Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Continued Study of Oral Nocardia

Species of the genus Nocardia, specifically those isolated from the oral cavity, are difficult to identify and classify because of the ill-defined standards now used to differentiate these micro-organisms. Their close relationship to the genera Streptomyces, Arthrobacter, Mycobacteria, and Actinomyces has been described by Skerman.1 Nocardia isolated from the soil are quite well defined in Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology,2 but the oral Nocardia are not included. Nocardia-like organisms have been isolated from numerous areas and under various manifestations of the oral cavity. For example, many investigators have reported the isolation of these organisms from carious teeth.3-15 In addition to carious teeth, the micro-organisms have been recovered from normal gingiva,", 16 inflamed gingival crevices,'1' 16 periodontal pockets,'0-'3 16 gingival scrapings and mouth washes,"' 17 debris of teeth1" 16, 18, 19 calculus,"' 20, 21 root canals,22 oral lesions,23 lesions of actinomycosis,10, 24-30 and throat, nasopharynx, and mucous membrane.31 Many investigators32 36 have studied collections of strains from various laboratories and Bisset and Davis37 have presented a review of the oral actinomycetes. In view of the numerous investigations concerning the isolation and identification of nocardia and, what is more important, the numerous oral manifestations with which nocardia have been associated, these investigators believe that studies are needed to establish definite identification characteristics for the isolation, enumeration, and classification of oral nocardia. This belief is supported by the observation of morphologic and physiologic variations of nocardia encountered in this laboratory. For example, nocardia which are considered aerobic and, therefore, different from the actinomyces, which are anaerobic, have been grown in this laboratory under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Similarly, Davis and Baird-Parker38 and Waksman39 have indicated that there is an overlapping of nocardia and actinomyces with respect to classification on the basis of oxygen requirements. Therefore, it is conceivable that many organisms previously reported as actinomyces could have been reported as nocardia. The purpose of this study was to attempt to establish standard criteria for the differentiation of nocardia by a detailed study of 28 selected pure cultures of oral isolates which resemble Nocardia dentocariosus (Roth9) and to develop a selective medium by which these could be isolated.
Zooming out : the trade effect of the euro in historical perspective

In 1999, eleven European countries formed the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); they abandoned their national currencies and adopted a new common currency, the euro. Several recent papers argue that the introduction of the euro has led (by itself) to a sizable and statistically significant increase in trade between the member countries of EMU. In this paper, we put the trade effect of the euro in historical perspective. We argue that the creation of the EMU was a continuation (or culmination) of a series of previous policy changes that have led over the last five decades to greater economic integration among the countries that now constitute EMU. Using a data set that includes 22 industrial countries from 1948 to 2003, we find strong evidence of a gradual increase in trade intensity between European countries. Once we control for this trend in trade integration, the euro’s impact on trade disappears. Moreover, a significant part of the trend in European trade integration is explained by measurable policy changes. JEL Code: F02, F15, F33.
Pain assessment in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy by midline or lateral celiotomy through use of a previously validated multidimensional composite pain scale.

PURPOSE To assess pain in the immediate postoperative period in cats submitted into two different celiotomy techniques for ovariohysterectomy. METHODS Fourteen healthy female cats up to three years old with a mean weight 2.75 kg, without breed specification, were used in this double blind experiment. The animals were randomly assigned to two treatments: I- ovariohysterectomy by lateral approach (LA) or II - by midline approach (MA). The anesthesia consisted of acepromazine (0.1 mg.kg-1) and midazolam (0.25mg.kg-1) followed isoflurane vaporization to induce and maintain hypnosis. A bolus of fentanyl (5 μg.kg-1) was administered intravenously to provide intraoperative analgesia. After surgery, pain scores were assessed through a multidimensional composite pain scale at four different times. RESULTS Generally all factors related to psychomotor changes and pain expression showed higher scores in cats neutered by LA, but only psychomotor changes and total pain score presented statistical differences (p<0.05). The animals that underwent lateral celiotomy showed higher pain scores, at 1, 4 and 6 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Multidimensional analgesic scales were highly reliable. There was a tendency for the cats neutered by lateral approach to suffer more postoperative pain, including requiring a large number of analgesic rescues.
Phase II study of capecitabine in patients with fluorouracil-resistant metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine converted to fluourouracil (FU) preferentially in tumor tissue. It has proven clinical activity against colorectal cancer when used as first-line therapy. The objectives of this study were to assess the safety and efficacy of capecitabine in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who progressed despite previous FU therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS According to the group sequential analysis design of this study, accrual would stop if no responses were observed in the first 20 patients treated. If one or more objective responses were confirmed, the trial would be expanded. Patients received capecitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) twice a day for 14 days, every 3 weeks. Tumor lesions were assessed every 6 weeks, and patients were followed for survival every 3 months after completing treatment. RESULTS Twenty-three patients were enrolled onto the study; 22 fulfilled all the eligibility criteria. No objective responses were observed among the 22 eligible patients; 11 patients (50%) had stable disease for a median duration of 141 days (range, 88-289 days). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of median time to disease progression was 64 days (95% CI, 41 to 134 days). The median survival time estimate was 389 days (95% CI, 267 to 637 days). The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting. There were no grade 4 toxicities and no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION Single-agent capecitabine in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma refractory to FU showed no objective responses and clinical benefit that was, at best, modest. The use of capecitabine in combination with other treatments in this patient population is under investigation.
Role of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) in Understanding Viral Immunology: Past, Present and Future

