Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the IgA Immunoassay Diagnostic Potential of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis MT10.3-MPT64 Fusion Protein in Tuberculous Pleural Fluid

ABSTRACT Pleural tuberculosis (PL-TB) remains difficult to diagnose. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed based on a construction containing the fusion of the Rv3019c (MT10.3) and Rv1980c (MPT64) gene sequences, and its performance was evaluated in an area where TB is endemic. A total of 92 pleural fluid (PF) samples at serial dilutions of 1:50 to 1:800 were included in the ELISA IgA MT10.3-MPT64 evaluation: 70 from TB patients and 22 from patients with other pleurisies. Confirmation of the expression and subsequent purification of the protein was made by SDS-PAGE and Western blot assays, resulting in a 36-kDa protein. ELISA IgA MT10.3-MPT64 showed sensitivities of 61.4%, 58.6%, 62.9%, 67.1%, and 70% at each PF dilution, respectively. The cumulative results of all dilutions increased sensitivity to 81.4% without jeopardizing specificity. Similar results were also obtained at the combined dilutions of 1:50, 1:200, and 1:800 or 1:50 plus 1:800 dilutions (80%). The overall sensitivity of the reference test, i.e., histopathological examination, was 74%. But, via the ELISA IgA MT10.3-MPT64 test, sensitivity was high for specimens with a negative culture (23/27; 85.2%) or nonspecific histopathology (17/18; 94.4%). Our findings demonstrated the promising use of this test as an adjunct in PL-TB diagnoses, particularly in cases with lower bacterial loads and false-negative results in the reference tests, since the new test includes such important features as quick and easy application, high sensitivity and, perhaps most importantly, affordability, which is so crucial for its widespread use in developing countries.
Squire experimental animals : Cautionary notes Constructing receiver operating characteristics ( ROCs ) with

References http://learnmem.cshlp. org/content/15/9/687.full. html#related-urls Article cited in: http://learnmem.cshlp. org/content/15/9/687.full. html#ref-list-1 This article cites 26 articles Related Content Learn. Mem. September , 2008 15: 691-693 Howard Eichenbaum, Magdalena M. Sauvage, Norbert J. Fortin, et al. ROCs in rats? Response to Wixted and Squire service Email alerting click here top right corner of the article or Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box at the
Parthenogenesis in Darevskia lizards: A rare outcome of common hybridization, not a common outcome of rare hybridization

Hybridization is a common evolutionary process with multiple possible outcomes. In vertebrates, interspecific hybridization has repeatedly generated parthenogenetic hybrid species. However, it is unknown whether the generation of parthenogenetic hybrids is a rare outcome of frequent hybridization between sexual species within a genus or the typical outcome of rare hybridization events. Darevskia is a genus of rock lizards with both hybrid parthenogenetic and sexual species. Using capture sequencing, we estimate phylogenetic relationships and gene flow among the sexual species, to determine how introgressive hybridization relates to the origins of parthenogenetic hybrids. We find evidence for widespread hybridization with gene flow, both between recently diverged species and deep branches. Surprisingly, we find no signal of gene flow between parental species of the parthenogenetic hybrids, suggesting that the parental pairs were either reproductively or geographically isolated early in their divergence. The generation of parthenogenetic hybrids in Darevskia is, then, a rare outcome of the total occurrence of hybridization within the genus, but the typical outcome when specific species pairs hybridize. Our results question the conventional view that parthenogenetic lineages are generated by hybridization in a window of divergence. Instead, they suggest that some lineages possess specific properties that underpin successful parthenogenetic reproduction.
The processing of stress in a foreign language modulates functional antagonism between default mode and attention network regions

