Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli, cattle and the propagation of disease

Abstract Several early models describing host‐pathogen interaction have assumed that each individual host has approximately the same likelihood of becoming infected or of infecting others. More recently, a concept that has been increasingly emphasized in many studies is that for many infectious diseases, transmission is not homogeneous but highly skewed at the level of populations. In what became known as the ‘20/80 rule’, about 20% of the hosts in a population were found to contribute to about 80% of the transmission potential. These heterogeneities have been described for the interaction between many microorganisms and their human or animal hosts. Several epidemiological studies have reported transmission heterogeneities for Escherichia coli by cattle, a phenomenon with far‐reaching agricultural, medical and public health implications. Focusing on E. coli as a case study, this paper will describe super‐spreading and super‐shedding by cattle, review the main factors that shape these transmission heterogeneities and examine the interface with human health. Escherichia coli super‐shedding and super‐spreading by cattle are shaped by microorganism‐specific, cattle‐specific and environmental factors. Understanding the factors that shape heterogeneities in E. coli dispersion by cattle and the implications for human health represent key components that are critical for targeted infection control initiatives.
Posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer survivors: Is it possible and what are the correlates?

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a possible positive consequence of a traumatic event, such as cancer. Head and neck cancer (HNC) may be particularly traumatic, given its adverse effects on functional, psychological, and social wellbeing. We investigated the extent of PTG, factors associated with PTG, and associations between PTG and health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) in HNC survivors.
Poincaré and Brunn-Minkowski inequalities on the boundary of weighted Riemannian manifolds

abstract:We study a Riemannian manifold equipped with a density which satisfies the Bakry-\'Emery Curvature-Dimension condition (combining a lower bound on its generalized Ricci curvature and an upper bound on its generalized dimension). We first obtain a Poincar\'e-type inequality on its boundary assuming that the latter is locally-convex; this generalizes a purely Euclidean inequality of Colesanti, originally derived as an infinitesimal form of the Brunn-Minkowski inequality, thereby precluding any extensions beyond the Euclidean setting. A dual version for generalized mean-convex boundaries is also obtained, yielding spectral-gap estimates for the weighted Laplacian on the boundary. Motivated by these inequalities, a new geometric evolution equation is proposed, which extends to the Riemannian setting the Minkowski addition operation of convex domains, a notion thus far confined to the purely linear setting. This geometric flow is characterized by having parallel normals (of varying velocity) to the evolving hypersurface along the trajectory, and is intimately related to a homogeneous Monge-Amp\`ere equation on the exterior of the convex domain. Using the aforementioned Poincar\'e-type inequality on the boundary of the evolving hypersurface, we obtain a novel Brunn-Minkowski inequality in the weighted-Riemannian setting, amounting to a certain concavity property for the weighted-volume of the evolving enclosed domain. All of these results appear to be new even in the classical non-weighted Riemannian setting.
Relation Between Cyclic Creep and Pure Creep on Copper

The behavior of a pure copper subject to pure creep and cyclic creep under imposed load is examined at room temperature, and at 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C to show the relation between these two kinds of phenomena. Plots of observed strain, not against number of cycles, but against time are available for the direct comparison between cyclic creep and pure creep. This unified treatment shows that the instantaneous strain affects the succeeding mechanism of both pure creep and cyclic creep. As the result, these two kinds of phenomena are essentially identified, and pure creep could be regarded as the extreme aspect of cyclic creep.
Environmental Stress-Induced Bacterial Lysis and Extracellular DNA Release Contribute to Campylobacter jejuni Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni is a microaerophilic bacterium and is believed to persist in a biofilm to antagonize environmental stress. This study investigated the influence of environmental conditions on the formation of C. jejuni biofilm. We report an extracellular DNA (eDNA)-mediated mechanism of biofilm formation in response to aerobic and starvation stress. The eDNA was determined to represent a major form of constitutional material of C. jejuni biofilms and to be closely associated with bacterial lysis. Deletion mutation of the stress response genes spoT and recA enhanced the aerobic influence by stimulating lysis and increasing eDNA release. Flagella were also involved in biofilm formation but mainly contributed to attachment rather than induction of lysis. The addition of genomic DNA from either Campylobacter or Salmonella resulted in a concentration-dependent stimulation effect on biofilm formation, but the effect was not due to forming a precoating DNA layer. Enzymatic degradation of DNA by DNase I disrupted C. jejuni biofilm. In a dual-species biofilm, eDNA allocated Campylobacter and Salmonella at distinct spatial locations that protect Campylobacter from oxygen stress. Our findings demonstrated an essential role and multiple functions of eDNA in biofilm formation of C. jejuni, including facilitating initial attachment, establishing and maintaining biofilm, and allocating bacterial cells. IMPORTANCE Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide. In the natural environment, the growth of C. jejuni is greatly inhibited by various forms of environmental stress, such as aerobic stress and starvation stress. Biofilm formation can facilitate the distribution of C. jejuni by enabling the survival of this fragile microorganism under unfavorable conditions. However, the mechanism of C. jejuni biofilm formation in response to environmental stress has been investigated only partially. The significance of our research is in identifying extracellular DNA released by bacterial lysis as a major form of constitution material that mediates the formation of C. jejuni biofilm in response to environmental stress, which enhances our understanding of the formation mechanism of C. jejuni biofilm. This knowledge can aid the development of intervention strategies to limit the distribution of C. jejuni.
What qualities in a potential HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis service are valued by black men who have sex with men in London? A qualitative acceptability study

