Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination treatments with therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic‐ischemic neuroprotection

Therapeutic hypothermia is now proven to reduce death or disability in term and near‐term born infants with moderate to severe hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy. Nevertheless, many infants still survive with disability, despite treatment with hypothermia. Recent preclinical and clinical studies suggest that current protocols for therapeutic hypothermia are near‐optimal. The obvious strategy, in addition to improving early initiation of therapeutic hypothermia after birth, is to combine hypothermia with other neuroprotective agents. We review evidence that the mechanisms of action of many promising agents overlap with the anti‐excitotoxic, anti‐apoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of hypothermia, leading to a lack of benefit from combination treatment. Moreover, even apparently beneficial combinations have failed to translate in clinical trials. These considerations highlight the need for preclinical studies to test clinically realistic protocols of timing and duration of treatment, before committing to large randomized controlled trials.
Isolation and serotyping of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale from poultry

The aims of this study were the isolation of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale from poultry and serotyping of the isolates and field sera by agar gel precipitation (AGP) test. For the isolation 257 chickens and 214 turkeys were used and for the AGP test 333 chickens and 250 turkeys were used. O. rhinotracheale was isolated from the sinus discharge of 3 broiler breeders at 37, 42 and 46 weeks of age. It was determined that 3 isolates were O. rhinotracheale serotype I having cross reactions with serotype L. Of 333 sera examined 86 were found seropositive in chickens by AGP test. It was determined that 30 sera were serotype A, 25 sera were serotype B, 9 sera were serotype I, and 6 sera were serotype L, while 13 sera were serotype A with cross reactions with serotype B, and 3 sera were serotype I with cross reactions with serotype L. Of the 250 turkey sera 64 were seropositive and of those 17 were serotype A, 29 were serotype B, 5 were serotype I, and 2 were serotype L, while 11 sera were serotype A with cross reactions with serotype B. Kanatl› Hayvanlardan Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale'nin ‹zolasyonu ve Serotiplendirilmesi Ozet: Bu cal›flmada, kanatl› hayvanlarda Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale'nin izolasyonu, izolatlar›n ve saha serumlar›n›n agar jel presipitasyon (AGP) testi ile serotiplendirilmeleri amaclanm›flt›r. ‹zolasyon icin 257 tavuk, 214 hindi; AGP testi icin 333 tavuk 250 hindi kullan›lm›flt›r. 37, 42 ve 46 haftal›k uc broiler dam›zl›¤›n sinus iceriinden O. rhinotracheale izolasyonu yap›lm›flt›r. Uc izolat›n O. rhinotracheale serotip I olduu, serotip L ile de kros reaksiyon verdii tesbit edilmifltir. AGP testi ile incelenen 333 tavuk serumunun 86's›n›n seropozitif olduu saptanm›flt›r. Bunlar›n 30'unun serotip A, 25'inin serotip B, 9'unun serotip I, 6's›n›n serotip L olduu, 13'unun serotip A olup B ile, 3'unun serotip I olup L ile kros reaksiyon verdii belirlenmifltir. ‹ncelenen 250 hindi serumunun 64'unun seropozitif olduu, bunlar›n 17'sinin serotip A, 29'unun serotip B, 5'inin serotip I, 2'sinin serotip L ve 11'inin serotip A olup B ile kros reaksiyon verdii belirlenmifltir.
Habitat Correlates of Reproductive Effort in Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders in an Urbanizing Watershed