Lexical stress is an essential element of prosody. Mastering this prosodic feature is challenging, especially in a stress-free foreign language for individuals native to a stress-fixed language, a phenomenon referred to as stress deafness. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we elucidated the neuronal underpinnings of stress processing in a stress-free foreign language, and determined the underlying mechanism of stress deafness. Here, we contrasted behavioral and hemodynamic responses revealed by native speakers of a stress-free (German; N = 38) and a stress-fixed (French; N = 47) language while discriminating pairs of words in a stress-free foreign language (Spanish). Consistent with the stress deafness phenomenon, French speakers performed worse than German speakers in discriminating Spanish words based on cues of stress but not of vowel. Whole-brain analyses revealed widespread bilateral networks (cerebral regions including frontal, temporal and parietal areas as well as insular, subcortical and cerebellar structures), overlapping with the ones previously associated with stress processing within native languages. Moreover, our results provide evidence that the structures pertaining to a right-lateralized attention system (i.e., middle frontal gyrus, anterior insula) and the Default Mode Network modulate stress processing as a function of the proficiency level. In comparison to the German speakers, the French speakers activated the attention system and deactivated the Default Mode Network to a stronger degree, reflecting attentive engagement, likely a compensatory mechanism underlying the “stress-deaf” brain. The mechanism modulating stress processing argues for a rightward lateralization, indeed overlapping with the location covered by the dorsal stream but remaining unspecific to speech.
Towards a holistic understanding of rural livelihood systems: The case of the Bine, Western Province, Papua New Guinea

Towards a Holistic Understanding of Rural Livelihood Systems: The Case of the Bine, Western Province, Papua New Guinea by Modowa Trevor Gumoi This exploratory village-level case study sought to gain in-depth insights and a holistic understanding into the livelihood system of the rural Bine community in Papua New Guinea. This involved the identification of the components and mechanics of the livelihood system unique to the case study area, their interconnectedness and the contexts in which they exist, to discover, describe and explain changes to the livelihood system and reasons why, how villagers live, what enables them to survive daily amidst adversity, how they respond to pressures on their livelihoods, and what drives their livelihoods decisions and choices. This study is predominantly qualitative, using primary data collected from three remote villages during two field visits in 2007 and 2008 aimed at capturing diversity. Secondary data sources were also utilized. Whilst the constructivist-interpretivist research paradigm that is amenable to soft systems thinking was the overarching research paradigm, elements of grounded theory and phenomenology formed the methodological basis of this study. A plethora of sustainable livelihoods frameworks and a composite of complementary research frameworks, multi-disciplinary schools of thought, theories, models and an assortment of data collection and analyses methods were employed. The livelihood system of the Bine comprises of livelihood strategies, assets and resources; the decision environment; aspirations; structures, processes, policies, institutions, organizations; and the vulnerability context. Of these, livelihood strategies are the main determinant of Bine survival. Semi-subsistence agriculture, in the form of extensive polycultural forest cultivation
Use of Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis to Source Anthropogenic Natural Gas-Derived Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Lagoon Sediment

This paper reports the first identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment with extremely low carbon stable isotopic ratios. For sediments collected from a coastal lagoon in northern Italy, these low 13C/12C isotopic ratios for many of the PAHs together with the presence of cylcopentafused PAHs (CP-PAH) indicate that the PAHs have predominantly been derived from a high-temperature industrial process utilizing the local biogenic natural gas. The process used the biogenic gas as the feedstock for the production of acetylene. From the evidence available, the large variability in the PAH isotopic δ13C values (from −31 to −62 ‰) is ascribed mainly to biodegradation rather than to major inputs from sources of isotopically heavy PAH, such as the neighboring modern-day carbon black plants.
ABCB5 maintains melanoma-initiating cells through a pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling circuit

The drug efflux transporter ABCB5 identifies cancer stem-like cells (CSC) in diverse human malignancies, where its expression is associated with clinical disease progression and tumor recurrence. ABCB5 confers therapeutic resistance but other functions in tumorigenesis independent of drug efflux have not been described that might help explain why it is so broadly overexpressed in human cancer. Here we show that in melanoma-initiating cells ABCB5 controls IL-1β secretion which serves to maintain slow-cycling, chemoresistant cells through an IL-1β/IL8/CXCR1 cytokine signaling circuit. This CSC maintenance circuit involved reciprocal paracrine interactions with ABCB5-negative cancer cell populations. ABCB5 blockade induced cellular differentiation, reversed resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic agents, and impaired tumor growth in vivo. Together, our results defined a novel function for ABCB5 in CSC maintenance and tumor growth.
Microbial community composition and growth rates in the NW Pacific during spring 2002

