Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Focused microbiological surveillance and gram-negative beta-lactamase--mediated resistance in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of focused surveillance in following resistance patterns within an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN Antibiograms of 167 gram-negative isolates from ICU patients were compared to the hospitalwide antibiograms. ICU isolates were examined for the newer forms of beta-lactamase resistance. An outbreak of multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa during the survey illustrated the usefulness of focused surveillance in early intervention and containment. SETTING A 700-bed adult tertiary care hospital with a 16-bed medical and surgical ICU. RESULTS Hospitalwide and ICU antibiograms of the Enterobacteriaceae were similar. However, resistance of P aeruginosa in the ICU was underestimated by hospitalwide rates. Susceptibility of ICU isolates to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and piperacillin was 54%, 54%, and 42%, compared with 81%, 77%, and 85%, respectively, in the hospital at large. Thirty-five percent of isolates exhibited one of the newer forms of beta-lactamase-mediated resistance, with 17% of isolates exhibiting Class I cephalosporinase production. CONCLUSION Targeted survey of high antibiotic-use hospital units should be used to study bacterial epidemiology, rather than relying on general hospital data to evaluate patterns of antimicrobial resistance. Monitoring of potential problem areas leads to prompt identification of changes in resistance and allows early intervention.
Rethinking Tree-Thinking: Cladograms, Ancestors & Evidence

Abstract I offer comments on two recent articles in The American Biology Teacher by Davenport and colleagues addressing the interpretation and construction of phylogenetic trees. The “tree-thinking” literature suggests that students need to acquire a clear understanding of the meaning of phylogenetic tree diagrams. To this end, I provide clarifications of terminology and address the problematical status of “ancestors. ” Cladograms are not genealogies viewed from a distance, but empirical hypotheses of relationship based on the distribution of shared derived character states. I describe an exercise employed in an introductory systematics course that emphasizes the empirical activities of character delimitation and formation of groups based on those characters.
Bisphenol A modifies human spermatozoa motility in vitro

Introduction. The decrease of men’s sperm quality was reported to be related to exposure to xenoestrogens. Bisphenol‑A (BPA) is a synthetic xenoestrogen commonly present in our environment, for instance in food containers. Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of BPA on human spermatozoa motility. Material and methods. The effects on spermatozoa of BPA at final concentrations of 10–10, 10–8 and 10–6 mol/L were studied regarding to the following phenomena: (1) evaluation of sperm motility using computer‑aided sperm analysis system providing four parameters: velocity straight linear VSL, cross beat frequency CBF, lateral head displacement LHD and homogeneity of progressive movement velocity HPMV, (2) spermatozoa vitality (propidium iodide staining), (3) phosphatidylserine membrane translocation (staining with annexin V conjugated with fluorescein) and (4) kinetics of intracellular free calcium ions changes (using Fluo-3). Results. BPA caused a transient, significant increase of VSL and HPMV at 15 minutes after stimulation. One hour incubation of spermatozoa with BPA did not alter cells vitality nor stimulated phosphatidylserine membrane translocation, for all three concentrations. BPA in the final concentration of 10–6 mol/L initiated a rapid (observed after a few seconds), and transient (resolving after a few minutes) increase of intracellular free calcium ions concentration. Conclusions. Human spermatozoa can be considered target cells for BPA. BPA significantly modified spermatozoa motility. BPA affected spermatozoa involving free calcium ions as second messenger.
Vitamin D: the underappreciated D-lightful hormone that is important for skeletal and cellular health

Vitamin D deficiency is more common than realized. It is making a resurgence in neonates and is common in black patients and older adults. Vitamin D deficiency not only causes generalized muscle weakness, muscle aches, and bone aches and pains but also can precipitate and exacerbate osteoporosis and cause osteomalacia. Although the kidney plays a critical role in producing 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is important for regulating calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism, it is now recognized that a wide variety of other tissues have the enzymatic machinery to produce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Vitamin D receptors are common in most tissues in the body, and the new revelation that many tissues produce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D suggests a new important role for this hormone in helping to maintain good health throughout life.
Intraspecific Aggression and Responses to Marked Substrates in Ambystoma maculatum (Caudata: Ambystomatidae)

This is the first report of intraspecific aggression and possible territoriality in adult ambystomatid salamanders. We examined adult Ambystoma maculatum males in the laboratory for aggression toward conspecifics and responses to marked substrates. The salamanders interacted during staged encounters and actively avoided conspecifics when housed together. During interactions, we observed behaviors that may have functioned either as aggressive displays or for enhanced chemoreception. Biting of conspecifics on the snout was seen frequently, as were forebody elevations and touching of the snout to the substrate. Salamanders also altered their behavior in response to substrates taken from the home range of a conspecific and showed significant attraction to these introduced substrates. No significant differences were found between the responses to substrates from familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics. MANY aspects of the ecology of terrestrial
Monetary Policy Trade-offs and the Correlation between Nominal Interest Rates and Real Output

