Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bentonite Binder on Adsorption and Cation Exchange Properties of Granulated Nano NaY Zeolite

In order to investigate the effect of bentonite binder on adsorption and cation exchange properties of granulated nano NaY zeolite, the adsorption of Xe and N2 and removal of Sr2+ ion from aqueous solution was studied. The results showed that increase in bentonite content of granules from 20 to 40 weight percent caused increase in the rupture load of granules by 232%, decrease in BET surface area by 66% and lower the Sr2+ uptake percentage by 35%. The Henry’s law constant, heat of adsorption, effective crystal diffusivity as well as activation energy of diffusion of Xe over granulated nano NaY with 25% bentonite was also measured by pulse chromatography method. Obtained results were compared with similar results of binderless micron sized NaY material. Results indicated that although the adsorption of xenon on the binder of bentonite was negligible, the diffusion resistance created by this binder was significant such that the effective crystal diffusivity in the granules with 25% binder determined to be 4302 percent lower than the granules with no binder.
Public Knowledge about and Detection of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Urban Divinópolis, Brazil

Background. Leishmaniases are diseases with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including cutaneous (CL) and visceral (VL) forms. Many factors may affect their occurrence and expansion including environmental, geographic, and social conditions. In the past two decades, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, has exhibited the potential for a disease outbreak, with the appearance of CL, and VL cases (human and canine). Hence, this study was initiated to monitor public knowledge of the disease. Questionnaires were administered in four neighborhoods (Jardim Belvedere, Esplanada, Danilo Passos I and II) where most of the human and canine cases have been reported. The analyses demonstrated that public knowledge of the disease is sparse and fragmented. A strong perception of the dog as the main reservoir was observed. Five veterinary clinics were evaluated for the presence of canine VL using serological (RIFI and ELISA) and molecular (PCR-RFLP) techniques. This is the first study demonstrating the occurrence of Leishmania infantum in Divinópolis, suggesting a possible urbanization of VL.
Preliminary results from intensity‐based CT‐SPECT fusion in I‐131 anti‐B1 monoclonal‐antibody therapy of lymphoma

In treatment of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with predose‐plus‐I‐131‐labeled anti‐B1 (anti‐CD20) monoclonal antibody, an intratherapy single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image is an important part of research estimates of tumor dosimetry. For that imaging, a computed tomography (CT)‐SPECT fusion is used both to obtain an attenuation map for the space‐alternating generalized expectation maximization reconstruction and to provide CT‐based volumes of interest (VoI) to determine activity in tumors and organs. Fusion based on external, skin‐surface markers has been used but may not correctly superimpose internal structures.
MR Imaging in a Child with Scurvy: a Case Report

Scurvy is very rare disease in industrialized societies. Nevertheless, it still exists in higher risk groups including economically disadvantaged populations with poor nutrition, such as the elderly and chronic alcoholics. The incidence of scurvy in the pediatric population is very low. This study reports a case of scurvy in a 5-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and developmental delay based on MRI findings.
An Approach to Speed-up the Word Sense Disambiguation Procedure through Sense Filtering

In this paper, we are going to focus on speed up of the Word Sense Disambiguation procedure by filtering the relevant senses of an ambiguous word through Part-of-Speech Tagging. First, this proposed approach performs the Part-of-Speech Tagging operation before the disambiguation procedure using Bigram approximation. As a result, the exact Part-of-Speech of the ambiguous word at a particular text instance is derived. In the next stage, only those dictionary definitions (glosses) are retrieved from an online dictionary, which are associated with that particular Part-of-Speech to disambiguate the exact sense of the ambiguous word. In the training phase, we have used Brown Corpus for Part-of-Speech Tagging and WordNet as an online dictionary. The proposed approach reduces the execution time upto half (approximately) of the normal execution time for a text, containing around 200 sentences. Not only that, we have found several instances, where the correct sense of an ambiguous word is found for using the Part-of-Speech Tagging before the Disambiguation procedure.
Robust Multi-Objective TEAM 22 Problem: A Case Study of Uncertainties in Design Optimization

