Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutations Leading to Loss of Sporulation Ability in Bacillus subtilis Are Sufficiently Frequent to Favor Genetic Canalization

We measured the rate of mutations impairing sporulation ability in Bacillus subtilis as 0.003 in a mutator population, following 6000 generations of strong selection for sporulation that have previously been described. This means that the product of the population size and the functional mutation rate is ∼105, well within the parameter range for which genetic canalization of sporulation ability is expected.
Cloning, Expression, and Chromosomal Stabilization of the Propionibacterium shermanii Proline Iminopeptidase Gene (pip) for Food-Grade Application inLactococcus lactis

ABSTRACT Proline iminopeptidase produced by Propionibacterium shermanii plays an essential role in the flavor development of Swiss-type cheeses. The enzyme (Pip) was purified and characterized, and the gene (pip) was cloned and expressed inEscherichia coli and Lactococcus lactis, the latter species being an extensively studied, primary cheese starter culture that is less fastidious in its growth condition requirements than P. shermanii. The levels of expression of thepip gene could be enhanced with a factor 3 to 5 by using a strong constitutive promoter in L. lactis or the inducibletac promoter in E. coli. Stable replication of the rolling-circle replicating (rcr) plasmid, used to expresspip in L. lactis, could only be obtained by providing the repA gene in trans. Upon the integration of pip, clear gene dosage effects were observed and stable multicopy integrants could be maintained upon growth under the selective pressure of sucrose. The multicopy integrants demonstrated a high degree of stability in the presence of glucose. This study examines the possibilities to overexpress genes that play an important role in food fermentation processes and shows a variety of options to obtain stable food-grade expression of such genes in L. lactis.
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF): assessment of clinical and radiological outcome

Aim: To assess the complications and outcome of patients who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with an interbody cage. Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and radiological data were collected and analysed. Thirty-three female and 19 male patients underwent the procedure with a mean age of 45.7 years (12‐76 years). Eight cases were revision surgery. The primary pathology was a lytic listhesis in 20 patients, degenerative disc disease in 17, adjacent segment disease following a previous fusion in eight, degenerative listhesis in four, a congenital abnormality (L5 hemivertebrae and segmentation failure L2-4) in two, and a neuromuscular scoliosis in one patient. The mean blood loss was 610 ml and mean operative time 170 minutes. Mean stay in ICU or high care was 1 day, and mean hospital stay was 7.8 days. All patients operated since 2005 were evaluated pre- and post-op using the following scoring systems: EQ 5D, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Roland Morris scale and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: There were no intra-operative complications. One patient developed a cauda equina syndrome 48 hours postoperatively when he was mobilised. This resolved completely following evacuation of the haematoma. In one case there was instrumentation failure with a rod screw disarticulation which led to failure of the posterior construct. There were statistically significant improvements in all clinical scores except the EQ 5D. Fusion could be assessed in 47 patients. Anterior interbody fusion was achieved in 95.3% of cases and posterior lateral fusion was achieved in 83.7%. Conclusion: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is a safe and effective option to achieve circumferential fusion. It is technically challenging and the surgeon needs to be proficient in the technique to avoid catastrophic complications. Clinical scoring confirmed that our patients did benefit significantly in terms of pain and overall
Simulation study of IEEE 802.11e EDCF

This paper presents a simulation study on IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed coordination function (EDCF) mechanism, designed by the IEEE 802.11 group to enhance the original 802.11 MAC with QoS facility. Based on ns2 platform, simulation study was conducted using various network configurations and traffic patterns. The results basically prove the effectiveness of MAC service differentiation provided by EDCF compared to DCF and also point out the limitation of EDCF to support real time traffic in wireless LAN environment.
The Impact of Developmental Factors on Stereotypic Rocking of Children with Visual Impairments

Of 52 children who attended a sports camp for children with visual impairments, 15 demonstrated stereotypic rocking currently or in the past. Three factors were associated with rocking: etiology of visual impairment, visual status, and early medical history. Children who were the most likely to exhibit rocking were those with retinopathy of prematurity who underwent lengthy hospital stays and multiple surgeries early in their lives and who were totally blind from birth.
Mirror Movement-Like Defects in Startle Behavior of Zebrafish dcc Mutants Are Caused by Aberrant Midline Guidance of Identified Descending Hindbrain Neurons

