Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance

Quinolones are potent antibacterial agents that specifically target bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Widespread use of these agents has contributed to the rise of bacterial quinolone resistance. Previous studies have shown that quinolone resistance arises by mutations in chromosomal genes. Recently, a multiresistance plasmid was discovered that encodes transferable resistance to quinolones. We have cloned the plasmid-quinolone resistance gene, termed qnr, and found it in an integron-like environment upstream from qacEΔ1 and sulI. The gene product Qnr was a 218-aa protein belonging to the pentapeptide repeat family and shared sequence homology with the immunity protein McbG, which is thought to protect DNA gyrase from the action of microcin B17. Qnr had pentapeptide repeat domains of 11 and 28 tandem copies, separated by a single glycine with a consensus sequence of A/C D/N L/F X X. Because the primary target of quinolones is DNA gyrase in Gram-negative strains, we tested the ability of Qnr to reverse the inhibition of gyrase activity by quinolones. Purified Qnr-His6 protected Escherichia coli DNA gyrase from inhibition by ciprofloxacin. Gyrase protection was proportional to the concentration of Qnr-His6 and inversely proportional to the concentration of ciprofloxacin. The protective activity of Qnr-His6 was lost by boiling the protein and involved neither quinolone inactivation nor independent gyrase activity. Protection of topoisomerase IV, a secondary target of quinolone action in E. coli, was not evident. How Qnr protects DNA gyrase and the prevalence of this resistance mechanism in clinical isolates remains to be determined.
Towards Designing a Biometric Measure for Enhancing ATM Security in Nigeria E-Banking System

Security measures at banks can play a critical, contributory role in preventing attacks on customers. These measures are of paramount importance when considering vulnerabilities and causation in civil litigation. Banks must meet certain standards in order to ensure a safe and secure banking environment for their customers. This paper focuses on vulnerabilities and the increasing wave of criminal activities occurring at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) where quick cash is the prime target for criminals rather than at banks themselves. A biometric measure as a means of enhancing the security has emerged from the discourse.
The Other Heading: Reflections on Today's Europe

Prompted by the unification of Europe in 1992 and by recent events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, Jacques Derrida begins this compelling essay on contemporary world politics with the issue of European identity. What, he asks, is Europe? How has Europe traditionally been defined and how is the current world situation changing that definition? Might the prospects of a New Europe demand not only a new definition of European identity but also a new way of thinking identity itself? Navigating in and through texts of Marx, Husserl, and especially Valery, Derrida seeks a redefinition of European identity that includes respect both for difference and for universal values. The Other Heading appeals eloquently for a sustained effort at thinking through the complexity and the multiple dangers and opportunities of the contemporary world situation without resorting to easy or hasty solutions. "
Temporally and Regionally Disparate Differences in Plasmin Activity by Tranexamic Acid

BACKGROUND: A major complication associated with cardiac surgery is excessive and prolonged bleeding in the perioperative period. Improving coagulation by inhibiting fibrinolysis, primarily through inhibition of plasmin activity (PLact) with antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid (TXA), has been a pharmacological mainstay in cardiac surgical patients. Despite its almost ubiquitous use, the temporal and regional modulation of PLact profiles by TXA remains unexplored. Accordingly, we developed a fluorogenic-microdialysis system to measure in vivo dynamic changes in PLact after TXA administration in a large animal model. METHODS: Pigs (25–35 kg) were randomly assigned to receive TXA (30 mg/kg, diluted into 50 mL normal saline; n = 9) or vehicle (50 mL normal saline; n = 7). Microdialysis probes were placed in the liver, myocardium, kidney, and quadriceps muscle compartments. The microdialysate infusion contained a validated plasmin-specific fluorogenic peptide. The fluorescence emission (standard fluorogenic units [SFU]) of the interstitial fluid collected from the microdialysis probes, which directly reflects PLact, was determined at steady-state baseline and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after TXA/vehicle infusion. Plasma PLact was determined at the same time points using the same fluorogenic substrate approach. RESULTS: TXA reduced plasma PLact at 30 min after infusion by >110 SFU compared with vehicle values (P < 0.05). Specifically, there was a decrease in liver PLact at 90 and 120 min after TXA infusion of >150 SFU (P < 0.05) and 175 SFU (P < 0.05), respectively. The decrease in liver PLact occurred 60 min after the maximal decrease in plasma PLact. In contrast, kidney, heart, and quadriceps PLact transiently increased followed by an overall decrease at 120 min. CONCLUSIONS: Using a large animal model and in vivo microdialysis measurements of PLact, the unique findings from this study were 2-fold. First, TXA induced temporally distinct PLact profiles within the plasma and selected interstitial compartments. Second, TXA caused region-specific changes in PLact profiles. These temporal and regional differences in the effects of TXA may have important therapeutic considerations when managing fibrinolysis in the perioperative period.
Between Species Diversity of Hypericum Perforatum and H. maculatum by the Content of Bioactive Compounds

