Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High percentage of false-positive results for influenza B obtained with a rapid influenza point-of-care test.

The monthly mean percent positivites for B were 27%, 26%, 29%, and 49% for September, October, November, and December 2013, respectively. We observed 55% positivity for B in January 2014 and 58% for the first 2 weeks of February. Because these percentages were much greater than the national average of <4% [2], we compared the results obtained with the POCT to those obtained with the eSensor respiratory viral panel (RVP; GenMarkDx, Carlsbad, CA). This test distinguishes influenza A subtypes, including the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1), from nonpandemic H1N1 and H3N2, as well as influenza B and several other common respiratory viruses. When the POCT yielded a positive result for influenza A or B, a second specimen was immediately obtained and analyzed using the RVP. We compared 43 POCT A/RVP paired specimens and 66 POCTB/RVPpaired specimens (Figure 1). For influenza A, 93% of those samples were identified as pH1N1 by our RVP. Seven percent were negative for any
Bandit Samplers for Training Graph Neural Networks

Several sampling algorithms with variance reduction have been proposed for accelerating the training of Graph Convolution Networks (GCNs). However, due to the intractable computation of optimal sampling distribution, these sampling algorithms are suboptimal for GCNs and are not applicable to more general graph neural networks (GNNs) where the message aggregator contains learned weights rather than fixed weights, such as Graph Attention Networks (GAT). The fundamental reason is that the embeddings of the neighbors or learned weights involved in the optimal sampling distribution are changing during the training and not known a priori, but only partially observed when sampled, thus making the derivation of an optimal variance reduced samplers non-trivial. In this paper, we formulate the optimization of the sampling variance as an adversary bandit problem, where the rewards are related to the node embeddings and learned weights, and can vary constantly. Thus a good sampler needs to acquire variance information about more neighbors (exploration) while at the same time optimizing the immediate sampling variance (exploit). We theoretically show that our algorithm asymptotically approaches the optimal variance within a factor of 3. We show the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach on multiple datasets.
200 mm sensor development using bonded wafers

Sensors fabricated from high resistivity, float zone, silicon material have been the basis of vertex detectors and trackers for the last 30 years. The areas of these devices have increased from a few square cm to > 200m2 for the existing CMS tracker. High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), CMS and ATLAS tracker upgrades will each require more than 200 m2 of silicon and the CMS High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) will require more than 600 m2. The cost and complexity of assembly of these devices is related to the area of each module, which in turn is set by the size of the silicon sensors. In addition to large area, the devices must be radiation hard, which requires the use of sensors thinned to 200 microns or less. The combination of wafer thinning and large wafer diameter is a significant technical challenge, and is the subject of this work. We describe work on development of thin sensors on 200 mm wafers using wafer bonding technology. Results of development runs with float zone, Silicon-on-Insulator and Silicon-Silicon bonded wafer technologies are reported.
Germinação in vitro de sementes de Passiflora edulis visando a conservação de germoplasma.

genero Passiflora possui mais de 500 especies descritas e, dentre elas, encontra-se o maracuja-amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims), variedade de maior importância economica para o Brasil. Este genero apresenta uma enorme variabilidade genetica, sendo o Brasil um dos principais centros de dispersao dessa variabilidade (Ferreira, 2005). As passifloraceas apresentam potencial para utilizacao direta ou indireta para atender o mercado de fruta fresca, suco concentrado; apresentando tambem, valor ornamental e medicinal, algumas com finalidade multipla (Vanderplank, 2000). A perda de material genetico pelo desmatamento, fruto do avanco imobiliario, expansao agropecuaria, construcao de hidreletricas e de rodovias, constitui parte dos problemas da cultura. Desta forma, a conservacao de germoplasma e imperativa, visto ser a base para obtencao do progresso genetico em programas de melhoramento (Cunha, 2004). Em bancos de germoplasma mantidos em nivel de campo e fundamental a germinacao de sementes para a substituicao das plantas de cada acesso que forem perdidas, seja por causas naturais ou por pragas e doencas. As tecnicas de cultivo in vitro sao ferramentas valiosas de auxilio a conservacao de bancos de germoplasma, pois podem viabilizar a germinacao de sementes que nao germinariam da maneira convencional. O presente trabalho objetivou testar meios de cultura na germinacao in vitro de sementes de P. edulis para futuramente viabilizar a obtencao de plantas de acessos do banco de germoplasma que tenham poucas sementes e/ou que tenham dificuldades para germinar em condicoes de casa de vegetacao.
Associations between change in C-reactive protein and serum lipids during statin treatment

