Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Susceptibility of Chickens and Turkeys to Avian Influenza A H7N2 Virus Infection and Protective Efficacy of a Commercial Avian Influenza H7N2 Virus Vaccine

Abstract During the spring of 2002, a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A (H7N2) virus caused a major outbreak among commercial poultry in Virginia and adjacent states. The virus primarily affected turkey flocks, causing respiratory distress and decreased egg production. Experimentally, turkeys were more susceptible than chickens to H7N2 virus infection, with 50% bird infectious dose titers equal to 100.8 and 102.8–3.2, respectively. Comparison of virus shedding from the cloaca and oropharynx demonstrated that recent H7N2 virus isolates were readily isolated from the upper respiratory tract but rarely from the gastrointestinal tract. The outbreak of H7N2 virus raised concerns regarding the availability of vaccines that could be used for the prevention and control of this virus in poultry. We sought to determine if an existing commercial avian influenza (AI) vaccine prepared from a 1997 seed stock virus could provide protection against a 2002 LPAI H7N2 virus isolated from a turkey (A/turkey/Virginia/158512/02 [TV/02]) in Virginia that was from the same lineage as the vaccine virus. The inactivated AI vaccine, prepared from A/chicken/Pennsylvania/21342/97 (CP/97) virus, significantly reduced viral shedding from vaccinated turkeys in comparison with sham controls but did not prevent infection. The protective effect of vaccination correlated with the level of virus-specific antibody because a second dose of vaccine increased antiviral serum immunoglobulin G and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) reactivity titers in two different turkey age groups. Serum from CP/97-vaccinated turkeys reacted equally well to CP/97 and TV/02 antigens by HI and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These results demonstrate the potential benefit of using an antigenically related 1997 H7N2 virus as a vaccine candidate for protection in poultry against a H7N2 virus isolate from 2002.
Pain location and intensity impacts function in persons with myotonic dystrophy type 1 and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy with chronic pain

Introduction: We examined the effects of pain site and intensity on function in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and chronic pain. Methods: Questionnaires assessing pain sites, pain extent (number of sites), pain intensity, and pain interference were completed by 182 individuals with DM1 (43%) or FSHD (57%) and chronic pain. Results: There was a positive association between pain extent and intensity with pain interference, and a negative association with psychological functioning in both DM1 and FSHD. Pain intensity at specific sites had differential impact beyond the effects of pain intensity alone. Head pain intensity independently affected psychological functioning, whereas leg, foot, hip, and knee pain contributed independently to the prediction of pain interference. Conclusions: Pain site and intensity differentially modulates the effect of chronic pain on function in DM1 and FSHD patients. Researchers and clinicians should consider these factors when assessing and treating pain. Muscle Nerve 49: 900–905, 2014
PRADA: Prioritized Random Access With Dynamic Access Barring for MTC in 3GPP LTE-A Networks

Due to the huge amount of machine-type communications (MTC) devices, radio access network (RAN) overload is a critical issue in cellular-based MTC. The prioritized random access with dynamic access barring (PRADA) framework was proposed to efficiently tackle the RAN overload problem and provide quality of service (QoS) for different classes of MTC devices in Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) networks. The RAN overload issue is solved by preallocating random access channel (RACH) resources for different MTC classes with class-dependent back-off procedures and preventing a large number of simultaneous random access requests using dynamic access barring. In this paper, the performances of LTE-A without access barring, extended access barring (EAB), and PRADA are mathematically derived and compared, showing the superior performance of the PRADA scheme.
Internight sleep variability: its clinical significance and responsiveness to treatment in primary and comorbid insomnia

