Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-infections of haemosporidian and trypanosome parasites in a North American songbird

SUMMARY Hosts frequently harbour multiple parasite infections, yet patterns of parasite co-occurrence are poorly documented in nature. In this study, we asked whether two common avian blood parasites, one haemosporidian and one trypanosome, affect each other's occurrence in individuals of a single host species. We used molecular genotyping to survey protozoan parasites in the peripheral blood of yellow-breasted chats (Aves: Passeriformes [Parulidae]: Icteria virens) from the Ozarks of Southern Missouri. We also determined whether single and co-infections differently influence white blood cell and polychromatic erythrocyte counts, the latter being a measure of regenerative anaemia. We found a positive association between the haemosporidian and trypanosome parasites, such that infection by one increases the probability that an individual host is infected by the other. Adult individuals were more likely than juveniles to exhibit haemosporidian infection, but co-infections and single trypanosome infections were not age-related. We found evidence of pathogenicity of trypanosomes in that infected individuals exhibited similar levels of regenerative anaemia as birds infected with haemosporidian parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Counts of white blood cells did not differ with respect to infection status.
Iron Inefficiency in Maize Mutant ys1 (Zea mays L. cv Yellow-Stripe) Is Caused by a Defect in Uptake of Iron Phytosiderophores

To determine the Fe inefficiency factors in the maize mutant ys1 (Zea mays L. cv Yellow Stripe), root exudates of Fe-inefficient ys1 and of two Fe-efficient maize cultivars (Alice, WF9) were collected in axenic nutrient solution cultures. Analysis by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that under Fe deficiency ys1 released the phytosiderophore 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid (DMA) in quantities similar to those of Alice and WF9. Under nonaxenic conditions, DMA released by plants of all three cultivars was rapidly decomposed by microorganisms in the nutrient solution. Uptake experiments with 59Fe-labeled DMA, purified from root exudates of either Fe-deficient Alice or ys1 plants, showed up to 20 times lower uptake and translocation of 59Fe in ys1 than in Alice or WF9 plants. The presence of microorganisms during preculture and short-term uptake experiments had no significant effect on uptake and translocation rates of 59Fe in Alice and ys1 plants. We conclude that Fe inefficiency in the maize mutant ys1 is the result of a defect in the uptake system for Fe-phytosiderophores.
Request rate adaptive dispatching architecture for scalable Internet server

A scalable web server is one of popular information replication methods to accomodate the rapidly growing World Wide Web. It is basically a server clustering technique which supplies information from several servers with the illusion of one serving entity. Request distribution among the back-end servers is crucial work for the scalable web server performance. One popular approach for request distribution is using centralized scheduler such as dispatcher. It provides full control of scheduling and fine-grained load balancing but it suffers from potential bottleneck. DNS based approach utilizes name resolution process for request distribution. It is simple and low overhead scheduling method but it has limited control of load balancing because of the name resolution caching in the intermediate name servers. Another approach such as server based scheme has released the bottleneck problem by distributing the scheduling ability to all participating servers. However, the dispatching efficiency degrades because the redirection process shares resources with data processing jobs. We have developed an adaptive load balancing method that changes the number of scheduling entities according to different workload. It behaves exactly like dispatcher based scheme with low or intermediate workload, taking advantage of fine-grained load balancing. When the dispatcher is overloaded, the dispatching job is partially distributed to other entities such as DNS servers and back-end servers. In this way, we have relaxed hot spot of dispatcher. At the same time, we have preserved the balanced load state through estimation of client domain load rate. We have shown that the adaptive dispatching method improves overall performance in realistic workload simulation.
Violent crime rate studies in philosophical context: A destructive testing approach to heat and southern culture of violence effects.

The logic behind the translation of conceptual hypotheses into testable propositions was illustrated with the heat hypothesis, The destructive testing philosophy was introduced and applied, This consists of first showing that a predicted empirical relation exists, then attempting to break that relation. by adding competitor variables. The key question in destructive testing is "How difficult was it to break the relation? '~ This approach was used to analyze the heat effect on violent crime rates (Study I ) and on White violent crime arrest rates (Study 2) in U.S. cities. One competitor variable was the particular focus of analysis: southern culture of violence. The heat hypothesis was supported by highly significant correlations between the warmth of a city and its violence rate. This heat effect survived multiple destructive tests. Some support for the southern culture effect was also found, but
Immunosuppression and isolation of rubella virus from human lymphocytes after vaccination with two rubella vaccines

