Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A burning question: what are the risks and benefits of mammalian torpor during and after fires?

Abstract Although wildfires are increasing globally, available information on how mammals respond behaviourally and physiologically to fires is scant. Despite a large number of ecological studies, often examining animal diversity and abundance before and after fires, the reasons as to why some species perform better than others remain obscure. We examine how especially small mammals, which generally have high rates of energy expenditure and food requirements, deal with fires and post-fire conditions. We evaluate whether mammalian torpor, characterised by substantial reductions in body temperature, metabolic rate and water loss, plays a functional role in survival of mammals impacted by fires. Importantly, torpor permits small mammals to reduce their activity and foraging, and to survive on limited food. Torpid small mammals (marsupials and bats) can respond to smoke and arouse from torpor, which provides them with the possibility to evade direct exposure to fire, although their response is often slowed when ambient temperature is low. Post-fire conditions increase expression of torpor with a concomitant decrease in activity for free-ranging echidnas and small forest-dwelling marsupials, in response to reduced cover and reduced availability of terrestrial insects. Presence of charcoal and ash increases torpor use by captive small marsupials beyond food restriction alone, likely in anticipation of detrimental post-fire conditions. Interestingly, although volant bats use torpor on every day after fires, they respond by decreasing torpor duration, and increasing activity, perhaps because of the decrease in clutter and increase in foraging opportunities due to an increase in aerial insects. Our summary shows that torpor is an important tool for post-fire survival and, although the physiological and behavioural responses of small mammals to fire are complex, they seem to reflect energetic requirements and mode of foraging. We make recommendations on the conditions during management burns that are least likely to impact heterothermic mammals.
Flavobacterium magnum sp. nov., Flavobacterium pallidum sp. nov., Flavobacterium crocinum sp. nov. and Flavobacterium album sp. nov.

Four new limnic bacterial strains, namely HYN0048T, HYN0049T, HYN0056T and HYN0059T, were isolated from two lakes in the Nakdong River water system in Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that strains HYN0048T, HYN0049T, HYN0056T and HYN0059T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium by showing the highest sequence similarities with the type strains of F. soli (94.9 %), F. keumense (95.1 %), F. dispersum (97.7 %) and F. hauense (97.6 %), respectively. The low sequence similarities and tree topologies implied the novelty of the four isolates, as novel genomic species of the genus Flavobacterium. Numerous physiological and biochemical features also supported the distinctiveness of the isolates from previously known bacterial species. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data presented in this study, four novel species are suggested with the following names: Flavobacterium magnum sp. nov. (type strain HYN0048T=KACC 19180T=NBRC 112740T), Flavobacterium pallidum sp. nov. (HYN0049T=KACC 19181T=NBRC 112741T), Flavobacterium crocinum sp. nov. (HYN0056T=KACC 19182T=NBRC 112743T) and Flavobacterium album sp. nov. (HYN0059T=KACC 19183T=NBRC 112744T).
Hybrid Watch User Interfaces: Collaboration Between Electro-Mechanical Components and Analog Materials

We introduce programmable material and electromechanical control to enable a set of hybrid watch user interfaces that symbiotically leverage the joint strengths of electro-mechanical hands and a dynamic watch dial. This approach enables computation and connectivity with existing materials to preserve the inherent physical qualities and abilities of traditional analog watches. We augment the watch's mechanical hands with micro-stepper motors for control, positioning and mechanical expressivity. We extend the traditional watch dial with programmable pigments for non-emissive dynamic patterns. Together, these components enable a unique set of interaction techniques and user interfaces beyond their individual capabilities.
Sense.Seat: Inducing Improved Mood and Cognition through Multisensorial Priming

User interface software and technologies have been evolving significantly and rapidly. This poster presents a breakthrough user experience that leverages multisensorial priming and embedded interaction and introduces an interactive piece of furniture called Sense.Seat. Sensory stimuli such as calm colors, lavender and other scents as well as ambient soundscapes have been traditionally used to spark creativity and promote well-being. Sense.Seat is the first computational multisensorial seat that can be digitally controlled and vary the frequency and intensity of visual, auditory and olfactory stimulus. It is a new user interface shaped as a seat or pod that primes the user for inducing improved mood and cognition, therefore improving the work environment.
Systems vaccinology and big data in the vaccine development chain

Systems vaccinology has proven a fascinating development in the last decade. Where traditionally vaccine development has been dominated by trial and error, systems vaccinology is a tool that provides novel and comprehensive understanding if properly used. Data sets retrieved from systems‐based studies endorse rational design and effective development of safe and efficacious vaccines. In this review we first describe different omics‐techniques that form the pillars of systems vaccinology. In the second part, the application of systems vaccinology in the different stages of vaccine development is described. Overall, this review shows that systems vaccinology has become an important tool anywhere in the vaccine development chain.
Integrated analysis of proteomics‐delineated and metabolomics‐delineated hepatic metabolic responses to (−)‐hydroxycitric acid in chick embryos

