Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterial tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) for microbiome studies: bacterial diversity in the ileum of newly weaned Salmonella-infected pigs.

The microbiota of an animal's intestinal tract plays a vital role in the animal's overall health. There is a surprising scarcity of information on the microbial diversity in the gut of livestock species such as cattle and swine. Here we describe a bacterial 16S-based tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) method that we have developed as a high-throughput universal tool for bacterial diversity, epidemiology, and pathogen detection studies. This method will allow hundreds of samples to be run simultaneously but analyzed individually or as groups. To test this new methodology, we individually evaluated the bacterial diversity in the ileum of 21 pigs. Ubiquitous bacteria detected in the newly weaned pigs were Clostridium spp. , Lactobacillus spp. , and Helicobacter spp. Many of the pigs had surprisingly low concentrations of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. Only four of the pigs were shown to be positive for Salmonella spp. using traditional culture methods. A total of eight pigs were bTEFAP positive for Salmonella spp. , including all four of the pigs that had been culture positive. Two of the pigs sampled were also positive for Campylobacter spp. tentative identified as jejuni. Using rarefaction curves modeled with the Richards equation, we estimated the maximum number of unique species level (3% dissimilarity) operational taxonomic units in the ileum of these pigs. These predictions indicated that there may be as many as 821 different species associated with the ileum in pigs. Together these data indicate a powerful potential of this technology in food safety and epidemiological and bacterial diversity applications. Using bTEFAP, we can expect to gain a better understanding of how the microbiome of an animal contributes to its health and well-being.
Riboregulation by DsrA RNA: trans‐actions for global economy

DsrA is an 87 nucleotide Escherichia coli RNA with extraordinary regulatory properties. The profound impact of its actions stems from DsrA regulating translation of two global transcription regulators, H‐NS and RpoS (σs), by sequence‐specific RNA–RNA interactions. H‐NS is a major nucleoid‐structuring and global repressor protein, and RpoS is the stationary phase and stress response sigma factor of RNA polymerase. DsrA changes its conformation to bind to these two different mRNA targets and thereby inhibits H‐NS translation, while stimulating that of RpoS in a mechanistically distinct fashion. DsrA apparently binds both the start and the stop codons of hns mRNA and sharply decreases the mRNA half‐life. DsrA also binds sequences in the 5′‐untranslated leader region of rpoS mRNA, enhancing rpoS mRNA stability and RpoS translation. A cohort of genes, governed by H‐NS repression and RpoS activation, are thus regulated. Low temperatures increase the levels of DsrA, with differential effects on H‐NS and RpoS. Additionally, the RNA chaperone protein Hfq is involved with DsrA regulation, as well as with other small RNAs that also act on RpoS to co‐ordinate stress responses. We address the possible functions of this genetic regulatory mechanism, as well as the advantages of using small RNAs as global regulators to orchestrate gene expression.
The relationship between helplessness and the child’s asthma symptoms: the role of social support

Abstract Objective: Objectives of this study were to survey parents and children independently regarding feelings of helplessness specific to asthma and to examine the relationship between helplessness and the child's symptom-free days. Methods: Parent–child dyads (children 7–12 years) from Rochester, NY were enrolled (November 2011–August 2012) from general pediatric clinics, pulmonary clinics, an Emergency Department, and area youth and asthma programs. Assessments included demographics, symptoms, ratings of helplessness related to asthma and parent social support. A multivariate linear regression was conducted to examine the relationship between feelings of helplessness and symptoms-free days: post hoc analysis assessed the moderating role of social support. Results: Overall, 107 parent–child dyads enrolled (participation rate: 72%); 104 were included in analysis. Most children were male (58%), 7–9 years (58%) and White (46%). The child's feelings of helplessness scores were positively correlated with symptom-free days indicating less feelings of helplessness as symptom-free days increased (rs = 0.273, p = 0.01). In a stratified analysis, among parents who reported minimal social support (<1 sources of support), child's helplessness scores were positively correlated with symptom-free days (rs = 0.335, p = 0.02). Conversely, among parents reporting >2 supports, no relationship was found (rs = 0.195, p = 0.15). Conclusions: This study found less feelings of helplessness among children with asthma as symptom-free days increased. Social support appears to moderate this relationship; however further studies to confirm these findings are needed.
Impaired sensory function in heterozygous P0 knockout mice is associated with nodal changes in sensory nerves

