the household level; and caregivers' perceptions of giving animal-source foods to children at the individual level. Conclusions For program planning, it is useful to simultaneously consider factors that affect community availability of, household access to, and children's intake of animal-source foods. Efforts to overcome individual- level constraints on intake of animal-source foods should be coupled with activities to address community and household constraints.
Bayesian posterior contraction rates for linear severely ill-posed inverse problems

Abstract. We consider a class of linear ill-posed inverse problems arising from inversion of a compact operator with singular values which decay exponentially to zero. We adopt a Bayesian approach, assuming a Gaussian prior on the unknown function. The observational noise is assumed to be Gaussian; as a consequence the prior is conjugate to the likelihood so that the posterior distribution is also Gaussian. We study Bayesian posterior consistency in the small observational noise limit. We assume that the forward operator and the prior and noise covariance operators commute with one another. We show how, for given smoothness assumptions on the truth, the scale parameter of the prior, which is a constant multiplier of the prior covariance operator, can be adjusted to optimize the rate of posterior contraction to the truth, and we explicitly compute the logarithmic rate.
Evolutionary origin of a monophasic Salmonella serovar, 9,12:l,v:-, revealed by IS200 profiles and restriction fragment polymorphisms of the fljB gene

The emergence in several countries of the monophasic serogroup D1 serovar Salmonella 9,12:l,v:- provided the opportunity to study its evolutionary origin. According to current models, such a variant serovar could have arisen by horizontal transfer of a new flagellar gene to a preexisting monophasic Salmonella strain or, alternatively, by the loss of the phase 2 flagellar gene of an originally biphasic Salmonella strain. Five known serovars of Salmonella, S. panama, S. kapemba, S. goettingen, S. zaiman, and S. mendoza, could have been possible ancestors of the new variant. The profiles of the insertion element IS200, which has been shown to provide phylogenetic markers for serogroup D1 salmonellae, were analyzed in relation to the restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the phase 2 flagellar gene. Together they provide unequivocal evidence that Salmonella 9,12:l,v:- arose from a strain of S. goettingen. Analysis of the flj operon of the variant indicated that loss of phase 2 flagellar antigen expression occurred through deletion of the hin gene and adjacent DNA, thereby blocking the phase 2 flagellar gene in the off position.
Racial and ethnic disparity in blood pressure and cholesterol measurement

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To evaluate racial and ethnic disparity in blood pressure and cholesterol measurement and to analyze factors associated with any observed disparity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the household component of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. PARTICIPANTS: Representative sample of the U.S. non-institutionalized population age 21 or older. MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of self-reported blood pressure measurement within 2 years and cholesterol measurement within 5 years were calculated by race/ethnicity. Logistic regression was used to adjust for health insurance status, having a usual source of care, health status, and socioeconomic and demographic factors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) from the logistic regression were converted to prevalence ratios to estimate relative risk (RR). MAIN RESULTS: Mexican Americans compared to non-Hispanic whites were less likely to have a blood pressure measurement (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.89) or a cholesterol measurement (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.78). Non-Hispanic blacks had blood pressure and cholesterol measurements similar to non-Hispanic whites. In a multivariate analysis, Mexican Americans had similar blood pressure measurements (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.00) and cholesterol measurements (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.08). The factors associated with the largest disparity were lack of health insurance, not having a usual source of care, and low education. CONCLUSIONS: No disparity was found between non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic whites in undergoing blood pressure and cholesterol measurement. Disparities in cardiovascular preventive services for Mexican Americans were associated with lack of health insurance and a usual source of care, but other demographic and socioeconomic factors were also important.
Meal patterns and food use in 10- to 11-year-old Finnish children.

