Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Three Immunodiagnostic Assays for Antemortem Detection of Mycobacterium Bovis Stimulation in Domestic Cats

Mycobacterium bovis causes disease in numerous mammalian species including humans, thus making research, surveillance, and control important in the eradication of tuberculosis. Domestic cats are susceptible to multiple mycobacterial species including Mycobacterium bovis; however, their role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis is not fully documented. The current study was an evaluation of the immune response in specific pathogen–free (SPF) cats stimulated with sensitinogen, a heat-killed M. bovis product, using the rapid test, multiple antigen print immunoassay (MAPIA), and bovine-purified protein derivative (bPPD) single skin test. Six cats were inoculated with sensitinogen subcutaneously on days 0 and 24; 2 noninoculated cats and 49 non-SPF cats were controls. Serial serum samples were collected during 135 days and assayed for M. bovis antibodies by rapid test and MAPIA. On day 123, bPPD skin test was performed and read at 48 and 72 hr. The bPPD test at 72 hr had a mean skin thickness of 0.3 mm for stimulated cats and 0.1 mm for controls. Rapid test identified 4 of 6 stimulated cats after bPPD injection. The MAPIA detected antibody against MPB83, 16/83, 16 kDa, and M. bovis culture filtrate (MBCF) antigens. All assays differentiated between stimulated and control cats; however, 7 of 49 non-SPF control cats had a reaction for either antigen MBCF or 16/83. These preliminary studies show potential for antemortem detection of M. bovis among domestic cats. Additional studies to better characterize virulent M. bovis infection in cats would be of value.
Average Level Crossing Rate of Dual Selection Diversity in Correlated Rician Fading with Rayleigh Cochannel Interference

We present an infinite-series representation for the average level crossing rate (LCR) of dual selection combining (SC) receivers, operating over correlated Rician fading channels, in the presence of Rayleigh cochannel interference (CCI). Numerical results are presented to illustrate the proposed mathematical analysis and to point out the effect of the branch correlation and fading severity on the average LCR.
The “Wallpaper Effect” Revisited: Divergent Findings on the Effects of Intergroup Contact on Attitudes in Diverse Versus Nondiverse Contexts

This article reexamines the so-called “wallpaper effect” of intergroup contact, which contends that for minority group members living in areas more densely populated by majority group members, intergroup contact fails to reduce prejudice. We tested this claim in five studies, using data from five countries, two types of contexts, a range of measures, and involving different minority versus majority groups. Using multilevel cross-level interaction models, we considered whether effects of contact on outgroup attitudes were moderated by relative outgroup size. Results failed to replicate the previously reported findings, revealing, by and large, nonsignificant cross-level moderation effects; instead, we witnessed consistent positive contact effects on attitudes. Findings are discussed against the backdrop of recent research on the consequences of diversity, as well as context-based considerations regarding minority versus majority constellations. We also discuss some exceptions to our findings that emerged for some respondent groups and contexts across the five studies.
Different isozymes of mouse 11 beta-hydroxylase produce mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.

We have isolated and characterized two isozymes of mouse steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase (11 beta-OHase), designated 11 beta-OHase and aldosterone synthase (AS). Physical mapping of overlapping cosmid and phage isolates defined two genes (designated Cyp11b-1 and Cyp11b-2 in the standard nomenclature for cytochrome P450 genes) that are oriented in the same direction and separated by approximately 8 kilobase pairs of DNA. The two genes are highly homologous in their coding regions, with 84% nucleotide identity and 86% predicted amino acid identity. In regions where the sequences of the rat 11 beta-OHase and AS genes diverged most widely, the mouse sequences also differed significantly, thereby identifying putative mouse 11 beta-OHase and AS genes. Both genes were mapped to chromosome 15 by analyzing restriction fragment length variations in a panel of DNA samples from an interspecific cross. To determine the functional properties of the 11 beta-OHase and AS proteins, we transfected COS-7 cells with plasmids that expressed the proteins encoded by the 11 beta-OHase and AS genes. When expressed in transfected COS-7 cells, the 11 beta-OHase protein converted deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone but did not produce aldosterone. Consistent with its postulated role in mineralocorticoid biosynthesis, the product of the AS gene efficiently synthesized aldosterone. We next studied the expression of these two isozymes in Y1 adrenocortical tumor cells and in the intact mouse adrenal gland. Although Y1 cells otherwise resemble zona fasciculata cells and express the 11 beta-OHase gene at high levels, transcripts encoded by the AS gene were detected at levels approximately 10-fold lower than the 11 beta-OHase transcripts. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Iron and akathisia.

