Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of growth in biofilms upon antibiotic and chlorine susceptibility of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare

Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare are environmental opportunistic pathogens whose source for human infection is water and soil. M. avium and M. intracellulare cause pulmonary infections (tuberculosis) in immunocompetent individuals and bacteremia in immunodeficient individuals (e.g. AIDS). One factor likely influencing the lack of success of antibiotic therapy in patients would be their ability to form biofilms. Growth in biofilms might result in antimicrobial resistance because (1) cells are protected by layers of other cells and extracellular material (2) and differences in physiologic state of cells as a consequence of growing on surfaces. The objectives of the work were to (1) establish methods for reproducible growth of mycobacterial biofilms (2) measure the formation of biofilms on surfaces by cells of M. avium and M. intracellulare (3) measure the antibioticand chlorinesusceptibility of M. avium and M. intracellulare strain TMC1406 in cell grown in suspension, cells grown in biofilms and suspended and of cells grown in biofilms (4) measure the hydrophobicity of M. avium and M. intracellulare grown in suspension and in biofilms. Methods were developed for growing mycobacteria in biofilms in polystyrene flasks and on glass beads. Although both strains formed biofilms, M. intracellulare strain TMC 1406 more readily formed biofilms than M. avium strain A5 in polystyrene flasks. The majority of M. intracellulare strain TMC 1406 cells grew on the walls of the flasks rather than in suspension like M. avium strain A5. The susceptibility of M7H9 medium-grown cells of M. avium strain A5 and M. intracellulare strain TMC 1406 cells grown in suspension, cells grown in biofilms and suspended and cells grown in biofilms was measured against clarithromycin, ethambutol, kanamycin, rifampicin and streptomycin. Cells grown in biofilms and exposed to antibiotics in biofilms were five-fold resistant to antibiotics than were cells grown in biofilms and exposed in suspension. Cells grown and exposed in suspension were tenfold more sensitive to antibiotics than were cells grown in biofilms and exposed in suspension. The chlorine susceptibility of cells grown in medium and water was also measured. Cells grown in biofilms were more resistant to chlorine than cells grown in biofilms and suspended. Cells grown in suspension were more sensitive to chlorine than cells grown in biofilms and suspended. The hydrophobicity data (i.e., hexadecane adherence and contact angle measurements) showed that cells grown in biofilms are more hydrophobic than cells grown in biofilms and suspended and cells grown in suspension. It is clear that there are physiological changes between cells grown in suspension, cells grown in biofilms and suspended and cells in biofilms.
Evaluating cultural and linguistic load of IQ scores for English language learners

ABSTRACT The assessment of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, including students who are learning English as a second language (English language learners, ELL), is a challenge for many school psychologists who have limited training and practice opportunities with students from these populations. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of racial/ethnic minority students enrolled in kindergarten through high school in the U.S. was 50% in 2014; and, the percentage of students who were learning English as a second language constituted 9.4% in 2014. Given the diverse demographics in public schools, the provision of state-of-the-art psychological services to children and youth from CLD backgrounds is an increasingly important concern. The present study evaluated the degree to which the Woodcock-Johnson III Cognitive Culture-Language Interpretive Matrix (C-LIM) accurately distinguishes between test scores of English-speakers and English language learners. Prior research has indicated that the C-LIM may not accurately measure the cultural and linguistic demand of standardized tests as intended. Results of the present study indicated that C-LIM individual decisions have low accuracy. Implications for school and educational psychology researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Bird Community Assemblage and Distribution in a Tropical, Urban Ecosystem of Puerto Rico

Urbanization has profound effects on the presence and distribution of wildlife species. Although numerous studies have been conducted to inform our understanding of the effects of urbanization on wildlife, studies of urban wildlife communities in the tropics are especially rare. Here, we investigated the bird community assemblage and distribution at an urban military installation, Fort Buchanan, located within the San Juan Metropolitan Area on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. Using fixed-radius point count surveys and opportunistic encounters, we documented over 1,700 individual birds of 60 avian species across three sampling periods in March, April, and October 2016 (84 surveys over 12 total sampling days). The species occurring at the highest densities in this urban environment were Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola: 4.58 birds/ha), Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus niger: 3.64 birds/ha), Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita: 2.25 birds/ha), and White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica: 2.12 birds/ha). The birds occurring in the lowest densities were one native, imperiled duck species (Dendrocygna arborea), and several neotropical migrants. Most species were not randomly distributed throughout the site but were instead correlated with particular landscape features or habitat types. For instance, migratory warblers were mostly found in remnant forest patches, while Zenaida Doves were associated with open, grassy areas. As human populations continue to expand and urbanization spreads, it will become increasingly important to conserve critical, but often overlooked wildlife habitat—especially forest patches for migratory birds—within urban ecosystems.
Does Oral Hygiene Influence Salivary pH, Lactate, and IL-1β of Basketball Players During Intense Exercise?

