Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new agent of mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children: Mycobacterium heidelbergense sp. nov

Nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis presents an increasing clinical problem in immunocompetent young children. A slowly growing, nonphotochromogenic mycobacterium was recovered twice (isolates 2553/91 and 2554/91) from the lymphatic tissue of a child with recurrent cervical lymphadenitis. It could be differentiated biochemically from described Mycobacterium species, although it most closely resembled Mycobacterium malmoense by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography of mycolic acids. A striking characteristic of the isolate was its high degree of susceptibility to antituberculous drugs in vitro, including isoniazid. Direct determination of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed a unique sequence and positioned the strain phylogenetically on a branch separate from M. malmoense within a group of slowly growing mycobacteria that show a high degree of similarity to M. simiae at the 16S rRNA gene level. Despite 99.6% sequence identity with M. simiae at the 16S rRNA gene level, DNA-DNA hybridization studies (hydroxyapatite method) demonstrated DNA relatedness of less than 40%. We conclude that this organism is a new species for which we propose the name M. heidelbergense. A culture of the type strain, strain 2554/91, has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 51253.
The Barley Uniculme4 Gene Encodes a BLADE-ON-PETIOLE-Like Protein That Controls Tillering and Leaf Patterning1[OPEN]

A transcriptional coactivator acts at developmental boundaries to control vegetative branching and leaf patterning. Tillers are vegetative branches that develop from axillary buds located in the leaf axils at the base of many grasses. Genetic manipulation of tillering is a major objective in breeding for improved cereal yields and competition with weeds. Despite this, very little is known about the molecular genetic bases of tiller development in important Triticeae crops such as barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Recessive mutations at the barley Uniculme4 (Cul4) locus cause reduced tillering, deregulation of the number of axillary buds in an axil, and alterations in leaf proximal-distal patterning. We isolated the Cul4 gene by positional cloning and showed that it encodes a BROAD-COMPLEX, TRAMTRACK, BRIC-À-BRAC-ankyrin protein closely related to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) BLADE-ON-PETIOLE1 (BOP1) and BOP2. Morphological, histological, and in situ RNA expression analyses indicate that Cul4 acts at axil and leaf boundary regions to control axillary bud differentiation as well as the development of the ligule, which separates the distal blade and proximal sheath of the leaf. As, to our knowledge, the first functionally characterized BOP gene in monocots, Cul4 suggests the partial conservation of BOP gene function between dicots and monocots, while phylogenetic analyses highlight distinct evolutionary patterns in the two lineages.
α-Melanocyte-stimulating Hormone Reduces Impact of Proinflammatory Cytokine and Peroxide-generated Oxidative Stress on Keratinocyte and Melanoma Cell Lines*

We have previously shown that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) can oppose tumor necrosis factor α activation of NF-κB (1–2 h) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 up-regulation (mRNA by 3 h and protein by 24 h) in melanocytes and melanoma cells. The present study reports on the ability of four MSH peptides to control intracellular peroxide levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in pigmentary and nonpigmentary cells. In human HBL melanoma and HaCaT keratinocytes tumor necrosis factor α and H2O2 both activated GPx in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (by 30–45 min). α-MSH peptides were found to inhibit the stimulated GPx activity and had biphasic dose-response curves. MSH 1–13 and MSH [Nle4-d-Phe7] achieved maximum inhibition at 10−10 and 10−12 m, respectively. Higher concentrations (10–100 fold) of MSH 4–10 and MSH 11–13 were required to produce equivalent levels of inhibition. α-MSH was also capable of reducing peroxide accumulation within 15 min, and again this inhibition was biphasic. The data support a role of α-MSH in acute protection of cells to oxidative/cytokine action that precedes NF-κB and GPx activation. The rapidity and potency of the response to α-MSH in pigmentary and nonpigmentary cells suggest this to be a central role of this peptide in cutaneous cells.
Untangling Gender Differentiated Food Security Gaps in Bhutan: An Application of Exogenous Switching Treatment Regression

Using nationally representative data from Bhutan, and applying an exogenous switching treatment regression model, this study assessed the food security status between male&#8208;headed households (MHHs) and female&#8208;headed households (FHHs). The study demonstrates that there is no significant difference between MHHs and FHHs in terms of food security, but when MHHs are compared with de jure FHHs, the food security is significantly lower among the de jure FHHs. The food security gap between MHHs and de jure FHHs is due to the differences in both observable and unobservable characteristics of the households. The food security gap between de facto and de jure FHHs can be explained by the influence of connections and wider access to off&#8208;farm income. Most of the previous studies consider all FHHs as a homogenous entity and ignore the concept of de jure FHHs (i.e., a household run by single, widowed, or divorced woman) and de facto FHHs (i.e., a household where there is a husband, but he is not physically present because of his work off&#8208;farm). As the present research takes this into account, the econometric findings from our study, thus have important implications in formulating special food security policies targeting the most vulnerable FHHs.
The microphysics of collisionless shock waves

Collisionless shocks, that is shocks mediated by electromagnetic processes, are customary in space physics and in astrophysics. They are to be found in a great variety of objects and environments: magnetospheric and heliospheric shocks, supernova remnants, pulsar winds and their nebulæ, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts and clusters of galaxies shock waves. Collisionless shock microphysics enters at different stages of shock formation, shock dynamics and particle energization and/or acceleration. It turns out that the shock phenomenon is a multi-scale non-linear problem in time and space. It is complexified by the impact due to high-energy cosmic rays in astrophysical environments. This review adresses the physics of shock formation, shock dynamics and particle acceleration based on a close examination of available multi-wavelength or in situ observations, analytical and numerical developments. A particular emphasis is made on the different instabilities triggered during the shock formation and in association with particle acceleration processes with regards to the properties of the background upstream medium. It appears that among the most important parameters the background magnetic field through the magnetization and its obliquity is the dominant one. The shock velocity that can reach relativistic speeds has also a strong impact over the development of the micro-instabilities and the fate of particle acceleration. Recent developments of laboratory shock experiments has started to bring some new insights in the physics of space plasma and astrophysical shock waves. A special section is dedicated to new laser plasma experiments probing shock physics.
Effect of player position on movement behaviour, physical and physiological performances during an 11-a-side football game

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify differences in time–motion, modified training impulse, body load and movement behaviour between defenders, midfielders and forwards, during an 11-a-side simulated football game. Twenty elite youth male footballers from the same squad participated in this study (age: 18.1 ± 0.7 years old, body mass: 70.5 ± 4.3 kg, height: 1.8 ± 0.3 m and playing experience: 9.4 ± 1.3 years). All data were collected using GPS units (SPI-Pro, GPSports, Canberra, Australia). The movement behaviour was measured with kinematic data, used to calculate position-specific centroids (defenders, midfielders and forwards), and processed with non-linear statistical procedures (approximate entropy normalised and relative phase). There were significant effects and interactions in all variables across the players’ positions. The results showed that displacements of all players (defenders, midfielders and forwards) were nearer and more coordinated with their own position-specific centroids than with the other centroids. However, this coupling effect was stronger in midfield players and weaker in forwards. All players’ dynamical positioning showed more irregularity when related to the forwards’ centroid, as a consequence of their need to be less predictable when playing. The time–motion and physiological variables showed lower activity in forward players. Adding together, the results may contribute to a better understanding of players’ specific performances and football complexity.
Colonic gene expression patterns of mucin muc2 knockout mice reveal various phases in colitis development1

Background: Mucin Muc2 knockout (Muc2−/−) mice spontaneously develop colitis. Methods: To identify genes and biological responses which play a pivotal role during colitis development in Muc2−/− mice, gene expression profiles of colonic tissues from 2‐ and 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− and wildtype mice were determined using microarrays. Results: The majority of highly upregulated genes in 2‐week‐old as well as 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice were primarily involved in immune responses related to antigen processing/presentation, B‐cell and T‐cell receptor signaling, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and Jak‐STAT signaling. Specifically, Muc2−/− mice expressed high levels of immunoglobulins, murine histocompatibility‐2, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial proteins. Additionally, in 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice, expression of genes involved in cell structure related pathways was significantly altered. Particularly, the tight junction‐associated gene claudin‐10 was upregulated, whereas claudin‐1 and claudin‐5 were downregulated. Furthermore, 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice showed increased expression of genes regulating cell growth in conjunction with increased crypt length and increased epithelial proliferation. Conclusions: Muc2‐deficiency leads to an active inflammatory response in 2‐ and 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice as demonstrated by the altered expression in immune response related genes. In addition, 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice also showed a decrease in epithelial barrier function and an increase in epithelial proliferation as indicated by, respectively, the altered expression in tight junction‐related genes and upregulation of genes stimulating cell growth. Remarkably, upregulation of genes stimulating cell growth correlated with increased crypt length and increased epithelial proliferation in 4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice. Together, these data demonstrate that there are distinct phases in colitis development in 2–4‐week‐old Muc2−/− mice. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
A Primer on the ‘Reproducibility Crisis’ and Ways to Fix it

This article uses the framework of Ioannidis () to organise a discussion of issues related to the â€˜reproducibility crisisâ€™. It then goes on to use that framework to evaluate various proposals to fix the problem. Of particular interest is the â€˜postâ€ study probabilityâ€™, the probability that a reported research finding represents a true relationship. This probability is inherently unknowable. However, a number of insightful results emerge if we are willing to make some conjectures about reasonable parameter values. Among other things, this analysis demonstrates the important role that replication can play in improving the signal value of empirical research.
The Functional Mobility Scale (FMS)

We devised a new Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) to describe functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy, as an aid to communication between orthopaedic surgeons and health professionals. The unique feature of the FMS is the freedom to score functional mobility over three distinct distances, chosen to represent mobility in the home, at school and in the wider community. We examined the construct, content, and concurrent validity of the FMS in a cohort of 310 children with cerebral palsy by comparing the FMS to existing scales and to instrumented measures of physical function. We demonstrated the scale to be both valid and reliable in a consecutive population sample of 310 children with cerebral palsy seen in our tertiary referral center. The FMS was useful for discriminating between large groups of children with varying levels of disabilities and functional mobility and sensitive to detect change after operative intervention.
Serum stearic acid/palmitic acid ratio as a potential predictor of diabetes remission after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass in obesity

Endogenous fatty acid metabolism that results in elongation and desaturation lipid products is thought to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we evaluated the potential of estimated elongase and desaturase activities for use as predictive markers for T2DM remission after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The results of a targeted metabolomics approach from 2 independent studies were used to calculate 24 serum FA concentration ratios (product/precursor). Gene expression data from an open public data set was also analyzed. In a longitudinal study of 38 obese diabetic patients with RYGB, we found higher baseline stearic acid/palmitic acid (S/P) ratio. This ratio reflects an elovl6‐encoded elongase enzyme activity that has been found to be associated with greater possibility for diabetes remission after RYGB [odds ratio, 2.16 (95% CI 1.10–4.26)], after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, diabetes duration, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, and fasting C‐peptide. Our results were validated by examination of postsurgical elovl6 gene expression in morbidly obese patients. The association of S/P with the metabolic status of obese individuals was further validated in a cross‐sectional cohort of 381 participants. In summary, higher baseline S/P was associated with greater probability of diabetes remission after RYGB and may serve as a diagnostic marker in preoperative patient assessment. —Zhao, L. , Ni, Y. , Yu, H. , Zhang, P., Zhao, A. , Bao, Y. , Liu, J., Chen, T. , Xie, G. , Panee, J., Chen, W. , Rajani, C. , Wei, R. , Su, M. , Jia, W. , Jia, W. Serum stearic acid/palmitic acid ratio as a potential predictor of diabetes remission after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass in obesity. FASEB J. 31, 1449–1460 (2017) www.fasebj. org
Crystal structure of isobutylammonium hydrogen oxalate hemihydrate

In the title hydrated molecular salt, C4H12N+·C2HO4 −·0.5H2O, the O atom of the water molecule lies on a crystallographic twofold axis. The dihedral angle between the CO2 and CO2H planes of the anion is 18.47 (8)°. In the crystal, the anions are connected to each other by strong near-linear O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The water molecules are located between the chains of anions and isobutylamine cations; their O atoms participate as donors and acceptors, respectively, in O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which form channels (dimensions = 4.615 and 3.387 Å) arranged parallel to [010].
Valuing Employee Stock Options: Does the Model Matter?

In this numerical analysis of models for valuing employee stock options, the focus is on the impact of a model on the resulting option prices and the sensitivity of pricing differences between models with respect to changes in the parameters. For most models, the price reduction relative to standard options is uniquely determined by the expected life of the option. In fact, with the exception of the Financial Accounting Standards Board 123 model, pricing differences are negligible if the models are calibrated to the same expected life of the option. Consequently, the application of models with several hard-to-estimate parameters, such as the utility-maximizing model, can be greatly simplified by calibration, because expected life is easier to estimate than utility parameters.
Feasibility of a New Application of Noninvasive Brain Computer Interface (BCI): A Case Study of Training for Recovery of Volitional Motor Control After Stroke

Background/Purpose: A large proportion of individuals with stroke have persistent deficits for which current interventions have not restored normal motor behavior. Noninvasive brain computer interfaces (BCIs) have potential advantages for restoration of function. There are also potential advantages for combining BCI with functional electrical stimulation (FES). We tested the feasibility of combined BCI + FES for motor learning after stroke. Case Description: The participant was a 43-year-old woman who was 10 months post-stroke. She was unable to produce isolated movement of any of the digits of her involved hand. With effort she exhibited simultaneous mass hyperextension of metacarpal phalangeal joints of all four fingers and thumb with simultaneous flexion of proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of all fingers. Intervention: Brain signals from the lesioned hemisphere were used to trigger FES for movement practice. The BCI + FES intervention consisted of trials of either attempted finger movement and relax conditions or imagined finger movement and relax conditions. The training was performed three times per week for three weeks (nine sessions total). Outcome: The participant exhibited highly accurate control of brain signal in the first session for attempted movement (97%), imagined movement (83%), and some difficulties with attempted relaxation (65%). By session 6, control of relaxation (deactivation of brain signal) improved to >80%. After nine sessions (three per week) of BCI + FES intervention, the participant demonstrated recovery of volitional isolated index finger extension. Discussion: BCI + FES training for motor learning after stroke was feasible. A highly accurate brain signal control was achieved, and this signal could be reliably used to trigger the FES device for isolated index finger extension. With training, volitional control of isolated finger extension was attained in a small number of sessions. The source of motor recovery could be attributable to BCI, FES, combined BCI + FES, or whole arm or hand motor task practice.
Domestic Innovation and International Technology Diffusion as Sources of Comparative Advantage

Productivity differences across countries determine patterns of international trade? hence, comparative advantage. We use a multi-industry model of international trade to estimate a measure of industry productivity. We then quantify the effect that domestic innovation and technology diffusion have in explaining differences in productivity across countries and industries. Consistent with standard growth theories, we find the following: (i) Higher-income countries benefit more from domestic innovation than lower-income countries, whereas lower-income countries benefit more from technology diffusion; and (ii) the speed of convergence is larger for those countries and industries that are farther away from the technology frontier. To the extent that productivity differences determine comparative advantage, our findings suggest that domestic innovation and technology diffusion are endogenous sources of comparative advantage.
Effect of whirlpool therapy on the signs and symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of warm whirlpool, cold whirlpool, and contrast therapy in the treatment of delayed-onset muscle soreness. DESIGN AND SETTING Subjects performed eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors and received 4 treatments: immediately postexercise and 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise. Treatments consisted of 24-minute treatments with warm whirlpool, cold whirlpool, contrast therapy, or no treatment. SUBJECTS Fifty-six sex-matched volunteers from the University of Pittsburgh. MEASUREMENTS Measurements were taken at 5 assessment times: pre-exercise (0 hours); prior to treatment at 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise; and at 96 hours postexercise. Dependent variables were degrees of resting elbow flexion, active elbow flexion, and extension; perceived soreness values on a Graphic Pain Rating Scale; and maximal voluntary isometric contraction. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (group by time) and Tukey post hoc analysis were used to determine which treatment groups differed significantly in returning subjects to pre-exercise values. RESULTS Cold whirlpool and contrast therapy were found to return subjects to baseline values of resting elbow flexion and perceived soreness significantly more than warm whirlpool or no treatment (P < .01). Additionally, warm whirlpool was found to be more effective than no treatment in the return of resting elbow flexion (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that cold whirlpool and contrast therapy are more effective than warm whirlpool or no treatment in alleviating delayed-onset muscle soreness in the elbow flexors.
Differences in child injury hospitalizations in Sweden: The use of time-trend analysis to compare various community injury-prevention approaches

Aim: Sweden's child injury fatality rates are among the lowest in the world. The country has engaged in a number of community injury-prevention programmes. The purpose of this study was to compare child injury hospitalization rates from the Skaraborg District with the rest of Sweden. Our study hypothesis was that municipalities that offered comprehensive child injury-prevention programmes would see significant decreases in their child injury hospitalization rates, compared with other areas. Methods: The study areas comprised three groups, consisting of municipalities in Skaraborg that had adapted the Safe Communities approach to injury prevention programmes, other municipalities in the District, and the rest of Sweden. The aim of the analysis was twofold: (1) to fit time trends for children's injuries in various areas in an integrated manner; and (2) to compare time trends across locations between community safety-promotion programmes as well as with the control areas. Panel data models and parametric splines were used. Results: There were differences between incidence rates in the study areas and with regard to gender. There was a steep decrease in injury rates in one of the Safe Communities study areas for both genders. Conclusions: The methods applied in this analysis reveal more detailed and sophisticated time trends than the usual simple linear regression approach. The model provided a clearer view of the interactions of gender, area, and time as they impacted on children's injuries, and allowed for better insight into the impact of safety programmes.
BER analysis of OFDM with improved ICI self-cancellation scheme

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the frequency offset in mobile radio channel leads to the loss of sub-carrier orthogonality which causes inter-carrier interference (ICI). As a result, the performance of the system will degrade. The authors have proposed an efficient scheme for ICI cancellation. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional self cancellation scheme in terms of BER and ICI components.