Abstract Wildlife biologists and managers are concerned about the effects of forest fragmentation and habitat loss on pond-breeding amphibian populations. Most research has assessed the effects of habitat composition at multiple spatial scales on the presence or absence of amphibians at breeding ponds. We were interested in the effects of habitat characteristics on amphibian population size and used Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) and Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) egg mass counts as an index. Between 2001 and 2005, we monitored 65 seasonal ponds within forested landscapes in the Pawcatuck River watershed of Rhode Island. Both species were detected in at least 88% of the ponds sampled. Egg mass counts for both species were highest in ponds that usually dried between early October and late November. Wood Frog egg mass numbers were positively associated with pond hydroperiod, size, and depth; location on glacial fluvial deposits; the extent of persistent nonwoody plant cover in ponds; and the area of upland forest within 1 km of the pond edge. Egg mass numbers were negatively associated with location on alluvium or dense till deposits, percent canopy cover, the number of buildings within 1 km, and the area of residential development within 1 km. Spotted Salamander egg mass counts were positively associated with pond hydroperiod, size, and depth, and upland forest area within 1 km. They were negatively related to location on alluvium. Multivariate models developed from within-pond variables explained more variation in egg mass counts for both species than those developed from landscape-level factors, but the best combined models suggested that habitat characteristics at both scales are useful in the prediction of breeding effort at individual sites. Given the continuing urbanization of southern New England and the ineffectiveness of wetland regulations in protecting required terrestrial habitat around seasonal ponds, proactive techniques also are required to assure the maintenance of pond-breeding amphibian populations.
Hormone-like activity of humic substances in Fagus sylvaticae forests.

• Soil A horizons from a large area typical for beech (Fagus sylvatica) in northern Italy were investigated to understand the phyto-hormone-like activity of humic substances (HS) with respect to the vegetation. These soils had developed under thermophilous (Cephalonthero-Fagion with Carici albae-Fagetum), mesophilous (Fagion sylvaticae with Dentario pentaphylli-Fagetum and Galio-odourati-Fagetum) or acidophilous (Luzulo-Fagion with Luzulo niveae-Fagetum) beech forests. • The development of organic and humic matter in the three forest types was assessed by quantifying chemical parameters. Phyto-hormone-like activity of HS was evaluated by measuring auxin-like (IAAlike ) and gibberellin-like (GAlike ) activity as well as IAA concentration, invertase and peroxidase activities. • Soil pH differed between the forest types. Soil C: N distinguished the thermophilous and the mesophilous from the acidophilous types but did not distinguish thermophilous from the mesophilous types. Phyto-hormone-like activity of HS varied significantly across the beech forests. Acid conditions were essential for the release of IAAlike activity whereas neutral conditions promoted GAlike activity. Plant isoenzymatic polymorphism confirmed the different auxin activities of HS. • The phyto-hormone-like activity of HS is highly suitable, and better than soil chemical parameters, for differentiating between these ecosystems.
Characterization of the Cancer Spectrum in Men With Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 Pathogenic Variants: Results From the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA).

Importance The limited data on cancer phenotypes in men with germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants (PVs) have hampered the development of evidence-based recommendations for early cancer detection and risk reduction in this population. Objective To compare the cancer spectrum and frequencies between male BRCA1 and BRCA2 PV carriers. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of 6902 men, including 3651 BRCA1 and 3251 BRCA2 PV carriers, older than 18 years recruited from cancer genetics clinics from 1966 to 2017 by 53 study groups in 33 countries worldwide collaborating through the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA). Clinical data and pathologic characteristics were collected. Main Outcomes and Measures BRCA1/2 status was the outcome in a logistic regression, and cancer diagnoses were the independent predictors. All odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for age, country of origin, and calendar year of the first interview. Results Among the 6902 men in the study (median [range] age, 51.6 [18-100] years), 1634 cancers were diagnosed in 1376 men (19.9%), the majority (922 of 1,376 [67%]) being BRCA2 PV carriers. Being affected by any cancer was associated with a higher probability of being a BRCA2, rather than a BRCA1, PV carrier (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 2.81-3.70; P < .001), as well as developing 2 (OR, 7.97; 95% CI, 5.47-11.60; P < .001) and 3 (OR, 19.60; 95% CI, 4.64-82.89; P < .001) primary tumors. A higher frequency of breast (OR, 5.47; 95% CI, 4.06-7.37; P < .001) and prostate (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.09-1.78; P = .008) cancers was associated with a higher probability of being a BRCA2 PV carrier. Among cancers other than breast and prostate, pancreatic cancer was associated with a higher probability (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.55-5.81; P = .001) and colorectal cancer with a lower probability (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29-0.78; P = .003) of being a BRCA2 PV carrier. Conclusions and Relevance Significant differences in the cancer spectrum were observed in male BRCA2, compared with BRCA1, PV carriers. These data may inform future recommendations for surveillance of BRCA1/2-associated cancers and guide future prospective studies for estimating cancer risks in men with BRCA1/2 PVs.
Metformin Ameliorates Testicular Function and Spermatogenesis in Male Mice with High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet-Induced Obesity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metformin supplementation on metabolic dysfunction, testicular antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, inflammation and spermatogenesis in male mice with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-induced obesity. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (NC group, n = 10) or a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFC group, n = 30) for 24 weeks, and mice randomly chosen from the HFC group were later treated with metformin for the final 8 weeks of HFC feeding (HFC + Met group, n = 15). Compared with the HFC group, the obese mice supplemented with metformin exhibited improved blood cholesterol, glucose and insulin resistance. The HFC group diminishes in the sperm motility and normal sperm morphology, while the poorer maturity of testicular spermatogenesis was improved by metformin treatment. The HFC group exhibited a higher estradiol level and a lower 17β-HSD protein expression. Further analyses showed that metformin treatment increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, both the HFC and HFC + Met groups exhibited increased expressions of apoptosis and inflammation proteins in the testis. Metformin treatment ameliorated obesity-induced poor testicular spermatogenesis and semen quality through increasing the testosterone level and antioxidant capacity.
Deep Learning Assisted Beam Prediction Using Out-of-Band Information

