Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Injury-related gaining momentum as external causes of deaths in Ethiopian health and demographic surveillance sites: evidence from verbal autopsy study

ABSTRACT Background: In Ethiopia, though all kinds of mortality due to external causes are an important component of overall mortality often not counted or documented on an individual basis. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of mortality from external causes using verbal autopsy (VA) method at the Ethiopian HDSS Network sites. Methods: All deaths at Ethiopian HDSS sites were routinely registered and followed up with VA interviews. The VA forms comprised deaths up to 28 days, between four weeks and 14 years and 15 years and above. The cause of a death was ascertained based on an interview with next of families or other caregivers using a standardized questionnaire that draws information on signs, symptoms, medical history and circumstances preceding death after 45 days mourning period. Two physician assigned probable causes of death as underlying, immediate and contributing factors independently using information in VA forms based on the WHO ICD-10 and VA code system. Disagreed cases sent to third physician for independent review and diagnosis. The final cause of death considered when two of the three physicians assigned underlying cause of death; otherwise, labeled as undetermined. Results: In the period from 2009 to 2013, a total of 9719 deaths were registered. Of the total deaths, 623 (6.4%) were from external causes. Of these, accidental drowning and submersion, 136 (21.8%), accidental fall, 113 (18.1%) and transport-related accidents, 112 (18.0%) were the topmost three leading external causes of deaths. About 436 (70.0%) of deaths were from the age group above 15 years old. Drowning and submersion and transport-related accidents were high in age group between 5 and 14 years old. Conclusion: In this study, external causes of death are significant public health problems and require attention as one of prior health agenda.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in two shrew species , Sorex unguiculatus and

We isolated six microsatellite markers from the partial genomic libraries of two Sorex shrews, S. unguiculatus and S. caecutiens, and examined their allelic variation. All loci showed high allelic variation ranging from 15 to 19 alleles and all but one locus conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the species where the loci were isolated. Cross-species amplifications showed that all primers derived from S. unguiculatus were useful for S. caecutiens, while among primer sets derived from S. caecutiens, only one was useful for S. unguiculatus. Accordingly, at least five microsatellite markers were useful in S. caecutiens and three in S. unguiculatus. 5 Naitoh et al. 3 To infer biogeographical history of an organism in detail, comparison of genetic structure among various local populations is essential. Recently, microsatellite markers have been routinely used to investigate genetic structure of natural populations in many species (Balloux and Lugon-Moulin 2002). With regard to soricine shrew some microsatellite primers have been designed for S. araneus (Wyttenbach et al. 1997). However, according to our preliminary study, only a few of their markers were useful for two Sorex species in north eastern Asia, S. unguiculatus and S. caecutiens, which are common in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan (Ohdachi and Maekawa 1990). Here, we isolated new microsatellite loci from the genomes of these two Asian Sorex species and assessed their allelic variation in a natural population of each species. Cross-species amplification was also performed using the primer sets designed for the species where the loci were originally isolated. 5
Comparative Study On Bending Loss Between Different S-Shaped Waveguide Bends Using Matrix Method

Bending loss in the waveguide as well as the leakage losses and absorption losses along with a comparative study among different types of S-shaped bend structures has been computed with the help of a simple matrix method.This method needs simple 2×2 matrix multiplication. The effective-index profile of the bended waveguide is then transformed to an equivalent straight waveguide with the help of a suitable mapping technique and is partitioned into large number of thin sections of different refractive indices. The transfer matrix of the two adjacent layers will be a 2×2 matrix relating the field components in adjacent layers. The total transfer matrix is obtained through multiplication of all these transfer matrices. The excitation efficiency of the wave in the guiding layer shows a Lorentzian profile. The power attenuation coefficient of the bent waveguide is the full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) of this peak . Now the transition losses and pure bending losses can be computed from these FWHM datas.The computation technique is quite fast and it is applicable for any waveguide having different parameters and wavelength of light for both polarizations(TE and TM).
Phylogeography and population structure of thornback rays (Raja clavata L., Rajidae)

The phylogeography of thornback rays (Raja clavata) was assessed from European waters, using five nuclear microsatellite loci and mitochondrial cytochome b sequences. Strong regional differentiation was found between the Mediterranean basin, the Azores and the European continental shelf. Allelic and haplotype diversities were high in Portuguese populations, consistent with the existence of a refugium along the Iberian Peninsula. Unexpectedly, high diversity was also found in the English Channel/North Sea area. The lowest genetic diversity was found in the Black Sea. Populations sampled from the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Seas were characterized by a single mitochondrial haplotype. This haplotype was also the most ancestral and widespread outside of the Mediterranean basin except for the Azores. Populations from the Azores were dominated by a second ancestral haplotype which was shared with British populations. Results from multidimensional scaling, amova and nested clade analysis indicate that British waters are a secondary contact zone recolonized from at least two refugia — one around the Iberian Peninsula and one possibly in the Azores. Links to a potential refugium known as the Hurd Deep, between Cornwall and Brittany, are discussed. Finally, a historical demographic analysis indicates that thornback ray populations started to expand between 580 000 and 362 000 years ago, which suggests that the Last Glacial Maximum (20 000 years ago) had mainly affected the distribution of populations rather than population size.
β1‐integrin restricts astrocytic differentiation of adult hippocampal neural stem cells

