Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the 5.8S rRNA Gene and Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions of Trichomonadid Protozoa Recovered from the Bovine Preputial Cavity

Sequence analysis of the 5.8S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITSRs) was used to compare trichomonadid protozoa (n = 39) of varying morphologies isolated from the bovine preputial cavity. A multiple sequence alignment was performed with bovine isolate sequences and other trichomonadid protozoa sequences available in GenBank. As a group, Tritrichomonas foetus isolates (n = 7) had nearly complete homology. A similarity matrix showed low homology between the T. foetus isolates and other trichomonads recovered from cattle (<70%). Two clusters of trichomonads other than T. foetus were identified. Eighteen isolates comprised 1 group. These isolates shared >99% homology among themselves and with Pen-tatrichomonas hominis. The other non–T. foetus cluster (n = 14) did not exhibit a high degree of homology (<87%) with other bovine isolates or any of the trichomonad sequences available in GenBank. The sequence homology among isolates in that cluster was >99%, except for 1 isolate that varied from the others in both ITSRs (∼2% dissimilarity). Sequence analysis of the 5.8S rRNA gene and ITSRs was useful for comparing trichomonadid protozoa isolated from the bovine preputial cavity and demonstrated that 2 distinct types of trichomonads constituted the non–T. foetus isolates recovered from the bovine preputial cavity.
Aphasia of local media in public crisis

Academia of China started to focus on the performance of media in the Event of SARS in 2003, while a series of public crises in 2008 deepened their study on the reporting methods and the communicative effects. However, local media are relatively less studied, so this paper studies and analyzes the function of crisis management based on the local media's performance in crises. Taking some typical public crisis events in China as examples, this paper explores the status quo, problems of aphasia and reasons in Chinese local media, and proposes some advice to develop the function of Chinese local media and improve their credibility when they deal with public crises.
Persistent pain and well-being: a World Health Organization Study in Primary Care.

CONTEXT There is little information on the extent of persistent pain across cultures. Even though pain is a common reason for seeking health care, information on the frequency and impacts of persistent pain among primary care patients is inadequate. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and impact of persistent pain among primary care patients. DESIGN AND SETTING Survey data were collected from representative samples of primary care patients as part of the World Health Organization Collaborative Study of Psychological Problems in General Health Care, conducted in 15 centers in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. PARTICIPANTS Consecutive primary care attendees between the age of majority (typically 18 years) and 65 years were screened (n = 25 916) and stratified random samples interviewed (n = 5438). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Persistent pain, defined as pain present most of the time for a period of 6 months or more during the prior year, and psychological illness were assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Disability was assessed by the Groningen Social Disability Schedule and by activity-limitation days in the prior month. RESULTS Across all 15 centers, 22% of primary care patients reported persistent pain, but there was wide variation in prevalence rates across centers (range, 5.5%-33.0%). Relative to patients without persistent pain, pain sufferers were more likely to have an anxiety or depressive disorder (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.52-4.86), to experience significant activity limitations (adjusted OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.41 -1.89), and to have unfavorable health perceptions (adjusted OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.07-1.49). The relationship between psychological disorder and persistent pain was observed in every center, while the relationship between disability and persistent pain was inconsistent across centers. CONCLUSIONS Persistent pain was a commonly reported health problem among primary care patients and was consistently associated with psychological illness across centers. Large variation in frequency and the inconsistent relationship between persistent pain and disability across centers suggests caution in drawing conclusions about the role of culture in shaping responses to persistent pain when comparisons are based on patient samples drawn from a limited number of health care settings in each culture.
Finding voids in dual damascene Cu vias and their impact on reliability

Copper has a lower electrical resistance and a higher electromigration resistance than Al/Cu, meaning that higher current densities or low powers can he allowed for an increased packing density. With specific processes, Dual damascene and ECP (Electrical chemical plating), Cu interconnection has a lower total cost, a better performance, and improved reliability. In 0.13 /spl mu/m technologies, Cu is the best choice to replace the conventional Al/Cu interconnection. Defect identification and reduction are among the most important tasks during development of high performance Cu interconnections. Defect reduction ultimately improves yield and reliability, reduces fabrication cost, and increases the profit for IC manufacturers. This paper presents the identification of a major problem, voids in vias, in advanced 0.13 /spl mu/m Cu interconnection process development. The problem was identified on single via test patterns, via chain test patterns, and SRAM test qualification vehicles. We used a variety of failure analysis tools and techniques to provide timely results on selected low yield wafers. The failure localization methods include passive voltage contrast, OBIRCH (Optical Beam Induced Resistance Change) and SRAM functional tests. The physical analysis methods include FIB (Focus Ion Beam) and TEM (Transmission Electronic Microscopy). We have identified several kinds of voids in Cu vias, which will be discussed in detail. Particularly, we will introduce the impact on reliability resulting from via voids.
Symptomatic Dystonia: Clinical Profile of 46 Brazilian Patients