possible risk of hepatocellular carcinoma does not substantially alter the patterm of risks and benefits already known. To place the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a public health perspective, in 1979 there were 116 deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma among all US women (users and non-users of oral contraceptives) aged 1549. These deaths should be compared with the more than 1000 deaths a year from ovarian cancer that are annually averted by current patterns of oral contraceptive use. While there are case reports of women who get hepatocellular carcinoma while taking oral contraceptives, it is not possible to document those who do not get ovarian cancer. There were 2314 deaths from lung cancer among US women aged 1549 in 1979, almost all ofthese due to cigarette smoking. To put it another way, oral contraceptive use changes slightly the profile of diseases from which women die, but for women under 35 the overall benefits continue to outweigh the risks. Finally, the findings from these two studies should not be extrapolated to the many developing countries where the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is 10-20 times that in the United Kingdom or United States. Higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma in developing countries are probably due to a much stronger association with the predisposing factors of hepatitis B virus infectionandcirrhosisthanin developedcounties. Past or current hepatitisB virus infection is found in 7495%2 and cirrhosis in 60-90%' of all hepatocellular carcnoma cases world wide, but these factors are much less prevalent in young women with hepatocellular acinoma especially those who used oral contraceptives. Therefore, the percentage of cases ofhepatocellularcarcinomaindevelopingcountries attributable to oral contraceptive use would be much lower than in developed counties.
A continuous heparin infusion does not prevent catheter-related thrombosis in infants after cardiac surgery*

Objective: To determine whether a continuous infusion of heparin reduces the rate of catheter-related thrombosis in neonates and infants post cardiac surgery. Central venous and intracardiac catheters are used routinely in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients. Catheter-related thrombosis occurs in 8% to 45% of pediatric patients with central venous catheters. Design: Single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial. Setting: Cardiovascular intensive care unit, university-affiliated children's hospital. Patients: Children <1 yr of age recovering from cardiac surgery. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either continuous heparin at 10 units/kg/hr or placebo. The primary end point was catheter-related thrombosis as assessed by serial ultrasonography. Results: Study enrollment was discontinued early based on results from an interim futility analysis. Ninety subjects were enrolled and received the study drug (heparin, 53; placebo, 37). The catheter-related thrombosis rate in the heparin group, compared with the placebo group, was 15% vs. 16% (p = .89). Subjects in the heparin group had a higher mean partial thromboplastin time (52 secs vs. 42 secs, p = .001), and this difference was greater for those aged <30 days (64 secs vs. 43 secs, p = .008). Catheters in place ≥7 days had both a greater risk of thrombus formation (odds ratio, 4.3; p = .02) and catheter malfunction (odds ratio, 11.2; p = .008). We observed no significant differences in other outcome measures or in the frequency of adverse events. Conclusions: A continuous infusion of heparin at 10 units/kg/hr was safe but did not reduce catheter-related thrombus formation. Heparin at this dose caused an increase in partial thromboplastin time values, which, unexpectedly, was more pronounced in neonates.
Vaginal hysterectomy and oophorectomy in women with 12-20 weeks' size uterus.

