Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immune responses to modified-live and recombinant African horse sickness virus vaccines

Reasons for performing study: African horse sickness is an insect transmitted, noncontagious disease of equids caused by African horse sickness virus (AHSV). Mortality can exceed 90% in fully susceptible horse populations. A live-attenuated (modified-live) cell culture-adapted (MLV) polyvalent AHSV vaccine is widely used to control AHS in endemic areas in southern Africa. Field studies detailing antibody responses of vaccinated horses are lacking. Objectives: To determine antibody titres to the 9 known serotypes of AHSV in a cohort of brood mares that were regularly vaccinated with the MLV AHSV vaccine, and to measure the passive transfer and rate of decay of maternal antibody to the individual virus serotypes in foals. Methods: Serum was collected from 15 mares before foaling and from their foals after foaling and monthly thereafter for 6 months. Antibody titres to each of the 9 AHSV serotypes were determined by serum-virus neutralisation assay. 1 This chapter was published in Equine Veterinary Journal, DOI: 10.1111/evj.12015 © University of Pretoria
Highly branched poly (arylene ether)/surface‐functionalized fullerene‐based composite membrane electrolyte for DMFC applications

Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China Guangdong Research Centre for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
Concise guide to sports injuries

Preface Acknowledgements Foreword 1 Head injuries 2 The axial skeleton 3 Neck 4 Dorsal spine 5 Lumbar spine 6 Anterior chest pain 7 Abdomen 8 Groin 9 Buttock and back of thigh 10 Anterior thigh 11 Knee 12 Lower leg 13 The ankle 14 Heel and arch of the foot 15 Mid foot 16 Forefoot 17 Shoulder 18 Elbow 19 Wrist and hand 20 Rehabilitation and training with an injury 21 Team doctoring Glossary Index
Synthesis and cytotoxicity of novel elastomers based on cholesteric liquid crystals

ABSTRACT The unique functions of biofilms in living organisms are closely related to liquid crystal properties and behaviour. Thus, more and more attention has been paid to the bionic construction of liquid crystal biomaterials. In this study, six liquid crystal monomers and four liquid crystal polymers based on aliphatic polycarbonates with side chain cholesteryl groups are synthesized by chlorination reaction and hydrosilylation reaction, respectively. The results show that all liquid crystals exhibit a cholesteric liquid crystal, and the flexible polymer main chain and the long flexible spacer contribute to a lower glass transition temperature. The monomer liquid crystals exhibit small plate, focal conic, and oily textures, whereas the polymer liquid crystals have focal conic, oily, and oily droplet textures observed by POM. It is necessary for biomaterials that liquid crystal phase emerges at normal human body temperature (around 37°C), and the synthesized polymers possess the above properties. Both the elastic modulus and the viscous modulus decrease with increasing the side chain soft segment at the same frequency. Cytotoxicity test showed that the monomeric liquid crystals are toxic to cells, but the polymer liquid crystals have better cell compatibility, offering promising perspectives for further application to biomaterials. Graphical abstract
Influence du poids corporel sur l'histoire naturelle et les approches therapeutiques du diabete de type 1.

Le rôle de l’obésité dans la pathogénie et la physiopathologie du diabète de type 2 (DT2) est bien connu et largement documenté. L’obésité est un facteur majeur d’insulinorésistance, en particulier lorsque l’adiposité présente une distribution abdominale (1). Le diabète de type 1 (DT1), quant à lui, est associé à des processus auto-immuns altérant la fonction et la survie des cellules ß, d’où l’évolution plus ou moins rapide vers une diminution, puis un tarissement de la sécrétion insulinique. Les patients atteints d’un DT1 inaugural sont fréquemment décrits comme des patients minces («diabète maigre»), avec une histoire clinique de perte de poids, parfois importante, précédant le diagnostic et le début de l’insulinothérapie. Dès lors, l’implication de l’obésité est beaucoup moins évidente dans ce type de diabète.
Impacts of the Three Gorges Dam on the bathymetric evolution of the Yangtze River Estuary