Integrins are transmembrane receptors that mediate cell‐extracellular matrix and cell–cell interactions. The β1‐integrin subunit is highly expressed by embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) and is critical for NSC maintenance in the developing nervous system, but its role in the adult hippocampal niche remains unexplored. We show that β1‐integrin expression in the adult mouse dentate gyrus (DG) is localized to radial NSCs and early progenitors, but is lost in more mature progeny. Although NSCs in the hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) normally only infrequently differentiate into astrocytes, deletion of β1‐integrin significantly enhanced astrocyte differentiation. Ablation of β1‐integrin also led to reduced neurogenesis as well as depletion of the radial NSC population. Activation of integrin‐linked kinase (ILK) in cultured adult NSCs from β1‐integrin knockout mice reduced astrocyte differentiation, suggesting that at least some of the inhibitory effects of β1‐integrin on astrocytic differentiation are mediated through ILK. In addition, β1‐integrin conditional knockout also resulted in extensive cellular disorganization of the SGZ as well as non‐neurogenic regions of the DG. The effects of β1‐integrin ablation on DG structure and astrogliogenesis show sex‐specific differences, with the effects following a substantially slower time‐course in males. β1‐integrin thus plays a dual role in maintaining the adult hippocampal NSC population by supporting the structural integrity of the NSC niche and by inhibiting astrocytic lineage commitment. GLIA 2016;64:1235–1251
The SCO4117 ECF Sigma Factor Pleiotropically Controls Secondary Metabolism and Morphogenesis in Streptomyces coelicolor

Extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors are a major type of bacterial signal-transducers whose biological functions remain poorly characterized in streptomycetes. In this work we studied SCO4117, a conserved ECF sigma factor from the ECF52 family overexpressed during substrate and aerial mycelium stages. The ECF52 sigma factors harbor, in addition to the ECF sigma factor domain, a zinc finger domain, a transmembrane region, a proline-rich C-terminal extension, and a carbohydrate-binding domain. This class of ECF sigma factors is exclusive to Actinobacteria. We demonstrate that SCO4117 is an activator of secondary metabolism, aerial mycelium differentiation, and sporulation, in all the culture media (sucrose-free R5A, GYM, MM, and SFM) analyzed. Aerial mycelium formation and sporulation are delayed in a SCO4117 knockout strain. Actinorhodin production is delayed and calcium-dependent antibiotic production is diminished, in the ΔSCO4117 mutant. By contast, undecylprodigiosin production do not show significant variations. The expression of genes encoding secondary metabolism pathways (deoxysugar synthases, actinorhodin biosynthetic genes) and genes involved in differentiation (rdl, chp, nepA, ssgB) was dramatically reduced (up to 300-fold) in the SCO4117 knockout. A putative motif bound, with the consensus “CSGYN-17bps-SRHA” sequence, was identified in the promoter region of 29 genes showing affected transcription in the SCO4117 mutant, including one of the SCO4117 promoters. SCO4117 is a conserved gene with complex regulation at the transcriptional and post-translational levels and the first member of the ECF52 family characterized.
Isothermal section of the Ti-Si-B system at 1250 ° C in the Ti-TiSi2-TiB2 region

A partial isothermal section (Ti-TiSi2-TiB2 region) of the ternary Ti-Si-B system at 1250 ° C was determined from heat-treated alloys prepared via arc melting. Microstructural characterization has been carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (xRD) and wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS). The results have shown the stability of the near stoichiometric Ti6Si2B phase and a negligible solubility of boron in the Ti-silicides as well as of Si in the Ti-borides. The following three-phase equilibria have been observed in the Ti- TiSi2-TiB2 region: Tiss+TiB+Ti6Si2B, Tiss+Ti6Si2B+Ti5Si3, Ti5Si3+Ti6Si2B+TiB, Ti5Si3+TiB+Ti3B4, Ti5Si3+Ti3B4+TiB2, Ti5Si3+TiB2+Ti5Si4, Ti5Si4+TiB2+TiSi and TiSi+TiB2+TiSi2.
Striving to Achieve an Integrated Home Dialysis System: A Report from the Ontario Renal Network Home Dialysis Attrition Task Force.

