Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic analysis of three African strains of Bacillus anthracis demonstrates that they are part of the clonal expansion of an exclusively pathogenic bacterium

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax and is classified as a ‘Category A’ biological weapon. Six complete genomes of B. anthracis (A0248, Ames, Ames Ancestor, CDC684, H0491, and Sterne) are currently available. In this report, we add three African strain genomes: Sen2Col2, Sen3 and Gmb1. To study the pan-genome of B. anthracis, we used bioinformatics tools, such as Cluster of Orthologous Groups, and performed phylogenetic analysis. We found that the three African strains contained the pX01 and pX02 plasmids, the nonsense mutation in the plcR gene and the four known prophages. These strains are most similar to the CDC684 strain and belong to the A cluster. We estimated that the B. anthracis pan-genome has 2893 core genes (99% of the genome size) and 85 accessory genes. We validated the hypothesis that B. anthracis has a closed pan-genome and found that the three African strains carry the two plasmids associated with bacterial virulence. The pan-genome nature of B. anthracis confirms its lack of exchange (similar to Clostridium tetani) and supports its exclusively pathogenic role, despite its survival in the environment. Moreover, thanks to the study of the core content single nucleotide polymorphisms, we can see that our three African strains diverged very recently from the other B. anthracis strains.
Scheduling and Dynamic Relocation for IEEE 802.11s Mesh Deterministic Access

Deployment of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) is becoming increasingly popular due to the low-impact and low- cost features of wireless devices. This is especially true for WMNs based on IEEE 802.11 which, however, does not include native support for multi-hop relaying. This gap is being filled by the Task Group 's' of the IEEE 802.11 which has recently published an amendment in order to add mesh functions to the popular standard IEEE 802.11. Among the enhancements proposed, Mesh Deterministic Access (MDA) allows mesh routers to negotiate periodic collision-free transmission opportunities, called MDAOPs, to the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer on a hop- by-hop manner. Control messages are exchanged to advertise the reserved MDAOPs in the two-hop neighborhood. MDA lays the foundations for enabling QoS provisioning functions in IEEE 802.11s WMNs, such as end-to-end bandwidth reservation, call admission control, and traffic engineering. In this paper we study the problem of scheduling MDAOPs, which is left unspecified by the standard, and propose two baseline algorithms. Furthermore, we provide evidence that performance under MDA can be significantly degraded by the unknown interference of traffic flows outside the two-hop neighborhood. A dynamic relocation procedure is proposed in order to combat this phenomenon, thus providing traffic flows established in the WMN with stable performance. This procedure does not need any modifications to the standard MDA procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that tackles this problem in the context of IEEE 802.11s. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is evaluated by means of a packet-level simulation.
Pergolide‐induced circling in rats with 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions in the nigrostriatal pathway

In rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the nigrostriatal system we compared the behavioral effects of pergolide with those of L-dopa, bromocriptine, and lergotrile. In this animal model of parkinsonism, doses of 0.25 mg per kilogram pergolide (free base) induced vigorous circling for 24 hours. Pergolide was more potent than bromocriptine or lergotrile. Pretreatment with alpha-methylparatyrosine nearly abolished the effects of bromocriptine, markedly diminished the effects of lergotrile, and only partially diminished the effects of pergolide. These findings suggest that pergolide should be more effective than bromocriptine in the treatment of parkinsonism.
Regulation of β2-Adrenergic Receptor Maturation and Anterograde Trafficking by an Interaction with Rab Geranylgeranyltransferase

Background: Interacting partners and regulation of Rab geranylgeranyltransferase are poorly characterized. Mechanisms of GPCR maturation and anterograde trafficking are not fully understood. Results: RGGTA interacts with a dileucine motif in the β2AR to regulate β2AR maturation/anterograde trafficking and β2AR-mediated Rab geranylgeranylation. Conclusion: RGGTA and the β2AR interact functionally. Significance: This is the first demonstration of a functional interaction between RGGTA and a transmembrane receptor. Previous reports by us and others demonstrated that G protein-coupled receptors interact functionally with Rab GTPases. Here, we show that the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) interacts with the Rab geranylgeranyltransferase α-subunit (RGGTA). Confocal microscopy showed that β2AR co-localizes with RGGTA in intracellular compartments and at the plasma membrane. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that RGGTA binds to the L339L340 motif in the β2AR C terminus known to be involved in the transport of the receptor from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. Modulation of the cellular levels of RGGTA protein by overexpression or siRNA-mediated knockdown of the endogenous protein demonstrated that RGGTA has a positive role in the maturation and anterograde trafficking of the β2AR, which requires the interaction of RGGTA with the β2AR L339L340 motif. Furthermore, the β2AR modulates the geranylgeranylation of Rab6a, Rab8a, and Rab11a, but not of other Rab proteins tested in this study. Regulation of Rab geranylgeranylation by the β2AR was dependent on the RGGTA-interacting L339L340 motif. Interestingly, a RGGTA-Y107F mutant was unable to regulate Rab geranylgeranylation but still promoted β2AR maturation, suggesting that RGGTA may have functions independent of Rab geranylgeranylation. We demonstrate for the first time an interaction between a transmembrane receptor and RGGTA which regulates the maturation and anterograde transport of the receptor, as well as geranylgeranylation of Rab GTPases.
Comb-Generator Characterization

