Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EPA Superfund Technology Support Center for Ground Water

Idealized laboratory experiments reported in the literature have been designed to simulate specific physical and chemical conditions. These laboratory conditions have allowed researchers to control the variables which affect the behavior of contaminants in the subsurface and to identify the mechanisms which are likely to occur in the field. An understanding of the various mechanisms of facilitated transport will provide a more thorough understanding of the fate and transport of contaminants in the ground water and ultimately will provide the framework for further development of ground-water remediation technology. The following is a brief technical overview of facilitated transport prepared in support of the Regional Superfund Ground Water Forum.
Coalescence with Background and Balancing Selection in Systems with Bi- and Uniparental Reproduction: Contrasting Partial Asexuality and Selfing

Uniparental reproduction in diploids, via asexual reproduction or selfing, reduces the independence with which separate loci are transmitted across generations. This is expected to increase the extent to which a neutral marker is affected by selection elsewhere in the genome. Such effects have previously been quantified in coalescent models involving selfing. Here we examine the effects of background selection and balancing selection in diploids capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction (i.e., partial asexuality). We find that the effect of background selection on reducing coalescent time (and effective population size) can be orders of magnitude greater when rates of sex are low than when sex is common. This is because asexuality enhances the effects of background selection through both a recombination effect and a segregation effect. We show that there are several reasons that the strength of background selection differs between systems with partial asexuality and those with comparable levels of uniparental reproduction via selfing. Expectations for reductions in Ne via background selection have been verified using stochastic simulations. In contrast to background selection, balancing selection increases the coalescence time for a linked neutral site. With partial asexuality, the effect of balancing selection is somewhat dependent upon the mode of selection (e.g., heterozygote advantage vs. negative frequency-dependent selection) in a manner that does not apply to selfing. This is because the frequency of heterozygotes, which are required for recombination onto alternative genetic backgrounds, is more dependent on the pattern of selection with partial asexuality than with selfing.
[Significance of the ratio of circulating endothelial cell expressing endothelial lipase and supersensitivity C-reactive protein in prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the significance of the ratio of circulating endothelial cell expressing endothelial lipase (EL(+)/CECs) and supersensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS one hundred and seven patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 69 patients with stable angina pain (SAP), and 82 patients in whom CAD was excluded to serve as control were included for study. Blood samples were collected from ulnar vein, and hsCRP was detected, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) were isolated, and the ratio of CEC (EL(+)/CECs) which expressed endothelial lipase (EL) was determined by immunohistochemistry. Over a follow-up period of 6 months, the incidence of cardiac event of all patients was recorded. RESULTS In patients with CAD, the EL(+)/CECs and hsCRP were significantly different among groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among them, hsCRP and EL(+)/CECs were higher in ACS group than SAP group patients, whose hsCRP and EL(+)/CECs higher than the control group. The incidence rate of cardiovascular event was significantly higher (all P<0.01) in those whose hsCRP or EL(+)/CECs was higher than those whose with lower average values of these two parameters. Regression analysis indicated that the EL(+)/CECs and hsCRP could be used as the prognostic factor of CAD. The prognostic value of combined determination of EL(+)/CECs and hsCRP was higher. CONCLUSION The expression of EL in endothelial cells may play a role in the progression of CAD. The EL(+)/CECs may be a good prognostic factor. EL(+)/CECs together with hsCRP may increase the prognostic value.
Error exponent for source coding with a fidelity criterion

For discrete memoryless sources with a single-letter fidelity criterion, we study the probability of the event that the distortion exceeds a level d , if for large block length the best code of given rate R > R(d) is used. Lower and upper exponential bounds are obtained, giving the asymptotically exact exponent, except possibly for a countable set of R values.
Triggering of autolytic cell wall degradation in Escherichia coli by beta-lactam antibiotics

