Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of sewage sludge amendments on pesticide sorption and leaching through undisturbed Mediterranean soils

The Gharb region in Morocco is an important agricultural zone where soils receive pesticide treatments and organic amendments to increase yields. The groundwater aquifer in the Gharb region is relatively shallow and thus vulnerable. The objective of this work was to study the influence of organic amendments on diuron, cyhalofop-butyl and procymidone leaching through undisturbed soil columns. Two soils were sampled from the Gharb region, a Dehs (sandy soil) and a R’mel (loamy clay soil). Following elution (124.5 mm), the amount of pesticide residues in the leachates of the sandy soil (0.06–0.21 %) was lower than in those of the loamy clay soil (0.20–0.36 %), which was probably due to preferential flow through the loamy clay soil. The amount of procymidone leached through the amended soil columns was greater than the control for the sandy soil only. The organic amendments did not significantly influence diuron and cyhalofop-butyl leaching in either of the soils. The application of organic amendments affected the amounts of dissolved organic matter (DOM) eluted and thus pesticide leaching as a function of soil-type. Nevertheless, in some case, the formation of pesticide-DOM complexes appeared to promote pesticide leaching, thus increasing groundwater contamination risks.
Stability of the higher-bound states in a saturable self-focusing medium.

We present an investigation of the stability of the cylindrically symmetric higher-bound states that can be formed in a self-focusing medium with saturation. The higher-bound states are found to display transverse instabilities that break the azimuthal symmetry of the system. An approximate analytic theory is presented that correctly describes the qualitative variations of the numerically calculated instability growth rates.
The UL31 and UL34 Gene Products of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Are Required for Optimal Localization of Viral Glycoproteins D and M to the Inner Nuclear Membranes of Infected Cells

ABSTRACT UL31 and UL34 of herpes simplex virus type 1 form a complex necessary for nucleocapsid budding at the inner nuclear membrane (INM). Previous examination by immunogold electron microscopy and electron tomography showed that pUL31, pUL34, and glycoproteins D and M are recruited to perinuclear virions and densely staining regions of the INM where nucleocapsids bud into the perinuclear space. We now show by quantitative immunogold electron microscopy coupled with analysis of variance that gD-specific immunoreactivity is significantly reduced at both the INM and outer nuclear membrane (ONM) of cells infected with a UL34 null virus. While the amount of gM associated with the nuclear membrane (NM) was only slightly (P = 0.027) reduced in cells infected with the UL34 null virus, enrichment of gM in the INM at the expense of that in the ONM was greatly dependent on UL34 (P < 0.0001). pUL34 also interacted directly or indirectly with immature forms of gD (species expected to reside in the endoplasmic reticulum or nuclear membrane) in lysates of infected cells and with the cytosolic tail of gD fused to glutathione S-transferase in rabbit reticulocyte lysates, suggesting a role for the pUL34/gD interaction in recruiting gD to the NM. The effects of UL34 on gD and gM localization were not a consequence of decreased total expression of gD and gM, as determined by flow cytometry. Separately, pUL31 was dispensable for targeting gD and gM to the two leaflets of the NM but was required for (i) the proper INM-versus-ONM ratio of gD and gM in infected cells and (ii) the presence of electron-dense regions in the INM, representing nucleocapsid budding sites. We conclude that in addition to their roles in nucleocapsid envelopment and lamina alteration, UL31 and UL34 play separate but related roles in recruiting appropriate components to nucleocapsid budding sites at the INM.
Tumor heterogeneity and cancer stem cell paradigm: Updates in concept, controversies and clinical relevance

Although tumor heterogeneity is widely accepted, the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their proposed role in tumor maintenance has always been challenged and remains a matter of debate. Recently, a path‐breaking chapter was added to this saga when three independent groups reported the in vivo existence of CSCs in brain, skin and intestinal tumors using lineage‐tracing and thus strengthens the CSC concept; even though certain fundamental caveats are always associated with lineage‐tracing approach. In principle, the CSC hypothesis proposes that similar to normal stem cells, CSCs maintain self renewal and multilineage differentiation property and are found at the central echelon of cellular hierarchy present within tumors. However, these cells differ from their normal counterpart by maintaining their malignant potential, alteration of genomic integrity, epigenetic identity and the expression of specific surface protein profiles. As CSCs are highly resistant to chemotherapeutics, they are thought to be a crucial factor involved in tumor relapse and superficially appear as the ultimate therapeutic target. However, even that is not the end; further complication is attributed by reports of bidirectional regeneration mechanism for CSCs, one from their self‐renewal capability and another from the recently proposed concept of dynamic equilibrium between CSCs and non‐CSCs via their interconversion. This phenomenon has currently added a new layer of complexity in understanding the biology of tumor heterogeneity. In‐spite of its associated controversies, this area has rapidly emerged as the center of attention for researchers and clinicians, because of the conceptual framework it provides towards devising new therapies.
A clinical comparison of one- and two-screw odontoid fixation.

