Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of Bovine Brucellosis in Karnataka , Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand

A total of 1170 cattle and buffaloe serum samples were collected from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand states to study seroprevalence of brucellosis using Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test (STAT). Of the 425 animals from 5 organized farms of Karnataka, 126 (29.64%) and 135 (31.76%) animals were found positive by RBPT and STAT, respectively. From 366 serum samples collected from 5 unorganized farms, 47 (12.84%) and 81 (22.13%) animals were found positive by RBPT and STAT, respectively. In Uttar Pradesh 344 samples were collected from 5 organized farms, out of which, 46 (13.37%) animals were found positive by RBPT and 49 (14.24%) by STAT for brucellosis. Screening of 35 animals from an organized farm of Uttarakhand, revealed 2 (5.71%) samples each positive by both RBPT and STAT. Overall out of 1170 samples collected from 3 states, 221 (18.88%) and 267 (22.82%) were found positive for brucellosis by RBPT and STAT, respectively. Based on results, it was found that Brucella infection is widely prevalent in organized and unorganized dairy farms in these states of India.
Pain-Related Behavior and Brain Activation in a Cynomolgus Macaque Model of Postoperative Pain.

BACKGROUND Inadequate postoperative pain management could lead to persistent pain and this is, in part, due to incomplete understanding of the mechanism of postoperative pain. Currently available rodent models may have limited translatability to clinical postoperative pain. Thus, a preclinical model of postoperative pain was developed in the cynomolgus macaque, a species that is phylogenetically closer to humans than rodents. METHOD The presence of pressure hypersensitivity was assessed with non-noxious pressure applied proximally and distally (approximately 10 cm) to an abdominal incision in macaques. The effect of the opioid morphine (intramuscular, i.m.), the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (i.m.) and the anticonvulsant pregabalin (i.m.) on pressure hypersensitivity was evaluated one and two days following surgery. Brain activation during non-noxious pressure stimulation was observed with functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Hypersensitivity to non-noxious pressure applied proximally and distally (approximately 10 cm) to the incision was observed, lasting for up to seven days and three days, respectively, following surgery. Postoperative pressure hypersensitivity was attenuated with morphine but not with either diclofenac or pregabalin. Bilateral activation of the insular cortex and cingulate cortex was observed during non-noxious pressure stimulation proximal to the incision, which was attenuated with morphine. By contrast, pregabalin reduced only cingulate cortex activation. CONCLUSION The lack of antinociceptive efficacy of pregabalin on postoperative pain could be due to the incomplete suppression of pressure-evoked brain activation. It is speculated that incomplete postoperative pain relief observed in general could be due to residual or persistent activity of key pain nuclei such as the insular cortex. The current macaque model could be used for further elaborating the mechanism of postoperative pain as well as confirming the efficacy of potential treatments for the management of postoperative pain.
Exploiting the Natural Resource - Lignite Humic Acid in Agriculture - A Review

Humic acid typically contains heterocyclic compounds with carboxylic, phenolic, alcoholic and carbonyl fractions extracted from lignite with high molecular weight. Humic acid has been extracted from various sources such as lignite, peat, coal, farmyard manure, coirpith besides natural persistence in soil. Humic acid plays a vital role in enhancing the nutrient uptake of crop by acting as a chelate in mobilizing nutrients. Prevents losses of degradation and leaching of nutrients and thus reduces the use of inorganic fertilizers besides increasing the efficiency of the applied fertilizers. Presence of growth promoting substances such as auxins and gibberellins had been reported in humic acid and it plays an important role in enhancing the enzymatic activities of the plants. The resistance in the plants found to be increased by the humic acid application. The soil fertility would be improved by mobilising the unavailable form of nutrients to the available form. The humic acid application at optimal rates has been reported to enhance the yield of various crops.
Home is where you hang your bat: winter roost selection by prairie-living big brown bats

Information on the roost requirements of small, temperate-zone hibernating bats, which can spend up to 8 months in hibernation, is crucial to their conservation. We studied male big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in southeastern Alberta, Canada, to investigate the physical and microclimate characteristics of hibernacula used by this species in a prairie river valley (Dinosaur Provincial Park, DPP). We monitored roosting behavior and movement, and also compared microclimate conditions (temperature and humidity) within these crevice hibernacula to those of random crevices within the study area, and to conditions inside 4 known cave hibernacula in central and northern Canada. Our results show that male E. fuscus in DPP use rock-crevice hibernacula with less variable temperatures than ambient and random crevice temperatures, with evidence of winter roost fidelity within and between years. Bats used only 3 hibernacula and, although mid-winter flight is common in our study area, there was little movement by bats between hibernacula. Rock-crevice hibernacula were warmer and more thermally stable than other available crevices in DPP, and drier but not necessarily colder than known cave hibernacula elsewhere. Our study is the first to examine crevice roost selection by bats during winter, and suggests that specific hibernacula are important for individual bats, despite the fact that numerous crevices are available.
DeepTC – An Extension of DKPro Text Classification for Fostering Reproducibility of Deep Learning Experiments