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a common infection of rodents first identified over eighty years ago in St. Louis, MO, U.S.A. It is best known for its application in immunological studies. The history of LCMV closely correlates with the development of modern immunology. With the use of LCMV as a model pathogen several key concepts have emerged: Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) restriction, T cell memory, persistent infections, T cell exhaustion and the key role of immune pathology in disease. Given the phenomenal infrastructure within this field (e.g., defined immunodominant and subdominant epitopes to all T cell receptor specificities as well as the cognate tetramers for enumeration in vivo) the study of LCMV remains an active and productive platform for biological research across the globe to this day. Here we present a historical primer that highlights several breakthroughs since the discovery of LCMV. Next, we highlight current research in the field and conclude with our predictions for future directions in the remarkable field of LCMV research.
Point‐of‐care glucose monitoring on the neonatal unit

Aim: This study aims to compare the accuracy and precision of the Nova StatStrip glucometer against the Radiometer ABL gas analyser. Based on the results, to establish if the Nova StatStrip glucometer could be adopted as a reliable alternative for near‐patient glucose monitoring on the neonatal unit.
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV)‐Infected Endothelial Cells and Macrophages are Less Susceptible to Natural Killer Lysis Independent of the Downregulation of Classical HLA Class I Molecules or Expression of the HCMV Class I Homologue, UL18

A number of reports have suggested that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)‐infected fibroblasts are resistant to natural killer (NK) lysis, and that the HCMV‐encoded human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I homologue UL18 may be responsible for this effect. While fibroblasts are easy to infect in vitro, their role in HCMV pathogenesis in vivo is unclear. Here, we have established systems to address NK recognition of infected endothelial cells and macrophages, two important HCMV cellular reservoirs in vivo. The HCMV‐infected endothelial cells exhibited increased resistance to NK killing, and, in most experiments, infected macrophages demonstrated a decreased susceptibility to NK lysis. Infection with the mutant HCMV strain RV670, lacking the genes US1‐9 and US11 that are responsible for downregulation of HLA class I molecules, also led to decreased NK susceptibility. Furthermore, reduced NK susceptibility was independent of the expression of the HLA class I homologue UL18, since cells infected with the UL18Δ HCMV strain were also less susceptible to NK killing. These results suggest that HCMV‐induced resistance to NK cytotoxicity in endothelial cells and macrophages is independent of known pathways that interfere with the expression of cellular HLA class I A, B and C surface antigens and the HCMV encoded class I homologue UL18.
Framing the Problem of Reading Instruction: Using Frame Analysis to Uncover the Microprocesses of Policy Implementation

Policy problems do not exist as social fact awaiting discovery. Rather, they are constructed as policymakers and constituents interpret a particular aspect of the social world as problematic. How a policy problem is framed is important because it assigns responsibility and creates rationales that authorize some policy solutions and not others. This article brings together sense-making theory and frame analysis to understand the dynamics of problem framing during policy implementation. Data were derived from a yearlong ethnographic study of one school’s response to the California Reading Initiative. Results showed that the school’s response depended on how school staff constructed their understanding of the relevant problem to be solved. The problem framing process was iterative and contested, shaped by authority relations and mediated by teachers’ social networks. Ultimately, it proved important for motivating and coordinating action, reshaping authority relations, and influencing teachers’ beliefs and practices.
Roles of NG2‐glia in ischemic stroke

Recent studies have shown that a widely distributed class of glial cells, termed NG2‐glia, engages in rapid signaling with surrounding neurons through direct synaptic contacts in the developing and mature central nervous system (CNS). This unique glial cell group has a typical function of proliferating and differentiating into oligodendrocytes during early development of the brain, which is crucial to axon myelin formation. Therefore, NG2‐glia are also called oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that NG2‐glia expressing receptors and ion channels demonstrate functional significance for rapid signaling with neuronal synapses and modulation of neuronal activities in both physiological and pathological conditions. Although it is well known that NG2‐glia play an important role in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, little is known about how NG2‐glia or OPCs impact neurons and brain function following ischemic injury. This review summarizes recent progress on the roles of NG2‐glia in ischemic stroke and illustrates new approaches for targeting NG2‐glia in the brain to treat this disease.
The Economics of Human Development and Social Mobility

