Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Guiding human gaze with convolutional neural networks

The eye fixation patterns of human observers are a fundamental indicator of the aspects of an image to which humans attend. Thus, manipulating fixation patterns to guide human attention is an exciting challenge in digital image processing. Here, we present a new model for manipulating images to change the distribution of human fixations in a controlled fashion. We use the state-of-the-art model for fixation prediction to train a convolutional neural network to transform images so that they satisfy a given fixation distribution. For network training, we carefully design a loss function to achieve a perceptual effect while preserving naturalness of the transformed images. Finally, we evaluate the success of our model by measuring human fixations for a set of manipulated images. On our test images we can in-/decrease the probability to fixate on selected objects on average by 43/22% but show that the effectiveness of the model depends on the semantic content of the manipulated images.
Increased Female-Male Mortality Ratio Associated With Inactivated Polio and Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccines: Observations From Vaccination Trials in Guinea-Bissau

Background: The 2-fold increase in female mortality after high-titer measles vaccine may have occurred because many children received diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) after high-titer measles vaccine. Objective: We examined whether DTP vaccine and IPV were associated with increased female mortality when they were the most recent vaccine administered to children who had not received measles vaccine. Setting and Design: IPV was used as a control vaccine in 4 randomized trials of early measles vaccination (MV) with enrollment at 4–6 months of age conducted in Guinea-Bissau. Many children had not received all 3 DTP vaccinations before enrollment, and therefore received DTP after IPV or MV. We examined whether DTP vaccination status at enrollment affected the female-male mortality ratio. Population: 9544 children enrolled in 4 trials. Main outcome measure: The female-male mortality ratio in different vaccine groups. Results: Females had a higher mortality rate than males among children randomized to receive IPV (mortality rate ratio [MR] 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.28), but females had a similar mortality rate to males among children randomized to receive MV (MR 1.01, 0.69–1.46) and among children in the IPV group after they had received MV at 9 months of age or later (MR 0.88, 0.68–1.14). Children who had not received a third dose of DTP before enrollment (and were likely to receive DTP after MV or IPV) tended to have a higher mortality than children who had received all 3 doses of DTP (MR 1.30, 0.97–1.73). This effect was seen only among girls (MR 1.61, 1.08–2.40) and not among boys (MR 1.02, 0.67–1.54). Girls had a lower mortality when MV was the most recent vaccine received rather than DTP or IPV (MR 0.49, 0.28–0.87). Conclusions: Randomization to IPV was associated with higher female than male mortality. However, the increased female mortality might result from additional doses of DTP received after enrollment and before measles vaccination.
Bifidobacterium infantis Potentially Alleviates Shrimp Tropomyosin-Induced Allergy by Tolerogenic Dendritic Cell-Dependent Induction of Regulatory T Cells and Alterations in Gut Microbiota

Shellfish is one of the major allergen sources worldwide, and tropomyosin (Tm) is the predominant allergic protein in shellfish. Probiotics has been appreciated for its beneficial effects on the host, including anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects, although the underlying mechanisms were not fully understood. In this study, oral administration of probiotic strain Bifidobacterium infantis 14.518 (Binf) effectively suppressed Tm-induced allergic response in a mouse model by both preventive and therapeutic strategies. Further results showed that Binf stimulated dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and CD103+ tolerogenic DCs accumulation in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, which subsequently induced regulatory T cells differentiation for suppressing Th2-biased response. We also found that Binf regulates the alterations of gut microbiota composition. Specifically, the increase of Dorea and decrease of Ralstonia is highly correlated with Th2/Treg ratio and may contribute to alleviating Tm-induced allergic responses. Our findings provide molecular insight into the application of Binf in alleviating food allergy and even gut immune homeostasis.
Human skin sandwich for assessing shunt route penetration during passive and iontophoretic drug and liposome delivery

This work explored the role of skin appendages (shunt route) in passive and iontophoretic drug and liposome penetration. The technique used an epidermis and stratum corneum sandwich from the same skin donor with the additional stratum corneum forming the top layer of the sandwich. Penetration was monitored during occluded passive and iontophoretic (0.5 mA cm−2) delivery of mannitol and estradiol solutions, and ultradeformable liposomes containing estradiol. The shunt route had a significant role during passive penetration of mannitol (hydrophilic compound), but was negligible during penetration of estradiol (lipophilic drug) and liposomes. In iontophoresis, the shunt route significantly contributed to the overall flux of all preparations, being highest for mannitol. However, shunts were not the only pathway for iontophoretic drug delivery and evidence was observed for the creation of new aqueous pathways via disorganization of the intercellular lipid domain of stratum corneum. The skin sandwich technique should prove valuable for general studies on routes of skin penetration.
Fluoride acquisition on and in human enamel during topical application in vitro.