A biochemical method was developed to quantitatively compare the effectiveness of beta-lactams in triggering murein degradation (autolysin activity) in Escherichia coli. Bacteria prelabeled in their cell walls with radioactive diaminopimelic acid in growth medium were exposed for 10 min to the antibiotics at the appropriate minimal growth inhibitory concentrations and at multiples of these values, and the rate of cell wall degradation was followed during subsequent penicillin-binding protein (PBP)-1 were the most effective triggers of autolytic wall degradation; beta-lactams selective for PBP-2 were the poorest; and antibiotics preferentially binding to PBP-3 showed intermediate activities. The relative effectiveness of beta-lactams in autolysin triggering was found to parallel the effectiveness of the same drugs in causing rapid loss of viability, culture lysis, and spheroplast formation. Autolysin triggering was suppressed by inhibitors of protein and ribonucleic acid biosynthesis but not by inhibitors of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. The beta-lactam-induced cell wall degradation did not seem to involve a direct stimulation of enzyme activity or synthesis of new enzyme molecules, and murein sacculi isolated from cells that had been preexposed to a triggering dose of beta-lactam treatment exhibited the same sensitivity to crude, homologous autolysins as sacculi prepared from untreated control bacteria. On the basis of these observations, mechanisms are considered for the triggering of E. coli autolysins and for the role of autolytic activity in bacterial spheroplast formation, lysis, and death.
Culture surfaces coated with various implant materials affect chondrocyte growth and metabolism

The effect on chondrocyte metabolism of culture surfaces sputter‐coated with various materials used for orthopaedic implants was studied and correlated with the stage of cartilage cell maturation. Confluent, fourth‐passage chondrocyts from the costochondral resting zone and growth zone of rats were cultured for 6 or 9 days on 24‐well plates sputter‐coated with ultrathin films of titanium, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and calcium phosphate (1.67:1). Corona‐discharged tissue culture plastic served as the control. The effect of surface material was examined with regard to cell morphology; cell proliferation (cell number) and DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine incorporation); RNA synthesis ([3H]uridine incorporation); collagenase‐digestible protein, noncollagenase‐digestible protein, and percentage of collagen production; and alkaline phosphatase‐specific activity, both in the cell layer and in trypsinized chondrocytes. Cell morphology was dependent on surface material; only cells cultured on titanium had an appearance similar to that of cells cultured on plastic. While titanium or titanium dioxide surfaces had no effect on cell number or [3H]thymidine incorporation, aluminum oxide, calcium phosphate, and zirconium oxide surfaces inhibited both parameters. Cells cultured on aluminum oxide, calcium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and titanium dioxide exhibited decreased collagenase‐digestible protein, noncollagenase‐digestible protein, and percentage of collagen production, but [3H]uridine incorporation was decreased only in those chondrocytes cultured on aluminum oxide, calcium phosphate, or zirconium oxide. Chondrocytes cultured on titanium had greater alkaline phosphatase‐specific activity than did cells cultured on plastic, but the incorporation of [3H]uridine and production of collagenase‐digestible protein, noncollagenase‐digestible protein, and percentage of collagen was comparable. The response of chrondrocytes from the growth zone and resting zone to culture surface was comparable, differing primarily in magnitude. Cell maturation‐dependent effects were evident when enzyme activity in trypsinized and scraped cells was compared. These results indicate that different surface materials affect chondrocyte metabolism and phenotypic expression in vitro and suggest that implant materials may modulate the phenotypic expression of cells in vivo.
QoS-aware web service selection based on harmony search

Retrieving most suitable web services from large collection of instances is very crucial for decision makers, In this context QoS properties may play a central role in selecting web service compositions that serve complex requests. A number of approaches have been proposed to resolve Web service selection problem, we distinguish several classes such as the mono objective selection, the multi-objective selection and the hybrid selection. In this paper, we propose a mono objective approach based on harmony search algorithm, this later is able to get a near optimal composition, by leveraging various movements such as local search, memory based movements, random walk etc. Experimental results are very encouraging, and show that the proposed algorithm is more effective than the genetic and bees algorithms.
Comparison of a commercially available oral nutritional supplement and intravenous fluid therapy for dehydration in dairy calves

ABSTRACT Calf scours is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the dairy industry. Effective treatments are needed to minimize death, maximize welfare, and maintain growth and productivity. The objective of this trial was to compare the efficacy of a commercially available nutritional supplement (Diaque, Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., St. Joseph, MO) and i.v. lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) in rehydrating, preventing acidemia, and correcting electrolyte imbalances in an experimental model for calf scours. Twenty-four colostrum-fed suckling dairy calves were used in a modified crossover design. An osmotic diarrhea was induced by orally feeding commercial milk replacer modified with high level of sucrose to create a hypertonic milk solution, and administering oral hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone for 48 h. The intention was to create a challenge sufficient to result in moderately dehydrated, standing calves without producing severe depression or loss of suckle. The efficacy of i.v. fluid therapy and a commercial nutritional supplement were subsequently compared for reversing the effects of the diarrheal disease. Treatment A consisted of administering the nutritional supplement according to label directions (100 g in 1.9 L of warm water, 3 times a day), and treatment B consisted of i.v. LRS (2 L, once a day). Clinical signs and laboratory results were obtained once daily by a blinded observer. The induction method was effective in creating the desired effect, as demonstrated by weight loss and subjective health and hydration scores. Both treatment groups experienced increases in body weight, base excess, and bicarbonate, and decreases in total protein and packed cell volume following treatment. Both i.v. LRS and Diaque are effective methods to correct hypovolemia and control derangements in acid-base status in calves with diarrhea and dehydration.
PCR Slippage Across the ML‐2 Microsatellite of the Cryptosporidium MIC1 Locus Enables Development of a PCR Assay Capable of Distinguishing the Zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum From Other Human Infectious Cryptosporidium Species