This study examined the salivary pH, salivary lactate, and salivary IL-1β responses from a high-intensity intermittent running test, and the influence of hygiene oral status on these biomarkers in elite adolescent basketball players. Forty-six adolescent players participated. Saliva sampling was taken before and 3 min after a high-intensity exercise (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1; Yo-Yo IR1). In order to quantify and classify the oral hygiene level, the athletes were submitted to a dental examination, and an adapted Simplified Oral Hygiene Index was applied. After the dental examination, the whole group was divided into good oral hygiene group (GHG) and poor oral hygiene group (PHG). The results of a twoway analysis of variance showed a significant interaction effect (P = 0.0003), group effect (P < 0.0001), and time effect (pre to post Yo-yo IR1; P < 0.0001) for salivary pH and for salivary lactate (interaction effect, P = 0.008; group effect, P < 0.0001; time effect, P < 0.0001) with a lower salivary pH and a higher salivary lactate at pre and post-Yo-Yo IR1 for PHG, but no difference was observed for IL-1β. The data demonstrated that the high-intensity exercise led to a significant change in salivary pH and salivary lactate concentration of the basketball players, and that the oral hygiene status influenced these responses, with a greater change for those players showing a poor oral hygiene.
Concentrations of Hormones During the Mid-Incubation Period in Kleptoparasitic and Honest Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Abstract. Kleptoparasitism is a well-known foraging strategy used by many colonial seabirds. The expression of this behavior can reduce the cost of foraging during the breeding season and ultimately this can be reflected in physiological parameters. Here we analyzed the relationship between the trophic strategy of Common Terns Sterna hirundo and two hormones, that are known to be involved in decision-making during the reproductive cycle and foraging activities: corticosterone (CORT) and prolactin (PRL). The study was conducted during the breeding seasons 2012–2014 at the Banter See colony in northern Germany where individuals with different foraging strategies were identified and monitored since 2008. We studied the concentration of hormones in two groups of birds: kleptoparasitic individuals i.e. individuals who steal the food captured by another individual, and honest individuals i.e. individuals who obtain the food on their own. Blood samples were obtained during the mid-incubation period using a non-invasive technique. Both hormones showed no significant relationship to each other. CORT concentration was similar in both groups of birds. However, the concentration of PRL was higher in parasitic than honest individuals in 2014. In addition, CORT modelling indicated a year effect (higher CORT in 2013), and PRL modelling indicated a significant effect of year (higher PRL in 2012) and a significant interaction between year and the trophic strategy in 2014. The results show no clear relationship between the feeding strategy and studied corticosterone and prolactin levels.
Prokaryotic expression and characterization of a keratinolytic protease from Aspergillus niger

Abstract In this study, a keratinolytic protease gene (named as kerD) from Aspergillus niger was cloned. The full-length coding sequence of kerD consists of 1,251 bp and encodes a protein with 416 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 43,831 Da. A DNA fragment encoding mature kerD without its signal sequence was inserted into the expression vector pET30a(+) and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified to approximately 100% purity using Ni-IDA affinity chromatography, and identified by Western blot. The recombinant enzyme had an optimal pH of 8.0 and was stable at pH 7.0-9.0. It exhibited an optimal temperature for activity of 70 °C and was stable at 30-50 °C. It was highly inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and sodium dodecyl sulphate, but activated by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, Mg2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, dithiothreitol, Triton X-100, dimethyl sulfoxide and isopropyl alcohol. The recombinant enzyme could hydrolyse a broad range of protein substrates.
Кто обращается к психиатру с запросом на изменение пола: результаты 30-летнего исследования

Background: despite the significant increase in demand for gender change interventions observed over the past few years, the mechanisms for increasing the number of transgender people are rarely studied. The Aim: to analyze the frequency and structure of patients’ requests for a certificate of gender change. Material: 179 medical records of patients who applied for a certificate of gender change in the Medical and Rehabilitation Research center “PHOENIX” during the period from 1991 to 2020. Materials and Methods: clinical, mathematical, statistical. Results: over the past decade, there has been an increase in cases of patients seeking to change their gender compared to the period from 2000 to 2009. Basically, this increase is due to a marked increase of the number of patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorders with sexual identification disorders compared to the previous two decades. The connection between the increased frequency of sexual identification disorders in endogenous diseases and the modern information environment is revealed. Conclusions: it seems that the revealed change in the frequency and clinical structure of requests for sex change is due to the social pathomorphosis of schizophrenic spectrum disorders. A point of view based on established regularities is expressed by the necessary measures to improve assistance to persons suffering from sexual identification disorders. These measures, taking into account the medical and social dualism of the problem, should be based equally on natural-scientific reality, clinical evidence, ideas of humanism and legal norms of a democratic secular society.
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghrib’s Expansion in the Sahara: New Insights from Primary Sources

