Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Rickettsia spp in Ticks by MALDI-TOF MS

Background Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been shown to be an effective tool for the rapid identification of arthropods, including tick vectors of human diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of MALDI-TOF MS to identify tick species, and to determine the presence of rickettsia pathogens in the infected Ticks. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor marginatus Ticks infected or not by R. conorii conorii or R. slovaca, respectively, were used as experimental models. The MS profiles generated from protein extracts prepared from tick legs exhibited mass peaks that distinguished the infected and uninfected Ticks, and successfully discriminated the Rickettsia spp. A blind test was performed using Ticks that were laboratory-reared, collected in the field or removed from patients and infected or not by Rickettsia spp. A query against our in-lab arthropod MS reference database revealed that the species and infection status of all Ticks were correctly identified at the species and infection status levels. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, the present work demonstrates the utility of MALDI-TOF MS for a dual identification of tick species and intracellular bacteria. Therefore, MALDI-TOF MS is a relevant tool for the accurate detection of Rickettsia spp in Ticks for both field monitoring and entomological diagnosis. The present work offers new perspectives for the monitoring of other vector borne diseases that present public health concerns.
Mining and Indexing Graphs for Supergraph Search

We study supergraph search (SPS), that is, given a query graph q and a graph database G that contains a collection of graphs , return graphs that have q as a supergraph from G. SPS has broad applications in bioinformatics, cheminformatics and other scientific and commercial fields. Determining whether a graph is a subgraph (or supergraph) of another is an NP-complete problem. Hence, it is intractable to compute SPS for large graph databases. Two separate indexing methods, a "filter + verify"-based method and a "prefix-sharing"-based method, have been studied to efficiently compute SPS. To implement the above two methods, subgraph patterns are mined from the graph database to build an index. Those subgraphs are mined to optimize either the filtering gain or the prefix-sharing gain. However, no single subgraph-mining algorithm considers both gains. This work is the first one to mine subgraphs to optimize both the filtering gain and the prefix-sharing gain while processing SPS queries. First, we show that the subgraph-mining problem is NP-hard. Then, we propose two polynomial-time algorithms to solve the problem with an approximation ratio of 1-1/e and 1/4 respectively. In addition, we construct a lattice-like index, LW-index, to organize the selected subgraph patterns for fast index-lookup. Our experiments show that our approach improves the query processing time for SPS queries by a factor of 3 to 10.
Thermodynamic simulation of deoxyoligonucleotide hybridization for DNA computation

Nearly every model of DNA computation proposed to date depends upon sequence-specific hybridization operations. In order to better predict the binding specificity of arbitrary deoxyoligonucleotides, a simulator named bind is implemented. Bind operates on a single template DNA sequence and a number of shorter primer sequences. For each primer sequence, bind calculates a theoretical melting temperature at every position of the primer along the template, yielding a measure of binding specificity between each primer and the template. The simulator differs from previous melting temperature programs in that it is intended to be used with oligonucleotides, is designed to handle mismatched base pairs, makes use of the latest thermodynamic parameters, and provides features with DNA computation expressly in mind. This paper describes how bind is implemented, provides corroborating evidence as to its accuracy, and offers instances of its usefulness to a range of DNA computing applications.
Increased serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in women with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

ABSTRACT Background: It has been suggested that hypercortisolism contributes to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), based on the fact that excess glucocorticoid exposure has potent adverse effects on the central nervous system. In contrast, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been linked to a broad range of beneficial physiological effects including neuronal excitability and neuroprotection and even memory enhancing properties. Of note, proinflammatory cytokines are present in neuritic plaques (a hallmark of AD) and may regulate cortisol/DHEA release. In this exploratory study, we hypothesized that there is a flattened diurnal curve of cortisol and DHEA in mild to moderate AD, linked to increased cytokine levels. Methods: Diurnal profiles of cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and DHEA were studied in 15 patients with mild to moderate AD (7 men and 8 women, 75.6 ± 5.5 years) and 15 healthy elderly controls (7 men and 8 women, 73.3 ± 5.8 years, respectively). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and soluble TNF receptors were analyzed. Results: Women with AD had significantly increased morning levels of ACTH, DHEA, and IL-6 compared to healthy elderly women. Cortisol levels were significantly increased in men with AD at 0300 h versus healthy elderly men, in spite of slightly decreased ACTH levels. Conclusions: Our data suggest important sex differences in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and steroid hormone clearance in patients with AD. Increased secretion of IL-6 may have a contributory role in this difference.
Comparing Curried and Uncurried Rewriting

