Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of an Unclassified Paramyxovirus in Coleura afra: A Potential Case of Host Specificity

Bats are known to harbor multiple paramyxoviruses. Despite the creation of two new genera, Aquaparamyxovirus and Ferlavirus, to accommodate this increasing diversity, several recently isolated or characterized viruses remain unclassified beyond the subfamily level. In the present study, among 985 bats belonging to 6 species sampled in the Belinga caves of Gabon, RNA of an unclassified paramyxovirus (Belinga bat virus, BelPV) was discovered in 14 African sheath-tailed bats (Coleura afra), one of which exhibited several hemorrhagic lesions at necropsy, and viral sequence was obtained in two animals. Phylogenetically, BelPV is related to J virus and Beilong virus (BeiPV), two other unclassified paramyxoviruses isolated from rodents. In the diseased BelPV-infected C. afra individual, high viral load was detected in the heart, and the lesions were consistent with those reported in wild rodents and mice experimentally infected by J virus. BelPV was not detected in other tested bat species sharing the same roosting sites and living in very close proximity with C. afra in the two caves sampled, suggesting that this virus may be host-specific for C. afra. The mode of transmission of this paramyxovirus in bat populations remains to be discovered.
Auditory stimulation and cardiac autonomic regulation

Previous studies have already demonstrated that auditory stimulation with music influences the cardiovascular system. In this study, we described the relationship between musical auditory stimulation and heart rate variability. Searches were performed with the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: “auditory stimulation”, “autonomic nervous system”, “music” and “heart rate variability”. The selected studies indicated that there is a strong correlation between noise intensity and vagal-sympathetic balance. Additionally, it was reported that music therapy improved heart rate variability in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients. It was hypothesized that dopamine release in the striatal system induced by pleasurable songs is involved in cardiac autonomic regulation. Musical auditory stimulation influences heart rate variability through a neural mechanism that is not well understood. Further studies are necessary to develop new therapies to treat cardiovascular disorders.
Consensus auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice: development of a standardized clinical protocol.

PURPOSE This article presents the development of the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) following a consensus conference on perceptual voice quality measurement sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Special Interest Division 3, Voice and Voice Disorders. The CAPE-V protocol and recording form were designed to promote a standardized approach to evaluating and documenting auditory-perceptual judgments of vocal quality. METHOD A summary of the consensus conference proceedings and the factors considered by the authors in developing this instrument are included. CONCLUSION The CAPE-V form and instructions, included as appendices to this article, enable clinicians to document perceived voice quality deviations following a standard (i.e., consistent and specified) protocol.
Application of Dynamic Time Warping on Kalman Filtering Framework for Abnormal ECG Filtering

Existing nonlinear Bayesian filtering frameworks serve as an effective tool for the model-based filtering of noisy ECG recordings. However, since these methods are based on linear phase assumption, for some heart defects where abnormal waves only appear in certain cycles of the ECG, they are unable to simultaneously filter the normal and abnormal ECG segments. In this paper, a new method based on Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), which benefits information of all channels for nonlinear phase state calculation is presented. Results on real and synthetic data show that the new method can be successfully applied for filtering normal and abnormal ECG segments simultaneously.
Coupled atmospheric and land surface dynamics over southeast Australia: a review, analysis and identification of future research priorities

The southeastern Australian climate and climate variability is driven primarily by large‐scale climate dynamics. How these dynamics translate into local effects is influenced by the nature of the landscape, the vegetation, soil moisture, fire, snow, irrigation and orography. This local land‐atmosphere coupling can enhance or moderate the large‐scale dynamics and have significant influences locally and regionally. This paper reviews the state of knowledge of the coupled land‐atmosphere dynamics over southeast Australia and identifies the challenges for future research. Relevant processes are investigated and if possible their importance to regional climate is identified. Many coupled land‐atmosphere dynamic processes, identified as important in the Northern Hemisphere studies, remain to be studied in southeast Australia. This represents an important priority for Australian research because this will establish their role in future changes in regional climate over Australia. However, this also represents a significant international priority because the very high natural climate variability in the region provides a laboratory to examine how coupled land‐atmosphere dynamic processes may change in other regions if global warming increases the range of natural variability. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Protogenin Defines a Transition Stage during Embryonic Neurogenesis and Prevents Precocious Neuronal Differentiation

