Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactococcus garvieae, an emerging pathogen for the Portuguese trout culture

We report here the first description in North Portugal of epizootic episodes of lactococcosis causing important mortalities in cultured rainbow trout associated with high water temperatures. The outbreaks that occurred during the warm seasons of 2002 and 2003 affected all size fish, reaching up to 90% mortality in some farms. The taxonomic studies of the isolates obtained indicated that they belonged to Lactococcus garvieae. This identification was confirmed by PCR amplification using specific primers. The isolates proved to be highly pathogenic for rainbow trout (LD 50 <10
Is there negative social influence? Disentangling effects of dissimilarity and disliking on opinion shifts

Empirical studies are inconclusive about the underlying mechanisms that shape the interrelated dynamics of opinions and interpersonal attraction. There is strong evidence that others whom are liked have a positive influence on opinions and similarities induce attraction (homophily). We know less about “negative” mechanisms concerning whether disliked others induce shifts away from consensus (negative influence), whether large differences (dissimilarity) generate distancing, and whether dissimilarities induce disliking (heterophobia). This study tests discriminating hypotheses about the presence of positive and negative mechanisms in controlled experiments involving dyadic interactions. Results confirm the presence of homophily, do not support the existence of negative social influence, and show a robust positive linear relationship between opinion distance and opinion shifts. This implies that contact might provide the largest push towards consensus in case of large initial differences.
Parameterizing simulated annealing for distributing Kahn Process Networks on multiprocessor SoCs

Mapping an application on multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) is a crucial step in architecture exploration. The problem is to minimize optimization effort and application execution time. Simulated annealing (SA) is a versatile algorithm for hard optimization problems, such as task distribution on MPSoCs. We propose an improved automatic parameter selection method for SA to save optimization effort. The method determines a proper annealing schedule and transition probabilities for SA, which makes the algorithm scalable with respect to application and platform size. Applications are modeled as Kahn process networks (KPNs). The method was improved to optimize KPNs and save optimization effort by doing sensitivity analysis for processes. The method is validated by mapping 16 to 256 node KPNs onto an MPSoC. We optimized 150 KPNs for 3 architectures. The method saves over half the optimization time and loses only 0.3% in performance to non-automated SA. Results are compared to non-automated SA, Group migration, random mapping and brute force algorithms. Global optimum solution are obtained by brute force and compared to our heuristics. Global optimum convergence for KPNs has not been reported before. We show that 35% of optimization runs reach within 5% of the global optimum. In one of the selected problems global optimum is reached in as many as 37% of optimization runs. Results show large variations between KPNs generated with different parameters. Cyclic graphs are found to be harder to parallelize than acyclic graphs.
The Application of Calcium Phosphate Precipitation Chemistry to Phosphorus Recovery: The Influence of Organic Ligands

This paper describes current knowledge of phosphate precipitation chemistry in the context of phosphorus recovery from wastewaters, and presents experimental results on the effect of organic species, as key potential inhibitors, to the precipitation of calcium phosphate. The supersaturation required for precipitation at 25°C, pH 7, 0.1 M ionic strength and near-stoichiometric (for hydroxylapatite) calcium to phosphate molar ratio was determined under spontaneous precipitation conditions. The experiments were carried out in air. The phase precipitating at the critical concentration was allowed to grow under constant supersaturation. The influence of organic ligands on the precipitation was investigated using two small molecular weight organic ligands, acetate and citrate, present at a concentration of 10−3 M. The precipitate was studied using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Good reproducibility of the experiments, which were carried out in triplicate, was observed. The study assessed the supersaturation necessary for spontaneous precipitation of hydroxylapatite to be 10.93, calculated using a solubility constant of log K=−57.74. The required supersaturation was not affected by the presence of acetate. However, citrate was found to increase the supersaturation required for precipitation to 11.73. It is likely that this increase is due to binding of citrate on the active growth sites of newly formed nuclei, thereby inhibiting precipitation. All experiments showed formation of a single phase: micro-crystalline hydroxylapatite.
Ocular torticollis and facial asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE Ocular torticollis secondary to congenital superior oblique palsy can be associated with facial asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to determine if other ocular causes of head tilting also carry the same association. DESIGN The study design was clinical evaluation of patients. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen patients with marked, moderate, or mild head tilts associated with dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), and 3 patients with nystagmus and a torsional null point. A control group was comprised of 3 patients with congenital superior oblique palsy, 3 with traumatic superior oblique palsy, and two normal patients. INTERVENTION A masked observer analyzed full-face photographs of the subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The presence of facial asymmetry. RESULTS Facial asymmetry due to bending in/of the sagittal plane of at least two degrees was found in 3 of 4 patients with a marked head tilt from DVD, in 2 of 5 five patients with a moderate head tilt from DVD, in one of 3 patients with a head tilt due to nystagmus, and in one of 3 patients with a head tilt due to congenital superior oblique palsy. None of the patients with a mild head tilt from DVD, traumatic superior oblique palsy, or the normal controls had clinically noticeable facial asymmetry. CONCLUSION Facial asymmetry can be associated with abnormal head postures, specifically, large head tilts from DVD or nystagmus.
Histopathology of the Thymus