Cryptosporidium are ubiquitous and significant enteropathogens of all classes of vertebrates and a major cause of human morbidity and mortality worldwide. Of the 24 recognized species, the zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum and the host‐specific Cryptosporidium hominis cause the majority of cases of human cryptosporidiosis. Here, we report on structural and transcriptional variability between C. parvum and C. hominis at the MIC1 locus, which encodes a microneme localized thrombospondin‐like domain containing protein previously demonstrated to be critical for host cell infection by C. parvum. We demonstrate, using reverse transcription quantitative PCR with the aid of genomic data from the EuPathDB site, that the transcribed product in C. hominis is both truncated and significantly down‐regulated in the sporozoite. We hypothesize that CpMIC1 may be a genetic factor involved in facilitating the wider host range of C. parvum in comparison with the specific host range of C. hominis. Furthermore, we show that the presence of a microsatellite (ML‐2) within the C. parvum MIC‐1 locus enables the development of a PCR marker that can rapidly distinguish the zoonotic C. parvum from C. hominis and other significant human infectious Cryptosporidium species due to reproducible PCR slippage across the ML‐2 microsatellite. Additionally, we demonstrate that this locus is tightly linked to the GP60 locus, a locus commonly used in the genetic characterization of C. parvum and C. hominis isolates. This marker should provide a robust and additional tool to aid in the rapid identification of C. parvum from other Cryptosporidium species.
Eggs of the Oriental Fruit Fly for Rearing the Predacious Anthocorid, Onus insidiosus (Say)

Orius insidiosus (Say), a predatory anthocorid, was reared on a factitious host, eggs of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel. Comparisons of growth, development and fecundity revealed no differences with individuals fed natural diets. It was concluded that the eggs were nutri tionally adequate for the rearing of normal individuals. In addition to O. insidiosus, nymphs of two other predacious heteropterans, Tytthus mundulus (Breddin) and Paratriphleps laevisculus Champion, were successfully reared to adulthood on the eggs. Conceivably, the eggs of D. dorsalis or other species of flies may be used as hosts for entomophagous insects with feeding habits similar to O. insidiosus.
Learning disabilities and medical schools

Learning disabilities are a group of disorders that affect 10–15% of the general population and 3% of United States medical students. Medical students with learning disabilities are typically unaware of their disorder and may only learn of it when the pace of medical school curriculum overtakes what were previously successful study techniques. Despite the significant prevalence of this disorder, medical educators’ awareness, understanding and provision of services for people with these disabilities are inadequate. This paper will present a medical student with a learning disability as a basis for discussion of the prevalence, classification systems and diagnostic testing methods for this disorder. Finally, recommendations for medical school administrative preparedness and accommodation of learning disability students will be presented, followed by a list of celebrated physicians with learning disabilities.
Photoinduced luminescence from the noble metals and its enhancement on roughened surfaces.

Single-photon- and multiphoton-induced luminescence spectra were obtained from clean samples of silver, copper, and gold with both smooth and rough surfaces. The spectra reveal new features which are correlated with interband transitions at selected symmetry points in the Brillouin zone. Calculating luminescence spectra based on simplified models of the band structures of the noble metals and taking into account the Fresnel local-field corrections, we find qualitative agreement with the observed spectra from smooth samples. The agreement between theory and experiment is less satisfactory for rough samples. The influence of surface roughness on the luminescence is largely attributable to local-field enhancement in the rough surface protrusions.
Auto Regulated Data Provisioning Scheme with Adaptive Buffer Resilience Control on Federated Clouds