The IOC North Pacific expedition in spring (May 2002) sailed from Osaka, Japan, to Honolulu, Hawaii, and surveyed the region from roughly 22 to 50°N and 147°E to 158°W. Nine stations were chosen to characterize three distinct water masses, as well as their boundary regions: the Kuroshio Current, the North Pacific subarctic gyre, and the North Pacific subtropical gyre. Grazing largely balanced growth at all stations, with an average net growth rate of 0.11 ± 0.16 d−1 (cell‐based) and 0.06 ± 0.15 d−1 (chlorophyll‐based). The stations could be distinguished, however, by phytoplankton community composition and growth response to nutrient additions (ammonium, phosphate, manganese, and iron). Nutrients were undetectable in surface waters of the Kuroshio Current, where a centric diatom‐dominated bloom showed a significant growth response to added nutrients. Iron limitation was observed for the cyanobacteria Synechococcus at the two subarctic gyre stations; however, the photosynthetic eukaryotes, which dominated the photosynthetic biomass at these stations, were not nutrient‐limited. Four oligotrophic subtropical gyre stations were dominated by photosynthetic bacteria (Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus) and small (<5 μm) eukaryotic autotrophs, which exhibited a dramatic increase in growth rate with macronutrient additions but displayed little or no increased growth with iron additions alone. Overall, the ratio of heterotroph consumer biomass to autotroph biomass was higher in the Prochlorococcus‐dominated subtropical gyre sites (0.5) than the subarctic or Kuroshio Current sites (0.2–0.3).
On Trends in Historical Marine Wind Data

Abstract Compilations of surface winds from ship reports since 1854 show a number of long period variations, including a trend toward strengthening winds over the past three decades. Some investigators indicate that these variations are real changes in the climate system, while others suggest that they are artifacts of the evolution of measurement techniques. In an attempt to resolve this issue, we have examined individual ship reports from three regions with high data densities: South China Sea, North Pacific, and North Atlantic shipping lanes. We find that the apparent surface wind strengthening from the 1950s to the present is a consequence of the increasing use of anemometers in place of sea-state estimates. The specific causes are the operational use of an incorrect conversion from Beaufort force to wind speed, and the widespread assumption that the height of shipborne anemometers is 10 m, whereas the actual mean height is 19.3 m. Correcting the conversion scale and setting the height to be 20 m larg.
Sea ice altimeter processing scheme at the EODC

Abstract Sea ice presents a serious impediment to both shipping and off-shore operations in the polar regions. Since sea ice conditions can change within a matter of hours, near real time monitoring is required. Airborne data are available in some areas, but collection is expensive and coverage limited. Satellite images can provide wider coverage, but cloud cover, darkness and the need for rapid processing and dissemination can limit their use. Information on sea ice cover over longer periods is needed for global climate monitoring. Microwave sensors provide the most practical means of monitoring global sea ice cover since they can operate both at night and day and observe through clouds. Previous studies have concentrated on the use of passive microwave data. Here we discuss the routine monitoring of sea ice using the ERS-1 radar altimeter. The low data rate and somewhat simple nature of the data, lend themselves to the mapping of global sea ice cover and to operational applications. We review the proces.
DETERMINATION OF ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF THE GROUND AT SHALLOW DEPTH WITH AN ELECTROSTATIC QUADRUPOLE: FIELD TRIALS ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES1

Knowledge of both the electrical resistivity ρ and the dielectric permittivity ɛ of the ground is important for the determination of characteristics such as granularity, porosity, moisture and salt content. Whereas the measurement of ρ is very common and can be achieved using either the d.c. resistivity method or a wide variety of EM devices, ɛ remains practically unknown in the low-frequency domain between the IP domain and the high-frequency domain. Following the principle of the quadrupole technique used in d.c. prospecting and of the quadrupolar probe for measuring the complex permittivity of the ionosphere, we propose a new approach which does not require any galvanic contact between the poles and the ground. The transfer impedance can be evaluated using the quasi-static approximation for low frequency or the full EM theory for higher frequencies. The conditions under which both calculations apply are discussed. At low frequencies and for low resistivity ground, the electrostatic quadrupole measures ρ exactly as with the d.c. technique; for higher resistivities or frequencies the simultaneous measurement of both properties becomes possible. Examples in archaeological prospecting are presented and checked against independent d.c. resistivity measurements or excavation analyses.
Transient phase‐locking and dynamic correlations: Are they the same thing?