We present a deep learning extension for the multi-purpose text classiﬁcation framework DKPro Text Classiﬁcation (DKPro TC) . DKPro TC is a ﬂexible framework for creating easily shareable and reproducible end-to-end NLP experiments involving machine learning. We provide an overview of the current state of DKPro TC, which does not allow integration of deep learning, and discuss the necessary conceptual extensions. These extensions are based on an analysis of common deep learning setups found in the literature to support all common text classiﬁcation setups, i.e. single outcome, multi outcome, and sequence classiﬁcation problems. Additionally to providing an end-to-end shareable environment for deep learning experiments, we provide convenience features that take care of repetitive steps, such as pre-processing, data vectorization and pruning of embeddings. By moving a large part of this boilerplate code into DKPro TC, the actual deep learning framework code improves in readability and lowers the amount of redundant source code considerably. As proof-of-concept, we integrate Keras, DyNet, and DeepLearning4J.
In silico vs. Over the Clouds: On-the-Fly Mental State Estimation of Aircraft Pilots, Using a Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Based Passive-BCI

There is growing interest for implementing tools to monitor cognitive performance in naturalistic work and everyday life settings. The emerging field of research, known as neuroergonomics, promotes the use of wearable and portable brain monitoring sensors such as functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate cortical activity in a variety of human tasks out of the laboratory. The objective of this study was to implement an on-line passive fNIRS-based brain computer interface to discriminate two levels of working memory load during highly ecological aircraft piloting tasks. Twenty eight recruited pilots were equally split into two groups (flight simulator vs. real aircraft). In both cases, identical approaches and experimental stimuli were used (serial memorization task, consisting in repeating series of pre-recorded air traffic control instructions, easy vs. hard). The results show pilots in the real flight condition committed more errors and had higher anterior prefrontal cortex activation than pilots in the simulator, when completing cognitively demanding tasks. Nevertheless, evaluation of single trial working memory load classification showed high accuracy (>76%) across both experimental conditions. The contributions here are two-fold. First, we demonstrate the feasibility of passively monitoring cognitive load in a realistic and complex situation (live piloting of an aircraft). In addition, the differences in performance and brain activity between the two experimental conditions underscore the need for ecologically-valid investigations.
Efficiency of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract as antioxidant and anticancer agents

The present study was carried out to obtain an olive leaf extract rich in bioactive compounds. Antioxidant and anticancer activities of the extract were evaluated. Polyphenols and flavonoids were extracted from olive leaves by water and methanol 80%, at two extraction ratios for up to 120 min. Methanol was more efficient than water in extracting polyphenols. Polyphenols and flavonoids were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the diphenyl picryl hydrazyl method and the reducing power assay. The extract exhibited antioxidant potential superior to that of BHT. The anticancer effect of the methanolic extract of olive leaves in breast, colon, hepatocellular and cervical carcinoma cells was studied. The extract possessed high activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. These results pave the way for utilization of olive leaf as a source of natural antioxidants and anticancer agents.
Structural Equation Model to Validate: Mathematics-Computer Interaction, Computer Confidence, Mathematics Commitment, Mathematics Motivation and Mathematics Confidence

Most mathematics students show a definite tendency toward an attitudinal deficiency, which can be primarily understood as intolerance to the matter, affecting their scholar performance adversely. In addition, information and communication technologies have been gradually included within the process of teaching mathematics. Such adoption of technology modified the educational process, thus generating a meaningful impact as presented by studies carried out by Galbraith and Haines (2000). They developed a theoretical model aiming to explain this phenomenon from the component elements of attitude toward mathematics and computers: Mathematics engagement, mathematics confidence, mathematics motivation, computer confidence, and student's interaction with mathematics and computer. The purpose of this study was validating that model against experimental data coming from a sample of undergraduates from the fields of administration and economics. The collected data was processed applying multivariate data analysis using structural equation modeling technique. The observed fit indices corroborated that the theoretical model adjusts statistically well to the empirical data, even though the observed variance stayed below the optimal value. The evidence obtained in this study validates the theoretical model while revealing that additional weightings for the indicators should still be explored.
HLA class I loss and PD-L1 expression in lung cancer: impact on T-cell infiltration and immune escape