Abstract Currying is a transformation of term rewrite systems which may contain symbols of arbitrary arity into systems which contain only nullary symbols, together with a single binary symbol called application. We show that for all term rewrite systems (whether orthogonal or not) the following properties are preserved by this transformation: strong normalization, weak normalization, weak Church-Rosser, completeness, semi-completeness, and the non-convertibility of distinct normal forms. Under the condition of left-linearity we show preservation of the properties NF (if a term is reducible to a normal form,then its reducts are all reducible to the same normal form) and UN→ (a term is reducible to at most one normal form). We exhibit counterexamples to the preservation of NF and UN→ for non-left-linear systems.The results extend to partial currying(where some subset of the symbols are curried),and imply some modularity properties for unions of applicative systems.
Computational Creativity: A Philosophical Approach, and an Approach to Philosophy

This paper seeks to situate computational creativity in relation to philosophy and in particular philosophy of mind. The goal is to investigate issues relevant to both how computational creativity can be used to explore philosophical questions and how philosophical positions, whether they are accepted as accurate or not, can be used as a tool for evaluating computational creativity. First, the possibility of symbol manipulating machines acting as creative agents will be examined in terms of its ramifications for historic and contemporary theories of mind. Next a philosophically motivated mechanism for evaluating creative systems will be proposed, based on the idea that an intimation of dualism, with its inherent mental representations, is a thing that typical observers seek when evaluating creativity. Two computational frameworks that might adequately satisfy this evaluative mechanism will then be described, though the implementation of such systems in a creative context is left for future work. Finally, the kind of audience required for the type of evaluation proposed will be briefly discussed.
Dynamical Simulation Models of the Open Source Development Process

This chapter will discuss attempts to produce formal mathematical models for dynamical simulation of the development process of Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS) projects. First, a brief overview for simulation methods of closed source software development is given. Then, based on empirical facts reported in F/OSS case studies, we describe a general framework for F/OSS dynamical simulation models and discuss its similarities and differences to closed source software simulation. A specific F/OSS simulation model is introduced. The model is applied to the Apache project and to the gtk+ module of the GNOME project, and simulation outputs are compared to real data. The potential of formal F/OSS simulation models to turn into practical tools used by F/OSS coordinators to predict key project factors is demonstrated. Finally, issues for further research and efforts for improvement of this first-attempt model are discussed.
Changes in muscle morphology in dialysis patients after 6 months of aerobic exercise training.

BACKGROUND In the present study we investigated the effect of a 6-month aerobic exercise programme on the morphology of the gastrocnemius muscle of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS Twenty-four ESRD patients volunteered to participate in the training programme and underwent muscle biopsy before training. Eighteen patients completed the training programme of whom nine agreed to a post-training biopsy (one woman and eight men, mean age 56 +/- 15 years). Data are presented for the nine subjects who were biopsied before (PRE) and after training (POST) and separately for the 15 subjects for whom we only have a biopsy before training (cross-sectional group). RESULTS There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in fibre type distribution or myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression between the cross-sectional and PRE/POST groups. The mean cross-section fibre area after training (POST) increased by 46% compared with the PRE training status (P < 0.01). The proportion of atrophic fibres decreased significantly after training in type I, IIa and IIx fibre populations (from 51 to 15%, 58 to 21% and 62 to 32%, respectively). Significant differences were also found in capillary contact per fibre (CC/F), with the muscle having 24% (P < 0.05) more CC/F compared with the PRE training status. No significant differences in cytochrome c oxidase concentration were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, exercise appeared to be beneficial in renal rehabilitation by correcting the fibre atrophy, increasing the cross-section fibre area and improving the capillarization in the skeletal muscle of renal failure patients.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Reduces Postsurgical Opioid Consumption in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

