Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rotavirus serotypes 6 and 10 predominate in cattle

Calf fecal rotavirus strains were serotyped in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, using monoclonal antibodies to the VP7s of serotypes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 and to the VP4 of B223 (designated serotype 10). Sixty-six percent of 162 samples were typed as serotype 6, and 7% were serotyped as serotype 10. Most of the untyped strains did not react with a monoclonal antibody directed to a common VP7 epitope, indicating insufficient virus present in the samples. However, seven untyped samples that did react with this antibody were adapted to culture and typed, and six of these also proved to belong to serotype 6 or 10. Two of these viruses belonged to a monotype within serotype 6 that did not react with the serotype 6 monoclonal antibody. The seventh isolate reacted in cross-neutralization tests with serotype 8 viruses. Bovine rotaviruses from the United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany, and Japan that had been shown previously to be distinct from serotype 6 were compared in neutralization tests with B223 from the United States. These viruses proved to be a closely reacting group distinct from all other rotavirus serotypes, justifying the establishment of serotype 10 as the second major type of bovine rotavirus.
The Performance of Agricultural Market Advisory Services in Corn and Soybeans

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the performance of market advisory services for the 1995–2003 corn and soybean crops. A new database from the Agricultural Market Advisory Services (AgMAS) Project is used in the evaluation. This database should not be subject to survivorship and hindsight biases. Overall, the results provide little evidence that advisory services as a group outperform market benchmarks, particularly after considering risk. The evidence is more positive versus the farmer benchmarks, even after taking risk into account. Results also suggest that it is difficult to predict the pricing performance of advisory services across crop-years. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Travel distance estimation for carotid femoral pulse wave velocity: is the gold standard a real one ?

With great interest we read the recently published article by Huybrechts et al. [1] from the highly respected Ghent group dealing with a comparison between several methods for estimating travel distance for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) measurement. We completely agree that standardization of this crucial point is urgently needed, if the method should ever become popular not only for researchers, but also for practising physicians. However, their method of determining travel distance using MRI may be discussed for the following reasons: Huybrechts and colleagues calculate the reference distance by subtracting the distance from aortic valve to the carotid artery from the distance from the aortic valve to the femoral artery, ‘presuming the same PWV in the thoracic aorta and in the carotid artery’, as the pulse wave travels up the carotid artery and down the aorta at the same time. Apart from the fact that, physiologically speaking, there is no ‘real’ cfPWV due to this wave travel in opposite directions, it is unlikely that PWVs in the thoracic aorta and in the carotid artery are the same. This has been shown in dogs by a pioneer in the field decades ago [2], with a difference in PWV between thoracic aorta and carotid artery of roughly 2 m/s. Considering an estimated length from the takeoff of the right brachiocephalic artery to the measuring point in the carotid artery of 10 cm, this would result in a 5–10% systematic error depending on age. In humans, the difference between aortic and carotid stiffness has been emphasized previously [3], with increasing differences in hypertensives and diabetics.
A Sporadic Parkinson Disease Model via Silencing of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome/E3 Ligase Component SKP1A*

The aim of this study was to develop a new model of sporadic Parkinson disease (PD) based on silencing of the SKP1A gene, a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome/E3 ligase complex, Skp1, Cullin 1, F-box protein, which was found to be highly decreased in the substantia nigra of sporadic PD patients. Initially, an embryonic mouse substantia nigra-derived cell line (SN4741 cells) was infected with short hairpin RNA lentiviruses encoding the murine transcript of the SKP1A gene or with scrambled vector. SKP1A silencing resulted in increased susceptibility to neuronal damages induced by the parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion and serum starvation, in parallel with a decline in the expression of the dopaminergic markers, dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporter-2. SKP1A-deficient cells presented a delay in completion of the cell cycle and the inability to arrest at the G0/G1 phase when induced to differentiate. Instead, the cells progressed through S phase, developing rounded aggregates with characteristics of aggresomes including immunoreactivity for γ-tubulin, α-synuclein, ubiquitin, tyrosine hydroxylase, Hsc-70 (70-kDa heat shock cognate protein), and proteasome subunit, and culminating in a lethal phenotype. Conversely, stably enforced expression of wild type SKP1A duplicated the survival index of naïve SN4741 cells under proteasomal inhibition injury, suggesting a new structural role of SKP1 in dopaminergic neuronal function, besides its E3 ligase activity. These results link, for the first time, SKP1 to dopamine neuronal function and survival, suggesting an essential role in sporadic PD. In summary, this new model has reproduced to a significant extent the molecular alterations described in sporadic PD at the cellular level, implicating Skp1 as a potential modifier in sporadic PD neurodegeneration.
Avaliação do Código Computacional DEPP na Otimização de Problemas de Propulsão e Aerodinâmica de Foguetes

