Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of the Terminal Oxygenase β Subunit in the Biphenyl Dioxygenase Reactivity Pattern toward Chlorobiphenyls

ABSTRACT Biphenyl dioxygenase (BPH dox) oxidizes biphenyl on adjacent carbons to generate 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl inComamonas testosteroni B-356 and in Pseudomonassp. strain LB400. The enzyme comprises a two-subunit (α and β) iron sulfur protein (ISPBPH), a ferredoxin (FERBPH), and a ferredoxin reductase (REDBPH). B-356 BPH dox preferentially catalyzes the oxidation of the double-meta-substituted congener 3,3′-dichlorobiphenyl over the double-para-substituted congener 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl or the double-ortho-substituted congener 2,2′-dichlorobiphenyl. LB400 BPH dox shows a preference for 2,2′-dichlorobiphenyl, and in addition, unlike B-356 BPH dox, it can catalyze the oxidation of selected chlorobiphenyls such as 2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl on adjacent meta-paracarbons. In this work, we examine the reactivity pattern of BPH dox toward various chlorobiphenyls and its capacity to catalyze themeta-para dioxygenation of chimeric enzymes obtained by exchanging the ISPBPH α or β subunit of strain B-356 for the corresponding subunit of strain LB400. These hybrid enzymes were purified by an affinity chromatography system as His-tagged proteins. Both types, the chimera with the α subunit of ISPBPH of strain LB400 and the β subunit of ISPBPH of strain B-356 (the αLB400βB-356 chimera) and the αB-356βLB400 chimera, were functional. Results with purified enzyme preparations showed for the first time that the ISPBPH β subunit influences BPH dox’s reactivity pattern toward chlorobiphenyls. Thus, if the α subunit were the sole determinant of the enzyme reactivity pattern, the αB-356βLB400 chimera should have behaved like B-356 ISPBPH; instead, its reactivity pattern toward the substrates tested was similar to that of LB400 ISPBPH. On the other hand, the αLB400βB-356 chimera showed features of both B-356 and LB400 ISPBPH where the enzyme was able to metabolize 2,2′- and 3,3′-dichlorobiphenyl and where it was able to catalyze the meta-para oxygenation of 2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl.
Methodological Approaches to Development and Implementation of Multi-agents Investment DSS Using JADE Platform

In these latter days software agents are used for the development and implementation of intellectual decision support systems. In order to implement intelligence in a system some or several dozen of software agents are used and the made system becomes multi-agent. For the development of these systems a set of methodologies, i.e., the sequence of consequent steps of analysis, designing and implementation, is offered. The carried out analysis of the methodologies showed that as a rule they are limited by the spectrum of their pending problem (within the pales of the requirements of specific applied task, within the pales of the possibilities of technical implementation) or within the pales of amount of detail. The variety of methodologies is influenced by the fact that for the development of these systems the requirements and attitudes are offered by the specialists of related spheres such as software, numeral intellect engineers. In the course of the development of hardware and software appeared possibilities to implement mobile multi-agents systems, however, there is no one united mobile multi-agent systems design methodology, whereas existing systems are underdeveloped and their number is small. In this article we introduce the course of the designing of an intellectual real time multi-agent investment management decision support information system adapting and combining some methodologies where the choice to use either communicating or mobile agents is the question of rather technical implementation than methodological. In the article we introduce two ways of system implementation by JADE platform: the first one—using communicating agents, and the second one—using mobile agents.
Thalamic deep brain stimulation for tremor in Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and dystonia