OBJECTIVE To describe the meal patterns and food use on weekdays among 10- to 11-year-old Finnish children and to analyse these in relation to family's socio-economic status and the child's behaviour. DESIGN Cross-sectional study on a cohort of 404 children aged 10-11 years in the rural town of Ylivieska, mid-western Finland. METHODS A food-frequency questionnaire including questions on meal patterns and food use and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) completed by the parents and the child together. RESULTS Practically all children (99%) ate breakfast regularly, 94% had a daily school lunch and 80% had dinner at home daily. Vegetables were consumed daily at home by 26% and fruits or berries by 21%, while 46% of the children had salad daily at school. Twenty-four per cent ate sweets daily or nearly so on weekdays. The children from families of high socio-economic status ate vegetables more often, and fewer of them used butter or high-fat milk. The children with no regular family dinner ate sweets and fast foods more often, and had higher total CBCL problem scores than those with a regular family dinner. CONCLUSION Skipping meals appears not to be common among Finnish children aged 10-11 years, but a considerable proportion consume sweets frequently and vegetables infrequently. High family socio-economic status and a tendency to eat together are associated with healthy food choices among schoolchildren.
A Comparative Analysis of SVM and IDNN for Identifying Penguin Activities

ABSTRACT Where, when and how much animals eat provide valuable insights into their ecology. In this paper, we present a comparative analysis between Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Input Delay Neural Network (IDNN) models to identify prey capture events from penguin accelerometry data. A pre-classified dataset of 3D time-series data from back-mounted accelerometers was used. We trained both the models to classify the penguins’ behavior at intervals as either ‘prey handling’ or ‘swimming’. The aim was to determine whether IDNN could achieve the same level of classification accuracy as SVM, but with reduced memory demands. This would enable the IDNN model to be embedded on the accelerometer micro-system itself, and hence reduce the magnitude of the output data to be uploaded. Based on the classification results, this paper provides an analysis of the two models from both an accuracy and applicability point of view. The experimental results show that both models achieve an equivalent accuracy of approx. 85% using the featured data, with a memory demand of 0.5 kB for IDNN and 0.7 Mb for SVM. The raw accelerometer data let us improve the generalizability of the models with a slightly lower accuracy to around 80%. This indicates that the IDNN model can embed on the accelerometer itself, reducing problems associated with raw time-series data retrieval and loss.
Appendicitis in the young child: A continuing diagnostic challenge

Objective The purpose of this review was to examine the presenting signs and symptoms of children 5 years of age or less who underwent operation for appendicitis. In addition, we sought to determine the rate of perforation of the appendix and the effect on outcome in this age group. Methods Medical records for the period September 1987 to September 1998 were reviewed for all children 5 years of age or less who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis. Data gathered included age at operation, gender, care sought prior to admission for appendectomy, duration of symptoms, signs and symptoms at the time of admission, and length of postoperative hospital stay. Symptoms of diarrhea, emesis, fever, pain, and anorexia were recorded. Physical signs of an abdominal mass, guarding, rebound tenderness, rigidity, and diffuse or focal tenderness were recorded. Diagnostic information included white blood cell count with differential, and radiographic imaging, if obtained. The presence or absence of perforation of the appendix, and abscess formation were based on the intraoperative impression of the operating surgeon. Results For the 11-year period, 120 patients 5 years of age or less required an operation for appendicitis and had a complete medical database. The mean age was 3.6 ± 1.3 years; 53% were male. Patients underwent a separate medical evaluation prior to arriving at a definitive diagnosis in 44.2% cases. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (94%); the most common sign was abdominal tenderness (95.8%). Tenderness was generally diffuse if perforation had occurred (62%) or focal in the nonperforated group (61%). The duration of symptoms in patients with perforation was more than double that of the nonperforated patients (4.7 vs 2.1 days, respectively). The mean white blood cell count (WBC) was 18.3 ± 7.4 cells/mm3, and did not differ significantly between the perforated and nonperforated groups. A left shift detected in the WBC differential was present in 91%. An abdominal radiograph was obtained in 87%, and demonstrated a fecalith in 18%. A preoperative ultrasound was obtained in 38%, a computed tomographic scan in 7%. At the time of surgery, 74% were found to have evidence of perforation. An abscess was found at the initial surgery in 47% of patients with appendiceal perforation, but in no patient in whom perforation had not occurred. The rate of perforation increased as the age of the patient decreased (100% perforation for age 1 (n= 10) to 69% for age 5, (n= 35). Perforation was associated with a longer hospital length of stay as compared to the nonperforated appendix (median 9 days vs. 3 days, respectively, P< 0.001). There were no deaths in this series. Conclusion Appendiceal perforation continues to be a common occurrence in the young child and increases in frequency as the age of the patient decreases and the duration of symptoms lengthens. Perforation results in a significant increase in hospital length of stay and rate of abscess formation.
Genotypic frequencies of the β-lactoglobulin, κ-casein and transferrin in Serbian Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

