Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population regulation of a classical biological control agent larval density dependence in Neochetina eichhorniae Coleoptera Curculionidae, a biological control agent of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

Abstract The release of classical biological control agents has reduced the economic, environmental and social problems caused by water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes; however, additional control measures are needed in some locations. Water hyacinth plants were treated with different densities of eggs of the weevil Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, one of the main control agents, under different nutrient regimes in a controlled experiment. Plants were destructively sampled and the development of N. eichhorniae was assessed. The survival of first and second instars declined as larval density increased. Plant nutrient status did not directly affect the mortality rate of larvae, but at higher nutrient concentrations larvae developed faster and were larger at a given developmental stage. It is argued that the density dependence operating in N. eichhorniae occurs through an interaction between young larvae and leaf longevity. Consequently, events which disrupt water hyacinth leaf dynamics, e.g. frost or foliar herbicides, will have a disproportionately large effect on the control agents and may reduce the level of control of the host.
Relationship between chromosome replication and cell division in a thymineless mutant of Escherichia coli B/r

The relationship between chromosome replication and cell division was investigated in a thymineless mutant of Escherichia coli B/r. Examination of the changes in average cell mass and DNA content of exponential cultures resulting from changes in the thymine concentration in the growth medium suggested that as the replication time (C) is increased there is a decrease in the period between termination of a round of replication and the subsequent cell division (D). Observations on the pattern of DNA synthesis during the division cycle were consistent with this relationship. Nevertheless, the kinetics of transition of exponential cultures moving between steady states of growth with differing replication velocities provided evidence to support the view that the time of cell division is determined by termination of rounds of replication under steady-state conditions.
Pyrobaculum aerophilum sp. nov., a novel nitrate-reducing hyperthermophilic archaeum

A novel rod-shaped hyperthermophilic archaeum has been isolated from a boiling marine water hole at Maronti Beach, Ischia, Italy. It grew optimally at 100 degrees C and pH 7.0 by aerobic respiration as well as by dissimilatory nitrate reduction, forming dinitrogen as a final product. Organic and inorganic compounds served as substrates during aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Growth was inhibited by elemental sulfur. The cell wall was composed of a surface layer of hexameric protein complexes arranged on a p6 lattice. The core lipids consisted mainly of glycerol diphytanyl glycerol tetraethers with various degrees of cyclization. The G+C content was 52 mol%. The new isolate resembled members of the genera Thermoproteus and Pyrobaculum by its ability to form characteristic terminal spherical bodies ("golf clubs"). On the basis of its 16S rRNA sequence, the new isolate exhibited a close relationship to the genus Pyrobaculum. It is described as a new species, which we name Pyrobaculum aerophilum (type strain: IM2; DSM 7523).
RuO2 Nanowires and RuO2/TiO2 Core/Shell Nanowires: From Synthesis to Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, and Photoconductive Properties

Functional 1D metal oxides have attracted much attention because of their unique applications in electronic, optoelectronic, and spintronic devices. For semiconducting oxide nanowires (NWs) (e.g., ZnO, In2O3, and SnO2 NWs), field-effect transistors and light-emitting diodes have been demonstrated. Metallic oxide nanoscale materials, such as nanoscale RuO2, can be good candidates as interconnects in electronic applications. RuO2 nanomaterials have been produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and through chemical reaction. Recently, RuO2 NWs have been synthesized using pure Ru as metal target under different flux ratios of O2/Ar in a reactive sputtering system. [5]
Phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy in humans by spectroscopic imaging: Localized spectroscopy and metabolite imaging

