Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of Ralstonia pickettii-A Novel Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterium from Pomegranate Rhizosphere from Western India

In the field of agricultural microbiology attempts are being made to find novel microbes for use as efficient biofertilizers including phosphate solubilizing microbes (PSM). Particularly, research on use of microbes for improving availability of phosphorus continues to be a major area of focus. Here we report isolation of Ralstonia pickettii a novel phosphate solubilizing bacterium from a unique source rhizosphere soil of pomegranate as well as some other relatively less explored sources from different parts of Western India. 23/134 cultures were found to be potential phosphate solubilizing bacteria. Further, 8/23 isolates were tested for an array of plant growth promoting attributes viz. solubilization of inorganic phosphate, production of phosphatase enzymes, indole acetic acid, siderophores, etc. The three cultures that showed best phosphate solubilization under shake flask conditions were culture no. GN/PSB/PC2, identified as Ralstonia (574 ppm), culture no. GN/PSB/KC5 Burkholderia tropica (400 ppm) and GN/PSB/CC2 Burkholderia cepacia (~375 ppm). Some of the cultures were found to produce appreciable amounts of plant growth promoters like indole acetic acid and siderophores.
Effects of whisker trimming on GABAA receptor binding in the barrel cortex of developing and adult rats

Both sensory deprivation and blockade of γ‐aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors result in signs of cortical disinhibition. To investigate whether down‐regulation of GABAA receptors could underlie effects of sensory deprivation, [3H]muscimol binding was assessed in rat whisker barrels after chronic whisker trimming. Vibrissae in row C or rows A,B,D, and E were trimmed during certain developmental periods. When whiskers were trimmed for the first 6 postnatal weeks, [3H]muscimol binding was 8.3% lower in deprived barrel rows than in adjacent nondeprived rows (P < 0.001). The effect may be somewhat selective for GABAA receptors because there was no evident change in N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors as indicated by [3H]MK‐801 binding. Ten weeks after whiskers were allowed to regrow, the decrease in [3H]muscimol binding was partly reversed (P < 0.002), leaving a 3.3% decrease (P < 0.001). These declines in GABAA receptors could contribute to persisting electrophysiological signs of reduced inhibition in similarly deprived barrel neurons (Simons and Land [1987] Nature 326:694–697). A 6‐week deprivation beginning in adulthood resulted in a 7.7% decrease (P < 0.001), indicating that the effect is not restricted to an early critical period. In rats trimmed for the first 10 postnatal days, [3H]muscimol binding declined 2.3% (P < 0.05), which is a small change compared with the magnitude of the developmental peak; thus, normal whisker input apparently is not required for the developmental increase in GABAA receptors. The present study suggests that sensory input can regulate cortical GABAA receptors in adulthood and during ontogeny. Down‐regulation of cortical GABAA receptors may be a compensatory mechanism that serves to disinhibit the reduced sensory input. J. Comp. Neurol. 395:209–216, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surfactant replacement therapy in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Surfactant replacement therapy has been the most significant advance in the management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) since the introduction of mechanical ventilation for the newborn more than 30 years ago. ' In 1957 Clements first provided evidence for the existence of a material that actively affected the surface tension of the alveoli (Clements 1957). This was followed by Avery and Mead's demonstration that a lack of this anti-atelectatic factor was central to the pathophysiology of RDS (Avery & Mead 1959). It was not until 1980 that the use of surfactant became a reality when Fujiwara was able to report good results with the tracheal instillation of a semiartificial bovine surfactant in human studies (Fujiwara et al. 1980).
Genetic loci that control the size of laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization

Angiogenesis is controlled by a balance between stimulators and inhibitors. We propose that the balance, as well as the general sensitivity of the endothelium to these factors, varies from individual to individual. Indeed, we have found that individual mouse strains have dramatically different responses to growth factor‐induced neovascularization. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs), which influence the extent of corneal angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), were previously identified by our laboratory. To investigate the genetic contribution to choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a leading cause of blindness, we have undertaken a similar mapping approach to identify QTLs that influence laser‐induced CNV in the BXD series of recombinant inbred mouse strains. Composite interval mapping identified new angiogenic QTLs on chromosomes 2 and 19, in addition to confirming our previous corneal neovascularization QTLs of AngVql and AngFq2. The new QTLs are named AngCNVql and AngCNVq2. The newly mapped regions contain several candidate genes involved in the angiogenic process, including thrombospondin 1, delta‐like 4, BeUI modifying factor, phospholipase C, beta 2, adrenergic receptor, beta 1, actin‐binding LIM protein 1 and colony stimulating factor 2 receptor, alpha. Differences in these regions may control individual susceptibility to CNV. —Nakai, K. , Rogers, M. S. , Baba, T. , Funakoshi, T. , Birsner, A. E. , Luyindula, D. S. , D'Amato, R. J. Genetic loci that control the size of laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization. FASEB J. 23, 2235–2243 (2009)
Cox's Regression Model Under Partially Informative Censoring

