Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular evidence for trans‐stadial transmission of Anaplasma platys by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato under field conditions

This study investigated the transmission of Anaplasma platys by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae). Engorged nymphs (n = 404) removed from A. platys‐infected dogs were incubated at 28 °C until moulting. Unfed adults were obtained and divided into 48 pools. Unfed ticks collected from the grounds of the dog shelter, comprising 1800 larvae (n = 18 pools), 3100 nymphs (n = 62 pools) and 85 adults (n = 10 pools, including three male and seven female pools) were sorted into 90 pools. All pools were screened by polymerase chain reaction for the 16S rRNA gene of A. platys. Of 48 pools of unfed adults obtained from engorged nymphs, 12 were positive for A. platys; the infection rate maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) was 3.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84–5.68]. Anaplasma platys was detected in five of 23 male pools (MLE 2.82, 95% CI 1.06–6.20) and seven of 25 female pools (MLE 3.83, 95% CI 1.72–7.57). Of seven pools of unfed adult females collected from the shelter grounds, one was positive for A. platys (MLE 1.74, 95% CI 0.11–8.22). Among 62 unfed nymph pools, eight were infected with A. platys (MLE 0.27, 95% CI 0.13–0.52). No A. platys DNA was detected in the larva pools. The present results reveal molecular evidence for the trans‐stadial transmission of A. platys by R. sanguineus s.l.
Identification of polypeptide components of the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen complex with monoclonal antibodies

Three monoclonal antibodies were produced against the Epstein-Barr virus-induced early antigen complex. These antibodies were shown to be specific for the early antigen complex by the fact that they only reacted with cells supporting a permissive or abortive Epstein-Barr virus infection and their synthesis was not affected by inhibitors of viral DNA synthesis. One monoclonal antibody, designated R3, was directed against a diffuse component of the early antigen complex since it reacted by immunofluorescence with cells fixed in acetone or methanol. The other two monoclonal antibodies, designated K8 and K9, reacted with a methanol-sensitive restricted component of this complex. The appearance of the R3 antigen in P3HR-1 superinfected Raji cells occurred approximately 4 h earlier than the antigen detected by K8. By both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and radioimmunoelectrophoresis, it was determined that the R3 monoclonal antibody recognized two major polypeptides with molecular weights of approximately 50,000 to 52,000, whereas K8 and K9 precipitated a protein of approximately 85,000. The R3 monoclonal antibody also immunoprecipitated an in vitro primary translation product. It was, therefore, possible to map this product to the Epstein-Barr virus DNA BamH1 M fragment. These in vitro products were slightly smaller than the in vivo proteins, suggesting that these proteins probably undergo posttranslational modification during the virus replication cycle.
Changes at the glomerular tip: A feature of membranous nephropathy and other disorders associated with proteinuria

Renal biopsies and post‐mortem kidneys were examined for segmental lesions at glomerular tips, consisting of adhesion of the tuft to Bowman's capsule with an area of intra‐capillary foam cells or hyaline material or sclerosed material. Of 72 consecutive renal biopsies showing membranous nephropathy, 46 (64 per cent) had tip changes. Such changes were correlated with the presence of acute tubular damage and with later stages of the nephropathy, but otherwise seemed unrelated to any particular clinical or pathological feature. Fourteen other patients were identified whose renal biopsies showed tip changes in glomeruli that had segmental or global mesangial hypercellularity not of a well‐recognized type such as IgA nephropathy. These patients had persistent proteinuria unresponsive to steroids. Tip changes were also seen in several miscellaneous conditions including IgA nephropathy and diabetic glomerulosclerosis. These findings demonstrate that (a) tip changes are seen in many disorders of the kidney associated with proteinuria and represent a previously unrecognized common response of the glomerulus to some insult, (b) the glomerular tip lesion, as originally defined, is distinguished by the apparent normality of tufts except for the tip changes and can be regarded as presumed minimal change nephropathy plus tip changes and (c) when tip changes are seen, the most important factor determining the prognosis is the condition of the rest of the glomerular tuft.
Hypertension and antihypertensive treatment in HIV-infected individuals. A longitudinal cohort study