Mirror movements are involuntary movements on one side of the body that occur simultaneously with intentional movements on the contralateral side. Humans with heterozygous mutations in the axon guidance receptor DCC display such mirror movements, where unilateral stimulation results in inappropriate bilateral motor output. Currently, it is unclear whether mirror movements are caused by incomplete midline crossing and reduced commissural connectivity of DCC-dependent descending pathways or by aberrant ectopic ipsilateral axonal projections of normally commissural neurons. Here, we show that in response to unilateral tactile stimuli, zebrafish dcc mutant larvae perform involuntary turns on the inappropriate body side. We show that these mirror movement-like deficits are associated with axonal guidance defects of two identified groups of commissural reticulospinal hindbrain neurons. Moreover, we demonstrate that in dcc mutants, axons of these identified neurons frequently fail to cross the midline and instead project ipsilaterally. Whereas laser ablation of these neurons in wild-type animals does not affect turning movements, their ablation in dcc mutants restores turning movements. Thus, our results demonstrate that in dcc mutants, turns on the inappropriate side of the body are caused by aberrant ipsilateral axonal projections, and suggest that aberrant ipsilateral connectivity of a very small number of descending axons is sufficient to induce incorrect movement patterns.
Role of hyperlipidemia in atherosclerotic plaque formation in the internal carotid artery

The role of hyperlipidemia in atherosclerotic changes of the carotid artery is controversial. The aims of this retrospective study were to assess (1) the relationship between total serum cholesterol and triglyceride and the grade of internal carotid artery stenosis and (2) whether total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels are independent risk factors for internal carotid artery atherosclerosis.
Extracapsular dissection: Minimally invasive surgery applied to patients with parotid pleomorphic adenoma

Abstract Conclusions: We performed extracapsular dissection (ECD) on 31 patients with pleomorphic adenoma, including 7 deep lobe cases. ECD is minimally invasive and has limited complications compared with other conventional parotidectomy procedures. This is the first report on performance of ECD in patients with deep lobe parotid pleomorphic adenomas. Surgeons who are capsule-conscious can perform ECD with good results. Objective: Pleomorphic adenoma, the most common benign neoplasm occurring in the parotid gland, has a constant frequency of recurrence and facial paralysis in patients after surgery. ECD is one of the surgical procedures performed on patients with these tumors, but its validity is still unclear because of its similarity to enucleation. Methods: We performed ECD in patients with untreated parotid neoplasms that were clinically diagnosed as benign before surgery. Of these, resected samples from 31 patients were histologically diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma. Results: We achieved resection in patients with pleomorphic adenoma with no permanent facial paralysis or tumor recurrence, with a median follow-up time of 61 months (range 18–125 months).
The role of gap phase processes in the biomass dynamics of tropical forests

The responses of tropical forests to global anthropogenic disturbances remain poorly understood. Above-ground woody biomass in some tropical forest plots has increased over the past several decades, potentially reflecting a widespread response to increased resource availability, for example, due to elevated atmospheric CO2 and/or nutrient deposition. However, previous studies of biomass dynamics have not accounted for natural patterns of disturbance and gap phase regeneration, making it difficult to quantify the importance of environmental changes. Using spatially explicit census data from large (50 ha) inventory plots, we investigated the influence of gap phase processes on the biomass dynamics of four ‘old-growth’ tropical forests (Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama; Pasoh and Lambir, Malaysia; and Huai Kha Khaeng (HKK), Thailand). We show that biomass increases were gradual and concentrated in earlier-phase forest patches, while biomass losses were generally of greater magnitude but concentrated in rarer later-phase patches. We then estimate the rate of biomass change at each site independent of gap phase dynamics using reduced major axis regressions and ANCOVA tests. Above-ground woody biomass increased significantly at Pasoh (+0.72% yr−1) and decreased at HKK (−0.56% yr−1) independent of changes in gap phase but remained stable at both BCI and Lambir. We conclude that gap phase processes play an important role in the biomass dynamics of tropical forests, and that quantifying the role of gap phase processes will help improve our understanding of the factors driving changes in forest biomass as well as their place in the global carbon budget.
Unambiguity of circuits