Although sleep diary and actigraphy data are usually collected daily for 1 or 2 weeks, traditional analytical approaches aggregate these data into mean values. Internight variability of sleep often accompanies insomnia. However, few studies have explored the relevance of this ‘construct’ in the context of diagnosis, clinical impact, treatment effects and/or whether having ‘variable sleep’ carries any prognostic significance. We explored these questions by conducting secondary analyses of data from a randomized clinical trial. The sample included primary (PI: n = 40) and comorbid insomnia (CMI: n = 41) sufferers receiving four biweekly sessions of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) or sleep hygiene education. Using the within‐subject standard deviations of diary‐ and actigraphy‐derived measures collected for 2‐week periods [sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE)], we found that CMI sufferers displayed more variable self‐reported SOLs and SEs than PI sufferers. However, higher variability in diary and actigraphy‐derived measures was related to poorer sleep quality only within the PI group, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Within both groups, the variability of diary‐derived measures was reduced after CBT, but the variability of actigraphy‐derived measures remained unchanged. Interestingly, the variability of actigraphy measures at baseline was correlated with PSQI scores at 6‐month follow‐up. Higher SOL variability was associated with worse treatment outcomes within the PI group, whereas higher WASO variability was correlated with better treatment outcomes within the CMI group. Sleep variability differences across insomnia diagnoses, along with their distinctive correlates, suggest that mechanisms underlying the sleep disruption/complaint and treatment response in both patient groups are distinct. Further studies are warranted to support variability as a useful metric in insomnia studies.
N-ACETYLCYSTEINE PROTECTS THE RATS AGAINST PHRENIC NERVE DYSFUNCTION IN SEPSIS

This study investigates the association of oxidative stress with the function of the phrenic nerve and inquires whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may counteract the possible detrimental effects. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP plus NAC treatment. Sepsis was produced by the CLP procedure. NAC was administered at 70 mg/day for 7 days. Electrophysiology was evaluated by the needle electromyography of the diaphragm and phrenic nerve conduction study. Oxidative stress was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite/nitrate (NN), and reduced-glutathione (ReGSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and catalase (CAT) activities in the phrenic nerve. In the CLP group, ReGSH and CAT were decreased (P = 0.0001, P = 0.07, respectively); and MDA, MPO, and NN were increased (P = 0.02, P = 0.0001, P = 0.043, respectively), compared with the sham group. NAC administration increased the ReGSH (P = 0.036) and decreased the MDA, MPO, and NN (P = 0.008, P = 0.01, P = 0.032, respectively), compared with the CLP group. In the CLP group, electrophysiology revealed reductions in the number of motor unit action potentials (P = 0.0001) and prolongations in the latency of the compound nerve action potential (P = 0.0001), indicating phrenic nerve neuropathy. NAC administration significantly ameliorated these electrophysiological alterations (P = 0.011, P = 0.0001, respectively), compared with the CLP group. The present results showed that intraabdominal sepsis is closely associated with phrenic nerve neuropathy. In addition, NAC administration protects the rats against the detrimental events of sepsis.
Dynamic selection and combination of conditional quantile forecasts , with application to value-at-risk modeling April 1

We introduce an effective and computationally fast approach to combine conditional quantile forecasts. The approach uses the information of the relevant loss function for the quantile problem associated to each candidate model in order to define forecast combination weights in a dynamic fashion. Two important advantages of the proposed method are that i) does not require numerical optimization of the combination weights, which facilitates implementation when a large cross section of individual forecasts is considered and ii) the aggressiveness in the allocation across alternative forecasts and the trimming of worse forecasts can be easily calibrated with a single parameter. An empirical implementation of the method based on a large dimensional data set with 50 assets and on value-at-risk (VaR) forecasts obtained with a set of 16 alternative candidate models shows that the portfolio VaR forecasts based on the proposed method are accurate and outperform that of individual models in many instances.
Regulation of CD4 T cells and their effects on immunopathological inflammation following viral infection

