Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxicities and Synergistic Effects of Several Insecticides Against the Oriental Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

ABSTRACT The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a serious insect pest that causes large losses to orchards globally. In this study, we conducted experiments to investigate the susceptibility of two populations (Kunming of Yunnan and Dongguan of Guangdong province) of B. dorsalis to nine insecticides. Bioassay results demonstrated that fipronil was the most effective insecticide, followed by phoxim, abamectin, triazophos, &bgr;-cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, malathion, and imidacloprid against the Kunming of Yunnan province population, with LD50 values that ranged from 1.55 to 187.48 ng/ fly. For the Dongguan of Guangdong province population, fipronil was also most toxic, followed by triazophos, phoxim, chlorpyrifos, abamectin, deltamethrin, β-cypermethrin, malathion, and imidacloprid, with LD50 values from 2.07 to 439.11 ng/fly. The addition of synergists triphenyl phosphate, piperonyl butoxide, and diethyl maleate yielded different levels of synergistic effects on different insecticides against each population. However, the synergistic effects on the nine insecticides against the two populations are different. The treatment of a sublethal dose (LD20) of &lgr;-cypermethrin together with three synergists could induce increased specific activity of carboxylesterases at the beginning of exposure, followed by a decline within 24 h. The specific activity of carboxylesterases was higher in the fat body, midgut, and Malpighian tubules, suggesting these are important tissues for detoxification. Overall, the data developed in this study provide useful information for designing an insecticide management strategy for controlling this insect in the field.
Stability and Change: Policy Evolution on the Supreme Court of Canada, 1945–2005

Abstract Studies of the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) focus largely on its policy-making role and its interpretation of the Charter of Rights. However, less studied are the Court's decisions in earlier periods, especially in comparison to the Charter years and in cases beyond civil rights and liberties. This study fills a gap in the scholarship by analyzing the universe of decisions from 1945 to 2005 in criminal, tax and tort cases. Utilizing Baum's (1988, 1989) method to examine policy change, I explore policy trends on the Supreme Court. The findings suggest that, for the most part, the SCC has remained a stable, consistent body over the course of its modern history. It appears that most of the variation in judicial output across time is due to issue change with some shifts due to personnel and membership change. Résumé Les études de la Cour suprême du Canada (CSC) portent principalement sur son rôle d'élaboration des politiques et son interprétation de la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés. Toutefois, les décisions de la Cour à des périodes antérieures sont moins étudiées, surtout en regard des années de la Charte et dans des cas allant au-delà des droits et libertés civils. La présente étude, qui analyse l'univers des décisions rendues de 1945 à 2005 en matière pénale, fiscale et délictuelle, vient combler une lacune de la recherche. En utilisant la méthode de Baum (1988, 1989) pour examiner les changements d'orientation, j'explore les tendances politiques à la Cour suprême. Les résultats suggèrent que, dans l'ensemble, la CSC est demeurée un organe stable et constant tout au long de son histoire moderne. Il appert que la plus grande partie de la variation de la production judiciaire au fil du temps est due à l’évolution des enjeux, certains changements étant attribuables à la mobilité et à la composition du tribunal.
Smoking and human papillomavirus infection: pooled analysis of the International Agency for Research on Cancer HPV Prevalence Surveys.

BACKGROUND Smoking increases the risk of squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix, but it is not clear whether smoking increases the risk of acquisition or persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. METHODS Information on smoking was collected from 10 areas in four continents among population-based, age-stratified random samples of women aged 15 years or older. HPV testing was performed using PCR-based enzyme immunoassay. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of being HPV-positive by smoking habits, adjusted for age and lifetime number of sexual partners. RESULTS Ten thousand five hundred and seventy-seven women (mean age 41.4 years) were included. Among current smokers, the risk of being HPV-positive increased with smoking intensity, after allowing for lifetime number of sexual partners: ORs for <5, 5-14 and >/=15 cigarettes per day were 1.21 (95% CI 0.95-1.54), 1.39 (95% CI 1.04-1.87) and 2.01 (95% CI 1.32-3.08), respectively, as compared with never-smokers. The risk among former smokers (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.73-1.23) was similar to that among never-smokers. Analyses stratified by lifetime number of sexual partners showed a significant trend in risk only for women with one lifetime sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that current, though not former, smoking is associated with an increased prevalence of HPV, after allowance for sexual covariates. Among current smokers, HPV prevalence increased with smoking intensity, but a clear dose-response relationship was exclusively seen among women who declared one lifetime sexual partner.
Capacity of anaerobic bacteria from necrotic dental pulps to induce purulent infections