Objective: To report on the long-term outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) in Parkinson disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and dystonic tremor. Methods: One hundred fifty-nine patients with PD, ET, and dystonia underwent VIM DBS due to refractory tremor at the Grenoble University Hospital. The primary outcome was a change in the tremor scores at 1 year after surgery and at the latest follow-up (21 years). Secondary outcomes included the relationship between tremor score reduction over time and the active contact position. Tremor scores (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III, items 20 and 21; Fahn, Tolosa, Marin Tremor Rating Scale) and the coordinates of the active contacts were recorded. Results: Ninety-eight patients were included. Patients with PD and ET had sustained improvement in tremor with VIM stimulation (mean improvement, 70% and 66% at 1 year; 63% and 48% beyond 10 years, respectively; p < 0.05). There was no significant loss of stimulation benefit over time (p > 0.05). Patients with dystonia exhibited a moderate response at 1-year follow-up (41% tremor improvement, p = 0.027), which was not sustained after 5 years (30% improvement, p = 0.109). The more dorsal active contacts' coordinates in the right lead were related to a better outcome 1 year after surgery (p = 0.029). During the whole follow-up, forty-eight patients (49%) experienced minor side effects, whereas 2 (2.0%) had serious events (brain hemorrhage and infection). Conclusions: VIM DBS is an effective long-term (beyond 10 years) treatment for tremor in PD and ET. Effects on dystonic tremor were modest and transient. Classification of evidence: This provides Class IV evidence. It is an observational study.
Analysis of a Mobile System to Register the Kinematic Parameters in Ankle, Knee, and Hip based in Inertial Sensors

Understanding the lower-extremity kinematic during daily and sport activities provides important information in order to detect abnormalities in human gait or analyse the execution of different sport techniques. Following this approach, this paper presents a kinematic data collection system of human gait in the lower extremities using six inertial sensors MPU 6050 and a microcontroller ATMEGA328P-PU. Six tests were performed and the angular variation was recorded during the execution. The curves obtained during the tests showed a maximum error of±4,±1, and -4 degrees at the Yaw, Pitch, and Roll angles respectively. This study proposes a mobile and inexpensive system for detecting the angular variation in reduced speed movements, ideal for goniometric measurement or analyse the techniques in certain sports.
Rapid change, climate adversity and the next 'big dry': older farmers' mental health.

OBJECTIVE To describe the experiences of older farmers in the face of prolonged drought and rapid change. DESIGN Content analysis of issues and priorities raised in semi-structured community forums. SETTING Rural centres in NSW. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and fifty older farmers, their families, Industry and Investment NSW, rural financial and mental health services, the Country Women's Association and other non-government agencies. INTERVENTION Five public forums organised under the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program. RESULTS Prolonged drought caused pressures on farmers that compounded the usual stresses of farming and of ageing. These were experienced in the context of rapid social and industry change, fuel price volatility and the insidious threat of climate change. Three main themes were articulated: loss, government compliance pressures and difficulties accessing and/or inappropriate services. CONCLUSION Older farmers felt an overwhelming sense of loss: of profitability and professional success, community status, physical well-being and comfort, the ability to participate in the modern world and, above all, of relationships (partners, children and friends moving away). They interpreted government compliance requirements as evidence of community and government loss of trust in famers. They resisted using the few mental health services that might be available, fearing being labelled as 'crazy' and discouraged by the culturally inappropriate way in which services were offered. Older farmers would benefit from joint services related to health and well-being simultaneously with modern business management offered in trusted, comfortable settings.
Evaluation of an indirect oscillometric blood pressure monitor in normotensive and hypotensive anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the accuracy and precision of an oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure device as a predictor of invasive direct blood pressure in healthy anesthetized hypotensive and normotensive dogs. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING University teaching hospital. ANIMALS Eight crossbred adult dogs. INTERVENTIONS Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. A catheter was placed in the dorsal pedal artery to record systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures (aSAP, aMAP, and aDAP, respectively). The noninvasive blood pressure device cuff was placed around the contralateral front limb to record noninvasive systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressure (nSAP, nMAP, and nDAP). Two states of blood pressure (BP) were studied: baseline state was established by keeping end-tidal isoflurane concentration at 1.2+/-0.1%. The hypotensive state was achieved by maintaining the same isoflurane concentration while withdrawing approximately 40% of the animal's blood volume until aMAP was stable at approximately 40 mm Hg. At the end of the study, blood was returned to the animal and it was allowed to recover from anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Agreement between the direct and indirect BP measurements was determined by the Bland-Altman method. The SAP and MAP but not DAP bias varied significantly between each BP state. Normotensive absolute biases (mean [SD]) for SAP, MAP, and DAP were -14.7 mm Hg (15.5 mm Hg), -16.4 mm Hg (12.1 mm Hg), and -14.1 mm Hg (15.8 mm Hg), respectively. Absolute biases during the hypotensive state for SAP, MAP, and DAP were -32 mm Hg (22.6 mm Hg), -24.2 mm Hg (19.5 mm Hg), and -16.8 mm Hg (17.2 mm Hg), respectively. CONCLUSION The oscillometric device was not reliably predictive of intra-arterial BP during hypotension associated with acute hemorrhage.
Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara-Based Vaccine Vectors Induce Apoptosis in Dendritic Cells Draining from the Skin via both the Extrinsic and Intrinsic Caspase Pathways, Preventing Efficient Antigen Presentation