Hypolipidaemic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment reduces cardiovascular risk and is also associated with the reduction of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. However, there is scant data concerning the relationship between CRP and lipid changes during statin treatment. We studied 60 hypercholesterolaemic coronary patients who participated in the Treat to Target (3T) study comparing atorvastatin and simvastatin. Serum lipids and CRP (with a sensitive method) were measured before treatment at baseline and after 12 months of statin treatment. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was substantially decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased during statin treatment. CRP decreased significantly (sign test P = 0.03) during treatment, and the changes of CRP were significantly associated with changes in HDL cholesterol (r = −0.45; P < 0.001) and apolipoprotein A1 (r = −0.40; P < 0.001) but not with changes in LDL cholesterol or triglycerides. The change in HDL cholesterol explained 20% of the change in CRP during statin treatment. The results are in line with previous suggestions that HDL has anti-inflammatory properties.
Scar Contractures, Hypertrophic Scars, and Keloids

A scar contracture is the result of a contractile wound-healing process occurring in a scar that has already been reepithelialized and adequately healed. Keloids and hypertrophic scars (HTSs) are fibrous tissue outgrowths that result from a derailment in the normal wound-healing process. The exact incidence of keloids and HTSs remains unknown. Beyond the common belief that trauma is the initiating event of keloid and hypertrophic scar formation, the remainder of the process remains uncertain. A combination of biochemical factors, skin tension, endocrinologic factors, and genetic factors are the likely culprits. Treatment begins by educating the patient about the etiology of the scarring process. All treatment protocols are individualized, but the standard approach to keloids and HTSs begins with corticosteroid injection followed by surgical excision, pressure dressings, and long-term follow-up.
Phylogenetic analysis of the caliciviruses

A phylogenetic portrait of the genus Calicivirus in the family Caliciviridae was developed based upon published sequences and newly characterized calicivirus (CV) strains, including additional Sapporo‐like HuCV strains in pediatric diarrhea stool specimens from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Distance and parsimony methods were applied to nucleotide and amino acid sequences of human and animal calicivirus 3D RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (∼470nt) and capsid hypervariable regions (∼1,200nt) to generate phylogenetic trees. Pairwise amino acid identity in the 3D region among the Sapporo‐like strains ranged from 61%; to 100%. Human and animal caliciviruses (HuCVs and AnCVs) separated into five genogroups: small round‐structured viruses (SRSV), Sapporo‐like, and hepatitis E virus (HEV)‐like HuCVs and rabbit‐, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV)‐like AnCVs, each with a distinct genome organization. Each genogroup, including the Sapporo‐like HuCVs, subdivided further into subgenogroups. The capsid region trees had higher levels of confidence than the 3D region trees and limited conclusions about genogroups could be drawn from the 3D region analyses. This analysis suggested that CVs include five potential virus subfamilies. J. Med. Virol. 52:419–424, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Manganese superoxide dismutase‐plasmid/liposome (MnSOD‐PL) administration protects mice from esophagitis associated with fractionated radiation

