Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbiology of thiobacilli and other sulphur-oxidizing autotrophs, mixotrophs and heterotrophs.

Recent studies on the ecophysiology of the obligate chemolithotroph Thiobacillus neapolitanus have given better insight into its specialization for an autotrophic mode of life. This appears not only from its high constitutive levels of autotrophic enzymes, but also from its possession of carboxysomes, which seem to be specialized organelles for CO2 fixation and concentrating reducing power. At the same time, these organisms are metabolically versatile with respect to nitrogen assimilation pathways, and during starvation are able to utilize endogenous resources such as polyglucose for carbon and energy. Studies on the facultative chemolithotrophs such as Thiobacillus novellus and Thiobacillus A2 have shown that they can grow mixotrophically on mixtures of inorganic and organic substrates, i.e. they can utilize these compounds simultaneously provided that they are growth limiting. Thiobacillus A2 displays a remarkable flexibility not only with respect to the organic substrates that it can utilize but, for example, also in the choice of various pathways for glucose metabolism. Competition experiments carried out between specialized and versatile thiobacilli strongly indicate that the ecological advantage of the versatile thiobacilli may lie not so much in their short-term flexibility, but rather in their ability to grow mixotrophically. Studies on most heterotrophic chemolithotrophs are still in their infancy. Promising progress has been made in the study of the physiology of Beggiatoa species. Renewed interest in the sulphur-oxidizing bacteria stems from recent findings about their role in food chains, and their possible application in industry.
Testing the relations of gelotophobia with humour as a coping strategy, self-ascribed loneliness, reflectivity, attractiveness, self-acceptance, and life expectations

Gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at) was studied in a sample of N = 1,322 Danish adolescents aged 11 to 16. When using a measure of coping humour in three different respects (using humour (1) to overcome uncertainty and stress, (2) in relation to aggression and sexuality, and (3) to get cheered up) , it was indicated that the fear of being laughed at existed independently from the use of humour as a coping strategy. It is suggested that interventions targeting the positive use of laughter and humour may have a potential for increasing the well-being of adolescents with high levels of the fear of being laughed at. In single item ratings higher levels of gelotophobia were associated with greater self-ascribed loneliness, lower perceived attractiveness, lower self-acceptance, and rather negative life expectancies. Findings are discussed in the light of current literature and with respect to potential implications for the school life of adolescents.
A new Homo erectus (Zhoukoudian V) brain endocast from China

A new Homo erectus endocast, Zhoukoudian (ZKD) V, is assessed by comparing it with ZKD II, ZKD III, ZKD X, ZKD XI, ZKD XII, Hexian, Trinil II, Sambungmacan (Sm) 3, Sangiran 2, Sangiran 17, KNM-ER 3733, KNM-WT 15 000, Kabwe, Liujiang and 31 modern Chinese. The endocast of ZKD V has an estimated endocranial volume of 1140 ml. As the geological age of ZKD V is younger than the other ZKD H. erectus, evolutionary changes in brain morphology are evaluated. The brain size of the ZKD specimens increases slightly over time. Compared with the other ZKD endocasts, ZKD V shows important differences, including broader frontal and occipital lobes, some indication of fuller parietal lobes, and relatively large brain size that reflect significant trends documented in later hominin brain evolution. Bivariate and principal component analyses indicate that geographical variation does not characterize the ZKD, African and other Asian specimens. The ZKD endocasts share some common morphological and morphometric features with other H. erectus endocasts that distinguish them from Homo sapiens.
Effect of saturable serum protein binding on the pharmacokinetics of unbound cefonicid in humans