The objective of present study was to establish and compare the contents of secondary metabolites of two Hypericum species, H. perforatum and H. maculatum, native to Lithuania, and to evaluate factors predetermining their variation with some practical implications for utilization and conservation. The HPLC analysis of the ethanolic extracts of the studied species showed some regularity in their composition. Both species contained chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin and hypericin. The presence of rutin and hyperforin was observed only in H. perforatum. The quantitative analysis showed higher content of quercitrin in H. perforatum, than in H. maculatum, whereas the differences in the contents of quercetin, hypericin and chlorogenic acid were not statistically significant between the species. H. maculatum contained a significantly higher content of hyperoside than H. perforatum. The data on phytochemical analysis suggest almost equivalent use of both H. perforatum and H. maculatum extracts in the food industry, cosmetics and pharmaceutics.
Enteric‐coating capsulation of insulinomimetic vanadyl sulfate enhances bioavailability of vanadyl species in rats

In recent years, there have been improvements in the treatment of type 2 diabetes by oral administration of vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4, VS). The maintenance of vanadyl levels in the blood of subjects with type 2 diabetes was found to be important for the insulinomimetic activity of VS. However, owing to low bioavailability of VS and the development of mild gastrointestinal symptoms and side‐effects in some subjects, it is necessary to design more effective and safer dosages of VS. After discovering that VS is absorbed more thoroughly at the ileum than at other gastrointestinal sites, we investigated the absorption processes following oral administration of VS by preparing enteric‐coated capsules (ECC). Although Cmax values were unchanged by the dosage forms, Tmax and MRT values associated with the enteric‐coating capsulation were prolonged when compared with those observed with use of gelatin capsules (GC). An important finding was that the bioavailability of VS from ECC (9.8%) was almost double that of VS from either GC (4.0%) or the solution (4.8%). Administration of VS‐containing ECC to diabetic patients is proposed to improve vanadyl absorption over that achieved by the administration of either GC or the solution.
A hybrid geometric + algebraic multigrid method with semi‐iterative smoothers

We propose a multigrid method for solving large‐scale sparse linear systems arising from discretizations of partial differential equations, such as those from finite element and generalized finite difference methods. Our proposed method has the following two characteristics. First, we introduce a hybrid geometric+algebraic multigrid method, or HyGA, to leverage the rigor, accuracy, and efficiency of geometric multigrid (GMG) for hierarchical unstructured meshes, with the flexibility of algebraic multigrid (AMG). Second, we introduce efficient smoothers based on the Chebyshev–Jacobi method for both symmetric and asymmetric matrices. We also introduce a unified derivation of restriction and prolongation operators for weighted‐residual formulations over unstructured hierarchical meshes and apply it to both finite element and generalized finite difference methods. We present numerical results of our method for Poisson equations in both 2‐D and 3‐D and compare our method against the classical GMG and AMG as well as Krylov subspace methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sleep disorders in Behçet’s disease, and their relationship with fatigue and quality of life

Behçet’s disease, a systemic vasculitis, can cause varying degrees of activity limitation, fatigue and quality of life impairment. To date, there have been no studies regarding sleep disturbance and its relationship with fatigue and life quality in Behçet’s disease. We aimed to evaluate sleep disorders and polysomnographic parameters, and to determine their relationship with fatigue and quality of life in Behçet’s disease. Fifty‐one patients with Behçet’s disease without any neurological involvement were interviewed regarding sleep disorders. Twenty‐one subjects with no sleep complaints were included as the control group. Sleep‐related complaints were evaluated in a face‐to‐face interview. Sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, disease activity/severity, and quality of life questionnaires and an overnight polysomnography were performed. Prevalences of restless legs syndrome (35.3%) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with/without other sleep disorders (32.5%) were higher than in the control group and the general population. Fatigue was higher in patients with restless legs syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and in those with lower minimum oxygen saturation; hence, only patients with restless legs syndrome had quality of life impairment. Sleep efficiency index and sleep continuity index were lower, and wake after sleep onset, respiratory disturbance index and apnea–hypopnea index were higher than in controls (P < 0.01). Neither sleep disorders nor polysomnographic parameters were related to disease activity and severity. In conclusion, it is important to question sleep disorder followed by a polysomnography, if necessary, in order to improve quality of life and fatigue in Behçet’s disease.
The selection recognition agent: instant access to relevant information and operations

