Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population of the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in a fragmented landscape in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico

Little is known about the population characteristics of Alouatta pigra under conditions of forest fragmentation–information that is important to understanding its tolerance to habitat loss. In this work we present data on forest loss and on troop size, age, and sex composition for a population of black howler monkeys existing in the fragmented landscape surrounding the Mayan site of Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. Two aerial photos (1:70,000) of the study area (261 km2) taken in 1984 and 2001 were examined to assess forest loss. Between June and December 2001 and January and March 2002 we surveyed 44 forest fragments for the presence of howler monkeys. Examination of aerial photos showed that 33% of the forest present in 1984 had disappeared by 2001, and detected an increment in the number of forest fragments present in the landscape. We discovered a total of 115 howler monkeys living in 22 of the 44 forest fragments studied, of which 107 were members of 18 troops. The rest were solitary males or small groups of males living in isolated forest fragments. Troop size ranged from two to 15 individuals (mean 5.9+3.0 ind). 31% and 15% of individuals in the troops were juveniles and infants, respectively, suggesting continued reproductive activity. Howler monkey troops in the forest fragments were on average smaller (5.9±3.0 ind) than troops in the nearby protected forest of the Mayan site (7.0±2.8 ind). The mean density of howlers in the forest fragments was 119±82.9 ind/km2. The establishment of corridors is suggested as a possible conservation scenario for the fragmented howler population investigated, and as a conservation measure to connect this population with the howler population found in the protected forest of the Mayan site. Am. J. Primatol. 58:45–55, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD

In his preface to The Child with Abdominal Pains John Apley wrote: '. I started with a bias towards organic causes . but the accumulating evidence gradually convinced me that in most cases an organic cause cannot be found'. ' In recent years, however, a number of reports have appeared in the medical literature that have suggested that careful investigation of children with recurrent abdominal pain may reveal previously unsuspected functional or morphologic abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract. These have included reports of dysmotility, malabsorption, and mucosal inflammation.
Effects of cochlear ablation on choline acetyltransferase activity in the rat cochlear nucleus and superior olive

Using microdissection and quantitative microassay, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was mapped in the cochlear nucleus (CN) and in the source nuclei of the olivocochlear bundle, the lateral superior olive and ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body. In control rats, gradients of ChAT activity were found within the major subdivisions of the CN and in the lateral superior olive. These gradients correlated with the known tonotopic organizations, with higher activities corresponding to locations representing higher sound frequencies. No gradient was found in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body. In rats surviving 7 days or 1 or 2 months after cochlear ablation, ChAT activity was increased 1 month after ablation in the anteroventral CN by 30–50% in most parts of the lesion‐side and by 40% in the contralateral ventromedial part. ChAT activity in the lesion‐side posteroventral CN was increased by ∼40–50% at all survival times. Little change was found in the dorsal CN. Decreases of ChAT activity were also found ipsilaterally in the lateral superior olive and bilaterally in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body. Our results suggest that cholinergic neurons are involved in plasticity within the CN and superior olive following cochlear lesions. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toxic and essential elements in five tree nuts from Hangzhou market, China

ABSTRACT In this study, a total of 35 tree nut samples of walnut, pecan, pine seed, hickory nut and torreya were obtained from 5 farm product markets in Hangzhou, China, and investigated for essential (Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo, Cu, Zn, Se and Sr) and toxic (Al, As, Cd and Pb) elements by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectroscopy. Mean elemental concentrations of different tree nuts were in the following ranges: Cr 0.26–0.78 mg kg–1, Mn 42.1–174 mg kg–1, Fe 33.7–43.9 mg kg–1, Mo 0.11–0.48 mg kg–1, Cu 10.3–17.6 mg kg–1, Zn 21.6–56.1 mg kg–1, Se 0.015–0.051 mg kg–1, Al 1.44–37.6 mg kg–1, As 0.0062–0.047 mg kg–1, Cd 0.016–0.18 mg kg–1 and Pb 0.0069–0.029 mg kg–1. The estimated provisional tolerable daily intake of Al, As, Cd and Pb was much lower than the provisional tolerable daily intake.
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) developing after treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with amphotericin B and miltefosine