Two groups of young rubella-susceptible women were vaccinated with two rubella vaccines. Heparinized blood samples were taken from all individuals the day of vaccination and 5, 7, 15, 21, 30, 35, and 42 days later. Purified lymphocytes from these samples were cocultivated with AGMK cells for rubella virus isolation. Parallel samples of lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin, and the rate of [14C]thymidine incorporation was determined. Rubella virus was isolated from lymphocytes collected on days 7, 15, and 21 after RA27/3 vaccination in contrast to days 7 to 35 after HPV77 vaccination. The lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin was markedly suppressed from day 5 to 15. Normal lymphocyte responses were restored within 1 month after vaccination with RA27/3, but even later (1 week) after HPV77 vaccine. Lymphocytes from rubella-susceptible persons infected invitro with rubella virus vaccines and stimulated with phytohemagglutin displayed a decrease in their responsiveness to the mitogen similar to that observed with lymphocytes from vaccinees. The transient immunosuppression observed in vaccinees is probably due to virus-induced functional damage of the lymphocytes since no direct cytocidal effect of rubella vaccine has been demonstrated on human lymphocytes.
Towards Semantic Web agents: Knowledge Web and AgentLink

This paper presents an overview on the role of agents in the Semantic Web, which was the topic of the AgentLink Technical Forum Group on ‘Semantic Web Agents’, aimed at fostering closer collaboration between the European communities working in these areas. The paper is structured in three main sections. In the first, we argue how agents are an essential component of the Semantic Web, then we provide a brief history, by no means comprehensive, of how the Semantic Web vision—that includes agents—has evolved over the past fifteen years. We then conclude, reporting on the topics presented and discussed during the Technical Forum.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in South India by Using E-Test Techniques

Objective: To analyse, estimate the consequence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Streptococcus Pneumoniae isolates various clinical specimens from different places. Materials and Methods: 105 clinical strains were recovered from different hospital in thanjavur, tamilnadu state at India from January 2014 to Jun 2014. All the isolates of streptococcus pneumonia were obtained from fresh material using routine methods and were identified using conventional methods by optochin susceptibility. These Strains were reidentified by conventional test after arriving biotechnology laboratory at thanjavur. Antibiotic Susceptibility test for isolated organism was done using by E-Test method. Results: Out of 105 isolates of Streptococcus pneumonia 69 (65.71%) were sputum/respiratory in origin.18 (17.14%) Ear swabs, 3 (2.85%) Throat swabs, 6 (5.71%) Eye swabs, 3 (3.15%) pus swabs, 2 (1.90%) CSF, 4(3.80%). Conclusion: This aim is not only to reduce the morbidity and mortality in the patients but also to control the emergence and spread of resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae. Continuous surveillance of the use of antibiotics helps in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics. The results from our study strongly emphasize the need for continuous epidemiological monitoring of antibiotic resistant.
Plasma lipid levels predict dysglycemia in a biracial cohort of nondiabetic subjects: Potential mechanisms

Dyslipidemia and dysglycemia are etiologically associated, but the direction, chronology, and mechanisms of the association are not fully understood. We, therefore, analyzed data from 335 healthy adults (184 black, 151 white) enrolled in the Pathobiology of Prediabetes in A Biracial Cohort study. Subjects underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and were enrolled if they had normal fasting and 2-h plasma glucose levels. Assessments during year 1 included anthropometry, fasting lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. Thereafter, OGTT was assessed annually for 5.5 years. The primary outcome was occurrence of prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) or diabetes. During a mean follow-up of 2.62 years, 110 participants (32.8%) developed prediabetes (N = 100) or diabetes (N = 10). In multivariate logistic regression models, higher baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels significantly increased the risk of incident prediabetes. The combined relative risk (95% confidence interval [CI]) of prediabetes for participants with lower baseline HDL cholesterol (10th vs. 90th percentile), higher LDL cholesterol (90th vs. 10th percentile) and high triglycerides levels (90th vs. 10th percentile) was 4.12 (95% CI 1.61–10.56), P = 0.0032. At baseline, lipid values showed significant associations with measures of adiposity, glycemia, insulin sensitivity, and secretion. In both ethnic groups, waist circumference correlated positively with triglycerides and inversely with HDL cholesterol levels (P = 0.0004–<0.0001); fasting plasma glucose correlated positively with triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels and inversely with HDL cholesterol levels (P = 0.006–<0.0001); insulin sensitivity correlated positively with HDL cholesterol and inversely with triglyceride levels (P < 0.0001), and insulin secretion correlated positively with triglycerides (P = 0.01) and inversely with HDL cholesterol (P < 0.0001). We conclude that a baseline lipidemic signature identifies normoglycemic individuals at high risk for future glycemic progression, via congruent associations with adiposity and glucoregulatory mechanisms. These findings suggest that early lifestyle intervention could ameliorate progressive dyslipidemia and dysglycemia.
Correlation and agreement between the Mini-mental State Examination and the Clock Drawing Test in older adults with low levels of schooling: the Bambuí Health Aging Study (BHAS)