No presente trabalho foi implementado um codigo computacional para a otimizacao global de um conjunto arbitrario de variaveis. O codigo computacional, denominado DEPP (Differential Evolution Parallel Program), e baseado no algoritmo de Evolucao Diferencial e utiliza o Metodo de Superficie de Resposta para aceleracao da convergencia. O DEPP foi implementado em linguagem Fortran 95 e utiliza as diretivas do MPI (Message Passing Interface) para processamento paralelo. A aptidao de cada individuo e obtida por um programa auxiliar. A verificacao do DEPP foi realizada utilizando as funcoes de Ackley e Rastrigin, com ate cinco variaveis. Problemas aplicados a propulsao e aerodinâmica de foguetes foram considerados. As geometrias de uma tubeira e do nariz de um foguete foram otimizadas. A avaliacao da aptidao de cada geometria da tubeira gerada pelo DEPP foi realizada pelo codigo Mach2D, que simula o escoamento no interior da tubeira, utilizando o metodo de volumes finitos. O DEPP convergiu para as solucoes exatas tanto para as funcoes de Ackley e Rastrigin, como na otimizacao aerodinâmica de Newton. O desempenho da Evolucao Diferencial com hibridizacao foi superior ao algoritmo puro. Na otimizacao da geometria de tubeiras, o DEPP determinou uma geometria que fornece coeficiente de empuxo superior ao obtido pelo Metodo das Caracteristicas
E. C. Tolman and the Intervening Variable: A Study in the Epistemological History of Psychology

E. C. Tolman's 'purposive behaviorism' is commonly interpreted as an attempt to operationalize a cognitivist theory of learning by the use of the 'Intervening Variable' (IV). Tolman would thus be a counterinstance to an otherwise reliable correlation of cognitivism with realism, and S-R behaviorism with operationalism. A study of Tolman's epistemological background, with a careful reading of his methodological writings, shows the common interpretation to be false. Tolman was a cognitivist and a realist. His 'IV' has been systematically misinterpreted by both behaviorists and antibehaviorists. For this reason, Tolman's alliance with modern cognitivism and his influence on its development have been underestimated.
Phenotypic and Functional Plasticity of Gamma–Delta (γδ) T Cells in Inflammation and Tolerance

Gamma–delta T cells (γδ T cells) are an unique group of lymphocytes and play an important role in bridging the gap between innate and adaptive immune systems under homeostatic condition as well as during infection and inflammation. They are predominantly localized into the mucosal and epithelial sites, but also exist in other peripheral tissues and secondary lymphoid organs. γδ T cells can produce cytokines and chemokines to regulate the migration of other immune cells, can bring about lysis of infected or stressed cells by secreting granzymes, provide help to B cells and induce IgE production, can present antigen to conventional T cells, activate antigen presenting cells (APC) maturation, and are also known to produce growth factors that regulate the stromal cell function. γδ T cells spontaneously produce IFN-γ and IL-17 cytokines compared to delayed differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells. In this review, we discussed the current knowledge about the mechanism of γδ T cell function including its mode of antigen recognition, and differentiation into various subsets of γδ T cells. We also explored how γδ T cells interact with different types of innate and adaptive immune cells, and how these interactions shape the immune response highlighting the plasticity and role of these cells—protective or pathogenic under inflammatory and tolerogenic conditions.
Effectiveness of dietary 25- and 1-hydroxycholecalciferol in combating tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens.

1. Three experiments were carried out to determine the effects of feeding diets containing different concentrations of cholecalciferol, 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-HCC), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-HCC), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC) and ascorbic acid on the incidences and severities of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) at 3 weeks of age in male broiler chicks. 2. In experiment 1, replacing 75 micrograms cholecalciferol/kg with the same weight of 25-HCC decreased significantly (P < 0.01) the incidence of TD from 65 to 10%. 3. In experiment 2, the incidence of TD in the control group was lower, but feeding amounts of 25-HCC up to 250 micrograms/kg had a linear effect on the incidence of TD that was significant at P = 0.06. There was no effect or interactions with dietary addition of 250 mg ascorbic acid/kg. Dietary addition of 5 micrograms 1-HCC/kg decreased TD incidence from 21 to 5%, though the effect was not significant (P > 0.1). 4. TD incidence in experiment 3 was too low to determine an effect of25-HCC or 1,25-DHCC on TD incidence, though in this, as in both other experiments, the severities of TD lesions were always lower with diets containing cholecalciferol metabolites. 5. Hypercalcaemia was not observed after feeding up to 250 micrograms 25-HCC/kg in either experiments 2 or 3. 6. It is concluded that 25-HCC may be an effective practical means of improving broiler leg health by alleviating the incidence and severity of TD.
What drives the translocation of stiff chains?