Intraesophageal administration of manganese superoxide dismutase‐plasmid/liposome (MnSOD‐PL) prior to single fraction radiation has been shown to protect mice from lethal esophagitis. In our study, C3H/HeNsd mice received fractionated radiation in two protocols: (i) 18 Gy daily for four days with MnSOD‐PL administration 24 hr prior to the first and third fraction, or (ii) 12 Gy daily for six days with MnSOD‐PL 24 hr prior to the first, third, and fifth fraction. Control radiated mice received either no liposomes only or LacZ (bacterial β‐galactosidase gene)‐plasmid/liposome (LacZ‐PL) by the same schedules. We measured thiol depletion and lipid peroxidation (LP) in whole esophagus and tested the effectiveness of a new plasmid, hemagglutinin (HA) epitope‐tagged MnSOD (HA‐MnSOD). In fractionation protocols, mice receiving MnSOD‐PL, but not LacZ‐PL (200 μl of plasmid/liposomes containing 200 μg of plasmid DNA), showed a significant reduction in morbidity, decreased weight loss, and improved survival. Four and seven days after 37 Gy single fraction radiation, the esophagus demonstrated a significant increase in peroxidized lipids and reduction in overall antioxidant levels, reduced thiols, and decreased glutathione (GSH). These reductions were modulated by MnSOD‐PL administration. The HA‐MnSOD plasmid product was detected in the basal layers of the esophageal epithelium 24 hr after administration and provided significant radiation protection compared to glutathione peroxidase‐plasmid/liposome (GPX‐PL), or liposomes containing MnSOD protein, vitamin E, co‐enzyme Q10, or 21‐aminosteroid. Thus, MnSOD‐PL administration significantly improved tolerance to fractionated radiation and modulated radiation effects on levels of GSH and lipid peroxidation (LP). These studies provide further support for translation of MnSOD‐PL treatment into human esophageal radiation protection. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sphingolipid production by gut Bacteroidetes regulates glucose homeostasis

Levels of Bacteroidetes in the gut microbiome are positively associated with insulin resistance (IR) in humans. Considering that IR is promoted by elevations in hepatic sphingolipids (SL), particularly ceramides, and that Bacteroidetes are the only microbiome phylum possessing genes encoding serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), which mediates SL synthesis, we investigated a potential link between bacterial SL production, host SL metabolism, and IR. In vitro, bacterial SLs entered colonocytes and were metabolized into complex SL, including ceramides. In mice, administration of WT Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, but not a SPT-deficient mutant, resulted in elevated levels of liver ceramides and reduced responsiveness to exogenously administered insulin. This work establishes bacterial SLs as a new class of microbiome-derived molecule capable of impacting host metabolism. One Sentence Summary SL production by gut Bacteroidetes regulates liver ceramide levels and insulin sensitivity.
Evaluation of Commercial Force-Sensing Resistors

Pressure and force touch sensors are pervasive in electronic musical instruments. While there are a variety of ways to sense pressures and forces, many instrument builders tend towards force-sensing resistors (FSR). These sensors are often implemented with only two design parameters in mind: their minimum and maximum resistances. While commercial FSRs are qualitative devices and not meant for accurate force measurement, if we want to design electronic musical instruments and interfaces which can compete in terms of expressivity with acoustic ones, care should be taken in choosing and implementing sensors properly. In an effort to better understand the electrical response of the commercially available sensors, several tests were performed to measure the time-varying response of the device itself, specifically the resistance drift and hysteresis under different forces. We present quantitative results of two tests performed to characterize the behavior of three commercial touch sensors and comment on ways to best use them in interface design. Results show a wide variation in drift and hysteresis characteristics among the different models.
Tuberculosis in Elephants—A Reemergent Disease

Tuberculosis (TB) in elephants has been described since ancient times. However, it was not until 1996 when infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in a herd of circus elephants that significant research into this disease began. The epidemiology and natural history of TB were unknown in elephants since there had been no comprehensive screening programs, and diagnostic techniques developed for cervidae and bovidae were of unknown value. And, while precepts of test and slaughter were the norm for cattle and deer, this was considered untenable for an endangered species. With no precedent for the treatment of TB in animals, treatment regimens for elephants were extrapolated from human protocols, which guided changes to the Guidelines for the Control of Tuberculosis in Elephants. In the absence of diagnostic testing to confirm cure in elephants, the efficacy of these treatment regimens is only beginning to be understood as treated elephants die and are examined postmortem. However, because of pressures arising from public relations related to elephant husbandry and the added considerations of TB infection in animals (whether real or imagined), sharing of information to aid in research and treatment has been problematic. Here we review the challenges and successes of the diagnosis of tuberculosis in elephants and discuss the natural history of the disease to put the work of Landolfi et al on the immunological response to tuberculosis in elephants in perspective.
Functions of microbiota in monogastric gastrointestinal tract and new practices in animal production

The mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors a complex micro-ecosystem consisting of countless bacteria. As an essential 'organ', the gut microbiota plays an important role in host nutrition and health by promoting supply, digestion and absorption of nutrient, preventing pathogen's colonization, and shaping and maintaining normal mucosal immunity. Antibiotics used as dietary additive not only interrupt the commensal microbiota in animal GI tract, but also lead to microbial resistance and antibiotics residues in animal products, which has become a worldwide problem to the health of human being and animals. So antibiotics have been banned as feed additives in many countries. Therefore, animal nutritionists and feed manufacturers are becoming increasingly interested in the topic. This paper mainly focuses on the development and important functions of microbes in monogastric GI tract as well as the factors affecting them. Applications of some novel alternatives in practice to keep GI tract ecosystem healthy, such as probiotics, prebiotics, Chinese herbal additives and exogenous enzymes, and their mechanisms were also introduced. The new alternatives to keep health of GI tract have great ecological, environmental issues and economic social effects. It may lead to the rational design of supplementation for animal production to study the functions of the microbiota, which has profound implications to support continuous development in livestock production in the future.
Changes in B‐lymphocyte stimulator protein levels during treatment with albinterferon alfa‐2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C who have failed previous interferon therapy

Aim: The pharmacodynamics of albinterferon alfa‐2b (alb‐IFN), a novel recombinant protein consisting of interferon‐α‐2b genetically fused to human albumin, was evaluated in patients with chronic hepatitis C with a previous non‐response to interferon‐α‐based therapy. B‐lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is an essential in vivo regulator of B‐lymphocyte homeostasis. This analysis examined the relationship between serum BLyS level and virologic response across a range of alb‐IFN doses.
A pilot trial of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet in patients with type 2 diabetes.

THE ETIOLOGY OF HYPERINSULINISM, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus is probably multi-factorial and as yet undetermined. It is known, however, that these hallmarks of the metabolic syndrome are highly associated with obesity.1 It is also known that treatment of obesity in patients with these disorders can result in lower insulin levels plus improvements in insulin sensitivity, glycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which constitute the metabolic syndrome.2–5 Despite the multiple benefits, patients have extreme difficulty achieving and maintaining weight loss. American Diabetic Association (ADA) diet recommendations for type 2 diabetic patients include reduction of fat (especially saturated fats) and cholesterol intake combined with a relatively high carbohydrate intake.6 The aim of the “diabetic diet” is to reduce hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for heart disease.1 However, prospective studies of this diet are not convincing in regard to prevention of cardiac events,7 and this type of diet has been shown to increase triglycerides, postprandial blood glucose, and insulin levels as well as lower HDL cholesterol.8–11 In contrast, two recent randomized trials examining a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (LCKD) demonstrated improvements in the above parameters, and one gave indication that the LCKD may be more effective than a low-fat diet for glycemic control in the sub-group of diabetics in the study.12,13 The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and metabolic effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (LCKD) in overweight type 2 diabetic patients over 16 weeks.
Assessing The Role Of Transactional And Transformational Leadership In Continuance Intentions Of Enterprise Resource Planning

This study aims to investigate whether leadersh4 style affects enterprise resource planning (ERP) users' continuance intention. Continuance intention in ERP at the individual user level is a key attitude for survival in many businesses. The long-term feasibility of an ERP implementation in an organization depends on its continued use rather than its initial use. This paper describes research in progress that proposes an evaluation of the effects of transformational and transactional leadersh4 styles via psychological mechanisms of organizational commitment on continuance intention in ERP in an organization. In this study, continuance intention of ERP is mainly recognized by user satisfaction.
Biogeochemistry Of Redox-Sensitive Elements In The Subterranean Estuary

