Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The amino acid profiles of the whole plant and of four plant residues from temperate and tropical forages.

This study compared the amino acid (AA) profile of five residues (original forage, borate-phosphate buffer residue (BPR), neutral detergent fiber residue with (NDF+) and without (NDF-) sodium sulfite, and acid detergent fiber residue (ADF). Fourteen grasses and legumes from tropical and temperate regions were used in this study. The use of sodium sulfite did not affect the NDF concentration, but the NDF insoluble protein was lower (P < 0.05) in the NDF+ than in the NDF- (3.9 vs 4.5% DM, respectively). For all of the amino acids tested, the amino acid content, expressed as a percentage of CP, was lower in the ADF residue than in the original forage. There were no differences in the amino acid concentrations of the NDF- and NDF+ extracts (P > 0.05). Only in the case of methionine was there a difference in the amount of amino acid when the original forage was compared with the BPR (1.84 vs 1.45 % CP). When the AA profile of each residue was corrected for the AA content of the ADF, no difference was observed between the AA profile of the original forage and of the BPR (P > 0.05). Similar to the result without correction for the amino acids in ADF, the AA profiles of the NDF+ and NDF- fractions were similar (P > 0.05). From this result, we infer that the sodium sulfite had similar effects on all AA in the NDF residue that we tested. There were differences in amino acid concentrations in the original forage and the NDF residues for several amino acids (Met, Cys, Lys, Thr, Arg, Ile, Leu, and Phe) (P < 0.05). When the amino acid values of the original forage and the BPR were used with animal data in the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model, few differences in animal predicted performance were evident. These findings suggest that the AA profile of the original forage can be used to predict the AA profile of the undegraded intake protein instead of using the borate-phosphate buffer residue for amino acid analyses. This would simplify obtaining feed amino acid values for use in the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System.
Analysis and Comparison on Several Kinds of Models of Cascading Failure in Power System

Highly interconnected power grid is developing more and more complex. Cascading failure in such complex power grid, which can be triggered by some disturbances, will have global catastrophic effects over the entire networks. So the research on cascading failure of complex power grid is of significant concern. The foundation of such research is the modeling. In this paper, the mechanism of cascading failure in power grid is firstly explained. Then respectively from the point of view in artificial power system and complex network, several existing models are introduced and commented. And some feasible methods, which should be paid more attention to in the future, in order to prevent and control cascading failure are also analyzed and discussed
VISUAL OUTCOME AND POOR PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN ISOLATED IDIOPATHIC RETINAL VASCULITIS

Purpose: To describe the clinical course, visual outcome, and prognosis of isolated, idiopathic retinal vasculitis. Methods: Eighty patients (150 eyes) with isolated, idiopathic retinal vasculitis were included. Demographic data, clinical data, complications at the initial visit and during follow-up, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography findings were collected from the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) database from September 2005 to February 2015. Results: Seventy-five (93.7%) patients required treatment with immunomodulatory therapy. Of those 75 patients, 60 (75%) patients were able to achieve durable remission. Factors which were independently significant predictive of poor visual outcome were lower initial visual acuity (OR: 3.78; 95% CI: 1.75–8.16; P = 0.001), cystoid macular edema (OR: 5.54; 95% CI: 1.81–16.99; P = 0.003), and macular ischemia (OR: 5.12; 95% CI: 1.12–23.04; P = 0.036). Conclusion: The majority (67.25%) of our patients enjoyed a good visual outcome (most recent visit best-corrected visual acuity equal to or better than 20/40 and within one line or better from the baseline) with immunomodulatory therapy. We found that cystoid macular edema, macular ischemia, and lower best-corrected visual acuity during the first consultation visit were significant independent risk factors for poor visual outcome.
AN AXIOMATIC FOUNDATION FOR THE THEORY OF RISK AVERSION WITH APPLICATIONS ( WORKING PAPER † )

