Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The persistence of Theileria parva infection in cattle immunized using two stocks which differ in their ability to induce a carrier state: analysis using a novel blood spot PCR assay

An improved Theileria parva DNA detection assay based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers derived from the 104 kDa antigen (p104) gene was developed to detect parasite DNA in blood spots on filter paper. The specificity of the assay was validated using DNA from a wide range of cattle-derived and buffalo-derived stocks of T. parva. DNA of T. annulata, T. buffeli, T. lestoquardi, T. mutans and T. taurotragi was not amplified using the p104 primers. The detection threshold of the assay was ∼1–2 parasites/μl of infected blood. PCR amplification using the p104 primers was applied to sequential samples from groups of cattle experimentally infected with either the T. parva Marikebuni stock that induces a long-term carrier state or the Muguga stock, which does not induce a carrier state. The study extended for up to 487 days post-infection and PCR data from defined time points were compared with parasitological microscopy and serological data, together with xenodiagnosis by experimental application of ticks. Microscopy first detected piroplasms between days 13 and 16 after infection whereas all cattle became PCR +ve between days 9 and 13. Animals infected with the Muguga stock of T. parva had parasite DNA in the peripheral blood, which could be detected by PCR, for between 33 and 129 days post-infection in different animals. By contrast parasite DNA in the blood of cattle infected with the Marikebuni stock could be detected consistently from day 9 up to 487 days, when the study terminated. The data suggest that the nature and persistence of the carrier state may differ markedly between different T. parva parasite stocks.
Crystal Structure of the NAD Biosynthetic Enzyme Quinolinate Synthase*

A gene encoding a quinolinate synthase has been identified in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii via genome sequencing. The gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the crystal structure of the produced enzyme was determined to 2.0 Å resolution in the presence of malate, a substrate analogue. The overall structure exhibits a unique triangular architecture composed of a 3-fold repeat of three-layer (αβα) sandwich folding. Although some aspects of the fold homologous to the each domain have been observed previously, the overall structure of quinolinate synthase shows no similarity to any known protein structure. The three analogous domains are related to a pseudo-3-fold symmetry. The active site is located at the interface of the three domains and is centered on the pseudo-3-fold axis. The malate molecule is tightly held near the bottom of the active site cavity. The model of the catalytic state during the first condensation step of the quinolinate synthase reaction indicates that the elimination of inorganic phosphate from dihydroxyacetone phosphate may precede the condensation reaction.
Modular cascaded converter for MVDC-connected photovoltaic systems

This paper focuses on the relevant content of the MVDC-connected photovoltaic system based on the modular cascaded structure. This paper proposes a new topology for the DC grid-connected photovoltaic system with a novel capacitor voltage balancing control strategy, including the module input power ratio feed forward and module capacitor voltage closed-loop control. The proposed control strategy is independent from the realization of the photovoltaic maximum power point tracking function of the first stage. The operation principles of the proposed converter are analyzed and verified by the simulation and experimental results.
Evaluation of the internal vertebral venous plexus, vertebral canal, dural sac, and vertebral body via nonselective computed tomographic venography in the cervical vertebral column in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate nonselective computed tomographic (CT) venography for evaluating the cervical internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP), define the diameter and area dimensions of the IVVP, and determine the relationship between dimensions of the cervical IVVP and other vertebral components in medium-sized dogs. Animals-6 healthy dogs that weighed 18 to 27 kg. Procedure-Helical CT scans were performed from C1 to C7 before and after IV injection of contrast medium (480 mg of iodine/kg) and a continuous infusion (240 mg of iodine/kg). Image data were transferred to a CT workstation, and measurements were performed on displayed transverse images. Diameter and area measurements of the vertebral canal, dural sac, IVVP, and vertebral body were obtained at C3 to C7. RESULTS Opacification of vertebral venous structures was achieved in all dogs with no adverse reactions. Sagittal diameters of the IVVP for C3 to C7 ranged from 0.6 to 3.2 mm. Transverse diameters ranged from 2.32 to 5.74 mm. The IVVP area represented 12.4% of the mean vertebral canal transverse area and 30.61% of the mean vertebral epidural space area. Area measurements of the IVVP were significantly correlated with vertebral canal area and dural sac area. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that nonselective CT venography is a safe, sensitive method for performing morphometric assessments of the cervical IVVP in dogs. Findings support the theory that there may be a physiologic or developmental relationship between cervical vertebral canal components.
Economic and Technological Importance of Innovations in Large Family and Founder Firms