The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ that manifests dynamic physiological changes as animals age in addition to being exquisitely sensitive to stress and toxic insult. It is typically the first lymphoid tissue to respond to immunotoxic xenobiotics, with the first change being loss of cortical lymphocytes by apoptosis. This is followed by removal of the apoptotic cellular debris and, in the absence of recovery, may lead to loss of the corticomedullary demarcation and organ atrophy. Nonneoplastic proliferative changes include focal lymphoid hyperplasia and proliferation of medullary epithelial cells, often with formation of ribbons, cords, or tubules. Thymomas are relatively rare tumors that exhibit a wide spectrum of morphologic types but do not metastasize. Thymic lymphomas are common in some mouse strains and can become leukemic with hematogenous spread throughout the body.
High Specificity of a Quantitative PCR Assay Targeting a Saxitoxin Gene for Monitoring Toxic Algae Associated with Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in the Yellow Sea

ABSTRACT The identification of core genes involved in the biosynthesis of saxitoxin (STX) offers a great opportunity to detect toxic algae associated with paralytic shellfish toxins (PST). In the Yellow Sea (YS) in China, both toxic and nontoxic Alexandrium species are present, which makes it a difficult issue to specifically monitor PST-producing toxic algae. In this study, a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting sxtA4, a domain in the sxt gene cluster that encodes a unique enzyme involved in STX biosynthesis, was applied to analyze samples collected from the YS in spring of 2012. The abundance of two toxic species within the Alexandrium tamarense species complex, i.e., A. fundyense and A. pacificum, was also determined with TaqMan-based qPCR assays, and PSTs in net-concentrated phytoplankton samples were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detector. It was found that the distribution of the sxtA4 gene in the YS was consistent with the toxic algae and PSTs, and the quantitation results of sxtA4 correlated well with the abundance of the two toxic species (r = 0.857). These results suggested that the two toxic species were major PST producers during the sampling season and that sxtA-based qPCR is a promising method to detect toxic algae associated with PSTs in the YS. The correlation between PST levels and sxtA-based qPCR results, however, was less significant (r = 0.552), implying that sxtA-based qPCR is not accurate enough to reflect the toxicity of PST-producing toxic algae. The combination of an sxtA-based qPCR assay and chemical means might be a promising method for monitoring toxic algal blooms.
Validation of an optoelectronic limb volumeter (Perometer).

The Perometer, a device designed for the measurement of limb volume, has been rigorously assessed by comparison with other methods. Differences in the volume of geometric shapes and limbs determined by the Perometer and a tape measure/meter rule (i.e., Perometer minus direct measurement) were -0.8 to 2.4% (cylinders), -4.6% (truncated cone), -3.3% (mannequin limbs), 6.1% (normal human arms) and 6.8% (lymphedema arms). The larger differences were likely to be due to deviation from circular or elliptical cross-section (Perometer or tape method) and compression of the arm (tape method). Errors arising from incorrect positioning within the measuring frame were generally small, but large errors occurred when a cylinder was partially rotated within the frame (i.e., no longer perpendicular to the light beams). The Perometer was highly reproducible, each measurement taking only a few seconds. When recording the change in volume with time of a segment of arm during venous occlusion (blood flow measurement by venous occlusion plethysmography) using the Perometer plus a mercury strain gauge, between-method differences for individual blood flow recordings were apparent. The source of these differences is discussed. However, using the average of a number of blood flow recordings the Perometer and the strain gauge agreed fairly closely for both the normal and lymphedema arms. The Perometer is thus a reliable and convenient tool for the measurement of limb volume, and may also be used to measure the rate of swelling during venous occlusion plethysmography.
Innovation at the speed of information.

Conventional project-management tools--PERT charts and Gantt charts, for example--were created to help manage sequences of discrete tasks that make up large construction projects. Yet these tools don't capture clearly the back-and-forth of information that takes place in innovative processes, such as product development. Conventional tools are designed to answer the question, "What other tasks must be completed before I begin this one? " But product development planners, especially in high-tech businesses, need tools that answer a very different question: "What information do I need from other tasks before I can complete this one? " The author describes the Design Structure Matrix (DSM), a project management tool that focuses on representing the information flows of a project rather than its work flows. He explains how the DSM works and how to use it to make development processes more efficient. A project DSM can show which information exchanges involve design iteration and how well a process anticipates the need for rework. In addition, the author suggests four ways to improve a company's information flows: rearranging the sequence of tasks, reconsidering the organization of tasks, reducing the number of information exchanges, and managing unplannable work. By stripping away the mystery around information exchange during innovation, the DSM can give managers far more control over their most risky and expensive projects.
Identification of HLA‐A2‐ and A24‐restricted T‐cell epitopes derived from SOX6 expressed in glioma stem cells for immunotherapy