OBJECT The optimal treatment of Type II odontoid fractures is controversial. Various therapies have been used, including nonrigid immobilization, halo orthosis, posterior atlantoaxial arthrodesis, and odontoid screw fixation. Of these, odontoid screw fixation is the only treatment modality that provides immediate stabilization and preserves normal motion at C1-2. It has been suggested in cadaveric biomechanical studies that there is no advantage to using more than one screw for anterior odontoid fixation. The authors compared the clinical safety and efficacy of one- and two-screw anterior odontoid fixation. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiographs of 42 consecutive patients who had undergone fixation for treatment of odontoid fractures at a single institution between 1989 and 1995. The group treated with a single screw consisted of 20 patients (11 males and nine females) with an average age of 54 years. The union rate in this group, as determined by postoperative dynamic radiographs, was 81%. The group treated with two screws consisted of 22 patients (13 men and nine women) with an average age of 64 years, whose union rate was 85%. CONCLUSIONS Anterior odontoid screw fixation is a safe and efficacious treatment for odontoid fractures. In the authors' experience there was no significant difference in the successful union rates achieved with either the one- or two-screw fixation techniques (81% and 85%, respectively; chi(2) = 0.09, p = 0.76).
Activity Counts: The Effect of Swimming Activity on Quantity Discrimination in Fish

Human infants and non-human animals can discriminate the larger of two sets of discrete items. This quantity discrimination may be based upon the number of items, or upon non-numerical variables of the sets that co-vary with number. We have demonstrated that angelfish select the larger of two shoals of conspecifics without using inter-fish distance or space occupied by the stimuli as cues. However, density appeared to influence the choice between large shoals. Here, we examine the role of another non-numerical cue, swimming activity of the stimulus fish, in quantity discrimination by angelfish. To control this variable, we varied the water temperature of the stimulus aquaria or restricted the space occupied by each fish in the stimulus shoals. We used the previously successfully discriminated contrasts consisting of large (10 vs. 5) and small (3 vs. 2) shoals. We also studied whether more active or less active shoals are preferred in case of equally sized shoals (10 vs. 10, 5 vs. 5, and 3 vs. 3). When differences in stimulus fish activity were minimized by temperature manipulation we found angelfish to prefer the larger shoal in the 3 vs. 2 comparison, but not in the 10 vs. 5 comparison. When activity was controlled by space restriction, angelfish preferred the larger shoal in both numerical contrasts. These results imply that the overall activity level of the contrasted shoals is not a necessary condition for small shoals discrimination in angelfish. On the other hand, the results obtained for the large shoals, together with results obtained in the control treatments (equal numerical contrasts and differing activity levels), suggest that activity is a sufficient condition for discrimination when large shoals are involved. Further experiments are needed to evaluate the influence of other continuous variables, and to assess whether the mechanisms underlying performance are comparable to those suggested for other animals.
A Privacy-Aware Model for Communications Management in the IP Multimedia Subsystem

Never before have people been so connected to one another. Today we have the ability to communicate with almost anyone, anytime, anywhere. Our increased connectivity and reachability also leads to new issues and challenges that we need to deal with. When we phone someone we expect an instant connection, and when this does not occur it can be frustrating. On the other hand it is equally disruptive to receive a call when one is busy with an important task or in a situation where communication is inappropriate. Social protocol dictates that we try to minimize such situations for the benefit of others nearby and for ourselves. This management of communications is a constant and difficult task. Using presence – which signals a person’s availability and willingness to communicate – is a solution to this problem. Such information can benefit communication partners by increasing the likelihood of a successful connection and decreasing disruptions. This paper addresses the problem of staying connected while keeping control over mobile communications. The paper presents a model for privacy-aware communications management, extended to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The model stresses the privacy of potentially sensitive presence information. A unique perspective based on social relationship theories is adopted. The use of relationship groups not only makes logical sense but also assists in the management of presence information and extends existing standards. Thus the model presents a solid foundation for the development of future services. In these ways the proposed model contributes positively towards balancing efficient mobile communications with the need for privacy-awareness.
Immunoglobulin M and G antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum glutamate-rich protein: correlation with clinical immunity in Gambian children

