Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated in Samutsakorn, Thailand before, during and after the emergence of V. cholerae O139

Seventy clinical strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated from 1982–96 in Samutsakorn, a port city 30 km southwest of Bangkok where cholera occurs at low levels with regular seasonality, were characterized to investigate if there were any differences among the O1 strains isolated before, during and after the O139 epidemic. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing, ribotyping and southern blot hybridization with a cholera toxin probe (CT genotyping) demonstrated several genotypes among O1 strains isolated before the emergence of V. cholerae O139. However, O1 strains isolated during and after the advent of O139 showed identical ribotypes which were distinctly different from the types identified in strains isolated before the emergence of O139. Ribotypes identified in strains during and after the advent of O139 were also demonstrated by O1 strains isolated immediately before the emergence of O139. Considering the seasonality of cholera in Samutsakorn, the identical ribotype and CT genotype and the closely related PFGE types shown by all O1 strains isolated during and after the appearance of O139 is remarkable and suggest that the V. cholerae O1 strain may reemerge from an environmental source. A subgroup of V. cholerae O1 strains isolated before the emergence of the O139 epidemic had a ribotype identical to a type demonstrated by O139 strains isolated in Thailand. Our results support similar findings in Bangladesh and India that a distinct O1 strain appeared during the O139 epidemic. However, compared with the apparent identical strain which replaced O139 in Bangladesh and India, the emerged O1 strain in Samutsakorn showed a different ribotype and CT genotype.
Improved Molecular Descriptors Based on the Optimization of Correlation Weights of Local Graph Invariants

We report the calculation of boiling points for several alkyl alcohols through the use of improved molecular descriptors based on the optimization of correlation weights of local invariants of graphs. As local invariants we have used the presence of different chemical elements (i.e. C, H, and O) and the existence of different vertex degree values (i.e. 1, 2, 3 and 4). The inherent flexibility of the chosen molecular descriptor seems to be rather suitable to obtain satisfactory enough predictions of the property under study. Comparison with other similar approximation reveals a very good behavior of the present method. The use of higher order polynomials do not seem to be necessary to improve results regarding the simple linear fitting equations. Some possible future extensions are pointed out in order to achieve a more definitive conclusion about this approximation.
Modeling and identification of a small scale magnetorheological damper

Abstract Magnetorheological (MR) dampers are promising vibration control devices widely used for vibration mitigation applications as they combine reliability and stability of passive systems while maintaining versatility of active devices without large power requirements. These dampers are intrinsically nonlinear, so one of the challenging aspects of applying this technology is the development of accurate models to describe their behaviour for control design and evaluation purposes. This paper deals with the parametric identification of a small scale MR damper which is modelled using the viscous + Dahl model. Experimental results show reasonably good agreement with the forces predicted by the identified model.
Comparative study to predict toxic modes of action of phenols from molecular structures

Quantitative structure–activity relationship models for the prediction of mode of toxic action (MOA) of 221 phenols to the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis using atom-based quadratic indices are reported. The phenols represent a variety of MOAs including polar narcotics, weak acid respiratory uncouplers, pro-electrophiles and soft electrophiles. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and four machine learning techniques (ML), namely k-nearest neighbours (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM), classification trees (CTs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs), have been used to develop several models with higher accuracies and predictive capabilities for distinguishing between four MOAs. Most of them showed global accuracy of over 90%, and false alarm rate values were below 2.9% for the training set. Cross-validation, complementary subsets and external test set were performed, with good behaviour in all cases. Our models compare favourably with other previously published models, and in general the models obtained with ML techniques show better results than those developed with linear techniques. We developed unsupervised and supervised consensus, and these results were better than our ML models, the results of rule-based approach and other ensemble models previously published. This investigation highlights the merits of ML-based techniques as an alternative to other more traditional methods for modelling MOA.
Differential Regulation of the Three Methanol Methyltransferase Isozymes in Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A