Fluoride acquisition during topical fluoride treatment was studied after different time intervals, at different concentrations and at different pH. The effects of pretreating the enamel with Ca++, and of pre-etching were also tested. Four experimental groups of repeated measures design were established. Chemical assessments were made of the amounts of fluoride formed on (as alkali soluble fluoride, i.e., calcium fluoride) and in enamel (as firmly bound fluoride). The depositions on enamel were also demonstrated by SEM. The amounts of alkali soluble fluoride on enamel increased with time, concentration, pH-decrease and calcium availability. The time of exposure seemed to be the major factor. The amounts of fluoride deposited on enamel outranged by far (greater than 70%) the amounts of fluoride acquired in the enamel. The formation of alkali soluble fluoride on enamel is probably limited by the availability of calcium ions. It is suggested that the fluoride on enamel may protect the enamel surface and serve as a reservoir of fluoride.
Community relations and child-led microfinance: a case study of caregiving children in Kenya

Abstract Rampant levels of AIDS and poverty have made many children in sub-Saharan Africa the primary caregivers of their ageing or ailing guardians. This paper reports on a social action fund initiative that brought caregiving children together to set-up and run income generating activities as a group with the aim of strengthening their coping capabilities. To further our understanding of child-led microfinance activities, this paper explores how intra-community relations can both facilitate and undermine child-led activities, and how these activities in turn can further strengthen some intra-community relations. Twenty-one children (aged 12–17) and six guardians participated in this study. Data included draw-and-write compositions (n=21), essays (n=16), workshop notes and proposals (n=8) and in-depth interviews (n=16). A thematic analysis revealed that the children actively drew on the expertise and involvement of some guardians in the project as well as on each other, developing supportive peer relations that helped strengthen their coping capabilities. However, the children's disenfranchised position in the community meant that some adults took advantage of the child-led activities for their own personal gain. Some children also showed a lack of commitment to collective work, undermining the morale of their more active peers. Nevertheless, both guardians and the children themselves began to look at caregiving children differently as their engagement in the project began to earn them respect from the community – changing guardian/child relations. The paper concludes that microfinance interventions targeting children and young people must consider children's relationships with each other and with adults as key determinants of Project success.
Optimization of clinical outcome of women with previous one lower segment cesarean section

Background and Objectives: To investigate the outcome in women with planned (VBAC) in comparison to Repeat Cesarean Section (RCS) and to those undergoing vaginal birth. Design and settings: Retrospective study, women with a history of one lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) admitted to Abha General Hospital for delivery from September, 2010 to February, 2011. Subjects and Methods: The demographic maternal and neonatal data and data concerning the course of delivery were reviewed in 418 women underwent trial of labor (TOL) and subjected to statistical analysis to study the predictive factors and outcome. All cases were divided into 3 groups, VBAC group (212 women), RCS group (206 women) and the neonates of the VBAC group were compared to those of a control group consists of 287 neonates who delivered vaginally. Results: The success rate of VBAC was 50.72%, with no uterine rupture or wound dehiscence. Failure to progress was the most common (40.2%) indication of RCS followed by fetal distress (29.9%). Young maternal age (P < 0.05), previous vaginal deliveries after CS (P < 0.05) and occiputo anterior position (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with successful VBAC. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission was significantly higher in the RCS group (P < 0.001), while no significant difference was found between NICU admission in the VBAC and the control groups. Conclusion: VBAC should remain an available option. Informed consent, good reporting and thorough documentation of the VBAC decision are crucial. During TOL, continuous fetal monitoring and, ultrasound evaluation of the previous scar are recommended. Emergency CS should be considered if duration of the TOL is prolonged with non reassuring CTG.
Effects of lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema on oxygen cost of breathing.

