Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Bayes Estimation of Hunting Success Rates with Spatial Correlations

Summary. A Bayesian hierarchical generalized linear model is used to estimate hunting success rates at the subarea level for postseason harvest surveys. The model includes fixed week effects, random geographic effects, and spatial correlations between neighboring subareas. The computation is done by Gibbs sampling and adaptive rejection sampling techniques. The method is illustrated using data from the Missouri Turkey Hunting Survey in the spring of 1996. Bayesian model selection methods are used to demonstrate that there are significant week differences and spatial correlations of hunting success rates among counties. The Bayesian estimates are also shown to be quite robust in terms of changes of hyperparameters.
Immunohistologic Detection of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Canine Mammary Tumors: Clinical and Pathologic Associations and Prognostic Significance

Eighty-nine canine mammary tumors and dysplasias of 66 bitches were investigated to determine the immunohistochemical expression of classical estrogen receptor (ER-α) and its clinical and pathologic associations and prognostic value. A complete clinical examination was performed and reproductive history was evaluated. After surgery, all animals were followed-up for 18 months, with clinical examinations every 3–4 months. ER-α expression was higher in tumors of genitally intact and young bitches (P < 0.01, P < 0.01) and in animals with regular estrous periods (P = 0.03). Malignant tumors of the bitches with a previous clinical history of pseudopregnancy expressed significantly more ER-α (P = 0.04). Immunoexpression of ER-α decreased significantly with tumor size (P = 0.05) and skin ulceration (P = 0.01). Low levels of ER-α were significantly associated with lymph node involvement (P < 0.01). Malignant tumors had lower ER-α expression than did benign tumors (P < 0.01). Proliferation index measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining was inversely correlated with ER-α scores (P = 0.05) in all tumors. Low ER-α levels in primary malignant tumors were significantly associated with the occurrence of metastases in the follow-up (P = 0.03). Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic significance of some follow-up variables. ER-α value, Ki-67 index, and age were independent factors that could predict disease-free survival. Lymph node status, age, and ER-α index were independent prognostic factors for the overall survival. The immunohistochemical detection of ER-α in canine mammary tumors is a simple technique with prognostic value that could be useful in selecting appropriate hormonal therapy.
Immunoprecipitation of some forms of simian virus 40 large-T antigen by antibodies to synthetic peptides

Antibodies were raised against six synthetic peptides corresponding to overlapping amino acid sequences (106 through 145) from a putative DNA binding domain in simian virus 40 (SV40) large-T antigens. All six antipeptide sera immunoprecipitated large-T from crude extracts of SV40-transformed cells, but the efficiency varied widely; in general, antibodies to the longer peptides produced the strongest anti-large-T activity. Antisera were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography on immobilized peptide. The purified antisera recognized only some forms of large-T; full-sized large-T from transformed cells, super-T from SV3T3 C120 cells, and 70,000-dalton T-antigen from Taq-BamHI cells were immunoprecipitated, whereas large-T from productively infected cells reacted irreproducibly, and the full-sized protein, synthesized in vitro or eluted from sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing gels, and the 33,000- and 22,000-dalton truncated large-Ts from Swiss SV3T3 and MES2006 cells, respectively, were not immunoprecipitated. This pattern of reactivity was explained when extracts were fractionated by sucrose density centrifugation, and it was found that only rapidly sedimenting forms of large-T were immunoprecipitated by the antipeptide sera; that is, large-T complexed with nonviral T antigen was detected, whereas lighter forms were not detected. Cascade immunoprecipitations did not support the view that this result was caused by the low affinity of the peptide antisera for large-T, and Western blotting experiments confirmed that the peptide antisera react directly with immobilized, monomeric large-T but not with nonviral T antigen. Immunoprecipitation assays to detect large-T:nonviral T antigen complexes bound specifically to fragments of SV40 DNA showed that under conditions of apparent antibody excess, DNA still bound to the complex.
A multi-perspective approach to insider threat detection

Insider Threat has become one of the most important types of attacks to identify and combat for both government and commercial organizations in recent years. The irreversible financial and security damages that can result from this type of threat have placed Insider Threat among the most important problems in cybersecurity [1]. The complexity of the problem is mainly due to the fact that the attacker is a legitimate user of the system, which makes it very difficult to draw a clear line between legitimate and malicious actions. This paper presents a multi-perspective approach for detection of insider threats in typical enterprise networks. In this approach, multiple detection engines monitor network activities from different perspectives and use the aggregate information to adjust their detection sensitivities. Experimental results from our studies show that this approach results in reduced false alarm probability as well as an increased ability to detect attacks by colluding insiders.
Impact of reintervention for failing upper-extremity arteriovenous autogenous access for hemodialysis.

