Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"Comparative evaluation of surface modified elastomeric ligatures for microbial colonization": An in vivo study.

INTRODUCTION Elastomeric ligatures are observed to reduce chair side time; however, they are also seen to have greater bacterial adhesion. Polymeric coating utilizing the Metafasix Technology and the OrthoShield Technology have been introduced in the Super Slick™** and Safe-T-Ties™** by TP Orthodontics, Ortho Organizers, respectively, to reduce bacterial adhesion. While each of the elastomers has been individually evaluated, no study compares the two elastomers manufactured by differing technologies together; hence the need for this study was felt. This in vivo study compared the Super Slick and Safe-T-Ties with their unmodified counterparts for bacterial adhesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, between 12 and 25 years age group were selected and the modified, and the unmodified elastomers were randomly placed quadrant wise, on all the premolar brackets. After a period of 4 weeks, the elastomeric rings were removed and transported for culture on Mitis-Salivarius, Rogosa SL agar for Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli, respectively. The colonies were digitally counted (HiMedia) after 48 h of incubation at 37°C. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the S. mutans and Lactobacilli counts in both surface modified and unmodified elastomeric modules (P < 0.01). Unmodified elastomeric modules Mini Stix™**, Hand-EE-Lasts™** was associated with higher mean values of colony-forming units/millimeter than the surface modified Super Slick™** and Safe-T-Ties™** ligatures. When compared pair-wise, the surface modified elastomers showed less bacterial accumulations than the unmodified counterparts for both S. mutans and Lactobacillus, and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION Technological modifications of the elastomers using the Metafasix or OrthoShield Technology, is a definite improvement over the regular elastomers with regard to adhesion of S. mutans and Lactobacilli.
T Cells Infiltrate the Brain in Murine and Human Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

ABSTRACT CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes infiltrate the parenchyma of mouse brains several weeks after intracerebral, intraperitoneal, or oral inoculation with the Chandler strain of mouse scrapie, a pattern not seen with inoculation of prion protein knockout (PrP−/−) mice. Associated with this cellular infiltration are expression of MHC class I and II molecules and elevation in levels of the T-cell chemokines, especially macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, IFN-γ-inducible protein 10, and RANTES. T cells were also found in the central nervous system (CNS) in five of six patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. T cells harvested from brains and spleens of scrapie-infected mice were analyzed using a newly identified mouse PrP (mPrP) peptide bearing the canonical binding motifs to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I H-2b or H-2d molecules, appropriate MHC class I tetramers made to include these peptides, and CD4 and CD8 T cells stimulated with 15-mer overlapping peptides covering the whole mPrP. Minimal to modest Kb tetramer binding of mPrP amino acids (aa) 2 to 9, aa 152 to 160, and aa 232 to 241 was observed, but such tetramer-binding lymphocytes as well as CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes incubated with the full repertoire of mPrP peptides failed to synthesize intracellular gamma interferon (IFN-γ) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) cytokines and were unable to lyse PrP−/− embryo fibroblasts or macrophages coated with 51Cr-labeled mPrP peptide. These results suggest that the expression of PrPsc in the CNS is associated with release of chemokines and, as shown previously, cytokines that attract and retain PrP-activated T cells and, quite likely, bystander activated T cells that have migrated from the periphery into the CNS. However, these CD4 and CD8 T cells are defective in such an effector function(s) as IFN-γ and TNF-α expression or release or lytic activity.
A Multi-Agent architecture for intelligent gathering systems