Previous studies have demonstrated high, concentration-dependent serum protein binding of cefonicid. To determine the in vivo pharmacokinetic significance of these observations, the pharmacokinetics of both total and unbound (non-protein-bound) cefonicid was studied in six volunteers after a single intravenous dose of 30 mg/kg. Saturable serum protein binding was observed in vivo; the mean +/- standard deviation free fraction of cefonicid was 17.6 +/- 6.1% immediately after administration and declined to a constant value of approximately 2% as total serum concentrations fell below 100 micrograms/ml. This nonlinear binding was associated with a pronounced decline in unbound serum cefonicid concentrations during the first 3 h after administration, with low or undetectable unbound drug concentrations by 12 h. Renal clearance of total cefonicid averaged 21.1 ml/min per kg and did not vary with time; in contrast, the mean +/- standard deviation unbound cefonicid renal clearance increased from 5.7 +/- 2.1 to 10.8 +/- 1.6 ml/min per kg with time (P less than 0.02). This study may partially explain the poor results obtained with single daily dosing of cefonicid in endocarditis. Dosage regimens of certain antimicrobial agents with high, saturable serum protein binding and extensive renal tubular secretion may be most appropriately designed based on unbound drug pharmacokinetics.
Définition et étude d'un modèle topologique minimal de représentation d'images 2d et 3d. (Definition and study of a minimal topological model of 2d and 3d image representation)

Dans cette these, nous definissons et etudions un modele topologique de representation d'images segmentees en 2 et 3 dimensions : la carte topologique. La definition d'un tel modele est primordiale afin de definir des algorithmes de segmentation efficaces. Ce probleme a ete beaucoup etudie en dimension 2, mais les solutions proposees sont difficilement extensibles en dimension 3. Pour repondre a ce probleme, nous definissons d'abord la carte topologique en dimension 2 en ayant comme preoccupation principale son extension en dimension superieure. Nous introduisons une notion de niveau de simplification qui permet une definition progressive, chaque niveau s'obtenant simplement a partir du niveau precedent par application d'un type particulier de fusion. Cette notion permet de simplifier la definition de la carte topologique qui correspond au dernier niveau. Ces niveaux de simplification s'etendent sans difficulte majeure en dimension 3, et en dimension n. Ils facilitent egalement l'etude de la carte topologique et la preuve de ses proprietes. Ce modele est en effet minimal, complet, invariant par rotation, translation et homothetie, et unique. Nous presentons des algorithmes d'extraction permettant de construire ce modele a partir d'images segmentees. Un premier algorithme > effectue plusieurs passes sur l'image et n'est pas lineaire en dimension 3. Nous etudions ensuite un algorithme optimal d'extraction, base sur la notion de precode, effectuant un seul balayage de l'image et un nombre minimal d'operations. Les niveaux de simplification permettent de regrouper les nombreux cas a traiter, en etudiant pour chaque niveau les cas supplementaires par rapport au niveau precedent.
Semen characteristics and malondialdehyde levels in men with different reproductive problems

The aim of this study was to assess the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the seminal plasma of infertile men and to highlight a relationship between the level of MDA and semen parameters. Eighty‐one infertile patients were divided into groups according to their clinical diagnosis: genitourinary infections, varicocele and idiopathic infertility. Semen quality was assessed by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data were quantified with a mathematical formula able to obtain a fertility index and the percentage of sperm apoptosis, immaturity, and necrosis. Seminal MDA levels were determined by spectrofluorometry. Scrotal Eco‐color Doppler was used to detect the varicocele. Infected patients had a positive bacteriological semen analysis. A control group consisted of 14 normospermic fertile men. Fertile group showed significantly increased values of sperm concentration, motility, and fertility index compared to infertile groups. In the infertile groups, sperm motility, concentration, apoptosis, and fertility index were not significantly different. In infection group, the percentage of necrosis was significantly higher than that observed in fertile men, varicocele, and idiopathic infertility groups (p < 0.001). MDA levels increased significantly in infection group in comparison with varicocele group (p < 0.01), idiopathic infertility group, and fertile men (p < 0.001) and in varicocele group compared to idiopathic infertility group (p < 0.001). In infection group, MDA levels positively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.01), fertility index (p < 0.05), and necrosis (p < 0.001), whereas a negative correlation was found with motility (p < 0.01). In varicocele group MDA levels correlated positively with necrosis and negatively with immaturity (p < 0.05). In fertile men and idiopathic infertility group, they did not show any correlation. In conclusion, we suggest that the evaluation of seminal MDA may be a good marker for understanding pathologies responsible of a sperm motility reduction such as urogenital infections or inflammatory status.
Tumor necrosis factor/cachectin decreases catalase activity of rat liver.