The authors present a structural model of the U.S. economy that combines their price-contracting specification with a term-structure relationship, an aggregate demand curve, and a monetary-policy reaction function. The model matches important features of postwar data well and provides a structural explanation of the correlation between real output and the short-term nominal rate of interest. The authors perform a battery of monetary-policy experiments that show that, as viewed through the lens of this model, monetary policy has struck a good balance recently among competing monetary-policy objectives. Copyright 1995 by American Economic Association.
1994-95 Advisory Council On Social Security Technical Panel on Trends and Issues in Retirement Saving Final Report

The charge of the Technical Panel on Trends and Issues in Retirement Savings (TIRS) was to "assist the 1994-95 [Social Security] Advisory Council with respect to its charge to analyze the relative roles of the public and private sectors in the provision of retirement income, particularly how underlying policies of public and private programs, including relevant tax laws, affect retirement decisions and the economic status of the elderly. "
Factors Influencing the Spatial Distribution of Phytoplankton in a Small Productive Lake

(I) A study of the horizontal and vertical distribution of the phytoplankton in a small productive lake, Esthwaite Water in the Lake District, was made during thermal stratification. Distribution patterns of the phytoplankton were related to horizontal variations in specific conductance and pH and to the vertical distribution of temperature and oxygen. (2) A diel study of the changes in the vertical distribution of the dominant algal species, chlorophyll a, temperature and oxygen was also made at the time of maximum phytoplankton density. (3) Appreciable non-uniform horizontal distribution of the phytoplankton was observed only when buoyant blue-green algae or the dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella were present. (4) On most occasions horizontal variations of phytoplankton density showed clear systematic patterns related to wind-induced water movements. These patterns were particularly pronounced when individual species formed well-defined vertical aggregations in regions of upwelling or downwelling water. (5) Observations on the vertical distribution of Ceratium showed that this alga underwent diel vertical migrations, with a proportion of the population aggregating at the metalimnion at night. During calm weather large daytime sub-surface accumulations of the alga were found. Vertical perturbations of such small-scale, vertical aggregations may have produced the extreme small-scale horizontal variations of algal concentration noted on two occasions. (6) Daily mean wind speeds above 100 km day 1 were normally sufficient to break down patches of phytoplankton, whereas values below 50 km day-' allowed the formation of dense, small-scale, near-surface aggregations of Ceratium. (7) Lateral transport of algal cells at the metalimnion by water currents could assist in maintaining high nutrient gradients at the cell surface, and contribute to the sustained growth of the phytoplankton.
Discriminação racial e justica criminal em São Paulo

RESUMO Este texto se baseia em pesquisa cujos principais objetivos foram identificar, caracterizar e explicar as causas do acesso diferencial de brancos e negros à justiça criminal em São Paulo, mediante análise da distribuição das sentenças judiciais para crimes de idêntica natureza cometidos por ambas as categorias de réus. Foram pesquisados os crimes violentos julgados no município de São Paulo, no ano de 1990, caracterizando-se as ocorrências criminais, o perfil social de vítimas e de agressores e o desfecho processual. Os principais resultados indicaram que brancos e negros cometem crimes violentos em idênticas proporções, mas os réus negros tendem a ser mais perseguidos pela vigilância policial, enfrentam maiores obstáculos de acesso à justiça criminal e revelam maiores dificuldades de usufruir do direito de ampla defesa assegurado pelas normas constitucionais. Em decorrência, tendem a receber um tratamento penal mais rigoroso, representado pela maior probabilidade de serem punidos comparativamente aos réus brancos. Tudo indica, por conseguinte, que a cor é poderoso instrumento de discriminação na distribuição da justiça. Palavras-chaves: violência; crime; justiça criminal; acesso à justiça; racismo; São Paulo.
A Comparative Investigation of Self-Esteem, Achievement Motivation, Learning Style, and Parental Relationship Across Black and White Gifted/Talented Adolescent Groups

A comparative study of self-esteem, achievement motivation, learning style, and parental relationships across Black White gifted/talented adolescent groups, was conducted. Since there are few studies dealing with gifted/talented minority adolescents, any possible sources of potential were examined. One hundred eleven high school students (fifty-five Black adolescents and fifty-six White adolescents) enrolled in a gifted/talented program in a suburban school district located south of Chicago were selected to be participants in the study. Data sets were collected in one session. Subjects were asked to complete the following five instruments: 1) A selected demographic and social history questionnaire; 2) The Coopersmith Inventory was included to assess an individual's evaluation of himself or herself as positive or negative; 3) The WellsBledsoe Motivation Checklist was used to assess positive and negative factors that an individual feels affects success in school; 4) The Family Environment Scale was used to assess cohension, expressiveness, conflict, independence, achievement, motivation, organization, and control as viewed by adolescent; 5) The Learning Style Inventory was used to Inventory was used to assess how students pref er to function, learn, concentrate, and perform during educational activities. A two group matched subject design was used to test for main effects across the two groups. For those dependent measures on which statistically significant differences were found across groups, a follow-up multiple regression procedure was used in an effort to more clearly identify those factors that might contribute most strongly to the individual differences among the respondents across the two groups. Analysis of the data sets revealed a complex array of differences across groups and a number of significant inter-relationships among the independent variables and dependent measures.
Reproduction, rookery use, and thermoregulation in free-ranging, pregnant Crotalus v. viridis