The low-frequency and mmWave links usually co-exist in the next generation wireless terminals, where the low-frequency link is always on and the mmWave link becomes active when high rate transmission is required. Since low-frequency and mmWave channels have spatial similarities, it is feasible to utilize low-frequency channel information to reduce the beam training overhead in mmWave communications. In this paper, we propose a deep learning assisted beam prediction scheme using out-of-band information extracted from low-frequency channel state information (CSI). To overcome the inaccuracy in estimating spatial features due to small number of antennas in low-frequency band, deep learning is introduced to extract robust channel features and increase the prediction accuracy. Moreover, dedicated pre-processing algorithm and network architecture are derived to improve the performance. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is robust to various CSI matrix sizes and signal-to-noise ratio. By exploiting low-frequency CSI, it could successfully predict the optimal beam direction to facilitate the initial beam training in mmWave communications with over 94% accuracy in line-of-sight scenarios, which can reduce the overhead of beam training significantly.
Biocontrol of banded leaf and sheath blight of maize by peat based Pseudomonas fluorescens formulation

Pseudomonas fluorescens PF-1, isolated from the maize crop rhizosphere, exhibited inhibitory action against Rhizoctonia solani f.sp. sasakii causing banded leaf and sheath blight of maize in Himachal Pradesh, India. Among the carriers, peat and talcmaintained the population at 19.5X107 and 18.3X107 cfu/g of the product, respectively, after 40 days of storage. The disease was effectively controlled by seed treatment of the peat based formulation at 16 g/kg, or as a soil application of 2.5 kg/ha, orby spraying the liquid formulation twice at 5 g/litre of water.
Preliminary results of an olive cultivar trial at high density

In the last decade, a new concept of olive orchards based on densities of around 2000 trees/ha arose. Its main advantage is the totally mechanised harvesting that drastically reduces the labour needed to collect the crop. In order to evaluate the suitability of 5 olive cultivars (Arbequina, Arbequina IRTA-i·18, Arbosana, Koroneiki, and Fs-17) to this planting system, a comparative trial was set up in 1999 and the initial results are presented in this study. Koroneiki was the most precocious cultivar, but all the rest bear 3 years after planting. Arbequina and Arbosana had the highest accumulated olive yield 6 years after planting. However, the differences in oil content mitigated the variability in yield. Therefore, accumulated oil yields were not significantly different for all the cultivars under study, except for Fs-17. No significant differences were found between Arbequina and its selected clone Arbequina IRTA-i·18 for any of the traits evaluated. The oleic acid content was low in Arbequina and Fs-17, intermediate in Arbosana, and high in Koroneiki. In conclusion, Arbosana showed a similar suitability to Arbequina for high-density orchards due to its high productivity in the first years after planting and its high oleic acid content. In addition, this cultivar is resistant to Spilocea oleagina and Colletotricum spp. in the area of the trial, Cordoba, southern Spain.
Snapshot: friend or foe of data management - on optimizing transaction processing in database and blockchain systems

