Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fungal contamination of foods prepared in some hotels in the Kumasi metropolis

There is an increase of food borne diseases in Ghana and therefore a lot of street food studies have been conducted in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region of Ghana with less information on microbiological safety of hotel foods. A total of forty food samples were aseptically collected from five highly patronised hotels (three star to budget). The hotels were selected by simple random sampling. Standard methods were used for the dilution, spreading, incubation, enumeration and identification. Serial dilution of each food was prepared in buffered peptone water and inoculated onto malt extract agar (MEA). Growth were counted and later identified. The bacterial counts were expressed to log10 cfu/g. Two foods from Hotel 01 (fresh pepper sauce and chicken and vegetable sauce) and six foods from Hotel 02 (chicken with noodles and vegetables, jollof rice, fried rice, potato chips, beef in vegetable sauce and coleslaw) were above the WHO acceptable levels (< 3 Log 10 cfu/g). Again, 4 foods from Hotel 03 (boiled plain rice, fish light soup, tossed mixed vegetables and tossed salad), Hotel 04 (vegetable sauce, fried chicken, mixed salad and fried rice) and Hotel 05 (goat light soup, fried chicken, fried rice and mixed vegetable salad) were all above the WHO acceptable levels. Fungi isolated were Eurotium herbariorum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Alternaria alternate, Botrytis cineria and Fusarium oxysporu. It was observed that foods tested were above the acceptable levels and could be sources of food borne pathogens. The causes could be attributed to poor food hygiene and inadequate processing. It is recommended that hotel inspections should include microbial test on foods.
Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Toxicity of Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

New therapeutic approaches are being developed based on the findings that several genetic abnormalities underlying non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could influence chemosensitivity. In this study, we assessed whether polymorphisms in genes of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, including ERCC5, ERCC6, MMS19L, CCNH, XPC, RRM1, can affect the tolerability of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. We used AllGloTM probe to assess genotyping and polymorphisms in 388 stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. MMS19L might be associated with the adverse events of chemotherapy in NSCLC, especially for all grade leucopenia (P = 0.020), all grade jaundice (P = 0.037) and all grade creatinine increasing (P = 0.013). In terms of grade 3/4 adverse events, MMS19L was related with total grade 3/4 adverse events (P = 0.024) and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (P = 0.035), while RRM1 was related with total grade 3/4 adverse events (P = 0.047) and grade 3/4 vomiting (P = 0.046). ERCC5 was related with more infection (P = 0.017). We found that some SNPs in NER pathway genes were correlated with toxicity treated with double chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients, especially for SNPs of MMS19L, RRM1 and ERCC5.
Multi-CNTFETs for power device applications: Investigation of CCVD grown CNTs by means of atomic force microscopy

In this work we use atomic force microscopy to explore carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which are grown by means of catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD). The used process can be utilized to fabricate hundreds of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) for logic as well as for power device applications. The application type is selected through specially patterned source/drain contacts which either allow only one linking CNT (logic applications) or provide large scale parallelization of numerous CNTs (“multi-CNTFET”) for power device applications.
Software Aging in Virtualized Environments: Detection and Prediction

Software aging has been cited in many scenarios including Operating System, Web Servers, Real-time Systems. However, few studies have been conducted in long running virtualized environments where more and more software is being delivered as a service. Furthermore, state-of-the-art methods lack the ability to deal with miscellaneous upper applications and underlying systems transparently in virtualized scenarios. In this paper, we detect aging phenomenon by conducting experiments in physical and virtual machines and identify the differences between the two, and propose a feature code-based methodology for failure prediction through system call, then implement a prototype in virtual machine manager layer to predict failure time and rejuvenate transparently, which is suitable in virtualized scenarios. The evaluation shows the prediction deviation against reality is less than 10%.
Fibrillar Type I Collagen Enhances the Differentiation and Proliferation of Myofibroblasts by Lowering α2β1 Integrin Expression in Cardiac Fibrosis

