Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Factors Affecting Survival of Escherichia coli in Sea Water

The bactericidal action of sea water was measured as the difference in survival of cells of Escherichia coli in untreated and autoclaved portions of water samples. The beneficial effect of sterilization by heat on the survival of E. coli in sea water varied with season and was most marked during summer months, however, the magnitude of the effect differed greatly from sample to sample. The more obvious and commonly suggested explanations for the bactericidal action of sea water were tested experimentally. The pH and salinity of sea water were changed by autoclaving, but the direction of the former was detrimental rather than beneficial and the significance of the latter was not clarified. The survival of cells of E. coli in filtered portions of some water samples was greater than that in untreated portions and equal to that in autoclaved portions, indicating that predators and competitors removed by filtration had contributed significantly to the rapid death of the bacterium in the untreated water. However, in the majority of samples tested, survival of E. coli in autoclaved water was considerably greater than survival in filtered water. The possibility that the beneficial effect of autoclaving over and above that of filtration resulted from inactivation or destruction by heat of bacteriophages and thermolabile toxic substances such as antibiotics was considered. Moreover, the suggestion was tested that the increased survival of E. coli in autoclaved sea water was due to the ability of heat to disrupt and degrade microbial cells and thermolabile compounds and, thereby, to cause an increase in concentration of available nutrients in sea water. It was concluded that the bactericidal action of sea water is not explicable in terms of the destruction or inactivation by heat of bacteriophages or antibiotics. Although added organic matter influenced the survival of E. coli, the test organism was not an effective competitor in sea water and the nutrient levels required to offset the bactericidal action were excessive. Artificial sea water was demonstrated to exert a bactericidal action comparable to that of natural sea water. Low levels of cysteine which favor survival of E. coli in natural sea water had a similar effect in artificial sea water. Nevertheless, it is not at this time possible to conclude that the factors responsible for the bactericidal action of artificial sea water are identical with those responsible in natural sea water.
Time lag to diagnosis of stroke in children.

OBJECTIVE Strokes occur rarely in children, and the causes are different from those in adults. Frequently, more than 1 cause is found. The consequences are lifelong significant disability in a majority of cases. Children who are younger than 18 years have not been included in therapeutic trials of thrombolytic or neuroprotective agents. We evaluated whether children who receive a diagnosis of stroke meet a major inclusion criterion for such trials, namely time to diagnosis of <3 to 6 hours. METHODS Prospective documentation and retrospective chart review was conducted of children who were 0 to 18 years and carried a diagnosis of stroke during the last 2 years in the hospital database, including children who presented with either ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. RESULTS Forty-seven events were encountered in 41 children. Twelve neonates with stroke, diagnosed in the neonatal period, were excluded from the subsequent analysis. In the remaining 29 children, the mean age at presentation was 8.67 years. Accurate time records were available in 24 children. In this group, 28 events were recorded. Time from clinical onset to first medical contact averaged 28.5 hours, and the time to diagnosis of stroke averaged 35.7 hours. We subsequently separated between children with ischemic (21 documented events) and hemorrhagic strokes (7 documented events), because the presentation and the intervention options are different. CONCLUSIONS Stroke in children is rarely diagnosed in the time frame of 3 to 6 hours. Given the causes and outcome of stroke in children, this age group might benefit from thrombolysis and from neuroprotective therapy, yet the long delay in diagnosis in this age group excludes most cases from being considered for such treatments. This situation should encourage attempts to increase public and professional awareness of stroke in children and of the potential value of early diagnosis and treatment, preferably by broadening current educational efforts to all age groups.
Right‐to‐left shunts as a cause of juxtacortical spots in patients with migraine

Backgrounds: Juxtacortical spots on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images can be frequently detected in patients with migraine. However, the origins of the cerebral lesions (including juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images) found in the previous studies are not known. We sought to investigate the association between juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images and right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) in migraine patients.
A Wavelet Frame Method with Shape Prior for Ultrasound Video Segmentation

Ultrasound video segmentation is a challenging task due to low contrast, shadow effects, complex noise statistics, and the need for high precision and efficiency in real time applications such as operation navigation and therapy planning. In this paper, we propose a wavelet frame based video segmentation framework incorporating different noise statistics and sequential distance shape priors. The proposed individual frame nonconvex segmentation model is solved by a proximal alternating minimization algorithm, and the convergence of the scheme is established based on the recently proposed Kurdyka--Łojasiewicz property. The performance of the overall method is demonstrated through numerical results on two real ultrasound video data sets. The proposed method is shown to achieve better results compared to the related level sets models and edge indicator shape priors, in terms of both segmentation quality and computational time.
Caracterización de trigos harineros mediante parámetros de calidad física y fisiológica de la semilla