In in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), spectroscopic imaging (SI) can be used as a flexible localization technique, producing spectra from multiple volumes in a single examination. Presented here are phosphorus SI studies of human organs in which a selective‐volume SI reconstruction was used rather than the usual array‐format SI reconstruction. A linear predictor technique was used to estimate the initial points of the free induction decay missing because of the delay needed for phase‐encoding gradients, significantly reducing the baseline artifacts which commonly complicate interpretation of SI spectra. In studies of heart, brain, liver, and kidney, the performance of SI was found to compare favorably with that of ISIS. SI phosphorus metabolite intensity images from a brain tumor patient were obtained at 2 X 2‐cm in‐plane resolution (with “slice” thickness of roughly 16 cm, determined by coil sensitivity) in 34 min, demonstrating the feasibility of obtaining clinically useful metabolite images in clinically reasonable examination times. © 1989 Academic Press, Inc.
Cascade of HIV care and population viral suppression in a high-burden region of Kenya

Introduction:Direct measurement of antiretroviral treatment (ART) program indicators essential for evidence-based planning and evaluation – especially HIV incidence, population viral load, and ART eligibility – is rare in sub-Saharan Africa. Design/methods:To measure key indicators in rural western Kenya, an area with high HIV burden, we conducted a population survey in September to November 2012 via multistage cluster sampling, recruiting everyone aged 15–59 years living in 3330 randomly selected households. Consenting individuals were interviewed and tested for HIV at home. Participants testing positive were assessed for CD4+ cell count and viral load, and their infections classified as either recent or long term based on Limiting Antigen Avidity assays. HIV-negative participants were tested by nucleic acid amplification to detect acute infections. Results:Of 6833 household members eligible for the study, 6076 (94.7% of all women and 81.0% of men) agreed to participate. HIV prevalence and incidence were 24.1% [95% confidence interval [CI] 23.0–25.2] and 1.9 new cases/100 person-years (95% CI 1.1–2.7), respectively. Among HIV-positive participants, 59.4% (95% CI 56.8–61.9) were previously diagnosed, 53.1% (95% CI 50.5–55.7) were receiving care, and 39.7% (95% CI 37.1–42.4) had viral load less than 1000 copies/ml. Applying 2013 WHO recommendations for ART initiation increased the proportion of ART-eligible people from 60.0% (based on national guidelines in place during the survey; 95% CI 57.3–62.7) to 82.0% (95% CI 79.5–84.5). Among HIV-positive people not receiving ART, viral load increased with decreasing CD4+ cell count (500–749 vs. ≥750 cells/&mgr;l, adjusted mean difference, 0.40 log10 copies/ml, 95% CI 0.20–0.60, P < 0.01). Conclusion:This study demonstrates how population-level data can help optimize HIV programs. Based on these results, new regional programs are prioritizing diagnosis and expanding ART eligibility, key steps to reach undetectable viral load.
strains and field isolates by nested polymerase chain reaction reference Haemophilus parasuis Detection of a bacteriophage gene encoding a Mu-like portal protein in

A nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay was developed to determine the presence of a gene encoding a bacteriophage Mu-like portal protein, gp29, in 15 reference strains and 31 field isolates of Haemophilus parasuis. Specific primers, based on the gene’s sequence, were utilized. A majority of the virulent reference strains and field isolates tested harbored the gene. The results suggest that the nPCR technique described in the current report could serve as a tool for epidemiological studies of H. parasuis.
Comparing Methods of Clinical Measurement: Reporting Standards for Bland and Altman Analysis

In this era of medical technology assessment and evidence-based medicine, evaluating new methods to measure physiologic variables is facilitated by standardization of reporting results. It has been proposed that assessing repeatability be followed by assessing agreement with an established technique. If the “limits of agreement” (mean bias ± 2SD) are not clinically important, then one could use two measurements interchangeably. Generalizability to larger populations is facilitated by reporting confidence intervals. We identified 44 studies that compared methods of clinical measurement published during 1996 to 1998 in seven anesthesia journals. Although 42 of 44 (95.4%) used the limits of agreement methodology for analysis, several inadequacies and inconsistencies in reporting the results were noted. Limits of agreement were defined a priori in 7.1%, repeatability was evaluated in 21.4%, and relationship (pattern) between difference and average was evaluated in 7.1%. Only one of the articles reported confidence intervals. A computer macro for the Minitab statistical package (State College, PA ) is described to facilitate reporting of Bland and Altman analysis with confidence intervals. We propose standardization of nomenclature in clinical measurement comparison studies. Implications: A literature review of anesthesia journals revealed several inadequacies and inconsistencies in statistical reports of results of comparison studies with regard to interchangeability of measurement methods. We encourage journal editors to evaluate submissions on this subject carefully to ensure that their readers can draw valid conclusions about the value of new technologies.
BLIND SEPARATION OF CONVOLUTIVE AUDIO MIXTURES USING NONSTATIONARITY