Many Ig superfamily members are expressed in the developing nervous system, but the functions of these molecules during neurogenesis are not all clear. Here, we explore the expression and function of one of members of this superfamily, protogenin (PRTG), in the developing nervous system. Expression of PRTG protein is strong in the neural tube of mouse embryos between embryonic days 7.75 and 9.5 but disappears after embryonic day 10.5 when the neural progenitor marker nestin expresses prominently. Perturbation of PRTG activity in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells and in chick embryos, by either RNA interference or a dominant-negative PRTG mutant, increases neuronal differentiation. Using yeast two-hybrid screening and an in situ binding assay, we were able to identify ERdj3 (a stress-inducible endoplasmic reticulum DnaJ homolog) as a putative PRTG ligand. Addition of purified ERdj3 protein into the P19 differentiation assay reduced neurogenesis. This effect was blocked by addition of either a neutralizing antibody against PRTG or purified PRTG ectodomain protein, indicating that the effect of ERdj3 on neurogenesis is mediated through PRTG. Forced expression of ERdj3 in the chick neural tube also impairs neuronal differentiation. Together, these results suggest that expression of PRTG defines a stage between pluripotent epiblasts and committed neural progenitors, and its signaling plays a critical role in suppressing premature neuronal differentiation during early neural development.
A Light Hierarchy for Fast Rendering of Scenes with Many Lights

We introduce a new data structure in the form of a light hierarchy for efficiently ray‐tracing scenes with many light sources. An octree is constructed with the point light sources in a scene. Each node represents all the light sources it contains by means of a virtual light source. We determine bounds on the error committed with this approximation to shade a point, both for the cases of diffuse and specular reflections. These bounds are then used to guide a hierarchical shading algorithm. If the current level of the light hierarchy provides shading of sufficient quality, the approximation is used, thus avoiding the cost of shading for all the light sources contained below this level. Otherwise the descent into the light hierarchy continues.
Association between Smoking and the Progression of Computed Tomography Findings in Chronic Pancreatitis

Background/Aims Smoking and alcohol intake are two well-known risk factors for chronic pancreatitis. However, there are few studies examining the association between smoking and changes in computed tomography (CT) findings in chronic pancreatitis. The authors evaluated associations between smoking, drinking and the progression of calcification on CT in chronic pancreatitis. Methods In this retrospective study, 59 patients with chronic pancreatitis who had undergone initial and follow-up CT between January 2002 and September 2010 were included. Progression of calcification among CT findings was compared according to the amount of alcohol intake and smoking. Results The median duration of follow-up was 51.6 months (range, 17.1 to 112.7 months). At initial CT findings, there was pancreatic calcification in 35 patients (59.3%). In the follow-up CT, progression of calcification was observed in 37 patients (62.7%). Progression of calcification was more common in smokers according to the multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 9.987; p=0.006). The amount of smoking was a significant predictor for progression of calcification in the multivariate analysis (OR, 6.051 in less than 1 pack per day smokers; OR, 36.562 in more than 1 pack per day smokers; p=0.008). Conclusions Continued smoking accelerates pancreatic calcification, and the amount of smoking is associated with the progression of calcification in chronic pancreatitis.
Meta-Analysis of Parkinson's Disease Transcriptome Data Using TRAM Software: Whole Substantia Nigra Tissue and Single Dopamine Neuron Differential Gene Expression

The understanding of the genetic basis of the Parkinson's disease (PD) and the correlation between genotype and phenotype has revolutionized our knowledge about the pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration, opening up exciting new therapeutic and neuroprotective perspectives. Genomic knowledge of PD is still in its early stages and can provide a good start for studies of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the gene expression variations and the epigenetic mechanisms that may contribute to the complex and characteristic phenotype of PD. In this study we used the software TRAM (Transcriptome Mapper) to analyse publicly available microarray data of a total of 151 PD patients and 130 healthy controls substantia nigra (SN) samples, to identify chromosomal segments and gene loci differential expression. In particular, we separately analyzed PD patients and controls data from post-mortem snap-frozen SN whole tissue and from laser microdissected midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, to better characterize the specific DA neuronal expression profile associated with the late-stage Parkinson's condition. The default "Map" mode analysis resulted in 10 significantly over/under-expressed segments, mapping on 8 different chromosomes for SN whole tissue and in 4 segments mapping on 4 different chromosomes for DA neurons. In conclusion, TRAM software allowed us to confirm the deregulation of some genomic regions and loci involved in key molecular pathways related to neurodegeneration, as well as to provide new insights about genes and non-coding RNA transcripts not yet associated with the disease.
Controversies, Dilemmas And Openings In The Study Of African Development