Data management is a complicated task. Due to a wide range of data management tasks, businesses often need a sophisticated data management infrastructure with a plethora of distinct systems to fulfill their requirements. Moreover, since snapshot is an essential ingredient in solving many data management tasks such as checkpointing and recovery, they have been widely exploited in almost all major data management systems that have appeared in recent years. However, snapshots do not always guarantee exceptional performance. In this dissertation, we will see two different faces of the snapshot, one where it has a tremendous positive impact on the performance and usability of the system, and another where an incorrect usage of the snapshot might have a significant negative impact on the performance of the system. This dissertation consists of three loosely-coupled parts that represent three distinct projects that emerged during this doctoral research. In the first part, we analyze the importance of utilizing snapshots in relational database systems. We identify the bottlenecks in state-of-the-art snapshotting algorithms, propose two snapshotting techniques, and optimize the multi-version concurrency control for handling hybrid workloads effectively. Our snapshotting algorithm is up to 100x faster and reduces the latency of analytical queries by up to 4x in comparison to the state-of-the-art techniques. In the second part, we recognize strict snapshotting used by Fabric as a critical bottleneck, and replace it with MVCC and propose some additional optimizations to improve the throughput of the permissioned-blockchain system by up to 12x under highly contended workloads. In the last part, we propose ChainifyDB, a platform that transforms an existing database infrastructure into a blockchain infrastructure. ChainifyDB achieves up to 6x higher throughput in comparison to another state-of-the-art permissioned blockchain system. Furthermore, its external concurrency control protocol outperforms the internal concurrency control protocol of PostgreSQL and MySQL, achieving up to 2.6x higher throughput in a blockchain setup in comparison to a standalone isolated setup. We also utilize snapshots in ChainifyDB to support recovery, which has been missing so far from the permissioned-blockchain world.
Effects of Preventing Nutrient Resorption on Plant Fitness and Foliar Nutrient Dynamics

To determine whether autumnal nutrient resorption contributes significantly to plant fitness, resorption was prevented by defoliating scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) plants ("defoliated plants") just prior to the onset of foliar senescence in the years 1985 through 1987. At the same time, to account for the potential influence of the reduced photosynthetic season on defoliated plants, another group ("shaded plants") was subjected to darkness, resulting in senescence in the absence of concomitant photosynthesis. In 1988, senescence and abscission were allowed to proceed normally in all study plants. In the three years that followed treatment years, 1986-1988, radial stem growth and yearly increases in foliar biomass of defoliated plants averaged 41 and 54% less than in controls. Acorn production in defoliated plants in 1989 was only 10% of that in either controls or shaded plants. In contrast to such marked responses in growth and reproduction, content of nitrogen, phos- phorus, copper, manganese, and zinc in presenescent (green) leaves exhibited little response to defoliation in the previous year. In 1988, when resorption efficiencies could be measured in plants previously subjected to defoliation, there were no significant differences between control and defoliated plants for nitrogen, copper, manganese, or zinc. The efficiency of phosphorus resorption was 10% lower in defoliated plants. In shaded plants, resorption efficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, and copper, but not of manganese and zinc, were substantially reduced relative to controls in treatment years, indicating both quantitative and qualitative differences between dark-induced and normal senescence. The significant negative effects on growth and reproduction that resulted from preventing resorption in Q. ilicifolia offer strong support for the hypothesis that resorption contributes significantly to plant fitness.
Fast In-Vitro Callus Induction in Catharanthus roseus - A Medicinally Important Plant Used in Cancer Therapy