We consider the blind separation of convolutive mixtures based on the joint diagonalization of time varying spectral matrices of the observation records. The goal is to separate audio mixtures in which the mixing filter has quite long impulse responses and the signals are highly non stationary. We rely on the continuity of the frequency response of the filter to eliminate the permutation ambiguity. Simulations show that our method works well when there is no strong echos in the mixing filter. But if it is not the case, the permutation ambiguity cannot be sufficiently removed.
Live paint: painting with procedural multiscale textures

We present actively procedural multiresolution paint textures. Texture elements may be linearly combined to create complex composite textures that continue to refine themselves when viewed at successively greater magnification. Actively procedural textures constitute a powerful drawing tool that can be used in a multiresolution paint system. They provide a mechanism to generate an infinite amount of detail with a simple and compact representation. We give several examples of procedural textures and show how to create different painting effects with them.
Differences in corneal phenotypes between destrin mutants are due to allelic difference and modified by genetic background

Purpose Mutations in destrin (Dstn) cause corneal abnormalities in mice. A null mutation, Dstncorn1, results in corneal epithelial hyperproliferation, inflammation, and neovascularization in the A.BY background (A.BY Dstncorn1). Homozygosity for a point mutation, Dstncorn1–2J, results in mild thickening of the corneal epithelium but no corneal neovascularization in a C57BL/6 (B6) background (B6 Dstncorn1–2J). The goal of this study was to determine whether phenotypic differences are due to allelic differences between Dstncorn1 and Dstncorn1–2J, or are the result of genetic background effects. Methods We generated two congenic (Cg) mouse lines, B6.Cg-Dstncorn1 and A.BY. Cg-Dstncorn1–2J, to compare to the original A.BY Dstncorn1 and B6 Dstncorn1–2J lines. We performed immunohistochemistry to assay F-actin accumulation, neovascularization, proliferation, and inflammation. By western blot analysis we tested the expression of serum response factor (SRF), a known regulator of the Dstncorn1 phenotype. Results The Dstncorn1 mutation leads to neovascularization, hyperproliferation, and inflammation in the cornea of A.BY Dstncorn1 as well as B6.Cg-Dstncorn1 mice. We did not observe significant corneal neovascularization or hyperproliferation in either A.BY. Cg-Dstncorn1–2J or B6 Dstncorn1–2J mice. Actin accumulation, neovascularization, epithelial proliferation and inflammation in B6.Cg-Dstncorn1 cornea are significantly reduced when compared to A.BY Dstncorn1cornea. SRF changes are consistent in Dstncorn1 mutants, regardless of genetic background. Conclusions Differences in the abnormal phenotypes of Dstn mutants result from allelic differences between Dstncorn1 and Dstncorn1–2J . Moreover, phenotypes of Dstncorn1 mice are modified by genetic background, suggesting the existence of genetic modifiers. Protein analysis suggests that a genetic modifier affects phenotypic severity functionally downstream from or in a pathway independent from SRF. These data demonstrate that natural genetic variation affects phenotypic severity in Dstncorn1 mice.
Significant increase in plasma 4β-hydroxycholesterol concentration in patients after kidney transplantation