Abstract Objectives. Hypertension is a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected individuals. The purposes of this study were to assess the development of new-onset hypertension and the use of antihypertensive treatment and blood pressure (BP) control. Methods. In a longitudinal study of 434 HIV-infected individuals (43±11 years, 72% males, follow-up 3.4±0.8 years), standardized BP recordings were undertaken at three clinical visits both at baseline and at follow-up, and cardiovascular risk factors were monitored. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for new-onset hypertension (systolic BP≥140 and/or diastolic BP≥90 mmHg or initiation of antihypertensive treatment) was calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results. New-onset hypertension occurred with an incidence of 29.8 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 20.3–42.2). HIV duration (OR=1.10, 95% CI 1.01−1.20), mean BP (1.24, 95% CI 1.13−1.35) and abnormal urinary albumin excretion (OR=5.47, 95% CI 1.07−27.85) were independent predictors for new-onset hypertension after adjustment. Use of antihypertensive treatment increased threefold from 17% to 49% in hypertensive patients. Adequate BP control was obtained in 22% of patients on antihypertensive therapy. Conclusions. HIV duration predicted new-onset hypertension, which could suggest involvement of low-grade inflammation; this hypothesis needs to be further explored. Despite increased use of antihypertensive treatment, enhanced awareness and adequate treatment of hypertension are still warranted in HIV-infected individuals.
Enhanced risk for Alzheimer disease in persons with type 2 diabetes and APOE epsilon4: the Cardiovascular Health Study Cognition Study.

BACKGROUND Diabetes and the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele (APOE epsilon4) increase the risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). We hypothesize that APOE epsilon4 may modify the risk for AD in individuals with diabetes. OBJECTIVE To examine the joint effect of type 2 diabetes and APOE epsilon4 on the risk of AD, AD with vascular dementia (mixed AD), and vascular dementia without AD. DESIGN The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) Cognition Study (1992-2000) is a prospective study designed to identify all existing and new cases of dementia among study participants. Diagnoses were made according to international criteria for dementia and subtypes. There were 2547 dementia-free participants in the CHS Cognition Study cohort with complete information on APOE epsilon4 and type 2 diabetes status; among these, 411 new cases of dementia developed. Risk of dementia was estimated with a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age and other demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS Compared with those who had neither type 2 diabetes nor APOE epsilon4, those with both factors had a significantly higher risk of AD (hazard ratio, 4.58; 95% confidence interval, 2.18-9.65) and mixed AD (hazard ratio, 3.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-10.40). CONCLUSION These data suggest that having both diabetes and APOE epsilon4 increases the risk of dementia, especially for AD and mixed AD.
Giving Peru a productivity boost: towards a system of continuous education and training

In spite of impressive rates of economic growth, the quality of the labor force’s human capital is considered a major challenge for sustaining medium term economic growth in Peru. This note reviews the skills of the Peruvian labor force, and the status of the continuous education and training system. Based on such an assessment and on learnings from international best practices, it proposes a system of continuous education and training that draws from international best practices, but that addresses local capacity and institutional issues.
Utility of intercostal nerve conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations in the injured worker after blunt trauma.

