Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adverse childhood experiences in relation to mood and anxiety disorders in a population-based sample of active military personnel

Background Although it has been posited that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increases vulnerability to deployment stress, previous literature in this area has demonstrated conflicting results. Using a cross-sectional population-based sample of active military personnel, the present study examined the relationship between ACEs, deployment related stressors and mood and anxiety disorders. Method Data were analyzed from the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey – Canadian Forces Supplement (CCHS-CFS; n = 8340, age 18–54 years, response rate 81%). The following ACEs were self-reported retrospectively: childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, economic deprivation, exposure to domestic violence, parental divorce/separation, parental substance abuse problems, hospitalization as a child, and apprehension by a child protection service. DSM-IV mood and anxiety disorders [major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks/disorder and social phobia] were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Results Even after adjusting for the effects of deployment-related traumatic exposures (DRTEs), exposure to ACEs was significantly associated with past-year mood or anxiety disorder among men [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.34, 99% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.73, p < 0.01] and women [aOR 1.37, 99% CI 1.00–1.89, p = 0.01]. Participants exposed to both ACEs and DRTEs had the highest prevalence of past-year mood or anxiety disorder in comparison to those who were exposed to either ACEs alone, DRTEs alone, or no exposure. Conclusions ACEs are associated with several mood and anxiety disorders among active military personnel. Intervention strategies to prevent mental health problems should consider the utility of targeting soldiers with exposure to ACEs.
Transgenic mice expressing nerve growth factor in smooth muscle cells

Ectopic expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in transgenic mice leads to site-specific sympathetic sprouting. Smooth muscle cells in the intestines, urinary bladder, and arteries have been shown to express NGF. To address whether enhanced NGF production among these different organ systems stimulates comparable patterns of sympathetic collateral growth, we generated transgenic mice that express NGF under the control of the smooth muscle &agr;-actin promoter. In response to elevated levels of NGF protein in the colon, bladder, and arteries/arterioles, sympathetic axons displayed robust sprouting only in the colon and bladder. These data reveal that, unlike most other peripheral tissues, sympathetic efferents in adult mammalian arteries/arterioles do not undergo collateral growth in response to increased levels of smooth muscle-derived NGF.
Effect of various environmental parameters on the recovery of sublethally salt‐damaged and acid‐damaged Listeria monocytogenes

The influence of supplementing the culture medium with magnesium sulphate, d‐glucose, l‐cysteine, catalase or lithium chloride, of incubation temperature and of oxygen availability on the recovery of salt‐ or acid‐damaged Listeria monocytogenes, was studied on a solid repair medium according to a Hadamard matrix, with seven parameters varying between a high and a low level. The most important factors for repair of stressed Listeria were further studied with complete factorial design experiments. Results show that conditions promoting resuscitation of acid‐ or salt‐injured cells are stress‐specific, and differ in part from those described in the literature for heat‐stressed Listeria.
Alterations in the Intestinal Microbiome (Dysbiosis) as a Predictor of Relapse After Infliximab Withdrawal in Crohn's Disease

Background:Crohn's disease (CD)–associated dysbiosis could predispose patients to relapse. Gut microbiota composition of patients from the prospective cohort study designed to identify predictive factors of clinical relapse after infliximab discontinuation (STORI Study) was investigated to determine the impact of dysbiosis in CD relapse. Methods:Fecal samples from 33 patients with CD in this cohort were collected at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and at the end of the follow-up period (19 relapsers and 14 nonrelapsers). Healthy volunteers subjects (n = 29) were used as a control group. The fecal microbiota composition was assessed using quantitative PCR, and comparisons between the patient groups were made at different time points using the Wilcoxon test. The analysis of the time-to-relapse was performed according to the baseline median level of each bacterial signal. Results:Dysbiosis was observed in patients with CD compared with healthy subjects, and it was characterized by low mean counts of Firmicutes (Clostridium coccoides [P = 0.0003], C. leptum [P < 0.0001], and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii [P = 0.003]). Lower rates of Firmicutes were seen in relapsers compared with nonrelapsers. Moreover, a low rate of F. prausnitzii (P = 0.014) and a low rate of Bacteroides (P = 0.030) predicted relapse independently from high C reactive protein level (P = 0.0001). Conclusions:In this work, we report that CD-associated dysbiosis, characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes, correlates with the time-to-relapse after infliximab withdrawal. A deficit in some bacterial groups or species, such as F. prausnitzii, may represent a predictive factor for relapse. Restoring normobiosis in CD could be a new goal for optimal CD management.
Energy assets valuation a real options application