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) have higher HIV incidence and prevalence when compared to other MSM, despite similar levels of condom use and testing. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could be a useful intervention to reduce these inequalities. This research therefore aims to understand the dimensions of acceptability of a potential PrEP service for BMSM aged 18–45 years in London. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 PrEP-eligible BMSM between April and August 2016. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, then subject to a thematic framework analysis, informed by intersectionality theory. BMSM had distinct preferences for sexual health services, which have implications for PrEP service development. Three primary domains emerged in our analysis: proximity and anonymity; quality, efficiency and reassurance; and understanding, empathy and identity. These relate, respectively, to preferences regarding clinic location and divisions from community, features of service delivery and staff characteristics. Due to concerns about confidentiality, community-based services may not be useful for this group. Careful consideration in regards to components used in service development will facilitate ongoing engagement. Interpersonal skills of staff are central to service acceptability, particularly when staff are perceived to be from similar cultural backgrounds as their patients.
Qualitative exploration of the acceptability of a mobile phone and pedometer-based physical activity program in a diverse sample of sedentary women.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this paper were to explore the acceptability of components of a mobile phone/pedometer-based physical activity program and to understand motivators and barriers to increase physical activity in a diverse sample of sedentary women. DESIGN AND SAMPLE Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted following a 3-week pilot mobile phone/pedometer-based physical activity intervention. Forty-one sedentary women participated in the study. MEASURES Subjects were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A qualitative description method was used to thematically analyze the interviews. Two investigators reviewed the transcripts independently and identified codes based on the main concerns in the interview questions. RESULTS Three themes emerged from qualitative data shedding light on the perceived acceptability and usefulness of a mobile phone/pedometer-based intervention: (1) Monitor me: mobile phone/pedometer as self-monitoring tools, (2) Motivate me: cycle of feedback in goal setting and usefulness/uselessness of daily random messages, (3) Mobilize me: engaging and adapting physical activity to fit one's own lifestyle. CONCLUSION Mobile phone and pedometer-based physical activity programs might be helpful in keeping sedentary women engaged and motivated to increase their physical activity. A randomized controlled trial of this intervention is warranted.
Periodic fluctuations of gut regulatory peptides in phase with the duodenal migrating myoelectric complex in preruminant calves: effect of different sources of dietary protein

Four preruminant calves with implanted electrodes in the duodenum and a catheter in the external jugular vein were used for investigation of plasma gut regulatory peptide profiles during different phases of migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) in the small intestine. The effects of different dietary proteins on the rhythmic activity of gut peptides and gastrointestinal motility were compared. In particular, the effects of skimmed-milk protein (retaining physiological patterns of abomasal clotting, and abomaso-intestinal digesta flow) v. fish protein (devoid of clotting activity and modifying the digesta flow) were studied. In calves fed on the milk diet, plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide, motilin, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and somatostatin, but not vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or gastrin, fluctuated in phase with the duodenal MMC in the preprandial period. Feeding transiently affected the intestinal MMC and abolished the peptide fluctuations in a specimen-specific manner. In contrast, calves fed on the fish-protein diet showed more profound changes in intestinal MMC. In these animals the MMC-related fluctuations were significant only for plasma CCK. In conclusion, the source of dietary protein has an impact on the physiological endocrine function of the small intestine. Observed fluctuations of plasma gut regulatory peptides seem to be secondary to duodenal motility cycles.
Constructions and properties of block codes for partial-response channels

We report on block-coding techniques for partial-response channels with transfer function (1/spl mnplus/D/sup m/), m=1, 2, . We consider various constructions of block codes with prescribed minimum Euclidean distance. Upper and lower bounds to the size of a code with minimum squared Euclidean distance greater than unity are furnished. A table is presented of cardinalities of codes of small length with prescribed minimum squared Euclidean distance.
Field-Based Branch Prediction for Packet Processing Engines