ABSTRACT Genetic analysis of the three methanol-specific methyltransferase 1 operons (mtaCB1, mtaCB2, and mtaCB3) in Methanosarcina acetivorans led to the suggestion that each of them has a discrete function during growth on methanol, which might be reflected in differential gene regulation (Pritchett and Metcalf, Mol. Microbiol. 56:1183-1194, 2005). To test this suggestion, reporter gene fusions were constructed for each of the three operons, and their expression was examined under various growth conditions. Expression of the mtaCB1 and mtaCB2 fusions was 100-fold and 575-fold higher, respectively, in methanol-grown cells than in trimethylamine (TMA)-grown cells. The mtaCB3 fusion was expressed at low levels on methanol, TMA, and dimethylamine but was significantly upregulated on monomethylamine and acetate. When TMA- or acetate-grown cultures were shifted to methanol, the mtaCB1 fusion was expressed most highly during exponential phase, whereas the mtaCB2 fusion, although strongly induced prior to mtaCB1 expression, did not reach full expression levels until stationary phase. The mtaCB3 fusion was transiently expressed prior to entry into exponential phase during a TMA-to-methanol substrate shift experiment. When acetate-grown cells were shifted to medium containing both TMA and methanol, TMA utilization commenced prior to utilization of methanol; however, these two substrates were consumed simultaneously later in growth. Under these conditions expression of the mtaCB2 and mtaCB3 fusions was delayed, suggesting that methylamines may repress their expression.
Accelerated Lipid-Induced Atherogenesis in Galectin-3–Deficient Mice: Role of Lipoxidation via Receptor-Mediated Mechanisms

Objective—Modified lipoproteins, particularly oxidized LDLs, are believed to evoke an inflammatory response which participates in all stages of atherosclerosis. Disposal of these particles is mediated through receptors which may trigger proinflammatory signaling pathways leading to vascular injury. This study was aimed at assessing the role in atherogenesis of one of these receptors, galectin-3. Methods and Results—Galectin-3–deficient and wild-type mice were fed an atherogenic diet or standard chow for 8 months. Lesion area and length were higher in galectin-3–deficient versus wild-type mice. At the level of the aortic sinus, wild-type animals showed only fatty streaks, whereas galectin-3–deficient mice developed complex lesions, associated with extensive inflammatory changes. This was indicated by the presence of T lymphocytes with activated Th1-phenotype and by more marked monocyte-macrophage infiltration, inflammatory mediator expression, vascular cell apoptosis, and proinflammatory transcription factor activation. Increased accumulation of oxidixed LDLs and lipoxidation products and upregulation of other receptors for these compounds, including the proinflammatory RAGE, were detected in galectin-3–deficient versus wild-type mice. Conclusions—These data suggest a unique protective role for galectin-3 in the uptake and effective removal of modified lipoproteins, with concurrent downregulation of proinflammatory pathways responsible for atherosclerosis initiation and progression.
Phase-dependent treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome with melatonin.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is a circadian-rhythm sleep disorder characterized by abnormally late sleep and wake times. Melatonin, taken in the evening, advances sleep and circadian phase in patients with DSPS. However, little is known about the most effective dose or time of administration. In the present study, we tested the effectiveness of melatonin to advance the timing of sleep and circadian phase in individuals with DSPS. DESIGN Following baseline assessment of sleep and circadian phase, subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups. The administration of melatonin (0.3 or 3.0 mg) or placebo was double-blinded. SETTING All procedures were conducted on an outpatient basis. PARTICIPANTS Thirteen subjects with DSPS, recruited via flyers, advertisements, and referrals from the Sleep Clinic, completed this study. INTERVENTIONS Melatonin (0.3 or 3.0 mg) or placebo was administered between 1.5 and 6.5 hours prior to dim light melatonin onset for a 4-week period. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Both doses of melatonin advanced the circadian phase of endogenous melatonin. The magnitude of phase advance in dim-light melatonin onset correlated strongly with the time of melatonin administration, with earlier times being more effective (r2 = 0.94, P < .0001). Similar, though weaker, relationships were obtained between the timing of melatonin administration and changes in sleep time. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that melatonin advances the circadian clock and sleep in patients with DSPS in a phase-dependent manner. This is the first study that reports a relationship between timing of melatonin administration and phase changes in patients with DSPS.
Microcephaly in Brazil: prevalence and characterization of cases from the Information System on Live Births (Sinasc), 2000-2015.

OBJECTIVE to describe the prevalence coefficients and characterize cases of microcephaly at birth in Brazil from 2000-2015. METHODS this is a descriptive study with data from the Information System on Live Births (Sinasc). The coefficients were calculated by region and characteristics of mothers and live births (LB). RESULTS the annual average number of microcephaly cases was 164 for the period 2000-2014, whilst in 2015, 1,608 cases were registered (54.6 cases per 100 thousand LB). Higher coefficients were observed among preterm babies (81.7; 95%CI 72.3;92.2), born from black-skinned (70.9; 95%CI 58.5;85.9) or to brown-skinned (71.5; 95%CI67.4;75.8) women, to women aged ≤19 (70.3; 95%CI 63.5;77.8) or ≥40 (62.1; 95%CI 46.6;82.6), with ≤3 years of study (73.4; 95%CI 58.2;92.4) and residents in the Northeast region (138.7; 95%CI 130.9;147.0). CONCLUSION the high number of microcephaly cases in 2015 reinforces the importance of Sinasc and the need to improve the surveillance of congenital anomalies.
Electrical Properties of Rapidly Annealed Ir and Ir/Au Schottky Contacts on n-Type InGaN