Prior research has analyzed R&D spending in family and founder firms. Yet little is known about the economic and technological importance of innovations in these types of firms. Using patent citation data, we show that founder-managed firms, which we argue favor an entrepreneurial orientation, receive more patent citations when compared with other firms, even controlling for R&D spending. By contrast, family-managed firms, many of which, we argue, pursue socioemotional wealth for the family, receive fewer patent citations compared with other firms, again, controlling for R&D spending. Patent citations have been shown in the literature to reflect the economic and technological importance of innovations.
Integrative Genomic Analyses Yield Cell-Cycle Regulatory Programs with Prognostic Value

Liposarcoma is the second most common form of sarcoma, which has been categorized into four molecular subtypes, which are associated with differential prognosis of patients. However, the transcriptional regulatory programs associated with distinct histologic and molecular subtypes of liposarcoma have not been investigated. This study uses integrative analyses to systematically define the transcriptional regulatory programs associated with liposarcoma. Likewise, computational methods are used to identify regulatory programs associated with different liposarcoma subtypes, as well as programs that are predictive of prognosis. Further analysis of curated gene sets was used to identify prognostic gene signatures. The integration of data from a variety of sources, including gene expression profiles, transcription factor–binding data from ChIP-Seq experiments, curated gene sets, and clinical information of patients, indicated discrete regulatory programs (e.g., controlled by E2F1 and E2F4), with significantly different regulatory activity in one or multiple subtypes of liposarcoma with respect to normal adipose tissue. These programs were also shown to be prognostic, wherein liposarcoma patients with higher E2F4 or E2F1 activity associated with unfavorable prognosis. A total of 259 gene sets were significantly associated with patient survival in liposarcoma, among which >50% are involved in cell cycle and proliferation. Implications: These integrative analyses provide a general framework that can be applied to investigate the mechanism and predict prognosis of different cancer types. Mol Cancer Res; 14(4); 332–43. ©2016 AACR.
Investigation of the charge compensation mechanism on the electrochemically Li-ion deintercalated Li1-xCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2 electrode system by combination of soft and hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

In situ hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at metal K-edges and soft XAS at O K-edge and metal L-edges have been carried out during the first charging process for the layered Li1-xCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material. The metal K-edge XANES results show that the major charge compensation at the metal site during Li-ion deintercalation is achieved by the oxidation of Ni2+ ions, while the manganese ions and the cobalt ions remain mostly unchanged in the Mn4+ and Co3+ state. These conclusions are in good agreement with the results of the metal K-edge EXAFS data. Metal L-edge XAS results at different charge states in both the FY and PEY modes show that, unlike Mn and Co ions, Ni ions at the surface are oxidized to Ni3+ during charge, whereas Ni ions in the bulk are further oxidized to Ni4+ during charge. From the observation of O K-edge XAS results, we can conclude that a large portion of the charge compensation during Li-ion deintercalation is achieved in the oxygen site. By comparison to our earlier results on the Li1-xNi0.5Mn0. 5O2 system, we attribute the active participation of oxygen in the redox process in Li1-xCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2 to be related to the presence of Co in this system.
Reduction of non-performing loans in the banking industry: an application of data envelopment analysis

The increase in non-performing loans around the world has had quite a negative impact on many nations’ banking systems. To address these problems, many creative regulatory solutions and well-designed risk techniques have been utilized in the hope of reducing non-performing loans to an acceptable level. The purpose of this study is to apply a newly developed data envelopment analysis model to suggest the most efficient plan (called Plan 4) to reduce non-performing loans that can maximize the efficiency of the entire banking industry’s control over the bad debts. For comparison purpose, three other reduction plans are also represented. The four plans are presented using data from Taiwan’s banking industry. The empirical results show that among the plans presented, Plan 4 shows the most effective allocation of the industry-wide reduction target. The plan focuses on a finite number of banks, helping identify the key units to improve industry-wide efficiency. The findings implicitly suggest that the regulator should devise more incentive measures to encourage target banks to perform the non-performing loan reduction task. Our results also suggest that for the regulator, forcing banks to cut their non-performing loans by the same ratio will not help improve the relative efficiency of the industry.
Dopamine Gene Profiling to Predict Impulse Control and Effects of Dopamine Agonist Ropinirole