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the correlation and agreement between the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clock Drawing Test (CDT), administered and scored using Shulman's method (2000), in elderly Brazilian adults with very low levels of formal education. Methods: CDT and MMSE tests, performed by a sample of 1118 elderly subjects from a population-based cohort, were evaluated. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated for the total sample and according to gender, age and schooling level. Agreement was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: CDTs with high scores had high corresponding MMSE scores whereas CDTs with low scores had a wide range of corresponding MMSE scores. Correlation was moderate (ρ = 0.64) and no difference was found according to gender, age or schooling level. For CDT cut-off 3/4, the best MMSE cut-off was 27/28 and agreement between tests was 75.1%. Conclusions: Correlation between tests was moderate. Subjects who performed well on the CDT could be expected to obtain high MMSE scores. Although one test does not substitute for the other, the CDT may be more practical in developing countries where resources are limited and low education is common in the elderly, as well as in situations where time for assessment or screening is limited. Moreover, the CDT may be sensitive to cognitive domains not assessed by the MMSE.
Long-term stability of oxidative stress biomarkers in human serum

Abstract The storage time and storage temperature might affect stability of oxidative stress biomarkers, therefore, they have to be analyzed after long-term storage of serum samples. The stability of three biomarkers reflecting oxidative stress: reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) for hydroperoxides, total thiol levels (TTL) for the redox status and biological antioxidant potency (BAP) for the antioxidant status, was investigated at several time points during 60 months of storage at −20 and −80 °C. Biomarkers ROM and BAP showed a very good stability during storage for 60 months at both temperatures. In addition, the correlation of the data after 60 months of storage compared with the starting data was very good with correlation coefficients >0.9. The TTL assay showed good results in serum samples stored at −80 °C, but not in samples stored at −20 °C. Serum samples for analysis of the set of oxidative stress biomarkers ROM, BAP and TTL can be stored up to 60 months at −80 °C. ROM and BAP can also be stored at −20 °C during this period. The present results are very important for the biomarker-related epidemiological studies that make use of biobanks with samples stored for many years and for new project planning, including sample storage conditions.
[Role of Lactobacillus as protector against vaginal candidiasis].

BACKGROUND To evaluate the possible protector role of Lactobacillus against vaginal candidiasis. PATIENTS AND METHOD In vitro studies performed to assess the capacity of 15 Lactobacillus strains to block the adhesion of two Candida albicans and one C. glabrata strain to vaginal epithelial cells and to inhibit the growth of these yeasts. Moreover, the presence of Lactobacillus was analyzed in 115 vaginal exudates from women with vaginal candidiasis. RESULTS Only 8 of the 15 lactobacilli studied significantly blocked the adhesion of C. albicans Y18 to vaginal cells. Lactobacilli from group III showed the greatest blocking capacity (62.9%), followed by group II (50.6%) and group I (26.1%). In solid assays, none of the 15 Lactobacillus strains studied was able to inhibit growth of the 3 yeasts. However, in liquid assays some lactobacilli evidenced a certain degree of inhibitory power against C. albicans Y17 (35.7%, 41.7% and 38.1% of light transmittance for Lactobacillus groups I, II and III, respectively). Lactobacillus was detected in 89.6% of women with vaginal candidiasis (by microscopy in 87.8% and by culture in 72.2%). CONCLUSIONS These results lead us to suggest that probably Lactobacillus provides protection against vaginal candidiasis.
Enhancement of Energy Harvesting Performance by a Coupled Bluff Splitter Body and PVEH Plate through Vortex Induced Vibration near Resonance

