Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli isolated from piglets with post-weaning diarrhea in Heilongjiang province, China

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in Escherichia coli isolated from post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) piglets in Heilongjiang province, China. Methods: Of 458 E. coli isolated from 589 fecal samples from PWD piglets, a total of 198 isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers by the double-disk synergy test (DDST). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were performed to identify genes for ESBL, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), and integrons. Results: Of the 198 isolates, blaCTX−M and blaTEM were detected in 191 and 149 isolates, respectively. Sequencing revealed that 10 blaCTX−M subtypes were detected, and blaCTX−M−14 was the most prevalent, followed by blaCTX−M−55 and blaCTX−M−65. Of the 149 TEM-positive strains, four were blaTEM−52 and the rest were blaTEM−1. Among the 198 ESBL-positive isolates, 173 isolates were found to harbor at least one PMQR gene, with oqxAB, qnrS, qnrB, qepA, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr being detected alone or in combination in 125, 114, 26, 24, and 45 strains, respectively. One hundred and fifty-five ESBL-positive isolates were also positive for class I integron (int1), and eight different gene cassette arrays were confirmed in 110 isolates by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing analyses, with predominance of dfrA17-aadA5, dfrA12-orfF-aadA2, and dfrA1-aadA1 arrays. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the blaTEM−52 gene in pig E. coli isolates in China and this is also the first description of the coexistence of the qnrB, qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB genes in one E. coli strain.
Dislocation clustering and long-range internal stresses in monotonically and cyclically deformed metal crystals

Revue concernant les structures de dislocations en parois et cellules dans les cristaux metalliques deformes, en insistant sur l'heterogeneite de distribution des dislocations. Description de la sous-structure de dislocations en terme d'ecrouissage et restauration dynamique. Analyse du modele dit «composite» dans lequel la distribution heterogene des dislocations est considere comme un materiau composite, constitue de parties molles et dures correspondant aux interieurs et parois de cellules. Les contraintes internes a longue portee font partie de ce modele
Low Complexity Decision-Directed Channel Estimation Based on a Reliable-Symbol Selection Strategy for OFDM Systems

This paper presents a low-complexity/low-latency algorithm for estimating and tracking time-varying fading channels in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. More specifically, it is described a decision directed (DD) channel estimation (CE) method, consisting of two main steps: 1) Data detection of the current received OFDM symbol is performed by using the channel coefficients estimated in correspondence to the previous OFDM symbol; 2) The channel corresponding to the current OFDM symbol is estimated by using a subset of the newly detected data symbols. The data subset, used to perform successive refinement on the channel estimation, is found by choosing the OFDM subcarriers with the highest expected signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Such a subcarrier selection strategy aims to obtain robustness against the introduction of incorrect data symbols in the channel estimation process. The extension of the presented technique to multiple receive antennas is also discussed. The proposed estimation method is potentially useful for IEEE 802.11p compliant vehicular communication systems, whose basic modulation parameters are herein used for computer simulation of the information error rate.
Crosstalk between Hsp90 and Hsp70 Chaperones and Heat Stress Transcription Factors in Tomato[W]

This work shows that Hsp90 and Hsp70 chaperones physically interact with tomato heat shock transcription factors Hsfs A1, A2, and B1, but their influence on Hsf function is realized by distinct and factor-specific mechanisms, which control either activity or abundance of the individual transcription factors and contribute in concert to the regulation of heat stress response. Heat stress transcription factors (Hsfs) regulate gene expression in response to environmental stress. The Hsf network in plants is controlled at the transcriptional level by cooperation of distinct Hsf members and by interaction with chaperones. We found two general mechanisms of Hsf regulation by chaperones while analyzing the three major Hsfs, A1, A2, and B1, in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). First, Hsp70 and Hsp90 regulate Hsf function by direct interactions. Hsp70 represses the activity of HsfA1, including its DNA binding, and the coactivator function of HsfB1 in the complex with HsfA2, while the DNA binding activity of HsfB1 is stimulated by Hsp90. Second, Hsp90 affects the abundance of HsfA2 and HsfB1 by modulating hsfA2 transcript degradation involved in regulation of the timing of HsfA2 synthesis. By contrast, HsfB1 binding to Hsp90 and to DNA are prerequisites for targeting this Hsf for proteasomal degradation, which also depends on a sequence element in its carboxyl-terminal domain. Thus, HsfB1 represents an Hsp90 client protein that, by interacting with the chaperone, is targeted for, rather than protected from, degradation. Based on these findings, we propose a versatile regulatory regime involving Hsp90, Hsp70, and the three Hsfs in the control of heat stress response.
I/O placement for FPGAs with multiple I/O standards