Dopamine agonists can impair inhibitory control and cause impulse control disorders for those with Parkinson disease (PD), although mechanistically this is not well understood. In this study, we hypothesized that the extent of such drug effects on impulse control is related to specific dopamine gene polymorphisms. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to examine the effect of single doses of 0.5 and 1.0 mg of the dopamine agonist ropinirole on impulse control in healthy adults of typical age for PD onset. Impulse control was measured by stop signal RT on a response inhibition task and by an index of impulsive decision-making on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. A dopamine genetic risk score quantified basal dopamine neurotransmission from the influence of five genes: catechol-O-methyltransferase, dopamine transporter, and those encoding receptors D1, D2, and D3. With placebo, impulse control was better for the high versus low genetic risk score groups. Ropinirole modulated impulse control in a manner dependent on genetic risk score. For the lower score group, both doses improved response inhibition (decreased stop signal RT) whereas the lower dose reduced impulsiveness in decision-making. Conversely, the higher score group showed a trend for worsened response inhibition on the lower dose whereas both doses increased impulsiveness in decision-making. The implications of the present findings are that genotyping can be used to predict impulse control and whether it will improve or worsen with the administration of dopamine agonists.
Modeling and Analyzing the Cross-Tier Handover in Heterogeneous Networks

Denser deployments of heterogeneous networks (HetNets) lead to more frequent handovers, which results in a decline of user experience as well as heavy signaling overheads to the network. Therefore, the study on handover is of great importance especially in dense HetNets. In this paper, we focus on the analysis of cross-tier handover from the macro cell tier to the small cell tier, which shows the highest handover failure rate in current standards and industry studies. Using the stochastic geometry, we propose an analytical model for the cross-tier handover processes in the HetNet. Based on the derived analytical model, the closed-form expressions for the key handover performance metrics, including the handover rate, handover failure rate, and ping-pong rate, are deduced as functions of the base station density, time to trigger and user mobility. Simulation results verify the accuracy of the proposed analytical model and closed-form theoretical analyses, which provide guidance for the deployments of HetNets and corresponding handover strategies.
Facilitating in vitro Tape Stripping: Application of Infrared Densitometry for Quantification of Porcine Stratum Corneum Proteins

Infrared (IR) densitometry is a highly practical method recently proposed for protein analysis during in vivo tape stripping. However, this method has not yet been validated for the quantification of porcine stratum corneum (SC) proteins. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish calibration curves for the analysis of adhesive tapes removed from porcine ear skin. To this end, the protein absorption (as determined via IR densitometry) was correlated with the protein content determined with the Micro BCA™ protein assay after extraction of the tapes. The obtained linear regressions confirm that IR densitometry is suitable for the quantification of not only human, but also porcine, SC proteins. The pattern of protein removal observed with porcine skin differs from that of human skin due to more pronounced corneocyte clustering and deep ‘canyons’, which necessitates specific evaluation of porcine skin samples and a working protocol that takes this into account. The presented data will facilitate future analysis of porcine SC proteins during in vitro tape stripping.
Antihepatotoxic activity of Euphorbia neriifolia extract against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice.

OBJECTIVE To scrutinize the protective role of hydroethanolic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia leaves (HEEN) against N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Swiss albino mice. METHODS Experimental mice were pretreated with 150 and 400 mg/kg of HEEN, or 0.5% and 1% of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as a standard for 14 d prior to the administration of a single dose of 50 mg/kg of DENA. Levels of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome (Cyt) P450 and Cyt b5, activities of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein and cholesterol content in the liver tissues were measured to determine the hepatotoxicity caused by DENA. RESULTS The levels of Cyt P450 and Cyt b5 were significantly increased, and GST and GSH were significantly depleted after DENA treatment (P<0.01). The activities of AST, ALT and ALP, and the total protein content were also significantly dropped off (P<0.01). The total cholesterol level was markedly increased by DENA as compared with the normal group (P<0.01). However, the pre-supplementation of HEEN showed a remarkable amelioration of these abnormalities, and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes in the liver were significantly restored, which exhibited the dose-dependent protective effect against DENA-induced hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION HEEN exerts its chemopreventive effects by alleviating the xenobiotic enzymes and enhancing the levels of antioxidants and biochemical assays in DENA-induced carcinogenesis by reducing the formation of free radicals.
Disease and psychological status in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES Psychological factors may be important in the assessment and management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our primary objective was to describe associations between disease and psychological status in AS, using AS-specific assessment tools and questionnaires. Our secondary objectives were to identify patient subgroups based on such associations and to determine the stability of the measures over time. METHODS A total of 110 patients were assessed at 6-monthly intervals up to four times using tools to measure disease [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)], psychological [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HADS), Health Locus of Control-Form C Questionnaire (HLC-C)] and generic health [Short form (SF)-36] status. RESULTS Eighty-nine participants completed all four assessments. Throughout the study, BASDAI, BASFI and BASMI scores correlated significantly with anxiety, depression, internality and health status, but not with levels of belief in chance or powerful others. Clinically anxious or depressed subgroups had significantly worse BASDAI and BASFI, but not BASMI, scores. BASMI scores were the least closely linked to psychological status. Mean scores for disease, psychological and health status were clinically stable over the 18 months period. CONCLUSIONS Disease status scores in AS correlated significantly with anxiety, depression, internality and health status. Interpretation of AS disease scores should take an account of psychological status and the choice of measures used. These findings have important potential applications in AS management and monitoring, including the identification of patients for biological therapies.
An algorithm to predict pregnancy in assisted reproduction.