CD4 T cells help immune responses, but knowledge of how memory CD4 T cells are regulated and how they regulate adaptive immune responses and induce immunopathology is limited. Using adoptive transfer of virus‐specific CD4 T cells, we show that naive CD4 T cells undergo substantial expansion following infection, but can induce lethal T helper type 1‐driven inflammation. In contrast, memory CD4 T cells exhibit a biased proliferation of T follicular helper cell subsets and were able to improve adaptive immune responses in the context of minimal tissue damage. Our analyses revealed that type I interferon regulates the expansion of primary CD4 T cells, but does not seem to play a critical role in regulating the expansion of secondary CD4 T cells. Strikingly, blockade of type I interferon abrogated lethal inflammation by primary CD4 T cells following viral infection, despite that this treatment increased the numbers of primary CD4 T‐cell responses. Altogether, these data demonstrate important aspects of how primary and secondary CD4 T cells are regulated in vivo, and how they contribute to immune protection and immunopathology. These findings are important for rational vaccine design and for improving adoptive T‐cell therapies against persistent antigens.
Higher nigrostriatal dopamine neuron loss in early than late onset Parkinson's disease?—A [99mTc]‐TRODAT‐1 SPECT study

Early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is distinct from the classic late‐onset PD (LOPD) because of its slower disease progression. The aim of this study was to compare dopamine neuronal loss in EOPD with that of LOPD with the same disease duration, through dopamine transporter (DAT) estimation. Fourteen patients, seven EOPD (<50 years) and seven LOPD, matched for disease duration were scanned with [99mTc]‐TRODAT‐1‐SPECT (INER‐Taiwan), and were assessed with standard PD scales. EOPD patients had 34% lower striatal DAT binding potential (BP) compared with that of LOPD patients (BP = 0.29 ± 0.12, BP = 0.44 ± 0.12, P < 0.02) with similar PD severity. These results suggest that EOPD patients have greater dopamine density loss than LOPD patients without motor‐symptom worsening. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Fast performance prediction of master-slave programs by partial task execution

In this paper, it is proposed to rapidly and accurately predict performance of master-slave (MS) parallel programs. To provide rapid prediction with high accuracy, our method reduces direct execution of the target MS program and estimates execution time of tasks of the program from only some directly executed tasks. In this estimation, we use a linear interpolation in order to reproduce the original order of task assignment, which affects the prediction accuracy of a performance saturation point. The experimental result shows that our proposed method predicts the performance of MS programs 1.7 times faster, at least, than the measured execution time which corresponds to the minimum time taken to predict the performance by prediction methods based on direct execution. Furthermore, our method predicts the performance with 7% error being as good as that of existing prediction method.
Deficits in Trace Fear Memory and Long-Term Potentiation in a Mouse Model for Fragile X Syndrome

Trace fear memory requires the activity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and is sensitive to attention-distracting stimuli. Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of mental retardation with many patients exhibiting attention deficits. Previous studies in fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) knock-out (KO) mice, a mouse model for fragile X, focused mainly on hippocampal-dependent plasticity and spatial memory. We demonstrate that FMR1 knock-out mice show a defect in trace fear memory without changes in locomotion, anxiety, and pain sensitivity. Whole-cell path-clamp recordings in the ACC show that long-term potentiation (LTP) was completely abolished. A similar decrease in LTP was found in the lateral amygdala, another structure implicated in fear memory. No significant changes were found in basal synaptic transmission. This suggests that synaptic plasticity in the ACC and amygdala of FMR1 KO mice plays an important role in the expression of behavioral phenotypes similar to the symptoms of fragile X syndrome.
Integration of Start–Stop Mechanism to Improve Maximum Power Point Tracking Performance in Steady State

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is important in photovoltaic systems for effective solar energy harvesting. One of the most popular MPPT techniques is the widely adapted perturb and observe (P&O) method owing to its simple and low-cost implementation. The downside is that the steady-state performance is compromised by the inherent perturbation. The magnitude of the steady-state oscillation can be lessened by reducing the perturbation size. However, the approach slows down the tracking speed during rapidly changing atmospheric conditions. Thus, the selection of perturbation value becomes difficult since it always involves the tradeoff between the tracking speed and steady-state ripple. This paper proposes a novel start-stop mechanism to eliminate the compromise of the traditional P&O MPPT method. Thanks to the advantages of simplicity and ease of implementation, the mechanism targets the MPPT solution for submodule integrated converters, which demand for a low-cost solution. The experimental evaluation of the proposed algorithm is compared with the benchmark P&O algorithm showing the claimed advantages.
Dynamics of Quantum-Dot Mode-Locked Lasers With Optical Injection