In this paper, we present the first exact approach to solve the constrained input/output (I/O) placement problem for field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that support multiple I/O standards. We derive a compact integer linear program formulation for the constrained I/O placement problem. The size of the integer linear program derived is independent of the number of I/O objects to be placed and, hence, is scalable to very large design instances. For example, for a Xilinx Virtex-E FPGA, the number of integer variables required is never more than 32 and is much smaller for practical design instances. Extensive experimental results using a noncommercial integer linear program solver shows that it only takes seconds to solve the resultant integer linear program in practice. In addition, we also propose a new overall placement flow to place both core logic and I/Os.
Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is stimulated by α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone in melanoma and melanocyte cells: implication in cell differentiation

Wnt/β‐catenin signaling plays important roles in many developmental processes including neural crest‐derived melanocyte development and migration. However, the effective contribution of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in melanogenesis in adult human melanocytes has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that in melanoma cells and in normal human melanocytes, melanogenesis stimulation by α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) induces phosphorylation of β‐catenin‐Ser675 and stabilization of β‐catenin protein. Activation of protein kinase A by α‐MSH attenuates glycogen synthase kinase‐3β, which regulates ubiquitin‐dependent degradation of β‐catenin, suggesting a coordinated mechanism of β‐catenin activity stimulation. Consistent with increased nuclear β‐catenin, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) elevation facilitates β‐catenin‐dependent transactivation of many Wnt target genes. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated an increased association of β‐catenin with the proximal promoter of microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor, the master regulator of pigmentation. These results demonstrate the existence of cross talk between the cAMP and Wnt pathways in melanocytes, suggesting that β‐catenin could play a key role in the physiological regulation of epidermal melanogenesis.
Determinants of Coronary Artery and Aortic Calcification in the Old Order Amish

Background— Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease; little is known, however, about thoracic aortic calcification (AC). Our goal was to characterize risk factors for CAC and AC and to estimate the genetic contribution to their variation. Methods and Results— The presence and quantity of CAC and AC were measured with electron beam computed tomography and fasting blood tests and cardiovascular risk factors were obtained in 614 asymptomatic Amish subjects. CAC prevalence was higher in men than women (55% versus 41%; P<0.0001), although there was no sex difference in AC prevalence (51% and 56% in men and women, respectively; P=0.95). Age was more strongly associated with AC presence (odds ratio [OR], 2.7 for 5 years) than CAC presence (OR, 1.9 for 5 years) (homogeneity P=0.001). Subjects with AC had a 3.3-fold higher odds of having CAC. Heritabilities of CAC and AC presence were 0.27±0.17 (P=0.04) and 0.55±0.18 (P=0.0008), respectively, whereas the heritabilities of quantity of CAC and AC were 0.30±0.10 (P=0.001) and 0.40±0.10 (P<0.0001), respectively. The genetic correlation between CAC and AC quantity was 0.34±0.19, whereas the environmental correlation between these 2 traits was 0.38±0.09. Conclusions— CAC and AC have similar risk factors, except male gender is associated only with CAC and age is more strongly associated with AC. The patterns of correlations suggest that CAC and AC share some common sets of genes and environmental factors, although it is likely that separate genes and environmental factors also influence calcification at each site.
Inhaled methoxyflurane as a prehospital analgesic in children

Objective: Despite widespread use of methoxyflurane as an inhaled analgesic by ambulance services in Australia there are no published data as to its use pattern, efficacy and safety in the prehospital setting. We set out to characterize methoxyflurane use in children in the prehospital setting.
Sensorless vector control of PMSM with observer-based phase current reconstruction using only a DC-link current sensor

This paper presents a sensorless vector control algorithm for permanent magnet synchronous machines. This scheme uses a single current sensing resistor in the DC-Link in combination with a linear parameter varying (LPV) observer to reconstruct the phase currents of the motor. These reconstructed phase currents are used as input to a model reference adaptive system in order to estimate the angle and the speed of the motor. The DC-Link current sensor is consequently the only sensor in the whole system which can be used for motor control. The proposed control scheme is implemented on a 32-bit microcontroller. Experimental results of the real-time control of a fuel pump motor are presented.
A new code for automatic determination of equivalent widths: Automatic Routine for line Equivalent widths in stellar Spectra (ARES)