BACKGROUND Patients with severe pulmonary emphysema have a greatly increased oxygen cost of breathing (O(2) cost), and this is the cause of serious malnutrition, or respiratory cachexia, in such patients. STUDY OBJECTIVES To clarify the effect of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on respiratory function and the nutritional state of these patients through a reduction in the O(2) cost of the respiratory muscles. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. Setting, patients, and interventions: Twenty-three patients who underwent LVRS in Tohoku University Hospital. MEASUREMENTS Pulmonary function and O(2) cost were measured perioperatively by utilizing a method of continuous dead space. In addition, we calculated the proportion of oxygen consumption (O(2)) of respiratory muscles to total O(2) (%O(2)resp) from the measured energy expenditure and the predicted values. RESULTS FEV(1) and arterial oxygen pressure increased after surgery while lung volume and dyspnea decreased (p < 0.01), and O(2) cost was also reduced from 0.044 to 0.026 log(mL/min)/(L/min) [p < 0.001]. Moreover, the change in O(2) cost had a strong negative correlation with that of FEV(1) (r = - 0.70, p < 0.001), and a moderate positive correlation with that of the ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity (r = 0.54, p < 0.01). %O(2)resp was 23.1% at rest and 55.5% at maximal ventilation. LVRS reduced %O(2)resp at maximal ventilation to 49.0% (p < 0.05), but %O(2)resp at rest did not decrease after surgery. CONCLUSIONS LVRS reduces energy expenditure of respiratory muscles especially during exercise by decreasing small airway obstruction and hyperinflated lung volume. This may reverse the malnourished state in end-stage emphysema.
Increased Expression of IL-1β Converting Enzyme in Hippocampus after Ischemia: Selective Localization in Microglia

Although the interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases has been implicated recently in neuronal cell deathin vitro and in ovo, the role of specific genes belonging to this family in cell death in the nervous system remains unknown. To address this question, we examined the in vivoexpression of one of these genes, Ice, after global forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Using RT-PCR and Western immunoblot techniques, we detected an increase in the mRNA and protein expression of ICE in hippocampus during a period of 4 d after ischemia. Chromatin condensation was observed in CA1 neurons within 2 d after ischemia. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and apoptotic bodies were observed between 3 and 4 d after ischemia, a period during which CA1 neuronal death is maximal. In nonischemic brains, ICE-like immunoreactivity was relatively low in CA1 pyramidal neurons but high in scattered hippocampal interneurons. After ischemia, ICE-like immunoreactivity was not altered in these neurons. ICE-like immunoreactivity, however, was observed in microglial cells in the regions adjacent to the CA1 layer as early as 2 d after ischemic insult. The increase in ICE-like immunoreactivity was robust at 4 d after ischemia, a period that correlates with the DNA fragmentation observed in hippocampal homogenates of ischemic brains. These results provide the first evidence for the localization and induction of ICE expression in vivo after ischemia and suggest an indirect role for ICE in ischemic damage through mediation of an inflammatory response.
Variation in the circumtesticular leydig cell tunic of teiid lizards (Cnemidophorus and Ameiva)

Testicular structure in bisexual teiid lizards (Cnemidophorus and Ameiva) is apparently unique among vertebrates in having a circumtesticular subtunic band of Leydig (interstitial) cells, that varies in species of Cnemidophorus from 1.2 to 42.1 cells in thickness (transverse cross‐section), between the outer tunic (tunica albuginea) and the seminiferous tubules. The regression on body size, ontogenetic change, seasonal periodicity, and other aspects of structure and function of this subtunic Leydig cell structure are discussed.
Progress report on Electrical Metrology at VSL ( 2015 – 2017 ) Report prepared for the 30 th meeting of the Consultative Committee for Electricity and Magnetism