ABSTRACT We extend Cox's classical regression model to accomodate partially informative censored data. In this type of data, each observation is the minimum of one lifetime and two censoring times. The survival function of one of these censoring times is a power of the survival function of the lifetime. We call this the informative censoring time. The distribution of the other censoring time has no relation with the distribution of the lifetime. It is called the non informative censoring time. In this model we specify a semiparametric relation between the lifetime and a covariate where we take into account that also informatively censored observations contribute to this relation. We introduce an estimator for the cumulative baseline hazard function and use maximum likelihood techniques for the estimation of the parameters in the model. Our main results are strong consistency and asymptotic normality of these estimators. The proof uses the general theory of Murphy and van der Vaart (2000) on profile likelihoods. Finally, the method is applied to simulated data and to real data examples on survival with malignant melanoma and survival after bone marrow transplantation.
Introduction to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Neurologists

ABSTRACTPurpose of Review: In neuroradiology, highly sophisticated methods such as MRI are implemented to investigate different entities of the central nervous system and to acquire miscellaneous images where tissues display varying degrees of characteristic signal intensity or brightness. Compared to x-ray, CT, and ultrasound, MRI produces clearer images of tissues, body fluids, and fat. The basics of MRI may be unknown to neurologists; this article introduces MRI physics, techniques, and interpretation guidelines.Recent Findings: This article discusses the basics of MRI to provide clinicians with the scientific underpinning of MRI technology and to help them better understand image features and improve their diagnosis and differential diagnosis by combining MRI characteristics with their knowledge of pathology and neurology.Summary: This article will help neurologists deepen their knowledge and understanding of MRI by introducing the basics of MRI physics, technology, image acquisition, protocols, and image interpretation.
Liposomal tobramycin against pulmonary infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a pharmacokinetic and efficacy study following single and multiple intratracheal administrations in rats.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of tobramycin against pulmonary infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in rats after intratracheal administration of conventional and liposomal formulations. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were inoculated with 10(6) cfu of a mucoid variant of P. aeruginosa (MIC of tobramycin for PA 508 = 1 mg/l) and tobramycin (conventional or liposomal formulations) was administered in single (490 microg) and multiple dose (490 microg during 4 days) experiments. Rats were killed at multiple time points to determine the residual cfu of P. aeruginosa and tobramycin amounts in lungs. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a two-compartment model with NONMEM. RESULTS Mean (+/-S.D.) elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) and pulmonary exposure (AUC) of the conventional formulation were 14.0 +/-4.0 h and 663 +/-89 microg x h/lungs, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profile of liposomal tobramycin was markedly different, with a longer t(1/2beta) (34.4 +/-5 h, P < 0.05), resulting in an increased AUC (3890 +/-560 microg x h/lungs, P < 0.05). chi(2) analyses were carried out on cfu data distributed in the following categories: below 10(3), 10(3)-10(5), and above 10(5) cfu. In the single dose experiments, approximately 90% of the observations were above 10(5) cfu for both formulations. Significant differences in cfu distribution were observed after multiple treatments, with approximately 10% of the observations falling below 10(3) cfu of P. aeruginosa for the conventional formulation versus 30% for the liposomal formulation. CONCLUSION The liposomal formulation of tobramycin promoted drug retention in lungs and improved its efficacy after multiple treatments.
Real-Time, Wide-Area, Precise Kinematic Positioning Using Data from Internet NTRIP Streams

A technique for real-time, wide-area differential kinematic positioning at the decimeter level has been tested with data from GPS stations in Europe and the USA, streamed in real time over the Internet by various organizations using the protocol known as NTRIP (Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol). With the technique presented here, implemented in navigation software developed by the author in cooperation with personnel at NSWC, Dahlgren Division, it is possible, when used in differential navigation mode, to estimate corrections to the GPS broadcast ephemerides in real-time, as part of the navigation solution. Alternatively, more precise orbits can be used, such as the predicted Ultra-rapid IGS orbits (or IGU orbits), that are updated every few hours, and can be downloaded by anonymous FTP from IGS data repositories such as the CDDIS at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. For this study, 1 Hz data from four stations, three in Spain and one in Portugal, have been used. These stations are separated by distances between 412 and 630 km, and their coordinates are precisely known in the EUREF frame. The data consists of the L1 and L2 carrier phase and pseudo-range observables from the station receivers, and the orbit information in the GPS Navigation Message. During the test, a station in Madrid, at the center of the network, was positioned kinematically relative to the other three, so the results could be compared to the precise fixed coordinates of the site, used as “truth”. Comparing results obtained with the precise predicted IGS orbits and the uncorrected broadcast orbits shows the errors using the latter to be much larger than with the IGS orbits. On the other hand, the results obtained with the IGS orbits, and those obtained with the broadcast orbits corrected in real time during the navigation solution, are quite similar, with the instantaneous kinematic coordinates differing from their “truth” values at the 10 cm level, after the initial period of convergence of the navigation Kalman filter.
eBraille: a web-based translation program for Japanese text to braille

