Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in expanded spectrum beta lactamase producing enterobacteriaceae in Morocco.

INTRODUCTION Although independently acquired, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance appears to be linked with extended-spectrum or AmpC-type beta-lactamases. Since no data are available in African countries, the prevalence of qnr genes at the University Hospital Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Morocco, was investigated. METHODOLOGY Between October 2006 and March 2007, the following 39 randomly selected non-duplicate Enterobacteriaceae producing an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), representing 20% of ESBL strains with respect to species and ward origin, were collected: Escherichia coli (n = 16); Klebsiella spp (n = 14); Enterobacter cloacae (n = 8); Proteus mirabilis (n = 1). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI guidelines. ESBL detection was performed by the double disc diffusion test. A multiplex PCR was conducted to detect qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes that were confirmed by sequencing of the PCR product. RESULTS The estimated overall prevalence of qnr reached 36% (n = 14; qnrA, 10.25%; qnrB, 23.07%; qnrS, 2.56%). Genes were identified in E. coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter with a respective prevalence of 18.7%, 50% and 62.5%. The qnr genes were detected in nine wards and qnrA1, qnrB1-B2-B4 and qnrS1 variants were identified. Three genes were identified among nalidixic acid susceptible strains (n = 6); three of those were also susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Among nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistant strains, all strains had qnrB. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the high prevalence of qnr genes among ESBL strains in the Ibn Rochd CHU, Casablanca. Moreover, qnr were present in quinolone-susceptible strains which could lead to in vivo selection of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains.
Initiating interactions in order to get help: Effects of social framing on people's responses to robots' requests for assistance

Robots often need to ask humans for help, for instance to complete a human component in a larger task or to recover from an unforeseen error. In this paper, we explore how robots can initiate interactions with people in order to ask for help. We discuss a study in which a robot initiated interaction with a participant by producing either an acoustic signal or a verbal greeting. Thereafter, the robot produced a gesture in order to request help in performing a task. We investigate the effect that social framing by means of a verbal greeting may have on people's attention to the robot, on their recognition of the robot's actions and intention, and on their willingness to help. The results show that social framing, in contrast to other methods for getting a person's continued attention, is effective and increases how friendly the robot appears. However, it has little influence on people's willingness to assist the robot, which rather depends on the activities people are engaged in, and on the readability of the robot's request.
ASSISTED COGNITION IN COMMUNITY , EMPLOYMENT , AND SUPPORT SETTINGS ( PROJECT ACCESS ) Project

The goal of Project ACCESS is to create novel technologies that will enhance the quality of life of people with cognitive disabilities. Specifically, we investigate the use of assisted cognition as a tool for providing situational awareness to support individuals with cognitive disabilities in living, working and fully participating in community activities. Being part of a community involves many aspects. In our project, we continue to focus on problems associated with navigating physical surroundings. These can often be confusing as traveling from one end of a city to another for employment or even navigating a complex medical building can be quit challenging. More broadly, we want to consider several other aspects of community integration including reminders for errands, assisting in social gathering, and improving performance on the job. We have two primary objectives: (a) developing technologies to support individuals with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers that will allow for greater independence; and (b) refining and implementing participatory processes for gathering and utilizing data from consumers and caregivers that guide the development process.
TGF-&bgr;1-Mediated Fibrosis and Ion Channel Remodeling Are Key Mechanisms in Producing the Sinus Node Dysfunction Associated With SCN5A Deficiency and Aging