The concept of unambiguity of circuits is considered. Several classes of unambiguous circuit families within the NC-hierarchy are introduced and related to unambiguous automata and to PRAMs with exclusive write-access. In particular, it is shown that CREW-TIME (log n)=UnambAC. <<ETX>>
Coordinated miRNA/mRNA Expression Profiles for Understanding Breed-Specific Metabolic Characters of Liver between Erhualian and Large White Pigs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of various metabolic processes in the liver, yet little is known on the breed-specific expression profiles of miRNAs in coordination with those of mRNAs. Here we used two breeds of male newborn piglets with distinct metabolic characteristics, Large White (LW) and Erhualian (EHL), to delineate the hepatic expression profiles of mRNA with microarray and miRNAs with both deep sequencing and microarray, and to analyze the functional relevance of integrated miRNA and mRNA expression in relation to the physiological and biochemical parameters. EHL had significantly lower body weight and liver weight at birth, but showed elevated serum levels of total cholesterol (TCH), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), as well as higher liver content of cholesterol. Higher serum cortisol and lower serum insulin and leptin were also observed in EHL piglets. Compared to LW, 30 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated miRNAs were identified in the liver of EHL, together with 298 up-regulated and 510 down-regulated mRNAs (FDR<10%). RT-PCR validation of some differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) further confirmed the high-throughput data analysis. Using a target prediction algorithm, we found significant correlation between the up-regulated miRNAs and down-regulated mRNAs. Moreover, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which are involved in proteolysis, were predicted to be mediated by DEMs. These findings provide new information on the miRNA and mRNA profiles in porcine liver, which would shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the breed-specific traits in the pig, and may serve as a basis for further investigation into the biological functions of miRNAs in porcine liver.
On scaling matrices optimal selection for H2 strongly stabilizing bandpass controllers

In this paper, a MIMO control law for minimizing a new H2 index is proposed. The controller is given in closed mathematical form, is strongly stabilizing and has zero dc gain, resulting in a bandpass structure useful in some applications (e.g. flexible systems employing accelerometers to sense vibrations). As the above control strategy is deduced in scaled form, in this paper the selection of the scaling input and output matrices is also analyzed, by minimizing a new index proposed to increase the effectiveness of the control action in minimizing an H2 index. Although the problem turns out to be a nonlinear programming problem, a two-stages algorithm is provided for computing the optimal solution, based on explicit formulas for the computation of the H2 index and on the solution of a generalized eigenvalue problem. The algorithm allows the selection of the direction of the scaling matrices, while their norm can be increased at will in order to increase the control authority. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Non-uniform recursive subdivision surfaces

Doo-Sabin and Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces are based on the notion of repeated knot insertion of uniform tensor product B-spline surfaces. This paper develops rules for non-uniform Doo-Sabin and Catmull-Clark surfaces that generalize non-uniform tensor product Bspline surfaces to arbitrary topologies. This added flexibility allows, among other things, the natural introduction of features such as cusps, creases, and darts, while elsewhere maintaining the same order of continuity as their uniform counterparts.
Quantifying Options for Reducing Coronary Heart Disease Mortality By 2020