The aims of the present study were to describe the age-related immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG response to part of a 220-kDa glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) from Plasmodium falciparum and to determine possible correlations of possession of these antibodies with malaria morbidity. IgM and IgG levels were measured with a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the carboxy-terminal 783 amino acids of the GLURP. Samples for the study were obtained during a longitudinal malaria morbidity survey performed in The Gambia; cross-sectional surveys were performed at the beginning of the transmission season in May and in October. Seropositivity rates increased with age to a maximum of 77% for IgM and 95% for IgG in adults. High prevalences of seropositivity were associated with certain human leukocyte antigen class II alleles (DRw8, DR9, DR7, DR4, DQw7, and DQw2) or haplotypes. The relationship between anti-GLURP489-1271 antibodies and clinical immunity is not clear; asymptomatically infected children aged 5 to 8 years had significantly higher levels of IgG than clinically ill children of the same age, suggesting that antibodies to the carboxy-terminal part of the GLURP may contribute to immunity to P. falciparum. However, this was not significant for younger children.
1K-5 Information Theoretic Ultrasound Imaging Differentiates Dystrophin-Deficient and Normal Skeletal Muscle in Humans

The dystrophinopathies are a group of X-linked genetic diseases that result from dystrophin deficiency. Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe dystrophinopathy, with an incidence of 1:3500 male births. Current techniques, such as strength testing, for monitoring progress of disease and therapy in DMD patients, are imprecise and physically demanding. However, ultrasound is well-suited to detect changes in structure and organization in muscle tissue in a manner that makes low demands on the patient. Therefore, we investigated the use of ultrasound to quantitatively phenotype patients with DMD. Beam-formed RF data were acquired from the skeletal muscles of nine DMD and five normal subjects using a clinical imaging system (HDI5000 w/ 7 MHz probe applied above left biceps muscle). From these data, images were reconstructed using B-mode (log of analytic signal magnitude) and information-theoretic receivers (Hf-receiver). Hf images obtained from dystrophic muscle contained extensive "mottled" regions (i.e. areas with heterogeneous image contrast) that were not readily apparent from the B-mode images. The two dimensional autocorrelation of DMD Hf images have broader peaks than those of normal subjects, which is indicative of larger scatterer sizes, consistent with pathological changes of fibers, edema, and fatty infiltration. Comparison of the relative peak widths (full width measured at 60% maximum) of the autocorrelation of the DMD and normal H f images shows a quantitative difference between the two groups (p < 0.005, student two-tailed unpaired t-test). Consequently, these imaging techniques may prove useful for longitudinal monitoring of disease progression and therapy
The movements and the innervation of the large intestine

OUR main object in investigating the activity of the large intestine, after the very accurate account of the innervation of this organ by Langley and Anderson', was rather to see how far the local reflexes present in the small intestine played a part also in the normal life of the large intestine. Since here, as in our previous work, we have made large use of the graphic method, we have taken the opportunity of reinvestigating the action of the extrinsic nerves of the gut by this method. By the large intestine in this paper is understood the portion of the gut between the ileocamcal valve and the attachment of the levator ani muscle; the anal canal, which is more intimately dependent on its connection with the central nervous system, being left out of account. Methods. The animals were in all cases anesthetised, generally with morphia and A.C. E. mixture. In a few cases the morphia was omitted, but in these cases the gut was not found to be more active than in the others. In all cases the muscular wall of the gut was cut through at the level of the attachment of the levator ani, in order to avoid the shifting of the whole gut into the pelvis which is produced by contraction of the recto-coccygeal muscles. A dose of castor oil was administered the day before the experiment. In most cases the small intestine was also cut through just above the ileocaecal valve, and the whole colon washed through with normal salt solution. The balloon which was connected with the recording tambour was introduced into the gut through the lower opening, or through the ileocaecal valve, or more rarely through a small incision in the wall of the gut. The separation of the gut from the central nervous system was
Development of the CLASI as a tool to measure disease severity and responsiveness to therapy in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To determine how to use the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) to classify patients according to disease severity (mild, moderate, and severe) and to identify which patients respond to therapy. DESIGN Cohort. SETTING The connective-tissue disease clinic at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. PATIENTS Seventy-five patients with clinical or histopathologic evidence of cutaneous lupus erythematosus or systemic lupus erythematosus were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The CLASI, Skindex-29, and the physician's subjective assessment of severity and improvement were completed at every visit. RESULTS Disease severity was assessed with 45 patient visits. Mild, moderate, and severe disease corresponded with CLASI activity score ranges of 0 to 9, 10 to 20, and 21 to 70, respectively. Improvement in disease activity was assessed in 74 patients. A clinical improvement was associated with a mean 3-point or 18% decrease in the CLASI activity score. However, receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated an increased percentage of patients correctly classified when a 4-point (sensitivity, 39%; specificity, 93%; correctly classified, 76%) or 20% (sensitivity, 46%; specificity, 78%; correctly classified, 67%) decrease in the CLASI activity score was used instead to identify improvement. CONCLUSION The CLASI can be used to classify patients into groups according to disease severity and to identify clinically significant improvements in disease activity.
Importance of social support in diabetes care