Los problemas con el establecimiento en las siembras de trigo en temporal estan relacionados con la calidad de la semilla. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la calidad fisica y fisiologica de la semilla de trigos harineros. Los trabajos se realizaron en 2003, en el Laboratorio de Analisis de Semillas y en el invernadero del Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Se utilizaron 10 variedades de trigo de buen vigor y calidad industrial, a las que se les determino el tamano de semilla, peso hectolitrico y peso de mil semillas. Se realizaron tres pruebas de calidad fisiologica, dos en laboratorio (germinacion estandar y longitud de coleoptilo), y una en cama de arena en invernadero, donde se midio la respuesta a tres profundidades de siembra (3, 6 y 9 cm) a traves de velocidad de emergencia, longitud de coleoptilo y de plantula, y peso seco de plantula. Los datos se analizaron con disenos de bloques al azar y los de invernadero con arreglo de parcelas subdivididas, y se realizaron comparacion de medias, analisis de correlacion y se analizo la interaccion genotipo x ambiente considerando a las profundidades de siembra como ambientes diferentes. Los resultados indican que el peso de mil semillas es parametro fundamental para seleccionar variedades con mejor calidad fisica y fisiologica. En la prueba de invernadero Tlaxcala F2000, Sokoll y Berkut, fueron estables en la velocidad de emergencia; Temporalera M87, Rebeca F2000 y Weebill 1 lo fueron para longitud de coleoptilo, y Berkut, Sokoll, Kambara 1 y Juchi F2000 para longitud de plantula. Se obtuvieron correlaciones positivas entre longitud de coleoptilo y parte aerea con peso seco de parte aerea, y entre peso seco de parte aerea con peso seco de raiz.
No Effect of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition on Plaque Size in Atherosclerosis-prone Mice

Objective : To study the role of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition on the development of advanced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE -/- ) mice. Design : Sixty apoE -/- mice were divided into three groups: a control group, a group fed standard mouse chow supplemented with 0.0067% (wt/wt) MF Tricyclic (selective COX-2 inhibitor), and a group fed the diet supplemented with 0.0134% (wt/wt) sulindac (non-selective COX inhibitor). Four months later, the mice were killed and the atherosclerotic plaque area in the aortic root was measured. Results : Mean body weights did not differ at any time. The MF Tricyclic and sulindac groups had drug plasma levels of 1.31 - 0.11 and 0.84 - 0.23 µg/ml, respectively. Plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride values were similar in all three groups. A small difference in plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was found between the groups ( p = 0.03). Advanced atherosclerotic plaques were present in mice from all three groups, but there was no difference in mean plaque size between the groups ( p = 0.9). Conclusion : Neither selective COX-2 nor non-selective COX inhibition influenced the development of advanced atherosclerosis in apoE -/- mice.
Searching crowd knowledge to recommend solutions for API usage tasks

Stack Overflow (SO) is a question and answer service directed to issues related to software development. In SO, developers post questions related to a programming topic and other members of the site can provide answers to help them. The information available on this type of service is also known as ‘crowd knowledge’ and currently is one important trend in supporting activities related to software development.
Differential control of the scapulothoracic muscles in humans

The control of the scapulothoracic muscles trapezius (Tr) and serratus anterior (SA) has been examined in normal human subjects. Electromyographic recordings were made from the SA and Tr muscles (upper trapezius UTr, lower trapezius LTr) using surface electrodes placed bilaterally. Magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves were used to examine their descending and reflex control. The average optimal site of cortical stimulation was found to be the same for SA, UTr and LTr (an approximate centre of gravity of −0.6 cm, 3.7 cm where the centre of gravity is expressed as the mean anterio‐posterior position, the mean medio‐lateral position). Some asymmetry in the cortical representation of UTr was found in each individual tested. Magnetic stimulation evoked bilateral MEPs in Tr (latency contralateral (c) UTr 8.5 ± 1.6 ms, ipsilateral (i) UTr 19.0 ± 2.7 ms) but only contralateral responses were evoked in SA (11.2 ± 2.6 ms). Electrical stimulation of the long thoracic nerve at two sites was used to examine homonymous and heteronymous reflexes of SA, while electrical stimulation of cervical nerve of C3/4 was used to examine the heteronymous reflexes of Tr. Ipsilateral SA H reflexes were evoked at a latency of 9.9 ± 0.8 ms (proximal site) and 10.8 ± 1.2 ms (distal site). No group I reflexes were evoked from SA to its contralateral homologue. No group I reflexes were evoked between Tr and SA. Finally, cross‐correlation of activity from the Tr muscle pairs and the SA muscle pair revealed that the motoneurones of the Tr muscles share some common presynaptic input whereas there was no detectable common presynaptic input to the SA muscle pair. This study extends and consolidates knowledge regarding the neural control of trapezius and for the first time explores the neural control of SA. The study demonstrates a contrasting bilateral control of Tr and SA. These patterns of connections are discussed in relation to the contrasting bilateral functional roles of these muscles.
Comparison of the hemodynamic response to different visual stimuli in single‐event and block stimulation fMRI experiments

