Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mosquito engorgement on normally defensive hosts depends on host activity patterns.

Adult mosquitoes of 5 species ( Aedes aegypti, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Anopheles stephensi, Culex nigripalpus and Culex quinquefasciatus ) were offered hosts of 4 species ( Mus musculus var. albino and wild, Peromyscus maniculatus , laboratory strain of the Golden Hamster, and chicken) at peak feeding periods for the individual mosquito species. Blood-feeding success on restrained and unrestrained hosts was monitored. Mosquito mortality was also recorded in each of the unrestrained host tests. Similarly, blood-feeding success of 3 strains of Cx. nigripalpus (field caught, P1, and colonized) exposed to the above vertebrates was monitored. Mosquitoes fed most readily on animals that were inactive during the primary flight periods. For example, Cx. quinquefasciatus fed on chicks (inactive during the nocturnal feeding period of this mosquito) but not on rodents (active at night). Vertebrates whose activity periods coincided with mosquito flight periods tended to inflict high mortality on host-seeking mosquitoes. All 3 strains of Cx. nigripalpus showed similar blood-feeding behavior. However, the colonized strain was more likely to be captured and eaten by active host animals.
Aging of the T Cell Compartment in Mice and Humans: From No Naive Expectations to Foggy Memories

Until the mid-20th century, infectious diseases were the major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Massive vaccination campaigns, antibiotics, antivirals, and advanced public health measures drastically reduced sickness and death from infections in children and younger adults. However, older adults (>65 y of age) remain vulnerable to infections, and infectious diseases remain among the top 5–10 causes of death in this population. The aging of the immune system, often referred to as immune senescence, is the key phenomenon underlying this vulnerability. This review centers on age-related changes in T cells, which are dramatically and reproducibly altered with aging. I discuss changes in T cell production, maintenance, function, and response to latent persistent infection, particularly against CMV, which exerts a profound influence on the aging T cell pool, concluding with a brief list of measures to improve immune function in older adults.
Intake of Refined Carbohydrates and Whole Grain Foods in Relation to Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease

Recent survey data indicate that more than 50% of all adult Americans are overweight or obese. In parallel with this epidemic of weight gain in the general population, the incidence rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is rapidly rising. Although their precise contributions are unclear, dietary factors are thought to affect body weight and the development of insulin resistance. Recent epidemiological data indicate that diets rich in high-fiber whole grains are associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 DM. These data are consistent with results from recent metabolic experiments, suggesting favorable lipid profiles and glycemic control associated with higher intake of whole grains, but not with refined grains. It seems prudent, therefore, to distinguish whole-grain rather than refined-grain cereal products for the prevention of chronic diseases.
Graduate Entrepreneurial Intention in South Africa: Motivations and Obstacles

