Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Composition of the bacterial community degrading Phaeocystis mucopolysaccharides in enrichment cultures

As described recently (Janse et al. 1999; Limnol Oceanogr 44(6):1447-1457), muco- polysaccharides of the marine microalga Phaeocystis can be degraded in enrichment cultures. In this paper we report on the characterization of the microbial community in such enrichments. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles that were obtained during mucopolysaccharide degra- dation showed a substantial number of sequence types, suggesting the occurrence of multiple bacterial species in the enrichments. Only after the rate of mucopolysaccharide degradation had slowed down to less than 5% of its initial value could a significant change in the relative abundance of certain bacterial species in the enrichments be detected. Therefore, degradation of this complex substrate does not seem to require a succession of bacterial populations. Several mucopolysaccharide-degrading enrichments ob- tained by inoculation from different sources (colony mucus, the water column and sediments), and grown under either oxic or anoxic conditions, appeared to contain very different microbial communities with only a few overlapping species. Therefore, the selection pressure imposed by mucopolysaccharides as growth substrates is only one of the factors shaping the species composition in the enrichments. Attempts to isolate pure cultures of bacteria capable of mucopolysaccharide degradation using plating and dilu- tion techniques failed. However, following a new approach which couples community analysis (using DGGE) and the physiological capability of the enrichment to degrade mucopolysaccharides, bacteria involved in the degradation process could be identified. This was based on the correlation between inhibition of mucopolysaccharide degradation and absence of certain bands from DGGE profiles when enrichment cultures were incubated at an elevated temperature. Phylogenetic analysis on clones of DNA fragments that were excised from DGGE gels, placed the putative mucopolysaccharide degraders in the α and γ subdivisions of the Proteobacteria, the Cytophaga-Flexibacter cluster, and the Planctomyces and Verrucomicrobiales clade. These findings directly link representatives of these abundant bacterial clus- ters with the degradation of complex algal polymers in the sea.
Reflections on Cardiac Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Throughout the world, incidence of diabetes is on an increase. On its own, it is presently ranked seventh as a cause of mortality in the West. But diabetes is known as a disease of complications. Apart from those which are specific to the condition, it promotes mortality in such related disorders as hypertension, stroke and above all, ischaemic heart disease. When these are taken into account, diabetes may be reckoned next to cardiovascular disorders and cancer as a cause of human mortality.
Mild Generalized Epilepsy and Developmental Disorder Associated with Large Inv Dup(15)

Summary: Purpose: Several studies attempted to clarify the genotype–phenotype correlations in patients with inverted duplication of chromosome 15 [inv dup(15)], which is usually characterized by severe mental retardation and epilepsy in individuals with large duplications including the Prader–Willi/Angelman region. We report two patients with inv dup(15) who, in spite of a large duplication, had a mild phenotype including adult‐onset epilepsy. This report may help to define the milder spectrum of the syndrome.
Volume Expansion Does Not Alter Cerebral Tissue Oxygen Extraction in Preterm Infants with Clinical Signs of Poor Perfusion

Background: Preterm infants with signs of poor perfusion are often treated with volume expansion, although evidence regarding its effect on cerebral perfusion is lacking. Moreover, the effect is questionable in preterm infants with an adequate cerebrovascular autoregulation (CAR). A useful measure to assess perfusion is cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE). Objectives: To assess the effect of volume expansion on cFTOE in preterm infants with signs of poor perfusion. Methods: In this observational study, we assessed cFTOE using near-infrared spectroscopy in preterm infants with signs of poor perfusion before, during and 1 h after volume expansion treatment. Simultaneously, we measured mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). We tested the effect of volume expansion on both cFTOE and MABP, using multi-level analyses. We intended to define a subgroup that responded to volume expansion with an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in cFTOE, suggesting absent CAR. Results: In 14 preterm infants, with a median gestational age of 26.7 weeks (25.0-28.7 weeks) and a median birth weight of 836 g (615-1,290 g), we found a small increase in MABP during (1.4 ± 1.4 mm Hg, p = 0.003) and after (1.8 ± 1.7 mm Hg, p = 0.001) volume expansion, but no change in cFTOE during (-0.19 ± 0.1% p = 0.44) or after (-0.53 ± 0.1% p = 0.34) volume expansion. We were unable to define a subgroup lacking CAR. Conclusions: Cerebral perfusion, as assessed by cFTOE, does not improve in preterm infants with signs of poor perfusion following volume expansion. In these infants, either CAR is present or volume expansion is inadequate to affect cFTOE.
Lower Palaeozoic petroleum systems of the Baltic Basin in northern Poland: A 3D basin modeling study of selected areas (onshore and offshore)