This work represents an attempt to bring together two important themes in neuronal dynamics. The first is the characterization of dynamic correlations in multiunit recordings of spike activity using joint‐peri‐stimulus time histograms (J‐PSTHs) [Aertsen and Preissl, 1991: Non Linear Dynamics and Neural Networks]. The second is transient phase‐locking at high (gamma) frequencies, either in terms of spiking in separable spike trains [e.g., Eckhorn et al., 1988: Biol Cybern 60:121–130, Gray and Singer, 1989 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:1698–1702], or using continuous electrical or biomagnetic signals [e.g., Desmedt and Tomberg, 1994 Neurosci Lett 168:126–129]. In this paper we suggest that transient phase‐locking is necessary for frequency‐specific, dynamic event‐related correlations. This point is demonstrated using the gamma‐frequency (36 Hz) component of neuromagnetic signals measured in the prefrontal and partial regions of a subject during self‐paced movements. A J‐PSTH analysis revealed dynamic changes in prefronto‐parietal correlations in relation to movement onset. These frequency‐specific dynamic correlations were associated with changes in the degree of phase‐locking, of the sort reported by Desmedt and Tomberg [1994 Neurosci Lett 168:126–129]. Hum. Brain Mapping 5:48–57, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The fall of the Grimsby meteorite—I: Fireball dynamics and orbit from radar, video, and infrasound records

Abstract– The Grimsby meteorite (H4–6) fell on September 25, 2009. As of mid‐2010, 13 fragments totaling 215 g have been recovered. Records of the accompanying fireball from the Southern Ontario Meteor Network, including six all‐sky video cameras, a large format CCD, infrasound and radar records, have been used to characterize the trajectory, speed, orbit, and initial mass of the meteoroid. From the four highest quality all‐sky video records, the initial entry velocity was 20.91 ± 0.19 km s−1 while the derived radiant has a local azimuth of 309.40° ± 0.19° and entry angle of 55.20° ± 0.13°. Three major fragmentation episodes are identified at 39, 33, and 30 km height, with corresponding uncertainties of approximately 2 km. Evidence for early fragmentation at heights of approximately 70 km is found in radar data; dynamic pressure of this earliest fragmentation is near 0.1 MPa while the main flare at 39 km occurred under ram pressures of 1.5 MPa. The fireball was luminous to at least 19.7 km altitude and the dynamic mass estimate of the largest remaining fragment at this height is approximately several kilograms. The initial mass is constrained to be <100 kg from infrasound data and ablation modeling, with a most probable mass of 20–50 kg. The preatmospheric orbit is typical of an Apollo asteroid with a likely immediate origin in either the 3:1 or ν6 resonances.
Orthopyroxene, augite, and plagioclase compositions in dacite: application to bedrock sourcing of lithic artefacts in southern British Columbia

Extremely fine-grained, hypocrystalline, microporphyritic dacite (whole-rock SiO2 = 6570 oxide wt.%), called "glassy basalt" by archaeologists, was commonly used to manufacture lithic artefacts found in the British Columbia (B.C.) Interior. Geochemical fingerprinting of dacite minerals can help identify the geologic source of these artefacts. Multiple (~300) mineral analyses show that mafic orthopyroxene (En6580), plagioclase (An3070), augite (Wo3045, En4045, Fs1015), and olivine (~Fo85) (in that order) represent the most abundant and commonly occurring microphenocrysts. Relative abundances vary among sources. Clustering of averaged mineral data reveals at least five distinct dacite sources for lithic artefacts in the B.C. Interior. Discriminant analysis separates individual mineral analyses according to these five areas with ~ 90% efficiency and provides functions for "sourcing" new artefacts in the future. Two sites represent "quarry" locations and their scope (e.g., geographic area ≥ 4 km2, archa.
EVALUATION OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN RAPESEED (BRASSICA NAPUS L.) CULTIVARS USING DROUGHT TOLERANCE INDICES