Inspired by vortex induced vibration energy harvesting development as a new source of renewable energy, a T-shaped design vibration energy harvester is introduced with the aim of enhancing its performance through vortex induced vibration at near resonance conditions. The T-shaped structural model designed consists of a fixed boundary aluminum bluff splitter body coupled with a cantilever piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters (PVEH) plate model which is a piezoelectric bimorph plate made of a brass plate sandwiched between 2 lead zirconate titanate (PZT) plates. A 3-dimensional Fluid-Structure Interaction simulation analysis is carried out with Reynolds Stress Turbulence Model under wind speed of 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22.5, and 25 m/s. The results showed that with 19 m/s wind speed, the model generates 75.758 Hz of vortex frequency near to the structural model’s natural frequency of 76.9 Hz. Resonance lock-in therefore occurred, generating a maximum displacement amplitude of 2.09 mm or a 49.76% increment relatively in vibrational amplitude. Under the effect of resonance at the PVEH plate’s fundamental natural frequency, it is able to generate the largest normalized power of 13.44 mW/cm3g2.
Comment on interaction of hormone replacement therapy with calcium and vitamin D supplementation on colorectal cancer risk

There is an apparent typographical error in the data that they based their primary analysis on. The correct HR for estrogenalone supplementation is 1.15 instead of 1.51 that was used by Ding et al. Use of the correct HR is expected to make HR for women on estrogen therapies less suggestive of increased risk. In addition, the increased HR for women on estrogen1progestin therapy is suggestive of the importance of progestin therapy, rather than estrogen therapy, in the interaction with calcium and Vitamin D supplementation on colorectal cancer. Ding et al. address an important question of interaction between Vitamin D, calcium and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in prevention of colorectal cancer. Statistical analysis in their study relies on data reported from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial. The primary analysis uses hazard ratio (HR) for calcium plus Vitamin D supplementation in 4 groups that were randomized by HRT use: Estrogen (E)alone active, E-alone placebo, Estrogen1Progestin (E1P) active and E1P placebo. The reanalysis by Ding et al. combines the E-alone active group with the E1P active group to form a group of women currently on estrogen therapies. The E-alone placebo and E1P placebo groups are combined to form the group of women that are not on estrogen therapies. The HR for the women on estrogen therapies was found to be 1.50 (95% CI: 0.96–2.33), which was said to be ‘‘borderline suggestive of the increased risk. ’’
Analysis of Access Control Methods in Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is a promising and emerging technology that is rapidly being adopted by many IT companies due to a number of benefits that it provides, such as large storage space, low investment cost, virtualization, resource sharing, etc. Users are able to store a vast amount of data and information in the cloud and access it from anywhere, anytime on a pay-per-use basis. Since many users are able to share the data and the resources stored in the cloud, there arises a need to provide access to the data to only those users who are authorized to access it. This can be done through access control schemes which allow the authenticated and authorized users to access the data and deny access to unauthorized users. In this paper, a comprehensive review of all the existing access control schemes has been discussed along with analysis.
Improved Extensible Authentication Protocol Method for 3rd Generation Authentication and Key Agreement (EAP-AKA')

This specification defines a new EAP method, EAP-AKA', a small revision of the EAP-AKA method. The change is a new key derivation function that binds the name of the access network to the keys derived within the method. The new key derivation mechanism has been defined in 3GPP. This specification allows its use in EAP in an interoperable manner. In addition, EAP-AKA' employs a new hash function, SHA256. This specification also updates RFC 4187 EAP-AKA to add support for preventing bidding down attacks between itself and EAP-AKA'.
Exogenous p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) decreases growth of lung cancer A549 cells.

PURPOSE To investigate the influence of exogenous p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) expression on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells and transplanted tumor cell growth in nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS A549 cells were divided into the following groups: control, non- carrier (NC), PUMA (transfected with pCEP4- (HA) 2-PUMA plasmid), DDP (10 μg/mL cisplatin treatment) and PUMA+DDP (transfected with pCEP4-(HA)2-PUMA plasmid and 10 μg/mL cisplatin treatment). The MTT method was used to detect the cell survival rate. Cell apoptosis rates were measured by flow cytometry, and PUMA, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS Compared to the control group, the PUMA, DDP and PUMA+DDP groups all had significantly decreased A549 cell proliferation (p<0.01), with the largest reduction in the PUMA+DDP group. Conversely, the apoptosis rates of the three groups were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the PUMA and DDP treatments were synergistic. Moreover, Bax protein levels significantly increased (p<0.01), while Bcl-2 protein levels significantly decreased (p<0.01). Finally, both the volume and the weights of transplanted tumors were significantly reduced (p<0.01), and the inhibition ratio of the PUMA+DDP group was significantly higher than in the single DDP or PUMA groups. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous PUMA effectively inhibited lung cancer A549 cell proliferation and transplanted tumor growth by increasing Bax protein levels and reducing Bcl-2 protein levels.