Abstract We present the Selection Recognition Agent (SRA), an application for Windows-based personal computers. The SRA recognizes meaningful words and phrases in highlighted text, and enables useful operations on them. The SRA includes seven recognition modules, for geographic names, dates, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, Usenet newsgroup name components, Microsoft Outlook 973 contact records, and URLs, as well as a module that enables useful operations on text in general. We describe the architecture and design of the SRA. Our experiments demonstrate that the SRA significantly reduces the time and effort users must expend in performing common tasks.
Earthquake supercycles on the Mentawai segment of the Sunda megathrust in the seventeenth century and earlier

Over at least the past millennium, the Mentawai segment of the Sunda megathrust has failed in sequences of closely timed events rather than in single end‐to‐end ruptures—each the culmination of an earthquake “supercycle. ” Here we synthesize the sixteenth‐ and seventeenth‐century coral microatoll records into a chronology of interseismic and coseismic vertical deformation. We identify at least five discrete uplift events in about 1597, 1613, 1631, 1658, and 1703 that likely correspond to large megathrust ruptures. This sequence contrasts with the following supercycle culmination, which involved only two large ruptures in 1797 and 1833. Fault slip modeling suggests that together the five cascading ruptures involved failure of the entire Mentawai segment. Interseismic deformation rates also changed after the onset of the rupture sequence, as they did after the 1797 earthquake. We model this change as an altered distribution of fault coupling, presumably triggered by the ~1597 rupture. We also analyze the far less continuous microatoll record between A.D. 1 and 1500. While we cannot confidently delineate the extent of any megathrust rupture during that period, all evidence suggests that individual major ruptures involve only part of the Mentawai segment, often overlap below the central Mentawai Islands, often trigger coupling changes, and occur in clusters that cumulatively cover the entire Mentawai segment at the culmination of each supercycle. It is clear that each Mentawai rupture sequence evolves uniquely in terms of the order and grouping of asperities that rupture, suggesting heterogeneities in fault frictional properties at the ~100 km scale.
Onset of Spontaneous Panic Attacks: A Prospective Study of Risk Factors

Objective: Earlier analyses have shown that, among currently well individuals with no history of panic attacks, a family history of panic disorder is associated with a greater likelihood of panic symptoms after exposure to 35% CO2 and of ventilatory-response abnormalities during inhalation of 5% CO2. An association of those features with a subsequent onset of panic attacks would compose additional evidence that they are trait markers for panic disorder. Methods: Subjects who were free of current Axis I disorders other than simple or social phobia and who had a first-degree relative with panic disorder (high risk) and subjects who had no first-degree relatives with panic disorder or major depressive disorder (low-risk) underwent two challenge procedures. The first measured anxiety responses to a single breath of 35% CO2, and the second measured ventilatory responses to a 3-minute exposure to 5% CO2. After a mean interval of 4 years, 66 high-risk (48 female; mean age = 23.0 years) and 24 low-risk subjects (15 female; mean age = 23.1 years) were questioned by telephone about the occurrence of any spontaneous panic attack in the interval. Results: Sixteen (23.9%) of the high-risk and one (4.2%) of low-risk subjects had experienced at least one spontaneous panic attack; Cox regression analyses revealed a significant relationship between abnormal ventilatory responses to 5% CO2 and the later onset of panic attacks. Subjective responses to 35% CO2 were not predictive. Neuroticism scores were not associated with abnormal ventilatory responses to CO2 but were also predictive of later panic attacks. Conclusions: High neuroticism scores and abnormal ventilatory responses to 5% CO2 appear to be additive trait markers for panic disorder. VAS-A = visual analogue scale–anxiety; DSM-III-R = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III–Revised; MV = minute volume; NEO-PI = NEO Personality Inventory; HR = hazard ratio.
Computer Systems that Work

Abstract The objective of this study is to provide system developers with a framework to classify variables that influence computer use, and to assess their different roles in this respect. To that end, variables from thirty-five studies were identified, classified and reviewed for their effect on system use. Process variables including participation and involvement were the strongest predictors. Second in strength were system attributes such as perceived usefulness, and user variables such as training, skills and self-efficacy. Organizational context and support, categorized as environmental variables, and attitudes, demographics and personal traits, categorized as user variables, were the weakest predictors. The paper concludes with implications of the review for system design and implementation, and for future research.
Student-Centered Approach to Classroom Management in English Language Teaching