The classic definition of risk aversion, which equates risk aversion with concavity of the utility function, is inherently scale-dependent, in the sense that it is not preserved under monotone (non-linear) transformations of underlying scale, most commonly taken to be money. This limits the notion to monetary, or liquid, goods. We introduce an axiomatic definition of risk aversion, based on the decisions maker’s preference order alone, independent of any numerical scale. We then show that when cast in functional form this axiomatic definition coincides with the classic ArrowPratt definition once the latter is defined with respect to an appropriate “intrinsic” scale (which in general is not money). The applications of the theory are discussed, including, in particular, to disentangling risk aversion from diminishing marginal utility, to multi-dimensional risk aversion, and to the analysis of saving under uncertainty. The entire study is within the expected utility framework.
Regulation of Axonemal Motility in Demembranated Equine Sperm1

ABSTRACT Equine in vitro fertilization is not yet successful because equine sperm do not effectively capacitate in vitro. Results of previous studies suggest that this may be due to failure of induction of hyperactivated motility in equine sperm under standard capacitating conditions. To evaluate factors directly affecting axonemal motility in equine sperm, we developed a demembranated sperm model and analyzed motility parameters in this model under different conditions using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Treatment of ejaculated equine sperm with 0.02% Triton X-100 for 30 sec maximized both permeabilization and total motility after reactivation. The presence of ATP was required for motility of demembranated sperm after reactivation, but cAMP was not. The calculated intracellular pH of intact equine sperm was 7.14 ± 0.07. Demembranated sperm showed maximal total motility at pH 7. Neither increasing pH nor increasing calcium levels, nor any interaction of the two, induced hyperactivated motility in demembranated equine sperm. Motility of demembranated sperm was maintained at free calcium concentrations as low as 27 pM, and calcium arrested sperm motility at much lower concentrations than those reported in other species. Calcium arrest of sperm motility was not accompanied by flagellar curvature, suggesting a failure of calcium to induce the tonic bend seen in other species and thought to support hyperactivated motility. This indicated an absence, or difference in calcium sensitivity, of the related asymmetric doublet-sliding proteins. These studies show a difference in response to calcium of the equine sperm axoneme to that reported in other species that may be related to the failure of equine sperm to penetrate oocytes in vitro under standard capacitating conditions. Further work is needed to determine the factors that stimulate hyperactivated motility at the axonemal level in equine sperm.
Itraconazole vs fluconazole as a primary prophylaxis for fungal infections in HIV-infected patients in Thailand.

BACKGROUND Disseminated fungal infections are common presenting opportunistic infections among AIDS patients in developing countries. Primary prophylaxis with itraconazole has been shown to be effective in northern Thailand. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of fluconazole vs itraconazole as primary prophylaxis for fungal infections in HIV-infected patients. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-infected patients who received primary prophylaxis with fluconazole 400 mg once weekly or itraconazole 200 mg once daily at Chiang Mai University Hospital. We compared the incidence of systemic fungal infections and the probability of disease-free survival between groups. RESULTS From January 2000 to June 2010, 308 HIV-infected patients who received primary fungal prophylaxis were enrolled; 148 were male (48.1%) and the mean age was 38.2 ± 8.0 years. 276 patients received fluconazole and 32 received itraconazole. Baseline CD4+ cell count was 35 (IQR 15, 70) and 50 (IQR 21,75) cells/mm(3) in fluconazole and itraconazole groups, respectively (p=0.159). The median follow-up time was 12 months (IQR 7, 19) in fluconazole group and 15.5 months (IQR 9, 21.5) in itraconazole group. Seven patients (2.5%) who received fluconazole and 2 patients (6.3%) who received itraconazole developed systemic fungal infections, giving the incidence of 17.0 and 34.8/10000 person-months, respectively (p=0.261). The probability of developing any systemic fungal infections or death did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS Although P. marneffei has a reduced susceptibility in in vitro to fluconazole, our study has demonstrated that once-weekly fluconazole is at least as effective as once-daily itraconazole as primary prophylaxis for systemic fungal infections in AIDS patients in northern Thailand.
Excretion of 14C‐edrophonium and its metabolites in bile: role of the liver cell and the peribiliary vascular plexus