Background— The American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 Strategic Impact Goal proposes a 20% improvement in cardiovascular health of all Americans. We aimed to estimate the potential reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths. Methods and Results— We used data on 40 373 adults free of cardiovascular disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1988–2010). We quantified recent trends for 6 metrics (total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, physical inactivity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity) and generated linear projections to 2020. We projected the expected number of CHD deaths in 2020 if 2006 age- and sex-specific CHD death rates remained constant, which would result in ≈480 000 CHD deaths in 2020 (12% increase). We used the previously validated IMPACT CHD model to project numbers of CHD deaths in 2020 under 2 different scenarios: (1) Assuming a 20% improvement in each cardiovascular health metric, we project 365 000 CHD deaths in 2020 (range 327 000–403 000) a 24% decrease reflecting modest reductions in total cholesterol (−41 000), systolic blood pressure (−36 000), physical inactivity (−12 000), smoking (−10 000), diabetes mellitus (−10 000), and obesity (−5000); (2) Assuming that recent risk factor trends continue to 2020, we project 335 000 CHD deaths (range 274 000–386 000), a 30% decrease reflecting improvements in total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking, and physical activity (≈167 000 fewer deaths), offset by increases in diabetes mellitus and body mass index (≈24 000 more deaths). Conclusions— Two contrasting scenarios of change in cardiovascular health metrics could prevent 24% to 30% of the CHD deaths expected in 2020, though with differing effects by age. Unfavorable continuing trends in obesity and diabetes mellitus would have substantial adverse effects. This analysis demonstrates the utility of modelling to inform health policy.
Notice of RetractionReassessment on the economic meaning of internal rate of return from the angle of risk and uncertainty

In conventional investment project, the economic meaning of internal rate of return can be expressed as: reliability of bringing a return that investors require in a project or ability of resisting risk and uncertainty during a project's life. Because risk factors can be transformed into fixed cost, the fixed cost (risk factors) can deducted from cash flows of the project, and a new IRR can be calculated which can show the project's ability of resisting uncertainty. The new economic meaning of IRR provides a new theoretical perspective for its applications, and explains the conflict between NPV and IRR at the same time. The reason for the conflict is that people make analysis from different point of view.
HLA-DQB1*0602 Is Associated With Dominant Protection From Diabetes Even Among Islet Cell Antibody–Positive First-Degree Relatives of Patients with IDDM

HLA-DQB1 alleles confer susceptibility and resistance to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We investigated whether the susceptibility alleles DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0201 affect progression to diabetes among islet cell antibody–positive (ICA+) first-degree relatives of IDDM patients and whether the protective allele DQB1*0602 can be found and is still protective among such relatives. We human leukocyte antigen–typed and periodically tested β-cell function (first-phase insulin release [FPIR] during the intravenous glucose tolerance test) in 72 ICA+ relatives, of whom 30 became diabetic on follow-up (longest follow-up 12 years); 54 (75%) relatives carried DQB1*0302 and/or DQB1*0201. The frequency of DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0201 and of the high-risk genotype DQB1*0302/DQB1*0201 did not differ significantly between diabetic relatives and those remaining nondiabetic. On follow-up, progression to IDDM was not statistically different for relatives with or without the DQB1*0302/DQB1*0201 genotype. However, those relatives with the DQB1*0302/DQB1*0201 genotype had a tendency to develop diabetes at an earlier age (log-rank P = 0.02). We found DQB1*0602 in 8 of 72 (11.1%) ICA+ relatives. Relatives with DQB1*0602 did not develop diabetes or show any decline of FPIR versus 28 of 64 DQB1*0602– relatives who developed IDDM (log-rank P = 0.006; Wilcoxon's P = 0.02). The protective allele DQB1*0602 is found in ICA+ relatives who have minimal risk of progression to IDDM. Therefore, DQB1*0602 is associated with protection from IDDM both in population studies and among relatives with evidence of autoimmunity who should not enter prevention trials.
Surveillance for Silicosis Deaths Among Persons Aged 15–44 Years — United States, 1999–2015

