Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of selected natural preservatives on the mycelial growth and ochratoxin A production of the food-related moulds Aspergillus westerdijkiae and Penicillium verrucosum

ABSTRACT The present study examines the influence of the natural preservatives carvacrol, eugenol, trans-cinnamaldehyde and the essential oil (EO) Origanum vulgare on ochratoxin A (OTA) production and the mycelial growth of two food-related moulds, Penicillium verrucosum and Aspergillus westerdijkiae, by broth macro-dilution assay for 21 days. With the addition of ½ minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) carvacrol, eugenol and O. vulgare EO, the mycelial dry weight of both moulds decreased significantly over the whole incubation period of 7, 14 and 21 days. Trans-cinnamaldehyde slightly stimulated the growth of A. westerdijkiae and P. verrucosum at 14 and 21 days of incubation. Growth inhibition did not accompany inhibition of OTA production. Although the growth of both moulds was inhibited after the addition of ½ MIC carvacrol, eugenol and O. vulgare EO, the OTA production of the strong mycotoxin producer A. westerdijkiae was stimulated. Only trans-cinnamaldehyde inhibited the production of OTA with the addition of ½ MIC. P. verrucosum produced significantly less OTA than A. westerdijkiae, and its mycotoxin production was almost completely inhibited by the addition of ½ MIC of the natural preservatives.
A Simulation Based Study of Energy Efficient Packet Size Estimation for Ad-hoc Networks

This paper addressed the energy efficient optimal packet size of ad-hoc networks. Adopting the optimal packet size not only reduces the packet error rate but also balance the packet header/trailer overhead. Hence, the number of packets drop is reduced and efficiency level is increased. Comparing to other similar efforts we have extended the existing approach for realistic traffic flows and different error models (Uniform, Gilbert-Elliot and Markov chain) to evaluate the performance. Network simulations are done on NS-2 to examine the packet loss and error rates. Then the simulated results and theoretical estimation are compared and observed. Our extensive analysis show that in general theoretical estimation still hold.
Muscle fibre activation is unaffected by load and repetition duration when resistance exercise is performed to task failure

Performing resistance exercise with heavier loads is often proposed to be necessary for the recruitment of larger motor units and activation of type II muscle fibres, leading to type II fibre hypertrophy. Indirect measures [surface electromyography (EMG)] have been used to support this thesis, although we propose that lighter loads lifted to task failure (i.e. volitional fatigue) result in the similar activation of type II fibres. In the present study, participants performed resistance exercise to task failure with heavier and lighter loads with both a normal and longer repetition duration (i.e. time under tension). Type I and type II muscle fibre glycogen depletion was determined by neither load, nor repetition duration during resistance exercise performed to task failure. Surface EMG amplitude was not related to muscle fibre glycogen depletion or anabolic signalling; however, muscle fibre glycogen depletion and anabolic signalling were related. Performing resistance exercise to task failure, regardless of load lifted or repetition duration, necessitates the activation of type II muscle fibres.
Evaluating screening participation, follow-up and outcomes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer in the PROSPR consortium.

BACKGROUND Cancer screening is a complex process encompassing risk assessment, the initial screening examination, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of cancer precursors or early cancers. Metrics that enable comparisons across different screening targets are needed. We present population-based screening metrics for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers for nine sites participating in the PROSPR consortium. METHODS We describe how selected metrics map to a trans-organ conceptual model of the screening process. For each cancer type, we calculated calendar year 2013 metrics for the screen-eligible target population (breast: ages 40-74; cervical: ages 21-64; colorectal: ages 50-75). Metrics for screening participation, timely diagnostic evaluation, and diagnosed cancers in the screened and total populations are presented for the total eligible population and stratified by age group and cancer type. RESULTS The overall screening eligible populations in 2013 were 305,568 participants for breast, 3,160,128 for cervical, and 2,363,922 for colorectal cancer screening. Being up-to-date for testing was common for all three cancer types: breast (63.5%); cervical (84.6%); and colorectal (77.5%). Percentage of abnormal screens ranged from 10.7% for breast, 4.4% for cervical, and 4.5% for colorectal cancer screening. Abnormal breast screens were followed up diagnostically in almost all (96.8%) cases while cervical and colorectal were similar (76.2% and 76.3%, respectively). Cancer rates per 1,000 screens were 5.66, 0.17, and 1.46, respectively for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive assessment of metrics by the PROSPR consortium enabled systematic identification of screening process steps in need of improvement. We encourage widespread use of common metrics to allow interventions to be tested across cancer types and healthcare settings.
Variable hybridization outcomes in trout are predicted by historical fish stocking and environmental context