Background—Mutations in the cardiac Na+ channel gene (SCN5A) can adversely affect electric function in the heart, but effects can be age dependent. We explored the interacting effects of Scn5a disruption and aging on the pathogenesis of sinus node dysfunction in a heterozygous Scn5a knockout (Scn5a+/−) mouse model. Methods and Results—We compared functional, histological, and molecular features in young (3 to 4 month) and old (1 year) wild type and Scn5a+/− mice. Both Scn5a disruption and aging were associated with decreased heart rate variability, reduced sinoatrial node automaticity, and slowed sinoatrial conduction. They also led to increased collagen and fibroblast levels and upregulated transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 (TGF-&bgr;1) and vimentin transcripts, providing measures of fibrosis and reduced Nav1.5 expression. All these effects were most noticeable in old Scn5a+/− mice. Na+ channel inhibition by Nav1.5-E3 antibody directly increased TGF-&bgr;1 production in both cultured human cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. Finally, aging was associated with downregulation of a wide range of ion channel and related transcripts and, again, was greatest in old Scn5a+/− mice. The quantitative results from these studies permitted computer simulations that successfully replicated the observed sinoatrial node phenotypes shown by the different experimental groups. Conclusions—These results implicate a tissue degeneration triggered by Nav1.5 deficiency manifesting as a TGF-&bgr;1-mediated fibrosis accompanied by electric remodeling in the sinus node dysfunction associated with Scn5a disruption or aging. The latter effects interact to produce the most severe phenotype in old Scn5a+/− mice. In demonstrating this, our findings suggest a novel regulatory role for Nav1.5 in cellular biological processes in addition to its electrophysiologic function.
RDAG: A structure-free real-time data aggregation protocol for wireless sensor networks

Data aggregation is an effective technique which is introduced to save energy by reducing packet transmissions in WSNs. However, it extends the delay at the intermediate nodes, so it can complicate the handling of delay-constrained data in event-critical applications. Besides, the structure-based aggregation as the dominant data gathering approach in WSNs suffers from high maintenance overhead in dynamic scenarios for event-based applications. In this paper, to make aggregation more efficient, we design a novel structure-free Real-time Data Aggregation protocol, RDAG, using a Real-time Data-aware Routing policy and a Judiciously Waiting policy for spatial and temporal convergence of packets. Extensive simulations in NS-2 verify the superiority of RDAG in WSNs.
The Redox Sensor TXNL1 Plays a Regulatory Role in Fluid Phase Endocytosis

Background Small GTPases of the Rab family can cycle between a GTP- and a GDP-bound state and also between membrane and cytosol. The latter cycle is mediated by the Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor GDI, which can selectively extract GDP-bound Rab proteins from donor membranes, and then reload them on target membranes. In previous studies, we found that capture of the small GTPase Rab5, a key regulator of endocytic membrane traffic, by GDI is stimulated by oxidative stress via p38MAPK, resulting in increased fluid phase endocytosis. Methodology/Principal Findings When purifying the GDI stimulating activity we found that that it copurified with a high MW protein complex, which included p38MAPK. Here we report the identification and characterization of another component of this complex as the thioredoxin-like protein TXNL1. Our observations indicate that TXNL1 play a selective role in the regulation of fluid phase endocytosis, by controlling GDI capacity to capture Rab5. Conclusions/Significance Oxidants, which are known to cause cellular damage, can also trigger signaling pathways, in particular via members of the thioredoxin family. We propose that TXNL1 acts as an effector of oxidants or a redox sensor by converting redox changes into changes of GDI capacity to capture Rab5, which in turn modulates fluid phase endocytosis.
Arterial thrombosis associated with adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: A case report

Purpose: To report a case of arterial thrombosis in a 63‐year‐old female undergoing treatment with multiagent chemotherapy for breast cancer. An overview of the prevalence and pathogenesis of the disorder, clinical diagnosis, and treatment are discussed. Data sources: Case report, diagnostic evidence, and scientific literature. Conclusions: Arterial thrombosis is an extremely rare complication of multichemotherapy treatment of breast cancer. Although the risk of arterial thromboembolism appears to be low, it can have devastating complications that result in significant morbidities and, sometimes, death. Implications for practice: As the risk of arterial thrombosis is low, many healthcare providers may not be aware of this potentially serious complication. Thrombosis prophylaxis should be considered for patients with risk factors. In cases where arterial thrombosis occurs, immediate thrombolitic therapy or operative intervention should be considered.
Phase II dose–response trials: A simulation study to compare analysis method performance under design considerations