Summary The study included 765 Holstein cow for determining of β-lactoglobulin genotypes, 420 cows for determining κ-casein genotypes and 252 cows for determining transferrin genotypes, daughters of 18 sires. Among 765 cows, 172 were of the β-LG AA genotype, 448 were of genotype AB, and 145 were of BB genotype. The frequencies of genotypes AA, AB and BB were 0.23, 0.58 and 0.19, respectively. The frequency of alleles A and B, which was derived from the frequency of genotypes, was 0.52 for allele A and 0.48 for allele B. Among 420 cows, 105 were of the κ-casein AA genotype, 219 were of genotype AB, and 96 were of BB genotype. The frequencies of genotypes AA, AB and BB were 0.25, 0.52 and 0.23, respectively. The frequency of alleles A and B, which derived from the frequency of genotypes, was 0.51 for allele A and 0.49 for allele B. Among 249 cows, was identified 9 different genotypes of transferrin, 72 were of the Tf AD2 genotype, 50 were of genotype D1D2, 42 were of genotype D2D2, 28 were of genotype AD1, 20 were of genotype AA, 17 were of genotype D2E, 10 were of genotype AE and less than ten were of genotype D1D2 and D1E.The frequency of alleles A, D1, D2 and E, which was derived from the frequency of genotypes, was 0.30 for allele A, 0.19 for allele D1, 0.45 for allele D2 and 0.06 for allele E. In the studied population of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle in Serbia, a significant number of heterozygous individual and population variability were found. The large variability gives us the opportunity for further selection, favoring the genotype cows depending on the desired properties of milk(milk yield, content of milk fat and proteins) for further technological processing of milk. According to previous studies, it is obvious, that heterozygous cow tended to have a better production performance than the homozygous cows. This genetic information of polymorphic gene could be useful in marker assisted selection to improve production performance.
In vivo and in vitro assessment of cardiac β-adrenergic receptors in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

SUMMARY β-Adrenergic receptors (βARs) are crucial for maintaining the rate and force of cardiac muscle contraction in vertebrates. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have one β1AR gene and two β2AR genes (β2aAR and β2bAR). We examined the roles of these receptors in larval zebrafish in vivo by assessing the impact of translational gene knockdown on cardiac function. Zebrafish larvae lacking β1AR expression by morpholino knockdown displayed lower heart rates than control fish, whereas larvae deficient in both β2aAR and β2bAR expression exhibited significantly higher heart rates than controls. These results suggested a potential inhibitory role for one or both β2AR genes. By using cultured HEK293 cells transfected with zebrafish βARs, we demonstrated that stimulation with adrenaline or procaterol (a β2AR agonist) resulted in an increase in intracellular cAMP levels in cells expressing any of the three zebrafish βARs. In comparison with its human βAR counterpart, zebrafish β2aAR expressed in HEK293 cells appeared to exhibit a unique binding affinity profile for adrenergic ligands. Specifically, zebrafish β2aAR had a high binding affinity for phenylephrine, a classical α-adrenergic receptor agonist. The zebrafish receptors also had distinct ligand binding affinities for adrenergic agonists when compared with human βARs in culture, with zebrafish β2aAR being distinct from human β2AR and zebrafish β2bAR. Overall, this study provides insight into the function and evolution of both fish and mammalian β-adrenergic receptors.