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is one of the major concerns in the third millennium, affecting more people every day. The prevalence of this disease in Iran is reported to be high (about 7.7%). The most important method to control this disease and prevent its complications is self-care. According to various studies, this method has not found its proper place among patients with diabetes due to several reasons. The present study was aimed at determining the relationship between social support, especially family support, and self-care behavior of diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: This study was a narrative review in which the relevant papers of cross-sectional, cohort, clinical trial, and systematic review designs were selected using databases and scientific search engines such as PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, and Elsevier, with the keywords diabetes, social support, and self-care. Moreover, Persian papers were selected from MEDLAB and IRANMEDEX databases and through searching the websites of original research papers published in Iran. All the papers published from 1990 to 2011 were reviewed. Results: The results of the study indicated that the status of self-care and social support in patients with diabetes was not favorable. All the studied papers showed that there was a positive relationship between social support and self-care behavior. Also, some studies pointed to the positive effect of social support, especially family support and more specifically support from the spouse, on controlling blood sugar level and HbA1c. Conclusion: As social support can predict the health promoting behavior, this concept is also capable of predicting self-care behavior of patients with diabetes. Therefore, getting the family members, especially the spouse, involved in self-care behavior can be of significant importance in providing health care to patients with diabetes.
Fabrication and Transport Properties for Cleaved Thin Film BSCCO Single Crystals

We have fabricated truly single-crystal BSCCO thin films of the quality of traveling-solvent-floating-zone single crystals by using a double side cleaving technique. The thicknesses of the cleaved thin films thus obtained ranges from 20 nm to 100 nm. These films are found to adsorb or desorb oxygen very easily at a relatively low annealing temperature of 200 to 300degC. When a cleaved film is annealed in Argon at 300degC for 10 min, it changes to an insulator without any trace of superconducting transition. When this film is subsequently annealed in oxygen at 300degC , it exhibits a sharp superconducting transition at about 90 K. When the film is subjected to these process repeatedly, the film changes from an insulator to a superconductor quite reversibly. We have measured in-plane resistivity and the Hall coefficient systematically in a wide doping range for this thin film BSCCO single crystals.
Angular Resolved Pathloss Measurements in a US Suburban Scenario at 28 GHz

This paper presents angular resolved path loss measurements conducted along the streets in a typical US suburban scenario at 28 GHz. It was observed that all Rx location up to 150 meters from the Tx had a detectable signal with path loss under 145 dB and all Rx location up to 200 meters had a detectable signal with path loss under 155 dB. It was also concluded that the LOS direction was the clearly dominating peak power direction even for locations with more than 30 dB excess loss. The angular spread was unexpectedly low, below 10 degrees for half of the locations, which indicate only one or very few closely spaced dominating paths. Finally, the impact of the AP height on the coverage was investigated and for this scenario very little improvements could be noticed increasing the access point height from 6 to 9 or 15 meters. This is likely due to the height of the trees often exceeding 15 m in the measured scenario.
Occurrence of Male-Specific Bacteriophage in Feral and Domestic Animal Wastes, Human Feces, and Human-Associated Wastewaters

ABSTRACT Male-specific bacteriophage (MSB) densities were determined in animal and human fecal wastes to assess their potential impact on aquatic environments. Fecal samples (1,031) from cattle, chickens, dairy cows, dogs, ducks, geese, goats, hogs, horses, seagulls, sheep, and humans as well as 64 sewerage samples were examined for MSB. All animal species were found to harbor MSB, although the great majority excreted these viruses at very low levels. The results from this study demonstrate that in areas affected by both human and animal wastes, wastewater treatment plants are the principal contributors of MSB to fresh, estuarine, and marine waters.