We study the dynamics of the passage of a stiff chain through a pore into a cell containing particles that bind reversibly to it. Using Brownian molecular dynamics simulations we investigate the mean first-passage time as a function of the length of the chain inside for different concentrations of binding particles. As a consequence of the interactions with these particles, the chain experiences a net force along its length whose calculated value from the simulations accounts for the velocity at which it enters the cell. This force can in turn be obtained from the solution of a generalized diffusion equation incorporating an effective Langmuir adsorption free energy for the chain plus binding particles. These results suggest a role of binding particles in the translocation process that is in general quite different from that of a Brownian ratchet. Furthermore, nonequilibrium effects contribute significantly to the dynamics; e.g., the chain often enters the cell faster than particle binding can be saturated, resulting in a force several times smaller than the equilibrium value.
Correlation of the electrical properties of metal contacts on diamond films with the chemical nature of the metal-diamond interface. II. Titanium contacts: A carbide-forming metal.

The gold-polycrystalline-diamond interface has been characterized by x-ray-photoelectron-spectroscopy (XPS), Auger-electron-spectroscopy (AES), and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. The I-V characteristics of gold contacts on polycrystalline diamond were correlated with interface observations by XPS and AES. Minimal interaction between the gold and diamond due to the inert nature of both materials led to the formation of rectifying contacts. Various predeposition treatments of the diamond including vacuum annealing, wet chemical cleaning, and argon sputtering were also examined
Algorítmo de mapeamento usando modelagem probabilística

SOUZA, Anderson A.S. ; MEDEIROS, Adelardo A. D. ; GONCALVES, Luiz Marcos G. Algoritmo de mapeamento usando modelagem probabilistica. In: SIMPOSIO BRASILEIRO DE AUTOMACAO INTELIGENTE, 2007, Natal. Anais. Natal, 2007.
Multi-agent exploration of unknown areas

This work focuses on the autonomous exploration of unknown areas by a swarm of mobile robots, referred to as agents. When an emergency happens within a building, it is dangerous to send human responders to search the area for hazards and victims. This motivates the need for autonomous agents that are able to coordinate with each other to explore the area as fast as possible. We investigate this problem from an algorithmic, rather than a robotics point of view, and thus abstract away from practical problems, such as obstacle detection and navigation over rough terrain. Our focus is on distributed algorithms that can cope with the following challenges: the topology of the area is typically unknown, communication between agents is intermittent and unreliable, and agents are not aware of their location in indoor environments. In order to address these challenges, we adopt the stigmergy approach, that is, we assume that the area is instrumented with small inexpensive sensors (called tags) and agents coordinate indirectly with each other by reading and updating the state of local tags. We propose three novel distributed algorithms that allow agents to explore unknown areas by coordinating indirectly through a tag-instrumented environment. In addition, we propose two mechanisms for discovering evacuation routes from critical points in the area to emergency exits. Agents are able to combine the tasks of area exploration and evacuation route discovery in a seamless manner. We study the proposed algorithms analytically, and evaluate them empirically in a custom-built simulation environment in a variety of scenarios. We then build a real testbed of agents and tags, and investigate practical mechanisms that allow agents to detect and localise nearby tags, and navigate toward them. Using the real testbed, we derive realistic models of detection, localisation and navigation errors, and investigate how they impact the performance of the proposed exploration algorithms. Finally, we design fault-tolerant exploration algorithms that are robust to these errors and evaluate them extensively in a simulation environment.
EPITHELIAL CELL MIGRATION IN THE INTESTINE

Despite significant advances in our understanding of the roles of the cytoskeleton and matrix receptors in cell locomotion, derived largely fromin vitrostudies on the movement of epithelial cell sheets and isolated cells, the mechanism of epithelial cell migration in the adult intestine remains an enigma. The primary function of the epithelial cell cytoskeleton seems to be in the maintenance of the apical region of the epithelium facing the gut lumen. There we find the brush border, with its associated enzymes, and the intercellular adhesion complexes that give the epithelium its cohesiveness and its barrier function. Curiously, there is little in the way of an organized cytoskeleton in the basal region of the epithelium adjacent to the basement membrane on which the epithelium is presumed to migrate. In this short review, I focus on what is known about epithelial migration from our understanding of the structure of the epithelium and from studies on wound healing, and indicate some avenues for future study.
Statistical reconstruction for x-ray computed tomography using energy-integrating detectors