Abstract Although originating in Algeria, AQIM and its allies had by 2012 become so entrenched in the Sahel that they were in de-facto control of vast swathes of territory in northern Mali. This article explains how and why GSPC/AQIM established itself in the Sahel, and why the group eventually decided to take the fight to the Sahelian countries, where they had previously found sanctuary. Relying on hitherto unused primary sources, this article is the first to show that the leadership of AQIM and al-Qaida Central did not want to engage in direct conflicts with the Sahelian states. The eventual shift of strategy in the region was brought about by the increasing numbers of Sahelians in AQIM's southern brigades.
Investigations on chip formation of turned novel AM alloy

Manufacturers across varied segments look for materials having appreciable machinability and surface integrities. Machinability of Mg alloys is a vital aspect during their acceptance for different applications. The chip shape generated in the cutting operation is a crucial attribute dominating the surface roughness, besides the dimension’s precision and the tool lifespan. The study discusses the chip-formation through the dry turning of a novel AM alloy (Mg alloy with 7 wt%Al-0.9 wt%Mn) using carbide insert with a 0.4 mm nose radius. During the experiments, three chip dimensions, namely chip-thickness, chip-length, and chip-width were measured. The turning variables, namely cutting speed(v), depth of cut (DOC), and feed (f) is altered and applied to the workpiece. The chip shape was mostly dependent on the grouping of turning parameters. It was seen that favorable continuous chip formed at high feed and low DOC. The % contribution of each turning parameter on the chip shape was calculated. The experimental results are validated with the help of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that the % contribution of feed, speed, and DOC on chip-thickness is 58.49%, 28.91%, and 12.49%; the contribution on chip-length is 76.89%, 20.81%, and 2.23%; and on chip-width, it is 25.28%, 0.48%, and 74.33%, respectively. Further, the chip shapes were compared with the shapes that were predicted by FEM software. The study offers vital insights for parameter selection to improve chip shape, which, in turn, contributes to higher surface quality.
Percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip in patients with handgrip exercise-induced dynamic mitral regurgitation

Aim: To investigate whether patients with symptomatic heart failure and exercise-induced dynamic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) benefit from percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR). Methods: We included patients who underwent PMVR with the MitraClip system in an all-comers observational study. Handgrip echocardiography was performed in patients with a discrepancy between symptoms and echocardiographic findings at rest, giving rise to the suspicion of an exercise-induced increase in MR severity. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite of all-cause mortality or admission for heart failure at 1-year follow-up. The secondary endpoint was the reduction in NYHA functional class. Results: Two hundred twenty-one patients who underwent MitraClip implantation were included. Ninety-three patients with moderate to severe MR at rest received handgrip echocardiography prior to PMVR. The remaining 128 patients presented with severe MR at rest, making exercise echocardiography unnecessary. Handgrip exercise led to an increase in MR severity in 81% of patients with moderate MR at rest, irrespective of the subtype of MR. Following PMVR, patients with dynamic severe MR experienced comparable clinical improvement as patients Received: First Decision: Revised: Accepted: Published: x Science Editor: Copy Editor: Production Editor: Jing Yu Page 2 of 11 Spieker et al. Vessel Plus 2020;4:29 I http://dx.doi. org/10.20517/2574-1209.2020. 28 with severe MR already at rest: During 1-year follow-up, 37 patients died, and 71 patients were re-admitted to the hospital because of heart failure. In this regard, 13 patients (30%) with dynamic severe MR experienced the combined endpoint, while 72 patients (43%) with severe MR at rest did as well (P = 0.121). Moreover, the majority of patients with dynamic severe MR similar to patients with severe MR at rest experienced clinical improvement from NYHA class III/IV to I/II (59% vs . 56%; P = 0.566). Conclusion: The data presented provide evidence of a clinical benefit from PMVR using MitraClip in patients with moderate MR at rest who display exercise-induced increases in MR severity during handgrip exercise.
Molecular phylogeny of moth flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) revisited, with a revised tribal classification

