Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Agent Infection in a Pony Vaccinated with a Borrelia burgdorferi Recombinant OspA Vaccine and Challenged by Exposure to Naturally Infected Ticks

ABSTRACT A pony was vaccinated with recombinant OspA vaccine (rOspA) and then exposed 3 months later to Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks (Ixodes scapularis) collected in Westchester County, N.Y. At 2 weeks after tick exposure, the pony developed a high fever (105°F). Buffy coat smears showed that 20% of neutrophils contained ehrlichial inclusion bodies (morulae). Flunixin Meglumine (1 g daily) was given for 2 days, and the body temperature returned to normal. PCR for ehrlichial DNA was performed on blood samples for 10 consecutive days beginning when the pony was first febrile. This pony was monitored for another 3.5 months but developed no further clinical signs. The 44-kDa immunodominant human granulocytic ehrlichiosis antigen gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a pCR2.1 vector. DNA sequence analysis of this gene showed it was only 8 bp different (99% identity) from the results reported by others (J.W. Ijdo et al., Infect. Immun. 66:3264–3269, 1998). Western blot analysis, growth inhibition assays, and repeated attempts to isolate B. burgdorferi all demonstrated the pony was protected against B. burgdorferi infection. These results highlight the potential for ticks to harbor and transmit several pathogens simultaneously, which further complicates the diagnosis and vaccination of these emerging tick-borne diseases.
Loss calculation method of modular multilevel HVDC converters

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is a novel voltage source converter (VSC) topology with great potential for high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission applications. The MMC-based HVDC system has main characteristics of flexible controlled and low switching frequency so that its losses are smaller than that of the two-level VSC-based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) system. In this paper, the operating characteristics of MMC and its losses are analyzed, and a method is presented to calculate the on-state losses according to the different on-state current of upper and lower leg. Furthermore, after the impact of junction temperature coefficient in IGBT module, a method using curve fitting to calculate the switching losses of MMC is considered. Finally, the losses of MMC are calculated in MATLAB, and the corresponding loss reducing measures are obtained from the results which also show that the method proposed is reasonable and feasible.
Assessing water demand - supply imbalances in continental India

Water has become a central issue in changing climate due to global warming. Assessment of its demand and supply in a region in view of their balance is very important to sustain humanity and ecosystem. Water demand and supply in large Indian continental basins have been calculated and analyzed for the balance between them applying a hydrological model. The capability of the model to simulate runoff for various catchments selected from Indian Subcontinent is also investigated. A simple sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the relative importance of the variables used in the model. Impact of finer spatial resolution in the model to the simulation of runoff of large basins has been studied. Finally, basins' vulnerable in respect to water stress and responsible factors have been identified.
Risk factors for incident mild cognitive impairment – results from the German Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe)

Luck T, Riedel‐Heller SG, Luppa M, Wiese B, Wollny A, Wagner M, Bickel H, Weyerer S, Pentzek M, Haller F, Moesch E, Werle J, Eisele M, Maier W, van den Bussche H, Kaduszkiewicz H for the AgeCoDe Study Group. Risk factors for incident mild cognitive impairment – results from the German Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe).
Enhancing qos provisioning and granularity in next generation internet

Next Generation IP technology has the potential to prevail, both in the access and in the core networks, as we are moving towards a multi-service, multimedia and high-speed networking environment. Many new applications, including the multimedia applications, have been developed and deployed, and demand Quality of Service (QoS) support from the Internet, in addition to the current best effort service. Therefore, QoS provisioning techniques in the Internet to guarantee some specific QoS parameters are more a requirement than a desire. Due to the large amount of data flows and bandwidth demand, as well as the various QoS requirements, scalability and fine granularity in QoS provisioning are required. In this dissertation, the end-to-end QoS provisioning mechanisms are mainly studied, in order to provide scalable services with fine granularity to the users, so that both users and network service providers can achieve more benefits from the QoS provisioned in the network. To provide the end-to-end QoS guarantee, single-node QoS provisioning schemes have to be deployed at each router, and therefore, in this dissertation, such schemes are studied prior to the study of the end-to-end QoS provisioning mechanisms. Specifically, the effective sharing of the output bandwidth among the large amount of data flows is studied, so that fairness in the bandwidth allocation among the flows can be achieved in a scalable fashion. A dual-rate grouping architecture is proposed in this dissertation, in which the granularity in rate allocation can be enhanced, while the scalability of the one-rate grouping architecture is still maintained. It is demonstrated that the dual-rate grouping architecture approximates the ideal per-flow based PFQ architecture better than the one-rate grouping architecture, and provides better immunity capability. On the end-to-end QoS provisioning, a new Endpoint Admission Control scheme for Diffserv networks, referred to as Explicit Endpoint Admission Control (EEAC), is proposed, in which the admission control decision is made by the end hosts based on the end-to-end performance of the network. A novel concept, namely the service vector, is introduced, by which an end host can choose different services at different routers along its data path. Thus, the proposed service provisioning paradigm decouples the end-to-end QoS provisioning from the service provisioning at each router, and the end-to-end QoS granularity in the Diffserv networks can be enhanced, while the implementation complexity of the Diffserv model is maintained. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Stress Liner Effects for 32-nm SOI MOSFETs With HKMG