(−)‐Hydroxycitric acid [(−)‐HCA] is widely used as a nutritional supplement to control body weight and fat accumulation in animals and humans, whereas the underlying biochemical mechanism is unclear. Broiler chicken was used as a model for studies of obesity due to its natural hyperglycemia and being insulin resistant. The current study aimed to obtain a systematic view of serum metabolites and hepatic proteins and well understand the mechanism of hepatic metabolic response to (−)‐HCA treatment in chick embryos. The results showed that 22, 90, and 82 of differentially expressed proteins were identified at E14d, E19d, and H1d in chick embryos treated with (−)‐HCA, respectively. Meanwhile, 5, 83, and 88 of serum metabolites significantly changed at E14d, E19d, and H1d in chick embryos after (−)‐HCA treatment. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the key proteins and metabolites, which were significantly altered in chick embryos treated with (−)‐HCA, were mainly involved in the citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, fatty acid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism. Our data indicated that (−)‐HCA treatment might promote fat metabolism via regulating the key protein expression levels and metabolite contents in the citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and oxidative phosphorylation during chicken embryonic development. These results will deepen our understanding of the mechanism of fat reduction by (−)‐HCA and provide substantial information for (−)‐HCA as a nutritional supplement to control body weight gain and curb obesity‐related diseases.
Probiotics importance and their immunomodulatory properties

Mammalian intestine contains a large diversity of commensal microbiota, which is far more than the number of host cells. Probiotics play an insecure and protective role against the colonization of intestinal pathogenic microbes and increase mucosal integrity by stimulating epithelial cells. Probiotics have innate capabilities in many ways, including receptor antagonism, receptor expression, binding and expression of adapter proteins, expression of negative regulatory signal molecules, induction of microRNAs, endotoxin tolerance, and ultimately secretion of immunomodulatory proteins, lipids, and metabolites to modulate the immune system. Probiotic bacteria can affect homeostasis, inflammation, and immunopathology through direct or indirect effects on signaling pathways as immunosuppressant or activators. Probiotics suppress inflammation by inhibiting various signaling pathways such as the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κβ) pathway, possibly related to alterations in mitogen‐activated protein kinases and pattern recognition receptors pathways. Probiotics can also inhibit the binding of lipopolysaccharides to the CD14 receptor, thereby reducing the overall activation of NF‐κβ and producing proinflammatory cytokines. Some effects of modulation by probiotics include cytokine production by epithelial cells, increased mucin secretion, increased activity of phagocytosis, and activation of T and natural killer T cells, stimulation of immunoglobulin A production and decreased T cell proliferation. Intestinal microbiota has a major impact on the systemic immune system. Specific microbiota controls the differentiation of cells in lamina propria, in which Th17 cells secrete interleukin 17. The presence of Th17 and Treg cells in the small intestine is associated with intestinal microbiota, with the preferential Treg differentiation and the absence of Th17 cells, possibly reflecting alterations in the lamina propria cytokines and the intestinal gut microbiota.
Preoperative Aspiration Culture (PAC) for the Diagnosis of Infection in a Prosthetic Knee Joint.

Background Periprosthetic infection is the most serious joint replacement complication, occurring in 0.8-1.9% of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). This review aims to define the role of preoperative aspiration culture (PAC) for diagnosis of TKA infection. Methods A PubMed (MEDLINE) search related to TKA infection and PAC was analyzed. The main criteria for selection were that the articles were focused in the aforementioned question. Results Twenty articles were found, but only fourteen were selected and reviewed because they were deeply focused on the topic. PAC has shown an average sensitivity of 67.6% (range, 28% to 100%) and an average specificity of 98.4% (range, 96% to 100%). Conclusion PAC has moderate to high sensitivity and very high specificity for diagnosing TKA infection.
Parent coaching at 6 and 10 months improves language outcomes at 14 months: A randomized controlled trial.