Experiments with three different types of basic visual stimulation were performed to compare cortical activation in single‐event and block trials. Independent of the stimulation paradigm, the single‐event presentation leads to highly consistent signal responses regarding both the activated cortical areas and the dynamics of the signal time course. In contrast, signal time courses during block paradigms depend on the stimulus applied and are a complex and nonlinear function of the single‐event responses. Additionally, the initial dip during the first 2 seconds after stimulus onset is consistently observed. However, the small amplitude change (−0.1% to −0.3%) requires signal averaging to establish statistical significance of the effect. Furthermore, different patterns of activation were observed within the primary visual cortex. In an anterior part of the primary visual cortex, activation was only observed at the onset and at the cessation of stimulation involving luminance changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:708–714. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Global DNA methylation, as estimated in blood samples, does not correlate with variations of body condition, anatomical features and hematological parameters in American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) kept captive under distinct environmental conditions

Different levels of Global DNA Methylation (GDM) could have facilitated the emergence of new species, without relying on gene mutations, through promoting ontogenetic phenotypic plasticity. If this assertion was correct, one could expect individuals of the same species living under distinct environmental conditions to be genetically similar, but having different GDM levels and being phenotypically divergent. We tested this presumption by studying the relationship between variability of functional morphological traits and GDM levels in American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), in green houses located in two geographical sites. Our analyses revealed that body linear morphometry, skull geometry, scaled mass index, packed cell volume and neutrophil counts differed significantly among males and females within and between localities. GDM, nonetheless, was rather similar among sex and locality groups. These results show that levels of GDM, at least under our experimental contexts, does not correlate with functional morphological trait variability.
Topology adaptive graph convolutional networks

Convolution acts as a local feature extractor in convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, the convolution operation is not applicable when the input data is supported on an irregular graph such as with social networks, citation networks, or knowledge graphs. This paper proposes the topology adaptive graph convolutional network (TAGCN), a novel graph convolutional network that generalizes CNN architectures to graph-structured data and provides a systematic way to design a set of fixed-size learnable filters to perform convolutions on graphs. The topologies of these filters are adaptive to the topology of the graph when they scan the graph to perform convolution, replacing the square filter for the grid-structured data in traditional CNNs. The outputs are the weighted sum of these filters’ outputs, extraction of both vertex features and strength of correlation between vertices. It can be used with both directed and undirected graphs. The proposed TAGCN not only inherits the properties of convolutions in CNN for grid-structured data, but it is also consistent with convolution as defined in graph signal processing. Further, as no approximation to the convolution is needed, TAGCN exhibits better performance than existing graph-convolution-approximation methods on a number of data sets. As only the polynomials of degree two of the adjacency matrix are used, TAGCN is also computationally simpler than other recent methods.
Nonengagement in HIV Care

Nonengagement in HIV care is a major clinical and public health challenge. To identify the risk factors and reasons, we performed (1) a retrospective study of patients admitted to the hospital with advanced HIV disease, (2) a prospective qualitative study, and (3) a population-based area-wide telephone interview. In the retrospective study, clinic care engagement was associated with age (43.9 ± 9.1 years vs 37.9 ± 7.2 years, P = .005) and improved from 23% to 44% (P = .03) after hospitalization. Survival was higher (93% vs 73%, P = .03) among those who engaged in care. Twelve inpatients were interviewed in the qualitative study. Themes identified for nonengagement were social stigma, indifference, or lack of understanding of care needs/denial and life care issues. In the population-based study, 145 patients were interviewed. In all, 49 denied the need for HIV care and 28 denied their HIV status. Stigma, denial, and indifference or lack of understanding of need are significant barriers to care engagement.
Piroxicam Treatment Augments Bone Abnormalities in Interleukin-10 Knockout Mice