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a known sequel to human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala azar caused by Leishmania donovani, develops, posttreatment, in 5%–15% of VL cases on the Indian subcontinent and about 56% of such cases in Sudan (Zijlstra et al., 2000). In India, this complication usually develops several years after the apparent cure of the VL whereas in Sudan it occurs during the treatment of the VL or within a few months of the treatment (Zijlstra et al., 2000). PKDL has long been considered a curious phenomenon that is difficult to treat and to explain, the possible mechanisms behind its pathogenesis still being the subject of much discussion (Croft, 2008). Clinically, the rash of PKDL is often a mixture of hypopigmented macules and indurated papules and nodules, although one of these types of lesion may predominate. The lesions may become verrucous, papillomatous, annular or fibroid (Zijlstra et al., 2003). The eruptions initially appear in the peri-oral region and then spread across the face and on to the trunk and upper and lower extremities. Although the lymph nodes may be enlarged, there is usually no visceral involvement. In the treatment of VL with sodium stibogluconate (SSG), which has been the mainstay of VL therapy for over 80 years, resistance to the drug has cut the frequency of cure to as low as 30%–40% in some endemic areas (Sundar et al., 2000). Such resistance to SSG led to the introduction of amphotericin B, as a first-line treatment for VL, in hyper-endemic areas of the Indian state of Bihar in the early 1990s (Guerin et al., 2002; Thakur et al., 2004). In recent times the oral drug miltefosine has also been introduced, as another treatment option for VL. Until the last few years it has been unclear if PKDL could develop after treatment of VL with either of these newer drugs. Here, four cases of VL from Bihar who developed PKDL after treatment with amphotericin B or miltefosine are described
Pinched weights and Duality Violation in QCD Sum Rules: a critical analysis

We analyze the so-called pinched weights, that are generally thought to reduce the violation of quark-hadron duality in finite-energy sum rules. After showing how this is not true in general, we explain how to address this question for the left-right correlator and any particular pinched weight, taking advantage of our previous work [1], where the possible high-energy behavior of the left-right spectral function was studied. In particular, we show that the use of pinched weights allows to determine with high accuracy the dimension six and eight contributions in the operator-product expansion, O{sub 6}=(-4.3{sub -0.7}{sup +0.9})x10{sup -3} GeV{sup 6} and O{sub 8}=(-7.2{sub -5.3}{sup +4.2})x10{sup -3} GeV{sup 8}.
Stem/progenitor cells in liver injury repair and regeneration

Morbidity and mortality from cirrhosis is increasing rapidly in the world. Currently, orthotopic liver transplantation is the only definitive therapeutic option. However, its clinical use is limited, because of poor long‐term graft survival, donor organ shortage and high costs associated with the procedure. Stem cell replacement strategies are therefore being investigated as an attractive alternative approach to liver repair and regeneration. In this review we discuss recent preclinical and clinical investigations that explore the therapeutic potential of stem cells in repair of liver injuries. Several types of stem cells. including embryonic stem cells, haematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, can be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells by defined culture conditions in vitro. Stem cell transplantation has been shown to significantly improve liver function and increase animal survival in experimentally‐induced liver‐injury models. Moreover, several pilot clinical studies have reported encouraging therapeutic effects in patients treated with stem cells. Although there remain many unresolved issues, the available data support the notion that stem cell technology may lead to the development of effective clinical modalities for human liver diseases.
Induction of differentiation by pyruvate and DMEM in the human retinal pigment epithelium cell line ARPE-19.

PURPOSE Cultured retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may become a therapeutic option for transplantation in retinal disease. However maintaining a native RPE phenotype in vitro has proven challenging. The human RPE cell-line ARPE-19 is used widely as an alternative to primary RPE. It is grown in DMEM/F12 medium as standard, but its phenotype is dependent on culture conditions, and many differentiation markers are usually absent. The purpose of this study was to examine how this sensitive phenotype of ARPE-19 can be modulated by growth media with or without the metabolite pyruvate to elucidate better RPE growth conditions. METHODS ARPE-19 cells at passages p22 to p28 were cultured on filters for up to 3 months in DMEM/F12 or DMEM media with or without pyruvate and 1% fetal calf serum. Assessment of differentiation was performed using pigmentation, immunocytochemistry, protein/mRNA expression, transepithelial resistance, VEGF secretion, and ultrastructure. RESULTS Pyruvate, in combination with DMEM, induced dark pigmentation and promoted differentiation markers such as CRALBP and MerTK. Importantly, RPE65 protein was detected by Western blotting and was enhanced by pyruvate, high glucose, and DMEM. ARPE-19 cells maintained in this medium could also phagocytose human photoreceptor outer segments (POS). VEGF secretion was greater in DMEM cultures and was affected by glucose but not by pyruvate. Pigmentation never occurred in DMEM/F12. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated important differentiation markers, including pigmentation and Western blots of RPE65 protein, and showed human POS phagocytosis in ARPE-19 cultures using a simple differentiation protocol. The results favor the use of high-glucose DMEM with pyruvate for future RPE differentiation studies.
Design and Safety Considerations of an Implantable Rectenna for Far-Field Wireless Power Transfer