DC voltage and Josephson Within the JRPs “Q-wave” (finished in 2016) and its successor “QuADC” (started in 2016) VSL is working on the practical and theoretical aspects of quantum waveform metrology, including generation of arbitrary Josephson signals, the deviation problem of voltage leads at higher frequencies, a Josephson delta-sigma converter, voltage scaling and uncertainty calculations. After initial work on changing the inductance of the voltage leads, the MHz resonance was treated theoretically as a reflected wave problem [1]. A new solution is proposed and the practical details have been simulated, showing that uncertainties on the order of 10 ppm are within reach for frequencies up to 1 MHz [2]. Measurements were performed at PTB in a small cryostat to reduce the deviation significantly [3]. Further work has been performed on the electronics for a Josephson delta-sigma converter [4].
Discrimination of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Using Transient Elastography in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background/aims The accuracy of noninvasive markers to discriminate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is unsatisfactory. We investigated whether transient elastography (TE) could discriminate patients with NASH from those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods The patients suspected of NAFLD who underwent liver biopsy and concomitant TE were recruited from five tertiary centers between November 2011 and December 2013. Results The study population (n = 183) exhibited a mean age of 40.6 years and male predominance (n = 111, 60.7%). Of the study participants, 89 (48.6%) had non-NASH and 94 (51.4%) had NASH. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness (LS) were significantly correlated with the degrees of steatosis (r = 0.656, P<0.001) and fibrosis (r = 0.714, P<0.001), respectively. The optimal cut-off values for steatosis were 247 dB/m for S1, 280 dB/m for S2, and 300 dB/m for S3. Based on the independent predictors derived from multivariate analysis [P = 0.044, odds ratio (OR) 4.133, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.037–16.470 for CAP>250 dB/m; P = 0.013, OR 3.399, 95% CI 1.295–8.291 for LS>7.0 kPa; and P<0.001, OR 7.557, 95% CI 2.997–19.059 for Alanine aminotransferase>60 IU/L], we developed a novel CLA model for discriminating patients with NASH. The CLA model showed good discriminatory capability, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.812 (95% CI 0.724–0.880). To assess discriminatory power, the AUROCs, as determined by the bootstrap method, remained largely unchanged between iterations, with an average value of 0.833 (95% CI 0.740–0.893). Conclusion This novel TE-based CLA model showed acceptable accuracy in discriminating NASH from simple steatosis. However, further studies are required for external validation.
Effect of Black Raspberry Extract in Inhibiting NFκ B Dependent Radioprotection in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Black raspberry extracts (RSE) have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and stimulate apoptosis. Also, studies have demonstrated that RSE inhibits transcriptional regulators including NF κ B. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of RSE in inhibiting radiation (IR) induced NF κ B mediated radioprotection in breast adenocarcinoma cells. MCF-7 cells were exposed to IR (2Gy), treated with RSE (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 μ g/ml) or treated with RSE (1.0 μ g/ml) followed by IR exposure, and harvested after 1, 3, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. NF κ B DNA-binding activity was measured by EMSA and phosphorylated I κ B α by immunoblotting. Expression of IAP1, IAP2, XIAP and survivin were measured by QPCR and immunoblotting. Cell survival was measured using MTT assay and cell death using Caspase-3/7 activity. Effect of RSE on IR induced MnSOD, TNF α , IL-1 α and MnSOD activity was also determined. RSE inhibited NF κ B activity in a dose-dependent manner. Also, RSE inhibited IR-induced sustained activation of NF κ B, and NF κ B regulated IAP1, IAP2, XIAP, and survivin. In addition, RSE inhibited IR-induced TNF α , IL-1 α , and MnSOD levels and MnSOD activity. RSE suppressed cell survival and enhanced cell death. These results suggest that RSE may act as a potent radiosensitizer by overcoming the effects of NF κ B mediated radioprotection in human breast cancer cells.
Reovirus Serotype 1/Strain Lang-Stimulated Activation of Antigen-Specific T Lymphocytes in Peyer’s Patches and Distal Gut-Mucosal Sites: Activation Status and Cytotoxic Mechanisms1