PURPOSE Although large published series have described their experience with the management of failed or failing prosthetic arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis, there are scant data regarding failing arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs). To analyze the management of nonfunctioning or nonmaturing AVFs, we reviewed our experience with salvage procedures for these AVFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of the 474 AVFs placed at our institution in 380 patients between June 1997 and March 2001, 75 revisions were performed in 46 patients (49 AVFs). Ages of these patients ranged from 29 to 94 years (mean, 68 +/- 1.4 years). Diabetic patients comprised 51%, and hypertensive patients comprised 75%. Twenty patients underwent 26 vein patch angioplasties, and 17 patients underwent 24 balloon angioplasties. Four patients required four vein interpositions, and 12 patients underwent 12 revisions of the fistula to a more proximal level. Extended salvage procedures consisted of four turn-downs to the basilic vein for proximal cephalic vein thrombosis or stenosis and five extension bypasses to the axillary or jugular vein for subclavian vein thrombosis. RESULTS Follow-up ranged from 1 to 31 months (mean, 10 months). The patients who underwent open revisions tended to need fewer subsequent procedures. However, primary patency of the vein patch angioplasty was not significantly better as compared with balloon angioplasty (P = .8) by life table analysis. Patency after revision of a radial cephalic fistula and brachial cephalic fistula were not statistically different. One interposition failed during the follow-up, and one revision to a more proximal level thrombosed during the follow-up. Two of the turn-down procedures had thrombosed at 2 and 11 months. The remaining two turn-down procedures have remained functional at 1 and 24 months. One of the extensions thrombosed at 8 months whereas the other four have remained functional at 1, 6, and 8 months. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limited follow-up data, this review suggests that simple and extended salvage procedures may allow maturation and add to the life span of AVFs for hemodialysis. In addition, these data suggest an advantage for open techniques as compared with percutaneous techniques but only in terms of requiring fewer subsequent procedures.
The effect of mirtazapine augmentation of clozapine in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

The development of therapeutic strategies to effectively treat negative symptoms remains one of the primary goals in the treatment of schizophrenia. Mirtazapine is the first of a new class of dual action compounds, the noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSa), whose activity is related to the enhancement of noradrenergic and serotonergic transmission by a presynaptic &agr;2 antagonism and postsynaptic 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 antagonism, respectively. This study was a 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 30 mg adjunctive mirtazapine to clozapine therapy in 24 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia. The main finding at the end of the trial was a significant reduction on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) total scores in the mirtazapine group compared to placebo (P<0.01) with a significant improvement on the SANS subscales avolition/apathy and anhedonia/asociality. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score at week 8 showed superiority of mirtazapine over placebo. These findings suggest a potential role for mirtazapine as an augmentation strategy in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Nonphotosynthetic CO(2) Fixation by Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Roots and Nodules.

The dependence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) root and nodule nonphotosynthetic CO(2) fixation on the supply of currently produced photosynthate and nodule nitrogenase activity was examined at various times after phloem-girdling and exposure of nodules to Ar:O(2). Phloemgirdling was effected 20 hours and exposure to Ar:O(2) was effected 2 to 3 hours before initiation of experiments. Nodule and root CO(2) fixation rates of phloem-girdled plants were reduced to 38 and 50%, respectively, of those of control plants. Exposure to Ar:O(2) decreased nodule CO(2) fixation rates to 45%, respiration rates to 55%, and nitrogenase activities to 51% of those of the controls. The products of nodule CO(2) fixation were exported through the xylem to the shoot mainly as amino acids within 30 to 60 minutes after exposure to (14)CO(2). In contrast to nodules, roots exported very little radioactivity, and most of the (14)C was exported as organic acids. The nonphotosynthetic CO(2) fixation rate of roots and nodules averaged 26% of the gross respiration rate, i.e. the sum of net respiration and nonphotosynthetic CO(2) assimilation. Nodules fixed CO(2) at a rate 5.6 times that of roots, but since nodules comprised a small portion of root system mass, roots accounted for 76% of the nodulated root system CO(2) fixation. The results of this study showed that exposure of nodules to Ar:O(2) reduced nodule-specific respiration and nitrogenase activity by similar amounts, and that phloem-girdling significantly reduced nodule CO(2) fixation, nitrogenase activity, nodule-specific respiration, and transport of (14)C photoassimilate to nodules. These results indicate that nodule CO(2) fixation in alfalfa is associated with N assimilation.
Direct current electrical fields induce apoptosis in oral mucosa cancer cells by NADPH oxidase‐derived reactive oxygen species