We characterize a 50-GHz comb generator with a sampling oscilloscope. With careful control of the input power, input harmonics, and comb generator temperature, we measure the output spectrum with a standard uncertainty of 0.1 dB and 0.5deg. We correct the measurements for time-base distortion, impedance mismatch, an inline attenuator, and the complex frequency response of the oscilloscope's sampler. We also report on the stability of the comb-generator spectrum and the effects of the recorded time windows, drive levels, and temperature. These results provide general guidelines for practioners of high-speed measurements and a benchmark for future inter-laboratory comparisons of harmonic phase-reference calibrations.
Analysis of neural potential of human umbilical cord blood–derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells in response to a range of neurogenic stimuli

We investigated the neurogenic potential of full‐term human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)–derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in response to neural induction media or coculture with rat neural cells. Phenotypic and functional changes were assessed by immunocytochemistry, RT‐PCR, and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. Naive MSCs expressed both mesodermal and ectodermal markers prior to neural induction. Exposure to retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor, or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) did not stimulate neural morphology, whereas exposure to dibutyryl cAMP and 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine stimulated a neuron‐like morphology but also appeared to be cytotoxic. All protocols stimulated increases in expression of the neural precursor marker nestin, but expression of mature neuronal or glial markers MAP2 and GFAP was not observed. Nestin expression increases were serum level dependent. Electrophysiological properties of MSCs were studied with whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. The MSCs possessed no ionic currents typical of neurons before or after neural induction protocols. Coculture of hUCB‐derived MSCs and rat neural cells induced some MSCs to adopt an astrocyte‐like morphology and express GFAP protein and mRNA. Our data suggest hUCB‐derived MSCs do not transdifferentiate into mature functioning neurons in response to the above neurogenic protocols; however, coculture with rat neural cells led to a minority adopting an astrocyte‐like phenotype. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Australia Telescope survey for CMB anisotropies

We have surveyed six distinct ‘empty fields’ using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) in an ultracompact configuration with the aim of imaging, with a high brightness sensitivity, any arcminute-scale brightness-temperature anisotropies in the background radio sky. The six well-separated regions were observed at a frequency of 8.7 GHz, and the survey regions were limited by the ATCA primary beams which have a full width at half-maximum of 6 arcmin at this frequency; all fields were observed with a resolution of 2 arcmin and an rms thermal noise of 24 μJy beam−1. After subtracting foreground confusion detected in higher resolution images of the fields, residual fluctuations in Stokes I images are consistent with the expectations from thermal noise and weaker (unidentified) foreground sources; the Stokes Q and U images are consistent with expectations from thermal noise. Within the sensitivity of our observations, we have no reason to believe that there are any Sunyaev–Zeldovich holes in the microwave sky surveyed. Assuming Gaussian-form CMB anisotropy with a ‘flat’ spectrum, we derive 95 per cent confidence upper limits of Qflat<10–11 μK in polarized intensity and Qflat<25 μK in total intensity. The ATCA filter function peaks at l=4700 and has half-maximum values at l=3350 and 6050.
Pharmaceutical care in transplant patients in a university hospital: pharmaceutical interventions