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells and central to the induction of immune responses following infection or vaccination. The collection of DC migrating from peripheral tissues by cannulation of the afferent lymphatic vessels provides DC which can be used directly ex vivo without extensive in vitro manipulations. We have previously used bovine migrating DC to show that recombinant human adenovirus 5 vectors efficiently transduce afferent lymph migrating DEC-205+ CD11c+ CD8− DC (ALDC). We have also shown that recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) infects ALDC in vitro, causing downregulation of costimulatory molecules, apoptosis, and cell death. We now show that in the bovine system, modified vaccinia virus Ankara-induced apoptosis in DC draining from the skin occurs soon after virus binding via the caspase 8 pathway and is not associated with viral gene expression. We also show that after virus entry, the caspase 9 pathway cascade is initiated. The magnitude of T cell responses to mycobacterial antigen 85A (Ag85A) expressed by recombinant MVA-infected ALDC is increased by blocking caspase-induced apoptosis. Apoptotic bodies generated by recombinant MVA (rMVA)-Ag85A-infected ALDC and containing Ag85A were phagocytosed by noninfected migrating ALDC expressing SIRPα via actin-dependent phagocytosis, and these ALDC in turn presented antigen. However, the addition of fresh ALDC to MVA-infected cultures did not improve on the magnitude of the T cell responses; in contrast, these noninfected DC showed downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), CD40, CD80, and CD86. We also observed that MVA-infected ALDC promoted migration of DEC-205+ SIRPα+ CD21+ DC as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells independently of caspase activation. These in vitro studies show that induction of apoptosis in DC by MVA vectors is detrimental to the subsequent induction of T cell responses.
Sb-Doped S/D Ultrathin Body Ge-On Insulator nMOSFET Fabricated by Improved Ge Condensation Process

We report the demonstration of ultrathin Ge-on-insulator (GOI) inversion-type nMOSFETs, fabricated by the optimized Ge condensation technique and solid-phase diffusion of Sb. The GOI structures with low hole concentration of 1017 cm-3 or less are realized by optimizing oxidation temperature and inserting annealing process for enhancement of intermixing in the Ge condensation process recipe. The hole concentration in the GOI body has been systematically analyzed with different oxidation temperature and insertion of annealing process. Highly doped n+ source/drain regions are formed in 16-nm-thick GOI layers by Sb solid-phase diffusion doping from spin-on-glass at 650°C. The high ION/IOFF ratio of 104 is observed in the fabricated nMOSFETs. The peak electron mobility of 107 cm2/Vs is obtained for the inversion-type GOI nMOSFETs.
Validation of a decision support system for the cytodiagnosis of fine needle aspirates of the breast using a prospectively collected dataset from multiple observers in a working clinical environment