ABSTRACT: Dystonia is a syndrome characterized by sustained muscle contraction, provoking twisting and repeti-tive movements or abnormal postures. It may be classified according to etiology, as idiopathic or symptomatic. We studied 122 Brazilian patients with a dystonic syndrome. Of these, 46 (37.7%) had symptomatic dystonia. The most frequent cause was tardive dystonia (34.8%) followed by perinatal cerebral injury (30.4%). Other causes were stroke (13.0%), encephalitis (6.5%) and Wilson’s disease (4.3%). Cranial trauma, mitochondrial cytopathy and psychogenic, were the least frequent causes with one patient in each category. The etiology in two patients could not be established. Perinatal cerebral injury and postencephalitic dystonia were seen in the younger age group, while post-stroke and tardive dystonia were seen in the older age group.
Specific Adhesion of Bacteria to Heterocysts of Anabaena spp. and Its Ecological Significance

Two bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas sp. SL10 and Zoogloea sp. SL20, attach to heterocysts of Anabaena spp. with a high degree of selectivity, and this attachment can be expressed quantitatively in terms of adsorption isotherms. Adhesion of Pseudomonas sp. SL10 was restricted to a monolayer and exhibited a type I (Langmuir) isotherm, whereas adhesion of Zoogloea sp. SL20 involved multilayer attachment and exhibited a type II isotherm. The degree of adhesion by the bacteria to heterocysts of different Anabaena species may reflect the distribution and abundance of binding sites on the surface of different heterocysts. Both Pseudomonas sp. SL10 and Zoogloea sp SL20 promoted higher rates of acetylene reduction by Anabaena spp. under oxygenated culture conditions when compared with a cyanobacterial control. At ambient oxygen levels, however, only Zoogloea sp. SL20 stimulated acetylene reduction by Anabaena spp.
Heart mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes are functionally unaffected in heavy ethanol drinkers without cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND Harmful effects of chronic ethanol intake on liver mitochondria have been clearly demonstrated; however, mitochondria from skeletal muscle are preserved, and the effect of ethanol on heart mitochondria remains controversial. We assessed individual enzyme activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complexes and membrane oxidative damage of heart mitochondria in active ethanol drinkers before the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Heart samples were obtained from otherwise healthy organ donor individuals with a sudden death of traumatic or neurological cause in whom hearts could not be used because of absence of matched receptors or size inadequacy. Detailed history of alcohol intake was achieved from the relatives. Citrate synthase activity was spectrophotometrically assayed, as well as absolute (nmol x min(-1) x mg protein(-1)) and relative (corrected by citrate synthase) activities of complex I, II, III, and IV of the MRC. Oxidative damage of myocardium membranes was assessed measuring the degree of lipid peroxidation by fluorescence using cis-parinaric acid as probe. RESULTS We included 10 ethanol drinkers (age 53 +/- 13 years, 100% males, mean lifetime intake of 15.6 +/- 7.9 kg ethanol kg body weight(-1)) and 12 controls (age 60 +/- 10 years, 75% males). Mitochondrial content did not differ between the two groups. Absolute enzyme activities for ethanol drinkers and controls were, respectively, 145 +/- 75 and 130 +/- 50 for complex I (p = NS); 399 +/- 193 and 376 +/- 100 for complex II (p = NS); 719 +/- 288 and 714 +/- 308 for complex III (p = NS); and 475 +/- 139 and 570 +/- 160 for complex IV (p = NS). After correcting such activities by citrate synthase activity, we failed again to demonstrate differences between ethanol drinkers and controls. Lipid peroxidation of myocardium membranes was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Chronic ethanol drinkers without cardiomyopathy exhibit normal MRC activity in the heart and do not show increased oxidative damage in myocardial membranes.
Intraarticular Atlantooccipital Fusion for the Treatment of Traumatic Occipitocervical Dislocation in a Child: A New Technique for Selective Stabilization With Nine Years Follow-up