A study of the reproductive biology of pregnant, free-ranging prairie rattlesnakes was conducted in Wyoming from 1982 through 1987. Females reproduced on a flexible superannual cycle. Pregnant females were longer than nonpregnant females, and heavier than nonpregnant females of similar length. Among pregnant snakes, follicle number was positively correlated with increasing body size. Pregnant snakes that had radiotelemetry transmitters surgically implanted early in the active season resorbed follicles, whereas those with transmitters implanted later in the season continued pregnancy through parturition. Movements from hibernacula to rookeries were spatially direct, but often one more or more in duration. Snakes in rookeries were relatively sedentary, frequently shared shelter rocks with pregnant conspecifics, and maintained higher body temperatures than nonpregnant conspecifics that were not in rookeries. Air temperature, date, and microhabitat were important influences on body temperature. Among other potential benefits, residence in rookeries may enhance reproductive success through thermal effects on gestation.
Archaeolithoporella and Tubiphytes : Affinties and Paleoecology in Permian Reefs of South China

Archaeolithoporella is one of the most important Permian reef-building organisms, but itsaffinity has long been controversial. It was first reported in Japan and was considered as a coralline red alga. Since then it has been recognized in Permian reefs in other parts of the world. Many researchers have studied the materials they had found and the Japanese holotype specimen. Most have concluded that it is a problematic alga. or just a problematica because of weak criteria for definition. Some have even considered it inorganic. However, relict cellular structures and microtubular laminae found in well-preserved specimens from Permian reefs in South China strongly support a coralline red algal affinity for the genus.In situ preserved Archaeolithoporella is restricted within the typical framework facies and it occurs most abundantly in syndepositionally cemented framestones. This suggests that Archaeolithoporella required a firm substrate and clear but agitated sea water. Archaeolithoporella is often found in cavities , implying that it was accustomed to cryptic biotopes. Archaeolithoporella is a most important encrusting organism helping other frame-building organisms to form rigid wave-resistant frameworks.Tubiphytes is another component of Permian reefs of South China and its affinity has also been enigmatic. This genus was established in 1956, based on material from Russia, and was originally placed in the blue-green algae. Several affinities have been subsequently proposed for it, but most researchers consider it as a problematic alga or a problematica. However, the structure of this organism, especially the various types of central tubes and well-organized bodies, opposes the algal affinity.A comparison of Tubiphytes with some modern sponges suggests that Tubiphytes belongs to the class Demospongiae in the phylum of Porifera. It is an animal rather than a plant. It is obvious that more than one genus is described under the term "Tubiphytes. "Tubiphytes is quite abundant in framework facies in Permian reefs of China, but it is also found in fore-reef talus and back-reef skeletal deposits. It acted as a frame-builder in forming the reef frameworks. Its special calcification suggests that Tubiphytes can serve as an indicator of tropical marine environments where the precipitation of calcium carbonate was efficient.
Investigation of the Viability of Selected Microorganisms on the Biodegradation of Palm Oil Mill Effluents (POME)

Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluents (POME) by three microorganisms namely Trichoderma viride, (Tv), Candida cylindricea (Cd) and Phaneaochaete chrysospium (Pc), were conducted in batch aerobic reactors. The autoclaved and un-autoclaved raw POME samples were agitated at 150rpm, incubated for 5days and the activities of the microorganisms were terminated at -20 0 C. The supernatant of the digested POME were investigated for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity and biosolids at the end of each digestion cycle. The results showed that the un-autoclaved raw POME sample degraded better than the inoculated POME sample and this suggests that the microorganisms that are indigenous to the POME are more effective than the introduced microorganisms. This result, however, indicates the prospect of isolating indigenous microorganisms in the POME for effective biodegradation of POME.
Effects of La on Superweak Luminescence of Rose Leaves under Cd Stress