The purpose of this article is to investigate how classroom management and discipline problems can be dealt with in a student-centeredway. The term “classroom management” refers to the procedures, strategies, and instructional techniques teachers use to manage studentbehavior and learning activities. Effective classroom management creates an environment that is conductive to teaching and learning. Itis the most important - and the most difficult-skill a novice teacher has to master. Even experienced teachers often find themselves facedwith a student-or an entire class- who challenges their established management skills and forces them to find new ways of dealing withclassroom situations. A survey was held. The goal of the survey was to find out how well aware are school teachers in Georgia of issuesof effective classroom management. I also intended to find out whether teachers hold teacher-centered or student-centered views onclassroom management. Time management was emphasized. The results showed that, although student-centered approach to classroommanagement in English Language Teaching has already gained popularity among English teachers in Georgia, much still has to be doneto be able to say that our classroom are managed in a student-centered way.
Does 'imprinting' with low prenatal vitamin D contribute to the risk of various adult disorders?

Hypovitaminosis D is a candidate risk-modifying factor for a diverse range of disorders apart from rickets and osteoporosis. Based on epidemiology, and on in vitro and animal experiment, vitamin D has been linked to multiple sclerosis, certain cancers (prostate, breast and colorectal), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia. I hypothesise that low pre- and perinatal vitamin D levels imprint on the functional characteristics of various tissues throughout the body, leaving the affected individual at increased risk of developing a range of adult-onset disorders. The hypothesis draws from recent advances in our understanding of the early origin of adult disease and proposes a 'critical window' during which vitamin D levels may have a persisting impact on adult health outcomes. Methods to test the hypothesis are outlined. If correct, the hypothesis has important implications for public health. Careful attention to maternal vitamin D status could translate into diverse improvements in health outcomes for the following generation.
The Individual Learner, Employability and the Workplace: A Reappraisal of Relationships and Prophecies.

Purpose – In the current knowledge‐based economic climate, the success of an organisation is inextricably linked to the individual. This article seeks to consider the key relationships between the individual, lifelong learning, the workplace and employability in the context of the knowledge society. The aim is to extend understanding of these relationships and their impact on future employability.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the key relationships between the individual, lifelong learning, the workplace and employability from the perspective of the Programme for University Industry Interface (PUII). Findings – The discussions focus on the implications of the current situation for the future and suggest ecology as a metaphor for the way in which learning is intertwined in a complex environment that incorporates the learner, the workplace, the external company environment and the knowledge repositories.Originality/value – The paper sheds light on these particular issues through the finding.
Dual inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway with cetuximab and erlotinib: a phase I study in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

PURPOSE To determine the optimal dose of the antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody cetuximab that can be safely administered in combination with a standard daily dose of erlotinib in patients with advanced solid malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced solid malignancies who had failed standard chemotherapies received escalating doses of cetuximab without a loading dose (100, 200, 250 mg/m(2) i.v. weekly) in combination with a fixed dose of erlotinib (150 mg daily orally) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS Twenty-two patients were treated, including 14 patients (64%) with non-small cell lung cancer. Twenty patients received combination treatment at the highest dose level for a median of 5.5 weeks (range, 1-31 weeks). One dose-limiting toxicity was observed: grade 3 skin rash. Overall, the most common adverse events (any grade, grade 3/4) were consistent with the safety profiles of the individual drugs: acneform rash (100%, 9%), diarrhea (77%, 5%), and hypomagnesemia (59%, 12%). Seven of 18 evaluable patients (38.9%) had stable disease lasting for a median of 16.6 weeks (range, 6.1-25.1 weeks). CONCLUSION Dual EGFR inhibition with cetuximab and erlotinib is feasible; the observed toxicities were manageable and consistent with the safety profiles of the individual drugs. The recommended doses for phase II studies are 250 mg/m(2) i.v. weekly for cetuximab and 150 mg daily orally for erlotinib.
Classification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Images of ZN-Stained Sputum Smears

Screening for tuberculosis (TB) in low- and middle-income countries is centered on the microscope. We present methods for the automated identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in images of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stained sputum smears obtained using a bright-field microscope. We segment candidate bacillus objects using a combination of two-class pixel classifiers. The algorithm produces results that agree well with manual segmentations, as judged by the Hausdorff distance and the modified Williams index. The extraction of geometric-transformation-invariant features and optimization of the feature set by feature subset selection and Fisher transformation follow. Finally, different two-class object classifiers are compared. The sensitivity and specificity of all tested classifiers is above 95% for the identification of bacillus objects represented by Fisher-transformed features. Our results may be used to reduce technician involvement in screening for TB, and would be particularly useful in laboratories in countries with a high burden of TB, where, typically, ZN rather than auramine staining of sputum smears is the method of choice.