Trata-se de um estudo de descritivo e prospectivo, realizado durante o atendimento farmaceutico nos ambulatorios de pos-transplante do Hospital Universitario Walter Cantidio da Universidade Federal do Ceara (HUWC/UFC), em Fortaleza-Ceara no periodo de abril a outubro de 2011. O presente trabalho objetiva apresentar as intervencoes farmaceuticas realizadas em um servico de Atencao Farmaceutica (ATENFAR) estruturado nos ambulatorios do transplante hepatico e renal de um Hospital Universitario. As intervencoes farmaceuticas (IF) foram classificadas de acordo com Sabater et al.(2005), a significância baseadas em Riba et al.(2000) e os Resultados Negativos associados a Medicamentos (RNM) fundamentados no Terceiro Consenso de Granada. As analises estatisticas foram realizadas no programa Epi Info v.3. 5.1 e os testes de hipotese foram feitos no programa SigmaPlot v.10. 0. O teste estatistico utilizado para analise da amostra foi o qui-quadrado (X2). Foram acompanhados 97 pacientes, identificados 54 problemas relacionados aos medicamentos e realizadas 139 intervencoes farmaceuticas. As principais IF realizadas foram na educacao do paciente sobre o tratamento (n=111; 80%) (p<0,05), ja enquanto a significância todas as intervencoes foram apropriadas, sendo que 83,4% (n=116) das IF realizadas no periodo do estudo mostram ser "significantes" (p<0,05). O farmaceutico, atraves do exercicio da ATENFAR, e capaz de monitorar o tratamento farmacoterapeutico e intervir, quando necessario, integrando-se a equipe multiprofissional no cuidado ao paciente transplantado.
The Process Study

The features in its operational design and strategy that allowed URAdapt to make such contributions. This takes into account the evolution that the project has undergone in the hands of the initial proposal writing team, and subsequent project implementation staff other key stakeholders. Objectives PAR involves collective generation of knowledge for change & continuous reflection, learning and adjustment on how the project does this
Dual recognition of chromatin and microtubules by INCENP is important for mitotic progression

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), composed of inner centromere protein (INCENP), Survivin, Borealin, and the kinase Aurora B, contributes to the activation of the mitotic checkpoint. The regulation of CPC function remains unclear. Here, we reveal that in addition to Survivin and Borealin, the single &agr;-helix (SAH) domain of INCENP supports CPC localization to chromatin and the mitotic checkpoint. The INCENP SAH domain also mediates INCENP’s microtubule binding, which is negatively regulated by Cyclin-dependent kinase–mediated phosphorylation of segments flanking the SAH domain. The microtubule-binding capacity of the SAH domain is important for mitotic arrest in conditions of suppressed microtubule dynamics, and the duration of mitotic arrest dictates the probability, but not the timing, of cell death. Although independent targeting of INCENP to microtubules or the kinetochore/centromere promotes the mitotic checkpoint, it is insufficient for a robust mitotic arrest. Altogether, our results demonstrate that dual recognition of chromatin and microtubules by CPC is important for checkpoint maintenance and determination of cell fate in mitosis.
THE CHALLENGE OF SURVEYING ‘ HARD TO REACH ’ GROUPS

The basic premise of a probability sample is that the sample will represent the universe or target population. To achieve that goal, pertinent information about each sample unit should be obtained. When some groups are not included, representation of the universe within the sample is brought into question. So, one goal of survey research is to maximise the probability of obtaining information about each sample unit.
Sex differences in acute ANG II-mediated hemodynamic responses in mice.

Male sex is associated with higher blood pressure and greater renal injury, perhaps related to greater sensitivity to ANG II. In anesthetized male and female C57BLK/6 mice, we assessed responses of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR; Transonic flow probe) to acute bolus injections of ANG II (0.3-3.0 microg/kg iv) and phenylephrine (PE; 30-300 microg/kg) during low-, normal-, and high-sodium diets. The role of reactive oxygen species was determined by coadministration of tempol. ANG II type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2) receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) expression were determined in dissected kidney vessels. While no difference was found on the low-sodium (LS) diet, MAP and RVR responses to ANG II were greater in males during the normal-sodium (NS) and high-sodium (HS) diets (e.g., RVR response at ANG II 3.0 microg/kg during NS: +329 +/- 22 vs. +271 +/- 28 mmHg.ml(-1). min, P = 0.029, effect size = 0.75). Tempol had no effect on the sex-dependent responses on any of the diets. On the LS diet, AT1 and AT2 receptor expression was higher in males. No sex differences were found on the NS diet. On the HS diet, AT1 was higher, and NOS3 expression was lower in males. Acute responses to ANG II are greater in male mice during NS and HS diets, which is, in part, related to differences in AT1, AT2, and NOS3 expression in kidney vessels. Mouse models will be useful to study the role of sex differences in ANG II sensitivity for cardiovascular and renal disease.
Chromosomal Instability in Oral Cancer Cells