The Three Gorges Dam (TGD) is the largest hydraulic engineering structure in the world. Its downstream impacts, especially on the Yangtze River Estuary, have attracted worldwide attention since its impoundment in 2003. A lack of high-accuracy bathymetric data that completely accounts for the Yangtze River Estuary makes it difficult to reliably document the influence of the TGD to any degree of detail. In this study, high quality bathymetric data, covering the Yangtze River Estuary from 2002 (pre-TGD) until 2013, were analyzed to delineate the bathymetric evolution of the Yangtze River Estuary during the post-TGD period and the effects of the TGD impoundment. After the completion of the TGD, deposition occurred in the Yangtze River Estuary in the inshore area from a depth of 6.4 m below the lowest tide, whereas there was significant erosion in the area below that water depth that intensified severely until 2013. In the area below the -19 m isobath, the bathymetry changed little, indicating a weak influence from the force of local water, so the -19 m water depth contour was proposed as a reference boundary for local bathymetric monitoring. The study area gradually changed from being deposition-dominated to being erosion-dominated between 2002 and 2007, and the erosion intensified with time after 2007. The amount of sediment eroded from 2002 to 2013 was more than 10×108 t. The trend in the local sediment flux from 2007 to 2011 relative to that in 2002 was correlated closely with the suspended sediment discharge from the TGD and the Datong gauging station, located 600 km from the Yangtze River Estuary, with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. This indicates that the TGD impoundment was the main mechanism that controlled the evolution of the Yangtze River Estuary after 2007. The intensified erosion in 2013 also in part reflects the insufficient sediment supply from the outer Yangtze River Estuary and the North Jiangsu coastal ocean.
Analysis of motor activity of recombinant myosin-1c

Analysis of motor activity of recombinant Myosin-1c Hair cells of the inner ear are responsible for hearing and balance. These hair cells are limited in number and do not regenerate following injury. To better appreciate the function of these cells it is important to understand the molecular basis of hearing and the roles of the various molecules involved in this process. The overall goal of our laboratory is to understand the molecular basis of mechanotransduction, a process that converts the mechanical sound wave to an electrical stimulus that is transmitted to the brain. We are specifically interested in the motor protein myosin-1c (Myo1c) that has been previously shown to be involved in the adaptation response, a process that makes the hair cells sensitive to prolonged stimulation. Myo1c is a mechanoenzyme that uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to power its movement along F-actin. The goal of this research is to examine the motor properties of Myo1c, specifically the role of the neck region of the protein in its ATPase activity. Research with other myosins of the same class has elucidated the importance of the neck length of myosins in their enzyme activity and to date no such reports exist for Myo1c. In addition to hair cells, Myo1c is also expressed in other cell types, such as neurons and adipocytes in culture and is involved in motility and vesicle transport in these cells respectively. Thus understanding the regulation of Myo1c function will also enable us to understand its role in various physiological processes.
A Systematic Review of Health Literacy Interventions and Policies and the Effect on the Health Outcomes of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Patients

Melissa Duong A Systematic Review of Health Literacy Interventions and Policies and the Effect on the Health Outcomes of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Patients (Under the direction of Bruce Perry, MD MPH) Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients are subject to low patient health outcomes due to limited health literacy. Cultural and linguistic barriers prohibit the obtainment and comprehension of health information and services. This systematic review will present the complications of healthcare experienced by LEP patients and will provide an analysis of interventions and policies that will be a gateway to better health outcomes for the LEP patient population. INDEX WORDS: systematic review, health literacy, limited English proficiency, LEP, Asian, Hispanic, deaf, interventions, policies Effect of Health Literacy Interventions and Policies on LEP Patients Duong Duong
Early signs of mobility decline and physical activity counseling as a preventive intervention in older people

Manty, Minna Early signs of mobility decline and physical activity counseling as a preventive intervention in older people Jyvaskyla: University of Jyvaskyla, 2010, 103 p. (Studies in Sport, Physical Education, and Health ISSN 0356-1070; 147) ISBN 978-951-39-3882-6 (PDF), 978-951-39-3874-1 (nid.) Finnish summary Diss. The purpose of this study was to examine the early signs of mobility decline and falls in older people. In addition, the effects of physical activity counseling on the development of mobility limitation in an older community-dwelling population were studied. Data from two larger studies were used: Screening and Counseling for Physical activity and Mobility among Older People, SCAMOB, a 2-year singleblinded randomized controlled trial (n=632) with a 1.5-year post-intervention follow-up, focused on 75 to 81-year-old community-dwelling people and the FITSA study, a 3-year prospective observational study, on 63 to 75-year-old community-dwelling women (n=434). Data on mobility limitation, physical activity and health status were obtained in face-to-face interviews or with questionnaires. Muscle power and walking speed were measured during the research centre examinations and falls were followed-up for 1 year with daily fall calendars. Self-reported preclinical mobility limitation and fall history increased the risk of manifest mobility limitation and future falls. A single individualized physical activity counseling session with a supportive phone contact every 4 months for 2 years had a positive effect on perceived mobility. However, the effects on muscle power and walking speed were significant only among women with no or only early signs of mobility limitation. No effects were observed among men or among women with more advanced mobility limitation at baseline. The results of the present study indicate that self-reported preclinical mobility limitation and fall history should be considered as important early indicators of functional decline among community-dwelling older adults. In addition, the results suggest that physical activity counseling for older adults may provide an effective means to promote mobility, which is a crucial prerequisite for maintaining independence in the community in old age.
Influence of laser irradiation on the activity of plant pharmaceuticals with the assessment by the bacteria growth dynamics

