Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Initiation of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS365 proceeds via multiple, convergent signalling pathways: a genetic analysis

Populations of surface‐attached microorganisms comprising either single or multiple species are commonly referred to as biofilms. Using a simple assay for the initiation of biofilm formation (e.g. attachment to an abiotic surface) by Pseudomonas fluorescens strain WCS365, we have shown that: (i) P. fluorescens can form biofilms on an abiotic surface when grown on a range of nutrients; (ii) protein synthesis is required for the early events of biofilm formation; (iii) one (or more) extracytoplasmic protein plays a role in interactions with an abiotic surface; (iv) the osmolarity of the medium affects the ability of the cell to form biofilms. We have isolated transposon mutants defective for the initiation of biofilm formation, which we term surface attachment defective (sad ). Molecular analysis of the sad mutants revealed that the ClpP protein (a component of the cytoplasmic Clp protease) participates in biofilm formation in this organism. Our genetic analyses suggest that biofilm formation can proceed via multiple, convergent signalling pathways, which are regulated by various environmental signals. Finally, of the 24 sad mutants analysed in this study, only three had defects in genes of known function. This result suggests that our screen is uncovering novel aspects of bacterial physiology.
Sestrin2 facilitates death receptor-induced apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells through regulation of XIAP degradation

Apoptosis plays a critical physiological role in controlling cell number and eliminating damaged, non-functional and transformed cells. Cancerous cells as well as some types of normal cells are often resistant to cell death induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines through death receptors. This potentially allows cancer cells to evade the control from the immune system and to proceed toward a more malignant stage, although the mechanisms of this evasion are not well established. We have recently identified the stress-responsive Sestrin2 protein as a critical regulator of cell viability under stress conditions. Sestrin2 is a member of a small family of antioxidant proteins and inhibitors of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase. Down-regulation of Sestrin1/2 leads to genetic instability and accelerates the growth of lung adenocarcinoma xenografts. Here we addressed the potential role of Sestrin2 in regulation of cell death induced by TNFR1 and related Fas and TRAIL receptors in lung adenocarcinoma cells. We found that Sestrin2 silencing strongly inhibits cytokine-induced cell death through a mechanism independent of ROS and mTORC1 regulation. We determined that the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) plays a critical role in the control of cytokine-induced cell death by Sestrin2. Thus our study defines a new, previously unrecognized role of Sestrin2 in the regulation of apoptosis.
Food supply chain management: systems, implementations, and future research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the food supply chain management (FSCM) in terms of systems and implementations so that observations and lessons from this research could be useful for academia and industrial practitioners in the future. Design/methodology/approach A systematical and hierarchical framework is proposed in this paper to review the literature. Categorizations and classifications are identified to organize this paper. Findings This paper reviews total 192 articles related to the data-driven systems for FSCM. Currently, there is a dramatic increase of research papers related to this topic. Looking at the general interests on FSCM, research on this topic can be expected to increase in the future. Research limitations/implications This paper only selected limited number of papers which are published in leading journals or with high citations. For simplicity without generality, key findings and observations are significant from this research. Practical implications Some ideas from this paper could be expanded into other possible domains so that involved parties are able to be inspired for enriching the FSCM. Future implementations are useful for practitioners to conduct IT-based solutions for FSCM. Social implications As the increasing of digital devices in FSCM, large number of data will be used for decision-makings. Data-driven systems for FSCM will be the future for a more sustainable food supply chain. Originality/value This is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive review on FSCM from the view of data-driven IT systems.
Using Framework Analysis in nursing research: a worked example.

AIMS To demonstrate Framework Analysis using a worked example and to illustrate how criticisms of qualitative data analysis including issues of clarity and transparency can be addressed. BACKGROUND Critics of the analysis of qualitative data sometimes cite lack of clarity and transparency about analytical procedures; this can deter nurse researchers from undertaking qualitative studies. Framework Analysis is flexible, systematic, and rigorous, offering clarity, transparency, an audit trail, an option for theme-based and case-based analysis and for readily retrievable data. This paper offers further explanation of the process undertaken which is illustrated with a worked example. DATA SOURCE AND RESEARCH DESIGN Data were collected from 31 nursing students in 2009 using semi-structured interviews. DISCUSSION The data collected are not reported directly here but used as a worked example for the five steps of Framework Analysis. Suggestions are provided to guide researchers through essential steps in undertaking Framework Analysis. The benefits and limitations of Framework Analysis are discussed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses increasingly use qualitative research methods and need to use an analysis approach that offers transparency and rigour which Framework Analysis can provide. Nurse researchers may find the detailed critique of Framework Analysis presented in this paper a useful resource when designing and conducting qualitative studies. CONCLUSION Qualitative data analysis presents challenges in relation to the volume and complexity of data obtained and the need to present an 'audit trail' for those using the research findings. Framework Analysis is an appropriate, rigorous and systematic method for undertaking qualitative analysis.
Evidence of Microbial Regulation of Biogeochemical Cycles from a Study on Methane Flux and Land Use Change