El hilo argumental de esta Tesis es la valoracion de activos ligados a la generacion de electricidad. Se trata de un tarea compleja, pues con activos cuya rentabilidad es incierta, tienen caracter irreversible y los gestores tienen cierta flexibilidad de decision (e.g., sobre el modo de operarlos, o sobre el momento en que acometer la inversion). De ahi la idoneidad de utilizar el metodo de las Opciones Reales. En la valoracion se tienen en cuenta no solo diversos aspectos tecnicos relevantes de dichos activos, sino tambien factores economicos ligandos al precio de los combustibles empleados y de la electricidad vendida. Recientemente, ademas, se ha puesto en marcha el mercado europeo de carbono, que tambien afecta a las decisiones de las empresas. Dependiendo del numero de fuentes de riesgo, se emplean distintos metodos numericos.
STAINING PLANT TISSUES WITH CHLORAZOL BLACK E AND PIANESE III-B.

The staining schedule was developed for a study of the mycorrhizae of red pine, Pinus resinosa Ait. From 70% alcohol, sections are stained in a saturated solution of chlorazol black E in 70% alcohol, 10-30 min; free dye removed by washing in 95% alcohol; stained 18-24 hr in Pianese III-b; rinsed in 95% alcohol, acidified by the addition of 2 ml of saturated aqueous picric acid per 100 ml, 3-4 changes or until the last change is pale yellow or light green; and rinsing in 95% alcohol to remove the acid. If the acid fuchsin is too intense, a cautious differentiation with 95% alcohol containing 1-3% of a 0.1 N solution of NaOH is made. If too much chlorazol black is removed, the effect can be compensated by overstaining with this dye at the beginning of the process. Sections are dehydrated, cleared, and covered in the usual manner. This stain has applications to plant tissues generally, and is particularly effective for meristematic tissues. It shows details of cytoplasmic structures and gives sharp delineati.
Use of a Dictyostelium Model for Isolation of Genetic Loci Associated with Phagocytosis and Virulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Phagocytosis resistance is an important virulence factor in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Dictyostelium has been used to study the interaction between phagocytes and bacteria because of its similarity to mammalian macrophages. In this study, we used a Dictyostelium model to investigate genes for resistance to phagocytosis in NTUH-K2044, a strain of K. pneumoniae causing pyogenic liver abscess that is highly resistant to phagocytosis. A total of 2,500 transposon mutants were screened by plaque assay, and 29 of them permitted phagocytosis by Dictyostelium. In the 29 mutants, six loci were identified; three were capsular synthesis genes. Of the other three, one was related to carnitine metabolism, one encoded a subunit of protease (clpX), and one encoded a lipopolysaccharide O-antigen transporter (wzm). Deletion and complementation of these genes showed that only ΔclpX and Δwzm mutants became susceptible to Dictyostelium phagocytosis, and their complementation restored the phagocytosis resistance phenotype. These two mutants were also susceptible to phagocytosis by human neutrophils and revealed attenuated virulence in a mouse model, implying that they play important roles in the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, we demonstrated that clpP, which exists in an operon with clpX, was also involved in resistance to phagocytosis. The transcriptional profile of ΔclpX was examined by microarray analysis and revealed a 3-fold lower level of expression of capsular synthesis genes. Therefore, we have identified genes involved in resistance to phagocytosis in K. pneumoniae using Dictyostelium, and this model is useful to explore genes associated with resistance to phagocytosis in heavily encapsulated bacteria.
Comparison of five allopatric fruit fly parasitoid populations (Psyttalia species) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from coffee fields using morphometric and molecular methods

Abstract Morphometric studies of five allopatric parasitoid populations (genus Psyttalia Walker) from coffee plantations in Cameroon (Nkolbisson), Ghana (Tafo) and Kenya (Rurima, Ruiru and Shimba Hills) and one non-coffee population (from Muhaka, Kenya) were compared with individuals of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti), a species released in several biological control programmes in the Mediterranean Region since the 20th Century. Analyses of wing vein measurements showed the second submarginal cell of the fore wing and its adjoining veins had the heaviest principal component weights and served as the main contributing variables in the diagnostic differentiation of the populations. Two populations (Rurima and Ruiru) were found to be the closest to each other and with the strongest phenetic affinity toward P. concolor (and forming one cluster). Populations from Shimba Hills (of unknown identity), Nkolbisson (P. perproximus (Silvestri)) and Tafo formed a second cluster and were separated from P. concolor. Comparison using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) also showed the Shimba, Nkolbisson and Tafo populations forming a cluster in a dendrogram generated from their genetic distances, with the Shimba and Tafo populations placed as the most closely related species. Based on consistent morphological similarities, morphometric and ecological data coupled with the genetic evidence from AFLP data, the Shimba population is suggested as belonging to the P. perproximus group and, thus, represents a new occurrence record in Kenya. Our results also support earlier conclusion from cross mating data that populations from Rurima and Ruiru belong to the Psyttalia concolor species-group.
Remineralization of Natural Human Carious Dentin Lesions with an Experimental Whisker-Reinforced Atraumatic Restorative Treatment Composite.