Combinations of bacteria isolated from the root canals of teeth with necrotic pulps and periapical bone destruction were tested for their capacity to induce abscess formation and transmissible infections when inoculated subcutaneously into guinea pigs. Transmissible infections could be induced with combinations obtained from teeth with purulent apical inflammation, but not with combinations from symptomless teeth with chronic apical inflammation. All combinations which gave transmissible infections contained strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus or B. asaccharolyticus (formerly B. melaninogenicus subsp. asaccharolyticus). The results suggest that purulent inflammation in the apical region in certain cases may be induced by specific combinations of bacteria in the root canal and that the presence of B. melaninogenicus or B. asaccharolyticus in such combinations is essential. However, with one exception, the strains needed the support of additional microorganisms to achieve pathogenicity. The results indicate that Peptostreptococcus micros was also essential. Histological sections of the lesions in the guinea pigs showed that all bacterial combinations induced acute inflammation with an accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the formation of an abscess. However, the presence of B. melaninogenicus or B. asaccharolyticus in the combinations resulted in a failure of abscess resolution, with a gradually increaseing accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
A phase signature for detecting wet subsurface structures using polarimetric L-band SAR

In this paper, we investigate the ability of L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems to penetrate soils to retrieve information about subsurface wet structures. Our experiment site, the Pyla dune, is a bare sandy area allowing high radar penetration and known to have large wet subsurface structures (paleosoils) at varying depths. Buried paleosoils, which act as moisture tanks, are detectable with radar, since they present a high permittivity due to their water content. By analyzing airborne polarimetric SAR data, we established that a phase signature is correlated to the buried wet palesoils: a phase difference of 23/spl deg/ between the horizontal (HH) and vertical (VV) channels was clearly observed. It allows detection of the paleosoil down to a larger depth (5.2 m) than when only considering HH and HV amplitude signals (3.5 m). In order to confirm this result, field measurements were performed that led to the same observed phase difference. We could fit our observations to the semiempirical model proposed by Oh and Sarabandi, and we reproduced the observed phenomenon using a two-layer integral equation method (IEM) model of the Pyla dune, which was completed by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical simulations. We show that the soil moisture significantly influences the radar response in terms of phase difference between the copolarized modes. Our study also shows that the single-scattering IEM model reproduces the observed phase difference fairly well for a natural outdoor site when combined to FDTD simulation results. This phase signature could be used as a new tool to map subsurface moisture in arid regions.
Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Wild-Type and Knock-in Q140/Q140 Huntington's Disease Mouse Brains Reveals Changes in Glycerophospholipids Including Alterations in Phosphatidic Acid and Lyso-Phosphatidic Acid.

BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG expansion in the HD gene, which encodes the protein Huntingtin. Huntingtin associates with membranes and can interact directly with glycerophospholipids in membranes. OBJECTIVE We analyzed glycerophospholipid profiles from brains of 11 month old wild-type (WT) and Q140/Q140 HD knock-in mice to assess potential changes in glycerophospholipid metabolism. METHODS Polar lipids from cerebellum, cortex, and striatum were extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography and negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS). Gene products involved in polar lipid metabolism were studied using western blotting, immuno-electron microscopy and qPCR. RESULTS Significant changes in numerous species of glycerophosphate (phosphatidic acid, PA) were found in striatum, cerebellum and cortex from Q140/Q140 HD mice compared to WT mice at 11 months. Changes in specific species could also be detected for other glycerophospholipids. Increases in species of lyso-PA (LPA) were measured in striatum of Q140/Q140 HD mice compared to WT. Protein levels for c-terminal binding protein 1 (CtBP1), a regulator of PA biosynthesis, were reduced in striatal synaptosomes from HD mice compared to wild-type at 6 and 12 months. Immunoreactivity for CtBP1 was detected on membranes of synaptic vesicles in striatal axon terminals in the globus pallidus. CONCLUSIONS These novel results identify a potential site of molecular pathology caused by mutant Huntingtin that may impart early changes in HD.
Quality Assessment and Circularity Potential of Recovery Systems for Household Plastic Waste