BACKGROUND Intercostal nerve blocks offer short-term therapeutic relief and serve as a diagnostic test for intercostal neuralgia. This original case report demonstrates the efficacy of radiofrequency ablations for long-term pain relief of intercostal neuralgia. To date, there have been no studies that demonstrate the efficacy of thermal conventional intercostal nerve radiofrequency ablations for intercostal neuralgia. OBJECTIVE Describe the use of conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations of the intercostal nerves to treat blunt chest wall trauma. STUDY DESIGN Case report. SETTING Clinical practice. METHODS Six patients suffering from work-related injuries to the chest wall whose treatment focused on conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations of the intercostal nerves. RESULTS Four of the 6 patients were pain free by their final visit. The remaining 2 patients experienced pain relief until one began wearing a brace after an L5-S1 fusion; the other required repeat treatment after 5.5 months. LIMITATIONS Case series. There was limited follow-up as patients were either discharged after receiving potentially curative care or were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Following conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations of the intercostal nerves, 5 of the 6 patients experienced either long-term pain relief or required no additional care. The treatment has potential efficacy for injuries, including rib fractures or intercostal neuralgia, stemming from blunt trauma to the chest wall. In addition, there may be a potential for this treatment to help patients suffering from postthoracotomy pain.
Optical bistability involving photonic crystal microcavities and Fano line shapes.

The reflectivity of a single-channel waveguide mode upon resonantly coupling to a Kerr-active nonlinear resonant cavity is calculated analytically, including the effects of two-photon absorption. The resonant reflectivity takes the form of a Fano resonance because the solution includes linear reflections from perturbations downstream of the localized cavity. Instead of using a Hamiltonian formulation of the scattering problem, an intuitive set of basis states is used to expand the Green's function of the electric field wave equation. All resulting overlap functions describing the linear coupling between guided and localized states, and the nonlinear renormalization of the material's refractive index, are in terms of well-defined physical quantities. Although derived in the context of photonic crystal-based waveguides and cavities, the treatment is valid for any low-loss waveguide-resonator geometry that satisfies specific weak coupling criteria. For a cavity consisting of Al0.18Ga0. 82As, hosting a localized mode at 1.55 microm with a Q of 4000 and a mode volume of 0.055 microm(3), we predict the onset of bistable reflection at incident powers of approximately 40 mW. The downstream reflections lead to hysteresis loops in the reflectivity that are topologically distinct from conventional Lorentzian-derived loops characteristic of isolated Fabry-Perot cavities. We provide a stability argument that reveals the unstable branches of these unique hysteresis loops, and we illustrate some of the rich bistable behaviors that can be engineered with such downstream sources.
Retention of Minority Students in a Bridge Program: Student Perceptions on Their Successes and Challenges

Retention of Minority Students in a Bridge Program: Student Perceptions on Their Successes and Challenges by Chadwick Biermeier MA, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 2005 BS, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 2002 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University April 2017
Denial, opposition, rejection or dissent: why do teachers contest research evidence?

Abstract Internationally, efforts are being made for educational practice to be research-informed on the grounds that schoolteachers will implement what research shows will ‘work’. However, teachers do not necessarily accept research findings; sometimes they contest them. This article considers teachers’ contestation in two empirical studies, using the concepts of denial, opposition, rejection and dissent as a framework for understanding such contestation. It finds three reasons why teachers contest research evidence: within-research issues, issues around generalising from research to practice, and non-congruence with personal values. These are explored with reference to the power differentials that are said to exist between research and practice.
Dengue virus-specific, human CD4+ CD8- cytotoxic T-cell clones: multiple patterns of virus cross-reactivity recognized by NS3-specific T-cell clones

Thirteen dengue virus-specific, cytotoxic CD4+ CD8- T-cell clones were established from a donor who was infected with dengue virus type 3. These clones were examined for virus specificity and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) restriction in cytotoxic assays. Six patterns of virus specificities were determined. Two serotype-specific clones recognized only dengue virus type 3. Two dengue virus subcomplex-specific clones recognized dengue virus types 2, 3, and 4, and one subcomplex-specific clone recognized dengue virus types 1, 2, and 3. Four dengue virus serotype-cross-reactive clones recognized dengue virus types 1, 2, 3, and 4. One flavivirus-cross-reactive clone recognized dengue virus types 1, 2, 3, and 4 and West Nile virus (WNV), but did not recognize yellow fever virus (YFV), whereas three flavivirus-cross-reactive clones recognized dengue virus types 1, 2, 3, and 4, WNV, and YFV. HLA restriction in the lysis by these T-cell clones was also heterogeneous. HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR were used as restriction elements by various T-cell clones. We also examined the recognition of viral nonstructural protein NS3, purified from cells infected with dengue virus type 3 or WNV, by these T-cell clones. One serotype-specific clone, two dengue virus subcomplex-specific clones, and three dengue virus serotype-cross-reactive clones recognized NS3 of dengue virus type 3. One flavivirus-cross-reactive clone recognized NS3 of dengue virus type 3 and WNV. These results indicate that heterogeneous dengue virus-specific CD4+ cytotoxic T cells are stimulated in response to infection with a dengue virus and that a nonstructural protein, NS3, contains multiple dominant T-cell epitopes.
GEOGRAPHIC AND TEMPORAL ASPECTS OF MITOCHONDRIAL REPLACEMENT IN NOTHONOTUS DARTERS (TELEOSTEI: PERCIDAE: ETHEOSTOMATINAE).