Like every other scientific theory, socialist development has its own rationale which determines its priorities independent of the subjective wish of its planners. Hence the dialectical fact that the whole process of socio-economic development and of all objects develop through contradictions. A study of these contradictions and their correct resolution is the essence of a successful and conscious development. Without this scientific approach the development of Socialism 'will be haphazard, irrational and eventually destructive' (Babu 19Â®1 page 158).
Right infarction response to coronary artery bypass and the Abiomed BVS 5000

A 57-year-old man presented with acute right ventricular infarction. A percutaneous coronary intervention was undertaken, but he developed shock and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support. Coronary artery bypass was performed, and a Abiomed BVS 5000 was implanted as a right ventricular assist device. Circulation gradually stabilized, and the device was removed after 5 days. There no sign of heart failure or infection at 9 months post-surgery.
Lead Exposure and Its Implications for Criminological Theory

This article summarizes what is known about the association between lead exposure and human behavior and discusses the implications for criminology. It provides background information about lead sources and measurement and traces the various impacts of lead exposure on humans, including cognition and behavior. It posits that the link between lead exposure, aggression, delinquency, and crime is consistent with the traditional individual-level psychological based and aggregate-level sociological based theories that explain delinquent and criminal behavior and that differential lead exposure and treatment by neighborhood is congruent with theories of social disadvantage. It concludes by enumerating the unsettled debates about the impact of lead exposure and by outlining the profitable avenues for future criminological research.
Context and Crowding in Perceptual Learning on a Peripheral Contrast Discrimination Task: Context-Specificity in Contrast Learning

Perceptual learning is an improvement in sensitivity due to practice on a sensory task and is generally specific to the trained stimuli and/or tasks. The present study investigated the effect of stimulus configuration and crowding on perceptual learning in contrast discrimination in peripheral vision, and the effect of perceptual training on crowding in this task. 29 normally-sighted observers were trained to discriminate Gabor stimuli presented at 9° eccentricity with either identical or orthogonally oriented flankers with respect to the target (ISO and CROSS, respectively), or on an isolated target (CONTROL). Contrast discrimination thresholds were measured at various eccentricities and target-flanker separations before and after training in order to determine any learning transfer to untrained stimulus parameters. Perceptual learning was observed in all three training stimuli; however, greater improvement was obtained with training on ISO-oriented stimuli compared to CROSS-oriented and unflanked stimuli. This learning did not transfer to untrained stimulus configurations, eccentricities or target-flanker separations. A characteristic crowding effect was observed increasing with viewing eccentricity and decreasing with target-flanker separation before and after training in both configurations. The magnitude of crowding was reduced only at the trained eccentricity and target-flanker separation; therefore, learning for contrast discrimination and for crowding in the present study was configuration and location specific. Our findings suggest that stimulus configuration plays an important role in the magnitude of perceptual learning in contrast discrimination and suggest context-specificity in learning.
Mu and IS1 Transpositions Exhibit Strong Orientation Bias at the Escherichia coli bgl Locus

ABSTRACT The region upstream of the Escherichia coli bgloperon is an insertion hot spot for several transposons. Elements as distantly related as Tn1, Tn5, and phage Mu home in on this location. To see what characteristics result in a high-affinity site for transposition, we compared in vivo and in vitro Mu transposition patterns near the bgl promoter. In vivo, Mu insertions were focused in two narrow zones of DNA nearbgl, and both zones exhibited a striking orientation bias. Five hot spots upstream of the bgl cyclic AMP binding protein (CAP) binding site had Mu insertions exclusively with the phage oriented left to right relative to the direction of bgl transcription. One hot spot within the CAP binding domain had the opposite (right-to-left) orientation of phage insertion. The DNA segment lying between these two Mu hot-spot clusters is extremely A/T rich (80%) and is an efficient target for insertion sequences during stationary phase. IS1 insertions that activate the bgl operon resulted in a decrease in Mu insertions near the CAP binding site. Mu transposition in vitro differed significantly from the in vivo transposition pattern, having a new hot-spot cluster at the border of the A/T-rich segment. Transposon hot-spot behavior and orientation bias may relate to an asymmetry of transposon DNA-protein complexes and to interactions with proteins that produce transcriptionally silenced chromatin.
African-American Female College Presidents: Self Conceptions of Leadership