[Objective] The research aimed to study the alleviation effect of La on rose leaves and its effect on superweak luminescence under Cd stress. [Method] Rose leaves were treated with both Cd at 50 mg/L and different concentrations of La(40,60 and 80 mg/L) to determine the intensity of leaf self-luminescence and delayed luminescence,SOD activity and MDA content. [Result] After the rose leaves were cultured for 24 h,compared with blank control,the change trend of self luminescence in rose leaves in all treatments had no obvious law.Cd produced stress on rose leaves.Certain concentration of La had alleviation effect on Cd stress and the effect of La at 60 mg/L was most significant.Cd stress reduced SOD activity in rose leaves significantly and SOD activity after La treatment had no significant difference.Cd promoted the increasing of MDA content in rose leaves and MDA content tended to be normal with the rise of La concentration. [Conclusion] Under Cd stress,the delayed luminescence intensity of rose leaves was increased,SOD activity was reduced and MDA content was raised.After La treatment,the delayed luminescence intensity was obviously reduced and MDA content tended to be normal,but Sod activity had no significant change.
UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA "JULIO DE MESQUITA FILHO" FACULDADE DE CIÊNCIAS AGRÁRIAS E VETERINÁRIAS CÂMPUS DE JABOTICABAL ASPECTOS MORFOLÓGICOS, IMUNOLÓGICOS E EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS DO Dioctophyme renale EM CÃES NO DISTRITO DE SÃO CRISTÓVÃO, TRÊS BARRAS, SANTA CATARINA.

This study aims to provide information on morphological data of D. renale eggs, as well as on first-stage larvae development into eggs kept at different temperatures. Eggs were obtained by centrifugation of infected dog urine, placed in Petri dishes, and stored in BOD chamber for a 90-day period. Each treatment (GI-15oC, GII20oC, and GIII-26oC) was repeated five times. Eggs showed average measures of 67.23 x 42.78 μm, and the mean incubation time was inversely proportional to the incubation temperature. Larvae motility was observed one week after being observed in eggs.
Reduced doses of total herbicide used together with plant density for weed management in wheat (Triticum durum L.) fields

Reduction in herbicide usage without compromising yields can lead to less environmental harm and lower production costs. We evaluated the effects of both the plant population and reduced doses of sulfosulfuron plus metsulfuron-methyl on the weed infestation and crop performance of wheat. Results experiments revealed that a fairly acceptable level of weed suppression in wheat fields was achieved with lower doses of sulfosulfuron plus metsulfuron-methyl (30 g a.i. ha-1) in combination with plant density of 500 plant m-2 that were comparable to results with its label dose. Increased seeding rate was able to increased grain yield and number spike m -2 . However, 1000-grain weight decreased with increasing seeding rate. The results suggested that weeds can be controlled in wheat, for a higher yield, when a reduced herbicide dose is used in combination with increasing seeding rate.
Early Growth Response of Sugarbeet to Fertilizer Phosphorus in Phosphorus Deficient Soils of the Red River Valley

Field experiments were conducted over two years in a low phosphorus (P) testing Red River Valley sandy loam soil to determine the response of early season sugarbeet root and shoot growth to fertilizer P. Four rates of fertilizer P (0, 15, 30, and 45 kg P ha -1 ) were broadcast and incorporated prior to planting. Initial plant and soil samples were taken when sugarbeet seedlings showed purple coloration on the petioles and leaf blade edges (first two true leaves) and continued every two wk for a total of five samplings. Compared to controls (0 kg P ha -1 ), phosphorus fertilization significantly increased both shoot and root dry matter accumulation. The linear relationship between dry matter accumulation and rate of fertilizer P was significant, but generally 15 kg P ha -1 produced most of the total observed response. The general relationship of root dry matter accumulation to P rates was apparent within 30 days after planting and was maintained during the entire sampling period. Final root yields at the end of the growing season were significantly less in the controls compared to treatments where fertilizer P was applied. The data indicate that the reduction in root yields caused by P deficiency is initiated very early and is maintained throughout the growing season. Even though the above ground sugarbeet growth appears to return to near normal as the growing season progresses, root yield potential may have already been reduced.
Toxicokinetics of Leonurine and Its Metabolite in Rats

A LC-MS/MS method for determination of leonurine(1) and its metabolite leonurine-O-glucuronide(2) in rat plasma was established.After single-or multiple-dose(once daily for 28 d) ig administration of 1 at low,middle and high doses,the exposure levels of 1 and 2 in rats were investigated.The concentration-time curves of 1 and 2 were drawn and the toxicokinetic parameters were calculated.The AUC of 1 for single-dose ig administration of 200,600,2 000 mg/kg were(1.946±0.908),(7.002±2.759) and(26.408±11.491)μmol·L-1·h,respectively.The results suggested that the elimination behavior of 1 in rats accorded with linear dynamic model.The AUC of 1 for multiple-dose ig administration were(2.987±1.089),(9.083±3.140) and(20.178±7.484)μmol·L-1·h,respectively.No significant accumulation was observed after successive large dose ig administration of 1 in rats.During the experiment there was no significant toxicity in rats.