Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Etiology of acute diarrhea in children in Shanghai, 2015-2018 CURRENT STATUS: POSTED

Background Diarrhea is still a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. This hospital-based study aimed the with acute diarrhea in Shanghai. Methods Outpatient children with diarrhea were prospectively enrolled within 7 days after onset of diarrheal symptoms during 2015-2018. Fresh stool samples were collected for testing enteropathogens. Enteric bacteria were identified and typed through culture and serotyping. Enteric viruses were identified through real-time PCR assay. had Results Enteric pathogens were identified in 1572 (58.4%) of the 2692 enrolled children with acute diarrhea. Viruses were more frequently detected than bacteria (41.3% versus 25.0%), and co-infection with 2 or more pathogens was found in 13% of outpatients. Nontyphoidal Salmonella spp . (NTS) was the most common bacteria with 10.3% of isolate rate, followed by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) (6.5%), enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) (6.2%), Campylobacter spp . (3.6%), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (1.1%), Shigella spp . (0.2%), and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) (0.1%). Rotavirus was the most common virus with 16.0% of detection rate, followed by norovirus (15.5%), adenovirus (7.2%), sapovirus (3.0%) and astrovirus (2.7%). Conclusions Infectious diarrhea remains the major cause of diarrhea in children in Shanghai. Rotavirus, norovirus and NTS diarrhea Shanghainese and foodborne
University of Southern Denmark Risks of solid and lymphoid malignancies in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms

In the past decade, several studies have reported that patients with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) have an increased risk of second solid cancer or lymphoid hematological cancer. In this qualitative review study, we present results from studies that report on these cancer risks in comparison to cancer incidences in the general population or a control group. Our literature search identified 12 such studies published in the period 2009–2018 including analysis of more than 65,000 patients. The results showed that risk of solid cancer is 1.5to 3.0-fold elevated and the risk of lymphoid hematological cancer is 2.5to 3.5-fold elevated in patients with MPNs compared to the general population. These elevated risks apply to all MPN subtypes. For solid cancers, particularly risks of skin cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, and kidney cancer are elevated. The largest difference in cancer risk between patients with MPN and the general population is seen in patients below 80 years. Cancer prognosis is negatively affected due to cardiovascular events, thrombosis, and infections by a concurrent MPN diagnosis mainly among patients with localized cancer. Our review emphasizes that clinicians caring for patients with MPNs should be aware of the very well-documented increased risk of second non-myeloid cancers.
In Vitro Evaluation of Antibiotic Synergy for Polymyxin B-Resistant Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (cid:1)

Since carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were ﬁrst reported in North Carolina, these highly resistant organisms have been isolated with increasing frequency, especially in the New York City area. Polymyxin B is one of the few antimicrobials that retain reliable activity against these organisms. However, polymyxin B MICs are elevated against K. pneumoniae isolates with increasing frequency, leaving clinicians with few therapeutic options. We investigated several antimicrobial agents for potential synergy with polymyxin B against 12 clinical strains of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae. A broth microdilution assay using a 96-well plate was developed in which graded dilutions of polymyxin B and the study drug were incubated with resistant isolates in a checkerboard pattern. Polymyxin B was studied in combination with cefazolin, ceftriaxone, cefepime, imipenem, gentamicin, tigecycline, doxycycline, and rifampin. All K. pneumoniae strains tested positive for K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) genes by real-time PCR and had elevated polymyxin B MIC values ranging from 16 to 128 (cid:1) g/ml. Synergy was observed with the combination of polymyxin B and rifampin as well as with polymyxin B and doxycycline, resulting in at least a 4-fold decrease in the polymyxin B MIC. For both combinations, this effect occurred at physiologically achievable concentrations. Less pronounced synergy was noted with tigecycline and polymyxin B. No synergy was observed at physiologic concentrations with the other antimicrobials studied. These results suggest that rifampin, doxycycline, and tigecycline may be useful additions to polymyxin B in the treatment of infections caused by highly resistant carbapenemase- producing K. pneumoniae . Further studies are warranted to determine if these in vitro ﬁndings translate into clinical efﬁcacy.
JULI Project

The JULI project aimed at developing and evaluating a parallel compute cluster based on IBM's BladeCenter H with JS21 nodes, QLogic’s InfiniPath network components and ParTec’s ParaStation software. The project was carried out as a collaboration of Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IBM Deutschland GmbH, QLogic Corporation 1 and ParTec Cluster Competence Center GmbH. This report details the milestones and results of the project.
Impact of value perceptions on luxury purchase intentions Chattalas, Michael; Shukla, Paurav

