Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geophysical Investigations for Groundwater in a Complex Subsurface Terrain, Wadi Fatima, KSA: A Case History

Geological contacts in a complex subsurface terrain have favorable potentiality for groundwater; particularly in semiarid/or arid areas. Magnetic and DC resistivity surveys were proposed and conducted at Wadi Fatima for the groundwater exploration in this geologically complex media. Magnetic survey was used to delineate the basement structures which control the groundwater flow. On the other hand, DC resistivity profiling and sounding techniques were used to investigate and ensure the potentiality of the groundwater occurrence in the structurally complex basement. Magnetic data were subjected to analytic signal analysis, where it showed clearly the complexity of the study area. Many magnetic contacts were delineated at the maximum amplitudes of the analytic signal curves. Two selected profiles along the Wadi have been quantitatively interpreted using analytic signal, spectral analysis, horizontal and vertical derivatives. These analyses delineate the geological structures that may accommodate the groundwater. DC resistivity profiling technique was used along one profile, to define the effect of the basement structures on the ground water distribution under this profile. On the other hand, Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) was conducted at selected sites along the magnetic and DC profiles. Ground magnetic and DC resistivity techniques led to a better understanding of the study area. Thus, the integration of the obtained results from these two methods was successful to define new sites for drilling wells for the groundwater supply that would be at VES9 and VES7. It was recommended to conduct more detailed studies in the southwestern part of the study area.
Comparative analysis of cervical cytology screening methods and staining protocols for detection rate and accurate interpretation of ASC‐H: Data from a high‐volume laboratory in Turkey

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the ThinPrep® Imaging System (TIS) and ThinPrep® Pap Stain (TPPS). A comparative analysis was conducted to determine the detection rates of atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H), the ASC:squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) ratio, biopsy follow‐up for ASC‐H in terms of the screening method used (manual screening [MS] vs. TIS screening [TISS]) and the staining protocol (regular Pap stain [RPS] vs. TPPS).
Injury Size Affects Long Term Strength of the Rabbit Medial Collateral Ligament

Long term effects (104 weeks) of 2 extremes of gap size on the mechanical behavior of the rabbit medial collateral ligament were examined. In the midsubstance of each right medial collateral ligament, either an 8 mm gap injury was created or a 4 mm Z plasty injury was created and repaired. Each group was subdivided into a healing interval of 40, 78, or 104 weeks. Femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complexes were tested mechanically or examined with light microscopy. Both injuries healed with histologically similar tissue and showed improved mechanical behavior 78 weeks after injury. No further improvement was measurable 104 weeks after injury. Scar material properties remained markedly inferior to normal regardless of injury. Low load and viscoelastic behavior recovered relatively well regardless of gap size. However, gap injuries showed significantly inferior structural properties at all intervals. These results suggest that a large initial gap between ligament ends in the extraarticular space predisposes scars to long term structural weakness. If this principle is true clinically, then patients with large gaps between torn ligament ends (caused by displacement, folding, or retraction) may function well at lower loads, but they may be chronically at greater risk of reinjury at high loads.
Natural history of Christianson syndrome

Christianson syndrome is an X‐linked mental retardation syndrome characterized by microcephaly, impaired ocular movement, severe global developmental delay, hypotonia which progresses to spasticity, and early onset seizures of variable types. Gilfillan et al. 2008 ] reported mutations in SLC9A6, the gene encoding the sodium/hydrogen exchanger NHE6, in the family first reported and in three others. They also noted the clinical similarities to Angelman syndrome and found cerebellar atrophy on MRI and elevated glutamate/glutamine in the basal ganglia on MRS. Here we report on nonsense mutations in two additional families. The natural history is detailed in childhood and adult life, the similarities to Angelman syndrome confirmed, and the MRI/MRS findings documented in three affected boys. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correction of lower eyelid retraction in thyroid eye disease: a randomised controlled trial of retractor tenotomy with adjuvant antimetabolite versus scleral graft