We have developed a Lower Palaeozoic petroleum systems analysis in the selected zones of the Polish section of the Baltic Basin (onshore and offshore), which we carried out to assess the potential of shale rock formations as unconventional reservoirs. The areas of the Baltic Basin, which we analyzed represent a diversity of shale formations burial depths and thus different advancement of sediments compaction and organic matter transformation. Methods of dynamic petroleum systems modeling were applied with a 3D modeling workflow (PetroMod suite software). We considered an extensive array of data, including results of geochemical and petrophysical laboratory measurements, geophysical borehole data and, in selected locations — 3D seismic data. Five potentially perspective shale rock intervals (Silurian [2], Ordovician [2], and Upper Cambrian [1]) are identified and interpreted in terms of their geochemical and petrophysical properties. We calibrated the petroleum system models in terms of proper reproduction of diagenetic processes (pore pressure and porosity), thermal conditions (vitrinite reflectance, temperature), and kerogen kinetic model (organic matter transformation ratio, types of hydrocarbons generated). The results of the petroleum system simulations reveal that for the predominant part of the analyzed area, the achieved level of kerogen thermal maturity determines the generation of liquid hydrocarbons, which results in the present-day saturation of shale formations mainly with crude oil. We concluded that the highest generation yields as well as present-day hydrocarbons in place are observed for Ordovician Sasino Formation (onshore and offshore), Silurian/Llandovery Jantar member (onshore), and Upper Cambrian (alum shales) formation. Furthermore, a significant variation in the mass/volumes of accumulated hydrocarbons is observed within each of the shale formations being considered.
Effects of n-3 and n6 Fatty Acid-Enriched Diets on Plasma Lipoproteins and Apolipoproteins in Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in vegetable (n-6) and marine (n-3) oils have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in normolipidemic individuals. However, there is relatively little information available on the lipoprotein responses to dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in individuals with genetic forms of hyperlipidemia at risk for premature cardiovascular disease. We studied five subjects with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), as well as five normal controls, on three rigidly controlled diets differing primarily in their fatty acid composition. FH subjects reduced their total plasma cholesterol by 34% during the n-3 diet and by 26% with the n-6 diet (both p<0.001) when compared with values while on a butter diet In addition, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol fell 31% and 29% (both/><0.001), and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels dropped 28% and 27% (both p<0.01) during the n-3 and n-6 diets, respectively. A significant reduction of total and LDL cholesterol as well as of apo B was also noted in normal controls during n-3 and n-6 diets. Total plasma triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol fell significantly during n-3 diets in normal and FH subjects. Thus, FH and normal subjects respond in a similar fashion to diets low in saturated fatty acids and rich in n-3 and n-6, with decreased LDL cholesterol and apo B concentrations. (Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis 1991;ll:47-54)
On the bi-dimensionality of liquidity

Variations in overall liquidity can be measured by simultaneous changes in both immediacy costs and depth. Liquidity changes, however, are ambiguous whenever both liquidity dimensions do not reinforce each other. In this paper, ambiguity is characterized using an instantaneous time-varying elasticity concept. Several bi-dimensional liquidity measures that cope with the ambiguity problem are constructed. First, it is shown that bi-dimensional measures are superior since commonalities in overall liquidity cannot be fully explained by the common factors in one-dimensional proxies of liquidity. Second, it is shown that an infinitesimal variation in either market volatility or trading activity augments the probability of observing an unambiguous liquidity adjustment. Ambiguity strongly depends on the expected (deterministic) component of volatility.
Characterization and peripheral blood biomarker assessment of anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE Using a combination of clinical, radiographic, functional, and serum protein biomarker assessments, this study was aimed at defining the prevalence and clinical characteristics of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in a large cohort of patients with anti-Jo-1 antibodies. METHODS A review of clinical records, pulmonary function test results, and findings on imaging studies determined the existence of ILD in anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive individuals whose data were accumulated in the University of Pittsburgh Myositis Database from 1982 to 2007. Multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for serum inflammation markers, cytokines, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases in different patient subgroups were performed to assess the serum proteins associated with anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive ILD. RESULTS Among the 90 anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive individuals with sufficient clinical, radiographic, and/or pulmonary function data, 77 (86%) met the criteria for ILD. While computed tomography scans revealed a variety of patterns suggestive of underlying usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, a review of the histopathologic abnormalities in a subset of patients undergoing open lung biopsy or transplantation or whose lung tissue was obtained at autopsy (n = 22) demonstrated a preponderance of UIP and diffuse alveolar damage. Analysis by multiplex ELISA yielded statistically significant associations between anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive ILD and elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), CXCL9, and CXCL10, which distinguished this disease entity from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and anti-signal recognition particle antibody-positive myositis. Recursive partitioning further demonstrated that combinations of these and other serum protein biomarkers can distinguish these disease subgroups at high levels of sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION In this large cohort of anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive individuals, the incidence of ILD approached 90%. Multiplex ELISA demonstrated disease-specific associations between anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive ILD and serum levels of CRP as well as the interferon-gamma-inducible chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10, highlighting the potential of this approach to define biologically active molecules contributing to the pathogenesis of myositis-associated ILD.
Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Crawfish Farmers in Louisiana—A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among crawfish farmers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of MSS in nine body regions among crawfish farmers, and to examine associations between MSS and crawfish farm work activities. Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected crawfish farmers in the State of Louisiana, USA. Site-specific MSS, demographics, and crawfish farm work information was obtained from the previous six months. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. Among the participants (N = 184), shoulder MSS were reported most frequently (62%). Wrist/hand and low back MSS were significantly associated with tractor use (ORadj = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.28–6.56) and (ORadj = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.03–5.67), respectively. Also, upper back MSS were associated with the number of years working on a crawfish farm (ORadj = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.17–8.04). Shoulder and low back MSS were common. Tractor use may increase the risk of wrist/hand and low back MSS. Future studies need accurately assess exposures to physical risk factors for MSS so ergonomic interventions can be developed.
Cognitive Aspects of Interpersonal Aggression by Lloyd W. Davis PSYC-8237-2

