Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VanA-Type Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Since 2002, nine methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains that are also resistant to vancomycin (VRSA) have been reported in the United States, including seven clinical isolates from Michigan. The strains harbor a plasmid-borne Tn1546 element following conjugation from a glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus strain. In the second step, Tn1546 transposed to a resident plasmid in five strains; the acquired plasmid behaved as a suicide gene delivery vector, and the incoming DNA had been rescued by illegitimate recombination. Surprisingly, combination of a glycopeptide with a β-lactam has a strong synergistic effect against VRSA, both in vitro and in an animal model, despite resistance of the strains to both drug classes when administered separately. This results from the fact that the late peptidoglycan precursors ending in d-alanine-d-lactate (d-Ala-d-Lac) that are mainly synthesized in the presence of glycopeptide inducers are not substrates for PBP2′, which is the only transpeptidase that remains active in the presence of oxacillin. One VRSA strain is partially dependent on vancomycin for growth due to a mutation in the host d-Ala:d-Ala ligase, thus having to rely on the inducible resistance pathway for cell wall synthesis. Competition growth experiments in the absence of inducer between the MRSA recipient and isogenic VRSA transconjugant revealed a disadvantage for the transconjugant, accounting, in part, for the low level of dissemination of the VRSA clinical isolates. The association of multiple molecular and environmental factors has been implicated in the regional emergence of VRSA in Michigan.
Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Management Professional Development Needs of Wyoming Secondary Agriculture Teachers.

Accidents happen; however, the likelihood of accidents occurring in the agricultural mechanics laboratory is greatly reduced when agricultural mechanics laboratory facilities are managed by secondary agriculture teachers who are competent and knowledgeable. This study investigated the agricultural mechanics laboratory management in-service needs of Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers who are responsible for managing agricultural mechanics laboratories. Data were collected with a Web-based questionnaire designed to determine teachers’ perceptions of the importance of 70 selected agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and their self-assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) needs assessment model was used to assess and evaluate the in-service needs of the teachers. This study found that Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers were in need of agricultural mechanics laboratory management in-service education in the areas of: first aid, correcting hazardous laboratory conditions, and general laboratory safety. Wyoming teacher educators, state agricultural education supervisory personnel, and local professional development coordinators should provide pertinent and continuous in-service education for Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers in the area of agricultural mechanics laboratory management through technical workshops, summer professional development conferences, and university instructed agricultural mechanics courses.
The Origin of the Attine Ant-Fungus Mutualism

Cultivation of fungus for food originated about 45-65 million years ago in the ancestor of fungus-growing ants (Formicidae, tribe Attini), representing an evolutionary transition from the life of a hunter-gatherer of arthropod prey, nectar, and other plant juices, to the life of a farmer subsisting on cultivated fungi. Seven hypotheses have been suggested for the origin of attine fungiculture, each differing with respect to the substrate used by the ancestral attine ants for fungal cultivation. Phylogenetic information on the cultivated fungi, in conjunction with information on the nesting biology of extant attine ants and their presumed closest relatives, reveal that the attine ancestors probably did not encounter their cultivars-to-be in seed stores (von Ihering 1894), in rotting wood (Forel 1902), as mycorrhizae (Garling 1979), on arthropod corpses (von Ihering 1894) or ant faeces in nest middens (Wheeler 1907). Rather, the attine ant-fungus mutualism probably arose from adventitious interactions with fungi that grew on walls of nests built in leaf litter (Emery 1899), or from a system of fungal myrmecochory in which specialized fungi relied on ants for dispersal (Bailey 1920) and in which the ants fortuitously vectored these fungi from parent to offspring nests prior to a true fungicultural stage.
Estimation of a Nonlinear Taylor Rule Using Real-Time U.S. Data

Abstract This paper extends the work in Orphanides (2003) by re-examining the empirical evidence for a Taylor rule in a nonlinear framework. In doing so, it updates the Greenbook dataset used by the afore mentioned author to the most recent available period. A three-regime threshold regression model is utilized to capture the possibly asymmetric policy reaction function used by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The theoretical foundations for such an approach to monetary policy are discussed in Orphanides and Wilcox (2002). Our results indicate that the estimated Taylor rule for the U.S., based on real-time Greenbook data for the period 1982:3-2003:4, is probably nonlinear.
Effects of magnesium sulfate infusion upon clotting parameters in patients with pre-eclampsia