This paper describes a robust version to the TEAM 22 benchmark optimization problem and presents the methodology WCSA (worst case scenario approximation) to solve this problem and other similar cases. The robust multi-objective TEAM 22 model was built from its classical configuration by assuming the imprecisions in the design space. General and specific robust optimization formulas were developed to elaborate WCSA approach. WCSA adds an uncertainty parameter in the objective and constraint functions to perform the role of the system's imprecisions. A multi-objective genetic algorithm approach was chosen to deal with the robust formulation and to find out the set of robust minimizers that matches with the problem requirements. The behavior of the robust Pareto front is also examined.
MicroRNAs That Contribute to Coordinating the Immune Response in Drosophila melanogaster

Atilano et al. present a Drosophila post-infection survival screen that takes advantage of a library of miRNA mutant flies. Using genome wide microarray. Small noncoding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression related to host defenses. Here, we have used Drosophila melanogaster to explore the contribution of individual or clusters of miRNAs in countering systemic Candida albicans infection. From a total of 72 tested, we identify 6 miRNA allelic mutant backgrounds that modulate the survival response to infection and the ability to control pathogen number. These mutants also exhibit dysregulation of the Toll pathway target transcripts Drosomycin (Drs) and Immune-Induced Molecule 1 (IM1). These are characteristics of defects in Toll signaling, and consistent with this, we demonstrate dependency for one of the miRNA mutants on the NF-κΒ homolog Dif. We also quantify changes in the miRNA expression profile over time in response to three pathogen types, and identify 13 mature miRNA forms affected by pathogens that stimulate Toll signaling. To complement this, we provide a genome-wide map of potential NF-κB sites in proximity to miRNA genes. Finally, we demonstrate that systemic C. albicans infection contributes to a reduction in the total amount of branch-chained amino acids, which is miRNA-regulated. Overall, our data reveal a new layer of miRNA complexity regulating the fly response to systemic fungal infection.
Microbial quality of irrigation water and irrigated vegetables in Kano State, Nigeria.

This work examined the quality of wastewater used for irrigation of vegetables in Kano State, Nigeria. It also assessed the sanitary quality of the irrigated vegetables by detecting the incidence of faecal indicator bacteria over a 9 months period between May 2010 to March 2011. Irrigation water sources received pollutants from various effluents discharged from industries, domestic sewage, abattoir and other non point sources of pollution. Physicochemical parameters of irrigation water were observed to be higher than acceptable limits. The counts of faecal coliform in the water and irrigated vegetables also exceeded the 1,000 CFU/100 ml guideline for water used in fresh produce. The presence of faecal-indicator bacteria in the irrigation water and vegetable samples suggests faecal pollution raising the possibility of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in these vegetables and a threat to public health. We recommend adequate treatment of effluents before discharge. The need for proper disinfection of raw vegetables before consumption cannot be overemphasized.
Algorithms for identifying Boolean networks and related biological networks based on matrix multiplication and fingerprint function

Due to the recent progress of the DNA microarray technology, a large number of gene expression profile data are being produced. How to analyze gene expression data is an important topic in computational molecular biology Several studies have been done using the Boolean network as a model of a genetic network This paper proposes efficient algorithms for identifying Boolean networks of bounded indegree and related biological networks, where identification of a Boolean network can be formalized as a problem of identifying many Boolean functions simultaneously. For the identification of a Boolean network, an <i>O</i>(<i>mn</i><sup><i>D</i>+1</sup>) time naive algorithm and a simple <i>O</i>(<i>mn</i><sup><i>D</i></sup>) time algorithm are known, where <i>n</i> denotes the number of nodes, <i>m</i> denotes the number of examples, and <i>D</i> denotes the maximum indegree. This paper presents an improved <i>O</i>(<i>m</i><sup><i>w</i>-2</sup><i>n</i><sup><i>D</i></sup> + <i>mn</i><sup><i>D</i>+<i>w</i>-3</sup>) time Monte-Carlo type randomized algorithm, where <i>w</i> is the exponent of matrix multiplication (currently, <i>w</i> < 2376). The algorithm is obtained by combining fast matrix multiplication with the randomized fingerprint function for string matching. Although the algorithm and its analysis are simple, the result is non-trivial and the technique can be applied to several related problems.
Structural Dissection and In Vivo Effectiveness of a Peptide Inhibitor of Porphyromonas gingivalis Adherence to Streptococcus gordonii