BACKGROUND/AIMS Lower eyelid retraction in thyroid eye disease contributes to ocular discomfort and an unsightly appearance, especially if asymmetrical. The use of donor scleral grafts is effective in lengthening the lower eyelids but carries a risk of virus transmission. Other techniques, including those which do not use grafts, need to be compared with scleral grafts. Recurrent retraction is a recognised complication of thyroid eyelid surgery; therefore, the authors investigated the use of antimetabolites to reduce postoperative fibrosis. METHODS In this prospective randomised controlled trial of 25 patients (35 eyelids), the use of donor sclera in 20 lower eyelids (13 patients) was compared with partial tenotomy of the anterior part of the lower eyelid retractors (ALER) with adjuvant peroperative antimetabolite in 15 lower eyelids (12 patients). A 5 minute peroperative application of either 5-fluorouracil (25 mg/ml) in nine lower eyelids (eight patients) or mitomycin C (0.2 mg/ml) in six lower eyelids (four patients) was used to focally inhibit fibroblasts. Follow up ranged from 3 to 18 months (mean 7.8). RESULTS One month after surgery the results of both groups were similar. However, at 3 months after surgery the results of scleral grafting were better than tenotomy with antimetabolites: 3/12 patients (25%) treated with tenotomy and adjuvant antimetabolite required subsequent surgery using grafts for correction of recurrent retraction. There were no significant complications associated with the use of antimetabolites in the eyelid in the doses used in this study. CONCLUSIONS This randomised prospective trial shows that donor scleral grafts were more effective in the long term than partial tenotomy with adjuvant antimetabolite in the correction of lower eyelid retraction associated with thyroid eye disease. The use of peroperative antimetabolites in the lower eyelid was safe.
Bait and Habitat Preferences, and Temporal Variability of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Attracted to Vertebrate Carrion

ABSTRACT In addition to feeding on carrion tissues and fluids, social wasps can also prey on immature and adult carrion flies, thereby reducing their populations and retarding the decomposition process of carcasses. In this study, we report on the occurrence and behavior of social wasps attracted to vertebrate carrion. The collections were made monthly from September 2006 to October 2007 in three environments (rural, urban, and forest) in six municipalities of southeast Brazil, using baited bottle traps. We collected Agelaia pallipes (Olivier, 1791) (n = 143), Agelaia vicina (Saussure, 1854) (n = 106), Agelaia multipicta (Haliday, 1836) (n = 18), and Polybia paulista Ihering, 1896 (n = 3). The wasps were observed feeding directly on the baits and preying on adult insects collected in the traps. Bait and habitat associations, temporal variability of social wasps, and possible forensic implications of their actions are discussed.
Constrained Undiscounted Stochastic Dynamic Programming

In this paper we investigate the computation of optimal policies in constrained discrete stochastic dynamic programming with the average reward as utility function. The state-space and action-sets are assumed to be finite. Constraints which are linear functions of the state-action frequencies are allowed. In the general multichain case, an optimal policy will be a randomized nonstationary policy. An algorithm to compute such an optimal policy is presented. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for optimal policies to be stationary are derived. There are many applications for constrained undiscounted stochastic dynamic programming, e.g., in multiple objective Markovian decision models.
Peritoneal Injury by Methylglyoxal in Peritoneal Dialysis

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a common treatment for patients with reduced or absent renal function. Long-term PD leads to peritoneal injury with structural changes and functional decline, such as ultrafiltration loss. At worst, peritoneal injury leads to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, a serious complication of PD. Glucose degradation products contained in PD fluids contribute to the bioincompatibility of conventional PD fluids. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is an extremely toxic glucose degradation product. The present study examined the injurious effect of MGO on peritoneum in vivo. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 6) were administered PD fluids (pH 5.0) containing 0, 0.66, 2, 6.6, or 20 mmol/L MGO every day for 21 days. On day 22, peritoneal function was estimated by the peritoneal equilibration test. Drained dialysate was analyzed for type IV collagen-7S, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Histological analysis was also performed. Results In rats receiving PD fluids containing more than 0.66 mmol/L MGO, peritoneal function decreased significantly and levels of type IV collagen-7S and MMP-2 in drained dialysate increased significantly. In the 20-mmol/L MGO-treated rats, loss of body weight, expression of VEGF, thickening of the peritoneum, and formation of abdominal cocoon were induced. MMP-2 and VEGF were produced by infiltrating cells in the peritoneum. Type IV collagen was detected in basement membrane of microvessels. Conclusion MGO induced not only peritoneal injury but also abdominal cocoon formation in vivo. The decline of peritoneal function may result from reconstitution of microvessel basement membrane or neovascularization.
Genome Comparison Analysis of Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Antibiotics in the Rickettsia Genus