A growing number of molecular studies have identified mitochondrial replacement among closely related animal species, but there has been limited investigation into the phylogenetic, geographic, and temporal patterns, especially in more inclusive clades. We present a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences collected from mitochondrial and nuclear genes sampled from all 20 species of the darter clade Nothonotus and reveal extensive mtDNA replacement in N. rufilineatus. Using phylogenetic trees, haplotype networks, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVAs), and distributions of minimum pairwise genetic distances, we discovered that the mtDNA of N. rufilineatus has been replaced by that of different sympatric species of Nothonotus in different river drainages. In the Cumberland River, N. rufilineatus populations were fixed for N. camurus mtDNA. In the upper Tennessee River, N. rufilineatus contained N. chlorobranchius and N. camurus mtDNA. Most surprising, our analyses indicated that N. rufilineatus has acted as a “conduit species,” facilitating the introgression of N. chlorobranchius mtDNA into N. camurus in the upper Tennessee River. We identified several potential mechanisms for the observed pattern of introgression, and suggest experiments to assess their relative contributions. Comparisons among darter subclades indicated that the mitochondrial lineage of the clade is most influential in determining if the lineage is a mitochondrial donor or recipient.
A factor analytical study of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale among patients with anxiety and depressive disorders

ABSTRACT— A sample of 136 inpatients, meeting the DSM‐III‐R criteria for anxiety and/or unipolar depressive disorders, were rated on the 37 CPRS items designed for nonpsychotic disorders. By factor analysis we identified 2 indices: a 12‐item depression index and a 7‐item anxiety index. The indices proved to have good internal consistency and interrater reliability. They differentiated well between patients with anxiety and those with depressive disorders, and among subgroups of anxiety and depression. Our depression index may represent a slight improvement in specificity compared with previously suggested depression indices. Our main finding is the identification of an anxiety index with good psychometric properties.
Universal Demand Laws and the Monitoring Device Role of Accounting Conservatism

While prior research holds the consensus that accounting conservatism can serve as an effective monitoring device, it is not clear whether shareholders can successfully enforce managers’ adherence to accounting conservatism when directors fail to fulfill their fiduciary duties. We attempt to answer the question by exploiting staggered enactments of the universal demand (UD) laws in 23 U.S. states. UD laws raise procedural hurdles for shareholders to file derivative lawsuits against managers and directors who allegedly breach their fiduciary duties. For firms incorporated in states that adopt UD laws, restrictions on shareholder litigation rights shift power to managers, thereby weakening directors’ incentives to monitor managers. We predict and find a decrease in conditional conservatism following the enactment of UD laws. The main result is attributable to both the direct channel (through restriction of shareholder litigation rights) and the indirect channel (through the deployment of management-friendly governance provisions). The decline in conditional conservatism exists only for firms with low institutional ownership, low external equity dependence, or high ex-ante derivative lawsuit risk. Our findings suggest that shareholders cannot successfully demand accounting conservatism when managers possess extensive power and directors lack the incentives to monitor managers.
One Bulk Micromachined Single-Chip Inertial Measurement Unit