The presence of more than one dental alloy in the oral cavity often causes pathological galvanic currents and voltage resulting in superficial erosions of the oral mucosa and eventually in the emergence of oral cancer. In the present study the mechanisms of apoptosis of oral mucosa cancer cells in response to electromagnetic fields was investigated. Direct current (DC) electrical fields with field strengths between 2 and 16 V/m, applied for 24 h to UM‐SCC‐14‐C oral mucosa cancer cells, dose‐dependently resulted in decreased cell proliferation as evaluated by Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry and upregulation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p21cip1/waf1 and p27kip1, which are associated with cell cycle arrest. Electrical field treatment (4 V/m, 24 h) increased apoptosis as evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of cleaved caspase‐3 and poly‐(ADP‐ribose)‐polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1). Furthermore, robust reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, increased expression of NADPH oxidase subunits as well as Hsp70 was observed. Electrical field treatment (4 V/m, 24 h) resulted in increased expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and decreased intracellular concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), whereas the expression of catalase remained unchanged. Pre‐treatment with the free radical scavenger N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) and the superoxide dismutase mimetic EUK‐8 abolished caspase‐3 and PARP‐1 induction, suggesting that apoptosis in oral mucosa cancer cells is initated by ROS generation in response to DC electrical field treatment. Bioelectromagnetics 29:47–54, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of proton MR for the study of muscle lipid metabolism

1H‐MR spectroscopy (MRS) of intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) became particularly important when it was recognized that IMCL levels are related to insulin sensitivity. While this relation is rather complex and depends on the training status of the subjects, various other influences such as exercise and diet also influence IMCL concentrations. This may open insight into many metabolic interactions; however, it also requires careful planning of studies in order to control all these confounding influences. This review summarizes various historical, methodological, and practical aspects of 1H‐MR spectroscopy (MRS) of muscular lipids. That includes a differentiation of bulk magnetic susceptibility effects and residual dipolar coupling that can both be observed in MRS of skeletal muscle, yet affecting different metabolites in a specific way. Fitting of the intra‐ (IMCL) and extramyocellular (EMCL) signals with complex line shapes and the transformation into absolute concentrations is discussed. Since the determination of IMCL in muscle groups with oblique fiber orientation or in obese subjects is still difficult, potential improvement with high‐resolution spectroscopic imaging or at higher field strength is considered. Fat selective imaging is presented as a possible alternative to MRS and the potential of multinuclear MRS is discussed. 1H‐MRS of muscle lipids allows non‐invasive and repeated studies of muscle metabolism that lead to highly relevant findings in clinics and patho‐physiology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MRI quantification of non‐Gaussian water diffusion in normal human kidney: a diffusional kurtosis imaging study

Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) in normal human kidney and to report preliminary DKI measurements. Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Forty‐two healthy volunteers underwent diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) scans with a 3‐T MR scanner. b values of 0, 500 and 1000 s/mm2 were adopted. Maps of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (D⊥), axial diffusivity (D||), mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (K⊥) and axial kurtosis (K||) were produced. Three representative axial slices in the upper pole, mid‐zone and lower pole were selected in the left and right kidney. On each selected slice, three regions of interest were drawn on the renal cortex and another three on the medulla. Statistical comparison was performed with t‐test and analysis of variance. Thirty‐seven volunteers successfully completed the scans. No statistically significant differences were observed between the left and right kidney for all metrics (p values in the cortex: FA, 0.114; MD, 0.531; D⊥, 0.576; D||, 0.691; MK, 0.934; K⊥, 0.722; K||, 0.891; p values in the medulla: FA, 0.348; MD, 0.732; D⊥, 0.470; D||, 0.289; MK, 0.959; K⊥, 0.780; K||, 0.287). Kurtosis metrics (MK, K||, K⊥) obtained in the renal medulla were significantly (p <0.001) higher than those in the cortex (0.552 ± 0.04, 0.637 ± 0.07 and 0.530 ± 0.08 in the medulla and 0.373 ± 0.04, 0.492 ± 0.06 and 0.295 ± 0.06 in the cortex, respectively). For the diffusivity measures, FA of the medulla (0.356 ± 0.03) was higher than that of the cortex (0.179 ± 0.03), whereas MD, D⊥ and D|| (mm2/ms) were lower in the medulla than in the cortex (3.88 ± 0.09, 3.50 ± 0.23 and 4.65 ± 0.29 in the cortex and 2.88 ± 0.11, 2.32 ± 0.20 and 3.47 ± 0.31 in the medulla, respectively). Our results indicate that DKI is feasible in the human kidney. We have reported the preliminary DKI measurements of normal human kidney that demonstrate well the non‐Gaussian behavior of water diffusion, especially in the renal medulla. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycation, oxidation and glycoxidation of IgG: a biophysical, biochemical, immunological and hematological study