Abstract: In this study we describe molecular mechanisms of resistance to several classes of antibiotics within drug targets by in silico genome comparisons for bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. Apart from the mutations in the rpoB gene in naturally rifampin‐resistant Rickettsia species previously reported by our team, we found that typhus group (TG) rickettsiae had a triple amino acid difference in the highly conserved region of the L22 ribosomal protein as compared to the spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG), which could explain the natural resistance of SFG rickettsia to erythromycin. We found also that the genome of R. conorii contains an aminoglycoside 3′‐phosphotransferase. Finally, either folA gene (encoding dihydrofolate reductase) and/or folP gene (encoding dihydropteroate synthase) was missing in the genome of rickettsial strains explaining the natural resistance to cotrimoxazole. Finally, multiple genes encoding for pump efflux were found especially in the genome of R. conorii that could be involved in resistance to antibiotics. Five specific ORFs related to antibiotic resistance have been identified in the genome of R. felis including a streptomycin resistance protein homologue, a class C beta‐lactamase, a class D beta‐lactamase, a penicillin acylase homologue, and an ABC‐type multidrug transporter system. For the first time, using this approach, an experimental beta‐lactamase activity has been shown for this bacterium. We believe that whole genome sequence analysis may help to predict several phenotypic characters, in particular resistance to antibiotics for obligate intracellular bacteria.
Adaptive Integral Sliding Mode Control With Time-Delay Estimation for Robot Manipulators

This paper presents an adaptive robust controller for robot manipulators using adaptive integral sliding mode control and time-delay estimation (TDE). The proposed controller employs TDE to estimate robot dynamics with uncertainties such as parameter variations and disturbances, an integral sliding surface to eliminate the reaching phase together with the noise-sensitive switching action used in the conventional sliding mode control, and adaptation gain dynamics to achieve the applicable high accuracy. Experimental studies using a programmable universal machine for assembly-type industrial robot manipulator are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control. The proposed controller is robust, chattering free, and highly accurate.
Long‐term survival after pancreatectomy for cancer

reticulum cells may be found in many cases of inflammation, the picture here is too widespread and dominant to be regarded as a manifestation of any ordinary inflammatory process. Macrophages and neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes are often seen in abundance in association with areas of necrosis and therefore may represent a secondary feature. The appearance of the reticulum cells is essentially that seen in Hodgkin’s disease--e.g., giant bizarre forms, mirror-image cells. Fibrosis, however, is not conspicuous and eosinophil leucocytes are absent, so that it would be inappropriate to regard the condition as an established example of Hodgkin’s disease. I t is noteworthy that there has not been a general involvement of the reticulo-endothelial system other than the non-specific changes already noted. Vascular changes, characterized by thrombosis and occasionally a peculiar form of endarteritis (Fig. 361) are essentially local phenomena in the areas of neoplastic tissue. There was no evidence of polyarteritis or similar lesions elsewhere in the body, as described in several cases reported as belonging to the malignant granuloma group. However, as we have had experience of a case of polyarteritis presenting as a lesion in the nasal mucosa in which biopsy and later autopsy were carried out, we think that this type of ulceration of the nasal cavity should be placed in a separate category. Spontaneous remission of varying degree and duration is not unknown in malignant disease, especially in the reticuloses, and in its behaviour malignant granuloma has many characteristics suggestive more of an atypical reticulosis than of an infection, not only by its response to radiotherapy (Howells, 1955 ; Glass, 1955 ; and Ellis, 1955), but by its failure to respond to antibiotics except in the case recorded by Sneddon and Colquhoun (1952) for which unfortunately no biopsy report is available. The response to cortisone obtained by Moore, Beard, Thoburn, and Williams (I~sI), and to ACTH by Hagens, Parry, and Markson (1953), has been short (one month and seven months respectively) and such responses are not uncommon in reticulosis and certainly do not support the theory of allergy to the exclusion of new growth. The concept of malignant granuloma as a tumour of the reticulo-endothelial system can be compared to the occurrence of extramedullary plasma-cell tumour originating in the nasal cavity. In the review by Hellwig (1943) certain cases he described as plasmocytoma showed the presence of immature cells of lymphoblastic type. From our own observations and a review of the literature we regard malignant granuloma as a variant of reticulum-cell neoplasia. If our interpretation is correct then it provides a rationale for the empirical use of radiotherapy, which Ellis (1955) found successful in his first case. I t would also explain the temporary benefit occasionally obtained by the use of cortisone and ACTH.
Osteosarcoma in Preadolescent Patients