Strain effects from stress liners on silicon-on-insulator MOSFETs with high-k dielectric and metal gate (HKMG) are reported. By thoroughly evaluating their impact on drive current, mobility, and threshold voltage, the intrinsic performance gain of stress liners is quantified at the 32-nm node with mobility enhancement identified as the major source. It is also experimentally demonstrated that advantageous stress liners can reduce gate leakage currents for MOSFETs with HKMG.
Das Underpricing-Phänomen am deutschen Kapitalmarkt und seine Ursachen

Abstract Es ist aus einer Vielzahl empirischer Untersuchungen bekannt, daß die Emissionspreise bei erstmaligen Aktienplazierungen an der Börse systematisch unter ihren späteren Sekundärmarktpreisen liegen. Diese als Underpricing bezeichnete Differenz lag für die in dieser Arbeit untersuchten 171 Erstemissionen je nach Haltedauer zwischen 12 % und 14%. Die Ursachen dieses Phänomens werden im vorliegenden Beitrag untersucht. Gleichgewichtsgeleitete Ansätze versuchen das Underpricing-Phänomen als notwendige Folge der Informationsasymmetrien zwischen Emittenten, Banken und Anlegern zu erklären. Demgegenüber sehen Ad-hoc-Erhlärungshypothesen die Ursachen eher in Marktunvollkommenheiten. Sie weisen auf spekulative Preisbildung, mangelnden Wettbewerb zwischen den Emissionshäusern und neuerdings auch auf mögliche Kurspflegeaktivitäten seitens der Emissionsbanken hin. Beide Ansätze werden im theoretischen Teil diskutiert und - soweit möglich - im empirischen Teil untersucht. Dabei erhärtet sich der Verdacht, daß ein großer Teil des empirisch zu beobachtenden Underpricing eine Folge von mangelndem Wettbewerb und von Kurspflegeaktivitäten sein könnte.
Estimating Dimensionality of Hyperspectral Data Using False Neighbour Method

Accurate estimation of dimensionality is a prerequisite step prior to many information extraction methods from hyperspectral images. The estimation is usually conducted through linear transformations. These methods, though manifested in different mathematical forms, are all based on treating hyperspectral images as the data sets produced by linear stochastic processes, which may contradict the physical processes involved in the formation of hyperspectral imagery. We investigate in this study the dimensionality of a hyperspectral data by using a nonlinear time series analysis approach - false neighbour method. The investigation is conducted based on pixels of different land-cover types. It is found that the estimated dimensionality of the hyperspectral data is markedly smaller than that derived based on linear transformations. This indicates that the hyperspectral data can be embedded tightly in a lower dimensional space if nonlinearity is considered. It is also found that dimensionality may change among different land-cover types.
Potential Use of Chemoprotectants against the Toxic Effects of Cyanotoxins: A Review

Cyanobacterial toxins, particularly microcystins (MCs) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN), are responsible for toxic effects in humans and wildlife. In order to counteract or prevent their toxicity, various strategies have been followed, such as the potential application of chemoprotectants. A review of the main substances evaluated for this aim, as well as the doses and their influence on cyanotoxin-induced toxicity, has been performed. A search of the literature shows that research on MCs is much more abundant than research on CYN. Among chemoprotectants, antioxidant compounds are the most extensively studied, probably because it is well known that oxidative stress is one of the toxic mechanisms common to both toxins. In this group, vitamin E seems to have the strongest protectant effect for both cyanotoxins. Transport inhibitors have also been studied in the case of MCs, as CYN cellular uptake is not yet fully elucidated. Further research is needed because systematic studies are lacking. Moreover, more realistic exposure scenarios, including cyanotoxin mixtures and the concomitant use of chemoprotectants, should be considered.
An in vitro biofilm model of subgingival plaque.