This paper explores how the interaction of race and gender influences African-American female college presidents' origins and conceptions of leadership. Traditional leadership literature focuses on males as the informants about leadership. In recent years, more research has been conducted about how gender might influence leadership. However, rarely is race considered and even less frequently is there a discussion of how one's race and gender might influence one's conception of leadership. Interviews with twelve African-American female college presidents (about a quarter of all African-American female college presidents) discussed the role that social class, educational background, and the process for emerging as leaders, has had on their views of themselves as leaders. In addition, this research confirms the importance of race to these women's identities and as a motivator for assuming leadership positions.
Rumen microbial ecosystem

The inhabitants of the rumen microbial eco-system, a complex consortium of different microbial groups living in symbiotic relationship with the host, act synergistically for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic feeds intovolatile fatty acids which serve as a source of energy for the animals. The constraints, imposed by the host and the feed consumed by the animal, under which these microbes have to function, have been discussed. The eco-system is specialized and buffered in a narrow range of pH, which helps the animal to maintain a very well stabilized eco-system which is not disturbed by the incoming microbial contaminants into the fermentation sac (rumen) through feed and water intake. The microbial ecosystem is well studied for the rumen of domesticated animals like cattle, sheep and goat, but it is poorly studied in buffalo and wild ruminants. The necessity to use molecular biology techniques for identification and characterization of rumen microbes has been emphasized in this review.
Hormonal Perturbations in Occupationally Exposed Nickel Workers

BACKGROUND: Nickel exposure is recognized as an endocrine disruptor because of its adverse effects on reproduction. AIM: This study was designed to investigate the possible testiculo-hormonal perturbations on workers occupationally exposed to nickel and to assess its effects on human male sexual function. METHODS: Cross-sectional comparative study, comprising 105 electroplating male non-smoker, non-alcoholic workers exposed to soluble nickel and 60 controls was done. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone levels and urinary nickel concentrations were determined for the studied groups. RESULTS: Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, urinary nickel and the simultaneous incidence of more than one sexual disorder were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to controls. The occurrence of various types of sexual disorders (decreased libido, impotence and premature ejaculation) in the exposed workers was 9.5, 5.1 and 4.4 folds respectively than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to nickel produces possible testiculo-hormonal perturbations in those exposed workers.
Sub-Identities : Toward Operating System Support for Distributed System Security

We propose sub-identities, a new model for protection domains in the operating system. In this model, user identities are arranged in a hierarchy, allowing each user to create arbitrarily named sub-identities at runtime without the help or approval of an administrator. This model gives users control over their own environment and also simplifies the interaction of distributed systems with local operating systems. The abstract model of sub-identity can be approximated by three implementations that vary in fidelity and complexity: user-level sandboxes, a username toolkit, and kernel modifications. We implement one method — user-level sandboxes — and demonstrate how sub-identities can be applied to the problems of secure login and untrusted web browsing.
Energy-Aware Simulation for Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy-aware sensor nodes are usually tightly energy-constrained, execute energy-efficient algorithms, have the ability to interrogate and control the devices used for storing and consuming energy, and often feature one or more sources of energy harvesting. Due to the cost, time and expertise required to deploy a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), simulation is currently the most widely adopted evaluation method. Network simulation is well established for mobile ad hoc networks, using simulators such as the popular ns2. However, the differing characteristics and performance criteria of WSNs introduce additional simulation requirements, and this has resulted in a number of simulators and simulator extensions developed specifically for this purpose. This paper investigates the suitability of a number of state-of-the-art simulators for evaluating energy-aware WSNs, and subsequently proposes a novel structure for simulating energy-aware WSNs. The proposed structure provides diverse, flexible and extensible hardware and environment models, and integrates a structured architecture for embedded software to enhance the design of energy-aware sensor nodes. To illustrate an implementation of the structure, details of - and observations obtained using - an in-house simulator (WSNsim) are presented.
A Comparative Study of Blending Algorithms for Realtime Panoramic Video Stitching

Panoramic video stitching consists of two major steps: remapping each candidate video stream to its final position and compositing them to generate seamless results. Given videos captured with cameras in fixed relative positions, the remapping step can be done directly using a precomputed look-up table. Greater challenges lie in the more time-consuming composition step. Real world applications typically use blending to perform composition; the performance of the whole system largely depends on the efficiency of the blending algorithm. In this paper, we provide in-depth analysis of the application of several state-of-the-art image blending techniques to realtime panoramic video stitching, as realtime panoramic video stitching enables near-immediate broadcast. Test videos were captured under various conditions, and stitched using various blending methods. Both computational efficiency and quality of composition results were evaluated. Source code and test videos are all publicly available.