Chromosomal instability is a common feature of human tumors, including oral cancer. Although a tumor karyotype may remain quite stable over time, chromosomal instability can lead to ‘variations on a theme’ of a clonal cell population, often with each cell within a tumor possessing a different karyotype. Thus, chromosomal instability appears to be an important acquired feature of tumor cells, since propagation of such a diverse cell population may facilitate evasion of standard therapies. There are several sources of chromosomal instability, although the primary causes appear to be defects in chromosomal segregation, telomere stability, cell-cycle checkpoint regulation, and the repair of DNA damage. Our understanding of the biological basis of chromosomal instability in cancer cells is increasing rapidly, and we are finding that the seemingly unrelated origins of this phenomenon may actually be related through the complex network of cellular signaling pathways. Here, we review the general causes of chromosomal instability in human tumors. Specifically, we address the state of our knowledge regarding chromosomal instability in oral cancer, and discuss various mechanisms that enhance the ability of cancer cells within a tumor to express heterogeneous karyotypes. In addition, we discuss the clinical relevance of factors associated with chromosomal instability as they relate to tumor prognosis and therapy.
A Firm of One's Own: Experimental Evidence on Credit Constraints and Occupational Choice

This study presents results from a randomized evaluation of two labor market interventions targeted to young women aged 18 to 19 years in three of Nairobi's poorest neighborhoods. One treatment offered participants a bundled intervention designed to simultaneously relieve credit and human capital constraints; a second treatment provided women with an unrestricted cash grant, but no training or other support. Both interventions had economically large and statistically significant impacts on income over the medium term (7 to 10 months after the end of the interventions), but these impacts dissipated in the second year after treatment. The results are consistent with a model in which savings constraints prevent women from smoothing consumption after receiving large transfers -- even in the absence of credit constraints, and when participants have no intention of remaining in entrepreneurship. The study also shows that participants hold remarkably accurate beliefs about the impacts of the treatments on occupational choice
Utilization of Microwave Incinerated Rice Husk Ash (MIRHA) in Ductile Self-compacting Concrete

Global annual rice production is estimated to be equivalent to 500 million tonnes. This gives around 100 million tonnes of husk available in the form of waste. While some husk is used as fuel in the rice mills to generate steam others are often left to disintegrate slowly in the field or burnt in the open for disposal. These practices clearly pose serious environmental pollution and health problems. Control burning using a microwave incinerator was used in this study to produce rice husk ash with a high silica content. The benefits of microwave incinerated rice husk ash (MIRHA) as a partial cement replacement material in ultra-high strength high performance concrete known as ductile self-compacting concrete (DSCC) has led to the research on the possibilities of combining both MIRHA and fly ash as an addition in DSCC replacing up to 20% of cement volume whilst improving its mechanical properties. The additions of these supplementary cementitious materials are expected to give positive effects on the hardened concrete properties. The test results showed that MIRHA and fly ash combination in DSCC improved compressive, tensile and flexural strength by average of 7% while maintaining its self-compacting abilities.
The Causal Effect of Health Insurance on Utilization and Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review of US Studies

Background:No current consensus exists on the causal effect of gaining or losing health insurance on health care utilization and health outcomes. Objective:To systemically search and review available evidence of estimated causal effects of health insurance on health care utilization and/or health outcomes among nonelderly adults in the United States. Research Design:A systematic search of 3 electronic databases (PubMed, JSTOR, EconLit) was performed. To be included in the review, studies had to have a publication date after 1991; a population of nonelderly adults; analyses comparing an uninsured group to an appropriate control group; and 1 of 3 study designs that account for potential reverse causality and provide estimates of causal effects (longitudinal cohort, instrumental variable analysis, or quasi-experimental design). Results:A total of 9701 studies, including duplicates, were primarily screened. Fourteen studies fulfilled the criteria to be included in this review—4 longitudinal cohort studies using standard regression or fixed effects analysis, 5 longitudinal cohort studies using instrumental variable regression analysis, and 5 quasi-experimental studies. Conclusions:Results of our review of empirical studies that estimate causal relationships between health insurance and health care utilization and/or health outcomes consistently show that health insurance increases utilization and improves health. Specifically, health insurance had substantial effects on the use of physician services, preventive services, self-reported health status, and mortality conditional on injury and disease. These results both confirm and contradict comparable results from the RAND Health Insurance Experiment, the gold standard on relationships between health insurance, utilization, and health.
Optimal control of switched autonomous systems

In this paper optimal control problems for switched autonomous systems are studied. In particular, we focus on problems in which a prespecified sequence of active subsystems is given, and propose an approach for finding the optimal switching instants. The approach derives the derivatives of the cost with respect to the switching instants, and uses nonlinear optimization techniques to locate the optimal switching instants. The approach is then applied to general quadratic problems for switched linear autonomous systems and to reachability problems. Examples illustrate the results.