Mice heterozygously deficient in the major myelin component P0 are an established model of an inherited neuropathy and show signs of myelin degeneration in motor nerves. Unlike the case in patients, the sensory nerves are only mildly affected in the mouse mutants and do not show features indicative of myelin degeneration. Unexpectedly, by applying established behavioral tests, we found sensory deficits, as reflected by raised withdrawal thresholds to mechanical and thermal stimuli, whereas behavioral signs of a painful neuropathy were not detectable. By electron microscopy of longitudinal sections of sensory nerves, we found abnormalities in nodes of Ranvier comprising enlarged nodal gaps and poorly developed nodal Schwann cell microvilli. These alterations might be causally linked to the sensory deficits in the absence of profound myelin degeneration in the sensory nerves of the mutants. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adrenomedullin and Proadrenomudullin N‐Terminal 20 Peptide (PAMP) are Present in Human Colonic Epithelia and Exert an Antimicrobial Effect

The hypotensive and vasorelaxing peptides adrenomedullin (AM) and its gene‐related peptide, proadrenomedullin N‐terminal 20 peptide (PAMP), were found to be distributed on the surface of the colonic mucosa. AM and PAMP showed dose‐dependent antimicrobial activity against E. coli. The results suggest that the novel vasoactive peptides AM and PAMP play an important role in mucosal defence.
Speed sensorless Sliding Mode Observer for three-phase induction motor

This paper addresses a novel strategy for speed estimation based on feedback linearization control for three-phase induction motors. A sensorless scheme based on discrete time formulation of the Sliding Mode Observer is proposed and stability analysis through Lyapunov method is presented. Experimental results based on DSP platform (TMS320F2812) demonstrate the good performance of the proposed sensorless control scheme.
Prediction of Muscle Activations for Reaching Movements using Deep Neural Networks

The motor control problem involves determining the time-varying muscle activation trajectories required to accomplish a given movement. Muscle redundancy makes motor control a challenging task: there are many possible activation trajectories that accomplish the same movement. Despite this redundancy, most movements are accomplished in highly stereotypical ways. For example, point-to-point reaching movements are almost universally performed with very similar smooth trajectories. Optimization methods are commonly used to predict muscle forces for measured movements. However, these approaches require computationally expensive simulations and are sensitive to the chosen optimality criteria and regularization. In this work, we investigate deep autoencoders for the prediction of muscle activation trajectories for point-to-point reaching movements. We evaluate our DNN predictions with simulated reaches and two methods to generate the muscle activations: inverse dynamics (ID) and optimal control (OC) criteria. We also investigate optimal network parameters and training criteria to improve the accuracy of the predictions.
Mycoplasma genitalium: the aetiological agent of urethritis and other sexually transmitted diseases

Mycoplasma genitalium was first isolated in 1980 from two of 13 men with non‐gonococcal urethritis (NGU). It shares several features with M. pneumoniae, a recognized respiratory tract pathogen. It is extremely difficult to isolate by culture. The development of sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in the early 1990s made clinical studies possible and a significant number of publications have shown a strong association between M. genitalium and NGU, independent of Chlamydia trachomatis. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the currently available information on the associations between M. genitalium and urogenital tract infections in men and women and assess their fulfilment of the Henle–Koch postulates. It is concluded that there is very strong evidence that M. genitalium is a cause of NGU in men and cervicitis in women. Evidence for upper genital tract infections in women has begun to accrue, but further studies are needed. The optimal treatment of M. genitalium infections remains to be determined, but antibiotics of the macrolide group appear to be more active than tetracyclines.
A strategy for optimal loading pattern of a typical power system — A case study

This paper presents a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based algorithm to find the optimal location and setting of FACTS devices in order to improve the loading margin as well as voltage stability and small signal stability. Recently, the electric load demand has been continuously growing all over the world. The rapid increase in load demand enforces power systems to operate closer to the limits of instability. But, owing to economical and environmental restraints, the expansion of existing power system is limited. Existing power system loading margin can be enhanced by optimal placement and setting of FACTS devices to accomplish more power transfers with less network expansion cost. The objective function is formulated as maximizing the loadability of the power system with load generation balance as equality constraint as well as voltage stability, generation limit and line limit constraints as inequality constraint. A Central Travancore -15 bus practical system is taken into consideration to test the effectiveness of the proposed approach using MATLAB/PSAT environment.
Strength Training Effects on Physical Conditioning and Instep Kick Kinematics in Young Amateur Soccer Players during Preseason

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of lower limb strength training on physical conditioning and kinematic characteristics of instep kicking in 16 young amateur soccer players who participated in initial and final laboratory tests. In addition to their standard preseason soccer program, 8 players comprised the experimental group, who performed an 8-wk. strength-training program. Maximal and relative isometric force of the lower limbs were significantly improved. Moreover, toe and ankle linear velocity during ball contact, ball velocity, as well as ankle, knee and hip angular velocities of the kicking leg were significantly increased. It is concluded that conditioning and kinematic indices of the kicking performance could be improved after strength training of the lower limbs.
Oscillatory patterns in hippocampus under light and deep isoflurane anesthesia closely mirror prominent brain states in awake animals