ABSTRACT Microbes play an essential role in ecosystem functions, including carrying out biogeochemical cycles, but are currently considered a black box in predictive models and all global biodiversity debates. This is due to (i) perceived temporal and spatial variations in microbial communities and (ii) lack of ecological theory explaining how microbes regulate ecosystem functions. Providing evidence of the microbial regulation of biogeochemical cycles is key for predicting ecosystem functions, including greenhouse gas fluxes, under current and future climate scenarios. Using functional measures, stable-isotope probing, and molecular methods, we show that microbial (community diversity and function) response to land use change is stable over time. We investigated the change in net methane flux and associated microbial communities due to afforestation of bog, grassland, and moorland. Afforestation resulted in the stable and consistent enhancement in sink of atmospheric methane at all sites. This change in function was linked to a niche-specific separation of microbial communities (methanotrophs). The results suggest that ecological theories developed for macroecology may explain the microbial regulation of the methane cycle. Our findings provide support for the explicit consideration of microbial data in ecosystem/climate models to improve predictions of biogeochemical cycles.
Customer segmentation based on commitment and ICT use

– The purpose of this paper is to determine and characterize groups of retail customers, based on their perception of commitment to the retailer and the degree of use of its technological equipment. , – A CHAID algorithm is performed and differences between the resulting segments are tested through the analysis of variance. , – Four segments are obtained that differ significantly in commitment to the retailer and level of use of the store's information and communication technology (ICT) facilities, as well as in other variables related to the retailer‐consumer relationship. In particular, customer segments differ in their use of retailers' payment facilities. , – The study provides a typology of consumers that enable retailers to take efficient decisions regarding their technology investments and to design effective marketing strategies. , – Although literature concerning interorganizational relationships has reported that commitment is influenced to a great extent by supplier investment in technology, the relation between these variables in retailing has received little attention. The paper explores the relationship between commitment and use of retailers' ICT solutions for retail customers.
Continuous Jerk Trajectory Planning Algorithms

This paper deals with two trajectory planning algorithms that provide a continuity of position, velocity, acceleration and jerk. The first method achieves that goal by separating a planned path and a corresponding velocity profile, while the other method combines fifth-order polynomials to satisfy the continuity of jerk and give smooth accelerations on all segments of the planned trajectory. Two methods were compared on a benchmark trajectory for a 3-DOF planar articulated robot and comments of the results obtained for each method are given.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in western North American Anodonta species

We have developed and characterized 13 microsatellite loci from a group of Anodonta species in western North America, and demonstrated their utility in populations representing two major clades in this genus. Allelic diversity and polymorphic information content were high for all loci, although these characteristics varied across populations. Deviations from Hardy–Weinberg genotypic ratios were not detected, although the estimated frequency of null alleles was high in one population for one locus. This is the first set of microsatellite loci to be developed for freshwater mussels in western North America, and will be useful for describing gene flow patterns among populations.
Drug development: The use of unlicensed/off-label medicines in pediatrics.

Received August 30, 201 From the Probiotics Re School of Medicine, J Medicine, Universit zUniversity of New S of Paediatrics and C Stellenbosch Univers Centre for Child Heal ment of Pediatrics, Pe University of Rome, R and Inborn Errors Pro MD. Address correspondence PhD, Juntendo Univer (e-mail: yamasiro@ju The authors report no co Copyright # 2012 by E Hepatology, and Nut Gastroenterology, He DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0b01
Proximal Forearm Flap Based on a Septocutaneous Vessel from the Radial Artery