Silicosis is usually a disease of long latency affecting mostly older workers; therefore, silicosis deaths in young adults (aged 15-44 years) suggests acute or accelerated disease. * To understand the circumstances surrounding silicosis deaths among young persons, CDC analyzed the underlying and contributing causes† of death using multiple cause-of-death data (1999-2015) and industry and occupation information abstracted from death certificates (1999-2013). During 1999-2015, among 55 pneumoconiosis deaths of young adults with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code J62 (pneumoconiosis due to dust containing silica),§ 38 (69%) had code J62.8 (pneumoconiosis due to other dust containing silica), and 17 (31%) had code J62.0 (pneumoconiosis due to talc dust) listed on their death certificate. Decedents whose cause of death code was J62.8 most frequently worked in the manufacturing and construction industries and production occupations where silica exposure is known to occur. Among the 17 decedents who had death certificates listing code J62.0 as cause of death, 13 had certificates with an underlying or a contributing cause of death code listed that indicated multiple drug use or drug overdose. In addition, 13 of the 17 death certificates listing code J62.0 as cause of death had information on decedent's industry and occupation; among the 13 decedents, none worked in talc exposure-associated jobs, suggesting that their talc exposure was nonoccupational. Examining detailed information on causes of death (including external causes) and industry and occupation of decedents is essential for identifying silicosis deaths associated with occupational exposures and reducing misclassification of silicosis mortality.
N-Acetylcysteine Increases the Frequency of Bone Marrow Pro-B/Pre-B Cells, but Does Not Reverse Cigarette Smoking-Induced Loss of This Subset

Background We previously showed that mice exposed to cigarette smoke for three weeks exhibit loss of bone marrow B cells at the Pro-B-to-pre-B cell transition, but the reason for this is unclear. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, has been used as a chemopreventive agent to reduce adverse effects of cigarette smoke exposure on lung function. Here we determined whether smoke exposure impairs B cell development by inducing cell cycle arrest or apoptosis, and whether NAC treatment prevents smoking-induced loss of developing B cells. Methodology/Principal Findings Groups of normal mice were either exposed to filtered room air or cigarette smoke with or without concomitant NAC treatment for 5 days/week for three weeks. Bone marrow B cell developmental subsets were enumerated, and sorted pro-B (B220+CD43+) and pre-B (B220+CD43−) cell fractions were analyzed for cell cycle status and the percentage of apoptotic cells. We find that, compared to sham controls, smoke-exposed mice have ∼60% fewer pro-B/pre-B cells, regardless of NAC treatment. Interestingly, NAC-treated mice show a 21–38% increase in total bone marrow cellularity and lymphocyte frequency and about a 2-fold increase in the pro-B/pre-B cell subset, compared to sham-treated controls. No significant smoking- or NAC-dependent differences were detected in frequency of apoptotic cells or the percentage cells in the G1, S, or G2 phases of the cycle. Conclusions/Significance The failure of NAC treatment to prevent smoking-induced loss of bone marrow pre-B cells suggests that oxidative stress is not directly responsible for this loss. The unexpected expansion of the pro-B/pre-B cell subset in response to NAC treatment suggests oxidative stress normally contributes to cell loss at this developmental stage, and also reveals a potential side effect of therapeutic administration of NAC to prevent smoking-induced loss of lung function.
Effect of different housing conditions on behaviour and foot lesions in Friesian heifers

Spring-calving Friesian heifers were randomly allocated either to Dutch Comfort cubicles (2130 x 1160 mm) bedded with rubber mats or to modified Newton Rigg cubicles (2060 x 1090 mm) without bedding. Their behavioural activities, including lying down and standing, were monitored every 30 minutes for two days and two nights each week from November to March, and all four feet of each animal were examined at housing, at calving and monthly thereafter. During January, February and March the 22 heifers in the Dutch Comfort cubicles lay down significantly longer and spent significantly less time standing half-in the cubicles than the 21 heifers in the Newton Rigg cubicles (P < 0.01). Claw health deteriorated in all the animals after housing, but less in the heifers in the Dutch Comfort cubicles, at both one and two months after calving (P < 0.05). There were moderate correlations between the lying behaviour and the total foot lesions and the lesions in the sole ulcer area of the heifers in the Dutch Comfort cubicles but none for the heifers in the Newton Rigg cubicles, possibly because lameness is a multifactorial condition and other factors may have masked the effect of lying down on foot lesions in this group. The better conditions provided by the Dutch Comfort cubicles were associated with better claw health and this effect was partially mediated through the increased time spent lying down by the heifers in these cubicles.