BACKGROUND Male fertility potential cannot be measured by conventional parameters for the assisted reproduction technique; ICSI. This study determines the relationship between testicular and ejaculated sperm mitochondrial (mt) DNA deletions, nuclear (n) DNA fragmentation, and fertilization and pregnancy rates in ICSI. METHODS Ejaculated sperm were obtained from 77 men and testicular sperm from 28 men with obstructive azoospermia undergoing ICSI. Testicular sperm were retrieved using a Trucut needle. mtDNA was analysed using a long PCR. The alkaline Comet assay determined nDNA fragmentation. RESULTS Of subjects who achieved a pregnancy (50%) using testicular sperm, only 26% had partners' sperm with wild-type (WT) mtDNA. Of pregnant subjects (38%) using ejaculated sperm, only 8% had partner sperm with WT mtDNA. In each, the successful group had less mtDNA deletions and less nDNA fragmentation. There were inverse relationships between pregnancy and mtDNA deletion numbers, size and nDNA fragmentation for both testicular and ejaculated sperm. No relationships were observed with fertilization rates. An algorithm for the prediction of pregnancy is presented based on the quality of sperm nDNA and mtDNA. CONCLUSION In both testicular and ejaculated sperm, mtDNA deletions and nDNA fragmentation are closely associated with pregnancy in ICSI.
Contrasted coevolutionary dynamics between a bacterial pathogen and its bacteriophages

Significance Scientists have long debated the dynamic form of perpetual reciprocal adaptations, or coevolution, between hosts and their parasites. The two main types of antagonistic coevolution described to date are arms race dynamics, in which interaction traits escalate through time, and fluctuating selection dynamics, in which traits cycle through time. We used experimental evolution between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a panel of its lytic phages and found the full known range of coevolutionary dynamics. We argue that the coevolutionary pattern is determined by whether phages typically adsorb directly to receptors on the bacterial outer membrane or instead use retractable type IV pili as a primary or alternative site. Our results have applications in the use of phages as therapeutics or disinfectants to control bacterial pathogens. Many antagonistic interactions between hosts and their parasites result in coevolution. Although coevolution can drive diversity and specificity within species, it is not known whether coevolutionary dynamics differ among functionally similar species. We present evidence of coevolution within simple communities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and a panel of bacteriophages. Pathogen identity affected coevolutionary dynamics. For five of six phages tested, time-shift assays revealed temporal peaks in bacterial resistance and phage infectivity, consistent with frequency-dependent selection (Red Queen dynamics). Two of the six phages also imposed additional directional selection, resulting in strongly increased resistance ranges over the entire length of the experiment (ca. 60 generations). Cross-resistance to these two phages was very high, independent of the coevolutionary history of the bacteria. We suggest that coevolutionary dynamics are associated with the nature of the receptor used by the phage for infection. Our results shed light on the coevolutionary process in simple communities and have practical application in the control of bacterial pathogens through the evolutionary training of phages, increasing their virulence and efficacy as therapeutics or disinfectants.
Integrating Ontologies Based on P2P Mappings

Large organizations usually have difficulties in dealing with the exponential growth of information. Therefore, there is a high demand for innovative solutions to deal with such growth and to integrate such information. This paper proposes a new approach, called Emergent Ontologies (EOs), toward the generation of a single organizational ontology through which it becomes possible to browse all information of an organization. This proposal considers that, typically, an organization's information is distributed in peers, and that in each peer, this information could be represented through a different ontology. As each peer of an organization needs to exchange information, peer-to-peer mappings are created to bridge these ontologies. Based on these mappings, this paper proposes a set of heuristics, which are used to generate the EO. These heuristics have been incorporated into the OntoEmerge system, a prototype developed to facilitate the creation of an initial organization ontology. In order to evaluate such a system and the heuristics behind it, some experiments have been performed. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of these experiments is also presented in this paper. This approach presents encouraging results, and this fact can be considered as a starting point for the creation of organizational ontologies.