Previous studies reveal an association between particular features of parental language input and advances in children's language learning. However, it is not known whether parent coaching aimed to enhance specific input components would (a) successfully increase these components in parents' language input and (b) result in concurrent increases in children's language development. The present randomized controlled trial assigned families of typically developing 6-month-old infants to Intervention (parent coaching) and Control (no coaching) groups. Families were equivalent on socioeconomic status, infants' gender, and infants' age. Parent coaching took place when infants were 6 and 10 months of age, and included quantitative and qualitative linguistic feedback on the amount of child-directed speech, back-and-forth interactions, and parentese speech style. These variables were derived from each family's first-person LENA recordings at home. Input variables and infant language were measured at 6, 10, and 14 months. Parent coaching significantly enhanced language input as measured by two social interaction variables: percentage of speech directed to the child and percentage of parentese speech. These two variables were correlated, and were both related to growth in infant babbling between 6 and 14 months. Intervention infants showed greater growth in babbling than Control infants. Furthermore, at 14 months, Intervention infants produced significantly more words than Control infants, as indicated by LENA recordings and parent report via the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Developmental Inventory. Together, these results indicate that parent coaching can enrich specific aspects of parental language input, and can immediately and positively impact child language outcomes. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/7wqR28gPiwo.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Age of Onset of Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) has been associated with earlier onset of mild cognitive impairment, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but has not been examined as a risk factor for earlier onset of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the association between a history of TBI and the age of onset of DLB. METHOD Data from 576 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of DLB were obtained from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). Analyses of Covariance examined whether self-reported history of remote TBI with LOC (i.e., >1 year prior to the first Alzheimer's Disease Center visit) was associated with earlier DLB symptom onset. RESULTS Controlling for sex, those with a history of remote TBI had an approximately 1.5-year earlier clinician-estimated age of onset (F = 0.87, p = 0.35) and 0.75-years earlier age of diagnosis (F = 0.14, p = 0.71) of DLB compared to those without a history of TBI, though the differences did not reach statistical significance. Analysis of subjects with autopsy-confirmed diagnoses was underpowered due to the low number of TBI+ subjects. CONCLUSIONS Remote TBI with LOC was not significantly associated with DLB onset, despite being a significant risk factor for cognitive decline and earlier age of onset in other neurodegenerative conditions. Replication of these results using a larger cohort of DLB subjects with and without a TBI history who have undergone autopsy is indicated, as our TBI+ subjects did show a slightly earlier onset of about 1.5 years. Further investigations into other potential DLB risk factors are also warranted.
Role of pharmacists in providing parenteral nutrition support: current insights and future directions

Background Parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy is a complex and critical therapy that requires special clinical knowledge, skills, and practice experience to avoid errors in prescribing, compounding, and clinical management of patients. Pharmacists with adequate clinical training and expertise in PN therapy can have pivotal role in the care of patients receiving PN therapy. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to describe and evaluate the different roles of pharmacists and their provided services related to PN therapy. Materials and methods A comprehensive systematic literature review on the topic was conducted via PubMed database using several keywords related to the topic (from 1975 to 2017). Additional resources included the standards of practice and clinical guidelines from recognized organizations such as the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Results Pharmacists have diverse roles in relation to PN therapy including the following: the assessment of patients’ nutritional needs; the design, compounding, dispensing, and quality management of PN formulations; monitoring patients’ response to PN therapy; supervision of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) programs; education of patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals on nutrition support and conducting PN-related research and quality improvement activities. These services seem to be variable across clinical settings and among different countries depending on the practice environment and pharmacists’ clinical practice in these settings. However, each of these practice domains helps to support the delivery of safe and effective PN therapy to patients. Conclusion Pharmacists have been actively participating in providing PN-related services to patients. To fulfill the requirements of their essential role in this area of practice, pharmacists need adequate educational preparation and clinical training on nutrition support. Empowerment of pharmacists to assume a stronger leadership role in this dimension of pharmacy practice will enhance the quality of care provided to patients receiving PN therapy and improve PN services.
MRI‐guided treatment in the breast

In the last decades, an increasing interest has developed towards non‐invasive breast lesion treatments, which offer advantages such as the lack of surgery‐related complications, better cosmetic outcomes, and less psychological distress. In addition, these treatments could be an option for patients with poor health who are not candidates for surgery. Non‐surgical ablation can be performed under magnetic resonance (MR) or ultrasound (US) guidance. US is cheaper and easily available, while contrast‐enhanced MR is more accurate, ensuring better safety and efficacy for the patient. Overall results of studies about MRI‐guided tumor ablation reported complete ablation rates ranging between 20% and 100%. High‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU or FUS) is the most studied ablative technique and it is already established as a valid technique for ablation of benign and malignant tumors in various organs. Ultrasound‐guided FUS is very useful for young patients who refuse surgery or with multiple nodules; however, MR‐guided FUS is more sensitive and allows a better evaluation of thermal accumulation within the ablated tissue or the adjacent structures. Most MR‐guided FUS studies used a dedicated high‐field MR scanner and complete tumor ablation was reported in 17–90% of cases. Other techniques using thermal tissue destruction are radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). Only a few studies assessed the efficacy of these treatments, all were performed with open MR devices. RFA showed complete tumor ablation in 30–96% of patients, while LITT in 10–71%, but all the studies had a small number of patients. Cryoablation obtains tissue ablation by a rapid decrease of temperature, with a complete tumor removal reported in 18–52% of cases with MR guidance. No serious complications were reported with these techniques. Currently, breast conservative surgery replaced radical surgery when possible. Therefore, future research should focus on these treatments to shift towards an even less invasive approach to breast neoplasms.
Scenograph: Fitting Real-Walking VR Experiences into Various Tracking Volumes