ABSTRACT Phase II trials are intended to provide information about the dose–response relationship and to support the choice of doses for a pivotal phase III trial. Recently, new analysis methods have been proposed to address these objectives, and guidance is needed to select the most appropriate analysis method in specific situations. We set up a simulation study to evaluate multiple performance measures of one traditional and three more recent dose-finding approaches under four design options and illustrate the investigated analysis methods with an example from clinical practice. Our results reveal no general recommendation for a particular analysis method across all design options and performance measures. However, we also demonstrate that the new analysis methods are worth the effort compared to the traditional ANOVA-based approach.
Against Homeopathy – A Utilitarian Perspective

I examine the positive and negative features of homeopathy from an ethical perspective. I consider: (a) several potentially beneficial features of homeopathy, including non-invasiveness, cost-effectiveness, holism, placebo benefits and agent autonomy; and (b) several potentially negative features of homeopathy, including failure to seek effective healthcare, wastage of resources, promulgation of false beliefs and a weakening of commitment to scientific medicine. A utilitarian analysis of the utilities and disutilities leads to the conclusion that homeopathy is ethically unacceptable and ought to be actively rejected by healthcare professionals.
Research on stability of competitive strategic alliance by analytic hierarchy process(AHP)

Stability is crucial for the development of a competitive strategic alliance, which will also decide whether the alliance can realize its strategic objective. In terms of outer factors, corporation and relationship between companies in the alliance, this article will use AHP to analyze the factors which influence the stability of a competitive strategic alliance. Furthermore, it will adopt weight quantification to compare the importance of each factor, and make the conclusion, enterprise own innovation ability, core competencies as well as coherent strategic objective are the key influencing factors of competitive strategic alliance stable.
Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of the Insect Pathogenic Bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila Strain C2-3, Isolated from Nematode Steinernema carpocapsae in the Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT Xenorhabdus nematophila strain C2-3, which belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, was isolated from entomopathogenic nematodes collected in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we report a 4.38-Mbp draft genome sequence of X. nematophila strain C2-3, with a 43.6% G+C content. The RAST annotation analysis revealed 4,994 protein-coding sequences in the draft genome.
Pedunculopontine Nucleus Gamma Band Activity-Preconscious Awareness, Waking, and REM Sleep

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a major component of the reticular activating system (RAS) that regulates waking and REM sleep, states of high-frequency EEG activity. Recently, we described the presence of high threshold, voltage-dependent N- and P/Q-type calcium channels in RAS nuclei that subserve gamma band oscillations in the mesopontine PPN, intralaminar parafascicular nucleus (Pf), and pontine subcoeruleus nucleus dorsalis (SubCD). Cortical gamma band activity participates in sensory perception, problem solving, and memory. Rather than participating in the temporal binding of sensory events as in the cortex, gamma band activity in the RAS may participate in the processes of preconscious awareness, and provide the essential stream of information for the formulation of many of our actions. That is, the RAS may play an early permissive role in volition. Our latest results suggest that (1) the manifestation of gamma band activity during waking may employ a separate intracellular pathway compared to that during REM sleep, (2) neuronal calcium sensor (NCS-1) protein, which is over expressed in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, modulates gamma band oscillations in the PPN in a concentration-dependent manner, (3) leptin, which undergoes resistance in obesity resulting in sleep dysregulation, decreases sodium currents in PPN neurons, accounting for its normal attenuation of waking, and (4) following our discovery of electrical coupling in the RAS, we hypothesize that there are cell clusters within the PPN that may act in concert. These results provide novel information on the mechanisms controlling high-frequency activity related to waking and REM sleep by elements of the RAS.
Air muscle controller design in the distributed macro-mini (DM2) actuation approach