Background:Although pain is often a symptom that precedes total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the procedure itself is associated with considerable postoperative pain lasting days to weeks. Postoperative pain control is an important factor in determining recovery time, hospital length of stay, and rehabilitation success. Several brain stimulation technologies including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have demonstrated promise as treatments for a variety of pain conditions. The present study examined the effects of 4 sessions of tDCS on post-TKA pain and opioid consumption. Materials and Methods:Forty patients undergoing unilateral TKA were randomly assigned to receive a total of 80 minutes of real (n=20) or sham tDCS (n=20) with the anode over the knee representation of the motor strip (C1h or C2h corresponding to the target knee) and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3; located by the EEG 10-20 System). Patient-controlled analgesia ( hydromorphone) use was tracked during the ∼48 hours postsurgery. Results:Patients in the real tDCS group used an average of 6.6 mg (SD=5.3) of patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone, whereas those in the sham group used 12.3 mg (SD=6.6; t37=2.93, P=0.006). Despite using less opioid medication, participants in the real tDCS group reported no pain exacerbation or worse mood with respect to those in the sham tDCS group. Conclusions:Results from this pilot feasibility study suggest that tDCS may be able to reduce post-TKA opioid requirements. Although these results are preliminary, the data support further research in the area of adjunctive cortical stimulation in the management of postsurgical pain.
Min-max Economic Model Predictive Control

This paper proposes a min-max Economic Model Predictive Control approach for discrete time uncertain systems: a MPC min-max strategy where the worst-case performance with respect to uncertainties is optimized. Unfortunately, many min-max MPC formulations yield intractable optimization problems with exponential complexity, for this reason a min-max algorithm for a certain type of model uncertainty is derived in this paper. The transformation of the original problem into a second-order cone program is the most remarkable feature meaning that the min-max problem is written as a convex program. The result is an optimization problem with polynomial complexity.
Effect of pressure development on oxygen consumption by isolated rat heart.

NEELY, ,J. R. , H. LIEBERMEISTER. E. ,J. BATTERSBY, AND H. E. MORGAN. fi;fect of pressure development on oxygen consumption by isolcrted rot heart. Am. J. Physiol. 2 I 2 (4) : 804-814. I g67. -The isolated perfused rat heart has been modified to allow metabolic studies over a range of heart work and pressure development. When the left atria1 filling pressure was increased from o to 20 cm H20, cardiac output increased fivefold and systolic aortic pressure rose from 60 to 120 mm Hg. The mechanical performance and oxygen consumption were stable for over 3 hr when the heart was perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate bufl’er containing only glucose. Variation in mechanical performance and oxygen consumption with hearts of various sizes has been noted, indicating that meaningful comparisons of performance must utilize hearts of similar size. Pressure development, as estimated from pressure-time integrals, correlated well with the portion of oxygen consumption involved in generation of mechanical energy. Oxygen supply to the tissue appeared to be adequate. Oxygen consumption increased from an average of I . 44 to 2 . g5 mmoles/g per hr as atria1 pressure was increased from o to 20 cm Hz0 when hearts were perfused with buffer containing either no nutrients, 5 mM glucose, 5 mM acetoacetate, or 5 mM acetate.
a thermophilic , strictly haloph ” ilic bacterium from a solar saltern

3 Département de Biologie, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France 2 School of Biomolecular of laterally inserted flagella, had a genome G+C content of 33 mol0% and grew optimally a t 65 OC and pH 7.0 with 5% NaCl. The strain also grew readily a t 70 OC in the presence of 15% NaCl. Strain CTT3T fermented cellobiose, fructose, glucose, maltose, mannitol, mannose, sucrose, glycerol, N-acetylglucosamine, starch, pyruvate and bio-Trypticase. It produced acetate, ethanol, H, and presumably CO, from glucose. 165 rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that it is a member of cluster XII of the C/ostridia/es and related genera of the subphylum of the Gram-positive bacteria containing genomes of low G+C content. Its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics clearly differentiated it from all other members of th is cluster. Based on the findings it is proposed that strain CTT3T be designated as a new species of a new genus, Thermohalobacter berrensis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is CTT3T (= CNCM 1059553.
Lenalidomide interferes with tumor-promoting properties of nurse-like cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory agent clinically active in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. The specific mechanism of action is still undefined, but includes modulation of the microenvironment. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, nurse-like cells differentiate from CD14+ mononuclear cells and protect chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells from apoptosis. Nurse-like cells resemble M2 macrophages with potent immunosuppressive functions. Here, we examined the effect of lenalidomide on the monocyte/macrophage population in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. We found that lenalidomide induces high actin polymerization on CD14+ monocytes through activation of small GTPases, RhoA, Rac1 and Rap1 that correlated with increased adhesion and impaired monocyte migration in response to CCL2, CCL3 and CXCL12. We observed that lenalidomide increases the number of nurse-like cells that lost the ability to nurture chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, acquired properties of phagocytosis and promoted T-cell proliferation. Gene expression signature, induced by lenalidomide in nurse-like cells, indicated a reduction of pivotal pro-survival signals for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, such as CCL2, IGF1, CXCL12, HGF1, and supported a modulation towards M1 phenotype with high IL2 and low IL10, IL8 and CD163. Our data provide new insights into the mechanism of action of lenalidomide that mediates a pro-inflammatory switch of nurse-like cells affecting the protective microenvironment generated by chronic lymphocytic leukemia into tissues.
The Lrp4R1170Q Homozygous Knock‐In Mouse Recapitulates the Bone Phenotype of Sclerosteosis in Humans