Plastic recycling is promoted in the transition toward a circular economy and a closed plastic loop, typically using mass‐based recycling targets. Plastic from household waste (HHW) is contaminated and heterogeneous, and recycled plastic from HHW often has a limited application range, due to reduced quality. To correctly assess the ability to close plastic loops via recycling, both plastic quantities and qualities need to be evaluated. This study defines a circularity potential representing the ability of a recovery system to close material loops assuming steady‐state market conditions. Based on an average plastic waste composition including impurities, 84 recovery scenarios representing a wide range of sorting schemes, source‐separation efficiencies, and material recovery facility (MRF) configurations and performances were assessed. The qualities of the recovered fractions were assessed based on contamination and the circularity potential calculated for each scenario in a European context. Across all scenarios, 17% to 100% of the generated plastic mass could be recovered, with higher source‐separation and MRF efficiencies leading to higher recovery. Including quality, however, at best 55% of the generated plastic was suitable for recycling due to contamination. Source‐separation, a high number of target fractions, and efficient MRF recovery were found to be critical. The circularity potential illustrated that less than 42% of the plastic loop can be closed with current technology and raw material demands. Hence, Europe is still far from able to close the plastic loop. When transitioning toward a circular economy, the focus should be on limiting impurities and losses through product design, technology improvement, and more targeted plastic waste management.
Extracellular targeting of choline‐binding proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae by a zinc metalloprotease

A genetic‐based search for surface proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae involved in adhesion identified a putative zinc metalloprotease (ZmpB). ZmpB shared high amino acid sequence similarities with IgA1 proteases of Gram‐positive bacteria, but ZmpB had neither IgA1 nor IgA2 protease activity. Analysis of a family of surface‐expressed proteins, the choline‐binding proteins (Cbp’s), in a zmpB‐deficient mutant demonstrated a global loss of surface expression of CbpA, CbpE, CbpF and CbpJ. CbpA was detected within the cytoplasm. The zmpB‐deficient mutant also failed to lyse with penicillin, a sign of lack of function of the Cbp LytA. Immunodetection studies revealed that the autolysin (LytA), normally located on the cell wall, was trapped in the cytoplasm colocalized with DNA and the transformation protein CinA. Trafficking of CinA and RecA to the cell membrane during genetic competence was also not observed in the zmpB‐deficient mutant. These results suggest a protease dependent regulatory mechanism governing the translocation of CinA and the Cbp's LytA and CbpA of S. pneumoniae.
Adult respiratory distress syndrome due to pulmonary and extrapulmonary causes: CT, clinical, and functional correlations.

PURPOSE To assess the differences in CT appearance between adult respiratory distress syndrome due to pulmonary disease (ARDSP) and that due to extrapulmonary disease (ARDSEXP) and determine whether the variable appearances of ARDS are due, in part, to the initial pulmonary and systemic causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-three patients, 22 with ARDSP and 11 with ARDSEXP, underwent helical CT shortly after intubation. Two readers evaluated images for the type, extent, and distribution of pulmonary opacities; secondary findings; and correlation with survival and physiologic parameters. RESULTS In both ARDSP and ARDSEXP, approximately 80% of the lung was abnormal. In ARDSP, ground-glass opacification and consolidation were equally prevalent, whereas in ARDSEXP ground-glass opacification was dominant. Ground-glass opacification was evenly distributed, whereas consolidation tended to be dorsal and caudal. ARDSP often caused asymmetric consolidation, whereas ARDSEXP caused symmetric ground-glass opacification. Air bronchograms were almost universal. Pleural effusions were present in one-half of the patients, and Kerley B lines and pneumatoceles were uncommon. Lung consolidation correlated with the ratio of mean partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen, shunt fraction, and pulmonary arterial pressure. The patients who died tended to have more consolidation and asymmetric disease. CONCLUSION ARDSP tends to be asymmetric, with a mix of consolidation and ground-glass opacification, whereas ARDSEXP has predominantly symmetric ground-glass opacification. In both groups, pleural effusions and air bronchograms are common, and Kerley B lines and pneumatoceles are uncommon.
Validity and reliability of self-reported health indicators among women attending organized mammographic screening

Aims: Risk factors for breast cancer are often used for adjustment in epidemiological studies, including in the evaluation of early performance measures in mammographic screening. Information about risk factors among participants in the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program has been collected since 2006. We aimed to examine the validity of self-reported history of breast cancer and mammographic screening, as well as the reliability of weight and height amongt women attending the program. Methods: Information from a questionnaire handed in by participants in the program, 2006–2015, was linked to outcomes from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated for self-reported histories of breast cancer and screening. Results were stratified by five-year age groups and evaluated using the χ2 statistic. The reliability of self-reported weight and height were assessed using descriptive statistics, histograms, and mean differences. Results: A total of 538,907 of 611,711 (88%) women attending the program during the study period returned at least one part of the questionnaire. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and PPV for breast cancer and mammography were 96.5%, 99.8%, and 81.3%; and 99.9%, 84.4%, and 97.6% respectively. The mean difference in self-reported weight was 0.35 kg and for height was −0.14 cm, over a period of up to 10 years. Conclusions: Norwegian women attending the screening program are reasonably accurate in self-reporting their breast cancer and mammography histories. On average, women consistently reported weight and height within one kg/cm.
Nonaffective psychosis after prenatal exposure to rubella.