Background: The radial forearm flap has been a workhorse flap for soft-tissue or coverage reconstruction in the head and neck area. Although it has several major advantages, it requires sacrifice of the radial artery. In this article, the authors present their modification of harvesting a forearm flap based on a large septocutaneous branch of the radial artery in the proximal forearm with or without sacrificing the main radial artery. They name it the proximal radial forearm flap. Methods: From September of 2003 to March of 2004, a total of 14 free proximal radial forearm flaps were used for head and neck reconstruction in 12 patients. There was one female patient and 11 male patients. Their ages ranged from 32 to 85 years. The skin flap size ranged from 2.0 × 6.0 cm to 4.5 × 18 cm. Results: All free proximal radial forearm flap reconstructions had immediate success. There were one delayed flap loss caused by wound infection and one death attributable to advanced medical disease. Six flaps were harvested with preservation of the radial artery trunk. Six of the eight radial arteries that were killed during flap harvest were repaired with a short segment (3 to 4 cm) of vein graft. The average diameter and length of the septocutaneous vessel of the proximal radial forearm flap was 0.73 mm and 3.3 cm, respectively. Two flaps were harvested in conjunction with the conventional free radial forearm flaps. Nine donor sites were closed primarily and five donor sites required skin grafts. Conclusions: The proximal radial forearm flap can be used successfully in head and neck reconstruction with the advantages of moving the donor site to the proximal forearm for better scar concealment and possible preservation of the radial artery trunk. The disadvantages of this flap are short pedicle length and small pedicle diameter when the radial artery is to be preserved.
Effects of Diet on Titratable Acid‐Base Excretion in Grasshoppers

Despite the potential for diet to affect organismal acid‐base status, especially in herbivores, little is known about the effects of diet on acid‐base loading and excretion. We tested the effects of diet on acid‐base loading and excretion in grasshoppers by (a) comparing the fecal acid‐base content of 15 grasshopper species collected from the field and (b) comparing fecal acid‐base excretion rates of Schistocerca americana grasshoppers fed vegetable diets that differed in their ashed and raw acid‐base contents. The field experiments indicated that grass‐feeding species excrete fairly neutral fecal pellets, while forb/mixed‐feeding species vary widely in their fecal acid‐base contents. In the laboratory experiment, acid‐base excretion rates were positively correlated with dietary ashed base intake rates but were not correlated with the acid‐base content of raw, unashed diet or feeding rate. These experiments suggest that some diets could strongly challenge the acid‐base homeostasis of herbivores; in some grasshoppers, dietary acid‐base loads could produce certainly lethal 1‐unit changes in average body pH within 6 h if they were not excreted.
Adaptive Efficient Power Control Scheme Optimization for Digital Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks

Traditional distributed power control algorithms in cognitive radio networks are based on the assumption of perfect channel estimation which can lead to performance degradation in practical system. Cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN) has emerged as a promising solution to address the spectrum-related challenges of wireless sensor networks (WSN). Moreover, cognitive radio (cr) gives us a possibility to maximize the utilization efficiency of limited spectrum resources. However, because the wireless devices coexist in the same radio environment, there are harmful channel conflicts among users. First at all, this paper presents a practical model of cumulative interferences from the entire cognitive radio based industrial wireless sensor networks (CR-IWSN). Then, based on the interference model, we propose an intelligent power control scheme to address the communication requirements. The simulation results show that the proposed distributed power control scheme can efficiently increase the energy efficiencies as well as the throughput of the CR-IWSN compared with the existing protocols.
Performance and Predictive Value of a User-Independent Platform for CT Perfusion Analysis: Threshold-Derived Automated Systems Outperform Examiner-Driven Approaches in Outcome Prediction of Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke aim to curtail ischemic progression. Emerging paradigms propose patient subselection using imaging biomarkers derived from CT, CTA, and CT perfusion. We evaluated the performance of a fully-automated computational tool, hypothesizing enhancements compared with qualitative approaches. The correlation between imaging variables and clinical outcomes in a cohort of patients with acute ischemic stroke is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with acute ischemic stroke and MCA or ICA occlusion undergoing multidetector CT, CTA, and CTP were retrospectively evaluated. CTP was processed on a fully operator-independent platform (RApid processing of PerfusIon and Diffusion [RAPID]) computing automated core estimates based on relative cerebral blood flow and relative cerebral blood volume and hypoperfused tissue volumes at varying thresholds of time-to-maximum. Qualitative analysis was assigned by 2 independent reviewers for each variable, including CT-ASPECTS, CBV-ASPECTS, CBF-ASPECTS, CTA collateral score, and CTA clot burden score. Performance as predictors of favorable clinical outcome and final infarct volume was established for each variable. RESULTS: Both RAPID core estimates, CT-ASPECTS, CBV-ASPECTS, and clot burden score correlated with favorable clinical outcome (P < .05); CBF-ASPECTS and collateral score were not significantly associated with favorable outcome, while hypoperfusion estimates were variably associated, depending on the selected time-to-maximum thresholds. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated disparities among tested variables, with RAPID core and hypoperfusion estimates outperforming all qualitative approaches (area under the curve, relative CBV = 0.86, relative CBF = 0.81; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative approaches to acute ischemic stroke imaging are subject to limitations due to their subjective nature and lack of physiologic information. These findings support the benefits of high-speed automated analysis, outperforming conventional methodologies while limiting delays in clinical management.
Fully silicided NiSi gate on La2O3 MOSFETs