The hippocampus exhibits a variety of distinct states of activity under different conditions. For instance the rhythmic patterns of activity orchestrated by the theta oscillation during running and REM sleep are markedly different from the large irregular activity (LIA) observed during awake resting and slow wave sleep. We found that under different levels of isoflurane anesthesia activity in the hippocampus of rats displays two distinct states, which have several qualities that mirror the theta and LIA states. These data provide further evidence that the two states are intrinsic modes of the hippocampus; while also characterizing a preparation that could be useful for studying the natural activity states in hippocampus. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Review on Cognitive Radio for MIMO

A MIMO system is a wireless system, which employs multiple antennas at the transmitter and the receiver. MIMO is an acronym for "multiple-input multiple-output". Its main objective is the transmission and reception of signals at the physical layer of the wireless stack. Currently, MIMO have been made commercial, with examples being WiMAX and LTE, as well as WiFi and 802.11n. However, there is significant research to be undertaken with respect to handling interference. Interference has been neglected in point-to-point MIMO as far as concurrent transmissions are concerned; thus, we are given the facts that MIMO offered the possibility of increased reliability through diversity and combination of gains. A technique to handle concurrent transmissions id cognitive radio, where nodes are separated to primary and secondary users competing for the channel medium. In this paper we provide a recent review on cognitive radio for MIMO.
The time-course of speaking rate compensation: effects of sentential rate and vowel length on voicing judgments

Many sources of context information in speech (such as speaking rate) occur either before or after the phonetic cues they influence, yet there is little work examining the time-course of these effects. Here, we investigate how listeners compensate for preceding sentence rate and subsequent vowel length (VL; a secondary cue that has been used as a proxy for speaking rate) when categorising words varying in voice-onset time (VOT). Participants selected visual objects in a display while their eye-movements were recorded, allowing us to examine when each source of information had an effect on lexical processing. We found that the effect of VOT preceded that of VL, suggesting that each cue is used as it becomes available. In a second experiment, we found that, in contrast, the effect of preceding sentence rate occurred simultaneously with VOT, suggesting that listeners interpret VOT relative to preceding rate.
Applying Human-Centered Design to Develop Motivating Exergames

Lifestyle diseases like unspecific back pain affect a large percentage of the population, especially in the age group 55 and older. Physiotherapy exercises are often perceived as dull and boring and many patients are not motivated to perform them regularly. Exergames can motivate patients to perform their exercise through playing a game, however, designing motivating game elements that generalize well to a variety of exercises is challenging. We report on our development process, on how we employ human-centered design in order to create motivating exergames, and on how we developed the concept of Living backgrounds as the result of this design process.
Right Atrial Surgery without Caval Snaring

Background During tricuspid valve replacement in a patient with previous mitral valve surgery, we made an incidental observation that the right atrium can be opened without caval snaring and without air entering the venous reservoir. We tested this hypothesis on an animal model. Methods Two patients underwent right atrial surgery using percutaneous cannulation, and no air was entrained without caval snaring. This principle was tested in an animal model using 2 pigs weighing 80 kg each. Percutaneous cannulae were placed under epicardial echo guidance with their tips 4 cm from the right atrium. A “collapsible bag with air drainage system” was introduced into the venous return system to quantify air return from the superior vena cava (SVC) and inferior vena cava (IVC). Two types of percutaneous cannulae with (Cardiovations Quick Draw) and without (Biomedicus) proximal side holes were tested. Results In the animal model using Biomedicus cannulae, upon opening the right atrium, air was entrained from the SVC cannula at 60 mL/minute with no air in the IVC. There was no difference in the amount of air between the two cannulae. Pressures measured were 5 cm of water in the IVC and −20 cm water in the SVC. Epicardial ultrasound demonstrated complete collapse of both vena cavae. Partial clamping of the SVC cannula reduced the amount of air to 60 cc/min, and placing a small straight clamp at the SVC atrial junction eliminated the air. No air was noted in IVC cannula. Conclusions Inferior vena caval drainage by percutaneous cannula does not entrain air with either type of cannula and without snaring (both in clinical cases and animal model). This might be explained by the presence of a competent Eustachian valve. However, the SVC is not immune to air. Minimal air (approximately 60 mL/minute) could be managed by partial clamping or completely be avoided by placing a small straight clamp without snaring.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency in an infant after intrathecal triple chemotherapy