This study investigates the entrepreneurial intention of South African graduates as well as the motivators andobstacles to entrepreneurial intention. 701 students in their final year of study participated in the survey and datawas collected through self-administered questionnaires. The principal component analysis, T-test and descriptivestatistics were used for data analysis. The results indicate that the entrepreneurial intention of South Africanstudents is very weak. In addition, the study identified five motivators of entrepreneurial intention. These areemployment, autonomy, creativity, economic and capital. The obstacles to entrepreneurial intention of SouthAfrican graduates are capital, skill, support, risk, economy and crime. Recommendations to reduce the obstaclesto graduate entrepreneurship are suggested.
First-inHuman Study of AMG 820 , a Monoclonal Anti-Colony-Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor Antibody , in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose: Binding of colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) ligand to the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R) regulates survival of tumor-associatedmacrophages, which generally promote an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. AMG 820 is an investigational, fully human CSF1R antibody that inhibits binding of the ligands CSF1 and IL34 and subsequent ligand-mediated receptor activation. This first-in-human phase I study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of AMG 820. Experimental Design: Adult patients with relapsed or refractory advanced solid tumors received intravenous AMG 820 0.5 mg/kg once weekly or 1.5 to 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks until disease progression, adverse event (AE), or consent withdrawal. Results: Twenty-five patients received 1 dose of AMG 820. AMG820was tolerated up to 20mg/kg; theMTDwasnot reached. Onedose-limiting toxicitywasobserved (20mg/kg; nonreversible grade 3 deafness). Most patients (76%) had treatment-related AEs; the most common were periorbital edema (44%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 28%), fatigue (24%), nausea (16%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (12%), and blurred vision (12%). No patients had serious or fatal treatment-related AEs; 28% had grade 3 treatment-related AEs. Grade 3 AST elevations resolved when treatment was withheld. AMG 820 showed linear pharmacokinetics, with minimal accumulation (<2-fold) after repeated dosing. Pharmacodynamic increases in serum CSF1 concentrations and reduced numbers of skin macrophages were observed. Best response was stable disease in 8 patients (32%). Conclusions: AMG 820 was tolerated with manageable toxicities up to 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Pharmacodynamic response was demonstrated, and limited antitumor activity was observed. Clin Cancer Res; 1–8. 2017 AACR.
Developing a biofeedback model: alpha EEG feedback as a means for pain control.

Abstract 3 adept meditators voluntarily inserted steel needles into their bodies while physiological measures (EEG, EMG, GSR, EKG, and respiratbn)were recorded. Although each adept used a different passive attention technique, none reported pain. During the insertion, 2 of the 3 Ss increased their alpha EEG activity. The role of alpha EEG and its relationship to pain control is discussed.
A hybrid composite system of biphasic calcium phosphate granules loaded with hyaluronic acid–gelatin hydrogel for bone regeneration

An ideal bone substitute should be made of biocompatible materials that mimic the structure, characteristics, and functions of natural bone. Many researchers have worked on the fabrication of different bone scaffold systems including ceramic–polymer hybrid system. In the present study, we incorporated hyaluronic acid–gelatin hydrogel to micro-channeled biphasic calcium phosphate granules as a carrier to improve cell attachment and proliferation through highly interconnected porous structure. This hybrid system is composed of ceramic biphasic calcium phosphate granules measuring 1 mm in diameter with seven holes and hyaluronic acid–gelatin hydrogel. This combination of biphasic calcium phosphate and hyaluronic acid–gelatin retained suitable characteristics for bone regeneration. The resulting scaffold had a porosity of 56% with a suitable pore sizes. The mechanical strength of biphasic calcium phosphate granule increased after loading hyaluronic acid–gelatin from 4.26 ± 0.43 to 6.57 ± 0.25 MPa, which is highly recommended for cancellous bone substitution. Swelling and degradation rates decreased in the hybrid scaffold compared to hydrogel due to the presence of granules in hybrid scaffold. In vitro cytocompatibility studies were observed by preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) cell line and the result revealed that biphasic calcium phosphate/hyaluronic acid–gelatin significantly increased cell growth and proliferation compared to biphasic calcium phosphate granules. Analysis of micro-computed tomography data and stained tissue sections from the implanted samples showed that the hybrid scaffold had good osseointegration and better bone formation in the scaffold one and two months postimplantation. Histological section confirmed the formation of dense collagenous tissue and new bone in biphasic calcium phosphate/hyaluronic acid–gelatin scaffolds at two months. Our study demonstrated that such hybrid biphasic calcium phosphate/hyaluronic acid–gelatin scaffold is a promising system for bone regeneration.
Simultaneous onset of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome and IDDM in two young children

The cases are reported of two young children who developed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) within 2 weeks of receiving a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Neither patient responded to 8 weeks of daily prednisolone. The first patient presented at 2 years and 9 months of age. Her renal biopsy showed mesangial proliferation. The second child presented with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome at 18 months of age and developed IDDM 2 weeks later. He achieved partial remission with cyclosporine therapy. His initial renal biopsy at 3 years of age showed minimal change disease and follow-up renal biopsy at 5 years of age showed early diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Tests for NPHS2 and WT1 genetic mutations were negative in both patients. To our knowledge this is the first report of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome with almost simultaneous onset of IDDM in young children.
The fate of nebulized salbutamol (albuterol) administered by intermittent positive pressure respiration to asthmatic patients.