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved in prolongation of bleeding time in pre-eclamptic patients receiving a magnesium sulfate infusion to prevent convulsions. Eighteen pre-eclamptic patients near term or at term (4 cases 33 to 35 weeks; the remainder > 36 weeks) were studied. Fifteen of them received magnesium sulfate infusion; 3 did not and served as controls. Bleeding time (modified Ivy method with Surgicutt), platelet count, platelet aggregation pattern, as well as serum arachidonic acid metabolites [thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-Keto-PGF1 alpha)] werde done on admission to the labor floor (before magnesium infusion) and repeated at discontinuation of the infusion, 12-24 hours postpartum; the controls received the second test 24 hours postpartum. Thirteen of 15 patients receiving magnesium sulfate had an increase in bleeding time from an average of 6 minutes 31 seconds to 11 minutes 56 seconds, an 82% rise (p < 0.004). In 2 there was a decrease. Among the 3 controls the averages were 6 minutes 38 seconds and 6 minutes 3 seconds. The total magnesium given ranged from 52.5 to 145 grams. Platelet counts averaged 251,000/mm3 (range 145,000-519,000). Platelet aggregation pattern done in 11 patients and was normal and unchanged after magnesium in 10 of the patients with increased bleeding time and one control. TxB2 and 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha levels did not change significantly either after magnesium administration (688 and 135 pgm/ml, to 654 and 117) or in controls (695 and 230 pgm/ml, to 445 and 225). Likewise, the ratio of these 2 substances did not change in either group (6.3 to 6.6, and 4.2 to 2.2). There was no correlation between duration of infusion or total magnesium given and directions of small changes observed. This study confirms a prior preliminary observation that magnesium sulfate infusion, as currently used to prevent eclamptic convulsions, induces a significant prolongation of bleeding time. This effect is mediated neither by changes in platelets count or aggregation pattern, nor by changing the level or ratios of serum arachidonic acid metabolites (TxB2 and 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha). Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of this clinically important observation of increased bleeding following magnesium sulfate infusion.
Epicutaneous Immunotherapy Results in Rapid Allergen Uptake by Dendritic Cells through Intact Skin and Downregulates the Allergen-Specific Response in Sensitized Mice

Epicutaneous immunotherapy onto intact skin has proved to be an efficient and safe alternative treatment of allergy in an animal model with various allergens and in children for cow’s milk allergy. The aim of this study was to analyze the different steps of the immunological handling of the allergen when deposited on intact skin using an epicutaneous delivery system and its immune consequences in sensitized BALB/c mice. As expected, when applied on intact skin, OVA exhibits neither a passive passage through the skin nor any detectable systemic delivery. The current study demonstrates that, after a prolonged application on intact skin, OVA is taken up by dendritic cells in the superficial layers of the stratum corneum and transported, after internalization, to the draining lymph nodes, with variations according to the previous level of sensitization of the mice. When OVA is applied with the epicutaneous delivery system repeatedly, specific local and systemic responses are down-modulated in association with the induction of regulatory T cells. Besides providing new insights into skin function in the presence of allergens, this study indicates that the skin might have a tolerogenic role, at least when kept intact.
Does realized volatility provide additional information

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether realized volatility can provide additional information on the volatility process to the GARCH and EGARCH model, based on the data of Chinese stock market. Design/methodology/approach - – The realized volatility is defined as the squared overnight return plus the close to open squared return of the period between the morning and afternoon session, to plus the sum of the squared f-minute returns between the trading hours during the relevant trading day. The methodology is a GARCH (EGARCH) model with added explanation variables in the variance equation. The estimation methodology is exact maximum likelihood estimation, using the BHHH algorithms for optimization. Findings - – There are some stocks for which realized volatility measures add information in the volatility process, but there are still quite a number of stocks for which they do not contain any additional information. The 30 minutes realized volatility measures outperform measures constructed on other time intervals. The firm size, turnover rate, and amplitude also partially explain the difference in realized volatility ' - s explanatory power across firms. Research limitations/implications - – When analyzing the factors determining the role of realized volatility, as the difficulty of getting the data, ownership structure and ultimately ownerships are not taken into account, except for the turnover ratio, amplitude and size. Originality/value - – This study extends firstly this line of inquiry of realized volatility into the emerging Chinese stock market. Due to the unique institutional setting in China, the results of this study have played an important role on pricing warrant for domestic investors in the Chinese market.
Tundra shrubification and tree-line advance amplify arctic climate warming: results from an individual-based dynamic vegetation model

One major challenge to the improvement of regional climate scenarios for the northern high latitudes is to understand land surface feedbacks associated with vegetation shifts and ecosystem biogeochemical cycling. We employed a customized, Arctic version of the individual-based dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS to simulate the dynamics of upland and wetland ecosystems under a regional climate model–downscaled future climate projection for the Arctic and Subarctic. The simulated vegetation distribution (1961–1990) agreed well with a composite map of actual arctic vegetation. In the future (2051–2080), a poleward advance of the forest–tundra boundary, an expansion of tall shrub tundra, and a dominance shift from deciduous to evergreen boreal conifer forest over northern Eurasia were simulated. Ecosystems continued to sink carbon for the next few decades, although the size of these sinks diminished by the late 21st century. Hot spots of increased CH4 emission were identified in the peatlands near Hudson Bay and western Siberia. In terms of their net impact on regional climate forcing, positive feedbacks associated with the negative effects of tree-line, shrub cover and forest phenology changes on snow-season albedo, as well as the larger sources of CH4, may potentially dominate over negative feedbacks due to increased carbon sequestration and increased latent heat flux.
BDNF/trkB Induction of Calcium Transients through Cav2.2 Calcium Channels in Motoneurons Corresponds to F-actin Assembly and Growth Cone Formation on β2-Chain Laminin (221)