PURPOSE To evaluate the remineralization of natural human dentin caries with an experimental whisker-reinforced Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS Teeth with moderate active dentin caries were prepared with caries-disclosing dye and hand instruments, restored with ART or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC), and then wet sliced into 120-μm sections with 15 sections in each group. After taking transverse microradiographs and implementing digital image analysis to determine the "mineral-loss-before," each section was incubated in artificial saliva solution (pH = 7.0) for 4 weeks and 8 weeks with 1 hour each workday in demineralization solution (pH = 4.3). Transverse microradiographs of each section were retaken, and the "mineral-loss-after" was determined. The remineralization was calculated from [1-("mineral-loss-after"/"mineral-loss-before")] × 100%. Results were statistically analyzed with a repeated-measures ANOVA with one within-subject factor (time: 4 and 8 weeks) and one between-subject factor (material: ART and RM-GIC) (α = 0.05). RESULTS The statistical analysis indicated that ART composite resulted in significantly higher remineralization than the RM-GIC (p ≤ 0.05). For the remineralization of each material, there was a statistical difference between 4 weeks and 8 weeks (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This experimental ART composite remineralized natural human dentin caries better than the RM-GIC.
Primary N-assimilation into Amino Acids in Arabidopsis

Citation: Coruzzi G.M. (2003) Primary N-assimilation into Amino Acids in Arabidopsis. The Arabidopsis Book 2:e0010. doi:10.1199/tab.0010 elocation-id: e0010 Published on: September 30, 2003
Joint optimization of error feedback and coordinate transformation for roundoff noise minimization in 2D state-space digital filters

The joint optimization of an error-feedback matrix and a coordinate-transformation matrix 2-D state-space digital filters for roundoff noise minimization subject to L/sub 2/-norm dynamic-range scaling constraints is investigated. Using linear-algebraic techniques, the problem at hand is converted into an unconstrained optimization problem, and the unconstrained problem, obtained is then solved by applying an efficient quasi-Newton algorithm.
Nonalcoholic steatofibrosis independently predicts mortality in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The minimal pathologic criteria for NASH include hepatic steatosis, ballooning degeneration, and lobular inflammation. The resolution of NASH, which relies on the loss of ballooning degeneration, is subject to sampling and observer variability in pathologic interpretation. Ballooning is associated with advanced hepatic fibrosis in cross‐sectional studies but is not a predictor of mortality in NAFLD. Fibrosis staging, while still subject to some sampling variability, has less observer variability and is a robust predictor of liver‐related mortality in NAFLD. In this study, we hypothesize that, regardless of the diagnosis of NASH, the presence of steatofibrosis (steatosis accompanied by fibrosis) regardless of other pathologic features can also be a robust predictor of mortality in NAFLD. We used our previously reported cohort of patients with NAFLD with liver biopsies and long‐term mortality follow‐up. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the predictors of overall and liver‐related mortality. Of 209 enrolled NAFLD subjects, 97 can be classified as having steatofibrosis. During follow‐up (median 150 months), 64 (30.6%) patients died, with 18 (8.6%) from liver‐related causes. Adjusted for age, both diagnostic categories of NASH and steatofibrosis were significantly and similarly associated with liver‐related mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 9.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3‐74.9; P = 0.027; aHR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.5‐29.8; P = 0.013, respectively). However, only steatofibrosis showed independent association with overall mortality (aHR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.02‐3.05; P = 0.043). Conclusion: Steatofibrosis and NASH are similarly associated with liver‐related mortality, but only steatofibrosis is associated with overall mortality in patients with NAFLD. Given the inherent observer variability in ballooning degeneration, a key diagnostic component of NASH, we suggest that steatofibrosis should be considered a viable diagnostic classification for NAFLD subjects at risk or adverse outcomes and provides a simpler endpoint for clinical trials of therapeutic agents. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:421–428)
Dantrolene sodium and fatigue of long duration

A long‐lasting imparment of muscular force generation follows fatiguing exercise (fatigue of long duration), the physiological basis of which is not well understood. To investigate the role of reduced calcium release in longlasting fatigue, we examined the effects of dantrolene sodium, which selectively decreases calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The drug impaired muscle function in a pattern identical to that of long‐lasting fatigue. The results are consistent with either indeependent effects of dantrolene and exercise at the same site in the excitation–contraction coupling chain, or independent actions at separate serial sites.
Blockchain world - Feeding the blockchain beast if bitcoin ever does go mainstream, the electricity needed to sustain it will be enormous