The effect of annealing temperature on electrical characteristics of iridium (Ir) and iridium/gold (Ir/Au) Schottky contacts to n-type InGaN have been investigated by means of current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) techniques. It is observed that the barrier height of Ir/n-InGaN and Au/Ir/n-InGaN Schottky diodes increases after annealing at 300∘C for 1 min in N2 ambient compared to the as-deposited. However, the barrier heights are found to be decreased somewhat after annealing at 500∘C for the both Ir and Ir/Au Schottky contacts. From the above observations, it is clear that the optimum annealing temperature for both Ir and Ir/Au Schottky contacts is 300∘C. Moreover, the barrier height (𝜙𝑏), ideality factor (n) and series resistance (𝑅𝑆) are determined using Cheung’s and Norde methods. Besides, the energy distribution of interface state densities are determined from the forward bias I-V characteristics by taking into account the bias dependence of the effective barrier height. Based on the above results, it is clear that both Ir and Ir/Au Schottky contacts exhibit a kind of thermal stability during annealing.
Dislocation structures. Part I. Grain orientation dependence

To clarify the effect of grain orientation on the evolution of dislocation structures in metals of medium-to-high stacking fault energy, detailed TEM characterization of structures was carried out for more than 350 individual grains in Al and Cu deformed in tension or by cold rolling up to moderate strain levels (ϵvM ≤ 0.8). Efforts were made to obtain a precise description of the three-dimensional arrangement of the dislocation structures and to determine the crystallographic plane of extended dislocation boundaries (geometrically necessary boundaries). A universal pattern of structural evolution characterized by a formation of three types of structure was found in both metals, irrespective of material parameters (stacking fault energy, grain size and impurity) and deformation conditions (deformation mode, strain and strain rate). The key parameter controlling the formation of the different structural types was found to be grain orientation with respect to the deformation axis (axes) and a clear relationship between the structural type and the grain orientation was established. A review of single crystal data shows a similar relationship. The grain orientation dependence of the structural type and similar structural types observed in tension and rolling suggest a common cause. Part II explores this by relating the structural types to the active slip systems.
Combining Intrathecal Bupivacaine and Meperidine during Caesarean Section to Prevent Spinal Anaesthesia-Induced Hypotension and other Side-Effects

This study compared intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine with low-dose intrathecal plain bupivacaine plus different doses of meperidine (pethidine), administered sequentially, with regard to blood pressure stability, post-operative analgesia and incidence of side-effects in 80 parturients undergoing caesarean section. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 20 each group): the HB group received 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally; the BM35, BM30 and BM25 groups received 5 mg plain bupivacaine plus 35, 30 or 25 mg of meperidine intrathecally, respectively. The incidence of hypotension in the BM25 group was significantly lower than in the HB group. Nausea and vomiting were less prevalent in the BM25 group than in the HB and BM35 groups. In conclusion, sequential administration of 5 mg plain bupivacaine and 25 mg meperidine intrathecally provided better blood pressure stability and a lower incidence of side-effects than bupivacaine alone, without affecting quality of anaesthesia or surgical and patient satisfaction.
Post-PCV7 Changes in Colonizing Pneumococcal Serotypes in 16 Massachusetts Communities, 2001 and 2004

Objective. The introduction of heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) has raised concerns for replacement with nonvaccine serotypes in both invasive disease and asymptomatic carriage. Analysis of colonizing serotypes among healthy children in the community provides critical data on such changes. Methods. Nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained from children who were younger than 7 years during well-child or sick visits in primary care practices in 16 Massachusetts communities during 2001 and 2004. Susceptibility testing and serotyping were performed on isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. Vaccination history with PCV7 was abstracted from the medical record. Results. Among colonizing pneumococcal isolates, PCV7 serotypes decreased from 36% to 14%, and non-PCV7 serotypes increased from 34% to 55%. Overall carriage did not change (26% to 23%); neither did carriage of potentially cross-reactive serotypes (30% to 31%). The most common non-PCV7 serotypes were serotypes 11, 15, and 29. There was a substantial increase in penicillin nonsusceptibility from 8% to 25% in non-PCV7 serotypes; 35% were highly resistant to penicillin. Penicillin nonsusceptibility increased from 45% to 56% among PCV7 serotypes while remaining stable among PCV7 potentially cross-reactive strains (51% vs 54%). Conclusions. Pneumococcal colonization has changed after the introduction of PCV7, both in serotype distribution and in patterns of antibiotic resistance. The frequency of nonvaccine strains has increased, and the proportion of nonvaccine isolates that are not susceptible to penicillin has tripled. This shift toward increased carriage of nonvaccine serotypes warrants vigilance for changes in the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease.
A novel electromagnetic bandgap metal plate for parallel plate mode suppression in shielded structures