BACKGROUND To compare the surgical outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy and prophylactic oophorectomy in women with a uterine size<12 weeks' gestation and 12-20 weeks' gestation, without decensus. METHODS In this prospective comparative study, 241 consecutive vaginal hysterectomies were planned for women with benign disease of the uterus. All hysterectomies were performed by the same surgeon (author), and divided into 2 groups: a uterine weight >280 g (n=83, 280-1150 g) and a uterine weight <280 g (n=158). The 2 groups were compared for success rates of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy vaginally, operative time, change in haemoglobin, haemorrhage, length of hospital stay, operative complications, and febrile morbidity. RESULTS All 241 hysterectomies were completed successfully vaginally, and no patients required laparotomy or additional procedures in both groups. No significant intra- and post-operative complications requiring admission to the hospital were encountered in either group. Mean operating time was significantly longer in the uteri >/=280-g group than in the <280-g group (69.4+/-24.4 versus 108.2+/-41.2 min, p<0.0001). The rate of intraoperative haemorrhage (8.43 versus 1.2%) and the change in haemoglobin were significantly higher in the >/=280-g group compared with the <280-g group (p<0.01). Significant positive linear correlation between uterine weight and operative time was seen in all 241 hysterectomies (p<0.001). The rate of bilateral oophorectomy was similar between the uteri >/=280-g group (89.8%) and the <280-g group (92.9%). The main intraoperative complication of the 241 vaginal hysterectomies was bladder injury that occurred in 1 case (0.4%) in the <280-g group. There were no statistically significant differences in intra- and post-operative complications, febrile morbidity, and postoperative hospital stay between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that despite the prolonged operating time and increased intraoperative blood loss, vaginal hysterectomy can be safely performed on a large uterus. Routine bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy can be performed in all patients who have sufficiently long infundibulopelvic ligaments to permit removal of the entire ovary.
Occupational risk factors for prostate cancer in an area of former coal, iron, and steel industries in Germany. Part 2: results from a study performed in the 1990s

ABSTRACT Currently, there is no established occupational risk factor for prostate cancer. However, in the 1980s, a hospital-based case-control study in the greater Dortmund area showed an elevated risk for hard coal miners and, based on few cases, for painters and varnishers. Therefore, approximately 10 yr later, a similar study regarding prostate cancer was performed in this area. In total, 292 patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy and 313 controls who underwent transurethral resection of a benign prostatic hyperplasia were investigated by questionnaire. All of them were operated on between 1995 and 1999. This study showed a decreased risk for prostate cancer in hard coal miners (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44–1.03). Occupational exposures related to an elevated risk for prostate cancer were exposures to combustion products (20% cases vs. 11% controls), colorants and dyes (19 vs. 13%), and cutting fluids (8 vs. 6%). The different prostate cancer risks for underground coal miners in two studies with a time interval of approximately 10 yr are striking. Factors to be discussed are the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer and investigation of cases that underwent radical prostatectomy, where the disease in general is locally confined. Working conditions in the local underground coal mines improved over time but did not change markedly in the period of interest. In essence, the present study does not corroborate an elevated prostate cancer risk in former underground hard coal miners from the greater Dortmund area.
Do older individuals have difficulty processing motion or excluding noise? Implications for safe driving

This study aimed to determine if difficulties extracting signal from noise explained poorer coherent motion thresholds in older individuals, particularly women. In four experimental conditions the contrast of the signal and noise dots used in a random dot kinematogram was manipulated. Coherence thresholds were highest when the signal dots were of a lower contrast than the noise dots and lowest when the signal dots were of a higher contrast than the noise dots. In all conditions the older group had higher coherence thresholds than the younger group, and women had higher thresholds than men. Significant correlations were found between coherence thresholds and self-reported driving difficulties in conditions in which the signal dots had to be extracted from noise only. The results indicate that older individuals have difficulties extracting signal from noise in cluttered visual environments. The implications for safe driving are discussed.
Taxanes‐induced cutaneous eruption: another histopathologic mimicker of malignancy

Paclitaxel and docetaxel are antineoplastic drugs that bind the microtubules, producing the arrest of mitoses, which may be seen histopathologically. These histopathologic changes may simulate an intraepidermal keratinocytic malignant neoplasm, and an accurate diagnosis may be only established by clinicopathological correlation.
μ-Azido-κ2 N 1:N 1-μ-chlorido-bis[(2-chloro-3-dimethylamino-1-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl-κ2 C 1,N)palladium(II)] chloroform monosolvate

