Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whole genome analyses of G1P[8] rotavirus strains from vaccinated and non‐vaccinated South African children presenting with diarrhea

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis and eventually death among infants and young children worldwide, and disease prevention and management through vaccination is a public health priority. In August 2009, Rotarix™ was introduced in the South African Expanded Programme on Immunisation. As a result, substantial reductions in RVA disease burden have been reported among children younger than 5 years old. Rotavirus strain surveillance post‐vaccination is crucial to, inter alia, monitor and study the evolution of vaccine escape strains. Here, full‐genome sequence data for the 11 gene segments from 11 South African G1P[8] rotavirus strains were generated, including 5 strains collected from non‐vaccinated children during the 2004–2009 rotavirus seasons and 6 strains collected from vaccinated children during the 2010 rotavirus season. These data were analyzed to gain insights into the overall genetic makeup and evolution of South African G1P[8] rotavirus strains and to compare their genetic backbones with those of common human Wa‐like RVAs from other countries, as well as with the Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™ G1P[8] vaccine components. All 11 South African G1P[8] strains revealed a complete Wa‐like genotype constellation of G1‐P[8]‐I1‐R1‐C1‐M1‐A1‐N1‐T1‐E1‐H1. On the basis of sequence similarities, the South African G1P[8] strains (with the exception of strain RVA/Human‐wt/ZAF/1262/2004/G1P[8]) were closely related to each other (96–100% identity in all gene segments). Comparison to the Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™ G1P[8] vaccine components revealed a moderate nucleotide identity of 89–96% and 93–95%, respectively. The results indicated that none of the gene segments of these 11 South African G1P[8] strains were vaccine‐derived. This study illustrates that large‐scale next generation sequencing will provide crucial information on the influence of the vaccination program on evolution of rotavirus strains. This is the first report to describe full genomic analyses of G1P[8] RVA strains collected from both non‐vaccinated and vaccinated children in South Africa. J. Med. Virol. 87: 79–101, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early Endarterectomy Carries a Lower Procedural Risk Than Early Stenting in Patients With Symptomatic Stenosis of the Internal Carotid Artery: Results From 4 Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Purpose— Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery benefit from early intervention. Heterogeneous data are available on the influence of timing of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on procedural risk. Methods— We investigated the association between timing of treatment (0–7 days and >7 days after the qualifying neurological event) and the 30-day risk of stroke or death after CAS or CEA in a pooled analysis of individual patient data from 4 randomized trials by the Carotid Stenosis Trialists’ Collaboration. Analyses were done per protocol. To obtain combined estimates, logistic mixed models were applied. Results— Among a total of 4138 patients, a minority received their allocated treatment within 7 days after symptom onset (14% CAS versus 11% CEA). Among patients treated within 1 week of symptoms, those treated by CAS had a higher risk of stroke or death compared with those treated with CEA: 8.3% versus 1.3%, risk ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 21.9 (adjusted for age at treatment, sex, and type of qualifying event). For interventions after 1 week, CAS was also more hazardous than CEA: 7.1% versus 3.6%, adjusted risk ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 2.7 (P value for interaction with time interval 0.06). Conclusions— In randomized trials comparing stenting with CEA for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, CAS was associated with a substantially higher periprocedural risk during the first 7 days after the onset of symptoms. Early surgery is safer than stenting for preventing future stroke. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00190398; URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN57874028; Unique identifier: ISRCTN25337470; URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00004732.
EXPERT COMMITTEE ON BIOLOGICAL STANDARDIZATION Geneva , 29 October to 2 November 2018 Evaluation of Candidate International Standards for Meningococcal Serogroup W and Y Polysaccharides

This document has been prepared for the purpose of inviting comments and suggestions on the proposals contained therein, which will then be considered by the Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (ECBS). Comments MUST be received by 8 October 2018 and should be addressed to the World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, attention: Technologies, Standards and Norms (TSN). Comments may also be submitted electronically to the Responsible Officer: Dr Ivana Knezevic at email: knezevici@who.int.
A comparative study and analysis of different yaw control strategies for large wind turbines

In this paper, we introduce three different nacelle yaw controllers that use distinct techniques and study their performances in improving the captured energy by the turbine. The first one is a carefully tuned Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) controller with its simple design; the second one is a linguistic fuzzy logic controller with its intuitive flexible design; and the third one is a Model-Predictive-Controller (MPC) with its adaptive functionality. The control objective of the developed controllers is to effectively track the wind direction by the yaw motion of the turbine nacelle; and consequently to improve the energy capture. A comparative study and a thorough analysis among the three controllers' performances are carried out using extensive MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations.
Mometasone Furoate: A Well-Established Topical Corticosteroid now with Improved Galenic Formulations