This paper presents a model to define heterogeneous agents that solve problems by sharing the knowledge retrieved from the WEB, and cooperating among them. The control structure of those agents is based on a general purpose Multi-Agent architecture (SKELETONAGENT) based on a deliberative approach. Any agent in the architecture is built by means of several interrelated modules: control module, language and communication module, skills modules, knowledge base, yellow pages, etc. The control module uses an agenda to activate and coordinate the agent skills. This agenda handles actions from both the internal goals of the agent and from other agents in the environment. In the paper, we show a high level agent model, which is later instantiated to build a set of heterogeneous specialized agents. The paper describes how SKELETONAGENT has been used to implement different kinds of agents and a specialized Multi-Agent System (MAS). The implemented MAS, MAPWEB-ETOURISM, is the specific implementation of a general WEB gathering architecture, named MAPWEB, which extends SKELETONAGENT. MAPWEB has been designed to solve problems in WEB domain through the integration of information gathering and planning techniques. The MAPWEB-ETOURISM system has been applied to a specific WEB domain (e-tourism) which uses information gathered directly from several WEB sources (plane, train, and hotel companies) to solve travel problems. This paper shows how the proposed architecture allows to integrate the different agents tasks with AI techniques like planning to build a MAS which is able to gather and integrate information retrieved from the WEB to solve problems.
Role of Fibrinogen Levels and Factor XIII V34L Polymorphism in Thrombolytic Therapy in Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose— The identification of genetic and environmental factors that could improve the benefit/risk ratio of thrombolytic therapy in patients with ischemic stroke is crucial. Methods— We studied the role in the efficacy and side-adverse effects of thrombolytic therapy in stroke of 2 factors involved in the structure and stability of fibrin clot: fibrinogen levels and factor XIII (FXIII) V34L, a common and functional polymorphism. Our study enrolled 200 consecutive patients with stroke who received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Results— Patients with FXIII V/V genotype and low fibrinogen (<3.6 g/L) displayed the best clinical outcome. In contrast, carriers of the L34 variant and high fibrinogen levels showed almost no clinical response. Moreover, patients with high fibrinogen levels at admission displayed higher mortality than patients with lower fibrinogen levels (22.6% versus 9.7%, P=0.027; OR=2.72). The FXIII V34L polymorphism also associated with mortality: 20.0% of L34 carriers but 9.1% of patients with V/V genotype died after thrombolytic therapy (P=0.034; OR=2.50). The deleterious effect of this variant seemed to be exacerbated by high levels of fibrinogen, supporting the role of fibrinogen levels in determining the hemostatic consequences of the FXIII polymorphism. Conclusions— Our study identifies 2 markers involved in fibrin formation associated with the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy and early mortality rates in patients with ischemic stroke. These markers could be useful to identify patients with stroke suitable for a safe thrombolytic therapy.
A scalable architecture for Directory Assistance automation

We present a novel architecture for providing automated telephone Directory Assistance (DA). The architecture couples a large-vocabulary, statistical n-gram, speech recognition engine with a statistical retrieval system. The use of a statistical n-gram allows for the recognition of unconstrained spoken queries while the statistical retrieval engine allows for an inexact match between a particular spoken query and the training data. Allowing for unconstrained recognition and an inexact match provides the framework for high levels of automation. Once the retrieval engine returns a ranked set of frequently requested telephone numbers (FRN), the rejection module uses a classifier to compute a confidence-like score that is used to make the automation decision. With actual customer calls into an operational, automated DA call center and an FRN set size of 25000 numbers, the new architecture is capable of delivering more than 17% correct automation at a false accept rate of 0.76%.
Recombinant BCG: Innovations on an Old Vaccine. Scope of BCG Strains and Strategies to Improve Long-Lasting Memory

Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG), an attenuated vaccine derived from Mycobacterium bovis, is the current vaccine of choice against tuberculosis (TB). Despite its protection against active TB in children, BCG has failed to protect adults against TB infection and active disease development, especially in developing countries where the disease is endemic. Currently, there is a significant effort toward the development of a new TB vaccine. This review article aims to address publications on recombinant BCG (rBCG) published in the last 5 years, to highlight the strategies used to develop rBCG, with a focus on the criteria used to improve immunological memory and protection compared with BCG. The literature review was done in April 2013, using the key words TB, rBCG vaccine, and memory. This review discusses the BCG strains and strategies currently used for the modification of BCG, including: overexpression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) immunodominant antigens already present in BCG; gene insertion of immunodominant antigens from Mtb absent in the BCG vaccine; combination of introduction and overexpression of genes that are lost during the attenuation process of BCG; BCG modifications for the induction of CD8+ T-cell immune responses and cytokines expressing rBCG. Among the vaccines discussed, VPM1002, also called rBCGΔureC:hly, is currently in human clinical trials. Much progress has been made in the effort to improve BCG, with some promising candidates, but considerable work is still required to address functional long-lasting memory.
Parallel LFSR reseeding for mixed-mode BIST

In this paper, a novel parallel LFSR reseeding technique for mixed-mode BIST that is suitable and applicable to a multiple scan chain design. This approach can be applied to generate test cubes that detect Random Pattern Resistant (RPR) faults. A multiple test vector is used to guide the LFSR in order to generate target test cube at the application time. The encoded test seed is solved by using a system linear equation. Experimental results have been discussed by performing the largest ISCAS 89 benchmark circuits. Advantages: 100% test coverage, reduction of test application, reduction of test data storage, requiring few additional hardware, high fault coverage as intended by the deterministic test, and capability to generate any deterministic test cubes without proportional to the largest number of specified bits.
CONCRETE BEAMS STRENGTHENED WITH EXTERNALLY BONDED FRP PLATES

The structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with adhesively bonded fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) is presented. The experimental work included flexural testing of 2.3-m-long concrete beams with bonded external reinforcements. The test variables included the amount of conventional (internal) reinforcement and also the type and amount of external reinforcement. For comparison, some of the beams were strengthened with bonded steel plates. Theoretical analyses included 2D nonlinear finite-element modeling incorporating a “damage” material model for concrete. In general there were reasonably good correlations between the experimental results and nonlinear finite-element models. It is suggested that the detachment of bonded external plates from the concrete, at ultimate loads, is governed by a limiting principal stress value at the concrete/external plate interface.
Equivalence of Labeled Markov Chains

We consider the equivalence problem for labeled Markov chains (LMCs), where each state is labeled with an observation. Two LMCs are equivalent if every finite sequence of observations has the same probability of occurrence in the two LMCs. We show that equivalence can be decided in polynomial time, using a reduction to the equivalence problem for probabilistic automata, which is known to be solvable in polynomial time. We provide an alternative algorithm to solve the equivalence problem, which is based on a new definition of bisimulation for probabilistic automata. We also extend the technique to decide the equivalence of weighted probabilistic automata.
Learning Word Relatedness over Time

Search systems are often focused on providing relevant results for the “now”, assuming both corpora and user needs that focus on the present. However, many corpora today reflect significant longitudinal collections ranging from 20 years of the Web to hundreds of years of digitized newspapers and books. Understanding the temporal intent of the user and retrieving the most relevant historical content has become a significant challenge. Common search features, such as query expansion, leverage the relationship between terms but cannot function well across all times when relationships vary temporally. In this work, we introduce a temporal relationship model that is extracted from longitudinal data collections. The model supports the task of identifying, given two words, when they relate to each other. We present an algorithmic framework for this task and show its application for the task of query expansion, achieving high gain.
Distinct Roles for Two Histamine Receptors (hclA and hclB) at the Drosophila Photoreceptor Synapse

Histamine (HA) is the photoreceptor neurotransmitter in arthropods, directly gating chloride channels on large monopolar cells (LMCs), postsynaptic to photoreceptors in the lamina. Two histamine-gated channel genes that could contribute to this channel in Drosophila are hclA (also known as ort) and hclB (also known as hisCl1), both encoding novel members of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily. Drosophila S2 cells transfected with these genes expressed both homomeric and heteromeric histamine-gated chloride channels. The electrophysiological properties of these channels were compared with those from isolated Drosophila LMCs. HCLA homomers had nearly identical HA sensitivity to the native receptors (EC50 = 25 μm). Single-channel analysis revealed further close similarity in terms of single-channel kinetics and subconductance states (∼25, 40, and 60 pS, the latter strongly voltage dependent). In contrast, HCLB homomers and heteromeric receptors were more sensitive to HA (EC50 = 14 and 1.2 μm, respectively), with much smaller single-channel conductances (∼4 pS). Null mutations of hclA (ortUS6096) abolished the synaptic transients in the electroretinograms (ERGs). Surprisingly, the ERG “on” transients in hclB mutants transients were approximately twofold enhanced, whereas intracellular recordings from their LMCs revealed altered responses with slower kinetics. However, HCLB expression within the lamina, assessed by both a GFP (green fluorescent protein) reporter gene strategy and mRNA tagging, was exclusively localized to the glia cells, whereas HCLA expression was confirmed in the LMCs. Our results suggest that the native receptor at the LMC synapse is an HCLA homomer, whereas HCLB signaling via the lamina glia plays a previously unrecognized role in shaping the LMC postsynaptic response.
IL-17-Induced Act1-Mediated Signaling Is Critical for Cuprizone-Induced Demyelination

Cuprizone inhibits mitochondrial function and induces demyelination in the corpus callosum, which resembles pattern III lesions in multiple sclerosis patients. However, the molecular and cellular mechanism by which cuprizone induces demyelination remains unclear. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) secreted by T helper 17 cells and γδT cells are essential in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In this study, we examined the importance of IL-17 signaling in cuprizone-induced demyelination. We found that mice deficient in IL-17A, IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC), and adaptor protein Act1 (of IL-17R) all had reduced demyelination accompanied by lessened microglial and polydendrocyte cellular reactivity compared with that in wild-type mice in response to cuprizone feeding, demonstrating the essential role of IL-17-induced Act1-mediated signaling in cuprizone-induced demyelination. Importantly, specific deletion of Act1 in astrocytes reduced the severity of tissue injury in this model, indicating the critical role of CNS resident cells in the pathogenesis of cuprizone-induced demyelination. In cuprizone-fed mice, IL-17 was produced by CNS CD3+ T cells, suggesting a source of IL-17 in CNS upon cuprizone treatment.
Methoprene-Tolerant (Met) Knockdown in the Adult Female Cockroach, Diploptera punctata Completely Inhibits Ovarian Development