Intraduodenal priming of mice with reovirus serotype 1/strain Lang (reovirus 1/L) stimulates gut lymphocytes and generates precursor and effector CTLs. Our earlier studies demonstrated that germinal center and T cell Ag (GCT) is a marker which identifies reovirus 1/L-specific precursor CTL and effector CTL in Peyer’s patches (PP) of reovirus 1/L-inoculated mice. In this study, we characterized the expression of the activation markers, GCT and CD11c, on reovirus 1/L-stimulated gut lymphocytes and the effector mechanisms involved in reovirus 1/L-specific cytotoxicity. We found that intraduodenal reovirus 1/L inoculation of mice induced the expression of both GCT and CD11c on PP lymphocytes (PPL), intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL), and these activated cells expressed Fas ligand (FasL). The majority of the GCT+CD11c+ IEL and LPL expressed a phenotype, TCRαβ+Thy-1+CD8+ similar to that expressed on reovirus 1/L-stimulated PPL. However, splenic lymphocytes expressed GCT but not CD11c after stimulation with reovirus 1/L. Perforin, Fas-FasL, and TRAIL pathways were found to be involved in PPL, IEL, and LPL cytotoxic activity against reovirus 1/L-infected targets. In PPL, perforin and Fas-FasL pathways were more effective than TRAIL. In IEL, all three cytotoxic mechanisms were equally as effective. However, LPL prefer Fas-FasL and TRAIL over perforin. Further, we demonstrated the preferential migration of GCT+ PPL to the intraepithelial compartment and the lamina propria. These results suggest that GCT and CD11c can be used as activation markers for gut lymphocytes and CD11c can also be used to differentiate between activated gut and systemic lymphocytes.
Effect of HLA-B and HLA-DR genes on susceptibility to and severity of spondyloarthropathies in Mexican patients

Objective: To investigate the role of HLA-B and HLA-DR genes as contributors to genetic susceptibility and clinical expression of the spondyloarthropathies (SpA) in the Mexican population. Methods: The study included 172 patients with SpA (undifferentiated SpA 83, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) 64, and reactive arthritis 25) and 99 healthy controls. The HLA-B and HLA-DR alleles were detected by the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers technique. Patient assessment included demographic data, diagnostic categories, and disease patterns. Statistical methods included the Mantel-Haenzel χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and Woolf method for odds ratio (OR). Differences of continuous variables between HLA allele groups were calculated by Student's t test. Results: Increased frequencies of HLA-B27 (pCh10−3, OR=28.7), HLA-DR1 (pC=0.045, OR=2.77), and HLA-B15 (p=0.034, pC=NS, OR=2.04) alleles in the whole group were found. HLA-B27 strength of association (OR) was 41.4 in AS; 20.9 in undifferentiated SpA; 27.2 in reactive arthritis. HLA-DR1 and HLA-B15 were increased in undifferentiated SpA (pC=0.045, OR=2.98 and p=0.004, pC=NS, OR=2.75). By analysing 58 HLA-B27 negative patients it was found that HLA-B15 and HLA-DR1 associations with SpA were independent of HLA-B27; increased frequencies of HLA-B15 were found in the whole SpA group and in patients with undifferentiated SpA (pC=0.03, OR=3.09 and pCh0.01, OR=3.77) and of HLA-DR1 in the latter (p=0.04, pC=NS, OR=3.15). HLA-B27 positive patients were younger than HLA-B27 negative patients at onset (p=0.03), but HLA-DR1 positive patients were older than HLA-DR1 negative patients (p=0.03). Bath indices for disease activity and functioning were higher in HLA-B27 positive patients (p=0.006 and p=0.004 v HLA-B27 negative patients). In contrast, neither HLA-DR1 nor HLA-B15 influenced these indices. Conclusion: Apart from HLA-B27, there is a significant association of HLA-DR1 and HLA-B15 with SpA in Mexicans which is independent of B27. HLA-B27 is associated with younger age at onset and increased disease severity and HLA-DR1 with older age at onset. The strength of HLA-B15, HLA-B27, and HLA-DR1 associations varied in different forms of SpA.
VACCINATION OF FOXES AGAINST RABIES USING INGESTED BAITS

A method for immunizing foxes against rabies was evaluated. Fifteen of 36 red foxes (Vulpes fulva) fed baits impregnated with modified live virus rabies vaccine developed serum rabies neutralizing antibody. The vaccine-bait proved unstable when held at 4 C or 25 C for 96 hours prior to feeding. For safety testing the vaccine virus was administered to opossums (Didelphis virginiana), cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), and chickens (Gallus domesticus) in either liquid or bait form. One of ten cotton rats fed liquid vaccine died of vaccine induced rabies. No animals which ate the vaccine-baits died of vaccine induced rabies.