Tumor bearing hosts and animals treated with endotoxin commonly show a decrease in the catalase activity of the liver and kidney. Since tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/cachectin may play a significant role in these conditions, we investigated its effects on the catalatic and peroxidatic activity of catalase in the liver and kidney of the rat. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were measured simultaneously to monitor the pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways, respectively. Injection i.p. of 100 micrograms/kg/day human recombinant TNF-alpha for 5 days resulted in a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in the catalatic activity of the liver when compared to rats fed ad libitum. The decrease in four experiments ranged from 21 to 56%. A significant decrease (18%; P = 0.01) in liver catalatic and peroxidatic activity was also observed in another experiment using pair fed rats as controls. The peroxidatic activity of catalase with ethanol as hydrogen donor closely paralleled the catalatic activity. TNF treatment had no detectable effect on the catalatic or peroxidatic activity of catalase in the kidney. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased (31-80%) significantly (P less than or equal to 0.02) in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in the kidney (5-27%, P = 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased (14-19%) significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) in the liver and kidney but mainly in rats treated with TNF and additionally fasted for 24 h. Electron microscopic examination of liver sections showed that the hepatocytes of TNF-treated rats were undamaged but contained fewer and smaller peroxisomes than those of the control rats.
Tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients: a comparison of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway™ and Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrach™ *

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway™ (ILMA) and Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrach™ (LMA CTrach) in facilitating tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients. Eighty patients (body mass index > 40kg.m−2) were randomly allocated to the ILMA or the LMA CTrach. The median (IQR [range]) total time taken for tracheal intubation was shorter with the ILMA than with the LMA CTrach (78 (63–105 [40–265]) s vs 128 (98–221 [60–423]) s, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more manoeuvres were applied for the satisfactory ventilation and viewing of the glottis with the LMA CTrach (25% vs 55% with the ILMA; p = 0.006). During the postoperative period, there was more sore throat with the LMA CTrach (p < 0.02). We conclude that the ILMA results in shorter intubation times with fewer manoeuvres and sore throat compared with the LMA CTrach in the morbidly obese.
Organization and expression of the Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) hsp23, hsp24, hsp70 and hsp83 genes

In this study we report the isolation and characterization of a heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) gene, the hsp83 gene and two genes that encode small Hsps (Lchsp23 and Lchsp24) from the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, a major agricultural pest. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the LcHsp23 protein is the orthologue of Drosophila melanogaster Hsp23 and LcHsp24 is the orthologue of Sarcophaga crassipalpis Hsp23. Quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR analysis showed that the basal level of Lchsp83 RNA is relatively high at all developmental stages and only moderately induced by heat shock. In contrast, Lchsp70 transcripts are present at low levels and strongly induced by heat shock at all stages. The basal levels of expression and degrees of heat induction of the Lchsp23 and Lchsp24 transcripts were more variable across the different developmental stages. Putative heat shock factor binding sites were identified in the Lchsp24, Lchsp70 and Lchsp83 gene promoters. The isolation of these hsp gene promoters will facilitate constitutive or conditional expression of a gene of interest in transgenic Lucilia.
Response to a social dilemma: an analysis of the choice between an economic and an environmental optimum in a policy making context