Purpose – The authors develop a program, named eBraille, to translate Japanese text into braille and thereby generate braille documents easily. Public access to this program is provided to anyone via the Internet. The paper aims to evaluate the translation accuracy of the eBraille program.Design/methodology/approach – eBraille is a CGI program that is accessible via a web browser. The core of the program is a braille translating engine called the Kobe University Intelligent Braille Engine for ChaSen (KUIC). It is based on Japanese Braille Transcription Rules (Japanese Braille Committee, 2001). To evaluate the translation accuracy of eBraille, a corpus was utilized that was created from ordinary text and braille newspaper articles.Findings – The paper finds that eBraille translation accuracy is equivalent to or better than that of other stand‐alone braille translation programs. This result suggests that the program achieved the goal of being applicable for practical use. In addition, the program is utilize.
Exploring Jamming Attacks Using OPNET 12.0

Ad-hoc Networks are one of the most important achievements of current technology; they can provide communication without needing a fixed infrastructure, which makes them suitable for communication in disaster areas or when quick deployment is needed. However, since this kind of network uses the wireless medium for communication, it is susceptible to malicious exploitation at different layers. One of these attacks is a kind of denial of service attack (DoS) that interferes with the radio transmission channel, this is also known as a jamming attack. In this kind of attack, an attacker emits a radio signal that disturbs the energy of the packets causing many errors in the packet currently being transmitted. Another version of this attack is to constantly emit random semi-valid packets to keep the medium busy all the time, preventing the honest nodes from switching from the listening mode to the transmitting mode. In rough environments where there is constant traffic, a jamming attack causes serious problems; therefore measures to prevent this attack are required. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the underlying principles of jamming attacks (i.e., the effects of modulation techniques, interarrival times of packets, transmitter's and jammer's power) using Opnet® as the simulation tool. This work will be helpful so that in future research a useful, practical and effective solution can be created to countermeasure the effects of jamming attacks. The objective here is to understand, modify, and employ the models in OPNET 12.0® to simulate jamming attacks and understand the limitations of the available models.
Acute health effects of ambient air pollution: the ultrafine particle hypothesis.

A strong and consistent association has been observed between adjusted mortality rates and ambient particle concentration. The strongest associations are seen for respiratory and cardiac deaths, particularly among the elderly. Particulate air pollution is also associated with asthma exacerbations, increased respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, increased medication use, and increased hospital admissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently promulgated a new national ambient air quality standard for fine particles, and yet the mechanisms for health effects at such low particle mass concentrations remain unclear. Hypotheses to identify the responsible particles have focused on particle acidity, particle content of transition metals, bioaerosols, and ultrafine particles. Because ultrafine particles are efficiently deposited in the respiratory tract and may be important in initiating airway inflammation, we have initiated clinical studies with ultrafine carbon particles in healthy subjects. These studies examine the role of ultrafines in: (1) the induction of airway inflammation; (2) expression of leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules in blood; (3) the alteration of blood coagulability; and (4) alteration in cardiac electrical activity. These events could lead to exacerbation of underlying cardiorespiratory disease. For example, airway inflammation may activate endothelium and circulating leukocytes, and induce a systemic acute phase response with transient hypercoagulability; this could explain the epidemiologic linkages between pollutant exposures and cardiovascular events. These approaches should be useful in identifying mechanisms for pollutant-induced respiratory and systemic effects, and in providing data for determining appropriate air quality standards.
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis-related-heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HD-HIT) is a drug-induced, immunoglobulin- mediated disorder that it is suspected in dialysis patients with an unexpected fall in the platelet count, and/or unexplained thrombotic events, particularly visible clotting in the circuit under an adequate heparin dose, that begins between 5 and 10 days (nadir between 7 and 30 days, mostly by the third to fifth session) after heparin initiation. Although a positive result for anti-PF4/heparin complex antibodies (HIT antibodies) is presumably detected by sensitive ELISA, the diagnosis should be confirmed, whenever possible, using a functional assay. Immediately after the clinical suspicion of HIT, all sources of heparin should be discontinued including heparin used to flush or lock catheters. Alternative non-heparin anticoagulants, preferentially a direct thrombin inhibitor, should be restarted for dialysis. Early treatment is important as thrombus formation including a clotting circuit may complicate at a high rate within 30 days after the cessation of heparin. Argatroban, a synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor, as an alternative to heparin, must contribute to the rapid recovery of the platelet count and disappearance of visible circuit clotting. A steady decreasing of the ELISA titers can be expected after heparin discontinuation. A negative seroconversion of HIT antibodies is usually observed by ~30 to more than 100 days after discontinuation. Re-exposure to heparin can be selected at the same dose of heparin as used before the onset of HIT. A small peak of HIT antibodies may often appear after exposure, but a follow-up of the antibody titers shows that they not reach a threshold to induce the recurrence of HIT. When HD-HIT patients exhibit a high index of thrombotic formation or worsening thrombosis, the same alternative anticoagulant therapy may be needed on non-session days.
Selected lactic acid bacteria synthesize antioxidant peptides during sourdough 1 fermentation of cereal flours 2 3 Running title : antioxidant peptides in sourdough