1 The metabolism and biliary excretion of 14C‐edrophonium chloride was studied in Wistar rats. 2 Approximately 5% of the dose was recovered from bile in 6 hours. Most of the radioactivity was eliminated as 14C‐edrophonium glucuronide. Small amounts of the unchanged drug were also detected in bile, particularly during the first hour after administration of the drug. 3 The concentration of 14C‐edrophonium glucuronide in bile was approximately 15–20 times its concentration in plasma. 4 In contrast, the concentration of unchanged 14C‐edrophonium was similar in bile and plasma. 5 Evidence is presented that unchanged 14C‐edrophonium is transferred from plasma to bile via the peribiliary vascular plexus.
The CRISPR/Cas Immune System Is an Operon Regulated by LeuO, H-NS, and Leucine-Responsive Regulatory Protein in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

ABSTRACT Prokaryotes have developed multiple strategies to survive phage attack and invasive DNA. Recently, a novel genetic program denominated the CRISPR/Cas system was demonstrated to have a role in these biological processes providing genetic immunity. This defense mechanism is widespread in the Archaea and Bacteria, suggesting an ancient origin. In the last few years, progress has been made regarding the functionality of the CRISPR/Cas system; however, many basic aspects of the system remain unknown. For instance, there are few studies about the conditions and regulators involved in its transcriptional control. In this work, we analyzed the transcriptional organization of the CRISPR/Cas system as well as the positive and negative regulators involved in its genetic expression in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. The results obtained show that in S. Typhi the CRISPR/Cas system is a LeuO-dependent operon silenced by the global regulator LRP, in addition to the previously known nucleoid-associated protein H-NS; both LRP and H-NS bind upstream and downstream of the transcriptional start site of casA. In this study, relevant nucleotides of the casA regulatory region that mediate its LeuO transcriptional activation were identified. Interestingly, specific growth conditions (N-minimal medium) were found for the LeuO-independent expression of the CRISPR/Cas system in S. Typhi. Thus, our work provides evidence that there are multiple modulators involved in the genetic expression of this immune system in S. Typhi IMSS-1.
A systematic review of the effect of nocturnal hemodialysis on blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, anemia, mineral metabolism, and health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND Nocturnal hemodialysis is a novel form of dialysis where patients perform dialysis 6 nights per week while they sleep. Multiple publications report significant improvements in selected clinical outcomes, although the strength of these results is limited by shortcomings in study design. A systematic review of the current available literature was undertaken to examine the effect of nocturnal hemodialysis on key health outcomes. METHODS An inclusive search of medical databases was undertaken to identify all nocturnal hemodialysis studies. These results were manually reviewed for relevance to nocturnal hemodialysis and its impact on the following predefined health outcomes: blood pressure control, left ventricular hypertrophy, anemia, mineral metabolism, and health related quality of life. Case reports, short-term studies (<4 weeks), studies without comparator groups, and studies not reporting data in a quantitative fashion were excluded. The results of the remaining studies were reported in tabular format. RESULTS Of the initial 270 studies identified, only 14 met inclusion/exclusion criteria. No studies examining the impact of nocturnal hemodialysis on mortality were identified. All studies reported improved blood pressure control after conversion to nocturnal hemodialysis. Data regarding the other health outcomes of interest revealed mixed results. CONCLUSION Nocturnal hemodialysis is a potential alternative to conventional intermittent hemodialysis. Before significant resources are invested in initiating nocturnal hemodialysis programs, further data on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity, preferably from randomized clinical trials, are required.
Cloud Structure of Three Galactic Infrared Dark Star-forming Regions from Combining Ground- and Space-based Bolometric Observations