Consumers derive subjective worth of any product of service based on their value perceptions. This study measures the impact of value perceptions on luxury consumption purchase intentions focusing on two of the largest luxury markets holding significant referent influence on consumers worldwide – namely the UK and the USA. Cross-sectional, survey-based methodology and structural equation modelling was employed to collect and analyse the data. The findings suggest that while functional value perceptions drive luxury consumption purchase intentions across both nations, social value has a significant contribution only among US consumers and personal value perceptions only in the UK. The results provide managers opportunities for strategic differentiation and brand positioning of their luxury brand in a cross-national context. The findings demonstrate that while the USA and the UK remain fairly similar on most macro cultural traits, consumer value perceptions differ significantly. Hence, a cautionary approach is advised in making generalised assumptions using national-level cultural indicators at consumer-level decision making.
Effect of E-Learning Training Methods and Instructor Competencies on the Effectiveness of Training Mediated by Training Motivation

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the instructor's competence affected the effectiveness of training, whether the e-learning training method affected training motivation, whether the instructor's competence affected training motivation, whether explanation involved the significance of movement, and whether the e-learning training method was mediated by training motivation affects the effectiveness of training, Does the competence of instructors mediated by training motivation affect the effectiveness of training, Does the competence of instructors affect employee e-learning training methods. The results showed that Instructor Competence had a positive and significant effect on training effectiveness. Instructor competence has a positive and significant impact on the training motivation using the E-Learning Training Method. Moreover, the E-Learning Training Method has a positive and significant effect on Training Motivation. Also, training motivation has a positive and significant impact on Training Effectiveness, and Instructor Competence has a positive and significant impact on Training Effectiveness through Training Motivation.
Identiﬁcation of New Protein-Protein Interactions Involving the Products of the Chromosome- and Plasmid-Encoded Type IV Secretion Loci of the Phytopathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri

The recently sequenced genome of the bacterial plant pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri contains two virB gene clusters, one on the chromosome and one on a 64-kb plasmid, each of which codes for a previously uncharacterized type IV secretion system (T4SS). Here we used a yeast two-hybrid assay to identify protein- protein interactions in these two systems. Our results revealed interactions between known T4SS components as well as previously uncharacterized interactions involving hypothetical proteins coded by open reading frames in the two X. axonopodis pv . citri virB loci. Our results indicate that both loci may code for previously unidentiﬁed VirB7 proteins, which we show interact with either VirB6 or VirB9 or with a hypothetical protein coded by the same locus. Furthermore, a set of previously uncharacterized Xanthomonas proteins have We signiﬁcant
A Zirconium-Cobalt Compound as the Material for a Reversible Tritium Getter

An intermetallic compound of zirconium-cobalt was prepared, and the pressure-composition isotherms for the ZrCo-H system were measured in the pressure range from 10 Pa (0.1 Torr) to approx. =130 kPa (1000 Torr) and in the temperature range from 130 to 400/sup 0/C. The equilibrium hydrogen pressures of plateaus under the the experimental conditions were one or two orders of magnitude higher than that of a uranium-hydrogen system. A pronounced hysteresis between hydrogenating isotherms and dehydrogenating ones was observed. Based on the results, ZrCo is proposed as a substitute for uranium for the purpose of recovering, storing, and supplying gaseous tritium.
Phylogenetic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Wales using core to analyse whole genome sequencing data

Inability to standardize the bioinformatic data produced by whole genome sequencing (WGS) has 22 been a barrier to its widespread use in tuberculosis phylogenetics. The aim of this study was to 23 carry out a phylogenetic analysis of tuberculosis in Wales, using Ridom Seqsphere software for 24 core genome MLST (cgMLST) analysis of whole genome sequencing data. The phylogenetics of 25 tuberculosis in Wales has not previously been studied. Sixty-six Mycobacterium tuberculosis 26 isolates (including 42 outbreak-associated isolates) from South Wales were sequenced using an 27 Illumina platform. Isolates were assigned to Principal Genetic Groups, Single Nucleotide 28 Polymorphism (SNP) cluster groups, lineages and sub-lineages using SNP-calling protocols. WGS 29 data were submitted to the Ridom SeqSphere software for cgMLST analysis and analysed 30 alongside 179 previously lineage-defined isolates. The dataset was dominated by the Euro- 31 American lineage, with the sub-lineage composition being dominated by T, X and Haarlem family 32 strains. The cgMLST analysis successfully assigned 58 isolates to major lineages and results were 33 consistent with those obtained by traditional SNP mapping methods. In addition, the cgMLST 34 scheme was used to resolve an outbreak of tuberculosis occurring in the region. This study 35 supports the use of a cgMLST method for standardized phylogenetic assignment of tuberculosis isolates and for outbreak resolution, and provides the first insight into Welsh tuberculosis 37 phylogenetics, identifying the presence of the Haarlem sub-lineage commonly associated with 38 virulent traits.
Consumers’ Assessment on the Brand Equity of Solar Energy Firms in Pakistan