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors show encouraging results in cancer treatment, but the clinical benefit is limited exclusively to a subset of patients. We analyzed the density and composition of tumor T-cell infiltration in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in relation to PD-L1 and HLA class I (HLA-I) expression. We found that positive HLA-I expression, independently on PD-L1 status, is the key factor determining the increased density of the immune infiltrate. When both markers were analyzed simultaneously, we identified four phenotypes of HLA-I and PD-L1 co-expression. They demonstrated different patterns of tumor infiltration and clinicopathologic characteristics, including the tumor size and lymphatic spread. All HLA-I+/PD-L1+ tumors had a high degree of intratumoral infiltration with CD8+T-lymphocytes, whereas HLA-I loss was associated with a significantly reduced number of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes mostly restrained in the stroma surrounding the tumor nest. HLA-I-negative/PD-L1-positive tumors had bigger size (T) and lower grade of infiltration with CD8+T-cells. It represents a cancer immune escape phenotype that combines two independent mechanisms of immune evasion: loss of HLA-I and upregulation of PD-L1. Using GCH-array analysis of human lung cancer cell lines we found that the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) with complete or partial deletion of HLA-I genes is the principal mechanism of HLA-I alterations. This irreversible defect, which could potentially decrease the clinical efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy, appears to be underestimated. In conclusion, our results suggest that the analysis of HLA-I is very important for the selection of potential responders to cancer immunotherapy.
Breath volatile organic compounds of lung transplant recipients with and without chronic lung allograft dysfunction

Introduction. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction with its clinical correlative of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) remains the major limiting factor for long-term graft survival. Currently there are no established methods for the early diagnosis or prediction of BOS. To assess the feasibility of breath collection as a non-invasive tool and the potential of breath volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the early detection of BOS, we compared the breath VOC composition between transplant patients without and different stages of BOS. Methods. 75 outpatients (25 BOS stage 0, 25 BOS stage 1 + 2, 25 BOS stage 3) after bilateral lung transplantation were included. Exclusion criteria were active smoking, oxygen therapy and acute infection. Patients inhaled room air through a VOC and sterile filter and exhaled into an aluminum reservoir tube. Breath was loaded directly onto Tenax® TA adsorption tubes and was subsequently analyzed by gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry. Results. The three groups were age and gender matched, but differed with respect to time since transplantation, the spectrum of underlying disease, and treatment regimes. Relative to patients without BOS, BOS stage 3 patients showed a larger number of different VOCs, and more pronounced differences in the level of VOCs as compared to BOS stage 1 + 2 patients. Logistic regression analysis found no differences between controls and BOS 1 + 2, but four VOCs (heptane, isopropyl-myristate, ethyl-acetate, ionone) with a significant contribution to the discrimination between controls and BOS stage 3. A combination of these four VOCs separated these groups with an area under the curve of 0.87. Conclusion. Breath sample collection using our reservoir sampler in the clinical environment was feasible. Our results suggest that breath VOCs can discriminate severe BOS. However, convincing evidence for VOCs with a potential to detect early onset BOS is lacking.
Ideal probe single-molecule experiments reveal the intrinsic dynamic heterogeneity of a supercooled liquid

Significance Supercooled liquids are believed to exhibit spatially heterogeneous dynamics, where molecular mobility within a given spatial region may differ from that of a neighboring region, potentially by orders of magnitude. If supercooled liquids are ergodic, such that the spatial average of all regions with distinct dynamics equals the time average of a given region, these regions of distinct dynamics must interchange over time. With an appropriate probe, similar in size and mobility to the host, single-molecule measurements can provide direct access to these spatial and temporal variations. Here, such a probe is used, revealing how relaxation dynamics are distributed in time and space and directly demonstrating ergodicity of a prototypical glass former down to the glass transition temperature. The concept of dynamic heterogeneity and the picture of the supercooled liquid as a mosaic of environments with distinct dynamics that interchange in time have been invoked to explain the nonexponential relaxations measured in these systems. The spatial extent and temporal persistence of these regions of distinct dynamics have remained challenging to identify. Here, single-molecule fluorescence measurements using a probe similar in size and mobility to the host o-terphenyl unambiguously reveal exponential relaxations distributed in time and space and directly demonstrate ergodicity of the system down to the glass transition temperature. In the temperature range probed, at least 200 times the structural relaxation time of the host is required to recover ensemble-averaged relaxation at every spatial region in the system.
Sequential testing of a Wiener process with costly observations

ABSTRACT We consider the sequential testing of two simple hypotheses for the drift of a Brownian motion when each observation of the underlying process is associated with a positive cost. In this setting where continuous monitoring of the underlying process is not feasible, the question is not only whether to stop or to continue at a given observation time but also, if continuing, how to distribute the next observation time. Adopting a Bayesian methodology, we show that the value function can be characterized as the unique fixed point of an associated operator and that it can be constructed using an iterative scheme. Moreover, the optimal sequential distribution of observation times can be described in terms of the fixed point.
Self-compassion, Body Image, and Self-reported Disordered Eating

