Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excretion of foot-and-mouth disease virus in oesophageal-pharyngeal fluid and milk of cattle after intranasal infection

Summary The virus growth in the pharyngeal area and the virus excretion in milk of susceptible and vaccinated dairy cows after intranasal instillation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus type O1 were examined. Ten vaccinated cows were purchased through a market. Of these, nine had delivered their first calf. The cows were inoculated 2–9 months after having received the last dose of vaccine. All vaccinated cows resisted the intranasal challenge. The virus multiplied in the pharyngeal area but, compared with two susceptible controls, to a limited extent. No clear relation was found between virus growth and the titre of circulating neutralizing antibody at the time of challenge. Virus was first detected in milk samples of the susceptible cows when generalized FMD lesions had developed on day four; the excretion lasted for 3–4 days. Up to 19 days after inoculation untreated milk of the vaccinated cows was examined for the presence of infectious FMD virus. Samples were inoculated onto cell cultures, fed to susceptible pigs and calves and injected intramuscularly and/or intradermolingually into susceptible steers. No infectious FMD virus could be detected, either in cell cultures or in susceptible animals. The animals did not develop neutralizing antibody against FMD virus and were subsequently shown to be fully susceptible to challenge. The results are discussed with particular reference to current problems regarding the export of milk products from countries where vaccination against FMD is practised to countries free of the disease.
Sleep disorders and work performance: findings from the 2008 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America poll

Chronic sleep deprivation is common among workers, and has been associated with negative work outcomes, including absenteeism and occupational accidents. The objective of the present study is to characterize reciprocal relationships between sleep and work. Specifically, we examined how sleep impacts work performance and how work affects sleep in individuals not at‐risk for a sleep disorder; assessed work performance outcomes for individuals at‐risk for sleep disorders, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and restless legs syndrome (RLS); and characterized work performance impairments in shift workers (SW) at‐risk for shift work sleep disorders relative to SW and day workers. One‐thousand Americans who work 30 h per week or more were asked questions about employment, work performance and sleep in the National Sleep Foundation’s 2008 Sleep in America telephone poll. Long work hours were associated with shorter sleep times, and shorter sleep times were associated with more work impairments. Thirty‐seven percent of respondents were classified as at‐risk for any sleep disorder. These individuals had more negative work outcomes as compared with those not at‐risk for a sleep disorder. Presenteeism was a significant problem for individuals with insomnia symptoms, OSA and RLS as compared with respondents not at‐risk. These results suggest that long work hours may contribute to chronic sleep loss, which may in turn result in work impairment. Risk for sleep disorders substantially increases the likelihood of negative work outcomes, including occupational accidents, absenteeism and presenteeism.
Properties of Quantum Particles in Multi-Swarms for Dynamic Optimization

This paper studies properties of a multi-swarm system based on a concept of physical quantum particles (mQSO). Quantum particles differ from the classic ones in the way they move. As opposed to the classic view of particle movement, where motion is controlled by linear kinematic laws, quantum particles change their location according to random distributions. The procedure for generating a new location for the quantum particle is similar to mutation operators widely used in evolutionary computation with real-valued representation. In this paper we study a set of new distributions of candidates for quantum particle location, and we show different features of these distributions. The distributions considered in this paper are divided into two classes: those with a limited range of the new location coordinates and those without such limitations. They are tested on different types of dynamic optimization problems. Experimental verification has been based on a number of testing environments and two main versions of the algorithm: with and without mechanisms protecting against stagnation caused by convergence of sub-swarms during the search process. The experimental results show the advantages of the distribution class, in which the candidates are spread out in the entire search space, and indicate the positive and negative aspects of application of anti-convergencemechanisms.
Chrysanthemum like carbon nanofiber foam architectures for supercapacitors

Three-dimensional (3D) chrysanthemum-like carbon nanofiber (CCNF) foam architectures were synthesized on highly porous nickel foam via a one-step ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition process by introducing a mixture of precursor gases (H_2 and C_2H_2). The as-synthesized 3D foam architectures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which demonstrate high porosity and a densely packed nature of the hierarchical carbon nanostructures. Symmetrical electrochemical double-layer capacitors were fabricated using electrodes based on the CCNF foam architectures. Cyclic voltammetry, charge–discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were conducted to determine the performance metrics. The supercapacitors (SCs) demonstrate a high areal capacitance of 1.37 F/cm^2 (gravimetric specific capacitance: 23.83 F/g), which leads to superior values for per area energy density (0.19 Wh/cm^2) and power density (141.77 W/cm^2). In addition, capacitance retention of ∼100% over 13,000 charge–discharge cycles demonstrates the high electrochemical stability of this type of carbon nanostructure foam for high areal capacitance SCs.
Sodium Tanshinone Iia Sulfonate Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus via Suppressing N Gene Expression and Blocking Virus-Induced Apoptosis