Several previous studies have shown that renal failure decreases not only renal elimination but also metabolic clearance of drugs, particularly those metabolized by CYP3A. However, whether recovery of renal function results in recovery of hepatic CYP3A activity remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of renal function on CYP3A activity after kidney transplantation in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by measuring the change in CYP3A activity using plasma concentration of 4β-hydroxycholesterol as a biomarker. The study enrolled 13 patients with ESRD who underwent the first kidney allograft transplantation. Morning blood samples were collected before and 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after kidney transplantation. Plasma concentration of 4β-hydroxycholesterol was measured using GC-MS. Compared with before kidney transplantation, creatinine clearance increased significantly from day 3 after kidney transplantation and stabilized thereafter. Plasma concentration of 4β-hydroxycholesterol was elevated significantly on days 90 and 180 after kidney transplantation. In conclusion, this study suggests the recovery of CYP3A activity with improvement in renal function after kidney transplantation in patients with ESRD.
Impaired Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Specific Effector CD8+ T Cells Undergo Massive Apoptosis in the Peripheral Blood during Acute HCV Infection and in the Liver during the Chronic Phase of Infection

ABSTRACT A majority of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) do not sustain an effective T-cell response, and viremia persists. The mechanism leading to failure of the HCV-specific CD8+ T-cell response in patients developing chronic infection is unclear. We investigated apoptosis susceptibility of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells during the acute and chronic stages of infection. Although HCV-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood during the acute phase of infection and in the liver during the chronic phase were highly activated and expressed an effector phenotype, the majority was undergoing apoptosis. In contrast, peripheral blood HCV-specific CD8+ T cells during the chronic phase expressed a resting memory phenotype. Apoptosis susceptibility of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells was associated with very high levels of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and low CD127 expression and with significant functional T-cell deficits. Further evaluation of the “death phase” of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells during acute HCV infection showed that the majority of cells were dying by a process of cytokine withdrawal, mediated by activated caspase 9. Contraction during the acute phase occurred rapidly via this process despite the persistence of the virus. Remarkably, in the chronic phase of HCV infection, at the site of infection in the liver, a substantial frequency of caspase 9-mediated T-cell death was also present. This study highlights the importance of cytokine deprivation-mediated apoptosis with consequent down-modulation of the immune response to HCV during acute and chronic infections.
Pricing Two Trees when Mildew Infests the Orchard : How Does Contagion Affect General Equilibrium Asset Prices ?

This paper analyzes the equilibrium pricing implications of contagion risk in a twotree Lucas economy with CRRA preferences. The dividends of both trees are subject to downward jumps. Some of these jumps are contagious and increase the risk of subsequent jumps in both trees for some time interval. We show that contagion risk leads to large price-dividend ratios for small assets, a joint movement of prices in the case of a regime change from the calm to the contagion state, significantly positive correlations between assets, and large positive betas for small assets. Whereas disparities between the assets with respect to their propensity to trigger contagion barely matter for pricing, the prices of robust assets that are hardly affected by contagion and excitable assets that are severely hit by contagion differ significantly. Both in absolute terms and relatively to the market, the price of a small safe haven increases if the economy reaches the contagion state. On the contrary, the price of a small, contagion-sensitive asset exhibits a pronounced downward jump.
Profiling of Channel-Hot-Carrier Stress-Induced Trap Distributions Along Channel and Gate Dielectric in High-$k$ Gated MOSFETs by a Modified Charge Pumping Technique

To better understand the channel-hot-carrier (CHC)-induced reliability problems, a modified charge-pumping (CP) technique is proposed to characterize the distribution profiles of trap generation in MOSFETs with high- k gate-stack. The effects of gate leakage current on CP measurements were minimized to ensure the correct CP data. While applying dynamic drain bias, the gate-induced drain leakage current is also considered to get correct CP data. Through the CP with dynamic drain bias and various gate pulse frequencies, the profiling of CHC stress-induced interface- and border-traps can be achieved. The CHC stress-induced interface trap generation appears along whole the channel but that-induced border trap generation is mainly located above the pinchoff region near the drain and decreases dramatically toward the center of the channel. Thus, the CHC stress causes quite localized border trap generation at the gate-edge region inside the high- k dielectric. The reliability data measured by CP with different gate voltage swings confirm that CHC stress causes interface trap generation through whole the channel and significant border trap generation at gate-edge region.
Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Retrospective Clinical and Molecular Study in the East of Anatolia Region of Turkey