Network Processors have exploited many aspects of architecture design, such as employing multi-core, multi-threading and hardware accelerator, to support both the ever-increasing line rates and the higher complexity of network applications. Micro-architectural techniques like superscalar, deep pipeline and speculative execution provide an excellent method of improving performance without limiting either the scalability or flexibility, provided that the branch penalty is well controlled. However, it is difficult for traditional branch predictor to keep increasing the accuracy by using larger tables, due to the fewer variations in branch patterns of packet processing. To improve the prediction efficiency, we propose a flow-based prediction mechanism which caches the branch histories of packets with similar header fields, since they normally undergo the same execution path. For packets that cannot find a matching entry in the history table, a fallback gshare predictor is used to provide branch direction. Simulation results show that the our scheme achieves an average hit rate in excess of 97.5% on a selected set of network applications and real-life packet traces, with a similar chip area to the existing branch prediction architectures used in modern microprocessors.
Quantum speed limits: from Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle to optimal quantum control

One of the most widely known building blocks of modern physics is Heisenberg’s indeterminacy principle. Among the different statements of this fundamental property of the full quantum mechanical nature of physical reality, the uncertainty relation for energy and time has a special place. Its interpretation and its consequences have inspired continued research efforts for almost a century. In its modern formulation, the uncertainty relation is understood as setting a fundamental bound on how fast any quantum system can evolve. In this topical review we describe important milestones, such as the Mandelstam–Tamm and the Margolus–Levitin bounds on the quantum speed limit, and summarise recent applications in a variety of current research fields—including quantum information theory, quantum computing, and quantum thermodynamics amongst several others. To bring order and to provide an access point into the many different notions and concepts, we have grouped the various approaches into the minimal time approach and the geometric approach, where the former relies on quantum control theory, and the latter arises from measuring the distinguishability of quantum states. Due to the volume of the literature, this topical review can only present a snapshot of the current state-of-the-art and can never be fully comprehensive. Therefore, we highlight but a few works hoping that our selection can serve as a representative starting point for the interested reader.
Cryo‐EM reconstruction of Type VI secretion system baseplate and sheath distal end

The bacterial Type VI secretion system (T6SS) assembles from three major parts: a membrane complex that spans inner and outer membranes, a baseplate, and a sheath–tube polymer. The baseplate assembles around a tip complex with associated effectors and connects to the membrane complex by TssK. The baseplate assembly initiates sheath–tube polymerization, which in some organisms requires TssA. Here, we analyzed both ends of isolated non‐contractile Vibrio cholerae sheaths by cryo‐electron microscopy. Our analysis suggests that the baseplate, solved to an average 8.0 Å resolution, is composed of six subunits of TssE/F2/G and the baseplate periphery is decorated by six TssK trimers. The VgrG/PAAR tip complex in the center of the baseplate is surrounded by a cavity, which may accommodate up to ~450 kDa of effector proteins. The distal end of the sheath, resolved to an average 7.5 Å resolution, shows sixfold symmetry; however, its protein composition is unclear. Our structures provide an important step toward an atomic model of the complete T6SS assembly.
Evolution of malignant plasmacytoma cell lines from K14E7 Fancd2−/− mouse long-term bone marrow cultures

We tested the effect of expression of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV E7) oncogene on hematopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMCs) derived from K14E7 (FVB) Fancd2−/− (129/Sv), K14E7 Fancd2+/+, Fancd2−/−, and control (FVB X 129/Sv) Fl mice. K14E7 Fancd2−/− and Fancd2−/− LTBMCs showed decreased duration of production of total nonadherent hematopoietic cells and progenitors forming day 7 and day 14 multilineage CFU-GEMM colonies in secondary cultures (7 wks and 8 wks respectively) compared to cultures from K14E7 Fancd2+/+ (17 wks) or control mice (18 wks) p < 0.0001. Marrow stromal cell lines derived from both K14E7 Fancd2−/− and Fancd2−/− cultures were radiosensitive, as were IL-3 dependent hematopoietic progenitor cell lines derived from K14E7 Fancd2−/− cultures. In contrast, Fancd2−/− mouse hematopoietic progenitor cell lines and fresh marrow were radioresistant. K14E7 Fancd2−/− mouse freshly explanted bone marrow expressed no detectable K14 or E7; however, LTBMCs produced K14 positive factor-independent (FI) clonal malignant plasmacytoma forming cell lines in which E7 was detected in the nucleus with p53 and Rb. Transfection of an E6/E7 plasmid into Fancd2−/−, but not control Fancd2+/+ IL-3 dependent hematopoietic progenitor cell lines, increased cloning efficiency, cell growth, and induced malignant cell lines. Therefore, the altered radiobiology of hematopoietic progenitor cells and malignant transformation in vitro by K14E7 expression in cells of the Fancd2−/− genotype suggests a potential role of HPV in hematopoietic malignancies in FA patients.
Sustained activation of STAT5 is essential for chromatin remodeling and maintenance of mammary-specific function