We have used a 692 case dataset, collected retrospectively by a single observer, to develop decision support systems for the cytodiagnosis of fine needle aspirates of breast lesions. In this study, we use a 322 case dataset that was prospectively collected by multiple observers in a working clinical environment to test two predictive systems, using logistic regression and the multilayer perceptron (MLP) type of neural network. Ten observed features and the patient age were used as input features. The systems were developed using a training set and test set from the single observer dataset and then applied to the multiple observer dataset. For the independent test cases from the single observer dataset, with a threshold set for no false positives on the training set, logistic regression produced a sensitivity of 82% (95% confidence interval 73–91) and a predictive value of a positive result (PV +) of 98% (95–99), the values for the MLP were 79% (69–89) and 100%, respectively. However the performance on the prospective multiple observer dataset was much worse, with a sensitivity of 72% (65–80), and PV + of 97% (94–99) for logistic regression and 67% (60–75) and 91% (85–97) for the MLP. These results suggest that there is considerable interobserver variability for the defined features and that this system is unsuitable for further development in the clinical environment unless this problem can be overcome.
Parametric Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Breast

Objectives:To investigate the ability of parametric diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), applied at 3 Tesla, to dissect breast tissue architecture and evaluate breast lesions. Materials and Methods:All protocols were approved and a signed informed consent was obtained from all subjects. The study included 21 healthy women, 26 women with 33 malignant lesions, and 14 women with 20 benign lesions. Images were recorded at 3 Tesla with a protocol optimized for breast DTI at a spatial resolution of 1.9 × 1.9 × (2–2.5) mm3. Image processing algorithms and software, applied at pixel resolution, yielded vector maps of prime diffusion direction and parametric maps of the 3 orthogonal diffusion coefficients and of the fractional anisotropy and maximal anisotropy. Results:The DTI-derived vector maps and parametric maps revealed the architecture of the entire mammary fibroglandular tissue and allowed a reliable detection of malignant lesions. Cancer lesions exhibited significantly lower values of the orthogonal diffusion coefficients, &lgr;1, &lgr;2, &lgr;3, and of the maximal anisotropy index &lgr;1-&lgr;3 as compared with normal breast tissue (P < 0.0001) and to benign breast lesions (P < 0.0009 and 0.004, respectively). Maps of &lgr;1 exhibited the highest contrast-to-noise ratio enabling delineation of the cancer lesions. These maps also provided high sensitivity/specificity of 95.6%/97.7% for differentiating cancers from benign lesions, which were similar to the sensitivity/specificity of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of 94.8%/92.9%. Maps of &lgr;1-&lgr;3 provided a secondary independent diagnostic parameter with high sensitivity of 92.3%, but low specificity of 69.5% for differentiating cancers from benign lesions. Conclusion:Mapping the diffusion tensor parameters at high spatial resolution provides a potential novel means for dissecting breast architecture. Parametric maps of &lgr;1 and &lgr;1-&lgr;3 facilitate the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Secretion of atypical protein substrates by the ESAT‐6 Secretion System of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus encodes the specialized ESAT‐6 Secretion System (ESS). EsxA and EsxB are secreted by the ESS pathway, and share sequence features of ESAT‐6 and CFP‐10 of the Type VII Secretion System (T7SS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Unlike ESAT‐6 and CFP‐10, EsxA and EsxB do not interact. Instead, EsxB associates with a novel substrate, EsxD, and EsxA dimerizes with itself or EsxC (EsaC). Unlike EsxA and EsxB, EsxC and EsxD do not share obvious sequence features of WXG100 proteins nor PE/PPE and Esp families of proteins, all of which belong to the pfam EsxAB clan of mycobacterial T7SS. EsxD carries the C‐terminal motif YxxxD/E that has been proposed to target T7 substrates for secretion in mycobacteria. Here, we find that deletion, but not amino acid substitutions, in this motif prevent secretion of EsxA and EsxC but not EsxB or EsxD. This is unlike the genetic inactivation of esxA, esxB, esxC or esxD that leads to loss of secretion of all four substrates. Thus, substrate secretion can be uncoupled by deleting the last six amino acids of EsxD. The physical association of EsxC and EsxD with canonical WXG100 proteins suggests that these proteins belong to the EsxAB clan.
Biaxial quantification of passive porcine myocardium elastic properties by region