: The assessment of brand equity has often been described as the new research direction, particularly in solar energy companies. Accordingly, this study which was conducted in Pakistan investigated the sources of brand equity for solar energy companies’ brand such as word of mouth and brand personality with relationship quality as the mediator. Although past researches had investigated the effect of these sources of brand equity, only a few researchers discovered the effect of relationship quality as a mediator between the sources of brand equity in the context of Firms. In this study, the model was developed based on the theory of brand equity and the social exchange theory. The study employed systematic sampling where 138 questionnaires were distributed to the consumers of solar energy companies in Pakistan. The data gathered was analyzed using the SEM-PLS.3. 0. The results indicated that word of mouth and brand personality have significant and positive effects on brand equity. It also showed that relationship quality has a direct relationship with brand equity. Moreover, relationship quality mediates the relationship between the sources of brand equity such as word of mouth and brand personality, and brand equity. Consequently, the findings of this study have further strengthened the theory on brand equity and the social exchange theory and related literature as well. This study also put forth recommendations for solar energy industry regarding the best approaches to build brand equity using the strategic sources of brand equity to ensure long-term relationships with clients in the light of the strong competitive advantage. For later research, it would be great to incorporate other strategic sources which may contribute to strengthen the theory besides providing the management the know-how for better-informed decisions.
The 5 (cid:1) Leader of the mRNA Encoding the Marek’s Disease Virus Serotype 1 pp14 Protein Contains an Intronic Internal Ribosome Entry Site with Allosteric Properties (cid:1)

We demonstrate the presence of a functional internal ribosome entry site (IRES) within the 5 (cid:1) leader (designated 5L) from a variant of bicistronic mRNAs that encode the pp14 and RLORF9 proteins from Marek’s disease virus (MDV) serotype 1. Transcribed as a 1.8-kb family of immediate-early genes, the mature bicistronic mRNAs have variable 5 (cid:1) leader sequences due to alternative splicing or promoter usage. Consequently, the presence or absence of the 5L IRES in the mRNA dictates the mode of pp14 translation and leads to the production of two pp14 isoforms that differ in their N-terminal sequences. Real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR indicates that the mRNA variants with the 5L IRES is two to three times more abundant in MDV-infected and transformed cells than the mRNA variants lacking the 5L IRES. A common feature to all members of the 1.8-kb family of transcripts is the presence of an intercistronic IRES that we have previously shown to control the translation of the second open reading frame (i.e., RLORF9). Investigation of the two IRESs residing in the same bicistronic reporter mRNA revealed functional synergism for translation efﬁciency. In analogy with allosteric models in proteins, we propose IRES allostery to describe such a novel phenomenon. The functional implications of our ﬁndings are discussed in relation to host-virus interactions and translational control.
Redox regulation of cardiac ASK1 (Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1) controls p38-MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) and orchestrates cardiac remodelling to hypertension cardiac ASK1 (Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1) controls p38-MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) and orchestrates 

—Systemic hypertension increases cardiac workload causing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and increased cardiac fibrosis. An underlying feature is increased production of reactive oxygen species. Redox-sensitive ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1) activates stress-regulated protein kinases (p38-MAPK [mitogen-activated protein kinases] and JNKs [c-Jun N-terminal kinases]) and promotes fibrosis in various tissues. Here, we determined the specificity of ASK1 signaling in the heart, with the hypothesis that ASK1 inhibitors may be used to manage fibrosis in hypertensive heart disease. Using we established that moderate levels of H 2 O 2 activate ASK1 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and perfused rat hearts. ASK1 was activated during ischemia in adult rat hearts, but not on reperfusion, consistent with activation by moderate (not high) reactive oxygen species levels. In contrast, IL (interleukin)-1 β activated an alternative kinase, TAK1 (transforming growth factor–activated kinase 1). ASK1 was not activated by IL1 β in cardiomyocytes and activation in perfused hearts was due to increased reactive oxygen species. Selonsertib (ASK1 inhibitor) prevented activation of p38-MAPKs (but not JNKs) by oxidative stresses in cultured cardiomyocytes and perfused hearts. In vivo (C57Bl/6J mice with osmotic minipumps for drug delivery), selonsertib (4 mg/[kg · d]) alone did not affect cardiac function/dimensions (assessed by echocardiography). However, it suppressed hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy resulting from angiotensin II (0.8 mg/[kg · d], 7d), with inhibition of Nppa/Nppb mRNA upregulation, reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and, notably, significant reductions in interstitial and perivascular fibrosis. Our data identify a specific reactive oxygen species → ASK1 → p38-MAPK pathway in the heart and establish that ASK1 inhibitors protect the heart from hypertension-induced cardiac remodeling. Thus, targeting the ASK1 → p38-MAPK nexus has potential therapeutic viability as a treatment for hypertensive heart disease. Graphic Abstract —A graphic abstract is available for this article. ( Hypertension . 2020;76:1208-1218. HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14556.) Data
The Endocannabinoid System in Human Keratinocytes. Evidence that Anandamide Inhibits Epidermal Differentiation through CB1 Receptor-Dependent Inhibition of Protein Kinase C, Activating Protein-1 and Transglutaminase*