Epithelial cells, once dissociated and placed in two-dimensional (2D) cultures, rapidly lose tissue-specific functions. We showed previously that in addition to prolactin, signaling by laminin-111 was necessary to restore functional differentiation of mammary epithelia. Here, we elucidate two additional aspects of laminin-111 action. We show that in 2D cultures, the prolactin receptor is basolaterally localized and physically segregated from its apically placed ligand. Detachment of the cells exposes the receptor to ligation by prolactin leading to signal transducers and activators of transcription protein 5 (STAT5) activation, but only transiently and not sufficiently for induction of milk protein expression. We show that laminin-111 reorganizes mammary cells into polarized acini, allowing both the exposure of the prolactin receptor and sustained activation of STAT5. The use of constitutively active STAT5 constructs showed that the latter is necessary and sufficient for chromatin reorganization and β-casein transcription. These results underscore the crucial role of continuous laminin signaling and polarized tissue architecture in maintenance of transcription factor activation, chromatin organization, and tissue-specific gene expression.
Impacts of stream riparian buffer land use on water temperature and food availability for fish

ABSTRACT Restoration of degraded freshwater ecosystems has gained considerable attention in the USA over the past decades. However, most projects focus almost entirely on the restoration of physical habitat or specific water quality parameters, while ignoring critical ecological processes related to food web re-establishment. In this study, we investigate the impact of riparian habitat in different stages of restoration on food availability for fish in four streams in Pennsylvania, USA. The riparian buffer habitats ranged from open meadow to mature forest and included new to long-term restoration sites. We quantified abundance and community composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates and riparian arthropods with aerial and ground-dwelling life history strategies. We found that riparian habitat and water temperature exert a strong influence over potential food resources for fish, with the open meadow habitat having highest abundance of terrestrial and aquatic insects, lowest taxa richness, and possible multivoltine aquatic insect life-history. Our results provide insight into the importance of riparian buffer habitat and water temperature on the composition of food availability for fish species of concern such as brook trout. The significant differences emphasize the need to include food web dynamics into riparian habitat restoration design to guide future rehabilitation projects focusing on fish conservation.
An Elliptical Routing Protocol for Wireless Mesh Networks: Performance Analysis

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) is one of the implemented types of MANETs. WMN is wireless network, in which each node can communicate directly with one or other peer nodes. In generally, MANET routing protocols are used in WMN, it arises performance issues. In this paper, we propose a new routing protocol called, Elliptical routing protocol, which evaluates the performance via simulator. We show that elliptical routing protocol accomplishes than MANET routing protocols in terms of various routing metrics such as packet delivery ratio, packet loss ratio, routing overhead, throughput, hop count, ETX and ETT. We are also proposing two new routing metrics CLF and RSF, these metrics also shows that, the proposed protocol outperforms the MANET routing protocols.
Implications of Recent Clinical Trials and Hypertension Guidelines on Stroke and Future Cerebrovascular Research

The decline in stroke mortality observed over the past 50 years has been attributed, in part, to improved implementation of high blood pressure (BP) treatment and control strategies based on the most current evidence from clinical research studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). 1 The reduction in stroke risks coincides with the shift to lower systolic BP (SBP) distributions in the US adult population for all age groups.1 However, critical clinical questions remain about the treatment, control, and prevention of high BP. New evidence from RCTs and meta-analyses2–6 is expected to have an important positive impact on hypertension guidelines, clinical practice, and future research. Because stroke risk is substantially associated with BP levels and hypertension treatment and control, raised BP and stroke reduction is so heavily tied to BP control, stroke prevention is a key driving force for clinical practice decisions. As a component of the 2017 International Stroke Conference, the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, and World Hypertension League cosponsored session focused on impact of recent hypertension studies, meta-analyses and new clinical guidelines on stroke risk reduction, and implications for future research. The Prospective Studies Collaboration7 showed a log-linear relationship between BP and stroke declining with lower BP values right down to <120 mm Hg systolic and <70 mm Hg diastolic. Further, a meta-analysis of 147 RCTs of antihypertensive therapy the percentage reduction in stroke with BP reduction down to a mean of 110/70 mm Hg regardless of their BP before treatment.8 Another systematic review in patients with diabetes mellitus reported a decrease of 13% in the risk of stroke for each 5 mm Hg reduction in SBP, and by 11.5% for each 2 mm Hg reduction in diastolic BP.9 In another meta-analysis of 123 studies, Ettehad et al4 provided support for lowering SBP to …