Recently, on the base of distributed macro-mini actuation approach (DM2), a new robotic manipulator with hybrid actuation, air muscles-DC motor, has been developed. Among existing actuators, the hybrid actuation employs air muscles because they represent an advantageous tradeoff of performance and safety, due to their power/weight ratio and inherent compliance. The air muscles, however, are limited in bandwidth and their behavior is highly nonlinear. In order to overcome these limitations, the paper presents a torque control strategy based on a pair of differentially connected force-controlled air muscles. This controller was implemented and evaluated on a single joint testbed, first by itself and then as macro component into the Macro-Mini control strategy.
Robust methods for EMC-driven routing

Due to the application of fast device technologies and the increasing complexity of printed-circuit boards, electromagnetic phenomena, e.g. reflections and crosstalk, gain more and more importance and may even disturb the function of a circuit. In the future, it will be indispensable to already consider phenomena of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) during layout synthesis. In this paper, robust methods are presented that make it possible for the first time to incorporate complex EMC constraints and cost criteria into printed-circuit board routing. This includes both concepts for the development and specification of EMC design models and robust and efficient algorithms for EMC-driven routing that can handle these models. >
Regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha transcription in macrophages: involvement of four kappa B-like motifs and of constitutive and inducible forms of NF-kappa B

This study characterizes the interaction of murine macrophage nuclear proteins with the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) promoter. Gel retardation and methylation interference assays showed that stimulation of TNF-alpha gene transcription in peritoneal exudate macrophages was accompanied by induction of DNA-binding proteins that recognized with different affinities four elements related to the kappa B consensus motif and a Y-box motif. We suggest that the basal level of TNF-alpha expression in macrophages is due to the binding of a constitutive form of NF-kappa B, present at low levels in nuclei from resting thioglycolate exudate peritoneal macrophages, to some if not all of the kappa B motifs; we postulate that this constitutive form contains only the 50-kilodalton (kDa) DNA-binding protein subunits of NF-kappa B, not the 65-kDa protein subunits (P. Baeuerle and D. Baltimore, Genes Dev. 3:1689-1698, 1989). Agents such as glucocorticoids, which decrease TNF-alpha transcription, diminished the basal level of nuclear NF-kappa B. Stimulation of Stimulation of TNF-alpha transcription in macrophages by lipopolysaccharide, gamma interferon, or cycloheximide led to an increased content of nuclear NF-kappa B. This induced factor represents a different form of NF-kappa B, since it generated protein-DNA complexes of slower mobility; we propose that this induced form of NF-kappa B contains both the 50- and 65-kDa protein subunits, the latter ones being necessary to bind NF-kappa B to its cytoplasmic inhibitor in uninduced cells (Baeuerle and Baltimore, Genes Dev., 1989). In resting cells, this inducible form of NF-kappa B was indeed detectable in the cytosol after deoxycholate treatment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Description Strategies for Naive & Expert Users

It is widely recognized that a question-answering system should be able to tailor its answers to the user. One of the dimensions along which this tailoring can occur is with respect to the level of knowledge of a user about a domain. In particular, responses should be different depending on whether they are addressed to naive or expert users. To understand what those differences should be, we analyzed texts from adult and junior encyclopedias. We found that two different strategies were used in describing complex physical objects to juniors and adults. We show how these strategies have been implemented on a test database.
Glaucoma Topographic Characteristics of Optic Disc Hemorrhage in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea Interdisciplinary Program, Bioengineering Major, Graduate School, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Immunological Relationship between the Class I Epitope of Streptococcal M Protein and Myosin