Many studies have shown that α2β1 integrin plays an important role in the development of cardiac fibrosis. However, the mechanism of how α2β1 integrin regulates the differentiation and proliferation of myofibroblasts in cardiac fibrosis through fibrillar collagen (FC) remains uncertain. We established that FC mimicked the 3-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) of fibroblasts from post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients in vivo. This allowed us to explore the differentiation and proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts on FC. Here, we report that low expression of α2β1 integrin increased protein kinase B (AKT) activation and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. This occurred due to the instability of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in myofibroblasts on FC. We also demonstrated that FC reduced protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) activity of myofibroblasts, which was coincident with low α2β1 integrin expression and activation of AKT, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK). In addition, knock-down of both β1 integrin and PP2A in fibroblasts promoted differentiation and proliferation via AKT activation and increased α-SMA expression. In summary, our study demonstrated that low α2β1 integrin expression regulated its downstream targets PTEN and AKT via crosstalk with PP2A, a critical cell signaling pathway that permits aberrant differentiation and proliferation of myofibroblasts on FC.
Similarity-based reasoning in qualified logic programming

Similarity-based Logic Programming (briefly, SLP) has been proposed to enhance the LP paradigm with a kind of approximate reasoning which supports flexible information retrieval applications. This approach uses a fuzzy similarity relation ℝ between symbols in the program's signature, while keeping the syntax for program clauses as in classical LP. Another recent proposal is the QLP(D) scheme for Qualified Logic Programming, an extension of the LP paradigm which supports approximate reasoning and more. This approach uses annotated program clauses and a parametrically given domain D whose elements qualify logical assertions by measuring their closeness to various users' expectations. In this paper we propose a more expressive scheme SQLP(ℝ, D) which subsumes both SLP and QLP(D) as particular cases. We also show that SQLP(ℝ, D) programs can be transformed into semantically equivalent QLP(D) programs. As a consequence, existing QLP(D) implementations can be used to give efficient support for similarity-based reasoning
On the nature of the X-ray absorption in the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 4507

We present results of the ASCA observation of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 4507. The 0.5–10 keV spectrum is rather complex and consists of several components: (i) a hard X-ray power law heavily absorbed by a column density of about 3-1023 cm−2, (ii) a narrow Fe Kα line at 6.4 keV, (iii) soft continuum emission well above the extrapolation of the absorbed hard power law and (iv) a narrow emission line at ∼0.9 keV. The line energy, consistent with highly ionized neon (Ne IX), may indicate that the soft X-ray emission is derived from a combination of resonant scattering and fluorescence in a photoionized gas. Some contribution to the soft X-ray spectrum from thermal emission, as a blend of Fe L lines, by a starburst component in the host galaxy cannot be ruled out with the present data.
MASW to Investigate Anomalous Near-Surface Materials at the Indian Refinery in Lawrenceville, Illinois

The shear wave velocity field, calculated using the Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) method (Park et al., 1999; Xia et al., 1999), and disturbances observed in the groundroll wavetrain transformations (phase and amplitude) were used to help identify variability in the lateral continuity of near-surface layers beneath asphalt roads within the Lawrence-ville Refinery, settling ponds in and around the refinery property, surface remediated burial pits, and containment berms (Figure 1). Depths of investigation extended from a few feet below ground surface (BGS) to as much as 100 ft BGS on line 5. Anomalies interpreted within the soft sediments along all five lines are related to lateral changes in material properties. Confirmation and/or enhancement of interpretations of these data will require subsurface sampling. When comparing results from this study to previous investigations using this surface wave imaging technology at sites around the country (Miller and Xia, 1999a; Miller and Xia, 1999b; Miller et al., 1999), it is interesting to note that in most cases interpreted zones of anomalous material possess a unique velocity pattern somewhat universally consistent with all features of the same kind (subsidence, fractures, bedrock, etc.). In most cases, low velocity closures within the shear wave velocity field are indicative of " anomalies. " Each profile collected in association with this feasibility test at the Lawrenceville Refinery was designed with a specific imaging objective in mind. The success of each profile can only be determined by a drilling program specifically designed to evaluate these findings. Calculating the shear wave velocity field from surface wave arrivals can generally be accomplished with a high degree of accuracy regardless of cultural noise or obstacles. Data for this study were acquired in and around areas with occupied personal residences, railroad noise, site demolition activities, and normal industrial background noise (60 Hz, running motors, vehicle activity, etc.). A wide range of surface conditions required adaptations be made to optimize source and receiver coupling to cement and asphalt. Care was taken to insure no data carried artifacts related to surface features or background noise and that all data were acquired with special attention placed on the spread location relative to surface materials and structures. Comparisons of data characteristics recorded from geophones with steel baseplates to those with spikes revealed no significant difference in wavetrain properties or calculated dispersion curves. line 4 line 1 line 5 line 3 line 2 N 1600 ft 800 0 …
Potentialityofthe cox 1 gene in thetaxonomic resolutionof soil fungi