The article describes experimental investigation of influence of laser irradiation on the drug activity of umbellate wintergreen and round-leaved wintergreen in the form of decoction and extract. The drug activity is estimated by counting the number of colonies grown on the nutrient medium with the addition of the studied plant preparation. It is shown that laser irradiation of pharmaceuticals significantly changes their activity, and the best results are obtained by irradiation of the umbellate wintergreen decoction.
Phosphorus rather than nitrogen enhances CO2 emissions in tropical forest soils: Evidence from a laboratory incubation study

Ecosystem functional responses such as soil CO2 emissions are constrained by microclimate, available carbon (C) substrates and their effects upon microbial activity. In tropical forests, phosphorus (P) is often considered as a limiting factor for plant growth, but it is still not clear whether P constrains microbial CO2 emissions from soils. In this study, we incubated seven tropical forest soils from Brazil and Puerto Rico with different nutrient addition treatments (no addition, Control; C, nitrogen (N) or P addition only; and combined C, N and P addition (CNP)). Cumulative soil CO2 emissions were fit with a Gompertz model to estimate potential maximum cumulative soil CO2 emission (C m) and the rate of change of soil C decomposition (k). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to quantify microbial biomass as bacteria and fungi. Results showed that P addition alone or in combination with C and N enhanced C m, whereas N addition usually reduced C m, and neither N nor P affected microbial biomass. Additions of CNP enhanced k, increased microbial abundances and altered fungal to bacterial ratios towards higher fungal abundance. Additions of CNP, however, tended to reduce C m for most soils when compared to C additions alone, suggesting that microbial growth associated with nutrient additions may have occurred at the expense of C decomposition. Overall, this study demonstrates that soil CO2 emission is more limited by P than N in tropical forest soils and those effects were stronger in soils low in P.
Comparison of fertility ratios, attitudes and beliefs of Polish and Czech women

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to estimate some basic data related to the fertility in the chosen groups of Polish and Czech women. We have tried to acquire and analyze the attitudes and beliefs of these women in moth-erhood and the desire to have children. These data enable to verify the interdisciplinary hypothesis explaining the decline of birth rate and low fertility in European countries. Materials and methods: The authors performed the survey by means of a questionnaire formulated after a comprehen-sive discussion of possible reasons of birth rate decline. They have tried through the questions of the survey to verify the hypothesis that the decline is the result of the cumulative mental changes occurring in contemporary societies. The questionnaire completed 90 Polish women students pursuing complementary studies of nursing in Higher School of Applied Sciences in Nysa, during the academic year 2012/2013. The questionnaire also completed 53 Czech women students pursuing part-time studies and training at the Tomas Bata University in Zlin (the Czech Republic). Results: The above surveyed 90 Polish women gave birth to 132 children, so fertility rates is 1.46. The average age at the birth of the first child was 24.7 years, of the second child 27.5 and of the third child 31.7 years. The surveyed 53 Czech women gave birth to 86 children, so fertility rates is 1.62. The average age at birth of the first child was 24.7 years, of the second child 27.2 and of the third child 27,5 years. The authors present also convictions, beliefs and attitudes of the women under study. Conclusions: The multifaceted and interdisciplinary hypothesis (theoretical model) formulated at the outset of our work, can be useful for attempts to estimate the pro-family attitudes in different populations of women. The results in the light of compli-ance with the proposed theoretical model allow for the formulation of proposals for action, which would counteract the decline in birth rates.
Surface Display—An Alternative to Classic Enzyme Immobilization

Enzyme immobilization to solid matrices often presents a challenge due to protein conformation sensitivity, desired enzyme purity, and requirements for the particular carrier properties and immobilization technique. Surface display of enzymes at the cell walls of microorganisms presents an alternative that has been the focus of many research groups worldwide in different fields, such as biotechnology, energetics, pharmacology, medicine, and food technology. The range of systems by which a heterologous protein can be displayed at the cell surface allows the appropriate one to be found for almost every case. However, the efficiency of display systems is still quite low. The most frequently used yeast for the surface display of proteins is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, apart from its many advantages, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has some disadvantages, such as low robustness in industrial applications, hyperglycosylation of some heterologous proteins, and relatively low efficiency of surface display. Thus, in the recent years the display systems for alternative yeast hosts with better performances including Pichia pastoris, Hansenula polymorpha, Blastobotrys adeninivorans, Yarrowia lipolytica, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and others have been developed. Different strategies of surface display aimed to increase the amount of displayed protein, including new anchoring systems and new yeast hosts are reviewed in this paper.
Integrated Optics: Design and Modeling