This paper distills and extends recent research on the economics of human development and social mobility. It summarizes the evidence from diverse literatures on the importance of early life conditions in shaping multiple life skills and the evidence on critical and sensitive investment periods for shaping different skills. It presents economic models that rationalize the evidence and unify the treatment effect and family influence literatures. The evidence on the empirical and policy importance of credit constraints in forming skills is examined. There is little support for the claim that untargeted income transfer policies to poor families significantly boost child outcomes. Mentoring, parenting, and attachment are essential features of successful families and interventions to shape skills at all stages of childhood. The next wave of family studies will better capture the active role of the emerging autonomous child in learning and responding to the actions of parents, mentors and teachers.
Acceso y uso de internet en Chile: evolución y factores determinantes

Durante los ultimos anos ha aumentado en forma significativa el acceso y uso de internet en Chile, lo cual sin duda genera cambios importantes en varias dimensiones en la sociedad. Gracias a internet, hoy es posible realizar desde el hogar muchas actividades que antes requerian presencia fisica en otros lugares, lo cual tiene el potencial de aumentar la productividad y tambien la innovacion en la economia. Para que ello ocurra es indispensable tener acceso a internet y tambien que su uso este asociado a actividades productivas. Sin embargo, la existencia de ‘brechas digitales’ entre distintos grupos de la sociedad puede dificultar este proceso, lo cual justificaria la intervencion del Estado para incentivar el acceso a internet. En general, existe poca informacion sistematica respecto al acceso y uso de internet en Chile. A partir de dos encuestas de hogares unicas en Chile, en este trabajo se describe la evolucion entre 2008 y 2010, tanto del acceso como del uso de internet, y se analizan empiricamente sus determinantes. Creemos que contar con este analisis empirico constituye un aspecto previo imprescindible para un posterior estudio de distintas alternativas de politicas publicas que se consideren respecto al acceso y uso de internet.
Assessment and Optimization of Wind Energy Integration Into the Power Systems: Application to the Portuguese System

The increasing integration of wind energy in power systems can be responsible for the occurrence of over-generation, especially during the off-peak periods. This paper presents a dedicated methodology to identify and quantify the occurrence of this over-generation and to evaluate some of the solutions that can be adopted to mitigate this problem. The methodology is applied to the Portuguese power system, in which the wind energy is expected to represent more than 25% of the installed capacity in a near future. The results show that the pumped-hydro units will not provide enough energy storage capacity and, therefore, wind curtailments are expected to occur in the Portuguese system. Additional energy storage devices can be implemented to offset the wind energy curtailments. However, the investment analysis performed show that they are not economically viable, due to the present high capital costs involved.
Video quality-of-service for consumer terminals - a novel system for programmable components

Future consumer terminals will be based on programmable platforms instead of dedicated hardware. Novel 'scalable video algorithm' (SVA) software modules provide trade-offs between resource usage and quality of the output signal. SVAs together with a strategy manager (SM) and a quality-of-service resource manager (QoS-RM) aim for robust and cost-effective media processing in software on programmable architectures. We have developed some SVAs including MPEG-2 decoding and image enhancement and the QoS control software to illustrate the power of the overall system. The resource limited hardware is a currently available DSP board.
Chaotic Dynamics in Social Foraging Swarms—An Analysis

This paper investigates the chaotic characteristics in the dynamics of an aggregating swarm model. The range of the parameters of the swarm model is determined for which chaos exists in the dynamics. The trajectories of the individuals are simulated, and the stable, limit cyclic, and chaotic behaviors are demonstrated. The existence of chaos in the swarm is determined by the maximum Lyapunov exponent. The computer simulation supports the results obtained by theoretical analysis.
All-Trans Retinoic Acid Decreases Murine Adipose Retinol Binding Protein 4 Production

Background/Aims: Adipose-derived retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) might contribute to the development of insulin resistance, and therefore further knowledge of factors regulating it is of interest. Retinoic acid, the acid form of vitamin A, affects the expression of several adipokines related to insulin sensitivity in mice. Here, we sought to investigate its impact on adipose RBP4 production. Methods: Changes in RBP4 expression were analyzed in adipose tissues and liver of mice treated in vivo with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and adipocytes derived from mouse embryonic fibroblasts exposed to ATRA. Results: ATRA treatment in mice increased insulin sensitivity as assessed by the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and led to a reduction of RBP4 mRNA and protein levels in adipose tissues, a reduction of RBP4 protein but not RBP4 mRNA levels in the liver, and a marked increase in circulating RBP4 protein levels. In adipocyte cell models, ATRA down-regulated RBP4 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner: this effect was reproduced by retinaldehyde and retinoid receptors agonists, and correlated with a reduced accumulation of RBP4 protein in the culture medium. Conclusion: These results reveal a selective effect of ATRA inhibiting RBP4 expression specifically in adipocytes, and reinforce the concept that vitamin A vitamers may affect insulin sensitivity through effects on adipokine production.
Human cell-adhesion molecule CD2 binds CD58 (LFA-3) with a very low affinity and an extremely fast dissociation rate but does not bind CD48 or CD59.