Sclerosteosis is a rare autosomal recessive bone disorder marked by hyperostosis of the skull and tubular bones. Initially, we and others reported that sclerosteosis was caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in SOST, encoding sclerostin. More recently, we identified disease‐causing mutations in LRP4, a binding partner of sclerostin, in three sclerosteosis patients. Upon binding to sclerostin, LRP4 can inhibit the canonical WNT signaling that is known to be an important pathway in the regulation of bone formation. To further investigate the role of LRP4 in the bone formation process, we generated an Lrp4 mutated sclerosteosis mouse model by introducing the p.Arg1170Gln mutation in the mouse genome. Extensive analysis of the bone phenotype of the Lrp4R1170Q/R1170Q knock‐in (KI) mouse showed the presence of increased trabecular and cortical bone mass as a consequence of increased bone formation by the osteoblasts. In addition, three‐point bending analysis also showed that the increased bone mass results in increased bone strength. In contrast to the human sclerosteosis phenotype, we could not observe syndactyly in the forelimbs or hindlimbs of the Lrp4 KI animals. Finally, we could not detect any significant changes in the bone formation and resorption markers in the serum of the mutant mice. However, the serum sclerostin levels were strongly increased and the level of sclerostin in the tibia was decreased in Lrp4R1170Q/R1170Q mice, confirming the role of LRP4 as an anchor for sclerostin in bone. In conclusion, the Lrp4R1170Q/R1170Q mouse is a good model for the human sclerosteosis phenotype caused by mutations in LRP4 and can be used in the future for further investigation of the mechanism whereby LRP4 regulates bone formation. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Nonlinear Optics And Electro-Optics In Langmuir-Blodgett Films

The electro-optic response of nonlinear supermolecular arrays of organic dyes, prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique is measured by an attenuated total reflection (ATR) method. The field induced dielectric constant changes in the films modify the coupling conditions for the excitation of a silver surface plasmon mode and produces a differential reflectivity in the region of the ATR minimum. The magnitude of the response is measured for film thicknesses corresponding to 1 through to 13 monomolecular LB layers. An anomalous dependence is seen. The anomaly occurs at a film thickness which segregates two thickness regimes for which the differential responses are qualitatively dissimilar. Structural re-organisations in the thin film regime may be responsible.
Obesity, sarcopenia and their functional consequences in old age

The prevalence of obesity is high in older persons and recent trends show a rapid increase in this prevalence. Results from observational and intervention studies (i.e. weight loss studies) show the strong negative impact of obesity on functional status in old age. There are different potential pathways through which obesity may lead to functional decline in older persons. Furthermore, the presence of overweight and obesity during the life course and trends in medical care are likely to influence the impact of obesity on disability. The concepts sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle mass) and dynapenia (age-related loss of muscle strength) receive a lot of research attention as potential determinants of functional decline in old age. There is no consensus on the definitions of these concepts. Recent studies conducted in large cohort studies of mainly community-dwelling older persons show that poor muscle strength is strongly associated with functional decline compared to low muscle mass. In several studies, no association between muscle mass and functional status was observed. Current research on the combination of obesity with poor muscle strength (dynapenic-obesity) suggests a potential additive effect of both components on poor functional status in old age which seems independent of the level of physical activity.
Sustainable Incentives for Mobile Crowdsensing: Auctions, Lotteries, and Trust and Reputation Systems

Proper incentive mechanisms are critical for mobile crowdsensing systems to motivate people to actively and persistently participate. This article provides an exposition of design principles of six incentive mechanisms, drawing special attention to the sustainability issue. We cover three primary classes of incentive mechanisms: auctions, lotteries, and trust and reputation systems, as well as three other frameworks of promising potential: bargaining games, contract theory, and market- driven mechanisms.