3 Running title: antioxidant peptides in sourdough 4 5 6 Rossana Coda, Carlo Giuseppe Rizzello*, Daniela Pinto, Marco Gobbetti 7 8 Dipartimento di Biologia e Chimica Agro Forestale ed Ambientale, University of Bari, 70126, Bari 9 -Italy 10 Giuliani S.p.A. , 20191 Milano, Italy 11 12
Design Tools and Materials in Creative Work

This workshop will examine and discuss the role and nature of design tools and materials in creative work, and explore how to meaningfully combine existing and novel tools to support and augment creative work. By exploring and combining methodological, theoretical, and design-oriented perspectives, participants will examine the potentials and limitations in current uses of design tools and materials, and discuss and explore when and how to introduce new ones. Participation in the workshop requires participants to document and analyse central themes in a case, and the resulting material will serve as the empirical grounding for workshop discussions.
ROBUST WIDEBAND ENHANCEMENT OF SPEECH BY COMBINED CODING AND ARTIFICIAL BANDWIDTH EXTENSION

Techniques for artificial bandwidth extension (BWE) of speech aim at the reconstruction of the complete wideband spectrum (i.e., an acoustic bandwidth of for instance 50Hz − 7 kHz) from the knowledge of the narrowband speech signal, which is often limited in bandwidth by a “telephone bandpass” (300Hz−3.4 kHz). This (still blind) reconstruction can be achieved by the estimation of parameters of a source model for speech production given the knowledge of the narrowband signal. The performance of this estimation can be shown to be theoretically bounded due to insufficient mutual information between the lower and the upper subbands (refer to [1] and [2]). Nevertheless, a significantly better wideband speech quality can be accomplished with the additional transmission of side information which can then be taken into account in the respective estimation rules. This leads to a new estimation scheme which tolerates side information transmission over channels of rather low capacity and is closely related to “softbit source decoding” [3].
Teaching, Organization, and Personal Problems - Evidence from Reforming Tertiary Education in Germany

Germany has recently made extensive reforms in its tertiary education system. Traditional degrees are being replaced by Bachelor and Master programs. This study examines the question of how the choice of a new Bachelor program as opposed to a traditional degree program has affected first-year students’ satisfaction. Three dimensions of student satisfaction are focused upon: Student satisfaction with teaching, student satisfaction with the organization of the study programs, as well as an indicator for students’ personal problems within the academic context. The selection into the type of program is taken into account as I control for individual performance at secondary school, motivation and family background and try different robustness checks. The main specification includes fixed effects on the level of institutions and subjects. Results robustly point to minor differences between the programs. The outcomes are slightly more favorable for students in the new programs compared to the traditional programs in recent years.
A Cost Comparison of Distributed and Centralized Approaches to Video-on-Demand

With video-on-demand (VoD) regarded as one of the drivers for the deployment of broadband integrated service digital networks (B-ISDNs), an important issue is how to provide wide area VoD services most efficiently. A large contributor to the cost of a VoD system is storage. The nature of the service requires massive amounts of storage and bandwidth to be supplied from a video server located within the network. We examine the costs of storage in such servers and develop an efficient allocation scheme designed to minimize this cost. Using this scheme, centralized and distributed approaches to VoD are compared. We conclude that a distributed approach to storage costs no more than a centralized approach and offers considerable advantages in terms of bandwidth requirements and service quality.