On large-scale data analysis platforms deployed on cloud infrastructures over the Internet, the instability of the data transfer time and the dynamics of the processing rate require a more sophisticated data distribution scheme which maximizes parallel efficiency by achieving the balanced load among participated computing elements and by eliminating the idle time of each computing element. In particular, under the constraints that have the real-time and limited data buffer (in-memory storage) are given, it needs more controllable mechanism to prevent both the overflow and the underflow of the finite buffer. In this paper, we propose an auto regulated data provisioning model based on receiver-driven data pull model. On this model, we provide a synchronized data replenishment mechanism that implicitly avoids the data buffer overflow as well as explicitly regulates the data buffer underflow by adequately adjusting the buffer resilience. To estimate the optimal size of buffer resilience, we exploits an adaptive buffer resilience control scheme that minimizes both data buffer space and idle time of the processing elements based on directly measured sample path analysis. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides allowable approximation compared to the numerical results. Also, it is suitably efficient to apply for such a dynamic environment that cannot postulate the stochastic characteristic for the data transfer time, the data processing rate, or even an environment where the fluctuation of the both is presented.
Normative Data in a Sample of Canadian University Athletes Using ANAM Tests

The baseline / postconcussion neuropsychological (NP) assessment model has been shown to be of clinical value and currently contributes significant information in sport concussion evaluation. Computerized NP batteries are now widely used in elite sport environments and are rapidly becoming more commonly utilized at the community level. With the growth of computerized NP testing, it is important to identify and understand unique characteristics with respect to baseline NP performance. The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) is a library of computerized NP tests designed to detect speed and accuracy of attention, memory, and thinking ability. This article describes baseline ANAM test scores in a sample of Canadian university athletes and explores the following two factors: (a) performance differences between male and female student-athletes using ANAM tests and (b) the relationship between self-reported history of concussion and baseline NP performance.
Hypoxia Induces an Increase in Intracellular Magnesium via Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) Channels in Rat Hippocampal Neurons in Vitro*

TRPM7, a divalent cation channel, plays an important role in neurons damaged from cerebral ischemia due to permitting intracellular calcium overload. This study aimed to explore whether magnesium was transported via a TRPM7 channel into the intracellular space of rat hippocampal neurons after 1 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and acute chemical ischemia (CI) by using methods of the Mg2+ fluorescent probe Mag-Fura-2 to detect intracellular magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]i) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry to measure extracellular magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]o). The results showed that the neuronal [Mg2+]i was 1.51-fold higher after 1 h of OGD at a basal level, and the increase of neuronal [Mg2+]i reached a peak after 1 h of OGD and was kept for 60 min with re-oxygenation. Meanwhile, the [Mg2+]o decreased after 1 h of OGD and recovered to the pre-ischemic level within 15 min after re-oxygenation. In the case of CI, the [Mg2+]i peak immediately appeared in hippocampal neurons. This increase of [Mg2+]i declined by removing extracellular magnesium in OGD or CI. Furthermore, by using Gd3+ or 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate to inhibit TRPM7 channels, the [Mg2+]i increase, which was induced by OGD or CI, was attenuated without altering the basal level of [Mg2+]i. By silencing TRPM7 with shRNA in hippocampal neurons, it was found that not only was the increase of [Mg2+]i induced by OGD or CI but also the basal levels of [Mg2+]i were attenuated. In contrast, overexpression of TRPM7 in HEK293 cells exaggerated both the basal levels and increased [Mg2+]i after 1 h of OGD/CI. These results suggest that anoxia induced the increase of [Mg2+]i via TRPM7 channels in rat hippocampal neurons.
Transcriptional profiling suggests that secondary and primary large B‐cell lymphomas of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are blastic variants of GI marginal zone lymphoma

The pathogenetic relationship of marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and eventually co‐existing aggressive B‐cell lymphoma and primary aggressive B‐cell lymphoma remains to be elucidated. The RNA of laser‐microdissected cells was isolated and amplified from small and/or large cell compartments of eight MALT lymphomas (small cell lymphoma, SCL), 14 GI diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (large cell lymphoma, LCL), and ten GI B‐cell lymphomas with composite small and large cell compartments (ComL) and expression analyses were performed using cDNA arrays. Hierarchical cluster analysis clearly separated SCL and LCL and the small and large cell compartments of ComL. Likewise, cluster analysis with all samples of SCL, LCL, and ComL yielded two main ‘small cell’ and ‘large cell’ branches. Furthermore, 60 genes were differentially expressed between SCL and LCL, and 82 genes between the small and large cell components of ComL; 26 genes were discriminators in both settings. Use of the profiles of ComL as training sets for class prediction resulted in 95% accuracy for the classification of SCL and LCL. Collectively, the data strongly suggest that both secondary and primary aggressive B‐cell lymphomas of the GI tract are blastic marginal zone lymphomas. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.