Intrathecal triple chemotherapy (ITT) with hydrocortisone, methotrexate, and cytarabine is commonly used in treatment of pediatric acute leukemias. While prolonged systemic administration of corticosteroids is known to suppress the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, there have been no reports describing this effect following administration of ITT. We present an infant with relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia who developed clinically significant central adrenal axis suppression following six doses of ITT over 3 weeks, proven by corticorelin stimulation test. As multiple pediatric leukemia protocols incorporate ITT, particularly in infants, we feel that ITT should be considered as a potential source of adrenal axis suppression. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:386–389. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
The Common Land Model

The Common Land Model (CLM) was developed for community use by a grassroots collaboration of scientists who have an interest in making a general land model available for public use and further development. The major model characteristics include enough unevenly spaced layers to adequately represent soil temperature and soil moisture, and a multilayer parameterization of snow processes; an explicit treatment of the mass of liquid water and ice water and their phase change within the snow and soil system; a runoff parameterization following the TOPMODEL concept; a canopy photo synthesis-conductance model that describes the simultaneous transfer of CO2 and water vapor into and out of vegetation; and a tiled treatment of the subgrid fraction of energy and water balance. CLM has been extensively evaluated in offline mode and coupling runs with the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM3). The results of two offline runs, presented as examples, are compared with observations and with the simulation of three other la.
A survey of multiport converters used in renewable energy

Multiport converters are a promising concept for use in renewable-energy and hybrid power sources. These converters are highly beneficial, as conversion can be carried out in a single stage even while interfaced with multiple input power sources (hybrid). This paper provides an introduction to multiport converters and a comparison with conventional converters. The application of multiport converters with reference to renewable-energy sources along with the advantages and disadvantages of both types of converters are analyzed.
Video Streams Semantic Segmentation utilizing Multiple Channels with Different Time Granularity

This paper deals with a semantic segmentation in video streams. The proposed method aims to detect story segments in an episode of a TV drama. For reliable story segmentation, the challenge is to build a robust model capable of capturing the underlying consistent latent states corresponding to a story segment while handling frequent changes in low-level features. We address this challenge by utilizing multiple channels inherent in a TV drama. For a given TV drama episode, it is possible to disassemble the stream into visual, sound, or textual channels. The proposed method builds a dynamic model for each modality channel and combines the resulted models. The difficulty with this approach is the difference in time granularity of each channel. In order to dissolve the difference, we introduce a hierarchical model where a common latent state generates scenes and dialogue in a story segment. Each dynamic model analyzes its own segment in the assigned channel and at a higher level the composite likelihood of a story segment change is estimated based on the each channel’s estimation. We report preliminary estimation results in this paper. 1 Semantic segmenting in TV dramas and the proposed method We discuss a semantic segmentation method for video streams. A method for partitioning a series of images in groups is already introduced in [1] and video segmentation methods using prior knowledge or repetitions in scenes are being actively researched [2]. Contrary to previous researches, our method attempts to detect inherent story segments. If a story is defined as “a topically cohesive segment of episodes that include multiple sentences and events about a single topic” (modified definition of [3]), a video stream could be interpreted as a set of stories. The difficulties associated with semantic segmentation are as followings: (a) there dose not exist a suitable method for sematic analysis and (b) one should handle frequent changes in low-level features. In order to address these challenges, we propose a composite scheme based on the hierarchical Dirichlet process (HDP) [4]. The proposed method builds a separate dynamic model for each of the image channel and sound channel in an episode of a TV drama. An image channel dynamic model handles scene data (Fig.1 (a) and Eq. 1) and a sound channel dynamic model analyzes dialogues of each character in a video stream (Fig.1 (b) and Eq. 2). Each dynamic model is similar to the sticky HDP-HMM in [5]. The different time granularity of each channel makes analysis of video streams difficult. This difficulty is alleviated by considering likelihood of F (xLt|GL) and F (SLj |GL) (xLt: the tth scene in a story segment L, SLj : jth sound state, F (x|θ): likelihood of x given θ ). When ∗This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grand funded by the Korean government (MEST) (No. 2011-0016483).
E.E.G. alpha feedback--a comparison of two control groups.

It is controversial whether or not veridical feedback is necessary to bring about increases in alpha activity in the feedback situation and has been suggested that the instructional variable may be a crucial determinant of outcome. In this experiment two groups of subjects were both given false feedback. One group was misled into believing that the feedback was contingent. Increases in alpha index occurred only in those subjects who believed that they were receiving contingent feedback, indicating that subjects knowledge and belief concerning the experiment were important in determining the outcome.