Secondary metabolites are produced by the plants besides primary metabolites, which are not absolutely essential for their survival. These secondary metabolites provide disease and stress resistance, help in pollination to the plants. The secondary metabolites are primarily used by medical sciences to control various diseases and ailments. Catharanthus roseus commonly called Sadabahar in India, belongs to the family apocyn aceae, is an ornamental plant commonly seen growing in gardens. Catharanthus roseus or Vinca rosea contains some very useful secondary metabolites falling under the category of alkaloids. V. rosea contain three such important alkaloids viz., Vincristine, Vinblastine and Vindiscline which are used in the treatment of cancer. These alkaloids interfere with the mitotic cell division process of the cancerous cells. They stop formation of microtubules and thus chromosomes are unable to arrange on metaphase plate. Various explants from the plants were in vitro cultured to find out best hormonal combinations to produce good amount of callus. This callus can be used to extract the anticancerous metabolites which are otherwise largely extracted from the field grown p lants. Naturally grown
Modelling hydrologic processes distribution in a tropical forest watershed in the Philippines.

COMBALICER EA, CRUZ RVO, T F.E SH & IM S. 2010. Modelling hydrologie processes distribution in a tropical forest watershed in the Philippines. Hydrologie modelling has become an indispensable tool and cost-effective process in understanding the movement of water loss in the Molawin rainforest watershed, Philippines. The study aimed to optimise the use of a lumped BROOK90 model and simulate the hydrologie processes distribution in a given watershed. The rating curve model was developed as a basis for hydrologie modelling. The model was calibrated at catchment scale to avoid subjectivity of various variable parameters by considering the topography, morphology, climate, soil and canopy characteristics. Five years of streamflow discharge measurements were considered for the model sensitivity analysis, calibration and validation. Results showed a good agreement between observed and simulated streamflows during calibration (r = 0.87 and E = 0.87) and validation (r = 0.84 and E = 0.81) periods. As a consequence, the major hydrologie processes distribution accounted for 41% of the precipitation that turned into evaporation, while 49% became streamflow and 10% remained in deep seepage loss. Overall, the distribution of hydrologie components is primarily reflected during pronounced seasonal variations and fluctuating patterns in precipitation.
Sequences of the N-termini of coat proteins of Portuguese Zucchini yellow mosaic virus isolates and of an epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody.

The sequences of the N-terminal 132 nucleotides of the coat protein genes of eleven Portuguese isolates of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) were determined. The nucleotide sequence similarities among the eleven isolates suggested two groups, based on different codon usage for the amino acid residues in seven positions. Comparisons among the encoded amino acid sequences and those previously reported indicated that in this region the Portuguese isolates were identical to isolates from the USA (California), Germany, Italy and France. A monoclonal antibody was produced against a Portuguese isolate that recognized the epitope SGTQPT and cross-reacted with particles of other potyviruses.
KVA-D-88, a novel preferable phosphodiesterase 4B inhibitor, decreases cocaine-mediated reward properties in vivo.

Cocaine addiction remains a major public concern throughout the world especially in developed countries. In the last three decades, significant achievements have led to a greater understanding of the signaling pathways involved in the development of cocaine addiction; however, there are no FDA-approved treatments available to reverse or block this brain disease due to either the unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy or severe side effects. Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic exposure to cocaine elevates levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) as a neuroadaptative response in reward-related brain regions. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, which elevate cAMP levels, have been shown to block cocaine-mediated behavioral changes related to psychoactive and reinforcing properties. Unfortunately, previously studied PDE4 inhibitors induce severe side-effects which limit their clinical usage. In this study, we identified a novel PDE4B inhibitor KVA-D-88 with an improved selectivity profile compared to previous compounds (e.g., rolipram). Pharmacokinetic studies have shown this compound is brain penetrant and preferably acts on PDE4B compared to PDE4D in vitro, alluding to less unwanted side effects with KVA-D-88 in vivo. Interestingly, pre-treatment with KVA-D-88 significantly inhibited cocaine-induced hyper-locomotor activity. In cocaine self-administered mice with differential schedules, KVA-D-88 strikingly decreased the number of active nose-pokes, cocaine infusions and reduced the break point. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that this novel PDE4 inhibitor, KVA-D-88, could inhibit cocaine-mediated rewarding effects implying its potential clinical usage for cocaine addiction.