Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intact Soil-Core Microcosms for Evaluating the Fate and Ecological Impact of the Release of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms

Intact soil-core microcosms were studied to determine their applicability for evaluating the transport, survival, and potential ecosystem effects of genetically engineered microorganisms before they are released into the environment. Soil-core microcosms were planted with wheat and maize seeds and inoculated with Azospirillum lipoferum SpBr17 and SpRG20a Tn5 mutants, respectively. Microcosm leachate, rhizosphere soil, plant endorhizosphere, insects, and xylem exudate were sampled for A. lipoferum Tn5 mutant populations. A. lipoferum Tn5 populations, determined by most-probable-number technique-DNA hybridization, varied from below detection to 106 g of dry root−1 in the rhizosphere, with smaller populations detected in the endorhizosphere. Intact soil-core microcosms were found to maintain some of the complexities of the natural ecosystem and should be particularly useful for initial evaluations of the fate of plant-associated genetically engineered bacteria.
Suitability of the Scapular Flap for Reconstructions of the Foot

Eighteen patients with mainly a traumatic soft-tissue defect of the foot underwent reconstruction with a microvascular free scapular flap. Of the 17 successful transfers, 13 were to the weight-bearing parts of the foot. The stability and contour of the flaps were assessed after an average follow-up time of 3 years (range 1 to 5 years). The thicknesses of the scapular donor site and flap and the recipient site were measured by an ultrasound technique. The resistance of the flap to shear was measured with a dynamometer. The ultrasound measurements aided in refining our operative technique. In early cases, the flap thickness after transfer could be more than double what it was in the donor area. With proper tightening, the thickness could be reduced, with improvement in contour but no increase in soft-tissue stability or shear resistance of the flap. Without proper tightening, the scapular flap tended to be redundant when transferred to the foot. For good results, the patient should be lean, since the optimal thickness of the scapular donor site was less than 6 mm and the maximum thickness should not exceed 8 to 10 mm. The differences in shear resistance between the flaps were not associated with the soft-tissue stability of the reconstruction. The relative laxity of the flap on the plantar surface was found by several patients to be subjectively unpleasant. Although good contour could be achieved when covering the plantar heel, the tendency of the flap to develop abrasions and superficial breakdowns made it unsatisfactory for covering this area. With proper tightening, an acceptable contour and excellent soft-tissue stability on the non-weight-bearing area were achieved. The thickness of the scapular flap was very suitable for coverage of distal amputation stumps and the plantar midfoot and forefoot, where it also gave good soft-tissue stability. An additional advantage was that very large flaps could be raised without causing functional donor morbidity.
Robotic interception of moving objects using an augmented ideal proportional navigation guidance technique

Presents an approach to online, robot-motion planning for moving-object interception. The proposed approach utilizes a navigation-guidance-based technique, that is robust and computationally efficient for the interception of fast-maneuvering objects. Navigation-based techniques were originally developed for the control of missiles tracking free-flying targets. Unlike a missile, however, the end-effector of a robotic arm is connected to the ground, via a number of links and joints, subject to kinematic and dynamic constraints. Also, unlike a missile, the velocity of the robot and the moving object must be matched for a smooth grasp, thus, a hybrid interception scheme, which combines a navigation-based interception technique with a conventional trajectory tracking method is proposed herein for intercepting fast-maneuvering objects. The implementation of the proposed technique is illustrated via numerous simulation examples.
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid protects hepatocytes from ethanol‐fed rats against tumor necrosis factor–induced cell death by replenishing mitochondrial glutathione

Mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) plays a key role against tumor necrosis factor α (TNF)‐induced apoptosis because its depletion is known to sensitize hepatocytes to TNF. The present study examined the role of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) administration to chronic ethanol‐fed rats on mitochondrial GSH levels and kinetics, mitochondrial membrane physical properties, TNF‐induced peroxide formation, and subsequent hepatocyte survival. TUDCA selectively increased the levels of GSH in mitochondria without an effect on cytosolic GSH. This outcome was accompanied by improved initial rate of GSH transport examined at low (1 mmol/L) and high (10 mmol/L) GSH concentrations both in intact mitochondria and mitoplasts prepared from ethanol‐fed livers. Assessment of membrane fluidity revealed an increased order parameter in mitochondria and mitoplasts from ethanol‐fed rats compared with pair‐fed controls, which was prevented by TUDCA administration. Compared with hepatocytes from pair‐fed rats, TNF stimulated peroxide generation in hepatocytes from ethanol‐fed rats, preceding TNF‐induced cell death. Administration of TUDCA to ethanol‐fed rats prevented TNF‐induced peroxide formation and cell death, an effect that was reversed on depletion of the recovered mitochondrial GSH levels by (R,S)‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐pentenoate before TNF treatment. The protective effect of TUDCA against TNF was not because of activation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, discarding a role for a survival‐dependent pathway. Thus, these findings reveal a novel role of TUDCA in protecting hepatocytes in long‐term ethanol‐fed rats through modulation of mitochondrial membrane fluidity and subsequent normalization of mitochondrial GSH levels.
Production of hydrogen employing Ni-Rh catalysts in membrane reactors

−− Rh, Ni and Rh-Ni catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation of La2O3. The Rh content was modified but the Ni loading was kept constant at 2 wt%. The solids were calcined at 823 K in air flow and were reduced at 973 K in flowing hydrogen. The activity, stability, and residue formation during the CO2 reforming of CH4, of all the catalysts were tested in a fixed-bed reactor. Those with low carbon deposition were used in a Pd-Ag membrane reactor. The Rh solids showed the highest activity at 823 K. In order to understand the Rh effect, the catalysts were characterized through XRD and TPR. No evidence of crystalline Ni phase through XRD was observed in either the calcined or used catalysts. On the other hand, both the TPR and XPS results suggest a significant metal-support interaction. The bimetallic solids presented higher carbon deposition. The carbonaceous species formed on stream were characterized through thermal analysis. At least two types of carbons were detected on the catalyst surface with different structural properties which did not affect the catalytic activity. A low carbon deposition was observed on Rh/La2O3 which exhibited a stable activity after 100 h on stream. The monometallic Rh solids were tested in the membrane reactor, varying the pressure drop across the Pd-Ag alloy. A significant increase in reactant conversions was obtained when the membrane reactor was used. Keywords−− Hydrogen, CO2 reforming, Ni-Rh Catalysts, Membrane reactor.
Use of Radiofrequency Perforation for Lead Placement in Biventricular or Conventional Endocardial Pacing after Mustard or Senning Operations for D‐Transposition of the Great Arteries

Background: Endocardial pacemaker lead placement can be challenging after Mustard and Senning operations for transposition of the great arteries (D‐TGA), if there is atresia of the systemic venous pathways and because the coronary sinus cannot be used for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Radiofrequency (RF)‐assisted perforation techniques have been used in congenital heart disease but have not been reported for use in pacemaker implantation.
Relationship between Reaction Time and Electroencephalographic Alpha Phase

Demonstrations of a relationship between human 8 to 13 per second (alpha) electroencephalographic activity and simple visual reaction time can be made at reliable levels of confidence by (i) sampling reaction times to stimuli given at phases of the alpha cycle 10 msec apart, (ii) selecting the phase with the slowest reaction times, and (iii) collecting enough reaction times to stimuli at this and some other control phase for statistical comparison.
The role of streptococcal toxins in disease

Streptococci are responsible for a range of diseases in man and animals, summarized in Table 1. The organisms involved in these diseases produce a range of putative virulence factors including enzymes such as streptokinase, hyaluronidase and neuraminidases, polysaccharide capsules and toxins. This review will be confined to the role of the toxins in the disease process. For the purposes of this review the streptococcal toxins will be divided into two functional groups ; the superantigenic toxins and the haemolysins.
A scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire

SYNOPSIS This study reports the factor structure of the symptoms comprising the General Health Questionnaire when it is completed in a primary care setting. A shorter, 28-item GHQ is proposed consisting of 4 subscales: somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. Preliminary data concerning the validity of these scales are presented, and the performance of the whole 28-item questionnaire as a screening test is evaluated. The factor structure of the symptomatology is found to be very similar for 3 independent sets of data.
Effect of Metalearning on Feature Selection Employment

Feature Selection is important to improve learning performance, reduce computational complexity and decrease required storage. There are multiple methods for feature selection, with varying impact and computational cost. Therefore, choosing the right method for a given data set is important. In this paper, we analyze the advantages of metalearning for feature selection employment. This issue is relevant because a wrong decision may imply additional processing, when FS is unnecessarily applied, or in a loss of performance, when not used in a problem for which it is appropriate. Our results showed that, although there is an advantage in using metalearning, these gains are not yet sufficiently relevant, which opens the way for new research to be carried out in the area.
Sintomas depressivos nos estudantes de medicina da Universidade da Região de Joinville (SC)

Objetivo: verificar, comparar e analisar a epidemiologia da sintomatologia depressiva entre os estudantes dos cursos de Medicina, Engenharia Ambiental e Farmacia Bioquimica de uma universidade particular do Estado de Santa Catarina. Metodo: uma amostra de 140 estudantes de Medicina e 181 estudantes dos outros dois cursos foi avaliada em um estudo individuado-observacional seccional. A populacao estudada respondeu um questionario auto-avaliativo denominado inventario de Depressao de Beck, de junho a julho de 2003. Resultados: utilizando a escala de corte padrao de 9/10, 18/19 e 29/30, respectivamente, 27,85 por cento da amostra do curso de Medicina apresentaram sintomas de depressao leve a moderada, 10,71 por cento de depressao moderada a grave, e 2,14 por cento de depressao grave.
The active site of HIV‐1 protease

The active site of the homodimeric HIV‐1 protease includes six amino acids (triads AspThrGly found in each monomer) in amino acid positions 25 to 27 and 25′ to 27′. Up to now, the role of Thr26 and Thr26′, and Gly27 and Gly27′, is unknown. It is hypothesized that strong hydrogen‐bonding forces between the Thr26 and Thr26′ residues stabilize the conformational state of the active site, and that the function of Gly27 and Gly27′ is to accommodate and bind a substrate in a position in which the catalytic Asp25 and Asp25′ carboxylate groups can attack the amide moiety of a substrate. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 21, No. 4, 348–353, 2001
α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamate decreases both glucose and lactate metabolism in neurons and astrocytes: Implications for lactate as an energy substrate for neurons

The rates of uptake and oxidation of [U‐14C]lactate and [U‐14C]glucose were determined in primary cultures of astrocytes and neurons from rat brain, in the presence and absence of the monocarboxylic acid transport inhibitor α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamate (4‐CIN). The rates of uptake for 1 mM lactate and glucose were 7.45 ± 1.35 and 8.80 ± 1.0 nmol/30 sec/mg protein in astrocytes and 2.36 ± 0.19 and 1.93 ± 0.16 nmol/30 sec/mg protein in neuron cultures, respectively. Lactate transport into both astrocytes and neurons was significantly decreased by 0.25–1.0 mM 4‐CIN; however, glucose uptake was not affected. The rates of 14CO2 formation from 1 mM lactate and glucose were 12.49 ± 0.77 and 3.42 ± 0.67 nmol/hr/mg protein in astrocytes and 29.32 ± 2.81 and 10.04 ± 1.79 nmol/hr/mg protein in neurons, respectively. Incubation with 0.25 mM 4‐CIN decreased the oxidation of lactate and glucose to 57.1% and 54.1% of control values in astrocytes and to 13.2% and 41.6% of the control rates in neurons, respectively. Preincubation with 4‐CIN further decreased the oxidation of both glucose and lactate. Studies with glucose specifically labeled in the one and six positions demonstrated that 4‐CIN decreased mitochondrial glucose oxidation but did not impair the metabolism of glucose via the pentose phosphate pathway in the cytosol. The lack of effect of 4‐CIN on glutamate oxidation demonstrated that overall mitochondrial metabolism was not impaired. These findings suggest that the impaired neuronal function and tissue damage in the presence of 4‐CIN observed in other studies may be due in part to decreased uptake of lactate; however, the effects of 4‐CIN on mitochondrial transport would significantly decrease the oxidative metabolism of pyruvate derived from both glucose and lactate. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary renal graft thrombosis.