Five asthmatic patients were given salbutamol from the nebulizer of an intermittent positive pressure ventilator. All showed physiological improvement without side-effects. Only 10 to 15 per cent of the original dose was absorbed, and the pattern of absorption and metabolism was different from that after inhalation from a pressurized aerosol. It is suggested that in the treatment of acute asthma the use of intermittent positive pressure breathing with nebulized salbutamol is more effective than a pressurized aerosol alone.
The Effects of Patient, Hospital, and Physician Characteristics on Length of Stay and Mortality

This article compares the ability of hospital and physician characteristics to explain variations in length of stay and mortality, controlling for factors associated with severity of illness. The analysis is based on 54,571 discharges, covering 11 medical and five surgical conditions, from nonfederal general hospitals in one state during 1988. Results suggest that both hospital and physician characteristics are important predictors of both outcome measures. Contrary to previous research, the volume of patients with the same condition treated by the hospital increases both length of stay and mortality. The volume of patients with the same condition treated by the physician increases length of stay among patients with medical conditions, decreases length of stay among those with surgical conditions, and decreases mortality. One interesting finding is that the medical school attended by the physician influences the patient's length of stay. Findings are interpreted in light of research evidence on factors affecting medical outcomes and recent federal efforts to improve quality of care.
A randomized trial of perioperative hemodilution versus transfusion of preoperatively deposited autologous blood in elective surgery

Hemodilution, one of several methods proposed to decrease homologous blood transfusion in elective surgery, has not been studied in a prospective controlled trial to determine if it is successful. A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted to determine if hemodilution can serve as an alternative to preoperative autologous blood donation. Fifty patients were randomized to preoperatively deposit 3 units of autologous blood or to undergo hemodilution immediately before elective radical retropubic prostatectomy. All patients were treated under a standard protocol, including surgery performed by a single surgeon. The preoperative deposit groups received a mean of 2.44 +/− 1.0 units of blood; 2 of 25 patients required homologous blood transfusion for blood loss of 2600 mL and 1700 mL. The hemodilution group received a mean of 2.88 +/− 0.4 units of autologous blood: no hemodilution patient received homologous blood. At discharge, the mean hematocrit for the preoperative deposit group was 35.5 +/− 4.9 (0.35 +/− 0.05), and that for the hemodilution group was 31.8 +/− 4.7 (0.32 +/− 0.05) (p less than 0.001). There were no differences in perioperative morbidity in the treatment groups. The best predictor of discharge hematocrit was the initial hematocrit of the patient. It can be concluded that hemodilution can safely replace or at least augment preoperative autologous donations as a means of decreasing homologous blood transfusion in study patients. These results can be applied to any elective surgery procedure in which a 1000‐mL blood loss is anticipated. Other advantages of hemodilution, including convenience, lower cost, and better preservation of all components of autologous blood, suggest that this practice deserves wider application.
Primary listerial infections are exacerbated in mice administered neutralizing antibody to macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The serum and tissue levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) are elevated in mice during a primary immunologic response to infection by Listeria monocytogenes. Experiments were performed to determine the specific role of M-CSF in the resolution of listerial infections. The bulk of Listeria injected into a mouse i.v. is deposited in the liver. The expression of M-CSF mRNA in the liver increased markedly within 2 h postinfection. Maximum expression was dependent upon the dose of Listeria inoculated. The administration of anti-M-CSF mAb reduced the percentage of Mac-1+ mononuclear phagocytes subsequently found in the livers of infected animals. This reduction correlated inversely with an increase in the number of Listeria associated with both the parenchymal and NPC populations. These results suggest that M-CSF may play an important role in the primary immunologic response to Listeria in the liver by stimulating the production, mobilization, and/or biologic activity of Mac-1+ mononuclear phagocytes.
High Performance clustering for Big Data Mining using Hadoop