The medical records of boys younger than 11 years and girls younger than 10 years of age with osteosarcoma of the pelvis or extremity were reviewed. Thirty patients were identified who were newly diagnosed but untreated for osteosarcoma. None of these patients had pulmonary metastases. The same four protocols were used to treat the patients in the current study as were used to treat adolescents. The event-free and overall survival was calculated and prognostic factors were assessed. The median followup time was 8 years (range, 6-14 years). The results were compared with the results of older patients treated with the same protocols and with published results. Fourteen patients had pulmonary metastases (47%); among these patients, four also had skeletal metastases (in two of the latter, skeletal metastases appeared before the pulmonary metastases). Event-free survival was 53% and overall survival was 57%. This result is comparable with current survival results in adolescent and older patients. Serum alkaline phosphatase and serum lactic dehydrogenase levels before treatment, height percentile greater than 50%, chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, surgical procedure, tumor site, tumor histologic features, and patient gender were not prognostic indicators. The prognosis for prepubertal patients with osteosarcoma is similar to the prognosis of their adolescent and older counterparts. There does not seem to be any indication to treat preadolescent patients with osteosarcoma using alternate therapies.
The Course of Fibre Diameter Classes Through the Chiasmatic Region in the Ferret

The present study has examined the transition of fibre order from the optic nerve through the optic chiasm and into the optic tract in the ferret's retinofugal pathway. Semi‐thin sections through the chiasmatic region were examined in normal and in monocularly enucleated ferrets in order to display the segregation of the different axon diameter classes as the fibres pass from the optic nerve into the optic tract, and to determine, for each diameter class, where the crossed and uncrossed components become separated in the chiasmatic region.
Norovirus outbreak in a pediatric oncology unit

Objective. Norovirus (NV) is an etiologic agent of outstanding importance that can cause severe epidemic gastroenteritis in day-care centers, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. Therefore NV requires foremost attention as a pathogen responsible for epidemics of gastroenteritis in immunocompromised inpatients. In this study, a NV outbreak in a pediatric oncology unit is described and the consequences for this high-risk population are discussed. Material and methods. Stool and vomitus samples from 11 patients were tested for NV and other relevant viruses during the outbreak by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (whenever an appropriate ELISA was available). Norwalk virus PCR amplifications were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed.Results. The index patient and the chain of infection were identified. Follow-up investigation surprisingly demonstrated viral shedding for a maximum of 140 days (median 23 days). Three patients experienced severe or life-threatening symptoms, probably related to NV infection.Conclusions. In the event of an outbreak of gastroenteritis (involving two or more symptomatic patients) in a pediatric oncology unit, the search for NV in stool or vomitus specimens should be initiated in good time. As long as the data are limited regarding whether a detectable viral antigen or RNA in stools represents an infectious virus, patients have to be isolated as long as the diagnostic assays remain positive. During the acute phase of the illness, health-care workers should wear masks in addition to practicing meticulous hand hygiene with a disinfectant of proven activity against NV. Pediatric oncology patients must be closely monitored during follow-up investigations as they may shed the virus for months. There is some evidence from the outbreak described here that those patients face a greater risk of severe NV-related complications.
Discrete Nonparametric Algorithms for Outlier Detection with Genomic Data