Malignant gliomas are the most aggressive human primary brain tumors and are currently incurable. Immunotherapies have the potential to target glioma and glioma stem cells (GSCs) that are resistant to conventional therapies. We previously identified SOX6 as a human glioma antigen and demonstrated that vaccination with SOX6 DNA induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for glioma, thereby exerting therapeutic antitumor responses in glioma‐bearing mice. In this study, we attempted to identify SOX6‐derived peptides as specific targets for effective and safe T‐cell‐mediated immunotherapy targeting SOX6‐positive glioma and GSCs. In vitro stimulation with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*2402 (A24)‐restricted peptides, RFENLGPQL (SOX6504) and PYYEEQARL (SOX6628) or the HLA‐A*0201 (A2)‐restricted peptide, ALFGDQDTV (SOX6447) was capable of inducing SOX6 peptide‐specific CTLs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy donors and glioma patients. These CTLs were able to lyse a majority of glioma cell lines and a GSC line derived from human glioblastoma in an HLA Class I‐restricted and an antigen‐dependent manner. Furthermore, peptide vaccines of SOX6628, which was conserved in the murine SOX6 protein and expected to bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) H‐2d, induced CTLs specific for SOX6628 in H‐2d mice. Normal autologous cells from mice, in which SOX6‐specific immune responses were generated, were not destroyed. These results suggest that these SOX6 peptides are potnetially immunogenic in HLA‐A24 or ‐A2 positive glioma patients and should be considered as a promising strategy for safe and effective T‐cell‐based immunotherapy of patients with gliomas.
Serial serum c‐erbB‐2 levels in patients with breast carcinoma

Recently, the extracellular domain of the c‐erbB‐2 oncogene product (HER‐2/neu) has been reported to be elevated in the serum of one‐fourth of patients with metastatic breast carcinoma. The role of serum c‐erbB‐2 as a tumor marker, however, is still poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of serial serum c‐erbB‐2 levels as a tumor marker in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma.
State Estimation For An Agonistic‐Antagonistic Muscle System

Research on assistive technology, rehabilitation, and prosthetics requires the understanding of human machine interaction, in which human muscular properties play a pivotal role. This paper studies a nonlinear agonistic‐antagonistic muscle system based on the Hill muscle model. To investigate the characteristics of the muscle model, the problem of estimating the state variables and activation signals of the dual muscle system is considered. In this work, parameter uncertainty and unknown inputs are taken into account for the estimation problem. Three observers are presented: a high gain observer, a sliding mode observer, and an adaptive sliding mode observer. Theoretical analysis shows the convergence of the three observers. Numerical simulations reveal that the three observers are comparable and provide reliable estimates.
Peptide-Dependent Inhibition of Alloreactive T-Cell Response by Soluble Divalent HLA-A2/IgG Molecule In Vitro

Background. Induction of peripheral tolerance in an antigen-specific manner is a critical goal of transplant biology. The specificity and avidity of multimerized peptide/major histocompatibilty complexes suggest their potential ability to modulate antigen-specific T-cell sensitization and effector functions. Methods. A soluble divalent HLA-A2/IgG molecule (HLA-A2 dimer) was constructed and loaded with a self-protein origin peptide (Tyr368–376) to form a divalent Tyr/HLA-A2 molecule (Tyr/HLA-A2 dimer), which allowed for specific targeting to the epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in bulk alloreactive T cells. Alloreactive T-cell response was induced by coculture of Tyr368–376-pulsed T2 cells (T2/Tyr) with peripheral blood lymphocytes of HLA-A2-negative (HLA-A2-ve) sample; five samples of HLA-A2-ve individuals were included in this study. After the coculture in the presence of Tyr/HLA-A2 dimer, the suppression of the dimer on alloresponse was characterized by analyzing allogeneic T-cell proliferation, specific cytolytic activity against the T2/Tyr, and specific Tyr/HLA-A2 tetramer staining. Results. The Tyr/HLA-A2 dimer suppresses alloreactive T-cell response by inhibiting its proliferation and cytotoxicity against specific target T2/Tyr in vitro, and it is interesting that the suppression is peptide-specific. The Tyr/HLA-A2 tetramer staining suggests the reduced function of CD8+ T cell is caused by inhibiting the generation of the epitope-specific alloreactive T cells by the Tyr/HLA-A2 dimer in three samples. Moreover, the existence of epitope-specific but function-negative T cells in the other two samples suggests that another mechanism might exist that is involved in silencing alloreactive responses by the dimer. Conclusion. Peptide-loaded dimers offer a novel approach to induce peptide-specific immunosuppression and may be useful in promoting graft survival.
CRITERIA FOR CHEMICAL SELECTION FOR PROGRAMS ON HUMAN MILK SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS

The people of the United States is exposed to a large number of chemicals in their daily lives. In order to prioritize chemicals that should be considered for surveillance of and/or research in human milk, criteria were developed at the Technical Workshop on Human Milk Surveillance and Research on Environmental Chemicals in the United States. The criteria include (1) lipid solubility and/or persistence in the environment; (2) extensive exposure (e.g., high-production-volume chemicals and chemicals in personal care products); (3) known or suspected toxicity in a biological system; (4) historical interest, trend information; (5) chemicals of emerging concern; and (6) chemicals for medicinal use and chemicals in occupational settings. A working list of chemicals was developed for each of the criteria. It should be noted that more than one criterion may be applicable to a selected chemical, but the selected chemical should possess at least one of these designated criteria. It is hoped that by following a cohort of nursing women through their lactational cycle for a group of these chemicals, data generated will indicate the extent of infant exposure and may suggest methods for risk management to decrease inadvertent exposure for breastfeeding mothers and infants. While not the focus of this article, certain endogenous chemicals in human milk beneficial to the health of the infant warrant study as well.
Examining the Impact of Celebrity Gossip Magazine Coverage of Pregnant Celebrities on Pregnant Women’s Self-Objectification

The present experimental study examined the impact of celebrity gossip magazine coverage on pregnant women through the lens of objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). In total, 301 pregnant women were randomly assigned to view highly sexually objectifying full-body images and accompanying text depicting pregnant celebrities, low objectifying headshot-only images and accompanying text depicting celebrities, or images of baby products with no people depicted (control). Exposure to the headshot-only condition resulted in significantly more self-objectification than exposure to control images. We speculate exposure to the headshot-only images primed self-objectification in participants because they visualized nonpregnant, thin, toned, and sculpted celebrity bodies that are frequently objectified by the media. Further analyses revealed that participants’ stage in pregnancy, history with pregnancy, and age moderated the main effects. Among those in their first trimester, assignment to the headshot-only condition significantly predicted state self-objectification; however, among those in their third trimester, the full-body condition predicted state self-objectification at a level of marginal significance. Further, exposure to the headshot-only stimuli predicted self-objectification for those having no prior live births. Among those participants in the younger age group, exposure to the headshot-only condition significantly predicted self-objectification; however, among those in the middle age group, the full-body condition significantly predicted self-objectification.
Atlas of serotonin‐containing neurons in the optic lobes and brain of the crayfish, Cherax destructor

An atlas of neurons in the brain of the crayfish Cherax destructor that are immunoreactive to antibodies raised against serotonin has been compiled from whole mount preparations. Neuronal networks of serotonin‐containing cells are identified in the optic lobes and protocerebrum, in the deutocerebrum, and in the tritocerebrum. The consistency of the whole‐mount technique allows 50 out of a total of about 100 immunoreactive cells to be individually identified according to their neuronal architecture or the location of their cell somata or axons. Apart from six neurons with axons in the oesophageal connectives, all the immunoreactive cells are intrinsic to the optic lobes and brain.
Systemic Polyethylene Glycol Promotes Neurological Recovery and Tissue Sparing in Rats After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been reported to possess fusogenic properties that may confer neuroprotection after spinal cord injury (SCI), but there is uncertainty regarding the mechanisms of PEG in vivo and the robustness of its protective effects. We hypothesized that PEG promotes preservation of cytoskeletal proteins associated with white matter protection and neurobehavioral recovery after SCI. In proof-of-principle experiments using a pin-drop organotypic culture model of SCI, PEG attenuated neural cell death. Adult rats underwent 35-g clip compression SCI at C8 and were randomized postinjury to receive intravenous 30% PEG or sterile Ringer's lactate solution. Confocal microscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography of fluorescein-conjugated PEG permitted in vivo quantification of PEG concentrations in the injured and uninjured spinal cord. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining demonstrated that PEG reduced 200-kd neurofilament degradation and apoptotic cell death. Polyethylene glycol also promoted spinal cord tissue sparing based on retrograde axonal Fluoro-Gold tracing and morphometric histological assessment. Polyethylene glycol also promoted significant, although modest, neurobehavioral recovery after SCI. Collectively, these results indicate that PEG protects key axonal cytoskeletal proteins after SCI, and that the protection is associated with axonal preservation. The modest extent of locomotor recovery after treatment with PEG suggests, however, that this compound may notconfer sufficient neuroprotection to be used clinically as a single treatment.