Now a day, organizations across public and private sectors have made a premeditated decision to big data into competitive advantage. The motivation and challenge of extracting value from big data is similar in many ways to the age-old problem of distilling business intelligence from transactional data. Hadoop is a speedily budding ecosystem of components based on big data Map Reduce algorithm and files system work for implementing Map Reduce algorithms in a scalable fashion and distributed on commodity hardware with clustering process. In this paper, we have focused on the distinct big data storage along with the web mining and how big data is a solution to many problems of the organizations. Big data not only focus to store and handle the large volume of data but also to analyzed and extract the correct information from the data in lesser time span. In this work, we will take Hadoop an open source framework for processing for massive datasets on cluster of different computers, which is shown with using the log file for extraction of information based on user query. This technique of Map Reduce and clustering technique will work together. Finally, we will use cluster technique for discussion on a use-case showing how enterprises can gain a competitive benefit by being early adopters of big data analytics.
Treatment of Combined Osteoporotic Compression Fractures and Spinal Stenosis: Use of Vertebral Augumentation and Interspinous Process Spacer

Study Design. Treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures has rapidly evolved with the use of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. Likewise, lumbar spinal stenosis is being treated with less invasive procedures such as interspinous process spacers. The combination of such minimally invasive procedures offers new advantages to selected patients. Objective. Evaluation of vertebral augmentation combined with interspinous decompression procedure in the same sitting. Summary of Background Data. We present 2 cases of elderly females who had lumbar compression fractures with back pain, radicular pain and spinal stenosis. Initially, each was treated with an extension brace. In 1 patient, the brace relieved her back pain, but when she would stand or walk, she had severe pain radiating down her left leg preventing mobilization. The other, who lived by herself, had difficulty putting on her brace and did not wear it consistently. Methods. On discussion with the patients and their families, the decision was made to proceed with vertebral body augmentation followed by placement of an interspinous process spacer in the same sitting. Both patients had rapid resolution of back and radicular pain. Each has had subsequent compression fractures, but the initially treated levels have remained unchanged. Results. The combination of minimally invasive procedures resulted in rapid pain relief and mobilization in our elderly patients. Although other procedures to decompress the spinal canal, lateral recess and foramen, such as muscle splitting portals with removal of just enough bone to decompress the neural elements, could be advocated, use of an interspinous process spacer achieved the decompression with less dissection, less risk of harm to the thecal sac or nerve roots, minimal blood loss, and operative time. Conclusion. Combining vertebral augmentation and placement of an interspinous process spacer represents a viable option for treating such fragile patients.
Hadron spectrum and matrix elements in QCD with dynamical Wilson fermions at 6/g2=5.3.

We present results of a lattice simulation of quantum chromodynamics with two degenerate flavors of dynamic Wilson fermions at $\frac{6}{{g}^{2}}=5.3$ at each of two dynamical fermion hopping parameters $\ensuremath{\kappa}=0.1670 \mathrm{and} 0.1675$ corresponding to pion masses in lattice units of about 0.45 and 0.31. The simulations include three other values of valence quark mass, in addition to the dynamical quarks. We present calculations of masses and of the decay constants of vector mesons and of pseudoscalars, including the $D$-meson decay constant. The effects of sea quarks on matrix elements and spectroscopy are small.
Persistence and perceived consequences of cannabis use and dependence among young adults: implications for policy.