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory periodic disorder. We aim to identify the distribution and the frequency of the Mediterranean Fever (MEFV) gene mutations in the east of Anatolia in Turkey and perform a genotype/phenotype correlation in the patients’ cohort. The study was carried out on 415 clinically diagnosed Turkish FMF patients and 103 healthy controls. The tested individuals were screened for the most common twelve MEFV mutations. The most important features were the predominance of the M694V and E148Q mutations in patient group and the earlier of onset of the disease in M694V mutation carriers compared with the carriers of other mutations (P=0.00). We discuss the high frequency of E148Q mutations in patient group compared with controls, genetic counseling in intermarriage families and the variations in mutation frequency according to regions of Turkey.
Relationship between microstructure and cold deformation behavior of aluminum alloys using thermodynamic modeling method

________________________________________________________________________________ The current work emphasizes establishment of relationship between microstructure and cold deformation behavior of aluminum-copper -magnesium alloys. Aluminum-coppermagnesium alloys with varying Cu% and Mg% were casted and undergone cold deformation after homogenization, and their microstructures were examined using optical microscope. Using CALPHAD method, phases developed for different levels of Cu and Mg were modeled in JMatPro software package. It has been found that the prediction performed in equilibrium condition matches closely to phase fraction simulation. It can predict several extra phases in comparison to the equilibrium simulation. Image analysis by ImageJ also confirms this finding experimentally. Finally, the effects of deformation were studied by measuring the hardness of those alloys. From this study it was possible to predict the weight fractions of phases formed during solidification and homogenization using CALPHAD modeling. EDX results confirmed the formation of Al2Cu phase (white phase) and Al 7Cu2M and Mg2Si phases (black phases) as modeled in CALPHAD. With increasing amount of copper and magnesium in the binary aluminum-copper alloy system, fraction of Al 2Cu, Al7Cu2M, Al2CuMg and Mg2Si phases increased which increased hardness values. However, those additions lowered liquidus and solidus temperatures of alloys as investigated from DTA and modeling. The phase fractions of different alloys obtained from CALPHAD were verified using image analysis techniques. Image analysis data showed a convincing conformation of phases that formed during solidification and through solid state diffusion. Homogenization and solution treatment had a negative effect on the hardness values of investigated aluminum alloys due to dissolution of Al 2Cu and Mg2Si phases in to the aluminum matrix. On the other hand, deformation increased the number of dislocations by interactions of dislocation during deformation and other defects, which caused an enhancement of hardness values. Deformation also causes microstructural changes by
Antigenic Relationship of the Gram-negative Organism Causing Canine Abortion to Smooth and Rough Brucellae

The use of whole-cell antigens in agglutination and agglutinin-absorption tests showed that the organism causing abortion in dogs is similar to rough Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, and B. ovis, but different from smooth Brucella cultures. Water-soluble antigens obtained by ultrasonic treatment and examined by immuno-electrophoresis and gel diffusion show extensive cross-reactions within the genus Brucella, but little or no cross-reaction with similar antigens from other gram-negative genera in the family Brucellaceae. The dog organism showed near identity with rough and smooth Brucella cultures on the basis of immuno-gel diffusion tests with water-soluble antigens, but it lacked the lipopolysaccharide-endotoxin associated with the agglutinogen of smooth brucellae. These findings support the proposal of Carmichael and Bruner for the designation of a new species, “Brucella canis. ”
Improvement in symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea in children following tonsillectomy versus tonsillotomy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Tonsillotomy (or intracapsular tonsillectomy) is a modern technique which is seen by some as potentially superior to traditional (extracapsular) tonsillectomy for the removal of tonsillar tissue to treat obstructive sleep apnoea in children. It has been suggested that peri‐operative pain and haemorrhage and postoperative haemorrhage are reduced with the tonsillotomy technique. However, no systematic reviews have been carried out to assess its efficacy in treating obstructive sleep apnoea compared to tonsillectomy.