When developing a real-walking virtual reality experience, designers generally create virtual locations to fit a specific tracking volume. Unfortunately, this prevents the resulting experience from running on a smaller or differently shaped tracking volume. To address this, we present a software system called Scenograph. The core of Scenograph is a tracking volume-independent representation of real-walking experiences. Scenograph instantiates the experience to a tracking volume of given size and shape by splitting the locations into smaller ones while maintaining narrative structure. In our user study, participants' ratings of realism decreased significantly when existing techniques were used to map a 25m2 experience to 9m2 and an L-shaped 8m2 tracking volume. In contrast, ratings did not differ when Scenograph was used to instantiate the experience.
Giardia duodenalis in the UK: current knowledge of risk factors and public health implications

Abstract Giardia duodenalis is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan parasite known to cause giardiasis throughout the world. Potential transmission vehicles for this zoonotic parasite are both water and food sources. As such consumption of water contaminated by feces, or food sources washed in contaminated water containing parasite cysts, may result in outbreaks. This creates local public health risks which can potentially cause widespread infection and long-term post-infection sequelae. This paper provides an up-to-date overview of G. duodenalis assemblages, sub-assemblages, hosts and locations identified. It also summarizes knowledge of potential infection/transmission routes covering water, food, person-to-person infection and zoonotic transmission from livestock and companion animals. Public health implications focused within the UK, based on epidemiological data, are discussed and recommendations for essential Giardia developments are highlighted.
RainbowLight: Towards Low Cost Ambient Light Positioning with Mobile Phones

Visible Light Positioning (VLP) has attracted much research effort recently. Most existing VLP approaches require special designed light or receiver, collecting light information or strict user operation (e.g., horizontally holding mobile phone). This incurs a high deployment, maintenance and usage overhead. We present RainbowLight, a low cost ambient light 3D localization approach easy to deploy in today's buildings. Our key finding is that light through a chip of polarizer and birefringence material produces specific interference and light spectrum at different directions to the chip. We derive a model to characterize the relation for direction, light interference and spectrum. Exploiting the model, RainbowLight calculates the direction to a chip after taking a photo containing the chip. With multiple chips, RainbowLight designs a direction intersection based method to derive the location. We implement RainbowLight and extensively evaluate its performance in various environments. The evaluation results show that RainbowLight achieves an average localization error of 3.3 cm in 2D and 9.6 cm in 3D for light on, and an error of 7.4 cm in 2D and 20.5 cm in 3D for light off scenario in daytime.
Mother–baby dyads enrolled in PMTCT care in western Kenya: characteristics and implications for ART programmes

The objective of the study was to establish the mother–baby pair characteristics that contribute to vertical transmission of HIV and elucidate on remediation. We assessed for factors increasing the odds of HIV transmission in children born to HIV-infected mothers in western Kenya. We used a retrospective study which reviewed routinely collected data of 1 028 mother–baby pairs enrolled in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in western Kenya from January to December 2015. We compared the transmission rates amongst mothers known to have a positive HIV status before conception (known positives/KPs) versus the transmission amongst those who were newly diagnosed during maternal and child health (MCH) clinic attendance (new positives/NPs). We compared the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the mothers using chi square and Kruskal–Wallis tests at 95% confidence interval (CI). We assessed for factors associated with the infants’ HIV status using a logistic regression model. The results revealed that 60% (622) of the mothers were KPs, and that KPs and NPs had mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rates of 5.5% and 20.7% respectively. Close to 90% of the NP Mothers were at an early HIV clinical stage at enrolment and 40% were enrolled after delivery. The infants of NPs were enrolled at a mean age of 18.3 weeks compared to 6.6 weeks for the infants of the KPs. On adjusted multivariable analysis, child's age at enrolment (AOR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.036–1.064) and mother's status at conception (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.042–3.664) were significantly associated with the infant's HIV status. None of the HIV infected infants had received nevirapine prophylaxis. Most of the mothers enrolling into the PMTCT programme have a known HIV-positive status, however, NPs are the largest contributors to continued MTCT.