Spontaneous Ca2+ transients and actin dynamics in primary motoneurons correspond to cellular differentiation such as axon elongation and growth cone formation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor trkB support both motoneuron survival and synaptic differentiation. However, in motoneurons effects of BDNF/trkB signaling on spontaneous Ca2+ influx and actin dynamics at axonal growth cones are not fully unraveled. In our study we addressed the question how neurotrophic factor signaling corresponds to cell autonomous excitability and growth cone formation. Primary motoneurons from mouse embryos were cultured on the synapse specific, β2-chain containing laminin isoform (221) regulating axon elongation through spontaneous Ca2+ transients that are in turn induced by enhanced clustering of N-type specific voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav2.2) in axonal growth cones. TrkB-deficient (trkBTK−/−) mouse motoneurons which express no full-length trkB receptor and wildtype motoneurons cultured without BDNF exhibited reduced spontaneous Ca2+ transients that corresponded to altered axon elongation and defects in growth cone morphology which was accompanied by changes in the local actin cytoskeleton. Vice versa, the acute application of BDNF resulted in the induction of spontaneous Ca2+ transients and Cav2.2 clustering in motor growth cones, as well as the activation of trkB downstream signaling cascades which promoted the stabilization of β-actin via the LIM kinase pathway and phosphorylation of profilin at Tyr129. Finally, we identified a mutual regulation of neuronal excitability and actin dynamics in axonal growth cones of embryonic motoneurons cultured on laminin-221/211. Impaired excitability resulted in dysregulated axon extension and local actin cytoskeleton, whereas upon β-actin knockdown Cav2.2 clustering was affected. We conclude from our data that in embryonic motoneurons BDNF/trkB signaling contributes to axon elongation and growth cone formation through changes in the local actin cytoskeleton accompanied by increased Cav2.2 clustering and local calcium transients. These findings may help to explore cellular mechanisms which might be dysregulated during maturation of embryonic motoneurons leading to motoneuron disease.
Trinity College Digital Repository Trinity

: This paper is based on the premise that at any point in time, macroeconomic performance is best understood in terms of certain ‘fundamental’ features of the income-generating process that are embedded in a relatively enduring institutional framework, that both affects and is affected by macroeconomic outcomes themselves. This results in the evolution of capitalist economies through a succession of discrete, medium-term episodes of macroeconomic performance. The purpose of the paper is to apply this vision to the explanation of inﬂation and the functional distribution of income in the post-war US economy. A conﬂicting claims model of inﬂation is developed, in which inﬂation is the result of conﬂict over the functional distribution of income. It is then shown how an account of the different, relatively enduring institutions within which this ‘fundamental’ macroeconomic process has been embedded over the past 50 years can be used to calibrate the analytical model, giving rise to an explanation of inﬂation and the functional distribution of income in the US as having evolved through three discrete episodes. Moreover, once the institutional context of macroeconomic performance is properly recognized in this manner, inﬂation and the functional distribution of income in the US over the past 50 years are seen to be explained by the rise, decline, and rise of successive incomes policies.
Federal Reserve policy and the recession of 1937-1938: let's not ignore Telser's analysis

Despite compelling arguments by Lester Telser, the myth continues that the recession of 1937-38 was caused by the Federal Reserve's three increases in reserve requirements from 1936 to 1937. Telser argued that banks were able to significantly increase lending prior to the recession by using asset substitution—namely, switching from government securities to loans. This analysis reinforces Telser's position by comparing the behavior of member banks, which were subject to reserve requirement increases, to the behavior of nonmember banks, which were not constrained by such increases.
Use of ADMS™ during sedation for dental treatment of an intellectually disabled patient: a case report