Background:Osteoporosis and fractures are common complications of inflammatory bowel disease. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and has been partly attributed to intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone status and assess the association between bone loss and gut inflammation in an experimental colitis model. Methods:Colitis was induced in interleukin-10 knockout mice (PAC IL-10 k.o.) by peroral administration of piroxicam for 12 days. The degree of colitis was assessed by clinical, macroscopic, and microscopic evaluation. Trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture of tibia were determined using micro-computed tomography. Moreover, the serum levels of bone formation and bone resorption biomarkers were measured, and inflammatory protein profiling was performed on colons. Results:PAC IL-10 k.o. mice developed severe colitis, characterized by hyperplasia and focal transmural inflammation, which was consistent with Crohn's disease-like pathology. The gut inflammation was accompanied by a 14% and 12% reduction in trabecular thickness relative to piroxicam-treated wild type and untreated wild type mice, respectively (P < 0.001). The trabecular bone structure was also changed in PAC IL-10 k.o. mice, whereas no differences in cortical bone geometry were observed. The trabecular thickness was inversely correlated with serum levels of CTX (r = −0.93, P = 0.006). Moreover, numerous inflammatory mediators, including RANKL and osteoprotegerin, were significantly increased in the colon of PAC IL-10 k.o. mice. Conclusions:PAC IL-10 k.o. mice develop bone loss and changed trabecular structure, as a result of increased bone resorption. Thus, the PAC IL-10 k.o. model could be a useful experimental model in preclinical research of inflammatory bowel disease–associated bone loss.
Cardiovascular complications after non‐cardiac surgery

Cardiac complications are common after non‐cardiac surgery. Peri‐operative myocardial infarction occurs in 3% of patients undergoing major surgery. Recently, however, our understanding of the epidemiology of these cardiac events has broadened to include myocardial injury after non‐cardiac surgery, diagnosed by an asymptomatic troponin rise, which also carries a poor prognosis. We review the causation of myocardial injury after non‐cardiac surgery, with potential for prevention and treatment, based on currently available international guidelines and landmark studies. Postoperative arrhythmias are also a frequent cause of morbidity, with atrial fibrillation and QT‐prolongation having specific relevance to the peri‐operative period. Postoperative systolic heart failure is rare outside of myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery, but the impact of pre‐operative diastolic dysfunction and its ability to cause postoperative heart failure is increasingly recognised. The latest evidence regarding diastolic dysfunction and the impact on non‐cardiac surgery are examined to help guide fluid management for the non‐cardiac anaesthetist.
Search for appropriate experimental methods to create stable hind-limb ischemia in mouse.

OBJECTIVE Stable animal models for refractory peripheral arterial disease are not established. A standardized animal model of hind-limb ischemia is required upon searching effective treatment for this condition. The aim of the study is to verify previously used hind-limb ischemia models to find a standard method. METHODS Using Balb/ca mice six various methods of inducing hind-limb ischemia were applied and two weeks after operation degree of ischemic damage were examined. Six methods include V group, A group, AV group, A-strip group, AV-strip group and Prox-A group (refer the text). RESULTS Degree of ischemia was evaluated macroscopically by judging toes, foot, knee, and total hind-limb necrosis. We found that severity of damage was markedly different among different methods. Furthermore the severity of necrosis was not uniform even in the same method group. CONCLUSIONS The A-strip group in which the femoral artery from the bifurcation of the deep femoral artery to the saphenous artery was stripped appears to be suitable as a stable severe ischemia model. The A group in which the femoral artery were cut just below the bifurcation of the deep femoral artery appears to be suitable as a chronic mild ischemia model.
A randomized controlled study comparing the standard, tubeless, and totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures for renal stones from a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an effective treatment for renal stones. Due to the significant pain and morbidity after standard PCNL because of nephrostomy tubes, various modifications of PCNL are being performed. We report a randomized trial comparing these modalities. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients were randomized into three groups of 25 each: standard PCNL with nephrostomy tubes (Group 1), tubeless PCNL with ureteric stent and no nephrostomy (Group 2), and totally tubeless PCNL without ureteric catheter or nephrostomy (Group 3). Randomization was done at the end of the procedure for those patients satisfying the inclusion criteria based on duration of surgery, single puncture tract, intraoperative bleeding, stone burden, intact pelvicalyceal system, and no residual stones at the end of procedure. The outcomes measured were hemoglobin (Hb) drop, hemorrhage, need for blood transfusion, pyrexia, urine leak, pain score, analgesic requirement, and duration of hospital stay. Results: There was no significant difference in hemorrhage, Hb drop, need for blood transfusion, and postoperative pyrexia among the groups. All patients except one in the standard group only had variable amount of urinary leak. The analgesic requirement and duration of hospital stay attained statistical significance in favor of tubeless and totally tubeless groups compared to the standard. Conclusions: Tubeless and totally tubeless PCNL are safe and effective method of renal stone management. Totally tubeless PCNL significantly reduced postoperative pain and morbidity compared to the tubeless method.