Study Design. A case report of traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation (AOD) managed by intraarticular-posterior fusion from a posterior approach at the C0-C1 level with preservation of C1-C2 motion. Objective. To present a new technique for atlantooccipital fusion with long-term follow-up. Summary of Background Data. There is an increasing number of patients with AOD who have preservation of neurologic function. The most frequent method used to treat this condition is occipitocervical fusion. There has been a tendency in recent years to minimize the extent of stabilization, performing occipitoatlantal fusion only. However, it is difficult to achieve a solid fusion between C0 and C1, and the long-term effect of the insufficiency of lig. alaria on C0-C2 stability is unknown. The authors present a modified technique of C0-C1 fusion that aims to enhance fusion and achieve greater stability. Methods. A 11-year-old child with AOD was initially treated unsuccessfully with a halo device for 3 months. As instability persisted, an isolated C0-C1 fusion was performed from a posterior approach. This anatomically based intraarticular fusion technique comprises removal of the articular cartilage of the atlantooccipital joints, and cancellous bone autografting at the atlantooccipital joints and between the occiput and posterior arch of C1, supported by an occipital plate linked by rods to lateral mass screws in the atlas. Results. This technique of increased bony fusion surface and internal fixation provided an excellent result with full recovery of minor neurologic deficits. At long-term follow-up, 9 years after surgery, the patient was free of signs and symptoms; solid fusion of the C0-C1 joint, and normal values for rotation of the C1-C2 segment were recorded. Conclusion. Intraarticular and posterior fusion of the atlantooccipital joint was able to provide an excellent long-term clinical outcome in the treatment of traumatic AOD in a child. This is the first report of an intraarticular fusion of the C0-C1 segment and the longest follow-up published on isolated C0-C1 stabilization.
A Systematic Review of Intuition—A Way of Knowing in Clinical Nursing?

The aim of this systematic review was to illuminate intuition in clinical nursing. Frequently described as a defining characteristic of professional expertise, intuition is gaining acceptance as a legitimate form of knowledge in clinical nursing. A total of 352 abstracts were read and eight quantitative studies included. A thematic analysis was performed to one main theme, two themes, and four sub-themes emerged. The main theme was: Sensing an unconscious and conscious state of mind, and the two themes were: A sudden emotional awareness and reflection, and arousal of conscious thought processes. The first theme included two sub-themes: Sensing spiritual connections with patients and experiencing physical sensations; worrying and reassuring feelings. The second theme comprised two sub-themes: Willingness to act on personal, interpersonal, and clinical experiences; the influence of maturity and social support in clinical decision-making. An implication for clinical nursing was the need to develop sensitivity as a key to understanding the patient’s illness. In conclusion, leadership and management could facilitate discussions about intuition as a legitimate method of processing information and making decisions about patient care.
Play Request Dispatching for Efficient Virtual Machine Usage in Cloud Gaming

Cloud gaming is becoming increasingly popular. The basic idea of cloud gaming is to run games on cloud servers and let players interact with games through thin clients. As the player population grows, the cloud gaming service provider needs to maintain a large number of cloud servers for running the game instances requested by the players. A primary concern of the cloud gaming service provider is the total running cost of the cloud servers. In this paper, we study the problem of how to dispatch the play requests to the cloud servers in a cloud gaming system. We show that the dispatching strategy of play requests may heavily affect the total service cost of the cloud gaming system. The play request dispatching problem can be considered as a variant of the dynamic bin packing problem. However, we show that the classical bin packing algorithms such as First Fit (FF) and Best Fit (BF) are not efficient in terms of resource usage in cloud gaming due to the diurnal workload pattern of online games. To address this issue, we propose an efficient request dispatching algorithm that assigns play requests according to the predicted ending times of game sessions. We also assess several classes of prediction algorithms and select a neural-network-based algorithm to predict the ending times of game sessions. We conduct extensive evaluations of the proposed algorithms using real traces from different types of online games. The experimental results show that the proposed dispatching algorithm with neural-network-based prediction can reduce the resource waste of the cloud servers and thus decrease the total service cost compared to the FF and BF algorithms. The reduction in the resource waste is particularly significant for match-based games such as Defense of the Ancient and World of Tank.
Do drugs that block transforming growth factor beta reduce posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in a neonatal rat model?

Aim: Posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) after intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) remains a significant problem in preterm infants. No treatment has reduced the need for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Considerable evidence implicates transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) in the pathogenesis of PHVD. Pirfenidone and losartan reduce TGF‐β expression and decrease postinflammatory fibrosis in the lungs, kidneys, heart and liver. They have excellent CSF and brain penetration. We hypothesized that administration of pirfenidone or losartan would reduce ventricular dilatation.
Endotoxin in germfree, gnotobiotic, or conventional-flora Sprague-Dawley rats.

The Limulus assay for bacterial endotoxin was performed on serum and (or) plasma from animals monoassociated with Clostridium species, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter agglomerans, Bacteroides fragilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Candida albicans. Plasma from animals monoassociated with the gram-negative bacteria or C. albicans consistently showed a positive Limulus test while conventional-flora controls, germfree rats, and gnotobiotic animals monoassociated with gram-positive bacteria or E. agglomerans were negative. Germfree and conventional rats were injected (intraperitoneal (i.p.)) with Salmonella typhosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Although no endotoxin was detectable in either group prior to the injection, by 1 h post injection endotoxin was in the plasma of all groups. The germfree rats appeared to clear the LPS quicker than their conventional-flora counterparts. Generally, LPS-injected rats (conventional and germfree) showed clumping and decreased number of platelets, a decrease in their lymphocyte counts, and increased polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) counts.
Structure Ways & Means Optically Resolving Individual Microtubules in Live Axons