A novel type of metal plate structure incorporated with electromagnetic bandgap holes for use as metal shields with the capability of suppressing the propagation of unwanted parallel plate mode has been proposed. The holes can be of any shape and the periods of those holes should be selected to half the guided wavelength of the parallel plate mode at a desired center frequency of suppression. To show the validity of the proposal, inert electromagnetic wave simulation, results of a shielded microstrip structure designed for application in the 76 GHz frequency band are demonstrated. Experiments are performed with a prototype designed in the 10 GHz frequency band and parallel plate mode suppression is verified successfully with the excellent agreement between experimental and simulation results.
Fundamentals of dynamic frequency hopping in cellular systems

We examine techniques for increasing spectral efficiency of cellular systems by using slow frequency hopping (FH) with dynamic frequency-hop (DFH) pattern adaptation. We first present analytical results illustrating the improvements in frequency outage probabilities obtained by DFH in comparison with random frequency hopping (RFH). Next, we show simulation results comparing the performance of various DFH and RFH techniques. System performance is expressed by cumulative distribution functions of codeword error rates. Systems that we study incorporate channel coding, interleaving, antenna diversity, and power control. Analysis and simulations consider the effects of path loss, shadowing, Rayleigh fading, cochannel interference, coherence bandwidth, voice activity, and occupancy. The results indicate that systems using DFH can support substantially more users than systems using RFH.
Cross Cultural Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Farsi Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tools in Iranian Pregnant Women

Background: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Iran is decreasing. The breastfeeding attrition prediction tools (BAPT) have been validated and used in predicting premature weaning. Objectives: We aimed to translate the BAPT into Farsi, assess its content validity, and examine its reliability and validity to identify exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation in Iran. Materials and Methods: The BAPT was translated into Farsi and the content validity of the Farsi version of the BAPT was assessed. It was administered to 356 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, who were residents of a city in northeast of Iran. The structural integrity of the four-factor model was assessed in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and item-subscale correlations. Validity was assessed using the known-group comparison (128 with vs. 228 without breastfeeding experience) and predictive validity (80 successes vs. 265 failures in exclusive breastfeeding). Results: The internal consistency of the whole instrument (49 items) was 0.775. CFA provided an acceptable fit to the a priori four-factor model (Chi-square/df = 1.8, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.049, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) = 0.064, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.911). The difference in means of breastfeeding control (BFC) between the participants with and without breastfeeding experience was significant (P < 0.001). In addition, the total score of BAPT and the score of Breast Feeding Control (BFC) subscale were higher in women who were on exclusive breastfeeding than women who were not, at four months postpartum (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study validated the Farsi version of BAPT. It is useful for researchers who want to use it in Iran to identify women at higher risks of Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) discontinuation.
Smart flight and dynamic tolerances in the artificial bee colony for constrained optimization

This paper presents an adaptation of a novel algorithm based on the foraging behavior of honey bees to solve constrained numerical optimization problems. The modifications focus on improving the way the feasible region is approached by using a new operator which allows the generation of search directions biased by the best solution so far. Furthermore, two dynamic tolerances applied in the constraint handling mechanism help the algorithm to the generation of feasible solutions. The approach is tested on a set of 24 benchmark problems and its behavior is compared against the original algorithm and with respect to some state-of-the-art algorithms.
Movement Prediction-Based Routing (MOPR) Concept for Position-Based Routing in Vehicular Networks

Nowadays, researchers show more and more interests to vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), which are a specific instance of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) where nodes are vehicles. In VANETs, vehicles have no energy resource constraint which could extend coverage and network lifetime, but have a high mobility patterns that cause frequent and fast topology changes. Consequently, VANETs have particular research interests, like dedicated MAC and routing optimization. In our previous work, we have proposed movement prediction-based routing (MOPR) concept for VANETs, which improves the routing process by selecting the most stable route in terms of lifetime with respect to the movement of vehicles. And in this paper, we present how this MOPR concept can be applied to position-based routing protocols, and how it improves their performances. Based on simulation results we compare MOPR with the position-based routing protocol GPSR and another movement-based routing protocol called MORA.