Aims. We present a new automatic code (ARES) for determining equivalent widths of the absorption lines present in stellar spectra. We also describe its use for determining fundamental spectroscopic stellar parameters. Methods. The code is written in C++ based on the standard method of determining EWs and is available for the community. The code automates the manual procedure that the users normally carry out when using interactive routines such as the splot routine implemented in IRAF. Results. We test the code using both simulated and real spectra with different levels of resolution and noise and comparing its measurements to the manual ones obtained in the standard way. The results shows a small systematic difference, always below 1.5 mA. This can be explained by errors in the manual measurements caused by subjective continuum determination. The code works better and faster than others tested before.
Cornerstones for an on-line community of education professionals

Mark Schlager Judith Fusco Patricia SchankSRI International333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025[schlager, schank, jfusco]@unix.sri. com http://www.tappedin. orgIn a prior issue of Technology and Society [1], McFarland argues that we shouldnot view the Internet as a superhighway, but rather as a gathering place, or
Angiotensin II, a Neuropeptide at the Frontier between Endocrinology and Neuroscience: Is There a Link between the Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor and Alzheimer’s Disease?

Amyloid-β peptide deposition, abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau, as well as inflammation and vascular damage, are associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a peripheral hormone, as well as a neuropeptide, which binds two major receptors, namely the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and the type 2 receptor (AT2R). Activation of the AT2R counteracts most of the AT1R-mediated actions, promoting vasodilation, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, both in the brain and in the cardiovascular system. There is evidence that treatment with AT1R blockers (ARBs) attenuates learning and memory deficits. Studies suggest that the therapeutic effects of ARBs may reflect this unopposed activation of the AT2R in addition to the inhibition of the AT1R. Within the context of AD, modulation of AT2R signaling could improve cognitive performance not only through its action on blood flow/brain microcirculation but also through more specific effects on neurons. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge and potential therapeutic relevance of central actions of this enigmatic receptor. In particular, we highlight the possibility that selective AT2R activation by non-peptide and highly selective agonists, acting on neuronal plasticity, could represent new pharmacological tools that may help improve impaired cognitive performance in AD and other neurological cognitive disorders.
Shift toward T helper 1 cytokines by type II collagen-reactive T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of type II collagen (CII)-reactive T cells on the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS T cell proliferative responses to bovine CII were examined in synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by mixed lymphocyte culture. CII-reactive T cell lines were generated from the SFMC and PBMC. Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the SF, sera, and culture supernatants of PBMC and SFMC that had been stimulated with CII. RESULTS The frequency of CII-reactive T cells was higher in the PBMC from RA patients than in that from osteoarthritis patients and healthy control subjects. In RA patients, CII-reactive T cells were more prevalent in SFMC than in PBMC. The mean level of IFNgamma and the ratio of IFNgamma to IL-4 were significantly higher in the culture supernatants of T cells stimulated with CII; these differences were more prominent in SFMC. Levels of IL-12 in the culture supernatants of SFMC and PBMC stimulated with CII were significantly higher than those in unstimulated supernatants. T cell responsiveness correlated well with the level of type 1 cytokines in culture supernatants from RA T cells stimulated with CII. In the CII-reactive cell lines, the increased production of IFNgamma was consistent with clonal expansion. CONCLUSION CII-reactive T cells are more abundant in SFMC than in PBMC and are strongly associated with a shift toward Thl cytokine in the inflamed joints of RA patients. Our results suggest that a skewing toward type 1 cytokines by CII-reactive T cells may play an important role in the chronic inflammatory process of RA.
The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function

The foot is a complex structure with many articulations and multiple degrees of freedom that play an important role in static posture and dynamic activities. The evolutionary development of the arch of the foot was coincident with the greater demands placed on the foot as humans began to run. The movement and stability of the arch is controlled by intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. However, the intrinsic muscles are largely ignored by clinicians and researchers. As such, these muscles are seldom addressed in rehabilitation programmes. Interventions for foot-related problems are more often directed at externally supporting the foot rather than training these muscles to function as they are designed. In this paper, we propose a novel paradigm for understanding the function of the foot. We begin with an overview of the evolution of the human foot with a focus on the development of the arch. This is followed by a description of the foot intrinsic muscles and their relationship to the extrinsic muscles. We draw the parallels between the small muscles of the trunk region that make up the lumbopelvic core and the intrinsic foot muscles, introducing the concept of the foot core. We then integrate the concept of the foot core into the assessment and treatment of the foot. Finally, we call for an increased awareness of the importance of the foot core stability to normal foot and lower extremity function.
Has U.S. Monetary Policy Changed? Evidence from Drifting Coefficients and Real-Time Data