Mometasone furoate is an established topical corticosteroid that is frequently used for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases because it offers a balanced efficacy and safety profile. The type of vehicle of a topical corticosteroid has impact not only on its efficacy but also on the patients’ adherence to treatment. Traditional formulations of mometasone furoate might have not properly fulfilled all the ideal features required for its use in topical treatment. Extensive research has recently been performed and new formulations have been developed that will be available shortly. The aim of this review is to give a thorough overview on the substance mometasone furoate and the available clinical data with a special focus on the newly developed galenic formulations.
Optical fibre-based sensors for distributed strain monitoring of asphalt pavements

Abstract Strain distribution of asphalt pavement varies in transverse and longitudinal directions, and distresses, such as cracks, ruts and settlements, often occur randomly, which can be efficiently measured by distributed optical fibre sensing technology. As bare optical fibre is weak to resist shear and torsion forces during pavement construction, the protective technique is required. Therefore, a flexible asphalt-mastic packaged optical fibre sensor was developed in this research for distributed strain monitoring of asphalt pavement. Theoretical analysis on strain transfer of the optical fibre-based sensors embedded in asphalt pavement was conducted to improve the design of the protective layer and remove the strain transfer error. Afterwards, laboratory tests on the asphalt concrete beam were carried out to validate the performance of the sensor. Finally, the proposed sensors were applied to detect the in situ performance of urban asphalt pavement under temperature and traffic loads. The results indicate that the proposed optical fibre sensor detects the distributed strain of asphalt pavement effectively, and the in situ data show significant effects of temperature and traffic loads on asphalt concrete course. This research contributes to the full-scale monitoring and health assessment of large-span pavement.
Measuring Resilience in Adult Women Using the 10-Items Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Role of Trauma Exposure and Anxiety Disorders

Purpose Resilience is the ability of individuals to adapt positively in the face of trauma. Little is known, however, about lifetime factors affecting resilience. Methods We assessed the effects of psychiatric disorder and lifetime trauma history on the resilience self-evaluation using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in a high-risk-women sample. Two hundred and thirty eight community-dwelling women, including 122 participants in a study of breast cancer survivors and 116 participants without previous history of cancer completed the CD-RISC-10. Lifetime psychiatric symptoms were assessed retrospectively using two standardized psychiatric examinations (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Watson's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Inventory). Results Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, education, trauma history, cancer, current psychiatric diagnoses, and psychoactive treatment indicated a negative association between current psychiatric disorder and high resilience compared to low resilience level (OR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21–0.93]). This was related to anxiety and not mood disorder. A positive and independent association with a trauma history was also observed (OR = 3.18, 95% CI [1.44–7.01]). Conclusion Self-evaluation of resilience is influenced by both current anxiety disorder and trauma history. The independent positive association between resilience and trauma exposure may indicate a “vaccination” effect. This finding need to be taken into account in future studies evaluating resilience in general or clinical populations.
Cardiac Protection of Valsartan on Juvenile Rats with Heart Failure by Inhibiting Activity of CaMKII via Attenuating Phosphorylation

Background. This study was undertaken to determine relative contributions of phosphorylation and oxidation to the increased activity of calcium/calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase II (CaMKII) in juveniles with cardiac myocyte dysfunction due to increased pressure overload. Methods. Juvenile rats underwent abdominal aortic constriction to induce heart failure. Four weeks after surgery, rats were then randomly divided into two groups: one group given valsartan (HF + Val) and the other group given placebo (HF + PBO). Simultaneously, the sham-operated rats were randomly given valsartan (Sham + Val) or placebo (Sham + PBO). After 4 weeks of treatment, Western blot analysis was employed to quantify CaMKII and relative calcium handling proteins (RyR2 and PLN) in all groups. Results. The deteriorated cardiac function was reversed by valsartan treatment. In ventricular muscle cells of group HF + PBO, Thr287 phosphorylation of CaMKII and S2808 phosphorylation of RyR2 and PLN were increased and S16 phosphorylation of PLN was decreased compared to the other groups, while Met281 oxidation was not significantly elevated. In addition, these changes in the expression of calcium handling proteins were ameliorated by valsartan administration. Conclusions. The phosphorylation of Thr286 is associated with the early activation of CaMKII rather than the oxidation of Met281.
Anthropometric measurements in the elderly: age and gender differences