Hybridization can profoundly affect the genomic composition and phenotypes of closely related species, and provides an opportunity to identify mechanisms that maintain reproductive isolation between species. Recent evidence suggests that hybridization outcomes within a species pair can vary across locations. However, we still do not know how variable outcomes of hybridization are across geographic replicates, and what mechanisms drive that variation. In this study, we described hybridization outcomes across 27 locations in the North Fork Shoshone River basin (Wyoming, USA) where native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and introduced rainbow trout co‐occur. We used genomic data and hierarchical Bayesian models to precisely identify ancestry of hybrid individuals. Hybridization outcomes varied across locations. In some locations, only rainbow trout and advanced backcrossed hybrids towards rainbow trout were present, while trout in other locations had a broader range of ancestry, including both parental species and first‐generation hybrids. Later‐generation intermediate hybrids were rare relative to backcrossed hybrids and rainbow trout individuals. Using an individual‐based simulation, we found that outcomes of hybridization in the North Fork Shoshone River basin deviate substantially from what we would expect under null expectations of random mating and no selection against hybrids. Since this deviation implies that some mechanisms of reproductive isolation function to maintain parental taxa and a diversity of hybrid types, we then modelled hybridization outcomes as a function of environmental variables and stocking history that are likely to affect prezygotic barriers to hybridization. Variables associated with history of fish stocking were the strongest predictors of hybridization outcomes, followed by environmental variables that might affect overlap in spawning time and location.
Applications of Game Theory to Multi-Agent Coordination Problems in Communication Networks

Recent years there has been a growing interest in the study of distributed control mechanisms for use in communication networks. A fundamental assumption in these models is that the participants in the network are willing to cooperate with the system. However, there are many instances where the incentives to cooperate is missing. Then, the agents may seek to achieve their own private interests by behaving strategically. Often, such selfish choices lead to inefficient equilibrium state of the system, commonly known as the tragedy of commons in Economics terminology. Now, one may ask the following question: how can the system be led to the socially optimal state in spite of selfish behaviors of its participants? The traditional control design framework fails to provide an answer as it does not take into account of selfish and strategic behavior of the agents. The use of game theoretical methods to achieve coordination in such network systems is appealing, as it naturally captures the idea of rational agents taking locally optimal decisions. In this thesis, we explore several instances of coordination problems in communication networks that can be analyzed using game theoretical methods. We study one coordination problem each, from each layer of TCP/IP reference model the network model used in the current Internet architecture. First, we consider societal agents taking decisions on whether to obtain content legally or illegally, and tie their behavior to questions of performance of content distribution networks. We show that revenue sharing with peers promote performance and revenue extraction from content distribution networks. Next, we consider a transport layer problem where applications compete against each other to meet their performance objectives by selfishly picking congestion controllers. We establish that tolling schemes that incentivize applications to choose one of several different virtual networks catering to particular needs yields higher system value. Hence, we propose the adoption of such virtual networks. We address a network layer question in third problem. How do the sources in a wireless network split their traffic over the available set of paths to
Inhibition of natriuretic peptide receptor 1 reduces itch in mice

Natriuretic peptide receptor 1 inhibition with small molecules has therapeutic effects in mouse models of acute and chronic itch. Let him that itches block NPR1 Chronic itch is an uncomfortable sensation with major impact on the quality of life. The pathophysiology of itch is not clearly elucidated, and the few available treatments are mostly ineffective. The natriuretic peptide receptor 1 (NPR1) has been recently shown to promote itch in mice; however, a peptide NPR1 inhibitor showed poor effects in mice. Investigating the reason for these negative results, Solinski et al. now show that the reported NPR1 inhibitor acted as partial agonist of the receptor, thus explaining the failure in relieving itch. Using high-throughput screening, the authors identified small-molecule human NPR1 antagonists. The molecules were able to relieve chronic itch in mice without inducing adverse effects. There is a major clinical need for new therapies for the treatment of chronic itch. Many of the molecular components involved in itch neurotransmission are known, including the neuropeptide NPPB, a transmitter required for normal itch responses to multiple pruritogens in mice. Here, we investigated the potential for a novel strategy for the treatment of itch that involves the inhibition of the NPPB receptor NPR1 (natriuretic peptide receptor 1). Because there are no available effective human NPR1 (hNPR1) antagonists, we performed a high-throughput cell-based screen and identified 15 small-molecule hNPR1 inhibitors. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrated that these compounds specifically inhibit hNPR1 and murine NPR1 (mNPR1). In vivo, NPR1 antagonism attenuated behavioral responses to both acute itch– and chronic itch–challenged mice. Together, our results suggest that inhibiting NPR1 might be an effective strategy for treating acute and chronic itch.
First Molecular detection of Theileria annulata in Bangladesh