An implantable rectenna, which consists of a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) and a rectifier circuit, is proposed for far-field wireless power transfer. The PIFA has a folded ground plane to miniaturize its size. The performance of the wireless power link between the implanted antenna and an external antenna is examined. A method of adding a parasitic patch over the human body is used to enhance the wireless power link, thus to increase the received power level. Safety considerations of far-field RF powering are discussed. The RF-to-DC conversion circuit efficiency is optimized after the receiver power level of the implantable antenna is estimated based on the safety considerations. Finally, a rectifier circuit and an integrated rectenna solution are discussed.
TAXONOMY AND PHYLOGENY OF THE GENUS CITRUS BASED ON THE NUCLEAR RIBOSOMAL DNA ITS REGION SEQUENCE

The genus Citrus (Aurantioideae, Rutaceae) is the sole source of the citrus fruits of commerce showing high economic values. In this study, the taxonomy and phylogeny of Citrus species is evaluated using sequence analysis of the ITS region of nrDNA. This study is based on 26 plants materials belonging to 22 Citrus species having wild, domesticated, and cultivated species. Through DNA alignment of the ITS sequence, ITS1 and ITS2 regions showed relatively high variations of sequence length and nucleotide among these Citrus species. According to previous six-tribe discrimination theory by Swingle and Reece, the grouping in our ITS phylogenetic tree reconstructed by ITS sequences was not related to tribe discrimination but species discrimination. However, the molecular analysis could provide more information on citrus taxonomy. Combined with ITS sequences of other subgenera in the “true citrus fruit tree” group, the ITS phylogenetic tree indicated subgenera Citrus was monophyletic and nearer to Fortunella, Poncirus, and Clymenia compared to Microcitrus and Eremocitrus. Abundant sequence variations of the ITS region shown in this study would help species identification and tribe differentiation of the genus Citrus.
CLINICAL AND HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN ALKALINE INDIGESTION IN SOUTH DOWN BREED OF SHEEP IN KASHMIR VALLEY

The present study was conducted with an objective to determine clinico-haemato- biochemical changes in alkaline indigestion affected South Down sheep (n=28) in Kashmir valley. Ruminal fluid, urine and blood were examined for microscopic examination, pH and other haemato-biochemical changes. There was a significant increase in heart rate, respiration rate, ruminal pH, urinary pH, sedimentation activity time, methylene blue reduction time while as the ruminal motility was found to be significantly decreased in alkaline indigestion affected sheep. The motility and iodophillic activity of the ruminal protozoa were -/+ (absent/slow) and – (absent), respectively in sheep affected with alkaline indigestion. Haemato-biochemical studies revealed that blood pH, packed cell volume, haemogloblin, total erythrocyte count and serum potassium showed a significant increase in sheep affected with alkaline indigestion.
Static and dynamic characterization of large-area high-current-density SiC Schottky diodes

SiC devices offer potential advantages in power switching applications due to their wide band gap and higher breakdown field compared to silicon. It is widely felt that the first commercial application of SiC power devices will be Schottky diodes used as flyback rectifiers for silicon IGBTs driving inductive loads (motors). The simple substitution of SiC Schottky diodes in place of silicon PiN diodes in these circuits can reduce the overall switching loss of the circuit by up to 35%.
Immediate Initiation of CAPD following Percutaneous Catheter Placement without Break-in Procedure

Objective To evaluate the effect of a modified method of percutaneous catheter placement without a break-in procedure on the development of catheter-related complications in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Design A prospective, observational clinical study. Setting Peritoneal dialysis (PD) units of two university-based hospitals. Patients and Methods This study included 51 consecutive patients on CAPD. A straight double-cuffed Tenckhoff catheter with a straight intraperitoneal segment was used, and all catheters were inserted using a modified percutaneous placement method under local anesthesia. The catheter was introduced directly into the deep pelvis through an intramuscular tract, which had been created by tapered dilators. Peritoneal dialysis was initiated immediately after catheter insertion without a break-in procedure. Catheter-related complications were surveyed during the 12 months after initiation of CAPD. Results Within the first month, only 1 pericatheter leakage (1.9%) was detected. There were no cases of visceral perforation or severe hemorrhage during catheter insertions. Catheter malfunction due to catheter tip migration, exit-site infection, and peritonitis developed in only 1.9%, 3.9%, and 3.9% of patients, respectively. After 1 month following catheter insertion, no further incidences of pericatheter leakage occurred during the follow-up period. All catheters, except one that was reinserted due to tip migration, survived throughout the study period. Conclusion The rates of pericatheter leakage and other catheter-related complications are relatively low in CAPD patients using our percutaneous catheter placement method without a break-in procedure. This procedure is comparatively simple and less invasive than other catheter placement methods, and allows for immediate start of PD after catheter insertion, without a break-in procedure.
Smart Wearable Hand Device for Sign Language Interpretation System With Sensors Fusion