OBJECTIVE The authors' goal was to investigate the suggestion of previous investigations that prenatal viral exposures might increase the later risk of psychotic disorders. METHOD They conducted a follow-up study in young adulthood of a birth cohort that was previously documented, by clinical examination and serological testing, to have in utero rubella exposure during the 1964 rubella epidemic. Data were also obtained from an unexposed birth cohort and from the Epidemiological Catchment Area survey. Young adult subjects were administered a standard psychiatric diagnostic interview. The authors compared the proportions of subjects with nonaffective psychosis in the exposed and unexposed cohorts. RESULTS The rubella-exposed subjects, most of whom were exposed in the first trimester, demonstrated a substantially greater risk for nonaffective psychosis than the subjects who were not exposed to rubella (relative risk=5.2). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between clinically and serologically diagnosed prenatal viral infection and nonaffective psychosis in adulthood.
Physiological Effects of Concurrent Training in Elderly Men

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on neuromuscular and hormonal parameters in elderly men. 23 healthy men (65±4 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: concurrent (CG, n=8), strength (SG, n=8) or endurance group (EG, n=7). The programs consisted, of strength training, endurance training on a cycle ergometer or a combination of both in the same session 3 times per week over a duration of 12 weeks. Subjects were evaluated on parameters related to muscle strength, muscle activation and serum hormones. There were significant increases in lower-body strength in all groups (P<0.05), with higher increases in SG (67%) than CG (41%) and both were higher than EG (25%) (p<0.01). Only SG and CG increased upper-body strength (p<0.01), with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in free testosterone in EG after training. Significant increases in isometric strength and maximal muscle activation (p<0.05) as well as decreases in the submaximal muscle activation to the same load, were only seen in SG (p<0.05). The present results suggest that the interference effect observed due to concurrent strength and endurance training could be related to impairment of neural adaptations.
Real-time PCR analysis of PML-RAR alpha in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia patients treated with arsenic trioxide as a front-line therapy.

BACKGROUND Recently, patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) have experienced significant clinical gains after treatment with arsenic trioxide. However, the use of this agent as a front-line therapy for newly diagnosed patients is unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 95 newly diagnosed APL patients, 85 patients who achieved complete remission (CR) were sequentially evaluated during a 4-60 month period by conventional RT-PCR. A total of 30 patients (six relapsed and 24 in continued CR) were selected and monitored by quantitative real-time PCR (RQ-PCR) assay. The PML-RARalpha fusion transcripts values were normalised to every 10(6) copies of G6PDH transcripts (NQ). RESULTS RQ-PCR analyses showed a rapid rate of clearance of NQ levels during the courses of arsenic therapy. In the majority of patients in CR, the NQ levels were below 5 x 10(2) in peripheral blood (PB) samples. In all the relapsed cases with follow-up intervals of 1-6 months (median 3 months) clinical relapse was predictable by increasing NQ level above this threshold. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the usefulness of PB and the definition of threshold level for early prediction of relapse. The threshold level correlates well with risk of relapse; therefore, transcript ratio below the level should be regarded as a goal in the clinical management of this disease.
Recurrent Bubbles, Economic Fluctuations, and Growth

We propose a model that generates permanent effects on economic growth following a recession (super hysteresis). Recurrent bubbles are introduced to an otherwise standard infinite-horizon business-cycle model with liquidity scarcity and endogenous productivity. In our setup, bubbles promote growth because they provide liquidity to constrained investors. Bubbles are sustained only when the financial system is under-developed. If the financial development is in an intermediate stage, recurrent bubbles can be harmful in the sense that they decrease the unconditional mean and increase the unconditional volatility of the growth rate relative to the fundamental equilibrium in the same economy. Through the lens of an estimated version of our model fitted to U.S. data, we argue that 1) there is evidence of recurrent bubbles; 2) the Great Moderation results from the collapse of the monetary bubble in the late 1970s; and 3) the burst of the housing bubble is partially responsible for the post-Great Recession dismal recovery of the U.S. economy.