ABSTRACT The interaction of the minor fimbrial antigen (Mfa) with streptococcal antigen I/II (e.g., SspB) facilitates colonization of the dental biofilm by Porphyromonas gingivalis. We previously showed that a 27-mer peptide derived from SspB (designated BAR) resembles the nuclear receptor (NR) box protein-protein interacting domain and potently inhibits this interaction in vitro. Here, we show that the EXXP motif upstream of the NR core α-helix contributes to the Mfa-SspB interaction and that BAR reduces P. gingivalis colonization and alveolar bone loss in vivo in a murine model of periodontitis. Substitution of Gln for Pro1171 or Glu1168 increased the α-helicity of BAR and reduced its inhibitory activity in vitro by 10-fold and 2-fold, respectively. To determine if BAR prevents P. gingivalis infection in vivo, mice were first infected with Streptococcus gordonii and then challenged with P. gingivalis in the absence and presence of BAR. Animals that were infected with either 109 CFU of S. gordonii DL-1 or 107 CFU of P. gingivalis 33277 did not show a statistically significant increase in alveolar bone resorption over sham-infected controls. However, infection with 109 CFU of S. gordonii followed by 107 CFU of P. gingivalis induced significantly greater bone loss (P < 0.01) than sham infection or infection of mice with either organism alone. S. gordonii-infected mice that were subsequently challenged with 107 CFU of P. gingivalis in the presence of BAR exhibited levels of bone resorption similar to those of sham-infected animals. Together, these results indicate that both EXXP and the NR box are important for the Mfa-SspB interaction and that BAR peptide represents a potential therapeutic that may limit colonization of the oral cavity by P. gingivalis.
Required Early Complement Activation in Contact Sensitivity with Generation of Local C5-dependent Chemotactic Activity, and Late T Cell Interferon γ: A Possible Initiating Role of B Cells

Complement (C) is an important component of innate immunity, and was also shown recently to participate in induction of acquired B cell humoral immunity. In this study, we present evidence that C also participates in acquired T cell immunity. We found that C was involved in early events of the efferent elicitation phase of contact sensitivity (CS), and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Thus, CS and DTH were inhibited by administration of a C-blocker, soluble recombinant C receptor-1 (sCR1), when given 30 min before, but not 3 h after local antigen challenge. Among C components, local C5 were thought crucial to elicitation of CS, since local administration of anti-C5 monoclonal antibodies or locally injected C-depleting cobra venom factor also inhibited CS and DTH. These findings were consistent with our previous finding of the importance of C5 for CS elicitation, using congenitally C5-deficient mice. To dissect the mechanism of C dependence in CS, we demonstrated that locally increased early macrophage chemotactic activity (probably C5a) in evolving CS skin extracts, as well as late elaboration of IFN-γ, were both inhibited by anti-C treatment. In addition, histological analysis showed that leukocyte recruitment into CS ear sites was similarly C-dependent. Furthermore, an initiating role of B cell–derived C-fixing immunoglobulin was suggested by demonstration of impaired CS responses in B cell–deficient mice. In summary, these results suggest that C was activated locally, perhaps via a B cell product, in an important early component of the stepwise events necessary to elicit CS, leading to local production of C5-dependent macrophage chemotactic activity and later IFN-γ, and subsequently leading to cell infiltration, for development of T cell–dependent CS.
Origins of the E. coli strain causing an outbreak of hemolytic-uremic syndrome in Germany.