INTRODUCTION Numerous biofilm models have been described for the study of bacteria associated with the supragingival plaque. However, there are fewer models available for the study of subgingival plaque. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a model that closely mimicked the composition of the subgingival flora. METHODS The model was developed as follows: calcium hydroxyapatite disks were coated overnight with 10% sterile saliva, placed in flat-bottomed tissue culture plates containing trypticase-soy broth, directly inoculated with a small aliquot of dispersed subgingival plaque, incubated anaerobically, and transferred to fresh medium at 48-h intervals until climax (steady-state) biofilms were formed ( approximately 10 days). RESULTS The model, based on samples from eight periodontitis patients and eight healthy subjects, yielded a multi-species, heterogeneous biofilm, consisting of both gram-positive and gram-negative species, and comprising 15-20 cultivable species associated with the subgingival flora. The species present and their proportions were reflective of the initial cultivable subgingival flora. Comparisons of the initial plaque samples from healthy subjects and the mature biofilms showed 81% similarity in species and 70% similarity in the proportions present. Biofilms formed from samples obtained from periodontally diseased subjects were 69% similar in species and 57% similar in the proportions present. CONCLUSIONS The biofilm model described here closely reproduces the composition of the cultivable subgingival plaque both in the species present and in their relative proportions. Differences existed between biofilms grown from diseased and non-diseased sites with the former being characterized by the presence of periodontal pathogens at microbially significant levels.
Risk Factors and Prognosis of Nosocomial Bloodstream Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLEC) is an increasing cause of community and nosocomial infections worldwide. However, there is scarce clinical information about nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by these pathogens. We performed a study to investigate the risk factors for and prognosis of nosocomial BSIs due to ESBLEC in 13 Spanish hospitals. Risk factors were assessed by using a case-control-control study; 96 cases (2 to 16% of all nosocomial BSIs due to E. coli in the participating centers) were included; the most frequent ESBL was CTX-M-14 (48% of the isolates). We found CTX-M-15 in 10% of the isolates, which means that this enzyme is emerging as a cause of invasive infections in Spain. By repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence-PCR, most isolates were found to be clonally unrelated. By multivariate analysis, the risk factors for nosocomial BSIs due to ESBLEC were found to be organ transplant (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4 to 15.7), the previous use of oxyimino-β-lactams (OR = 6.0; 95% CI = 3.0 to 11.8), and unknown BSI source (protective; OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2 to 0.9), and duration of hospital stay (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.03). The variables independently associated with mortality were a Pitt score of >1 (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.2 to 12.9), a high-risk source (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 1.4 to 21.9), and resistance to more than three antibiotics, apart from penicillins and cephalosporins (OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 1.4 to 30.0). Inappropriate empirical therapy was not associated with mortality. We conclude that ESBLEC is an important cause of nosocomial BSIs. The previous use of oxyimino-β-lactams was the only modifiable risk factor found. Resistance to drugs other than penicillins and cephalosporins was associated with increased mortality.
Differing Roles of Akt and Serum- and Glucocorticoid-regulated Kinase in Glucose Metabolism, DNA Synthesis, and Oncogenic Activity*

Serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) is a serine kinase that has a catalytic domain homologous to that of Akt, but lacks the pleckstrin homology domain present in Akt. Akt reportedly plays a key role in various cellular actions, including glucose transport, glycogen synthesis, DNA synthesis, anti-apoptotic activity, and cell proliferation. In this study, we attempted to reveal the different roles of SGK and Akt by overexpressing active mutants of Akt and SGK. We found that adenovirus-mediated overexpression of myristoylated (myr-) forms of Akt resulted in high glucose transport activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) and enhanced glycogen synthase activity in hepatocytes, and the promotion of DNA synthesis in interleukin-3-dependent 32D cells. In addition, stable transfection of myr-Akt in NIH3T3 cells induced an oncogenic transformation in soft agar assays. The active mutant of SGK (D-SGK, substitution of Ser422 with Asp) and myr-SGK were shown to phosphorylate GSK3 and to enhance glycogen synthase activity in hepatocytes in a manner very similar to that observed for myr-Akt. However, despite the comparable degree of GSK3 phosphorylation between myr-Akt and d-SGK or myr-SGK, d-SGK and myr-SGK failed to enhance glucose transport activity in 3T3-L1 cells, DNA synthesis in 32D cells, and oncogenic transformation in NIH3T3 cells. Therefore, the different roles of SGK and Akt cannot be attributed to ability or inability to translocate to the membrane thorough the pleckstrin homology domain, but rather must be attributable to differences in the relatively narrow substrate specificities of these kinases. In addition, our observations strongly suggest that phosphorylation of GSK3 is either not involved in or not sufficient for GLUT4 translocation, DNA synthesis, or oncogenic transformation. Thus, the identification of substrates selectively phosphorylated by Akt, but by not SGK, may provide clues to clarifying the pathway leading from Akt activation to these cellular activities.
An Examination of the Link between RM Implementation Strategies and Performance

Since its foundation, revenue management techniques on aggregate have added billions of dollars to many firms’ bottom lines, while using existing products or services and existing sets of consumers (Cross, Higbie, & Cross, 2010). The recent rapid changes in the business environment have forced firms to adopt strategies that will fit their overall strategies to aid in their survival and success (Pechlaner & Sauerwein, 2002). As a result of the modern reality of business, academic literature has not yet been able to address many important considerations. An example is RM implementation strategies and the performance outcomes as a result of these decisions. This study investigated the advantages and disadvantages of implementation of RM strategies; in-house, centralized, and outsourced. This was followed by the make or buy decision, specifically focusing on Transaction Cost Economics and the Resource Based View to investigate antecedents of outsourcing intention, and if and how these different strategies affect hotel properties’ performance. Data were collected using an online survey of lodging properties located in the U.S. in October 2014. A total of 374 usable responses for outsourcing intention study and 591 usable responses for the performance study were collected. Factor analysis, hierarchical multiple regression, repeated measures ANOVA, regression analysis, and pairwise comparison analysis were the statistical analyses used in the study. The results found that specificity is significant and negatively associated with outsourcing intention. In addition, uncertainty is significant and positively associated with outsourcing intention as proposed. The moderating effect of organizational capability is significant and changes from base model to final model with the moderator being statistically significant. The findings of regression and a pairwise comparison test confirmed the difference in strategy choice on performance for US hotels, giving us insights into the importance of selecting the strategy that is optimal for a given property.
AATYK1A phosphorylation by Cdk5 regulates the recycling endosome pathway

Trafficking of recycling endosomes (REs) is regulated by the small GTPase, Rab11A; however, the regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Apoptosis‐associated tyrosine kinase 1A (AATYK1A) is a Ser/Thr kinase expressed highly in brain. We have recently shown that AATYK1A localizes to Rab11A‐positive RE and is phosphorylated at Ser34 by cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5). Here, we have investigated a role of AATYK1A and its phosphorylation in recycling endosomal trafficking using Chinese hamster ovary‐K1 (CHO‐K1) cells. AATYK1A localizes predominantly to Rab11A‐positive pericentrosomal endocytic recycling compartment (ERC). Phosphorylation at Ser34 of AATYK1A disrupts its accumulation in the pericentrosomal ERC. Consistently, phosphorylation‐mimic mutant (AATYK1A‐S34D) did not accumulate in the ERC and additionally attenuated ERC formation. ERC formation suppression can be reversed by constitutively active Rab11A‐Q70L, suggesting a functional link between AATYK1A phosphorylation and Rab11A activity. Although no direct interaction between AATYK1A and Rab11A could be detected, the exchange of guanine nucleotides bound to Rab11A was significantly reduced in the presence of the phosphorylation‐mimic AATYK1A‐S34D. Together, our results reveal a regulatory role for AATYK1A in the formation of pericentrosomal ERC. They furthermore indicate that Cdk5 can disrupt ERC formation via Ser34 phosphorylation of AATYK1A. Finally, our data suggest a mechanism by which AATYK1A signaling couples Cdk5 to Rab11A activity.
Phospholipid fatty acid composition and protein kinase C activity in the large intestine of rats fed on butter and coconut-oil diets

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been proposed to play an important role in the aetiology of colon cancer. Therefore, we investigated whether the amount and type of saturated fat could affect colonic PKC activity by modifying either mucosal phospholipid fatty acid composition or faecal diacylglycerol production. Male Wistar rats (n 13 per group) were fed on diets containing butter or coconut oil at energy levels of 10 % and 43 % for 4 weeks. The control group received a low-fat diet providing 10 % of energy from sunflowerseed oil. PKC activity was higher in the distal than the proximal colon but the quantity or type of fat did not alter PKC activity in either region of the colon. Saturated fats caused moderate changes in the fatty acid composition of caecal phospholipids, which were more obvious in the phosphatidylethanolamine than in the phosphatidylcholine fraction. A significant correlation was found between fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine and membrane PKC activity. In particular, there was a positive correlation between the proportion of saturated 14:0 and 18:0 and increased PKC activity while unsaturated 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6 and 16:1n-7 were inversely correlated with PKC activity. No relationship was found between phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acids and PKC activity. Concentration of faecal diacylglycerol was not affected by the diet. Overall the data suggest that diets high in saturated fat may not alter colonic PKC activity to a significant extent.