Microtubules are essential cytoskeletal tracks for cargo transportation in axons and also serve as the primary structural scaffold of neurons. Structural assembly, stability, and dynamics of axonal microtubules are of great interest for understanding neuronal functions and pathologies. However, microtubules are so densely packed in axons that their separations are well below the diffraction limit of light, which precludes using optical microscopy for live-cell studies. Here, we present a single-molecule imaging method capable of resolving individual microtubules in live axons. In our method, unlabeled microtubules are revealed by following individual axonal cargos that travel along them. We resolved more than six microtubules in a 1 mm diameter axon by real-time tracking of endosomes containing quantum dots. Our live-cell study also provided direct evidence that endosomes switch between microtubules while traveling along axons, which has been proposed to be the primary means for axonal cargos to effectively navigate through the crowded axoplasmic environment.
A Novel Topology and Redox Regulation of the Rat Brain K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger, NCKX2*

In this study we have examined the roles of endogenous cysteine residues in the rat brain K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchanger protein, NCKX2, by site-directed mutagenesis. We found that mutation of Cys-614 or Cys-666 to Ala inhibited expression of the exchanger protein in HEK-293 cells, but not in an in vitro translation system. We speculated that Cys-614 and Cys-666 might form an extracellular disulfide bond that stabilized protein structure. Such an arrangement would place the C terminus of the exchanger outside the cell, contrary to the original topological model. This hypothesis was tested by adding a hemagglutinin A epitope to the C terminus of the protein. The hemagglutinin A epitope could be recognized with a specific antibody without permeabilization of the cell membrane, supporting an extracellular location for the C terminus. Additionally, the exchanger molecule could be labeled with biotin maleimide only following extracellular application of β-mercaptoethanol. Surprisingly, mutation of Cys-395, located in the large intracellular loop, to Ala, prevented reduction-dependent labeling of the protein. The activity of wild-type exchanger, but not the Cys-395 → Ala mutant, was stimulated after application of β-mercaptoethanol. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated self-association between wild-type and FLAG-tagged exchanger proteins that could not be inhibited by Cys-395 → Ala mutation. These results suggest that NCKX2 associates as a dimer, an interaction that does not require, but may be stabilized by, a disulfide linkage through Cys-395. This linkage, perhaps by limiting protein mobility along the dimer interface, reduces the transport activity of NCKX2.
Anorexia nervosa and anorexic-like syndromes in a population-based female twin sample.

OBJECTIVE The authors explored the epidemiologic characteristics and risk factors of anorexia nervosa and examined the relationship between narrowly defined anorexia nervosa and anorexia-like syndromes. METHOD Structured interviews were administered to a population-based sample of 2,163 female twins. Anorexia nervosa was diagnosed by computer algorithm ("computer narrow") and by narrow and broad clinical definitions. RESULTS Lifetime prevalence estimates of 0.51%, 1.62%, and 3.70% were obtained for the computer narrow, clinical narrow, and clinical broad diagnoses, respectively. Dieting status, greater number of years of parental education, low self-esteem, high levels of neuroticism, and maternal overprotectiveness were significantly associated with anorexia nervosa. Both the pattern of comorbidity and the relationship to epidemiologic risk factors suggested an etiologic continuity between narrowly and broadly defined anorexic syndromes. Co-twins of twins with anorexia nervosa were at significantly higher risk for lifetime anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, major depression, and current low body mass index. Significant comorbidity was found between anorexia nervosa and major depression, bulimia nervosa, generalized anxiety disorder, alcoholism, phobias, and panic disorder. CONCLUSIONS The authors' analyses support the hypothesis of a spectrum of anorexic-like syndromes in women. These syndromes are familial and share familial etiologic factors with major depression and bulimia nervosa.
Cloning and expression of the vesicular stomatitis virus phosphoprotein gene in Escherichia coli: analysis of phosphorylation status versus transcriptional activity

The phosphoprotein (P, previously known as NS) genes of vesicular stomatitis virus serotypes New Jersey and Indiana have been cloned in the Escherichia coli expression vector pET-3a. Transcription of P genes in these clones initiated from a phage T7 RNA polymerase promoter, whereas translation was driven by the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the initiator AUG codon of the T7 gene 10 message. The clones were introduced into an appropriate E. coli strain in which T7 RNA polymerase was expressed under the control of the lac promoter. Under optimal conditions of induction with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside, P protein made in these bacterial strains constituted 5 to 20% of total cellular protein. P protein expressed in bacteria was unphosphorylated and transcriptionally active in an in vitro reconstitution assay with viral L protein and an N-RNA template. However, the P protein was phosphorylated in vitro by the kinase activities associated with L and the N-RNA template.