ABSTRACT The class I epitope of streptococcal M protein is an epidemiological marker for acute rheumatic fever (ARF)-associated serotypes of group A streptococci and is recognized by anti-M protein monoclonal antibody (MAb) 10B6. Using MAb 10B6, we determined the relationship between the class I epitope of M protein and the α-helical coiled-coil protein myosin. MAb 10B6 reacted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting with human cardiac myosin and rabbit skeletal myosin and its heavy meromyosin (HMM) subfragment. Overlapping synthetic peptides of M5 protein were used to identify the region of M5 protein recognized by MAb 10B6. Two C repeat peptides (C2A and C3) containing the amino acid sequence KGLRRDLDASREAK reacted with MAb 10B6. Partial sequence identity, RRDL, was found in the HMM fragment of myosin, which reacted with MAb 10B6. However, not all peptides of M5 protein and myosin containing the RRDL sequence reacted with MAb 10B6. ARF sera and sera from uncomplicated pharyngitis (UNC) reacted with C repeat region peptides of M protein, while acute glomerulonephritis sera were not as reactive. Affinity-purified human antibody to peptide C3 reacted with myosin. The data demonstrate that the class I epitope of M protein is immunologically cross-reactive with myosin and the HMM subfragment, and antibodies to peptide C3 and myosin were present in ARF and UNC sera.
Evaluating requirements for spatial resolution of fMRI for neurosurgical planning

The unambiguous localization of eloquent functional areas is necessary to decrease the neurological morbidity of neurosurgical procedures. We explored the minimum spatial resolution requirements for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquisition when brain mapping is used in neurosurgical planning and navigation. Using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI scanner, eight patients with brain tumors underwent fMRI scans using spatial resolution of approximately 4 × 4 × 4 mm3 to map the eloquent motor and language areas during the performance of cognitive/sensorimotor tasks. The fMRI results were then used intra‐operatively in an open MRI system to delineate eloquent areas. Retrospectively, activation patterns were visually inspected by a neurosurgeon to determine qualitatively whether ambiguity with respect to the activation boundaries, due to low spatial resolution, could be of potential significance for surgical guidance. A significant degree of ambiguity in both the extent and shape of activation was judged to be present in data from six of the eight patients. Analysis of fMRI data at multiple resolutionsom sixl aia frogfica ger showed that at 3 mm isotropic resolution, eloquent areas were better localized within the gray matter although there was still some potential for ambiguity caused by activations appearing to cross a sulcus. The data acquired with 2‐mm isotropic voxels significantly enhanced the spatial localization of activation to within the gray matter. Thus, isotropic spatial resolution on the order of 2 × 2 × 2 mm3, which is much higher than the resolutionsoused in typical fMRI examinations, may be needed for the unambiguous identification of cortical activation with respect to tumors and important anatomical landmarks. Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:34–43, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MinneSPEC: A New SPEC Benchmark Workload for Simulation-Based Computer Architecture Research

Computer architects must determine how tomost effectively use finite computational resources whenrunning simulations to evaluate new architectural ideas.To facilitate efficient simulations with a range of benchmarkprograms, rn have developed the MinneSPEC inputset for the SPEC CPU 2000 benchmark suite. Thisnew workload allows computer architects to obtain simulationresults in a reasonable time using existing sirnulators.While the MinneSPEC workload is derived from thestandard SPEC CPU 2000 warklcad, it is a valid benchmarksuite in and of itself for simulation-based research.MinneSPEC also may be used to run Iarge numbers ofsimulations to find "sweet spots" in the evaluation parameterspace. This small number of promising designpoints subsequently may be investigated in more detailwith the full SPEC reference workload. In the processof developing the MinneSPEC datasets, we quantify itsdifferences in terms of function-level execution patterns,instruction mixes, and memory behaviors compared tothe SPEC programs when executed with the reference inputs.We find that for some programs, the MinneSPECprofiles match the SPEC reference dataset program behaviorvery closely. For other programs, however, theMinneSPEC inputs produce significantly different programbehavior. The MinneSPEC workload has been recognizedby SPEC and is distributed with Version 1.2 andhigher of the SPEC CPU 2000 benchmark suite.