Gesturing is an instinctive way of communicating to present a specific meaning or intent. Therefore, research into sign language interpretation using gestures has been explored progressively during recent decades to serve as an auxiliary tool for deaf and mute people to blend into society without barriers. In this paper, a smart sign language interpretation system using a wearable hand device is proposed to meet this purpose. This wearable system utilizes five flex-sensors, two pressure sensors, and a three-axis inertial motion sensor to distinguish the characters in the American sign language alphabet. The entire system mainly consists of three modules: 1) a wearable device with a sensor module; 2) a processing module; and 3) a display unit mobile application module. Sensor data are collected and analyzed using a built-in embedded support vector machine classifier. Subsequently, the recognized alphabet is further transmitted to a mobile device through Bluetooth low energy wireless communication. An Android-based mobile application was developed with a text-to-speech function that converts the received textinto audible voice output. Experiment results indicate that a true sign language recognition accuracy rate of 65.7% can be achieved on average in the first version without pressure sensors. A second version of the proposed wearable system with the fusion of pressure sensors on the middle finger increased the recognition accuracy rate dramatically to 98.2%. The proposed wearable system outperforms the existing method, for instance, although background lights, and other factors are crucial to a vision-based processing method, they are not for the proposed system.
De novo SCN1A mutations are a major cause of severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy

Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI or Dravet syndrome) is a rare disorder occurring in young children often without a family history of a similar disorder. The earliest disease manifestations are usually fever‐associated seizures. Later in life, patients display different types of afebrile seizures including myoclonic seizures. Arrest of psychomotor development occurs in the second year of life and most patients become ataxic. Patients are resistant to antiepileptic drug therapy. Recently, we described de novo mutations of the neuronal sodium channel α‐subunit gene SCN1A in seven isolated SMEI patients. To investigate the contribution of SCN1A mutations to the etiology of SMEI, we examined nine additional SMEI patients. We observed eight coding and one noncoding mutation. In contrast to our previous study, most mutations are missense mutations clustering in the S4‐S6 region of SCN1A. These findings demonstrate that de novo mutations in SCN1A are a major cause of isolated SMEI. Hum Mutat 21:615–621, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
True metabolizable energy of American black duck foods

Understanding the true metabolizable energy (TME) of foods is critical to estimating the energetic carrying capacityof landscapes for migrating and wintering waterfowl. We estimated gross energy, nutrient composition, and TMEN(TME corrected for zero nitrogen balance) for 7 foods that are commonly found in the diet of American black duck (Anas rubripes) and other waterfowl wintering along the Atlantic Coast. TMEN values (xSE) were 3.66 � 0.12kcal/g for mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), 2.02 � 0.12kcal/g for grass shrimp (Palaemonetes intermedius, P. pugio ,a ndP. vulgaris), 1.57 � 0.11 kcal/g for fiddler crabs (Uca minax, U. pugilator ,a ndU. pugnax), 1.42 � 0.13kcal/g for sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca), 1.39 � 0.12kcal/g for saltmarsh cordgrass seeds (Spartina alterniflora), 1.10 � 0.14kcal/g for widgeon grass vegetation (Ruppia maritima), and 0.77 � 0.16kcal/g for saltmarsh snails (Melampus bidentatus). TMEN estimated for foods in this study will assist conservation planners in carrying out bioenergetics modeling along the Atlantic Coast. 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Allometric growth ratios are independent of Igf2 gene dosage during development

SUMMARY In the mouse, allelic dosage of the paternally expressed gene coding for insulin‐like growth factor II (Igf2), from null to bi‐allelic, results in dose‐dependent growth, an effect which appears to be fully established during a discrete period of embryogenesis that then persists throughout life. Here, we specifically quantify the influence of Igf2 allelic dosage on the proportionality of regional embryonic growth rather than overall growth. Remarkably, preservation of allometric growth ratios between head and body regions were observed throughout development, irrespective of the range of overall growth phenotype (60–130% of wild type). Evaluation of log–log plots suggests that each allele of Igf2 expressed corresponds to the equivalent of 2–4 days of relative growth. Igf2 is predominantly expressed in extra‐embryonic mesoderm (E7.5–E8.25), 24 h before alterations in cell number are known to occur in embryos with disruption of the paternally expressed allele. We hypothesized that the preservation of proportionality may result from modification of extra‐embryonic development and subsequent alteration of systemic nutritional supply. Morphological analyses of chorio‐allantoic and placental development between E9 and E9.5 appeared Igf2 independent. This suggests either an intrinsic but systemic Igf2‐dependent activity within the embryo or a more complex developmental mechanism accounts for the proportional phenotype. Allelic IGF2 expression is subject to stochastic variation in humans, with 10% of the population estimated to be functionally bi‐allelic. Evaluation of allometric growth of normal and pathological human embryos, suggest intra‐uterine growth phenotypes associated with altered IGF2 imprinting are also likely to be proportionate.