Background Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes significant economic loss in the swine industry. Currently, there is no effective way to prevent PRRSV infection. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a natural compound derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, was shown to possess anti-PRRSV activity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of STS on PRRSV-induced cell apoptosis and PRRSV N protein expression pattern. Methods Relative quantification real-time PCR was used to evaluate the inhibition of STS on N gene expression. Simultaneously indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and western blot were used to assess the effect on N protein expression. Apoptosis was analysed using fluorescence microscope with an annexin V-EGFP kit. The effect of STS on caspase-3 cleaving was assessed by western blot. Results Our results showed that STS could inhibit viral N gene expression at both the messenger RNA stage and at the protein level in PRRSV-infected cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, STS could also rescue PRRSV-induced apoptosis. Conclusions Our data suggest that STS may serve as a base compound for developing more effective drugs against PRRSV infection.
A study of work stress, patient handling activities and the risk of low back pain among nurses in Hong Kong.

RATIONALE Low back pain (LBP) remains a common and costly problem among the nursing profession. Several studies have indicated that LBP is attributed to mentally straining or demanding work, fatigue or exhaustion or general work satisfaction. AIMS This study aims to measure the magnitude of LBP among Hong Kong nurses and its association with the work-related psychological strain and patients handling activities. RESEARCH METHODS AND MEASURES: A cross-sectional study of Hong Kong hospital nurses was conducted. Three hundred and seventy-seven nurses were recruited from six district hospitals. They were registered nurses or enrolled nurses working full-time for at least 1 month in the current ward. One hundred and seventy-eight (47.2%) study subjects were randomly selected from two district hospitals and 199 (52.8%) study nurses made up the convenience sample. Possible bias from psychological distress, socio-demographics and lifestyle factors was controlled for. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. The data included work factors (both psychological stress and patient handling activities related to work), demographics, psychological distress and lifestyle factors and the occurrence of LBP. RESULTS Of the 377 nurses interviewed, 153 (40.6%) reported having LBP within the last 12 months. With symptoms of LBP as the outcome, risks were increased where nurses self-reported that they only occasionally or never enjoyed their work [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.07], where frequent manual repositioning of patients on the bed was required (adjusted OR 1.84) and where they were required to assist patients while walking (adjusted OR 2.11) after adjustment for other potential confounders. CONCLUSION The results indicate that an association exists between work stress, manual lifting and LBP prevalence. The main route to prevention of LBP among nurses is likely to lie in improved ergonomics and psychological health in their work place. Good posture and correct transferring techniques in ward situations should be reinforced with hands-on practice performed on nurses' common types of clients.
The Raw Compiler Project

Compilers today are capable of inferring detailed information about program parallelism and analyzing whole-program behavior. However, the traditional interface between the compiler and the processor, as defined by the instruction set architecture (ISA), is unable to communicate much of the compiler knowledge to the processor. The approach taken by modern processors such as superscalars is to incorporate purely run-time algorithms in their hardware to perform analyses and optimizations such as detection of instruction-level parallelism. However, these complex hardware implementations can only exploit a small fraction of the parallelism information available to the compiler. The Raw architecture developed at MIT aims to maximally utilize the compiler by fully exposing the hardware and by delegating the hardware’s control completely to the software system. The Raw microprocessor, a set of simple RISC-like processor tiles interconnected with a high-speed 2D mesh network, does not provide hardware implementations for any of the complex algorithms found in conventional microprocessors. Instead, the compiler and the run-time software system fully orchestrate the Raw hardware resources, and they implement run-time analyses and optimizations tailored to the need of each individual application. This novel approach provides many opportunities and challenges for the Raw compiler and run-time system.
Does legislation to prevent alcohol sales to drunk individuals work? Measuring the propensity for night-time sales to drunks in a UK city

Background By measuring alcohol retailers’ propensity to illegally sell alcohol to young people who appear highly intoxicated, we examine whether UK legislation is effective at preventing health harms resulting from drunk individuals continuing to access alcohol. Methods 73 randomly selected pubs, bars and nightclubs in a city in North West England were subjected to an alcohol purchase test by pseudo-drunk actors. Observers recorded venue characteristics to identify poorly managed and problematic (PMP) bars. Results 83.6% of purchase attempts resulted in a sale of alcohol to a pseudo-intoxicated actor. Alcohol sales increased with the number of PMP markers bars had, yet even in those with no markers, 66.7% of purchase attempts resulted in a sale. Bar servers often recognised signs of drunkenness in actors, but still served them. In 18% of alcohol sales, servers attempted to up-sell by suggesting actors purchase double rather than single vodkas. Conclusions UK law preventing sales of alcohol to drunks is routinely broken in nightlife environments, yet prosecutions are rare. Nightlife drunkenness places enormous burdens on health and health services. Preventing alcohol sales to drunks should be a public health priority, while policy failures on issues, such as alcohol pricing, are revisited.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Risk and Escherichia coli O157:H7