In high-throughput studies involving genetic data such as from gene expression microarrays, differential expression analysis between two or more experimental conditions has been a very common analytical task. Much of the resulting literature on multiple comparisons has paid relatively little attention to the choice of test statistic. In this article, we focus on the issue of choice of test statistic based on a special pattern of differential expression. The approach here is based on recasting multiple-comparison procedures for assessing outlying expression values. A major complication is that the resulting p values are discrete; some theoretical properties of sequential testing procedures in this context are explored. We propose the use of q value estimation procedures in this setting. Data from a gene expression profiling experiment in prostate cancer are used to illustrate the methodology.
Reversing chemoresistance by small molecule inhibition of the translation initiation complex eIF 4 F

IMMUNOLOGY Correction for “14-3-3σ regulates B-cell homeostasis through stabilization of FOXO1,” by Yu-Wen Su, Zhenyue Hao, Atsushi Hirao, Kazuo Yamamoto, Wen-Jye Lin, Ashley Young, Gordon S. Duncan, Hiroki Yoshida, Andrew Wakeham, Philipp A. Lang, Kiichi Murakami, Pamela Ohashi, and Tak W. Mak, which appeared in issue 4, January 25, 2011, of Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (108:1555–1560; first published January 4, 2011; 10.1073/pnas. 1017729108). The authors note that Heiko Hermeking should be added to the author line immediately following Kiichi Murakami, and Bert Vogelstein should be added to the author line immediately preceding Pamela Ohashi. Heiko Hermeking and Bert Vogelstein should be credited with contributing new reagents/ analytic tools. The online version has been corrected. The corrected author and affiliation lines and author contributions appear below.
PPADS and suramin as antagonists at cloned P2Y‐ and P2U‐purinoceptors

1 The effect of suramin and pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS) on the stimulation of phospholipase C in 1321N1 cells transfected with the human P2U‐purinoceptor (h‐P2U‐1321N1 cells) or with the turkey P2Y‐purinoceptor (t‐P2Y‐1321N1 cells) was investigated. 2‐Methylthioadenosine triphosphate (2MeSATP) was used as the agonist at t‐P2Y‐1321N1 cells and uridine triphosphate (UTP) at h‐P2U‐1321N1 cells. 2 Suramin caused a parallel shift to the right of the concentration‐response curves for 2MeSATP in the t‐P2Y‐1321N1 cells, yielding a Schild plot with a slope of 1.16 ± 0.08 and a pA2 value of 5.77 ± 0.11. 3 Suramin also caused a shift to the right of concentration‐response curves for UTP in the h‐P2U‐1321N1 cells, and on Schild plots gave a slope different from unity (1.57 ± 0.19) and an apparent pA2 value of 4.32 ± 0.13. Suramin was therefore a less potent antagonist at the P2U‐purinoceptor than the P2Y‐purinoceptor. 4 In the presence of the ectonucleotidase inhibitor, ARL 67156 (6‐N,N‐diethyl‐β,γ‐dibromomethylene‐D‐ATP) there was no significant difference in the EC50 or shapes of curves with either cell type, and no difference in pA2 values for suramin. 5 PPADS caused an increase in the EC50 for 2MeSATP in the t‐P2Y‐1321N1 cells. The Schild plot had a slope different from unity (0.55 ± 0.15) and an X‐intercept corresponding to an apparent pA2 of 5.98 ± 0.65. 6 PPADS up to 30 μm had no effect on the concentration‐response curve for UTP with the h‐P2U‐1321N1 cells. 7 In conclusion, suramin and PPADS show clear differences in their action at the 2 receptor types, in each case being substantially more effective as an antagonist at the P2Y‐purinoceptor than at the P2U‐purinoceptor. Ectonucleotidase breakdown had little influence on the nature of the responses at the two receptor types, or in their differential sensitivity to suramin.