In clinical practice and epidemiological surveys, anthropometric measurements represent an important component of nutritional assessment in the elderly. The anthropometric standards derived from adult populations may not be appropriate for the elderly because of body composition changes occurring during ageing. Specific anthropometric reference data for the elderly are necessary. In the present study we investigated anthropometric characteristics and their relationship to gender and age in a cross-sectional sample of 3356 subjects, randomly selected from an elderly Italian population. In both sexes, weight and height significantly decreased with age while knee height did not. The BMI was significantly higher in women than in men (27·6 SD 5·7 V. 26·4 sd 3·7; P<0·001) and it was lower in the oldest than in the youngest subjects (P<0·05) of both genders. The 75th year of age was a turning point for BMI as for other anthropometric measurements. According to BMI values, the prevalence of malnutrition was lower than 5 % in both genders, whereas obesity was shown to have a higher prevalence in women than in men (28 % v. 16 %; P<0·001). Waist circumference and waist : hip ratio values were higher for the youngest men than for the oldest men (P<0·05), whereas in women the waist : hip ratio values were higher in the oldest women, suggesting that visceral redistribution in old age predominantly affects females. In conclusion, in the elderly the oldest subjects showed a thinner body frame than the youngest of both genders, and there was a more marked fat redistribution in women.
60-GHz CMOS Doppler Radar Sensor With Integrated V-Band Power Detector for Clutter Monitoring and Automatic Clutter-Cancellation in Noncontact Vital-Signs Sensing

This paper presents the design of a V-band logarithmic power detector (PD) and the integration with a 60-GHz CMOS vital-signs Doppler radar sensor to be incorporated with a microprocessor control unit (MCU) for fast automatic clutter cancellation. The PD adopts the successive detection logarithmic amplifier (SDLA) topology and achieves a high dynamic range by replacing the limited amplifiers with millimeter-wave (MMW) linear amplifiers. From the measurement results, the PD exhibits a dynamic range and logarithmic errors higher than 35 dB and within ±2 dB from 50 to 62 GHz. The whole integrated radar sensor chip is fabricated by a 90-nm CMOS process with a chip size of 2 mm $\times2.34$ mm and a dc power consuming of 243 mW. The radar chip and a 60-GHz 17-dBi patch-array antenna are integrated by bondwire interconnection on a compact single carrier board for experimental test. By incorporating the MCU to the radar chip board, the fast automatic clutter canceling can achieve more than 25-dB clutter cancellation. Moreover, it shows a successful vital-signs detection for a distance more than 1.2 m.
Brain anatomy of symptom stratification in schizophrenia: a voxel-based morphometry study

Abstract Background: Although some Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies have investigated the relationship between clinical severity and neuroanatomical alterations in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), the biological signature associated with illness severity in schizophrenia is still uncertain. Therefore, this study aims to investigate structural brain abnormalities in SCZ, with particular regards to the identification of potential deficits associated with the severity of illness. Methods: In total, 1.5T MRI data were acquired for 61 subjects with SCZ and 59 matched healthy controls (HC). The patient group was divided in two sub-groups based on clinical severity, one composed of 34 mild-to-moderately ill patients, and the other of 27 severely ill patients, and compared with matched HC. Results: The whole group of patients with SCZ had significantly reduced grey matter (GM) volumes in the left inferior and middle temporal gyrus compared to HC (p < 0.05, pFWE corrected). Furthermore, compared to HC, patients with mild-to-moderate illness showed decreased GM volumes in the inferior and middle temporal gyrus, whereas those with severe illness had reduced GM volumes in the middle temporal gyrus and cerebellum bilaterally (all p < 0.001 uncorrected). No differences were observed between the two sub-groups of patients. Conclusion: The results showed significant GM volume reductions in temporal regions in patients with SCZ compared to matched HC, confirming the role of these regions in the pathophysiology of SCZ. Furthermore, specific cerebellar grey matter volume reductions were identified in patients with severe illness, which may contribute to stratifying patients with SCZ according to their clinical phenotype expression, ultimately helping in guiding targeted therapeutic/rehabilitation interventions.
Metagenome Sequencing of Prokaryotic Microbiota from Two Hypersaline Soils of the Odiel Salt Marshes in Huelva, Southwestern Spain

ABSTRACT Two 454 shotgun metagenomes were sequenced from hypersaline soil samples collected in the Odiel salt marsh area in Huelva, southwestern Spain. Analysis of contigs and 16S rRNA-related sequences showed that Halobacteria, Balneolaeota, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant groups. Rhodothermaeota and Nanohaloarchaeota were also abundant.
Autonomous aerial navigation using monocular visual‐inertial fusion