Interpersonal aggression is a serious social problem that is at epidemic proportions around the globe. Research demonstrates that interpersonal aggression fits within the context of interpersonal neurobiology, an emerging field of interest among scientists and clinical specialists interested in human cognition, affect, and behavior. Attachment theory and practice, grounded more firmly in social, cognitive, and affective neuroscience provides us with new tools to understand the origins of interpersonal aggression. Recent advances in attachment theory provide insight into interpersonal aggression as a biopsycho-social-cultural regulation problem. Advances in cognitive science provide helpful hints and suggestions for understanding, preventing, and treating this social problem. OUTLINE
Anatomy and electrophysiology of individual neurosecretory cells of an insect brain

The structure and electrophysiological properties of individual neurose‐cretory cells of the pars intercerebralis, medial neurosecretory cells (MNSCs), in the brain of an insect, the cricket Teleogryllus commodus, were investigated by means of intracellular injections of the dye Lucifer Yellow and electrophysiological recordings. Action potentials recorded from these cells were of long duration, 8–50 msec. In the pars intercerebralis there are both neurosecretory cells with axons that join one of the tracts of the nervi corpori cardiaci I (NCC I) and cells without an axon or collateral that leaves the brain, local neurosecretory cells. MNSCs with axons that join NCC I and terminate in the anterior corpus cardiacum arborize extensively in the proto‐cerebrum and to a lesser degree in the deutocerebrum. Other MNSCs have axons that pass through the corpus cardiacum and hypocerebral ganglion and join one of the oesophageal nerves. These MNSCs have sparse collateral arborizations in the protocerebrum but do have extensive terminal arborizations in the tritocerebrum. This type of cell is dye‐coupled to other MNSCs. Among the local MNSCs, some have an unusual loop shape. These cells branch extensively in the protocerebrum and have massive terminal arborizations in a posterior ventromedial region of the brain. Both the long curved axons of the loop‐shaped cells and their ventromedial branches are of large diameter, suitable for storage of neurosecretory material.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers Attending an Infant Welfare Clinic in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

There is much concerns that despite the “Innocenti Declaration” and all efforts to promote Exclusive Breastfeeding in Nigeria, the prevalence of malnutrition and infant mortality is high. The study determined the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of nursing mothers in Osogbo, Nigeria. The study design was cross sectional. A total of 328 nursing mothers attending infant welfare clinics were recruited from selected four health centres in Osogbo Local Government Area by convenience sampling method. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of respondents. Data were analyzed using Statistics Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16. About 97.6% of the respondents were aware of EBF, but only 64.6% had adequate knowledge. Majority of the respondents (92.7%) learnt about EBF from health workers. Attitude to EBF was good as reported by 75.6% of respondents who practiced EBF on demand. About 73.8% of respondents practiced EBF. The respondents have good knowledge and attitude of EBF. The practice of EBF was equally good however less than one third used either water or herbs during EBF before six months.
An Effective Approach of Improving Electrical and Thermo-Mechanical Reliabilities of Through-Silicon Vias

An effective approach is proposed to improve the electrical and thermo-mechanical reliabilities of through-silicon vias (TSVs) with the addition of a grounded highly doped layer (HDL) around TSV. On the electrical aspect, the reduction of the peak noise induced by the proposed TSV configuration reaches more than 83% in time domain and about 15 dB in frequency domain compared with that of the TSV without HDL. On the thermo-mechanical aspect, the keep-out zone induced by the proposed TSV configuration decreases by as much as 3.9 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mu}\text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (38.2%) compared with coaxial TSV with metal guard ring. Furthermore, the proposed TSV configuration proves to be process realizable.
ODAL AUXILIARIES AND THEIR SEMANTIC FUNCTIONS USED BY A DVANCED EFL L EARNERS