Glycation and oxidation induce structural alterations in the proteins in an interdependent manner with consequent pathological implications. The published literature presents wide range of modifications in conformational characteristics of proteins by glycation and oxidation; however, there is little data that could elaborate the cumulative effect of both the processes. This study has analysed the modifications in IgG by methylglyoxal (MG) (glycative stress), hydroxyl radical () (oxidative stress) and by their combined action i.e. treatment of MG glycated IgG (glycoxidation). It further addresses the implications of the altered structural integrity of IgG on its immunological characteristics and impact on haematological parameters in rabbits. Using circular dichroism, FTIR, SDS-PAGE analysis, thioflavin-T fluorescence assay, congo red absorbance analysis, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, ELISA, blood cell counts and rectal temperature studies, we report that the glycoxidative modification caused maximum alteration in the IgG as compared to the glycatively and oxidatively modified protein. Far-UV CD results confirmed the highest decline in the beta-pleated sheet content of the protein by glycoxidation. The damage led to the reduced flexibility and enhanced electronic interactions in IgG as observed by near-UV CD. Modifications caused cross-linking and adduct formation in the serum protein. The electron micrograph confirmed amorphous aggregation in modified IgG. The modifications increased the hydrodynamic radius of IgG by allowing the attachment of and MG residues. The glycoxidatively modified IgG induced the maximum antibody titres that showed high specificity towards the altered IgG. The glycoxidation of IgG leads to activation of inflammatory pathways.
Texas Transportation Poll Sentiment Analysis

This analysis provides insight into the transportation issues that are most significant to the public. Understanding the most commonly faced transportation issues and the degree of negative or positive sentiment toward these issues can allow policy makers to better deduce how palatable potential transportation policies will be to the public. Additionally, this analysis establishes a baseline process for researchers to conduct further qualitative analyses that will inform future quantitative studies, including the next Texas Transportation Poll. This policy brief presents the following sections: (1) A discussion of the most significant transportation issues reported; (2) Respondents’ perceptions of the causes of transportation issues; (3) The potential implications that perceived transportation issues may have for transportation policy in Texas; (4) Lessons learned about the utility of qualitative and sentiment analysis in transportation research and best practices for future statewide surveys. Appendix A gives further information about the methodology used to conduct the sentiment analysis and qualitative analysis. Appendix B gives a review of current literature on the subject.
Molecular Characterization of a Novel Family VIII Esterase from Burkholderia multivorans UWC10

An esterase producing Burkholderia multivorans UWC10 strain was isolated by culture enrichment. A shotgun library of B. multivorans UWC10 genomic DNA was screened for esterase activity and a recombinant clone conferring an esterolytic phenotype was identified. Full-length sequencing of the DNA insert showed that it consisted of a single open reading frame (ORF1) encoding a predicted protein of 398 amino acids. ORF1 (termed EstBL) had a high protein sequence identity to family VIII esterases. The EstBL primary structure showed two putative serine motifs, G-V-S149-D-G and S74-V-T-K. The estBL gene was successfully over-expressed in E. coli and the encoded protein purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate fractionation, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange and size exclusion chromatographies. Biochemical assays confirmed EstBL esterase activity and revealed a preference for short-chain p-nitrophenyl and β-naphthyl esters (C2-C4) with no activity against β-lactam substrates. Secondary structure predictions indicated that EstBL adopts the α/β fold, which is common to all esterases.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and electron microscopy for the characterization of the vitelline coat glycoproteins of the polarized egg of Unio elongatulus

The vitelline coat (VC) glycoproteins of the Unio elongatulus egg, purified as previously described (Focarelli and Rosati, 1993: Mol Reprod Dev 35:44–51) and indicated as gp220 and gp180 by virtue of their apparent molecular weights in sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). The analysis confirmed the purity of our preparations and the mass of gp180, but gave a mass of 273,000 for gp220. Intact VCs and purified VC components were then visualized in stereo images of platinum replicas produced by the quick‐freeze, deep‐etch, and rotary shadowing techniques: gp180 revealed a c‐like shape and gp273 a rosette‐like shape. The intact VCs were found to consist of two layers, the internal one clearly fibrous and the external one compact. Since purified preparations of gp180 spontaneously formed fibrils of similar width to those present in the inner VC layer, this layer presumably consists mainly of this component. The prevalence of gp273 in the outer layer is also suggested and discussed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 48:511–517, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of the l,d-Transpeptidases Responsible for Attachment of the Braun Lipoprotein to Escherichia coli Peptidoglycan

ABSTRACT The l,d-transpeptidase Ldtfm catalyzes peptidoglycan cross-linking in β-lactam-resistant mutant strains of Enterococcus faecium. Here, we show that in Escherichia coli Ldtfm homologues are responsible for the attachment of the Braun lipoprotein to murein, indicating that evolutionarily related domains have been tailored to use muropeptides or proteins as acyl acceptors in the l,d-transpeptidation reaction.