We explored the potential of the cox1 gene in the species resolution of soil fungi and compared it with the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and small subunit (SSU)-rDNA. Conserved primers allowing the amplification of the fungal cox1 gene were designed, and a total of 47 isolates of Zygomycota and Ascomycota were investigated. The analysis revealed a lack of introns in 4 90% of the isolates. Comparison of the species of each of the six studied genera showed high interspecific sequence polymorphisms. Indeed, the average of nucleotide variations (4.2–11%) according to the genus, due mainly to the nucleotide substitutions, led to the taxonomic resolution of all the species studied regarding both ITS and SSU-rDNA, in which o 88% were discriminated. The phylogenetic analysis performed after alignment of the cox1 gene across distant fungal species was in accordance with the well-known taxonomic position of the species studied and no overlap was observed between intraand interspecific variations. These results clearly demonstrated that the cox1 sequences could provide good molecular markers for the determination of the species composition of environmental samples and constitute an important advance to study soil fungal biodiversity.
Process and outcomes of modeling: an attempt at formulating a conceptual framework

In the field’s early publications, Forrester was already clear on the goals of the system dynamics approach. The purpose of constructing a system dynamics model of any real world issue of concern was to improve system functioning. The vehicle for doing so was an increased understanding of relations between structure and behavior or a change in mental models, leading stakeholders to implement conclusions of the modeling effort. In recent years much attention has been given to involving stakeholders directly in modeling, leading to various forms of group model building. Involvement in modeling was expected to increase change in mental models and thereby foster implementation of conclusions. However, only a few years ago leading authors in the field have called group model building more an art than a science, and pointed to the lack of evidence for its effectiveness. Authors in related fields have made similar comments with regard to their respective methodologies: a lack of an integrative conceptual framework linking modeling practice to modeling outcomes, makes 1. an accumulation of research results difficult and 2. leaves implicit what the crucial elements of a modeling intervention are. Thus the effectiveness of methodologies is difficult to assess and relate to relevant theories. In this article such an integrative conceptual framework is proposed, drawing on theories of persuasion (mental model change) and the influence of beliefs and evaluations on actions. Well-established theories in social psychology are used to formulate important variables and relations in the model, enabling us to draw on standard operationalizations and relate to a body of research on social interactions. The framework is used to evaluate five group model building cases in a PhD research project, of which the main results are reported here. The results indicate that group model building effectiveness can be understood in terms of the framework, leading to the identification of further research questions.
Identification of Cis-Acting Elements on Positive-Strand Subgenomic mRNA Required for the Synthesis of Negative-Strand Counterpart in Bovine Coronavirus

It has been demonstrated that, in addition to genomic RNA, sgmRNA is able to serve as a template for the synthesis of the negative-strand [(−)-strand] complement. However, the cis-acting elements on the positive-strand [(+)-strand] sgmRNA required for (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis have not yet been systematically identified. In this study, we employed real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to analyze the cis-acting elements on bovine coronavirus (BCoV) sgmRNA 7 required for the synthesis of its (−)-strand counterpart by deletion mutagenesis. The major findings are as follows. (1) Deletion of the 5'-terminal leader sequence on sgmRNA 7 decreased the synthesis of the (−)-strand sgmRNA complement. (2) Deletions of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) bulged stem-loop showed no effect on (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis; however, deletion of the 3' UTR pseudoknot decreased the yield of (−)-strand sgmRNA. (3) Nucleotides positioned from −15 to −34 of the sgmRNA 7 3'-terminal region are required for efficient (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis. (4) Nucleotide species at the 3'-most position (−1) of sgmRNA 7 is correlated to the efficiency of (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis. These results together suggest, in principle, that the 5'- and 3'-terminal sequences on sgmRNA 7 harbor cis-acting elements are critical for efficient (−)-strand sgmRNA synthesis in BCoV.
A Single Blinded , Prospective Trial to Compare the Efficacy of Rebamipide 2 % And Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose 1 % in Patients of Dry Eye Disease