We reviewed medical records of 238 hospitalized patients with Escherichia coli O157:H7 diarrhea to identify risk factors for progression to diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Data indicated that young age, long duration of diarrhea, elevated leukocyte count, and proteinuria were associated with HUS.
Non-Finitely Generated Prime Ideals in Subrings of Power Series Rings

Given a power series ring R∗ over a Noetherian integral domain R and an intermediate field L between R and the total quotient ring of R∗, the integral domain A = L ∩ R∗ often (but not always) inherits nice properties from R∗ such as being Noetherian. For certain fields L it is possible to approximate A using a localization B of a particular nested union of polynomial rings over R associated to A; if B is Noetherian then B = A. If B is not Noetherian, we can sometimes identify which prime ideals of B are not finitely generated. We have obtained in this way, for each positive integer n, a three-dimensional quasilocal unique factorization domain B such that the maximal ideal of B is two-generated, B has precisely n prime ideals of height two, each prime ideal of B of height two is not finitely generated and all the other prime ideals of B are finitely generated. We examine the structure of the map SpecA→ SpecB for this example. We also present a generalization of this example to higher dimensions.
Gastric bypass surgery in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 1-year follow-up of 58 cases in Chinese.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of gastric bypass surgery in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS Clinical data of 58 non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes (body mass index range from 22.1-25.8 kg/m(2)) were collected one year after gastric bypass surgery. Collected parameters included fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucagon-like peptide-1. The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR = fasting plasma glucose × fasting serum insulin/22.5) and the body mass index were calculated. RESULTS Of the 58 patients, 48 had stopped taking all hypoglycemic drug treatments and had achieved complete remission (82.8%). Seven patients were unable to completely withdraw from hypoglycemic agents, although their intake of drugs was reduced at least 50% compared to pre-surgical values (12.0%). Three of the cases showed no significant change in blood glucose after surgery (5.2%). In addition, values for fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and HOMA-IR significantly decreased after surgery. Values for fasting plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 significantly increased after surgery, and the body mass index at the sixth post-operative month were significantly lower than pre-operative. CONCLUSION For non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes, gastric bypass surgery has a significant clinical effect. Potential mechanisms include improvements in insulin resistance and/or increased endogenous intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion leading to improved insulin secretion.
Efficient processing of probabilistic spatio-temporal range queries over moving objects

Range queries for querying the current and future positions of the moving objects have received growing interests in the research community. Existing methods, however, assume that an object only moves along an anticipated path. In this paper, we study the problem of answering probabilistic range queries on moving objects based on an uncertainty model, which captures the possible movements of objects with probabilities. We conduct a performance study, which shows our proposal significantly reduces the number of object examinations and the overall cost of the query evaluation.
Asynchronous cooperative spectrum sensing in multi-hop cognitive radio networks

Previous cooperative sensing schemes require the cooperative Secondary Users (SUs) to behave in a synchronous way. This requires each SU to start cooperations at the same time by stopping their own transmissions. In multi-hop cognitive radio networks, it is very difficult to keep all SUs synchronized with others for sensing. In this paper, we propose an asynchronous cooperative sensing scheme for multi-hop cognitive radio networks in which each SU only provides its energy information in stead of ceasing its own transmission to perform the cooperative sensing. Each energy information is assigned an appropriate weight by considering the temporal and spatial diversities of each SU. We formulate the probabilities of detection and false alarm as optimization problems to find the optimal weight for every energy information. The achievable throughput has been derived. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme is able to achieve substantially higher throughput compared with the existing schemes.
A desingularization of the main component of the moduli space of genus-one stable maps into ℙn

We construct a natural smooth compactification of the space of smooth genus-one curves with k distinct points in a projective space. It can be viewed as an analogue of a well-known smooth compactification of the space of smooth genus-zero curves, that is, the space of stable genus-zero maps S M0;k.P n ;d/. In fact, our compactification is obtained from the singular space of stable genus-one maps S M1;k.P n ;d/ through a natural sequence of blowups along “bad” subvarieties. While this construction is simple to describe, it requires more work to show that the end result is a smooth space. As a bonus, we obtain desingularizations of certain natural sheaves over the “main” irreducible component S M 0;k . P n ;d/ of S M1;k.P n ;d/. A number of applications of these desingularizations in enumerative geometry and Gromov‐Witten theory are described in the introduction, including the second author’s proof of physicists’ predictions for genus-one Gromov‐Witten invariants of a quintic threefold. 14D20; 53D99
Square-Structure Estimation of Bolt Fastening Conditions with Using PZT Patches