We present the dynamics of quantum-dot passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers under optical injection. We discuss the benefits of various configurations of the master source including single, dual, and multiple coherent frequency sources. In particular, we demonstrate that optical injection can improve the properties of the slave laser in terms of time-bandwidth product, optical linewidth, and timing jitter.
Electronic structure of random Al0.5Ga0.5As alloys: Test of the "special-quasirandom-structures" description.

The spectral properties of an {ital sp}{sup 3}{ital s*} tight-binding Hamiltonian for a random, unrelaxed Al{sub 0.5}Ga{sub 0.5}As alloy are calculated using three different techniques: the coherent-potential approximation, the recursion method (as applied to a {gt}2000 atom supercell), and the recently introduced special-quasirandom-structures'' (SQS) approach. Over a broad range of scattering strengths, the dominant spectral features predicted by the first two techniques are well reproduced by calculations for an SQS with 16 atoms/unit-cell ( SQS-8''). This suggests that the SQS approach might also be useful in cases where the other methods are difficult to apply, e.g., in first-principles calculations for structurally relaxed alloys.
Demonstration of a X-band multilayer Yagi-like microstrip patch antenna with high directivity and large bandwidth

The feasibility of obtaining large bandwidth and high directivity from a multilayer Yagi-like microstrip patch antenna at 10 GHz is investigated. A measured 10-dB bandwidth of ~20% and directivity of ~11 dBi is demonstrated through the implementation of a vertically-stacked structure with three parasitic directors, above the driven patch, and a single reflector underneath the driven patch. Simulated and measured results are compared and show fairly close agreement. This antenna offers the advantages of large bandwidth, high directivity and symmetrical broadside patterns, and could be applicable to satellite as well as terrestrial communications
Induction of murine T-helper-cell responses to the filarial nematode Brugia malayi

The purpose of this study was to examine the murine T-helper-cell (Th) cytokine response to the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. In the first 14 days following intraperitoneal inoculation of live microfilariae into BALB/c mice, filarial antigen-driven splenic lymphoid cells produced gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and little or no interleukin-5 (IL-5). After this time, IL-5 production increased (to 10 to 12 ng per 5 x 10(6) cells) coincident with a marked diminution in IFN-gamma generation. A single subcutaneous immunization with soluble microfilarial antigens also induced an IFN-gamma but no IL-5 response, whereas immunization three times elicited a predominant Th2-like reaction characterized by IL-4 and IL-5 production by CD4+ lymph node lymphocytes and a 10-fold increase in serum immunoglobulin E. The importance of IL-10 in establishing the balance between parasite-specific Th1 and Th2 responses was demonstrated by the ability of neutralizing monoclonal antibody to this cytokine to increase IFN-gamma production by splenic and lymph node cells from mice chronically exposed to live microfilariae or immunized multiple times with soluble filarial antigens.
Kerr Type Electro - Optic Effect in Solid Dielectrics

Electrically induced optical birefringence having a second power field dependence (Kerr effect) has been identified in common amorphous, transparent, dielectric materials such as PMMA, polyethylene, and cross-linked polyethylene. Using a He-Ne laser the relative phase retardation of light passing through an electrically stressed sample placed between crossed polarizers has been measured. An electrooptical coefficient of less than 0.1% of the Kerr coefficient in nitrobenzene has beenter-determined for PMMA samples. Even smaller values have been measured for PE samples. The measurements in PE are made for a range of temperatures in which the materials are transparent to visible light.ntri-Contributions from Maxwell stress towards the total observed effect have been determined independently. The measurement of substantial Kerr-type effect in PE is particularly significant as it makes possible a non-destructive technique of mapping electric fields around voids and inclusions within such polymeric insulation.
Ultrastructural Study of Two Patients With Both Piebaldism and Neurofibromatosis 1