Autonomous micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) have cost and mobility benefits, making them ideal robotic platforms for applications including aerial photography, surveillance, and search and rescue. As the platform scales down, MAVs become more capable of operating in confined environments, but it also introduces significant size and payload constraints. A monocular visual‐inertial navigation system (VINS), consisting only of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a camera, becomes the most suitable sensor suite in this case, thanks to its light weight and small footprint. In fact, it is the minimum sensor suite allowing autonomous flight with sufficient environmental awareness. In this paper, we show that it is possible to achieve reliable online autonomous navigation using monocular VINS. Our system is built on a customized quadrotor testbed equipped with a fisheye camera, a low‐cost IMU, and heterogeneous onboard computing resources. The backbone of our system is a highly accurate optimization‐based monocular visual‐inertial state estimator with online initialization and self‐extrinsic calibration. An onboard GPU‐based monocular dense mapping module that conditions on the estimated pose provides wide‐angle situational awareness. Finally, an online trajectory planner that operates directly on the incrementally built three‐dimensional map guarantees safe navigation through cluttered environments. Extensive experimental results are provided to validate individual system modules as well as the overall performance in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Biomaterials for corneal bioengineering

Corneal transplantation is an important surgical treatment for many common corneal diseases. However, a worldwide shortage of tissue from suitable corneal donors has meant that many people are not able to receive sight-restoring operations. In addition, rejection is a major cause of corneal transplant failure. Bioengineering corneal tissue has recently gained widespread attention. In order to facilitate corneal regeneration, a range of materials is currently being investigated. The ideal substrate requires sufficient tectonic durability, biocompatibility with cultured cellular elements, transparency, and perhaps biodegradability and clinical compliance. This review considers the anatomy and function of the native cornea as a precursor to evaluating a variety of biomaterials for corneal regeneration including key characteristics for optimal material form and function. The integration of appropriate cells with the most appropriate biomaterials is also discussed. Taken together, the information provided offers insight into the requirements for fabricating synthetic and semisynthetic corneas for in vitro modeling of tissue development and disease, pharmaceutical screening, and in vivo application for regenerative medicine.
Affective Human-Computer Interaction in Educational Software: a Hybrid Model for Emotion Inference

Properly infering human affective states is an essential feature toward the construction of new computational environments. These environments should be able to adapt to the users' affective reactions, trying to get a more natural human-computer interaction. In educational software, this becomes especially relevant given the intrinsic relationship between emotions and learning. So, this paper presents a proposal of a hybrid model for affective states inference, based on the fusion of cognitive and physical data. With this approach we intend to contribute in the computational recognition task of affective states. Initial experiments using a learning object show that it was possible to infer and draw an affective reaction profile of a student. These results can be used to detect the repeated occurrence of negative affective states that indicate the need for intervention to assist the student.
Iron Incorporated Hydroxyapatite for Orthopaedic Applications: Its Synthesis, Characterization and Biocompatibility Studies

Recently, nanomedicine has emerged as a broad umbrella of science that covers research on diagnostics, drug targeting, and therapeutics using iron oxide nanoparticles. Similarly, hydroxyapatite (HAp) is being widely used in tissue regeneration therapy in the biomedical field, owing to its affinity for chemical bonding (bioactivity) with living hard tissue in addition to its outstanding biocompatibility. As a fledgling of these two scientific concepts, this study deals with the development of iron incorporated HAp bioceramics. This study puts forth an effective strategy to use the same for bone regeneration therapy with combined properties of both iron oxide nanoparticles as well as HAp. Iron incorporated HAp bioceramics were prepared by different ratios of iron precursor with HAp precursors. Systemic characterization of iron incorporated HAp nanostructures through XRD and HRTEM revealed their structural and morphological changes, respectively. The existence of iron in the HAp system was confirmed by Raman spectroscopic technique and EDX analysis. Further, human erythrocytes were used to evaluate the biocompatibility of iron incorporated HAp, which revealed better compatibility that paves the way for a sound future in bone regeneration therapy.
Population structure and genetic diversity of Bromus tectorum within the small grain production region of the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Bromus tectorum L. is an invasive winter annual grass naturalized across the United States. Numerous studies have investigated B. tectorum population structure and genetics in the context of B. tectorum as an ecological invader of natural areas and rangeland. Despite the wealth of information regarding B. tectorum, previous studies have not focused on, or made comparisons to, B. tectorum as it persists in individual agroecosystems. The objectives of this study were to assess the genetic diversity and structure, the occurrence of generalist and specialist genotypes, and the influence of climate on distribution of B. tectorum sourced exclusively from within small grain production regions of the Pacific Northwest. Genetic diversity of B. tectorum sourced from agronomic fields was found to be similar to what has been observed from other land use histories. Six distinct genetic clusters of B. tectorum were identified, with no evidence to indicate that any of the genetic clusters were better adapted to a particular geographical area or climate within the region. Given the apparent random spatial distribution of B. tectorum genetic clusters at the spatial scale of this analysis, unique genotypes may be well mixed within region, similar to what was reported for other inbreeding weedy grass species.