We have modified the iterative procedure introduced by Lin et al., to systematically combine the submillimeter images taken from ground-based (e.g., CSO, JCMT, APEX) and space (e.g., Herschel, Planck) telescopes. We applied the updated procedure to observations of three well-studied Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs): G11.11−0.12, G14.225−0.506, and G28.34+0.06, and then performed single-component, modified blackbody fits to each pixel to derive ∼10″ resolution dust temperature and column density maps. The derived column density maps show that these three IRDCs exhibit complex filamentary structures embedded with rich clumps/cores. We compared the column density probability distribution functions (N-PDFs) and two-point correlation (2PT) functions of the column density field between these IRDCs with several OB-cluster-forming regions. Based on the observed correlation between the luminosity-to-mass ratio and the power-law index of the N-PDF, and complementary hydrodynamical simulations for a 104 molecular cloud, we hypothesize that cloud evolution can be better characterized by the evolution of the (column) density distribution function and the relative power of dense structures as a function of spatial scales, rather than merely based on the presence of star-forming activity. An important component of our approach is to provide a model-independent quantification of cloud evolution. Based on the small analyzed sample, we propose four evolutionary stages, namely, cloud integration, stellar assembly, cloud pre-dispersal, and dispersed cloud. The initial cloud integration stage and the final dispersed cloud stage may be distinguished from the two intermediate stages by a steeper than −4 power-law index of the N-PDF. The cloud integration stage and the subsequent stellar assembly stage are further distinguished from each other by the larger luminosity-to-mass ratio (>40 ) of the latter. A future large survey of molecular clouds with high angular resolution may establish more precise evolutionary tracks in the parameter space of N-PDF, 2PT function, and luminosity-to-mass ratio.
An outpatient group training programme for improving leisure lifestyle in high-functioning young adults with ASD: A pilot study

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of an outpatient programme on the leisure lifestyle of high-functioning young adults living at home or at an independent setting. Methods: A pre-test–post-test control group design was used. Participants (n = 12) completed self-reports on (a) need for leisure support, (b) leisure engagement and (c) satisfaction with leisure lifestyle. The programme consisted of cognitive-behavioural techniques. Results: Significant within-group changes for the experimental group (n = 7) were found, indicating decreases in ‘need for leisure support’, more regular leisure engagement patterns and an increase in ‘leisure satisfaction’ following the programme. Between-group statistics reveal medium and large effect sizes for decreases in need for leisure support and a medium effect size for increase in ‘leisure satisfaction’, all in favour of the experimental group. Results regarding ‘leisure engagement’ were less clear. Conclusion: The preliminary programme was effective in improving leisure lifestyle and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Susceptibilities to rimantadine of influenza A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 viruses isolated during the epidemics of 1988 to 1989 and 1989 to 1990

Clinical isolates of influenza A viruses identified during outbreaks in two winters were tested for their rimantadine susceptibilities by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay modified from that described previously by Belshe et al. (R. B. Belshe, B. Burk, F. Newman, R. L. Cerruti, and I. S. Sim, J. Virol. 62:1508-1512, 1988). The infectivity titer and the 50% inhibitory concentration of rimantadine were calculated for each virus. Of 105 influenza virus A isolates tested, 28 influenza A/H1N1 isolates from the 1988 and 1989 outbreak and 77 influenza A/H3N2 isolates from the outbreak in following year, were susceptible to the antiviral action of rimantadine.
Effects of long-term moderate exercise on iron status in young women.