Abstract: Piebaldism was associated with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF‐1) in two patients, an association not previously reported. Dopa staining (tyroslnase) and electron microscopy were performed: no melanocytes or melanosomes were found in hypomelanotic skin of patient 2 and in the white forelock skin of patient 1; in patient 2, normal melanocytes and melanosomes were present in the white forelock epidermis but absent from the cortex, cuticles, and inner root sheath of the while forelock hair. Because these structures receive melanosornes from melanocytes in the hair bulb, it was assumed that there were no melanocytes in the hair matrix. Melanocytes and melanosornes were normsl by ultrastructural criteria and in terms of their distribution in a normally pig men ted macule within a hypomelanotic patch of patient 2. These and earlier report findings led to three conclusions: subtypes of piebaldism exist, Including our patients showing a combination of piebaldism and NF‐1; the most commonly reported subtype has no melanocytes in the white forelock and hypomelanotic skin, although microscopic islands of melanocytes may exist within hypomelanotic skin; and the infrastructure of white forelock skin and hair of patient 2 is consistent with a mouse model of piebaldism, in which the hair follicle has no active melanocytes, but the interfollicular epidermis is normally melanized.
Actor-oriented management of cooperative work

The comprehensive management of cooperative work and/or groupwork comprises the domains: work task, workgroup, workflow, work aid and work object. These domains define five interdependent management areas with specific tasks. The term work management is introduced and a model for work engagement based on an actor paradigm is presented. The prototype implementation META WORK supports three of the five work management domains mentioned above.
Neurovascular compression findings in hemifacial spasm.

OBJECT It is generally accepted that hemifacial spasm (HFS) is caused by pulsatile vascular compression upon the facial nerve root exit zone. This 2-3 mm area, considered synonymous with the Obersteiner-Redlich zone, is a transition zone (TZ) between central and peripheral axonal myelination that is situated at the nerve's detachment from the pons. Further proximally, however, the facial nerve is exposed on the pontine surface and emerges from the pontomedullary sulcus. The incidence and significance of neurovascular compression upon these different segments of the facial nerve in patients with HFS has not been previously reported. METHODS The nature of neurovascular compression was determined in 115 consecutive patients undergoing their first microvascular decompression (MVD) for HFS. The location of neurovascular compression was categorized to 1 of 4 anatomical portions of the facial nerve: RExP = root exit point; AS = attached segment; RDP = root detachment point that corresponds to the TZ; and CP = distal cisternal portion. The severity of compression was defined as follows: mild = contact without indentation of nerve; moderate = indentation; and severe = deviation of the nerve course. Success in alleviating HFS was documented by telephone interview conducted at least 24 months following MVD surgery. RESULTS Neurovascular compression was found in all patients, and the main culprit was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (in 43%), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (in 31%), vertebral artery (in 23%), or a large vein (in 3%). Multiple compressing vessels were found in 38% of cases. The primary culprit location was at RExP in 10%, AS in 64%, RDP in 22%, and CP in 3%. The severity of compression was mild in 27%, moderate in 61%, and severe in 12%. Failure to alleviate HFS occurred in 9 cases, and was not related to compression location, severity, or vessel type. CONCLUSIONS The authors observed that culprit neurovascular compression was present in all cases of HFS, but situated at the RDP or Obersteiner-Redlich zone in only one-quarter of cases and rarely on the more distal facial nerve root. Since the majority of culprit compression was found more proximally on the pontine surface or even pontomedullary sulcus origin of the facial nerve, these areas must be effectively visualized to achieve consistent success in performing MVD for HFS.