In the binuclear title complex, [Pd2(C11H13ClN)2Cl(N3)]·CHCl3, each PdII atom has a slightly distorted square-planar geometry being coordinated by a C and an N atom of the 2-chloro-3-dimethylamino-1-phenylpropyl ligand, a bridging Cl atom and an N atom of a bridging end-on azide group. There is a short intramolecular C—H⋯Cl contact in the complex molecule. In the crystal, the chloroform solvent molecule is linked to the complex via a C—H⋯π interaction.
Regulation of PIK3C3/VPS34 complexes by MTOR in nutrient stress-induced autophagy

Autophagy is a cellular defense response to stress conditions, such as nutrient starvation. The type III phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase, whose catalytic subunit is PIK3C3/VPS34, plays a critical role in intracellular membrane trafficking and autophagy induction. PIK3C3 forms multiple complexes and the ATG14-containing PIK3C3 is specifically involved in autophagy induction. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) complex 1, MTORC1, is a key cellular nutrient sensor and integrator to stimulate anabolism and inhibit catabolism. Inactivation of TORC1 by nutrient starvation plays a critical role in autophagy induction. In this report we demonstrated that MTORC1 inactivation is critical for the activation of the autophagy-specific (ATG14-containing) PIK3C3 kinase, whereas it has no effect on ATG14-free PIK3C3 complexes. MTORC1 inhibits the PtdIns 3-kinase activity of ATG14-containing PIK3C3 by phosphorylating ATG14, which is required for PIK3C3 inhibition by MTORC1 both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest a mechanistic link between amino acid starvation and autophagy induction via the direct activation of the autophagy-specific PIK3C3 kinase.
A dual wideband and low phase-noise CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator with a transformer-based switching resonator

This work presents a dual-band CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) design by using a pair of transformers as part of a switching resonator for band selection. The proposed design is characterized mainly by its ability to achieve two separate wide tuning bands. Additionally, the VCO phase noise is significantly diminished by applying the impedance locus method. Consequently, the dual-band VCO has a tuning range of 2.3 to 3.2 GHz for the low-band mode and 4.29 to 5.35 GHz for the high-band mode. The measured phase noises are −125 dBc/Hz and −123 dBc/Hz for the low-band and the high-band, respectively, at the frequency offset of 1 MHz. This dual-band VCO is implemented using 0.18 µm CMOS technology with a supply voltage of 1.8 V.
A 65nm CMOS pulse-width-controlled driver with 8Vpp output voltage for switch-mode RF PAs up to 3.6GHz

State-of-the-art wireless communication radios are implemented in deep-submi-cron CMOS, including the RF power amplifiers (PAs). However, in wireless infrastructure systems, the RF PA is often realized in an LDMOS or a compound technology to obtain the required large output powers. For next-generation reconfigurable infrastructure systems, the switch-mode PAs (SMPA) seem to offer the required flexibility for multiband multimode transmitters. In order to interface the high-power devices of the SMPA with the digital CMOS blocks of the transmitter, a wideband RF CMOS driver capable to generate high voltage (HV) swings is required. In this way, digital signal processing can be directly applied to control the required input pulse shapes of the SMPA.
A numerical study of the motion of a single drop in simple shear flow: Density ratio effects

Three-dimensional numerical simulations are performed to study the density ratio effects on the cross-stream migration of a drop in simple shear flow at finite Reynolds numbers using a front-tracking/finite difference method. The gravity force is also included. For slightly buoyant drops (η = 0.998 or 1.002), the equilibrium position of drops are close to either of the walls, depending on whether the drop leads or lags the ambient fluid. For larger buoyancy (η = 0.95 or 1.05), the final equilibrium position, moves to the centreline. If the drop is slightly buoyant, the slip velocity is much larger than that of a heavier drop.
Coordinating the Initial Steps of Base Excision Repair