Bitcoin "miners" are electromagnetic alchemists, effectively turning megawatt-hours of electricity into the world's fastest-growing currency. Their intensive computational activity cryptographically secures the virtual currency, approves transactions, and, in the process, creates new bitcoins for the miners, as payment. And it does another thing, too: It uses an absolutely stunning amount of power. The ever-expanding racks of processors used by miners already consume as much electricity as a small city. It's a problem that experts say is bad and getting worse. "The concern that people continue to debate is, where does this end? " says Michael Reed, head of blockchain technology for Intel. The Bitcoin leech sucking on the world's power grids has been held in check, so far, by rapid gains in the energy efficiency of mining hardware. But energy and blockchain analysts are worried about the possibility of a perfect storm: Those efficiency gains are slowing while bitcoin value is rising fast-and its potential transaction growth is immense.
An application of Rantzer's dual Lyapunov Theorem to decentralized formation stabilization

A connection between Rantzer's dual Lyapunov Theorem that appeared in [25] with decentralized formation stabilization of multiple single integrator kinematic agents is presented. A similar result for decentralized navigation to non-cooperative equilibria was recently provided by the authors in [7]. It is shown that when the agents' control law does not contain an element that forces them to cooperate with the rest of the team once they have reached their desired goal, global convergence cannot be guaranteed. A sufficient condition for this to happen is derived based on Rantzer's Theorem. In particular, it is shown that agents are driven towards the desired formation structure provided that collisions between the team members tend to occur whenever the formation potential of each agent is sufficiently large. This is derived based on the properties of the critical points of the proposed decentralized potential field-based control laws imposed by Rantzer's Theorem. The result can be used as a new approach to guaranteed local-minima free decentralized control approaches.
Bilabial Substitution Patterns During Consonant Production in a Case of Congenital Aglossia

Purpose: Congenital aglossia is a rare syndrome in which an individual is born without a tongue. The present paper examines articulatory details of the production of multiple consonants by an aglossic speaker. Method: Real-time magnetic resonance imaging data of the upper airway were collected from the aglossic speaker. Air-tissue boundaries were determined from the video sequences using a segmentation algorithm, and dynamics of vocal-tract constrictions and cross-dimensions were calculated. Results: The aglossic speaker produced the consonants /t, d, th, l ,r, f ,v, s, sh/ with a bilabial closure instead of a normal lingua-alveolar closure; however, in /t/and /d/ the overall vocal-tract configuration presented a cavity anterior to the constriction, which filtered transient and frication sources in a manner similar to normal alveolar production. Conclusion: The aglossic speaker, lacking a tongue apex, has developed a bilabial compensatory strategy to produce multiple consonants with her lips.
Cross-layer Design in Cognitive Radio Standards

The growing demand for wireless applications and services on the one hand, and limited available radio spectrum on the other hand have made cognitive radio (CR) a promising solution for future mobile networks. It has attracted considerable attention by academia and industry since its introduction in 1999 and several relevant standards have been developed within the last decade. Cognitive radio is based on four main functions, spanning across more than one layer of OSI model. Therefore, solutions based on cognitive radio technology require cross layer (CL) designs for optimum performance. This article briefly reviews the basics of cognitive radio technology as an introduction and highlights the need for cross layer design in systems deploying CR technology. Then some of the published standards with CL characteristics are outlined in a later section, and in the final section some research examples of cross layer design ideas based on the existing CR standards conclude this article.
Automatic Diacritization for Urdu

Urdu language is written in Arabic script. In this script, the consonantal context is clearly represented, but the vocalic sounds are represented (mostly) by marks or diacritics, which are optional and normally not written. Readers can guess the diacritics and thus can pronounce words correctly, based on their knowledge of the language. But un-diacritized Urdu text creates ambiguity for novice learners and computational systems that require pronunciation. In this paper, a statistical approach is used to mark diacritics for Urdu automatically. Use of multiple knowledge sources is also integrated with the statistical techniques to investigate their effects to the process. These knowledge sources include stemming, part-of-speech tagging, pronunciation lexicons, and word bigrams. The experimental results show that letter-level trigram model performs best and achieves 95.37% overall accuracy by applying all knowledge
Evaluation of first- and second-generation RIBA kits for detection of antibody to hepatitis C virus

Samples reactive by first-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) to detect antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) (RIBA-1 [Chiron, Calif.]) remained reactive by a second-generation test (RIBA-2) for HCV antibodies. A total of 75% of specimens indeterminate by RIBA-1 became reactive, 12.5% were nonreactive, and 12.5% remained indeterminate by RIBA-2. Among RIBA-1-nonreactive specimens, 12.0% became positive and 5.1% became indeterminate by RIBA-2. The antigens c33c and c22-3 have increased the sensitivity of RIBA-2.