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important component of chemical fluxes in coastal ocean. The composition of SGD is influenced by biogeochemical reactions that take place within the subterranean estuary (STE), the subsurface mixing zone of fresh and saline groundwaters. The STE is characterized by redox gradients that affect the speciation and mobility of redox-sensitive elements (RSEs). We examined the distributions and behavior of the RSEs Mo, U, V, and Cr within the larger redox framework of a shallow STE and evaluated the source-sink function of the STE for these elements. We found that the advection of water through the STE and the apparent respiration of organic matter drives the formation of a "classic" redox sequence typically observed in diffusion-dominated fine-grained sediments. High concentrations of dissolved organic matter (up to 2.9 mM) lead to extensive sulfide production (up to 1.8 mM) within 3 m of the surface. Both Mo and U are quantitatively removed as oxic surface waters mix into ferruginous and sulfidic zones. Molybdenum removal appears to occur where sulfide concentrations exceed ~11 μM, a previously reported threshold for quantitative formation of highly particle-reactive thiomolybdate species. Uranium removal apparently occurs via reduction and formation of insoluble phases. It is not clear how readily sequestered metals may be returned to solution, but SGD may be an important sink in the marine budget for both Mo and U. In contrast, both V and Cr show 19 non-conservative addition across the salinity mixing gradient. Increases in pH appear to promote dissolution of V from minerals within the shallow aquifer, and mobilization may also be associated with dissolved organic matter. Chromium enrichment is associated with increased dissolved organic matter and is likely due to the formation of soluble Crorganic complexes. Fluxes of these elements were constrained using SGD volume fluxes, determined using radium isotopes as well as direct discharge measurements by Lee-type seepage meters, and concentrations in directly-sampled seepage (Mo: -0.21 to -7.7 μmol m day; U: -0.02 to -0.6 μmol m day; V: 0.05 to 2.0 μmol m day; Cr: 0.12 to 4.4 μmol m day).
A Causal Channel Model for the Terahertz Band

Impulse response is vital for wireless communication analysis and modeling. This paper considers the impulse response of the terahertz band (THz band: 0.1–10 THz) for short range (1–100 cm) wireless communication. Earlier works derived the impulse response from transmittance by assuming a linear phase, which corresponds to a line-of-sight (LoS) propagation delay to a receiver. However, the linear phase leads to a symmetric impulse response before and after the LoS propagation delay. Physically, it is impossible for a signal to arrive before the LoS propagation delay since this violates causality. To address this issue, this study derives a phase function leading to an impulse response that satisfies causality. The validity of the derived model is verified with experimental THz band measurements (up to 2 THz), which show excellent agreement with the results predicted by the theory. From the impulse response, coherence bandwidth is found for both the entire THz band and its subbands. The results show significant variations in the coherence bandwidth as a function of the center frequency. Knowledge of these variations supports selection of the proper center frequency for wireless communications in the THz band.
Antimicrobial resistance and prudent drug use for Streptococcus suis

Abstract This paper reviews information on antimicrobial resistance patterns and prudent use of antimicrobials to reduce the impact and spread of resistant Streptococcus suis strains. S. suis is an important pathogen in swine, which can cause significant economic loss. Prudent use of antimicrobials for S. suis is essential to preserve the therapeutic efficacy of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and to minimize selection of resistant S. suis strains. Resistance of S. suis to antimicrobials commonly used in swine, including lincosamides, macrolides, sulphonamides, and tetracycline, has been documented worldwide, with resistance in up to 85% of strains. Among antimicrobials examined, resistance of S. suis has been demonstrated to be relatively low for penicillin (0–27%), ampicillin (0.6–23%), and ceftiofur (0–23%). For penicillin, this result may be due in part to the unique mechanism by which resistance is acquired through modifications in the structure of penicillin-binding proteins. Recommendations to control S. suis infection include focused and careful choice and appropriate use of antimicrobials, together with preventive measures intended to improve swine management.