Original Research Article Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears, due to tear deficiency or excessive evaporation. Recently, Rebamipide has been introduced in the market for the treatment of dry eye disease. It is an amino acid derivative of 2(1H) quinolone. Only a few studies are available pertaining to its efficacy on dry eye disease. The study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Rebamipide 2% and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 1% in patients with dry eye disease. It was a single blinded, prospective, comparative study of 100 patients randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients each. Group-1 was given sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 1% and Group-2 was given rebamipide 2% as the treatment modality of choice, 4 times a day for 12 weeks. The efficacy and side effects of both the drugs were evaluated and compared in both the groups individually. Tests like Schirmer’s test, tear film break up time (TBUT) and tear film staining were employed to compare the efficacy of these drugs between the groups. There was a significant improvement in mean Schirmer’s test (p<0.001) and mean tear film break up time (TBUT) (p=0.008) and a significant reduction in staining scores in REB group as compared to CMC group. The REB group gave better results at the end of 12 weeks in improvement of multiple evaluating criteria as compared to CMC group i.e.1.82± 2.21 vs. 1.10 ± 1.92 respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.015). It was concluded that treatment with rebamipide and carboxymethyl cellulose lead to a generalized improvement in all the objective signs for assessment of dry eye disease. Both the drugs decreased the severity of dry eye disease. Also, the efficacy of rebamipide has been found to be better than carboxymethyl cellulose.
QUADRUPLE FLEXURAL RESISTANCE IN R / C BEAM-COLUMN JOINTS Hitoshi SHIOHARA

This paper presents a new concept of quadruple flexural resistance in monolithic R/C beam-column joints. It is a behavior model to portray the resistance of beam-column joints to the moments coming from the members framing into the joint with four pairs of resultants on diagonal sections. Joint shear failure of beam-column joints is redefined as the failure of quadruple flexural resistance. The quadruple flexural resistance are implemented by a mathematical model. The model satisfies equilibrium equations relating magnitude of external forces such as column shear, beam shear and axial force in column, to the magnitude of stress resultants. Failure criteria of concrete, steel, bond and anchorage are combined with the equilibrium conditions to predicts the strength and failure type of beam-column joints including interior, exterior as well as knee joint, in consistent and unified way. Maximum joint shear strength is predictable by this model if the dimension, geometry and material properties are provided. Failure type is also predictable. Correlation studies for joint shear strength are shown in this paper to demonstrate that this model is a rational tool for understanding the behavior of R/C beam-column joints and it is superior to the existing models of strut and truss which regard joint shear failure as a failure of shear resistance residing in beam-column joints.
Distribution of HLA-DRB 1 / DQB 1 alleles and DRB 1-DQB 1 haplotypes among Tunisian patients with autoimmune hepatitis

http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.ejmhg. 2017.02. 003 1110-8630/ 2017 Ain Shams University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Abbreviations: AIH, autoimmune hepatitis; AITDs, autoimmune thyroid diseases; AMA-M2, anti-mitochondrial antibody-M2; EBV, Epstein – Barr virus; ANA, anti-nuclear antibodies; CMV, cytomegalovirus; HLA, human leucocyte antigen; LKM1, anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibodies type 1; PBC, primary biliary cirrhosis; PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis; SLA, antibodies against soluble liver antigen; SMA, smooth-muscle antibodies; SSP-PCR, single-specific-primer polymerase chain reaction. q This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Peer review under responsibility of Ain Shams University. ⇑ Corresponding author at: Department of Immunology, Military Hospital of Tunis, Montfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia. E-mail address: marouachaouali@gmail.com (M. Chaouali). Marwa Chaouali a,b,⇑, Radhia Kochkar , Amira Messadi , Aymen Tezeghdenti , Mouna Ben Azaiez , Hatem Ben Abdallah , Basma Yacoubi-Oueslati , Ezzeddine Ghazouani a
Pasture renewal on Bay of Plenty and Waikato dairy farms : impacts on pasture production and invertebrate populations post-establishment

The impact of renewal on pasture production was determined by monitoring renewed and unrenewed pastures on five farms in each of Bay of Plenty and Waikato for 3 years, excluding the year after sowing (establishment). Renewed pastures produced an additional 1.5 t dry matter (DM)/ha averaged over both regions in the second year after establishment and 1.9 t DM/ha in each of the third and fourth years. Renewed pastures also had greater clover DM content in spring and summer and lower broadleaf weed DM content in winter. Perennial ryegrass tiller densities were similar in renewed and unrenewed pastures in both regions. There were fewer white-fringed weevil, black beetle and total nematodes in renewed pastures on at least one of the sampling times. It was concluded that higher clover content, fewer weeds, and fewer insect pests contributed to greater DM production in renewed pastures.