BACKGROUND A large outbreak of diarrhea and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome caused by an unusual serotype of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (O104:H4) began in Germany in May 2011. As of July 22, a large number of cases of diarrhea caused by Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli have been reported--3167 without the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (16 deaths) and 908 with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (34 deaths)--indicating that this strain is notably more virulent than most of the Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli strains. Preliminary genetic characterization of the outbreak strain suggested that, unlike most of these strains, it should be classified within the enteroaggregative pathotype of E. coli. METHODS We used third-generation, single-molecule, real-time DNA sequencing to determine the complete genome sequence of the German outbreak strain, as well as the genome sequences of seven diarrhea-associated enteroaggregative E. coli serotype O104:H4 strains from Africa and four enteroaggregative E. coli reference strains belonging to other serotypes. Genomewide comparisons were performed with the use of these enteroaggregative E. coli genomes, as well as those of 40 previously sequenced E. coli isolates. RESULTS The enteroaggregative E. coli O104:H4 strains are closely related and form a distinct clade among E. coli and enteroaggregative E. coli strains. However, the genome of the German outbreak strain can be distinguished from those of other O104:H4 strains because it contains a prophage encoding Shiga toxin 2 and a distinct set of additional virulence and antibiotic-resistance factors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that horizontal genetic exchange allowed for the emergence of the highly virulent Shiga-toxin-producing enteroaggregative E. coli O104:H4 strain that caused the German outbreak. More broadly, these findings highlight the way in which the plasticity of bacterial genomes facilitates the emergence of new pathogens.
The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Web-Based and Home-Based Postnatal Psychoeducational Interventions for First-Time Mothers: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Background In addition to recuperating from the physical and emotional demands of childbirth, first-time mothers are met with demands of adapting to their social roles while picking up new skills to take care of their newborn. Mothers may not feel adequately prepared for parenthood if they are situated in an unsupported environment. Postnatal psychoeducational interventions have been shown to be useful and can offer a cost-effective solution for improving maternal outcomes. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Web-based and home-based postnatal psychoeducational programs for first-time mothers on maternal outcomes. Methods A randomized controlled three-group pre- and posttests experimental design is proposed. This study plans to recruit 204 first-time mothers on their day of discharge from a public tertiary hospital in Singapore. Eligible first-time mothers will be randomly allocated to either a Web-based psychoeducation group, a home-based psychoeducation group, or a control group receiving standard care. The outcomes include maternal parental self-efficacy, social support, psychological well-being (anxiety and postnatal depression), and cost evaluation. Data will be collected at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-delivery. Results The recruitment (n=204) commenced in October 2016 and was completed in February 2017, with 68 mothers in each group. The 6-month follow-up data collection was completed in August 2017. Conclusions This study may identify an effective and cost-effective Web-based postnatal psychoeducational program to improve first-time mothers’ health outcomes. The provision of a widely-accessed Web-based postnatal psychoeducational program will eventually lead to more positive postnatal experiences for first-time mothers and positively influence their future birth plans. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 45202278; http://www.isrctn. com/ISRCTN45202278 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6whx0pQ2F).
Trace metal analysis of edible portion of Oreochromis nilotica in relation to growth

In this study, some metals were analyzed in edible portion of 57 samples of fresh water Oreochromis nilotica to study the potential human risk of consumption and the relationship between the metal load of fish and some other biological aspects (i.e. size and condition factor). The contents of all metals (i.e. chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel and zinc) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Mean concentration (ugg−1 dry weight) of metals in edible portion of wild Oreochromis nilotica have been found to be as 93. 306 ±72.14 (Zn), 26.012 ±25.194 (Cu), 31.925 ± 18.935(Ni), while Cr, Mn and Fe were not detected in all fish samples. The relationship between metal concentration and fish size (length and weight) was found non significant, but highly significant correlation was observed between metal concentration and condition factor except zinc. Overall the metal limits set by World Health Organization for human consumption in edible parts of the fish samples do not exceed the actual concentration found in fish samples and so not pose a risk for human health.
Fuzzy Identity Based Encryption Scheme with Some Assigned Attributes