The impact of long-term (6-month) moderate exercise on the iron status of previously sedentary women was determined by randomly assigning 62 college-age women into one of the following four groups: 1) 50 mg.d-1 iron supplement, low iron diet (N = 16); 2) Placebo, free choice diet (N = 13); 3) Meat supplement to achieve 15 mg.d-1 iron intake (N = 13); and 4) Control, free choice diet (N = 20). All groups except the Control group exercised 3 d.wk-1 at 60%-75% of their heart rate reserve. VO2max was measured at baseline and week 24. Blood was sampled at baseline and every 4 wk thereafter for 24 wk to measure iron status and to elucidate the causes for alterations in iron status. Subjects had depleted iron stores throughout the study as indicated by their serum ferritin levels (< 15 ng.ml-1). Serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation were not compromised with exercise. Mean hemoglobin level in the Placebo/Ex group was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the 50 Fe/Ex and the Meat/Ex groups by week 24. However, changes in serum albumin, haptoglobin, and erythropoietin data from the study cannot explain these changes.
Pyridostigmine but not 3,4‐diaminopyridine exacerbates ACh receptor loss and myasthenia induced in mice by muscle‐specific kinase autoantibody

• A mouse model of anti‐muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis was used to study the effect of pyridostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor drug commonly used in myasthenia) on the disease process at the neuromuscular junction. • In mice receiving injections of anti‐MuSK‐positive patient IgG, pyridostigmine treatment for 7–9 days did not prevent myasthenia, and even precipitated weakness. • Pyridostigmine treatment potentiated the anti‐MuSK‐induced reductions in postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor density and endplate potential (EPP) amplitude. • 3,4‐Diaminopyridine, a drug that increases the number of quanta released (rather than the duration of each quantal response), elevated EPP amplitude without exacerbating the anti‐MuSK‐induced loss of acetylcholine receptors. • The results suggest that cholinergic‐ and MuSK‐mediated signalling may converge postsynaptically to regulate the mature acetylcholine receptor scaffold.
Gasoline Pricing, Taxation and Asymmetry: The Case of Turkey

This study analyzes the role of tax policy in gasoline prices in Turkey by utilizing time series techniques. It provides and compares empirical results by using daily gasoline prices between January 2005 and July 2012, with and without the effect of taxation. Our results, based on the standard asymmetric error-correction model, indicate no evidence of asymmetry in retail gasoline prices, which implies that the government does not benefit from the adjustment of gasoline prices through taxation. However, one can miss the big picture in gasoline pricing by concentrating only on the short term price adjustment dynamics via error-correction models. Therefore, we analyzed the long-run relationships between crude oil and gasoline prices with and without taxes. The results indicate that Turkish government succeeded at implicitly imposing an exceptionally high tax burden on gasoline (about 70%) over the longer term by adjusting non-salient excise tax amounts on gasoline and benefited from the resultant tax revenues as means of public finance.
The significance of human papillomavirus infection detected by cervical cytology among women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a risk factor for both human papillomavirus infection (HPV) and cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of underlying SIL among women with a cytological diagnosis of HPV infection alone. Of 160 women, the overall prevalence of HIV infection and SIL was 41.9% and 36.9%, respectively. Biopsy which confirmed SIL of any grade was demonstrated in 49.3% and 28% of HIV-infected and HIV-non-infected women. However, for individual grade of SIL, there was no statistical significant difference among the HIV-infected and HIV-non-infected groups. Although the finding of a cytological diagnosis of HPV among HIV-non-infected women is usually managed conservatively, the finding of a high rate of underlying SIL among HIV-infected women may argue against such a conservative approach.
Transgenic mice carrying the mouse mammary tumor virus ras fusion gene: distinct effects in various tissues

Transgenic mice carrying the v-Ha-ras oncogene under the control of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat were produced. These mice exhibit several phenotypes: mammary tumors, bilateral hyperplasia of the harderian lacrimal gland, primary bronchio-alveolar lung adenocarcinoma, and splenomegaly. High levels of the transgene RNA were detected in mammary, harderian, and lung tumors. Accumulation of cells of the myeloid lineages was found in enlarged spleens. This phenotype may represent an indirect effect of v-Ha-ras expression on myeloid progenitors. Our data illustrate the cell-specific effects of v-Ha-ras.