Anandamide (AEA), a prominent member of the endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoids), is known to affect several functions of brain and peripheral tissues. A potential role for AEA in skin pathophysiology has been proposed, yet its molecular basis remains unknown. Here we report unprecedented evidence that spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) have the biochemical machinery to bind and metabolize AEA, i.e. a functional type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R), a selective AEA membrane transporter (AMT), an AEA-degrading fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and an AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D (PLD). We show that, unlike CB1R and PLD, the activity of AMT and the activity and expression of FAAH increase while the endogenous levels of AEA decrease in HaCaT and NHEK cells induced to differentiate in vitro by 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol 13–acetate (TPA) + calcium. We also show that exogenous AEA inhibits the formation of cornified envelopes, a hallmark of keratinocyte differentiation, in HaCaT and NHEK cells treated with TPA + calcium, through a CB1R-dependent reduction of transglutaminase and protein kinase C activity. Moreover, transient expression in HaCaT cells of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene under control of the loricrin promoter, which contained a wild-type or mutated activating protein-1 (AP-1) site, showed that AEA inhibited AP-1 in a CB1R-dependent manner. Taken together, these data demonstrate that human keratinocytes partake in the peripheral endocannabinoid system, and show a novel signaling mechanism of CB1 receptors, that may have important implications in epidermal differentiation and skin development.
Solid-state transformations of sulfathiazole polymorphs: The effects of and

The effect of milling on the solid-state transitions of sulfathiazole polymorphs in the absence and presence of solvent and excipients was monitored by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Sulfathiazole forms FII-FV undergo a transformation toward the metastable FI, which involves an intermediate amorphous stage upon milling at ambient temperature. Milling FIII with catalytic amounts of solvent converts FIII to FIV or to mixtures of FI and FIV depending on the solvent used. Pure FIV can be easily prepared from FIII by this method. The physical stability of pure sulfathiazole forms in the presence of different levels of relative humidity (RH) was also investigated. At low RH all sulfathiazole forms are stable but at RH levels above 70% FII, FIII and FIV remain stable while FI and FV transform to mixtures of FII and FIV without any apparent change in the external form of the crystals. Co-milling FIII with a range of excipients gave results which depended on the excipient used and co-milling with cellulose gave samples which had an amorphous content that was stable at 10% RH for at least nine months at ambient temperature.
Qualitative and quantitative demonstration of bead-to-bead transfer with bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells on microcarriers:

Highlights The phenomenon is used to significantly improve yield and performance Reproducible results across 3 different hBM-MSC donors in FBS, HPL and serum-free Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are a key candidate for advanced cell therapies with numerous clinical trials investigating their potential to treat acute and chronic indications. However, important translational and manufacturing challenges need to be addressed to improve our capability for scalable production of fully functional cells. In this study, we have demonstrated, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the ability of bone marrow-derived hMSCs to migrate from one microcarrier to another, and, to populate fresh microcarriers when added into suspension culture. Additionally, we have shown that compared to inoculating a culture with cells in free suspension, inoculating 10% of near-confluent microcarriers from an initial seed microcarrier culture resulted in an increase in the cell growth rate and overall cell yield and a significant reduction in the lag phase. These findings were consistent across cells from three different BM-hMSC donors and across different culture medium conditions, foetal bovine serum-supplemented medium, human platelet lysate-supplemented medium and serum-free medium. This new cells-on-beads inoculation method is an effective means of process intensification with the potential to decrease manufacturing times and potentially costs of hMSC-based therapies.
Effects of Interlayer Weathering on the Structural Behaviour of Laminated Glass Structures

Many studies reported in the literature are able to demonstrate significant influence of weathering on physical and mechanical properties of PVB. In this paper, the results of these researches are compared and discussed. The effects of rheological parameters modifications on the coupling capability of laminated glass structural elements and on the mechanical response to loads are then evaluated through numerical analysis. Real structures are often exposed to direct sunlight or to temperature or humidity levels that can induce damage phenomena in the interlayer; the modification of mechanical coupling capability and of adhesion properties of interlayer that effectively take place in laminated glass structures have to be taken into account in the design process as they probably affect the behavior of the structure not only in the serviceability state but especially in the ultimate limit state.