In this paper the concept of Fuzzy IBE schemes with some fixed attributes (SAA-FIBE) is proposed and one construction of it is presented. SAA-FIBE scheme can be viewed as a variant of SW scheme described in \cite{SahaiW05} which demanding no fixed positive or negative attributes. In our scheme, a user with identity $ \omega $ can decrypt the message that is encrypted with a set of attributes, $ \omega ' $, if and only if $ | \omega ' \cap \omega | \geq d $ and $ \omega $ must have or must have not some attributes described in encryption policy. The scheme are both error-tolerant and secure against collusion attacks in the SPID-FIBE attack model.
Laboratory based training in urological microsurgery with bench model simulators: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the durability of technical skill.

PURPOSE We evaluated the durability of laboratory based technical skills training in urological microsurgery using bench model simulators. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 50 junior surgery residents (post-graduate years 1 to 3) were recruited to participate in a focused training program in urological microsurgery. Prior to training subjects were randomized to receive hands-on training with bench model simulators (silicone tubing or live rat vas deferens, 40) or didactic training alone (10). Four months following the original training program the technical performance of 18 returning subjects (13 from the bench model and 5 from the didactic training group) was reevaluated using a high fidelity, live animal model (vasovasostomy and rat vas deferens). Outcome measures included blinded, expert assessment of videotaped performance using checklists and global rating scores, and evaluation of anastomotic patency. RESULTS The retention test checklist (p <0.001), global rating scores (p <0.001) and anastomotic patency rates (p = 0.05) in the live animal model remained significantly higher for subjects who originally received hands-on bench model training compared with those who received didactic training alone. The number of interim practice opportunities with microsurgery correlated significantly with expert global ratings of surgical performance irrespective of the nature of training (r = 0.54, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Laboratory based technical skills training with bench models can lead to a significant retention of technical skill by novice surgeons. Measured performance improvements appear to be durable with time. However, the opportunity for repeat hands-on practice appears to maximize the retention of technical skill.
Association of partner status and disposition with rehospitalization in heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND Sociodemographic variables that are predictors of rehospitalization for heart failure may better inform hospital discharge strategies. OBJECTIVES (1) To determine whether sociodemographic variables are predictors of hospital readmission, (2) to determine whether sociodemographic or laboratory variables differ by age group as predictors of readmission, and (3) to compare whether patients' discharge disposition differs by age group in predicting readmission. METHODS Retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients with heart failure admitted in 2007. RESULTS Mean age was 68 (SD, 17) years for the 809 patients, with slightly more than one-third (n = 311, 38%) reporting a legal partner. Fewer than half (n = 359, 44%) were white. Almost one-third (n = 261, 32%) were rehospitalized within 90 days. Multivariable analysis revealed that patients younger than 65 years old and not partnered were at 1.8 times greater risk for being readmitted 90 days after discharge (P = .02; 95% CI, 0.33-0.92). Patients who were 65 years and older and not partnered were at 2.2 times greater risk for readmission (P = .01; 95% CI, 0.25-0.85) after creatinine level and discharge disposition were controlled for. For older patients discharged to home or to home with home services, the risk of readmission was 2.6 times greater than that for patients discharged to a skilled nursing facility (P = .02; 95% CI, 1.20-5.56). CONCLUSIONS The absence of a partner was predictive of readmission in all patients. Older patients with heart failure who were discharged to a skilled nursing facility had lower readmission rates. The effect of partner and disposition status may suggest a proxy for social support. Strategies to provide social support during discharge planning may have an effect on hospital readmission rates.