The integrated home dialysis model has been proposed as an optimal model of care for patients with ESRD ([1][1]). It involves the initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) followed by a timely switch to home hemodialysis (HD) if a kidney transplant is not available. Globally, the use of a PD first
Transcranial focused ultrasound: a new tool for non-invasive neuromodulation

Abstract Ultrasound (US) is widely known for its utility as a biomedical imaging modality. An abundance of evidence has recently accumulated showing that US is also useful for non-invasively modulating brain circuit activity. Through a series of studies discussed in this short review, it has recently become recognized that transcranial focused ultrasound can exert mechanical (non-thermal) bioeffects on neurons and cells to produce focal changes in the activity of brain circuits. In addition to highlighting scientific breakthroughs and observations that have driven the development of the field of ultrasonic neuromodulation, this study also provides a discussion of mechanisms of action underlying the ability of ultrasound to physically stimulate and modulate brain circuit activity. Exemplifying some forward-looking tools that can be developed by integrating ultrasonic neuromodulation with other advanced acoustic technologies, some innovative acoustic imaging, beam forming, and focusing techniques are briefly reviewed. Finally, the future outlook for ultrasonic neuromodulation is discussed, specifically in the context of applications employing transcranial focused ultrasound for the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
The Role of cccDNA in HBV Maintenance

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major health burden worldwide; it can cause various degrees of liver damage and is strongly associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecular mechanisms determining HBV persistence are not fully understood, but these appear to be multifactorial and the unique replication strategy employed by HBV enables its maintenance in infected hepatocytes. Both the stability of the HBV genome, which forms a stable minichromosome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the hepatocyte nucleus, and the inability of the immune system to resolve chronic HBV infection are believed to be key mechanisms of HBV chronicity. Since a true cure of HBV requires clearance of intranuclear cccDNA from infected hepatocytes, understanding the mechanisms involved in cccDNA biogenesis, regulation and stability is mandatory to achieve HBV eradication. This review will summarize the state of knowledge on these mechanisms including the impact of current treatments on the cccDNA stability and activity. We will focus on events challenging cccDNA persistence in dividing hepatocytes.
Young Children's Memory for the True and Pretend Identities of Objects.

Two studies examined how children conceive of the true and pretend identities of an object Used in object-substitution pretense. In each study, 3- and 4-year-olds were assessed for their memory for each identity of an object that they used in a previous episode of pretend play (Study l ) or observed someone else using (Study 2). More children correctly remembered the true than the pretend identity oftbe objects, and there was no contingency between their tendency to remember each identity. Additionally, children's tendency to correctly specify each identity was related to their age and when (i.e., during or after the pretend episode) the task was given. The results were explained by factors affecting young children's ability to manage separate representations of true and pretend identities of objects.
Emergence and spread of worldwide Staphylococcus aureus clones among cystic fibrosis patients

Background The aim of this study was to assess the relatedness of molecular types of Staphylococcus aureus isolates colonizing cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with their antimicrobial resistance and prevalence of toxin genes. Methods A total of 215 isolates from the airways of 107 patients with CF were tested for spa and SCCmec type, antimicrobial resistance and carriage of toxin genes. Results t015, t084, t091, t700 and t002 were the largest group (approximately 25%) among all 69 identified spa types. Five new spa types, t14286, t14287, t14288, t14289 and t14290, were identified and registered. Isolates from CF patients were clustered into 11 multi-locus sequence typing clonal complexes, with CC30, CC22, CC97, CC45, CC15 and CC5 being the most frequent ones. Twelve (5.6%) methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates and 102 (47.7%) multidrug-resistant isolates were identified, along with three SCCmec types (I, III and V). All isolates (both MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus) were Panton–Valentine leucocidin-negative, and 56.7% harbored egc genes. This was the first study documenting the presence of ST398-V-t571 livestock-associated MRSA in a European patient with CF. Conclusion These findings imply that individuals with CF can also be colonized with animal-related ST398 MRSA, and justify constant monitoring of staphylococcal colonization and identification of epidemic S. aureus clones in this group.
Editorial: Nucleic Acids Research and Nucleic Acid Therapeutics

Over the past several decades, the concept of using molecules composed partially or wholly of nucleic acids as therapeutic moieties, and the modification of such molecules via synthetic strategies, has been discussed and actively pursued by many academic and industrial laboratories. As compared to small molecules (and more recently antibodies and other protein-based drugs) the use of oligonucleotides and related compounds as therapeutics has advanced more slowly––a fact that is not surprising, given the challenges that such molecules (and their investigators) face. Nucleic acids are large, highly charged, rapidly degraded and cleared from the body, and offer generally poor pharmacological properties. The development of nucleic acids as potential therapeutic agents has nonetheless moved forward at a steady pace, owing in large part to important discoveries regarding their role in regulating gene expression, and in part to the development of increasingly sophisticated synthetic and biochemical methods to alter many of the physical properties that might limit their potential as drugs. Nucleic Acids Research has recently commissioned the publication of a series of Survey and Summary articles that encap-sulate the current ‘state of the art’ surrounding the creation, function, behavior and optimization of nucleic acid molecules that may be adopted for clinical applications. These reviews are focused on:
Modeling of User Adaptive Enterprise Applications