We have fabricated the fully silicided NiSi on La/sub 2/O/sub 3/ for n- and p-MOSFETs. For 900/spl deg/C fully silicided CoSi/sub 2/ on La/sub 2/O/sub 3/ gate dielectric with 1.5 nm EOT, the gate dielectric has large leakage current by possible excess Co diffusion at high silicidation temperature. In sharp contrast, very low gate leakage current density of 2/spl times/10/sup -4/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 1 V is measured for 400/spl deg/C formed fully silicided NiSi and comparable with Al gate. The extracted work function of NiSi was 4.42 eV, and the corresponding threshold voltages are 0.12 and -0.70 V for respective n- and p-MOSFETs. Electron and hole mobilities of 156 and 44 cm/sup 2//V-s are obtained for respective n- and p-MOSFETs, which are comparable with the HfO/sub 2/ MOSFETs without using H/sub 2/ annealing.
A method for dinitrochlorobenzene contact sensitization. A clinicopathological study.

Abstract To facilitate measurement of cell-mediated immune responses, a method for quantitative clinical evaluation of contact sensitization to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was devised and used in 40 patients with cancer. When a sensitizing dose is applied, the immediate reaction produced expresses a general inflammatory response. Sensitization is expressed by the occurrence of a spontaneous flare seven to 14 days later, or by the reaction to a challenge dose of DNCB. Equivocal reactions require histologic examination. Use of a sensitizing dose of 2000 μg and a relatively weak challenge dose of 50 μg yielded a satisfactory incidence of sensitization with a low proportion of irritative inflammatory reactions.
Factor interactions with the simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA influence branch site selection and alternative splicing

To study the interaction of splicing factors with the simian virus 40 early-region pre-RNA, which can be alternatively spliced to produce large T and small t mRNAs, we used an in vitro RNase protection assay that defines the 5' boundaries of factor-RNA interactions. Protection products reflecting factor interactions with the large T and small t 5' splice sites and with the multiple lariat branch site region were characterized. All protection products were detected very early in the splicing reaction, before the appearance of spliced RNAs. However, protection of the large T 5' splice site was detected well before small t 5' splice site and branch site protection products, which appeared simultaneously. Oligonucleotide-targeted degradation of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) revealed that protection of the branch site region, which occurred at multiple sites, required intact U2 snRNA and was enhanced by U1 snRNA, while protection of the large T and small t 5' splice sites required both U1 and U2 snRNAs. Analysis of several pre-RNAs containing mutations in the branch site region suggests that factor interactions involving the multiple copies of the branch site consensus determine the selection of branch points, which is an important factor in the selection of alternative splicing pathways.
Definition and digital algorithms of dielectric loss factor for condition monitoring of high voltage power equipment with harmonics emphasis

Experience and applications of the currently available methods for on-line monitoring and diagnostics of high voltage power apparatus is briefly reviewed. Based on the dielectric physics, a new definition of dielectric loss factor with harmonics emphasis is proposed to evaluate the operational conditions of power apparatus on a more reasonable basis, along with corresponding digitised algorithms. Two approaches, namely the decoupling algorithm and the approximating algorithm, are presented to implement the methodologies with the new definition of dielectric loss factor. The impacts of background noise and power frequency fluctuation on estimation accuracy are analysed by computer simulations showing better application qualities of the approximating algorithm than the decoupling one. A comprehensive strategy of simultaneous monitoring of the sum current, dielectric loss factor, resistive current and capacitive current is recommended to give an effective assessment and diagnosis of both the insulation degradation and heat behaviours.
Stability of currently used cytometers facilitates the identification of pipetting errors and their volumetric operation: “Time” can tell all

M. Bergeron, G. Lustyik, S. Phaneuf, T. Ding, J. K. A. Nicholson, G. Janossy, H. Shapiro, D. Barnett, and F. Mandy* Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Soft Flow, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota National Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, United Kingdom West Newton, Massachusetts Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom