Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bypassing holes and pockets in an irregular area for deployment and routing sensors to track a moving object

Deployment of sensors and routing inside an irregular region is one of the most fundamental challenges of Wireless Sensor Networks. The performance of an effective and efficient sensor network is highly related to the proper configuration and design of the network and effective communication between the sensors deployed. In real scenario, the area that needs to cover, may suffer from natural geographical hazards like the shape (may be random and irregular) and topology (may contain pockets or holes or both). In this paper we have proposed an efficient model for deployment of sensors and their routing methodology that can overcome the existence of all such natural hazards. We define ‘pockets’ of a simple polygon as the areas outside the polygon but inside its convex hull and the ‘holes’ are the areas inside the polygon but outside the area of interest (AOI). AOI is defined as the effective area i.e. target area where the nodes can be deployed.
Assessment of Escherichia coli B with enhanced permeability to fluorochromes for flow cytometric assays of bacterial cell function.

BACKGROUND Flow cytometry has become a choice methodology for microbiological research. However, functional cytometric assays in live bacteria are still limited. This is due, in part, to the cell wall impairing penetration of vital dyes in bacteria, thus imposing permeabilization procedures. These manipulations may affect cell physiology, provoke cell aggregation or lysis, and they are time-consuming. Escherichia coli B strains have been used for mutagenic assays because of an altered lipopolysaccharide that provokes increased membrane permeability. We assessed the use of these strains as possible alternatives for flow cytometric assays to avoid the permeabilization steps. METHODS Suspensions of E. coli K-12 (strain AB1157) and E. coli B (strain WP2 uvrA/pKM101, denoted as strain IC188) were stained with several fluorochromes, including fluorescein isothiocyanate, propidium iodide, Nile Red, bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol, hydroethidine, and dihydro-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, under basal conditions and following permeabilization, impairment of membrane potential, inhibition of dye efflux pump, and oxidative stress. Fluorescent staining of both strains was compared by epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS The E. coli B strain IC188 exhibited more efficient staining with vital fluorochromes than the E. coli K-12 strain AB1157 and maintained a similar membrane potential. In addition, IC188 showed higher sensitivity than AB1157 to reveal oxidative stress when challenged with prooxidants. CONCLUSIONS E. coli B strains may be useful for biochemical and toxicological studies based on flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.
Critical epitopes in transmissible gastroenteritis virus neutralization

Purified transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus was found to be composed of three major structural proteins having relative molecular weights of 200,000, 48,000, and 28,000. The peplomer glycoprotein was purified by affinity chromatography with the monoclonal antibody (MAb) 1D.G3. A collection of 48 MAbs against TGE virus was developed from which 26, 10, and 3 were specific for proteins E2, N, and E1, respectively. A total of 14 neutralizing MAbs of known reactivity were E2 protein specific. In addition, MAb 1B.C11, of unknown specificity, was also neutralizing. These MAbs reduced the virus titer 10(2)- to 10(9)-fold. Six different epitopes critical in TGE virus neutralization were found, all of which were conformational based on their immunogenicity and antigenicity. Only the epitope defined by MAb 1G.A7 was resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment, although it was destroyed by incubation in the presence of both the detergent and beta-mercaptoethanol. The frequency of MAb-resistant (mar) mutants selected with four MAbs (1G.A7, 1B.C11, 1G.A6, and 1E.F9) ranged from 10(-6) to 10(-7), whereas the frequency of the putative mar mutant defined by MAb 1B.B11 was lower than 10(-9). Furthermore, the epitopes defined by these MAbs and by MAbs 1H.C2 and 1A.F10, were present in 11 viral isolated with different geographical locations, years of isolation, and passage numbers (with the exception of two epitopes absent or modified in the TOY 56 viral isolate), suggesting that the critical epitopes in TGE virus neutralization were highly conserved.
Enzymatic amplification and sequence analysis of precore/core DNA in HBsAg‐positive patients

Serum or plasma from 69 HBsAg‐positive patients was tested for the presence of precore/core gene specific DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In both healthy individuals (n = 26) and chronic carriers (n = 25), there was a strong correlation between presence of circulating anti‐HBe and the absence of detectable HBV genome in serum. In 18 serum samples where HBsAg was the only detectable marker, i.e., anti‐HBc‐negative specimens, HBV DNA could be detected in three samples. HBV strains from 21 of the 24 PCR‐positive samples were sequenced over the precore/core junction. A stop codon at the end of the precore region, described by other workers, was found in strains from two blood donors, one of whom had detectable HBeAg in serum. Conversely, HBV strains from the three anti‐HBc‐negative patients where DNA of the HBV precore region could be amplified and who had no detectable serum HBeAg or anti‐HBe did not have this stop codon. The study indicates that further investigations are required before lack of HBeAg can be correlated with evidence of mutations in the precore region.
Cloning and expression of the preS1 gene of hepatitis B virus in yeast cells.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the complex functions of HBV preS1 protein, we constructed HBV preS1 gene expression vector and expressed it in yeast cells. METHODS Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the gene of HBV preS1 from the plasmid pCP10 containing the whole DNA fragment of HBV ayw subtype as template and the PCR product was cloned into the pGEM-T vector for sequencing. After being identified, the HBV preS1 gene was cut from the pGEM-T vector by EcoR I and Pst I restriction enzymes, and cloned into yeast expressive plasmid pGBKT7 to construct pGBKT7-preS1 recombinant expressive plasmid. This plasmid was transformed into yeast cell AH109 and expressed in it. The yeast protein was isolated and analyzed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting. RESULTS The HBV preS1 gene was amplified successfully and identified by DNA sequencing. The PCR products were coincided completely with the reported sequence. The digested fragments were cloned into the pGBKT7 vector and transformed into yeast cell AH109. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blotting assay showed: (1) The HBV preS1 protein was expressed and existed in yeast cells; (2) The molecular weight of the expression product was about 30 000 D. CONCLUSION The HBV preS1 gene was successfully cloned and expressed in yeast cells.
Dynamic study of the distribution of microcirculatory blood flow in multiple splanchnic organs in septic shock

ObjectivesTo study dynamic distribution of microcirculatory blood flow in multiple splanchnic organs during septic shock; to test the hypothesis that changes in microcirculatory blood flow in splanchnic organs correlate with changes in regional flow during septic shock. DesignA prospective, controlled, animal study. SettingAnimal laboratory in a university medical center. SubjectsNine anesthetized and mechanically ventilated domestic pigs. InterventionsSystemic flow (cardiac output) was measured with thermodilution and regional (superior mesenteric artery) flow with transit time flowmetry. Local blood flow (microcirculatory flow) was continuously measured in splanchnic organs (gastric, jejunal, and colon mucosa, liver, and pancreas) and the kidney with multichannel laser Doppler flowmetry. Septic shock was induced with fecal peritonitis. After 240 mins of sepsis, intravenous fluids were administered to alter hypodynamic shock to hyperdynamic septic shock. Measurements and Main ResultsIn this severe septic shock model, systemic and regional flows decreased by ∼50% during the first 240 mins. Similar reductions were recorded in microcirculatory flow in the mucosa of the stomach (−41%;p < .001) and colon (−47%;p < .001). In the jejunal mucosa, on the other hand, flow remained virtually unchanged. Microcirculatory flow was also significantly decreased in the liver (−49%;p < .001), pancreas (−56%;p < .001), and kidney (−44%;p < .001). Administration of intravenous fluids at 240 mins was followed by three-fold increases in systemic and regional flows (∼70% above baseline). In the jejunal mucosa, flow also increased significantly above baseline (42%;p < .001), whereas in the stomach and the colon, it barely reached baseline. Kidney blood flow increased to baseline, whereas pancreas and liver flows remained 26% (p < .05) and 34% (p < .001), respectively, below baseline. ConclusionChanges in microcirculatory blood flow in the splanchnic organs are heterogeneous, both in early hypodynamic and in hyperdynamic septic shock, and cannot be predicted from changes in systemic or regional flows. Microcirculatory blood flow in the jejunal mucosa remains constant during early septic shock, whereas pancreatic blood flow decreases significantly more than regional flow.
Who might I have been?

We can consider ways in which a given individual, A, might have been different. In many cases such thoughts indeed preserve the identity of A: he might have been born in France, for example if his mother, pregnant with him, had gone to France. But the thought that he might have had different parents altogether (i.e. different from the ones he actually had) seems no longer a thought about A: we are now considering a different person. What underlies this common-sense distinction? An influential view is that the identity of an individual is given by the particular gametes from the union of which that individual is formed. The paper considers: (a) the motivation of the view; (b) its consequences, particularly for population policy, in utero damage and genetic defects, and rights which are possibly associated with these matters; and (c) its problems, particularly with genetic repair and monozygotic twinning. The paper discusses the merits and the dangers of supposing that the common-sense distinction is conventional or baseless; and the related question whether increased understanding of the genome should make us think in terms of types rather than individuals.
The INCATM (Inhaler Compliance AssessmentTM): A comparison with established measures of adherence†

Objective: To compare the Inhaler Compliance AssessmentTM (INCATM), a novel audio-recording device objectively measuring timing and proficiency of inhaler use, against established adherence measures, and explore its discriminant and predictive validity. Design: Prospective observational study; 184 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients used an INCATM-enabled salmeterol/fluticasone inhaler for one-month post-hospital discharge. Main outcome measures: INCATM (Attempted, Attempted Interval, Actual) adherence correlated with Doses Used Rate, self-reported adherence and prescription refill for concurrent validity. Discriminant validity for reason for admission, cognition and lung function; predictive validity for health status and quality-of-life. Results: Rates of Attempted, Attempted Interval and Actual adherence were 59, 47 and 23%, respectively. Only 7% of participants had Actual adherence >80%. INCATM variables significantly correlated with Doses Used Rate but not with self-report; Attempted and Attempted Interval were weakly associated with prescription refill. Higher cognitive and lung functioning groups had better INCATM adherence. Attempted and Attempted Interval predicted health status, while Doses Used Rate predicted quality-of-life. Conclusion: INCATM did not strongly correlate with self-report or prescription refill data. Discriminant and predictive validity demonstrated by INCATM suggests the potential utility of the INCATM as a method to identify intentional and unintentional adherence to inhaled medication and facilitate targeted intervention.
Cryo-EM near-atomic structure of a dsRNA fungal virus shows ancient structural motifs preserved in the dsRNA viral lineage

Significance Viruses that are seemingly unrelated in genomic studies, and which infect hosts in different domains of life, show similarities in virion structure that indicate deep evolutionary relationships. We report the cryo-EM structure, at near-atomic resolution, of the fungal dsRNA Penicillium chrysogenum virus. Its capsid protein is a duplication of a single primordial α-helical domain. This domain has a fold that is conserved among dsRNA viruses; it has increased its complexity through an early gene duplication event, followed by insertion of distinct segments in preferential “hotspots. ” We show evidence that this preserved hallmark indicates an ancestral fold, and we suggest a relationship among current viral lineages. Viruses evolve so rapidly that sequence-based comparison is not suitable for detecting relatedness among distant viruses. Structure-based comparisons suggest that evolution led to a small number of viral classes or lineages that can be grouped by capsid protein (CP) folds. Here, we report that the CP structure of the fungal dsRNA Penicillium chrysogenum virus (PcV) shows the progenitor fold of the dsRNA virus lineage and suggests a relationship between lineages. Cryo-EM structure at near-atomic resolution showed that the 982-aa PcV CP is formed by a repeated α-helical core, indicative of gene duplication despite lack of sequence similarity between the two halves. Superimposition of secondary structure elements identified a single “hotspot” at which variation is introduced by insertion of peptide segments. Structural comparison of PcV and other distantly related dsRNA viruses detected preferential insertion sites at which the complexity of the conserved α-helical core, made up of ancestral structural motifs that have acted as a skeleton, might have increased, leading to evolution of the highly varied current structures. Analyses of structural motifs only apparent after systematic structural comparisons indicated that the hallmark fold preserved in the dsRNA virus lineage shares a long (spinal) α-helix tangential to the capsid surface with the head-tailed phage and herpesvirus viral lineage.
Une histoire d'espace et de patrimoine : familles et migration dans la France de la Troisième République, 1870-1940

Ce travail s'appuie sur l'enquete dite des 3000 familles et les registres matricules militaires pour mettre en scene la famillle sur un temps long et evaluer comment elle distribue ses ressources. Pour cela, l'etude a ete structuree autour de deux aspects, transmission et migration, et de trois temps familiaux, les freres, les parents et les ancetres plus eloignes, ce qui a tout d'abord permis de mettre en evidence l'importance des contraintes ou opportinites familiales dans les ressources transmises : les capacites de chaque conscrit a vingt ans sont conditionnees autant par les ressources dont dispose sa famille que par les decisions qu'elle prend pour les distribuer. A ce titre, il convient tout a fait de parler de strategies familiales qui influencent et, dans une certaine mesure, conditionnent, la vie des individus. Il en va de meme pour la migration : le choix de migrer ou non et du lieu de la migration, depend autant de la situation particuliere de chaque famille que des decisions de mobilites anterieure. Ainsi, l'utilisation de l'espace differe entre les groupes de parente et conditionne en partie les comportements des generations suivantes. La migration est dans ce cadre un bien transmissible au meme titre que l'education ou le capital economique. Surtout, elle ne constitue qu'une des options possibles et reellement utilisees par les familles. Les investissements effectues par ces dernieres ne tendent pas a priviligier une option plutot qu'une autre mais a realiser au mieux l'adequation entre les capacites de leurs membres et les opportunites qu'elles rencontrent.
Therapeutic effects of glucosides of Cheanomeles speciosa on collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of the glucosides of Cheanomeles speciosa (GCS) on the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. METHODS Mice were divided randomly into six groups, including normal, CIA, CIA+GCS (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) and CIA plus glucosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) groups. CIA model was based on mice. The effect of GCS in CIA mice was measured by paw-swelling, arthritis scores, and histopathological assessment of synovium. Indices of thymus and spleens were measured. Thymocytes and splenocytes proliferation, activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were assayed by MTT and [(3)H]TdR method. The level of anti-collagen type II (CII) antibody in serum and prostaglandin E (PGE) in ankle were assayed by ELISA and ultraviolet spectrophotometer method, respectively. RESULTS The onset of paw-swelling was on d 24 after injection of emulsion. The peak of secondary inflammation appeared on d 36 and then declined after d 40. GCS and GTW significantly reduced paw-swelling and arthritis scores, reduced the increase of spleen indices of CIA mice, suppressed the ConA or LPS-induced thymocyte or spleen cell proliferation, and the production of IL-1 and IL-2 in CIA mice. GCS reduced the level of anti-CII antibody and PGE. Histological pathology analysis demonstrated that the synovium of CIA mice was hyperplastic, pannus was formed, and inflammatory cells infiltrated into synovium. The pathological changes were significantly reduced by GCS. CONCLUSION GCS had anti-inflammatory effect on CIA mice, which might be related to the modification of the abnormal immunological function of CIA mice.
Microbubbles Improve Sonothrombolysis In Vitro and Decrease Hemorrhage In Vivo in a Rabbit Stroke Model

Introduction:Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the thrombolytic standard of care for acute ischemic stroke, but intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a common and devastating complication. We investigated using ultrasound (US) and microbubble (MB) techniques to reduce required tPA doses and to decrease ICH. Materials and Methods:Fresh blood clots (3–5 hours) were exposed in vitro to tPA (0.02 or 0.1 mg/mL) plus pulsed 1 MHz US (0.1 W/cm2), with or without 1.12 × 108/mL MBs (Definity or albumin/dextrose MBs [adMB]). Clot mass loss was measured to quantify thrombolysis. New Zealand white rabbits (n = 120) received one 3- to 5-hour clot angiographically delivered into the internal carotid artery. All had transcutaneous pulsed 1 MHz US (0.8 W/cm2) for 60 minutes and intravenous tPA (0.1–0.9 mg/kg) with or without Definity MBs (0.16 mL/mg/kg). After killing the animals, the brains were removed for histology 24 hours later. Results:In vitro, MBs (Definity or adMB) increased US-induced clot loss significantly, with or without tPA (P < 0.0001). At 0 and 0.02 mg/mL, tPA clot loss was greater with adMBs compared with Definity (P ≤ 0.05). With MB, the tPA dose was reduced 5-fold with good efficacy. In vivo, both Definity MB and tPA groups had less infarct volume compared with controls at P < 0.0183 and P = 0.0003, respectively. Definity MB+tPA reduces infarct volume compared with controls (P < 0.0001), and ICH incidence outside of strokes was significantly lower (P = 0.005) compared with no MB. However, infarct volume in Definity MB versus tPA was not different at P = 0.19. Conclusion:Combining tPAand MB yielded effective loss of clot with very low dose or even no dose tPA, and infarct volumes and ICH were reduced in acute strokes in rabbits. The ability of MBs to reduce tPA requirements may lead to lower rates of hemorrhage in human stroke treatment.
A Microperifusion System with Environmental Control for Studying Insulin Secretion by Pancreatic Tissue

A continuous flow reactor (perifusion system) was fabricated and tested for measuring the kinetics of insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets of Langerhans in response to step changes in the glucose concentration and oxygen partial pressure in the perfusate flowing around the islets. The system was capable of making rapid changes in perfusate glucose concentration and pO2, had rapid dynamic response for measuring the change in insulin secretion rate as a result of these changes in perfusate, and was suitable for studying very small volumes of tissue. Initial experiments with this system demonstrated that (1) the response of isolated rat islets to glucose stimulation was very fast, with the first phase peak occurring in as little as about 10 s, (2) bulk perfusate oxygen partial pressure levels of 30 mmHg or less reduced the second‐phase insulin secretion rate in graded fashion, (3) the reduction in secretion rate began within 1 min following an oxygen partial pressure decrease, and (4) the reduction in secretion rate was reversible, with a burst of insulin secretion occurring during the first minute after partial pressure restoration.
Circulating tumor cell counts are prognostic of overall survival in SWOG S0421: a phase III trial of docetaxel with or without atrasentan for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PURPOSE Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration has not been prospectively validated in standard first-line docetaxel treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We assessed the prognostic value of CTCs for overall survival (OS) and disease response in S0421, a phase III trial of docetaxel plus prednisone with or without atrasentan. PATIENTS AND METHODS CTCs were enumerated at baseline (day 0) and before cycle two (day 21) using CellSearch. Baseline counts and changes in counts from day 0 to 21 were evaluated for association with OS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and RECIST response using Cox regression as well as receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis, and regression trees. RESULTS Median day-0 CTC count was five cells per 7.5 mL, and CTCs < versus ≥ five per 7.5 mL were significantly associated with baseline PSA, bone pain, liver disease, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, and subsequent PSA and RECIST response. Median OS was 26 months for < five versus 13 months for ≥ five CTCs per 7.5 mL at day 0 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.74 [adjusting for covariates]). ROC curves had higher areas under the curve for day-0 CTCs than for PSA, and IDI analysis showed that adding day-0 CTCs to baseline PSA and other covariates increased predictive accuracy for survival by 8% to 10%. Regression trees yielded new prognostic subgroups, and rising CTC count from day 0 to 21 was associated with shorter OS (HR, 2.55). CONCLUSION These data validate the prognostic utility of CTC enumeration in a large docetaxel-based prospective cohort. Baseline CTC counts were prognostic, and rising CTCs at 3 weeks heralded significantly worse OS, potentially serving as an early metric to help redirect and optimize therapy in this clinical setting.