BACKGROUND Renal allograft thrombosis is a serious complication of kidney transplantation that ultimately leads to graft loss. Its association with acute and hyperacute rejection is well documented; however, in a large proportion of patients the precise cause remains obscure. The exact incidence and the associated risk factors for those episodes of graft thrombosis lacking evidence of rejection have not yet been clearly established. METHODS All reported episodes of graft thrombosis in 558 consecutive cadaveric kidney transplants performed in a single centre were examined to identify those without histopathological evidence of rejection, i.e. primary renal graft thrombosis. Univariate and multivariate types of analysis were applied to study the possibly related risk factors and any associated morbid event(s) of those episodes. Recipients without reported episodes of primary renal graft thrombosis (n = 493) represented the control group for the 34 identified cases. RESULTS The calculated incidence of primary renal graft thrombosis was 6% (1.9% arterial, 3.4% venous and 0.7% both), comprising 45% of early (90 days) and 37% of 1-year graft losses in our centre. The multivariate analysis identified five independent risk factors for primary renal graft thrombosis: donor's right kidney P < 0.007, past history of venous thrombosis (renal or extrarenal) P = 0.000, and diabetic nephropathy P = 0.000 of the recipient, technical surgical problems P = 0.000, and recipient's haemodynamic status peri and early postoperatively P < 0.001. Primary renal graft thrombosis was related to the presentation with delayed graft function (DGF) P < 0.0005 and was significantly associated with extrarenal thromboembolic manifestations P < 0.0005. There was no association between primary renal graft thrombosis and recipient's age, sex, number of previous transplants, type of dialysis, pretransplant treatment with erythropoietin, antiplatelet agents, or oral anticoagulants, donor's age, sex, number or graft vessels, warm and cold ischaemia times, site of transplant (R/L iliac fossa) and type of immunosuppressive agent used for induction whether cyclosporin A (CsA) or OKT3. CONCLUSIONS Primary renal graft thrombosis is an important cause of graft loss that may be accompanied by thrombosis of extrarenal sites and effective, safe prophylactic regimens are needed, especially for those at high risk.
A Framework for Intrusion Detection based on Frequent Subgraph Mining

In many application contexts, graphs have been widely used to model data due to their expressiveness and their suitability, since some kind of entities and their relationships must be encoded in the same structure. Nowadays, the progress of the technologies of computer and communications has boosted the appearing of unusual or suspicious activity, affecting the network operations. In this paper, a framework for intrusion detection based on frequent subgraph mining is presented. The former scheme includes a novel strategy for reducing the volume of data to be processed, without losing useful information. Finally, our proposal, using different settings, is analyzed and compared regarding some state-of-the-art approaches, achieving good results.
Impact of crystallization statistics on data retention for phase change memories

The stochastic nature of percolation is shown as a possible issue for retention in PCM devices, due to the occurrence of unlikely crystallization events that early decrease the device resistance. Failure time dispersions at high temperatures are measured and analyzed through a crystallization Monte Carlo model. A physical insight into nucleation and growth mechanisms is thus provided and a maximum working temperature of 105degC is extracted to guarantee, on large statistics, the 10 years data retention requirement for non volatile applications
The reinforcing effect of exercise in anorexia nervosa: Clinical correlates and relationship to outcome