Drought is the most significant constraint for crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. In order to assess drought tolerance in fifteen rapeseed (Brassica napus) cultivars using yield-based drought tolerance indices, two experiments were conducted at the research station of College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran during 2009-2010 growing season. The cultivars were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications in each experiment. The experiments differed in respect to irrigation regimes. The well-watered and water-limited experiments were irrigated after 40% and 70% depletion of available soil moisture, respectively. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the rapeseed cultivars for yield in normal and stress conditions as well as all the drought tolerance indices. Karun cultivar had the maximum seed yield in both conditions. Yield in non-stress (Yp) and stress (Ys) conditions showed positive and significant correlations with stress tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and Modified stress tolerance indices (K1STI and K2STI). Biplot analysis also indicated that STI, MP, GMP, K1STI and K2STI were more reliable indices to identify drought tolerant rapeseed cultivars. The results of biplot and cluster analysis revealed that Karun, NK Aviator and NK Octans were the drought tolerant rapeseed cultivars. Therefore, they may be recommended to cultivate in drought prone regions and also can be used in rapeseed breeding programs aimed at improving drought tolerance
The role of endomyocardial biopsy in the management of cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiology.

May we draw your attention to the ESC/AHA/ACC scientific statement published in the December issue of the European Heart Journal . 1 Scenario 10 discusses the indication for endomyocardial biopsy in patients with suspected myocardial siderosis (due to hereditary or acquired haemochromatosis). This states that ‘cardiac involvement …
Evidence for neutrino emission from the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068.

A supermassive black hole, obscured by cosmic dust, powers the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068. Neutrinos, which rarely interact with matter, could provide information on the galaxy's active core. We searched for neutrino emission from astrophysical objects using data recorded with the IceCube neutrino detector between 2011 and 2020. The positions of 110 known gamma-ray sources were individually searched for neutrino detections above atmospheric and cosmic backgrounds. We found that NGC 1068 has an excess of [Formula: see text] neutrinos at tera-electron volt energies, with a global significance of 4. 2σ, which we interpret as associated with the active galaxy. The flux of high-energy neutrinos that we measured from NGC 1068 is more than an order of magnitude higher than the upper limit on emissions of tera-electron volt gamma rays from this source.
Contrasted mineralogical composition of the laterite cover on Serpentinites of Nkamouna-Kongo, southeast Cameroon

Abstract Four drill cores along a lateritic hill in Nkamouna-Kongo (southeast Cameroon) were studied using microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The main objective of the study was to investigate the occurrence of clay silicates while evaluating the Ni-Co content of the laterite for potential mineral exploitation. The thick lateritic profiles (>40 m deep) developed on serpentinized ultramafic rocks have an Fe-rich clayey fraction, with goethite as the main mineralogical constituent and secondary quartz and relicts of magnetite-maghemite as accessory minerals. Silicate clays are less abundant and occur mainly towards the top of the profiles. At the summit of the interfluve, kaolinite and some gibbsite are associated with goethite. Along the slopes, at the bottom of profiles, the weathered bedrock shows the presence of smectite (Fe-beidellite) and kaolinite, probably due to slower water-flow conditions. Towards the top of the profile in the lower clay, ferruginous and upper clay horizons, only kaolinite remains with gibbsite, after the leaching of silica and soluble cations following repeated remobilization-recrystallization processes. At the summit, where the downward movement of water is rapid, no smectite was identified. As a whole, the mineralogical composition of the material varies in close relationship with the drainage, leading to a contrasted clay mineralogy marked by the presence of Fe-beidellite and kaolinite at the bottom, and that of kaolinite and gibbsite at the summit of the profiles.