Article history: Received 6 March, 2017 Accepted 12 June 2017 Available online 21 June 2017 Considering accurate constitutive models is of the utmost importance when capturing the mechanical response of soft tissue and biomedical materials under physiological loading conditions. This paper investigated the behaviour of porcine myocardium in passive rested hearts. This was done by applying biaxial loads on the myocardium. The main objective of this research was to investigate the cardiac mechanics of various regions of a healthy passive rested porcine heart. The biaxial mechanical properties of myocardial tissue samples were captured using a biaxial testing system. The porcine heart was divided into three regions, namely, left ventricle (LV), septum and right ventricle (RV). In these regions, 18 × 18 mm2 equal samples were cut from six porcine passive hearts. For the LV sample, the biaxial elastic modulus in the fibre direction was 33.3% larger than in the cross fibre direction, for the mid-wall sample it was 18.8% larger, and for the RV sample it was 33.3% larger. It was concluded that the cardiac mechanics of LV, septum and RV exhibit mechanical behaviour that differs considerably. In developing adequate computational models, these data could be applied to estimate the material parameters of the myocardium. © 2017 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
An object attribute thresholding algorithm for document image binarization

Document image binarization is not a completely solved problem for unconstrained document images. Binarization algorithms, whether global or local, can easily fail on images with noisy or complex background, or poor contrast. The authors report preliminary results on a new approach to document image binarization, an algorithm based on gray scale histogram and run-length histogram analysis. Experimental results on unconstrained machine printed address blocks from the US letter mail stream show that over 99% of such address blocks can be correctly binarized. <<ETX>>
Cerebral glucose metabolism associated with a fear network in panic disorder

The present study was performed to assess cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with panic disorder using positron emission tomography. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with voxel-based analysis was used to compare regional brain glucose utilization in 12 nonmedicated panic disorder patients, without their experiencing panic attacks during positron emission tomography acquisition, with that in 22 healthy controls. Panic disorder patients showed appreciably high state anxiety before scanning, and exhibited significantly higher levels of glucose uptake in the bilateral amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus, and in the midbrain, caudal pons, medulla, and cerebellum than controls. These results provided the first functional neuroimaging support in human patients for the neuroanatomical hypothesis of panic disorder focusing on the amygdala-based fear network.
Qualitative Evaluation of the Capacity of Lactobacillus Strains to Degrade Mycotoxins Developed and Accumulated by Strains of the Genus Alternaria

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced and accumulated by mould. This study assessed the ability of 89 lactic acid bacteria, isolated from different sources, to degrade two mycotoxins by Alternaria: alternariol and altenuene. The mehodology employed was the thin layer chromatography. The results obtained allow us to demonstrate that a 16.85% of the strains (15/89 strains) are capable of decreasing the intensity of the band related at the alternariol and 14.60% (13/89 strains) is capable of decrease the intensity of the band that manifests the altenuane in Alufolium. All tests have been observed under wavelengths of 360 nm and 255 nm. The results obtained allow carrying out a selection of lactic acid strains capable of degrading or decreasing the concentration of mycotoxins selected for this.
Reducing the Risks of Morbidity, Disability, and Mortality Using Successful Aging Strategies

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of graduate students Saki Narita, Maaya Kita, and Yi Liao for their support in gathering and auditing medical records. Conflict of Interest: None. This study was funded by a Toyota Foundation Great East Japan Earthquake Special Policy Development grant. Author Contributions: Gilmour, Nomura, Oikawa: study concept. Gilmour, Oikawa, Nomura, Sugimoto: data collection and analysis. Gilmour: writing first draft. All authors: content editing. Sponsor’s Role: The Toyota Foundation had no role in the design, analysis, or writing of this study and no influence on the decision to publish.