Despite the large amount of empirical research on monetary policy rules, there is surprisingly little consensus on the nature or even the existence of changes in the conduct of U.S. monetary policy. Three issues appear central to this disagreement: (1) the specific type of changes in the policy coefficients, (2) the treatment of heteroskedasticity, and (3) the real-time nature of the data used. This paper addresses these issues in the context of forwardlooking Taylor rules with drifting coefficients. The estimation is based on real-time data and accounts for the presence of heteroskedasticity in the policy shock. The findings suggest important but gradual changes in the rule coefficients, not adequately captured by the usual split-sample estimation. In contrast to Orphanides (2002, 2003), I find that the Fed's response to the real-time forecast of inflation was weak in the second half of the 1970s, perhaps not satisfying Taylor's principle as suggested by Clarida, Galì, and Gertler (2000). However, the response to inflation was strong before 1973 and gradually regained strength from the early 1980s onward. Moreover, as in Orphanides (2003), the Fed's response to real activity fell substantially and lastingly during the 1970s.
Pipelets: Self-organizing software Pipelines for many-core architectures

We present the novel concept of Pipelets: self-organizing stages of software pipelines that monitor their computational demands and communication patterns and interact to optimize the performance of the application they belong to. They enable dynamic task remapping and exploit application-specific properties. Our experiments show that they improve performance by up to 31.2% compared to state-of-the-art when resource demands of applications alter at runtime as is the case for many complex applications.
L1TD1 Is a Marker for Undifferentiated Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Background Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) are stem cells capable of differentiating into cells representative of the three primary embryonic germ layers. There has been considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms regulating stem cell pluripotency, which will ultimately lead to development of more efficient methods to derive and culture hESC. In particular, Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog are transcription factors known to be important in maintenance of hESC. However, many of the downstream targets of these transcription factors are not well characterized. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether additional novel stem cell factors are involved in the establishment and maintenance of the stem cell state. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we show that a novel gene, L1TD1 (also known as FLJ10884 or ECAT11), is abundantly expressed in undifferentiated hESC. Differentiation of hESC via embryoid body (EB) formation or BMP4 treatment results in the rapid down-regulation of L1TD1 expression. Furthermore, populations of undifferentiated and differentiated hESC were sorted using the stem cell markers SSEA4 and TRA160. Our results show that L1TD1 is enriched in the SSEA4-positive or TRA160-positive population of hESC. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation we found enriched association of Nanog to the predicted promoter region of L1TD1. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nanog in hESC also resulted in downregulation of L1TD1 expression. Finally, using luciferase reporter assay we demonstrated that Nanog can activate the L1TD1 upstream promoter region. Altogether, these results provide evidence that L1TD1 is a downstream target of Nanog. Conclusion/Significance Taken together, our results suggest that L1TD1 is a downstream target of Nanog and represents a useful marker for identifying undifferentiated hESC.
The feasibility and benefits of using volumetric arc therapy in patients with brain metastases: a systematic review

Radiotherapy management of patients with brain metastases most commonly involve a whole‐brain radiation therapy (WBRT) regime, as well as newer techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The long treatment times incurred by these techniques indicates the need for a novel technique that has shorter treatment times, whilst still producing highly conformal treatment with the potential to deliver escalated doses to the target area. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a dynamic, highly conformal technique that may deliver high doses of radiation through a single gantry arc and reduce overall treatment times. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the feasibility and benefits of VMAT treatment in regard to overall survival rates and local control in patients with brain metastases, in comparison with patients treated with WBRT, SRS and IMRT.
Association between visit-to-visit clinic blood pressure variability and home blood pressure variability in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Although both clinic blood pressure (BP) variability and home BP variability are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, the relationship between both BP variabilities remain unclear. We evaluated the association between visit-to-visit variability of clinic BP (VVV) and day-by-day home BP variability (HBPV) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We recruited 143 CKD patients in whom we performed HBP measurements every morning and evening over seven consecutive days. We obtained clinic BP data during 9.6 ± 1.0 consecutive visits within 24 months. The associations between the variables of VVV and HPBV were examined. The CV values of clinic systolic BP (CSBP) was significantly correlated with the mean values of morning systolic BP (MSBP) and those of evening systolic BP (ESBP) (r = 0.23, 0.20; p = 0.007, 0.02, respectively). The CV values of CSBP was significantly correlated with the CV values of MSBP and those of ESBP (r = 0.19, 0.31; p = 0.02, <0.001, respectively). On the multivariate regression analysis, the CV values of CSBP was significantly correlated with the CV values of MSBP and those of ESBP [standardized regression coefficient (β) = 0.19, 0.34; p = 0.03, <0.001, respectively]. In conclusion, VVV showed a weak but significant association with HBPV, especially the CV values of ESBP in CKD patients. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether these different BPV elements will be alternative marker of BPV.