In South Asia, Theileria annulata is known to be less pathogenic to local breeds of Bos indicus cattle comparing to Bos taurus cattle and some of mix breeds between them. Seroepidemiological surveys have revealed high sero-prevalence of T. annulata in asymptomatic local breeds of cattle in Bangladesh. Therefore, these asymptomatic infection in local breeds can be infectious sources to more sensitive breeds. In this study, 59 bloods of cattle showing no symptom were screened by species specific PCRs for hemoto-protozoan parasites, to prove the existence of T. annulata parasite in asymptomatic cattle in Bangladesh. The T. annulata infection was confirmed along with other parasitic species, and this is the first report of T. annulata DNA detection in Bangladesh.
The Association of Catechol-O-Methyl-Transferase and Interleukin 6 Gene Polymorphisms with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that occurs in some people who have experienced a severe traumatic event. Several genetic studies suggest that gene encoding proteins of catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) may be relevant for the pathogenesis of PTSD. Some researchers suggested that the elevation of interleukin-6 (IL6) correlates with major depression and PTSD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms COMT rs4680 (Val158Met) and IL6 rs1800795 are associated with PTSD and contribute to the severity of PTSD symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This study comprised 747 participants that experienced war between 1991 and 1999 in the South Eastern Europe conflicts. COMT rs4680 (Val158Met) and IL6 rs1800795 genotypes were determined in 719 participants (369 with and 350 without PTSD). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), the Clinician Administrated PTSD Scale (CAPS) questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were used for data collection. RESULTS Regarding the COMT gene polymorphism, the results of the regression analyses for BSI total score were significant in the lifetime PTSD group in the dominant (P=0.031) and the additive allelic model (P=0.047). Regarding the IL6 gene, a significant difference was found for the recessive model predicting CAPS total score in the lifetime PTSD group (P=0.048), and indicated an association between the C allele and higher CAPS scores. n the allelic, genotypic and rezessive model, the results for BSI total score were significant in the lifetime PTSD group (P=0.033, P=0.028 and P=0.009), suggesting a correlation of the C allele with higher BSI scores. CONCLUSION Although our nominally significant results did not withstand correction for multiple tests they may support a relevance of the COMT (Val158Met) and IL6 rs1800795 polymorphism for aspects of PTSD in war traumatized individuals.
Three‐dimensional characterization of the active volumes of PTW microDiamond, microSilicon, and Diode E dosimetry detectors using a proton microbeam

Purpose The purpose of this work is the three‐dimensional characterization of the active volumes of commercial solid‐state dosimetry detectors. Detailed knowledge of the dimensions of the detector’s active volume as well as the detector housing is of particular interest for small‐field photon dosimetry. As shown in previous publications from different groups, the design of the detector housing influences the detector signal for small photon fields. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the active volume dimension and the surrounding materials form the basis for accurate Monte Carlo simulations of the detector. Methods A 10 MeV proton beam focused by the microbeam system of the Physikalisch‐Technische Bundesanstalt was used to measure two‐dimensional response maps of a synthetic diamond detector (microDiamond, type 60019, PTW Freiburg) and two silicon detectors (microSilicon, type 60023, PTW Freiburg and Diode E, type 60017, PTW Freiburg). In addition, the thickness of the active volume of the new microSilicon was measured using the method developed in a previous study. Results The analysis of the response maps leads to active area of 1.18 mm2 for the Diode E, 1.75 mm2 for the microSilicon, and 3.91 mm2 for the microDiamond detector. The thickness of the active volume of the microSilicon detector was determined to be (17.8 ± 2) µm. Conclusions This study provides detailed geometrical data of the dosimetric active volume of three different solid‐state detector types.
Persistence and conspecific observations improve problem-solving abilities of coyotes