Part 1 Introduction: history materials outline of the book. Part 2 Foundations: Helmholtz equations dielectric interfaces geometrical optics. Part 3 Waveguide theory: general remarks formulations of the eigenvalue problem power flux in waveguides dispersion universal approximation schemes weakly guiding waveguides analytical solutions slab waveguides separable eigenvalue problems geometrical optics of the waveguide. Part 4 Beam propagation: fundamental principles classical BPM diffraction integrals improved BPM algorithms vectorial beam propagation method bidirectional beam propagation application of the BPM. Part 5 Mode conversion: Hermite-Gaussian beams coupling of gaussian beams gaussian optics fiber-to-chip coupling by microlenses optical tapers. Part 6 Codirectional coupling: coupled mode theory uniform directional couplers symmetrical couplers asymmetrical couplers transfer matrix theory Machzehnder devices directional couplers with periodic overlay. Part 7 Contradirectional coupling: phenomenological coupled mode theory Bragg gratings contradirectional coupler. Part 8 Planar spectrographs: theory of planar spectrographs focussing reflection gratings phased arrays. Appendices: application of photonics computer aided engineering component cost modelling mathematical background.
Lichtenstein repair; a community based teaching hospital experience

Objective: To describe our experience of Lichtenstein repair in a community based teaching hospital. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included patients presenting to the surgical outpatient department of Fatima Hospital for elective hernia repair over a 2 year period. Results: Sixty four patients underwent hernia repair. All were males. Most common (67%) were indirect inguinal hernias. Fifty-seven percent had no symptoms. Chronic constipation was present in 22% and cough in 11% patients. Eighty six percent of the patients had no co-morbidities and 84% patients belonged to ASA class I. Eighty seven percent procedures were performed under spinal anesthesia. Mean operating time was 57±18 minutes with no operative complications. Four patients had scrotal hematoma and 3 had seromas, while one patient each had wound infection, spinal headache and urinary retention. None of the patients required surgical intervention or mesh removal. Average cost per patient was 3204±510 rupees. Conclusion: Our outcomes of Lichtenstein repair were comparable with the international and local literature. Further reductions in costs can be achieved by performing the procedure under local rather regional anesthesia. (Rawal Med J 2008;33:169-173).
Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate Molasses by 2,2-Diphenyl-l-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Method

In Turkish cuisine the pomegranate molasses (PM) are used as a condiment and believed to have significant effects for arteriosclerosis, cholesterol levels and cancer prevention due to the antioxidant potential of pomegranate fruit itself. In this study, we measured the total polyphenols content, of which varied from 118.28 to 828.15 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of PM, and antioxidant activity by DPPH assay, of which were found to be between 560.23 to 1885.23 μmol trolox equivalent per gram of sample. The chemical composition of PM samples were found as: the water soluble dry matter content 62.40-75.00 g 100g; viscosity 176 and 2900 mPa.s. ; total acidity 4.70-9.73 g 100g; pH of the samples changed 1.71 and 2.96; invert sugar and total sugar 23.71-56.95 g 100g and 30.33-70.94 g100g, respectively.
Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1 enhances adriamycin resistance in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia through the miR-195/Myb axis

Background: Development of chemoresistance remains a major obstacle for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) management. Zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1) is a novel tumor-related lncRNA that has been reported as an oncogene involved in the development of pediatric AML. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of ZFAS1 in AML chemoresistance. Methods: The expression levels of ZFAS1 and miR-195 were assessed by qRT-PCR and Myb expression was detected using western blotting. The CCK-8 assay was used to determine the IC50 value for adriamycin (ADR) and cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The targeted interaction between miR-195 and ZFAS1 or Myb was evaluated by the dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Results: Our data revealed that ADR treatment induced ZFAS1 expression in pediatric AML. Silencing of ZFAS1 or Myb alleviated AML cell resistance to ADR in vitro. ZFAS1 directly targeted miR-195 and negatively modulated miR-195 expression. Myb was a direct target of miR-195. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of ZFAS1 silencing on ADR resistance of AML cells was mediated by miR-195 in vitro. Myb was involved in the regulation of the ZFAS1/miR-195 axis in ADR resistance of AML cells. Conclusion: Our data indicated that ZFAS1 silencing alleviated ADR resistance of AML cells in vitro through acting as a sponge for miR-195 and regulating Myb expression. Targeting ZFAS1 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for pediatric AML treatment.