Negative body image and disordered eating are pervasive problems among young girls and women in American society. In a daily diary study and a lab-based assessment, we examined the hypothesis that self-compassion for negative appearance-related events and perceived body flaws would predict healthier eating behavior in college-age women. Results of Study 1 indicated that on days when participants reported higher levels of appearance-related self-compassion, they also reported lower levels of disordered eating. Results of Study 2 indicated that participants who responded to a perceived body flaw in a self-compassionate way were significantly lower in subsequent self-reported body shame and anticipated disordered eating. Among those participants who exhibited restrained eating in a lab-based assessment, participants higher in self-compassion also reported lower weight-gain concern and self- punishment motives for their eating behavior. Body shame mediated the relationship between self-compassion and two measures of disordered eating, anticipated disordered eating, and weight-gain concern motives for restrained eating. All results held when controlling for self-esteem, a construct related to self-compassion. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Abstract P120: Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Does Not Attenuate Oxidative Stress or the Hemodynamic Response During Submaximal Exercise in Hypobaric Hypoxia

Introduction: Oxidative stress is exacerbated during hypoxic conditions (i.e. high altitude exposure, congestive heart failure, or peripheral artery disease). Dietary nitrate supplementation increases plasma nitrite (denotes nitric oxide bioavailability), reduces resting/submaximal blood pressure (BP) and may enhance exercise performance in certain healthy and diseased populations. Hypothesis: We hypothesized dietary nitrate would improve arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) and reduce: oxidative stress while reducing submaximal oxygen consumption, BP, and perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise in hypobaric hypoxia (3500m). Methods: Nine well-trained (60.0±7.0 ml/kg/min) males (29±7 yr) completed a maximal aerobic capacity test (VO 2max ) and five 5-min cycling bouts of increasing intensity at their normobaric elevation (1600m). Intensities at 25, 40, 50, 60, 70% VO 2max were used during trial 2 (T2) and trial 3 (T3) cycling bouts. Participants minimized nitrate-rich food consumption during a 4-day dietary washout prior to T2 and T3. Participants consumed a nitrate-depleted placebo (PL) or nitrate-rich (12.8 mmol; NR) beverage 2.5 hours prior to T2 and T3 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Exercise during hypobaric hypoxia (3500m; T2 and T3) consisted of a 5-min warm-up (25% of normobaric VO 2max ) and four (40, 50, 60, 70% of normobaric VO 2max ) additional 5-min cycling bouts each separated by a 4-min passive rest. Results: Pre-exercise plasma nitrite was elevated following NR consumption compared to PL (p<0.05). Beverage-specific oxygen consumption, SaO 2 , BP and RPE were similar at all submaximal intensities. In both conditions (PL and NR), following exercise at 3500m, markers of oxidative stress (catalase and 8-isoprostane) were elevated compared to baseline resting values (p<0.05). However, post-exercise oxidative stress markers were similar between groups (placebo vs nitrate rich) for both catalase and 8-isoprostane (p=.94 and p=.16; respectively). Conclusions: Our findings do not support the efficacy of dietary nitrate supplementation prior to exercise at altitude in a healthy population.
Block versus longitudinal integrated clerkships: students’ views of rural clinical supervision

Medical students undertaking longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) train in multiple disciplines concurrently, compared with students in block rotations who typically address one medical discipline at a time. Current research suggests that LICs afford students increased access to patients and continuity of clinical supervision. However, these factors are less of an issue in rural placements where there are fewer learners. The aim of this study was to compare rural LIC and rural block rotation students’ reported experiences of clinical supervision.
The effect of light intensity on image quality in endoscopic ear surgery

Endoscopic ear surgery is a rapidly developing field with many advantages. But endoscopes can reach temperatures of over 110°C at the tip, raising safety concerns. Reducing the intensity of the light source reduces temperatures produced. However, quality of images at lower light intensities has not yet been studied. We set out to study the effect of light intensity on image quality in EES.
A Study of High Risk Obstetric Referrals to Tertiary Care Hospital in Garhwal, Uttarakhand

The study was conducted to know the maternal and foetal outcomes in women referred to a tertiary care centre. Data was collected for 154 cases referred to the tertiary health centre in 2014, which included the demographic characteristics, reasons for referral, high risk factors, intervention done and the maternal and fetal outcomes. It was found that the majority of the cases were referred from Dehradun district followed by Garhwal region. Most of the patients were referred in the ante-partum and intrapartum period. Sixty seven patients needed surgical intervention. The average hospital stay was 7.37 days. Nineteen patients needed ICU admission with an average stay was 4.26 days. There was no maternal mortality, however out of 115 total births, there were 23 still births and 27 births with 1 minute Apgar score <7.