This paper presented one single chip micro inertial measurement unit based on ordinary bulk micromachining process. The sample chip integrated six inertial sensors, i.e. the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes, on one area which was smaller than nine square millimeters on the silicon wafer. The test results showed that the bias stability of these gyroscopes was at least better than 3753 degree per hour and the sensitivity was bigger than 2.7 millivolt per deg/sec. And the minimal mechanical sensitivity of the accelerometers was about 19.1 millivolt per gravity acceleration. The experiments prove the feasibility of the simple integration method, which could greatly reduce the size of inertial measurement unit.
Program, partnership, and resource management: Success principles for churches that have programmatically and financially successful nonprofit organizations

Church affiliated Human Service Organizations (CAHSOs) are drastically understudied. Consequently, the experience of their executive leaders is understudied. Information on CAHSOs and the experience of their executive leaders is often blended into general faith-based organizational research. Yet, CAHSOs play a vital role in the United States and abroad. CAHSOs are responsible for the social welfare of millions of indigent people in suffering communities. These organizations provide housing to the homeless, food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and educational programing to at-risk youth, among many other things. These organizations, however, only function because of the expertise and work of executive leaders. This research study used the phenomenological qualitative research method to interview executive leaders in CAHSOs. The goal of this research was to determine the challenges executive leaders face within CAHSOs and the strategies they use to overcome these challenges while gauging their definitions of success and documenting the advice these executive leaders have for others in their field. The analysis revealed various challenges including lack of financial, human, and real estate resources; unqualified staff; stressful work expectations; and strained relationships. Their strategies included measuring successes, building external networks, and leveraging religious practices. Executive leaders defined themselves by organizational performance and money. They encouraged other executives to leverage general business practices while evaluating their motives for working as an executive leader within a CAHSO. Generally, the results of this research offer insight into the challenges and celebrations of executive leaders of CAHSOs.
Peak nasal inspiratory flow correlates with quality of life in functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Whilst nasal function and airflow improve subjectively following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), a clinically useful and objective tool for quantifying such improvement is lacking. The peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) metre offers convenient and objective measures of nasal patency. However, it has not yet been established whether changes in PNIF after surgery reflect changes in subjective disease burden. In this study we aimed to determine whether changes in PNIF correlate with commonly used subjective symptom and quality of life outcome measures following FESS for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Oral antibiotics for fever in low-risk neutropenic patients with cancer: a double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial comparing single daily moxifloxacin with twice daily ciprofloxacin plus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination therapy--EORTC infectious diseases group trial XV.

PURPOSE This double-blind, multicenter trial compared the efficacy and safety of a single daily oral dose of moxifloxacin with oral combination therapy in low-risk febrile neutropenic patients with cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Inclusion criteria were cancer, febrile neutropenia, low risk of complications as predicted by a Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score > 20, ability to swallow, and ≤ one single intravenous dose of empiric antibiotic therapy before study drug treatment initiation. Early discharge was encouraged when a set of predefined criteria was met. Patients received either moxifloxacin (400 mg once daily) monotherapy or oral ciprofloxacin (750 mg twice daily) plus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (1,000 mg twice daily). The trial was designed to show equivalence of the two drug regimens in terms of therapy success, defined as defervescence and improvement in clinical status during study drug treatment (< 10% difference). RESULTS Among the 333 patients evaluated in an intention-to-treat analysis, therapy success was observed in 80% of the patients administered moxifloxacin and in 82% of the patients administered combination therapy (95% CI for the difference, -10% to 8%, consistent with equivalence). Minor differences in tolerability, safety, and reasons for failure were observed. More than 50% of the patients in the two arms were discharged on protocol therapy, with 5% readmissions among those in either arm. Survival was similar (99%) in both arms. CONCLUSION Monotherapy with once daily oral moxifloxacin is efficacious and safe in low-risk febrile neutropenic patients identified with the help of the MASCC scoring system, discharged early, and observed as outpatients.