Social learning has important ecological and evolutionary consequences but the role of certain factors, such as social rank, neophobia (i.e., avoidance of novel stimuli), persistence, and task-reward association, remain less understood. We examined the role of these factors in social learning by captive coyotes (Canis latrans) via three studies. Study 1 involved individual animals and eliminated object neophobia by familiarizing the subjects to the testing apparatus prior to testing. Studies 2 and 3 used mated pairs to assess social rank, and included object neophobia, but differed in that study 3 decoupled the food reward from the testing apparatus (i.e., altered task-reward association). For all three studies, we compared performance between coyotes that received a demonstration from a conspecific to control animals with no demonstration prior to testing. Coyotes displayed social learning during study 1; coyotes with a demonstrator were faster and more successful at solving the puzzle box but did not necessarily use the same modality as that observed to be successful. In study 2, there was no difference in success between treatment groups but this is likely because only one coyote within each pair was successful so successful coyote results were masked by their unsuccessful mate. In study 3, there was no difference in success between treatment groups; only two coyotes, both dominant, hand-reared males with demonstrators were able to perform the task. However, coyotes with a demonstrator were less neophobic, measured as latency to approach the object, and more persistent, measured as time spent working on the apparatus. Social rank was the best predictor of neophobia and persistence and was also retained in the best model for time to eat inside the apparatus, a post-trial measurement of object neophobia. These results suggest coyotes are capable of social learning for novel tasks but social rank, neophobia, and persistence influence their social-learning capabilities. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying how animals gain information about their environment.
Association Between Shame and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex condition with affective components that extend beyond fear and anxiety. The emotion of shame has long been considered critical in the relation between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. Yet, to date, no meta-analytic synthesis of the empirical association between shame and PTSD has been conducted. To address this gap, the current study summarized the magnitude of the association between shame and PTSD symptoms after trauma exposure. A systematic literature search yielded 624 publications, which were screened for inclusion criteria (individuals exposed to a Criterion A trauma, and PTSD and shame assessed using validated measures of each construct). In total, 25 studies employing 3,663 participants met full eligibility criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis revealed a significant moderate association between shame and posttraumatic stress symptoms, r = . 49, 95% CI [0.43, 0.55], p < . 001. Moderator analyses were not completed due to the absence of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias analyses revealed minimal bias, determined by small attenuation after the superimposition of weight functions. The results underscore that across a diverse set of populations, shame is characteristic for many individuals with PTSD and that it warrants a central role in understanding the affective structure of PTSD. Highlighting shame as an important clinical target may help improve the efficacy of established treatments. Future research examining shame's interaction with other negative emotions and PTSD symptomology is recommended.
Diagnostic delay of cluster headache: A cohort study from the Danish Cluster Headache Survey

Aim To investigate the influence of clinical and demographic features on diagnostic delay in cluster headache patients, in order to discuss diagnostic pitfalls and raise disease awareness. Methods A large, well-characterized cohort of 400 validated cluster headache patients from the Danish Cluster Headache Survey, diagnosed according to ICHD-II, were investigated. ANOVA was applied to investigate differences in diagnostic delay between groups. Selected independent variables were assessed in relation to diagnostic delay using a gamma regression model. Results Diagnostic delay was significantly reduced for each decade of cluster headache onset from 1950–2010 (p < 0.001). Onset after 1990 was associated with shorter diagnostic delay (OR = 0.28, p < 0.001), whereas attack duration > 180 minutes (OR = 1.62, p < 0.034), migraine-like features (OR = 1.30, p < 0.043) and nocturnal attacks (OR = 1.39, p < 0.021) were associated with prolonged diagnostic delay. Further, diagnostic delay decreased with age of onset (age < 20: 13.8 years, age 20–40: 5.4 years and age > 40: 2.1 years, p < 0.001). Conclusion Diagnostic delay was reduced for every decade investigated, whereas some atypical cluster headache features were associated with prolonged diagnostic delay. Better medical education and more disease awareness are needed to prevent misdiagnosis and prolonged diagnostic delay.
Multifactor relationships between stand structure and soil and water conservation functions of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in the Loess Region

Ninety-six sample plots were established for a tree census to explore the multifactor relationships between the soil and water conservation functions and the stand structure in a typical black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) plantation in the Caijiachuan watershed of the Loess Plateau, Western Shanxi Province, China. Based on the observational and experimental data, a topography-structure-function model was built using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The latent variables were the topographical factors, horizontal structure, vertical structure, soil and water conservation, and sediment reduction. The results indicated that the horizontal structure of the Robinia pseudoacacia L. forest was the most obvious latent variable, which was expressed in the path coefficient (pc = 0.85) corresponding to the sediment reduction; the stand density and tree competition index were the major drivers of the structure, with path coefficients of −0.96 and −0.92 and influence coefficients of −0.997 and −0.998. These factors are easily regulated. Among these factors the stand density of the arbor layer is recommended to be kept stable within the range from 1600 to 1700 trees/hm2. These relationships showed that reducing the tree competition index and changing the microtopography could effectively enhance the soil and water conservation functions in this ecologically significant loess area.