This paper describes a primary study for a new method of enhancing measurement with using an impedance analysis method that is applied to structural health monitoring. The goal of this research is to show basic information that is used to evaluate the structural health condition with using piezoelectric sensors. We present a study for the development of a practical and quantitative technique for the assessment of the structural health condition with using a piezoelectric impedance-based technique that is associated with longitudinal wave propagation. The natural frequency has a tendency of frequency shifting with respect to the hole size that corresponds to the real structure’s crack size. To numerically estimate the damage condition, we suggest the Cov (Covariance) and CC (Correlation Coefficient) evaluation methods.
On the number of plane graphs

We investigate the number of plane geometric, i.e., straight-line, graphs, a set <i>S</i> of <i>n</i> points in the plane admits. We show that the number of plane graphs and connected plane graphs as well as the number of cycle-free plane graphs is minimized when <i>S</i> is in convex position. Moreover, these results hold for all these graphs with an arbitrary but fixed number of edges. Consequently, we provide simple proofs that the number of spanning trees, cycle-free graphs (forests), perfect matchings, and spanning paths is also minimized for point sets in convex position.In addition we construct a new extremal configuration, the so-called double zig-zag chain. Most noteworthy this example bears Θ*(√72<sup><i>n</i></sup>) = Θ*(8.4853<sup><i>n</i></sup>) triangulations and Θ*(41.1889<sup><i>n</i></sup>) plane graphs (omitting polynomial factors in both cases), improving the previously known best maximizing examples.
Baicalin Alleviates Nitroglycerin‐induced Migraine in Rats via the Trigeminovascular System

Migraine is a common neurological disorder with a serious impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of baicalin on nitroglycerin‐induced migraine rats. We carried out a behavioral research within 2 h post‐nitroglycerin injection, and blood samples were drawn for measurements of nitric oxide (NO), calcitonin gene‐related peptide, and endothelin (ET) levels. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the activation of C‐fos immunoreactive neurons in periaqueductal gray. The number, area size, and integrated optical density of C‐fos positive cells were measured using Image‐Pro Plus. As a result, baicalin administration (0.22 mm/kg) alleviated pain responses of migraine rats. It profoundly decreased NO and calcitonin gene‐related peptide levels, increased ET levels, and rebuilt the NO/ET balance in migraine rats. Besides, baicalin pretreatment significantly reduced the number, the stained area size, and integrated optical density value of C‐fos positive cells. In brief, this paper supports the possibility of baicalin as a potential migraine pharmacotherapy. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geometrical interpretation of second-order PMD

A geometrical interpretation of second-order polarization mode dispersion (SOPMD) as the curved three-dimensional (3-D) area swept by the PMD vector as it increases with propagation in a birefringent system is introduced. The depolarization and polarization-dependent chromatic dispersion parts of the SOPMD can be viewed as projections of this area in orthogonal directions. This interpretation enables us to translate the problem of maximizing the SOPMD in, e.g., PMD emulators and programmable PMD sources to an isoperimetric problem, i.e., a problem of maximizing the area enclosed by a given perimeter, which has well-known solutions. Both the discrete problems corresponding to a set of birefringent wave plates are discussed, and the continuous problem in which an arbitrary birefringent medium is considered. Analytic formulas are derived for the first time for the maximum SOPMD, depolarization, and polarization-dependent chromatic dispersion that can be realized in PMD emulators.
Early Head Specification in Xenopus laevis

The head represents the most dorsal and anterior extent of the body axis. In Xenopus, the progressive determination of the head is an extremely complex process involving the activation and localized antagonism of a number of interdependent intracellular signaling pathways including the Wingless/Int-1 (Wnt), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and nodal-related pathways. The sequence of events that specify the head are: dorsal-ventral polarization and head organizer specification in the blastula; gastrulation; neural induction; and patterning of the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral neuraxes. Wnt signaling is required for the specification of the dorsal side initially but is then inhibited within the organizer once it has formed. Similarly, Wnt signaling is required along the length of the neural tube, but must be suppressed at its rostral end for normal brain development. Nodal signaling is also necessary for induction of the mesendoderm, but is subsequently suppressed in its dorsal-anterior extreme to specify head organizer. BMP signaling is required for ventral mesoderm and non-neural ectoderm, and must also be suppressed in the head organizer region and for the differentiation of the ventral midline of the neural tube. Thus, development of the head, and indeed the body plan in general, requires precisely timed and spatially restricted activation and repression of these signaling pathways.