Adjustments of standard system’s modelling techniques are needed for modelling specific aspects of adaptive systems. In this paper, we present a meta-model for modeling specific aspects of user adaptive enterprise applications (UAEA). For designing a system, traditional modeling languages or techniques can be applied to model basic functionalities. Proposed meta-model should be applied additionally to traditional models as complementary modeling dimensions. Proposed meta-model is based on identified key concepts of adaptive systems – stakeholder and end-user, goals and expectations, changing object, adapted object and adaptation algorithm. The described meta-model is applied to model main components of UAEA.
Helper, Sharer or Seeker? - A Concept to Determine Knowledge Worker Roles in Enterprise Social Networks

In order to manage knowledge work, companies need to understand how knowledge is shared, integrated, translated and transformed in organisational practice. However, knowledge work often happens in informal organisational structures, thus, making it difficult to identify and understand the occurring knowledge practices and participating actors. Enterprise Social Networks (ESN), i.e. internally accessible social networking services, have evolved as important platforms for knowledge work. Facilitating knowledge interactions between users, the analysis of ESN data might be well suited for characterising and identifying knowledge actions and different knowledge worker roles. Drawing on an existing knowledge worker role typology as well as findings from social media research, this paper develops a conceptual basis that serves as starting point for determining knowledge worker roles using ESN data. The next steps of this research involve the empirical testing of the typology using data obtained from a real case scenario.
Practical Applications of Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Usein Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

Collagen scaffolds have played an integral role in helping to regenerate damaged or diseased tissue and while extensive research has been performed on the most prevalent protein in the human body, there are many aspects of this unique and complex molecule which are still not fully understood. This research aims to investigate the interaction of a benign solvent system on type I collagen and explore the potential applications derived from a single, multi-purpose solution which is aqueous, salt-rich, and prepared at physiological pH. Electrospun scaffolds were prepared and tested in a murine model to examine the effects of crosslinked collagen on acute wounds, which found that while non-crosslinked collagen scaffolds do improve wound closure compared to untreated wounds, crosslinked collagen scaffolds provide an essential matrix that can reduce the occurrence of contractile healing in favor of tissue regeneration. To improve upon electrospun collagen scaffolds, collagen gels produced from the same electrospinning solution were discovered and remain water stable for over 138 days, exceeding the stability of chemically crosslinked gels and is devoid of any crosslinking compounds, addressing concerns surrounding the use of crosslinking agents. Most interestingly, this gel regains 60.3% of the a-helical structure present in the starting collagen, which is lost during the solution phase. This gel has potential applications as a wound healing agent, a dermal filler, and a collagen-rich bone growth matrix, among others. In addition, a precursor to these collagen gels can behave as a bioadhesive and may have utility as a means for repairing damaged bone. Unfortunately, the low modulus of these gels remains a disadvantage. Cellulose nanowhiskers containing a high aspect ratio were derived from Chara algae, a nuisance product and a low-cost, sustainable source of cellulose. Bacterial cellulose is currently in use as a biomedical device for the treatment of moderate-to-severe burns and the possibility of including algal cellulose in collagen gels as a reinforcing material may also improve their ability to manage wound exudates, maintain proper wound bed moisture, and facilitate cellular infiltration, which is all necessary to help regenerate damaged tissue.
Prevalence of various pathological conditions in female buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The present review article has described the prevalence of various pathological conditions of reproductive system of female buffaloes starting from ovary to vulva and vagina. Various pathological conditions were analyzed and tabulated as the total number of animal examined, number of the animals showed pathological lesions, percentage of animal showed various pathological lesions and percentage of individual pathological lesion in different parts of reproductive system of female buffaloes. The incidence of disorders of female genital organs of buffaloes has been reported by various authors at various percentages in different countries. The incidence of pathological conditions was recorded in clinically infertile cows after slaughtering or from apparently healthy buffaloes slaughtered for human consumption and/or based on postmortem examination. This review is comprehensively covering pathological conditions of female buffalo hitherto which was not previously described at one place. This review will provide a comprehensive knowledge about the prevalence of different pathological condition of different parts of reproductive tract of female buffaloes. The review has six numbers of tables described about the various pathological conditions from ovary to vulva and vagina in female buffaloes. The present review article will be very useful to the buffalo farmers, buffalo breeders and researchers are working in buffalo reproduction & breeding and pathology.