Statistical image reconstruction (SR) algorithms have the potential to significantly reduce x-ray CT image artefacts because they use a more accurate model than conventional filtered backprojection and can incorporate effects such as noise, incomplete data and nonlinear detector response. Most SR algorithms assume that the CT detectors are photon-counting devices and generate Poisson-distributed signals. However, actual CT detectors integrate energy from the x-ray beam and exhibit compound Poisson-distributed signal statistics. This study presents the first assessment of the impact on image quality of the resultant mismatch between the detector and signal statistics models assumed by the sinogram data model and the reconstruction algorithm. A 2D CT projection simulator was created to generate synthetic polyenergetic transmission data assuming (i) photon-counting with simple Poisson-distributed signals and (ii) energy-weighted detection with compound Poisson-distributed signals. An alternating minimization (AM) algorithm was used to reconstruct images from the data models (i) and (ii) for a typical abdominal scan protocol with incident particle fluence levels ranging from 105 to 1.6 × 106 photons/detector. The images reconstructed from data models (i) and (ii) were compared by visual inspection and image-quality figures of merit. The reconstructed image quality degraded significantly when the means were mismatched from the assumed model. However, if the signal means are appropriately modified, images from data models (i) and (ii) did not differ significantly even when SNR is very low. While data-mean mismatches characteristic of the difference between particle-fluence and energy-fluence transmission can cause significant streaking and cupping artefacts, the mismatch between the actual and assumed CT detector signal statistics did not significantly degrade image quality once systematic data means mismatches were corrected.
The chemical composition, antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of water-extractable polysaccharide conjugates from northern Manitoba lingonberry

Abstract Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is a small northern fruit that has been harvested historically by native North Americans and Northern Europeans. These berries have been traditionally consumed as food and for medicinal use. Lingonberries are reported to be rich in vitamin C, benzoic acid, and anthocyanins, which have been implicated in health benefits associated with the consumption of lingonberries. We hypothesized that water-extractable polysaccharides, conjugated with proteins and/or phenolics may also serve as bioactive compounds with potential health benefits in northern Manitoba lingonberries. A hot water extraction was used to obtain water-extractable polysaccharides from lingonberries and the water-extractable polysaccharides were fractionated into water-eluted/neutral and NaCl-eluted/acidic fractions using chromatography. The water-extractable polysaccharides were evaluated for their chemical composition and structural features. The antioxidant activity (FRAP and ABTS assays) and potential of the polysaccharides to serve as α-glucosidase inhibitors were determined. The chemical composition and structural features of the water-extractable polysaccharides were influenced by fraction. The water-extractable polysaccharides and fractions all possessed antioxidant activity, while only the water-extractable polysaccharide conjugates and NaCl-eluted/acidic fraction demonstrated appreciable α-glucosidase inhibition. This work provides novel information indicating that water-extractable polysaccharide conjugates isolated from northern Manitoba lingonberry demonstrate bioactivity.
Long‐Term Prognosis on Recurrence of Seizures Among Children With Epilepsy After Drug Withdrawal‐Elimination

The long‐term prognosis of 110 children after withdrawal‐elimination of the drugs on the basis of our rigid criteria was analyzed. The 12 cases (10.9%) of 110 patients experienced recurrences, which occurred between three months to three years after drug elimination, but there were no recurrences later than three years to 10 years after drug elimination. The asymmetry in the EEG during the first two to three years after drug elimination appeared in 6.4% and seizure discharge appeared in 17.1%. But no asymmetry nor seizure discharge was found in EEG later than three years after drug elimination.
How Do Vents Affect Hearing Aid Performance ?

with an occluding earmold; data above “0” suggest a gain increase (from resonance) while that below “0” suggest gain reduction with the specific vent dimension (length and diameter). The solid line shows the result of a 6 mmlong vent, while the dotted line shows that of a 22 mm-long vent. For both vent lengths, one sees more low-frequency gain reduction as the vent diameter increases. For example, one sees that the output at 200 Hz is reduced by 7-8 dB with a 1 mm vent diameter, but as much as 28 dB reduction with a 3 mm vent diameter. Thus, an increase in vent diameter leads to a reduction in low frequency output below 1000 Hz. A vent is a tube. As such, it is subject to tubing resonance. Figure 2 also shows that a change in vent diameter leads to a shift in the ventassociated resoW e typically consider sounds at the eardrum to be a function of the output of the hearing aid moderated by the residual volume between the tip of the hearing aid/earmold and the eardrum. To a large extent, this is true for an occluding hearing aid (one without any vents or leakage) and when the wearer listens to sounds from their environments. On the other hand, with a vented hearing aid and when the wearer talks, the overall sound pressure level at the eardrum also includes direct sounds that enter (or leave) through the vents (and any unintentional leakage) and bone-conducted sounds generated from the wearer’s voice. The contribution of each source varies depending on the state of the wearer (speaking versus listening) and the size of the leakage (or venting), in addition to the gain settings on the hearing aid. Figure 1 shows a simplified diagram of the three sources of sound. In the extreme case of someone with a high frequency hearing loss who is speaking while wearing a closed earmold, the low frequency SPL at the eardrum is dominated by the bone-conducted sounds. In an open-fitting situation, sounds entering directly through the vent opening will have a larger contribution to the SPL at the eardrum.