Dental treatment is often performed under general anesthesia or sedation when an intellectually disabled patient has a heightened fear of treatment or has difficulty cooperating. When it is impossible to control the patient due to the severity of intellectual disability, conscious sedation is not a viable option, and only deep sedation should be performed. Deep sedation is usually achieved by propofol infusion using the target controlled infusion (TCI) system, with deep sedation being achieved at a slightly lower concentration of propofol in disabled patients. In such cases, anesthesia depth monitoring using EEG, as with a Bispectral Index (BIS) monitor, can enable dental treatment under appropriate sedation depth. In the present case, we performed deep sedation for dental treatment on a 27-year-old female patient with mental retardation and severe dental phobia. During sedation, we used BIS and a newly developed Anesthetic Depth Monitor for Sedation (ADMS™), in addition to electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, blood pressure monitoring, and capnometry for patient safety. Oxygen was administered via nasal prong to prevent hypoxemia during sedation. The BIS and ADMS™ values were maintained at approximately 70, and dental treatment was successfully performed in approximately 30 min.
The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form: typical IQ version

The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF) has been used in several large studies of risperidone in children with low IQs (36–84) and disruptive behavior disorders (conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder). We wanted to develop a companion instrument for assessing ‘typically developing’ children and adolescents. In this study, we modified the NCBRF and obtained parent ratings on 485 typically developing children attending regular classes. We also obtained parent ratings on 46 children with conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. Factor analyses of the ratings produced a single Positive Social subscale (10 items) and six Problem Behavior subscales (54 items): (i) Conduct Problems, (ii) Oppositional, (iii) Hyperactive, (iv) Inattentive, (v) Withdrawn/Dysphoric, and (vi) Overly Sensitive. Comparison of the school and disruptive behavior disorder groups showed large and significant differences, providing evidence of criterion validity for the Conduct Problem and Oppositional subscales, and on a Disruptive Total composite. Analysis for age and sex effects showed no main effects and no interaction of age and sex. Norms were presented. The factor structure of problem behavior tends to differ in significant ways between typically developing children and children having developmental disabilities. Like its predecessor, the NCBRF-TIQ (for typical IQ) is in the public domain and is available free to researchers and clinicians for assessment and treatment.
Time Trends in Risk and Risk Determinants of Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Organ transplantation increases risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but long‐term risk and time trends have seldom been evaluated. Immunosuppressive drug load is an important risk determinant, but the details are unclear. We studied NHL risk in a nationwide Swedish cohort of 11 081 graft recipients transplanted 1970–2008. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated within the cohort and versus the general population by age, sex, follow‐up time and calendar period. NHL risk was also assessed by cumulative and average doses of immunosuppressive treatments in a nested case‐control design throughout 1997 using conditional logistic regression. We observed 153 NHL cases during 97 853 years of follow‐up. Compared with the general population, NHL risk was eightfold increased (RR 7.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.6–9.4), and increased risks persisted after ≥15 years of follow‐up among kidney (6.1; 95% CI 3.5–10) and nonkidney recipients (44; 14–103). Among nonkidney recipients, NHL risk was lower in the 2000s compared with the 1990s (0.5; 95% CI 0.3–1.0; p = 0.04). A high average dose of antithymocyte immunoglobulin (ATG) conferred an eightfold increased risk of NHL (OR 8.5; 95% CI 1.9–38). To conclude, posttransplant NHL risk decreased during the last decade among nonkidney recipients, possibly because of a more careful use of ATG, the introduction of new drugs, or both.
The New Philadelphia Story: The Effects of Severe Punishment for Drunk Driving*

This report documents the experience of a community - New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio - in which a concerned judge, Edward Emmett O'Farrell, attempted to apply the approach to drunk driving that views it as a criminal justice problem, best addressed with tough laws. Judge O'Farrell's most visible innovation in the matter of drunk driving was adoption of a sentencing policy providing for jail terms, initially of 10 days and subsequently of 15 days, for first offenders. These were accompanied by heavy fines and by driver license restrictions backed up with the issuance of special plates identifying the restricted driver's vehicle to both the police and the public. Plea bargaining was rejected in his court for all offenses, including drunk driving. This study of the impact of Judge O'Farrell's policies is based on visits to Ohio in the spring of 1988, at which time the policies had been in effect for 6 years. It is based on interviews, analyses of documents, and on a survey of drivers in New Philadelphia and in Cambridge, a city 40 miles to the south, where a high-quality but more conventional court system prevailed. Briefly summarized, it was found that the policies appeared to have been consistently applied by Judge O'Farrell. Their implementation encountered two severe problems, one of which seems to have been resolved. In the beginning, the policies led to a nearly overwhelming increase in demands for jury trials. This load was reduced by a 1983 change to an "illegal per se" state law, diminishing the prospects of a successful defense in cases where alcohol breath test evidence was available. The other problem arose in 1985, when facilities at the Tuscarawas County jail were greatly reduced as a consequence of a lawsuit. Although efforts were made by the court to manage the problem, limited jail space remains an important constraint on the O'Farrell policies. Results of a driver survey in both cities indicated that drivers in New Philadelphia were aware of more severe sanctions in the event of conviction, corresponding to reality. However, the surveys failed to show less drinking and driving in New Philadelphia.