Classification of Psychodinae has been a hotly contested topic in the taxonomic literature, with multiple mutually incompatible classifications proposed. Three main points of contention can be identified: (i) the validity of Maruinini Enderlein as a tribe‐level taxon and whether it forms a monophyletic group; (ii) the placement of subtribe Trichopsychodina Ježek – specifically whether it belongs with Psychoda Latreille in Psychodini or with Paramormia Enderlein and Telmatoscopus Eaton in Paramormiini Enderlein or Mormiini Enderlein; and (iii) whether Mormia Enderlein is more closely related to Brunettia Annandale or Paramormia Enderlein and Telmatoscopus Eaton. In the present paper, these questions are investigated using a molecular phylogeny of sequences compiled from all previous molecular phylogenies relevant to Psychodinae, as well as some hitherto unpublished sequences. The resulting matrix comprised 5406 base pairs from six markers for 32 taxa, and when analysed using Bayesian inference it yielded a well‐resolved tree which was unambiguous for all previously contentious points: Maruinini sensu lato (including Setomimini) was resolved as a valid taxon, Trichopsychodina is rendered paraphyletic by Psychodini, and Mormia is not closely related to Brunettia, but instead closer to Telmatoscopus and Paramormia. A revised tribal classification of Psychodinae is proposed, recognizing the tribes Psychodini, Brunettiini, Maruinini and Pericomaini as well as 17 unplaced genera.
Emerging from crisis: Sweden’s active labour market policy and vulnerable groups

Sweden has adopted an Active Labour Market Policy as a means of transitioning out of the economic crisis created by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The approach is to a significant extent reminiscent of that adopted following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). The article examines the effectiveness of active labour market policy in Sweden over the period 2007–2012. By analysing these earlier policy outcomes, the aim is to assess the success of active labour market policy more broadly. The hypothesis that greater labour market flexibility allows the labour market policy to be more efficient is evaluated. With a focus on the labour supply, possible reasons for the reduced efficiency of state interventions are outlined using regression models. Conclusions derived from the models point to the failure of earlier Swedish active labour market policy towards the vulnerable groups of the unemployed, unemployed women and men aged 15–19 years and the long-term unemployed. JEL Codes: J08, J21, J64
Estimating remaining concentration-percentages of resuspended sediments via a non-local particle model for flocculation

Maritime works often require sediment handling activities such as dredging and disposal, to maintain harbors and channels, nourish sandy beaches as well as to carefully remove and relocate contaminated materials from the bottom of estuarine and coastal areas. Such operations often lead to an increase in the concentration of suspended sediments in water columns, which in turn causes adverse effects on water quality and aquatic lives. Minimizing these detrimental impacts require designing such maritime works with care, by paying attention to the geometry of areas affected by the sediment resuspension. Numerical modeling has been recognized as a valuable tool to help designers and contractors to optimize such sediment handling works. In obtaining such, one of the most challenging aspects to be tackled is the estimation of the settling velocity of the fine-grained mixture that results from sediment resuspension. These settling velocities are affected by a phenomenon known as flocculation. In this paper, the concept of non-local interacting particles was used to formulate a one-dimensional model for the flocculation phenomenon. Also, a (deterministic) particle transport equation was formulated to reproduce the settling behavior of suspended sediments in a settling column. The proposed model was solved numerically. The simulation results provide an understanding of the mechanisms of flocculation and highlight how flocculation influences floccule-settling velocities and concentration percentages of sediments that remain in suspension.
Investigating the relationship between working capital management and business performance: evidence from the 2008 financial crisis of EU-28

PurposeThis study examines the relationship between working capital management and business performance.Design/methodology/approachThe relationship between the working capital management and business performance is examined using panel data analysis for a sample of EU-28 listed firms for the period from 2003 to 2012. To examine this relationship, an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model is used to analyze the data obtained from the sample. The dependent variable consists of three measurements, namely return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and earnings before interest and taxes margin (EBITM), which are used as proxies for accounting-based measures of performance.FindingsThe authors examined the aforementioned relationship during the 2008 financial crisis. The OLS regression analysis suggests that there is a negative relationship between gross working capital and business performance for code law countries. The results also show that liquidity measures estimated by current ratio have a statistically significant impact on business performance indicated by ROA for all EU countries. The 2008 financial crisis had a significantly negative impact on ROA. Additionally, the findings regarding financial inclusion show a negative relationship between gross working capital and business performance among EU and other performer countries.Practical implicationsOverall, the empirical findings are consistent with Afrifa's (2016), who suggests that cash flow should increase investment in working capital to improve performance indicated by EBITM for old EU members.Originality/valueWhile many empirical studies investigate the relationship between working capital and firm profitability, most do not consider the impact of the 2008 financial crisis apart from Tsurate (2019). The authors examine whether legal origins are important determinants of working capital management policies and business performance. Thus, empirically, the code law countries have a negative relationship between gross working capital, business performance and EBITM.