CD2 is a T lymphocyte cell-adhesion molecule (CAM) belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) which mediates transient adhesion of T cells to antigen-presenting cells and target cells. Reported ligands for human CD2 include the structurally-related IgSF CAMs CD58 (LFA-3) and CD48 as well as, more controversially, the unrelated cell-surface glycoprotein CD59. Using surface plasmon resonance technology, which avoids several pitfalls of conventional binding assays, we recently reported that rat CD2 binds rat CD48 with a very low affinity (Kd 60-90 microM) and dissociates rapidly (koff > or = 6 s-1) [van der Merwe, P. A. , Brown, M. H. , Davis, S. J., & Barclay, A. N. (1993) EMBO J. 12, 4945-4954]. In contrast, a study using conventional equilibrium binding methods reported a much higher affinity (Kd 0.4 microM) for human CD2 binding CD58 which suggested that the weak binding of rat CD2 to CD48 may not represent a typical CAM interaction. In the present study we have used surface plasmon resonance to obtain definitive affinity and kinetic data on the interactions of a soluble, recombinant form of human CD2 with soluble forms of CD58, CD48, and CD59. Binding of CD2 to CD58 was readily detected but we were unable to detect any direct interaction between CD2 and either CD59 or CD48 under conditions in which very low affinity interactions (Kd approximately 0.5 mM) would have been detected. In contrast to previous reports we found that human CD2 bound CD58 with a very low affinity (Kd 9-22 microM) and dissociated with an extremely fast dissociation rate constant (koff > or = 4 s-1). The association rate constant (kon) could not be measured directly but was calculated to be > or = 400,000 M-1s-1. Taken together, these results provide conclusive evidence that CAM interactions can have very low affinities and extremely fast dissociation rate constants.
Comparison of High Temperature Crystal Lattice and Bulk Thermal Expansion Measurements of LGT Single Crystal

Among the langasite family of crystals (LGX), the three most popular materials are langasite (LGS, La3Ga5SiO14), langatate (LGT, La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14) and langanite (LGN, La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14). The LGX crystals have received significant attention for acoustic wave (AW) device applications due to several properties, which include: (1) piezoelectric constants about two and a half times those of quartz, thus allowing the design of larger bandwidth filters; (2) existence of temperature compensated orientations; (3) high density, with potential for reduced vibration and acceleration sensitivity; and (4) possibility of operation at high temperatures, since the LGX crystals do not present phase changes up to their melting point above 1400degC. The LGX crystals' capability to operate at elevated temperatures calls for an investigation on the growth quality and the consistency of these materials' properties at high temperature. One of the fundamental crystal properties is the thermal expansion coefficients in the entire temperature range where the material is operational. This work focuses on the measurement of the LGT thermal expansion coefficients from room temperature (25degC) to 1200degC. Two methods of extracting the thermal expansion coefficients have been used and compared: a) dual push-rod dilatometry, which provides the bulk expansion; and b) x-ray powder diffraction, which provides the lattice expansion. Both methods were performed over the entire temperature range and considered multiple samples taken from <001> Czochralski grown LGT material. The thermal coefficients of expansion were extracted by approximating each expansion data set to a third order polynomial fit over three temperature ranges reported in this work: 25degC to 400degC, 400degC to 900degC, 900degC to 1200degC. An accuracy of fit better than 35ppm for the bulk expansion and better than 10ppm for the lattice expansion have been obtained with the aforementioned polynomial fitting. The percentage difference between the bulk and the lattice fitted expansion responses over the entire temperature range of 25degC to 1200degC is less than 2% for the three crystalline axes, which indicates the high quality and growth consistency of the LGT crystal measured
Permanent Friends? Dynamic Difference and the Democratic Peace

Perhaps the simplest explanation for where fault lines lie in a political process involves the presence of an "other. " Difference divides and similarity unites. These similarities and differences can in turn orient and propagate conflict. Yet, similarity and difference are also dynamic, evolving in response to changing population characteristics or a new reference point. We offer a simple explanation for interstate conflict in which the salience of similarity or difference varies with the prevalence or capabilities of groups. We apply our argument in the context of the democratic peace. When democracies are scarce or weak, and autocracies plentiful and powerful, democracies face a common threat. As the democratic community strengthens, however, the threat from autocracies declines and differences among democracies appear more salient. Our findings contrast with standard expectations about how democratization shapes world affairs.