Many countries have begun to require benefit-cost analysis as a way of informing key regulatory decisions. However, its actual use seem to be limited, especially in the area of environmental, health, and safety regulation. Reasons for this seem to be lack of knowledge and experience among decision makers and that established quality objectives prevent the use of this type of analysis and deliberation. We present the results from an experiment designed to investigate choice behavior in a public sector context. Students with different academic majors were asked to act as decision makers. There were two choice situations: one in a municipality deciding on an action plan and one in a government agency having to propose a national limit value. In both settings, the outcome that would pass a benefit-cost test would not achieve a natural state of the environment, hence a social dilemma choice situation. We find that a majority of the respondents prefer outcomes that can be considered environmental “optimum” but that there is a difference depending on academic major. The choice context also influences the response behavior and so does the information about an international standard. The latter increases the likelihood to accept alternatives that imply higher costs.
Effects of My Child's Safety Web-Based Program for Caregivers of Children with Cancer in South Korea

Objectives The purposes of this study were to develop a Web-based education program, My Child's Safety, which includes patient safety education and information on the diagnosis, treatment, and management for caregivers of children with cancer, and to examine the efficacy of the My Child's Safety program in promoting the caregivers' awareness of patient safety. Methods A one-group pre- and post-test design was adopted. The participants were the caregivers of children with cancer and were recruited from one pediatric hemato-oncology unit of a tertiary university hospital in a large metropolitan city of South Korea. They were asked to review the Web-based program for patient safety and then complete questionnaires developed to measure the awareness of patient safety among the caregivers. Results In the study, the total score of the caregivers' awareness of patient safety had increased significantly after Web-based self-learning patient safety education. Also caregivers' awareness of their right to ask and know about procedures and treatments during hospitalization had increased after the program was used. Conclusions The Web-based patient safety education program effectively improved the awareness of patient safety and the awareness of the right to know and ask about procedures and treatments during hospitalization among the caregivers. Family caregivers were less likely to ask healthcare professionals questions related to safety.
All-Fiber Fused Coupler for Stable Generation of Radially and Azimuthally Polarized Beams

The stable generation of TE01 and TM01 beams is demonstrated through a novel all-fiber fused coupler fabricated from a standard single mode fiber (SMF) and a custom air-core fiber. The fundamental mode in the SMF is directly coupled to the TM01 or TE01 mode by appropriately phase matching the modes in the fibers resulting in efficiency of ~67% and ~85%, and polarization purity of 70% and 82%, respectively. The phase matching is achieved through pre-tapering the SMF with precise control of the tapering ratio. The air-core fiber ensures selective excitation of the desired modes, thereby improving propagation stability and polarization quality of the TE01 and TM01 beams.
Assessment of the relationship between timing of fixation of the fracture and secondary brain injury in patients with multiple trauma.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that early fixation of a fracture is deleterious to eventual neurologic outcome. We undertook this study to determine whether the timing of fracture fixation is correlated to neurologic outcome. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with severe head and orthopedic injuries requiring fracture fixation. Patients were divided into two groups: early fracture fixation (< 24 hours after injury) and late fracture fixation (> 24 hours after injury). RESULTS One hundred twenty-three patients met entry criteria. During fracture fixation, the early group had a significant 2-, 3-, and 2-fold increase in crystalloid, blood infusion, and blood loss, respectively. There was no difference in oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure or episodes of cranial hypertension or hypoperfusion. There was no difference in outcomes as measured by in-hospital complications, stay in the intensive care unit or hospital, mortality rates, hospital discharge or follow-up Glasgow Coma Scores, or long-term orthopedic or neurologic results. CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing fracture fixation with severe head injury mandate monitoring of intracranial pressure and perfusion and tailored fluid resuscitation to meet specific organ end points. Integrating end organ perfusion and pressure with meticulous fluid status during the definitive repair phase may reduce the exposure to secondary brain injury in patients undergoing early fracture fixation.
A review of the epidemiology of depression in Korea