AIMS To document patterns of cannabis use and dependence from late-adolescence through to the mid-twenties; to describe perceived consequences of cannabis use among young people; and to consider policy implications of these findings. METHODS This was a longitudinal study of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study birth cohort with repeated measures of cannabis use at ages 18, 21 and 26 years. RESULTS Twelve month prevalence rates of cannabis use (just over 50%) and dependence (just under 10%) remained stable between age 21 and 26 years, contrary to an expected decline. Cannabis dependence, as distinct from occasional use, was associated with high rates of harder drug use, selling of drugs and drug conviction. Cumulatively, almost 3/4 of our cohort had tried cannabis by age 26. Young people thought the risk of getting caught using cannabis was trivial, and that using cannabis had few negative social consequences. CONCLUSIONS The persistent high rates of cannabis use and dependence among young New Zealand adults raises important issues for policy makers. Current laws are not particularly effective in deterring use. Whereas occasional use does not appear to present a serious problem, cannabis dependence among users is a serious public health issue that warrants immediate action.
Molecular biology of neutrophil differentiation

Myeloid precursors undergo striking morphologic and functional changes during the process of granulocytic maturation. These changes are associated with significant changes in cell size and nuclear shape, and with the development of stage-specific organelles which contain proteins necessary for the highly specialized roles of neutrophils in phagocytosis, in bacterial killing, and in mediating the inflammatory response. This complex process reflects a carefully regulated and sequential pattern of gene expression, which only recently has begun to be understood at the molecular level. The critical signals for the neutrophil differentiation program are postulated to derive from cytokines, and these cytokines are thought to induce a series of maturational events primarily by transcrip-tional regulation of sequentially expressed genes. Recent studies have identified a large number of transcriptional regulators, both positive and negative, that appear to act in concert in the developing neutrophil. These genes drive the complex and delicately timed sequence of genetic events that takes the cell from a progenitor to a functionally active neutrophil. Many of these genes are expressed throughout neutrophil differentiation, however, and the ongoing challenge is to elucidate how the function of these factors is modulated to allow the induction of sequential gene expression.
Environmental factors and the stability of differentiation in mammalian development.

On pose au depart les criteres qui semblent indispensables de satisfaire si on veut traiter rigoureusement l'analyse des transdifferenciations. - La population cellulaire de depart doit etre homogene. - La variation de l'etat cellulaire doit etre reproductible et dans des conditions permettant a la fois l'observation et l'experience. - Les cellules initiales et celles finales differenciees doivent etre nettement distinctes a la fois dans leur morphologie et dans l'expression des genes. - La variation de l'etat cellulaire doit s'effectuer dans un temps reduit
Cytoplasmic and nuclear polyglutamine aggregates in SCA6 Purkinje cells

Aggregations of the alpha1A-calcium channel protein have been previously demonstrated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6). Here the authors show that small aggregates, labeled by a monoclonal antibody 1C2 that preferentially detects expanded polyglutamine larger than that in SCA6 mutation, are present mainly in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus of Purkinje cells. Although the length of expansion is small in SCA6, the current finding might indicate that SCA6 conforms to the pathogenic mechanism(s) in other polyglutamine diseases.
Three-dimensional Guidance Law for Formation Flight of UAV

In this paper, the guidance law applicable to formation flight of UAV in three-dimensional space is proposed. The concept of miss distance, which is commonly used in the missile guidance laws, and Lyapunov stability theorem are effectively combined to obtain the guidance commands of the wingmen. The propose guidance law is easily integrated into the existing flight control system because the guidance commands are given in terms of velocity, flight path angle and heading angle to form the prescribed formation. In this guidance law, communication is required between the leader and the wingmen to achieve autonomous formation. The wingmen are only required the current position and velocity information of the leader vehicle. The performance of the proposed guidance law is evaluated using the complete nonlinear 6-DOF aircraft system. This system is integrated with nonlinear aerodynamic and engine characteristics, actuator servo limitations for control surfaces, various stability and control augmentation system, and autopilots. From the nonlinear simulation results, the new guidance law for formation flight shows that the vehicles involved in formation flight are perfectly formed the prescribed formation satisfying the several constraints such as final velocity, flight path angle, and heading angle.