Since modal auxiliary verbs have been proved to be one of the most troublesome grammatical structures in English, the researchers of this study decided to do an analysis on the ways in which advanced EFL Iranian students use modal auxiliaries focusing specially on nine modals’ semantic functions. Consequently, was conducted based on the following object: To investigate the semantic functions depicted by modals used by advanced adult EFL learners of English. To do this, a learner-corpus was constructed with 136 compositions written by our learners and then Wordsmith Tool was used to analyze this computerized data. The results of this study show that some meanings are overly used (like “ability” meaning of can) and some of them are not really used by our learners like the “possibility” meanings of can and could. At the end, some pedagogical suggestions have been made to improve this situation.
Regulation of tissue‐specific alternative splicing: exon‐specific cis‐elements govern the splicing of leukocyte common antigen pre‐mRNA.

Tissue‐specific alternative splicing is an important mechanism for controlling gene expression. Exons 4, 5 and 6 of the human leukocyte common antigen (LCA) gene are included in B cell mRNA but excluded from thymocyte mRNA by differential splicing. In order to study this tissue‐specific alternative splicing, we constructed mini‐genes that contain only a few of the LCA exons and the SV40 promoter. Mouse B cells and thymocytes were transfected with these mini‐gene constructs and the structures of mRNAs were determined by primer extension analysis. The results show that the same primary transcript is spliced alternatively in B cells and thymocytes. This finding suggests that there is a tissue‐specific trans‐acting factor that regulates the alternative splicing of LCA pre‐mRNA. By making various deletion mutants, cis‐elements necessary for tissue‐specific splicing were confined within the alternatively spliced exons and their immediate flanking intron sequences. Furthermore, linker scanning analysis shows that there are at least three distinct cis‐elements within the LCA exon 4 sequence that are required for tissue‐specific alternative splicing. Possible mechanisms of LCA alternative splicing are discussed.
Social support and type a behavior pattern ( TABP ) as moderators between person-environment fit ( P . E fit ) and turnover intention

This paper aimed to investigate the mediating role of social support and typeA behaviour pattern as moderators between Person-Environment fit (P-E fit) and turnover intention between Canadian International College (CIC) admin staff. The findings of the study emphasized that social support and type Personality pattern (the opposite of TAPB) play an important role in reducing the admin member's intention to leave CIC when there's a misfit between him/her and CIC's environment, on the other hand the lack of social support and the existence of type A behaviour pattern will accelerate turnover intention for admin member who's feeling misfit between him/her and CIC's environment.
Quantitative microbial risk assessment of wastewater and faecal sludge reuse in Ghana

The probabilistic health risks of rotavirus and Ascaris infections associated with different scenarios of diluted wastewater and faecal sludge agricultural reuse in Ghana were estimated based on the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) approach. The annual risks of rotavirus and Ascaris infections associated with diluted wastewater reuse scenarios were 10-2 and 10-3 to 10-4 respectively compared with the WHO tolerable health risk of 10-4 per person per year. The risk of Ascaris infection for the different scenarios of faecal sludge reuse ranged from 10-4 to 10-2 while it was
Symptom-Based Questionnaire for Differentiating COPD and Asthma

Background: Many patients with obstructive lung disease (OLD) carry an inaccurate diagnostic label. Symptom-based questionnaires could identify persons likely to need spirometry. Objectives: We prospectively tested questions derived from a comprehensive literature review and an international Delphi panel to help identify chronic OLD (COPD) in persons with prior evidence of OLD. Methods: Subjects were recruited via random mailing to primary-care practices in Aberdeen, Scotland, and Denver, Colorado. Persons aged 40 and older reporting any prior diagnosis of OLD or any respiratory medications in the past year were enrolled. Participants answered 54 questions covering demographics and symptoms and underwent spirometry with reversibility testing. A study diagnosis of COPD was defined by fixed airway obstruction as measured by post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70. We examined ability of individual questions in a multivariate framework to discriminate between persons with and without the study diagnosis of COPD. Results: 597 persons completed all investigations and proceeded to analysis. The list of 54 questions yielded 52 items for analyses, which was reduced to 19 items for entry into a multivariate regression model. Nine items had significant relationships with the study diagnosis of COPD, including increased age, pack-years, worsening cough, breathing-related disability or hospitalization, worsening dyspnea, phlegm quantity, cold going to the chest, and receipt of treatment for breathing. Individual items yielded odds ratios ranging from 0.33 to 20.7. This questionnaire demonstrated a sensitivity of 72.0 and a specificity of 82.7. Conclusions: A short, symptom-based questionnaire identifies persons more likely to have COPD among persons with prior evidence of OLD.