DNA glycosylases initiate base excision repair by removing damaged or mismatched bases, producing apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) DNA. For many glycosylases, the AP-DNA remains tightly bound, impeding enzymatic turnover. A prominent example is thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG), which removes T from G·T mispairs and recognizes other lesions, with specificity for damage at CpG dinucleotides. TDG turnover is very slow; its activity appears to reach a plateau as the [product]/[enzyme] ratio approaches unity. The follow-on base excision repair enzyme, AP endonuclease 1 (APE1), stimulates the turnover of TDG and other glycosylases, involving a mechanism that remains largely unknown. We examined the catalytic activity of human TDG (hTDG), alone and with human APE1 (hAPE1), using pre-steady-state kinetics and a coupled-enzyme (hTDG-hAPE1) fluorescence assay. hTDG turnover is exceedingly slow for G·T (kcat = 0.00034 min-1) and G·U (kcat = 0.005 min-1) substrates, much slower than kmax from single turnover experiments, confirming that AP-DNA release is rate-limiting. We find unexpectedly large differences in kcat for G·T, G·U, and G·FU substrates, indicating the excised base remains trapped in the product complex by AP-DNA. hAPE1 increases hTDG turnover by 42- and 26-fold for G·T and G·U substrates, the first quantitative measure of the effect of hAPE1. hAPE1 stimulates hTDG by disrupting the product complex rather than merely depleting (endonucleolytically) the AP-DNA. The enhancement is greater for hTDG catalytic core (residues 111–308 of 410), indicating the N- and C-terminal domains are dispensable for stimulatory interactions with hAPE1. Potential mechanisms for hAPE1 disruption of the of hTDG product complex are discussed.
The Application of Proteomics to the Human Alcoholic Brain

Abstract: Alcoholism results in changes in the human brain that reinforce the cycle of craving and dependency, and these changes are manifest in the pattern of expression of proteins in key cells and brain areas. Described here is a proteomics‐based approach aimed at determining the identity of proteins in the superior frontal cortex (SFC) of the human brain that show different levels of expression in autopsy samples taken from healthy and long‐term alcohol abuse subjects. Soluble protein fractions constituting pooled samples combined from SFC biopsies of four well‐characterized chronic alcoholics (mean consumption > 80 g ethanol/day throughout adulthood) and four matched controls (<20 g/day) were generated. Two‐dimensional electrophoresis was performed in triplicate on alcoholic and control samples and the resultant protein profiles analyzed for differential expression. Overall, 182 proteins differed by the criterion of twofold or more between case and control samples. Of these, 139 showed significantly lower expression in alcoholics, 35 showed significantly higher expression, and 8 were new or had disappeared. To date, 63 proteins have been identified using MALDI‐MS and MS‐MS. The finding that the expression level of differentially expressed proteins is preponderantly lower in the alcoholic brain is supported by recent results from parallel studies using microarray mRNA transcript.
Speed control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor using predictive current control

This paper presents the use of a predictive technique to control the currents in a PMSM, driven by a voltage source inverter. This method allows for a high quality current control without using linear controllers and modulators, resulting in a conceptually simple solution. Simulation an experimental results confirm the good performance of the drive controlled by this method.
Accuracy-aware Aquatic Diffusion Process Profiling using Mobile Sensor Networks

Water resources and aquatic ecosystems are facing increasing threats from climate change, improper waste disposal, and oil spill incidents. It is of great interest to deploy mobile sensor networks to detect and monitor the (e.g , chemical pollutants or oil) diffusion processes that are ha rmful to aquatic environments. In this paper, we propose an accura cyaware diffusion process profiling approach using smart aqua tic mobile sensors such as robotic fish. In our approach, the mobile sensors collaboratively profile the characteristic s of a diffusion including source location, pollution amount, and its evolution over time. In particular, the mobile sensors reposition themselves to progressively improve the profiling accuracy . We formally formulate a novel movement scheduling problem that aims to maximize the profiling accuracy subject to limited sensor mobility and energy budget. We develop a light-weigh t greedy algorithm as well as a more complex near-optimal algorithm to solve the problem. Extensive simulations unde r realistic settings validate the effectiveness of our appro ach. Moreover, a preliminary implementation on TelosB motes sho ws the feasibility of deploying our movement scheduling algor ithms on mote-class sensor platforms.