Depression is one of the most significant public health problems in Korea. The lifetime prevalence rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) in Korean adults have ranged from 3.3% to 5.6%, which are lower than those of western countries. Point prevalence rates of MDD in Korean elders from 4.6% to 7.5%, which are relatively higher than those of Western countries and other Eastern countries, have been reported. The prevalence rate of probable depression (depressive symptoms defined by the cutoff point of 16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was lowest in the age group of 40 to 49 years at 7.6%, and highest in the age group of 15 to 18 years at 46.8%. The prevalence of probable depression in Korean elders increased with age and was highest in the group aged 80 years and over, at 35.4%. There is relatively consistent evidence that being female, having low income, no education, prior MDD, dementia and history of cerebrovascular attack increased the risk of depression. Although it is difficult to come to consistent conclusions on the epidemiology of depression in Korea due to methodological differences between studies, depression is already common and will become more common in Korea. Tremendous sociocultural, economic, and political changes along with rapid population aging have contributed and will contribute to the prevalence and impacts of depression in Korea.
QTc interval prolongation and QTc dispersion in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether QT interval, QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc), and QTc dispersion changes are already present in children and adolescents with diabetes. STUDY DESIGN QT interval, QTc, and QTc dispersion were measured on a 12-lead surface electrocardiogram in 60 children and adolescents with stable type 1 diabetes and in 63 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Differences were evaluated by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test. The number of patients with QTc > 440 ms was compared in the two groups. The possible influence of age, sex, diabetes duration, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) was examined by using Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS Diabetic children had significantly longer QTc intervals and a significantly larger QTc dispersion. The number of individuals with a QTc >440 ms was significantly higher in the diabetic group (14/60) than in the control group (2/63). The effect of age on R-R interval and QTc dispersion in healthy children was less pronounced in children with diabetes. HbA(1C) values did not significantly correlate with any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS QTc prolongation and a larger QTc dispersion are already present in a significant proportion of children and adolescents with diabetes.
The Appearance of Plant and Animal Domestication in New Guinea

Des materiaux obtenus au cours d'un programme de recherches archeologiques, geomorphologiques et paleobotaniques dans une zone marecageuse de la Kuk Agricultural Research Station dans la haute vallee de la Wahgi (Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea), sont interpretes comme indiquant le debut de l'agriculture dans la region vers 9 000 avant le present. Les depots du marecage revelent un episode d'erosion acceleree dans le captage des eaux, du a des deforestations operees pour l'agriculture. Un canal contemporain du bassin marecageux est estime avoir ete ouvert pour evacuer les eaux et permettre l'agriculture dans le bassin meme. Les traits archeologiques supposes etre associes a cette forme de culture sont decrits, dont des bassins resultant peut-etre des bauges a cochons, animaux non autochtones en Nouvelle-Guinee. Le probleme de la date d'introduction du cochon dans l'ile a partir de l'Asie du Sud-Est — un sujet a controverse — est mis en rapport avec la question de savoir si l'agriculture originelle en Nouvelle-Guinee fut basee sur la domestication des plantes locales ou dependit des cultigenes pretendument d'origine sud-est asiatique, dominants dans l'agriculture contemporaine de Nouvelle-Guinee et du Pacifique.
The Effects of a Fluoroquinolone on the Growth and Development of Infants

Growth and development were monitored for up to 42 months in nine neonates to whom ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, was given in the neonatal period at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day. Ciprofloxacin was used only as a ‘life-saving’ therapy in cases of sepsis produced by bacterial agents resistant to other antibiotics. Two other groups of nine neonates, matched by birth weight and gestational age, were studied as controls: one group with sepsis, which was effectively treated with cefotaxime and a group of healthy neonates. No statistically significant differences in growth and development between the groups were found during follow-up for 42 months. No osteoarticular problems or joint deformities were observed in the ciprofloxacin group. Ciprofloxacin appears to provide a therapeutic option as a ‘life-saving’ therapy for newborns with sepsis produced by multiply resistant organisms.