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to examine the relative reinforcing effect of exercise compared to a non-monetary alternative reinforcer (leisure activity), and to money, before and after weight restoration in an inpatient population with anorexia nervosa (AN). Sixty-two inpatients with AN completed a progressive ratio (PR) task to earn exercise, leisure activities, or cash at low weight and after weight restoration. Measures of pathology and motivation to exercise were completed and post-treatment discharge weights were collected. Patients worked harder for exercise at low weight than after weight restoration (df = 46, t = 5.50, p < .001). PR task performance was weakly associated with a measure of commitment to exercise (low weight: r = 0.31, weight restored: r = 0.36, p < .05), but not with other clinical measures or follow-up weights. Contrary to prior suggestions, measurement of the reinforcing value of exercise among individuals with AN via a PR task does not appear valuable in assessing clinical severity or outcome. Other, simpler, self-report measures of commitment to exercise may have greater value in assessing these outcomes.
Boundary control of a Boussinesq equation for a crystal growth problem: aspects of numerical solution

Abstract An optimization problem for a Boussinesq equation system will be formulated. We are looking for a temperature profile or an appropriate velocity on the boundary of the considered region of the thermal coupled flow problem to induce a forced convection, which implies a velocity field close to a prescribed one. For such tracking type optimization problems with tracking type minimization functionals, the evaluation of the first-order necessary optimality condition leads to an optimality system consisting of the forward (primal) and adjoint (dual) mathematical model. Besides the derivation of the optimality system we discuss aspects of numerical solution, e.g. the spatial and time discretization and the iteration method for the solution of the resulting coupled nonlinear primal and dual problem in this paper. The optimization concept will be applied to a crystal growth flow and results of two-dimensional and three-dimensional model problems will be presented.
The prevalence of oral stage dysphagia in adults presenting with temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most commonly experienced non-dental orofacial pain disorders, with pain and dysfunction potentially resulting in oral stage dysphagia (OD). However, limited research has been conducted on this condition, with potential negative effects on clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OD in adults presenting with TMDs, diagnosed as per the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders or the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders protocols. Material and methods: A systematic review of the literature was completed. Nine electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2017, with no date/language restriction applied. Grey literature, conference proceedings, and reference lists were also searched. Studies presenting original data regarding OD prevalence in adults presenting with TMDs were included if they investigated impaired swallowing, mastication, masticatory pain or fatigue, or weight loss. Study eligibility and quality were assessed by two independent reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Down’s and Black tool. Results and conclusions: This search yielded 20 eligible studies. Swallowing itself was impaired in only 9.3% of patients with TMDs. A range of additional OD signs and symptoms were also commonly reported (e.g. masticatory pain (87.4%) and fatigue (62%)). Study limitations included the small number of studies which were eligible for inclusion. As signs and symptoms of OD are frequently reported by patients with TMDs, psychometrically robust prospective research is warranted to determine current and optimal management of this condition.
Experimental Evidence for Abiotic Sulfurization of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter

Dissolved organic sulfur (DOS) is the largest pool of organic sulfur in the oceans, and as such it is an important component of the global sulfur cycle. DOS in the ocean is resistant against microbial degradation and turns over on a millennium time scale. However, sources and mechanisms behind its stability are largely unknown. Here, we hypothesize that in sulfate-reducing sediments sulfur is abiotically incorporated into dissolved organic matter (DOM) and released to the ocean. We exposed natural seawater and the filtrate of a plankton culture to sulfidic conditions. Already after one hour at 20 °C, DOS concentrations had increased 4-fold in these experiments, and 14-fold after 4 weeks at 50 °C, indicating that organic matter does not need long residence times in natural sulfidic environments to be affected by sulfurization. Molecular analysis via ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry showed that sulfur was covalently and unselectively bound to DOM. Experimentally produced and natural DOS from sediments were highly similar on a molecular and structural level. By combining our data with published benthic DOC fluxes we estimate that 30 – 200 Tg DOS are annually transported from anaerobic and sulfate reducing sediments to the oceans. Uncertainties in this first speculative assessment are large. However, this first attempt illustrates that benthic DOS flux is potentially one order of magnitude larger than that via rivers indicating that this could balance the estimated global net removal of refractory DOS.