Independent of the design of the life cycle of any insect, their growth and reproduction are highly choreographed through the action of two versatile hormones: ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH). However, the means by which JH can target tissues and exert its pleiotropic physiological effects is currently still not completely elucidated. Although the identity of the one JH receptor is currently still elusive, recent evidence seems to point to the product of the Methoprene-tolerant gene (Met) as the most likely contender in transducing the action of JH. Studies on the role of this transcription factor have mostly been focused on immature insect stages. In this study we used the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata, a favorite model in studying JH endocrinology, to examine the role of Met during reproduction. A tissue distribution and developmental profile of transcript levels was determined for Met and its downstream partners during the first gonadotropic cycle of this cockroach. Using RNA interference, our study shows that silencing Met results in an arrest of basal oocyte development; vitellogenin is no longer transcribed in the fat body and no longer taken up by the ovary. Patency is not induced in these animals which fail to produce the characteristic profile of JH biosynthesis typical of the first gonadotropic cycle. Moreover, the ultrastructure of the follicle cells showed conspicuous whorls of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a failure to form chorion. Our study describes the role of Met on a cellular and physiological level during insect reproduction, and confirms the role of Met as a key factor in the JH signaling pathway.
In Vitro Activity of Antimicrobial Agents on Legionnaires Disease Bacterium

Six isolates of Legionnaires disease bacteria were tested for their susceptibility to 22 antimicrobial agents. The most active agent was rifampin (minimal inhibitory concentration, ≤0.01 μg/ml). On the basis of minimal inhibitory concentration breakpoints that have been used to categorize susceptibility for most of these drugs, the organisms were susceptible to rifampin, cefoxitin, erythromycin, the aminoglycosides, minocycline and doxycycline, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, penicillin G, carbenicillin, colistin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (19:1 ratio); sensitive to intermediate in susceptibility to tetracycline, methicillin, cefamandole, cephalothin, and clindamycin; and resistant to vancomycin. More clinical data must be obtained before an optimal therapeutic regimen can be recommended.
LSU Digital Commons LSU Digital Commons Centimeter-long electron transport in marine sediments via Centimeter-long electron transport in marine sediments via conductive minerals conductive minerals

Centimeter-long electron conduction through marine sediments, in which electrons derived from sulfide in anoxic sediments are transported to oxygen in surficial sediments, may have an important influence on sediment geochemistry. Filamentous bacteria have been proposed to mediate the electron transport, but the filament conductivity could not be verified and other mechanisms are possible. Surprisingly, previous investigations have never actually measured the sediment conductivity or its basic physical properties. Here we report direct measurements that demonstrate centimeter-long electron flow through marine sediments, with conductivities sufficient to account for previously estimated electron fluxes. Conductivity was lost for oxidized sediments, which contrasts with the previously described increase in the conductivity of microbial biofilms upon oxidation. Adding pyrite to the sediments significantly enhanced the conductivity. These results suggest that the role of conductive minerals, which are more commonly found in sediments than centimeter-long microbial filaments, need to be considered when modeling marine sediment biogeochemistry.
Moderate rest intervals are superior to short intervals for improving PAI-1 following exhaustive exercise in recreational weightlifters

This study investigated the influence of short and moderate recovery intervals on lipid profiles and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) following exhaustive strength exercise in recreational weightlifters. Seven subjects performed two conditions in a randomized order: short, 90% of one maximum repetition (1RM) and 30-sec rest allowed between sets; moderate, 90% of 1RM and 90-sec rest allowed between sets. Total cholesterol (Chol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triacylglycerol (TAG), Chol/HDL-c ratio and PAI-1 concentrations were assessed at baseline, immediately postexercise, and 15- and 30-min postexercise (post-15 and post-30). The LDL-c concentrations decreased and HDL-c concentrations increased in both conditions but without significant differences (LDL-c: 30 sec: pre, 82.0±19.5 mg/dL, immediately, 73.9±16.4 mg/dL, 90 sec: pre, 75.9±30.8 mg/dL, immediately, 66.2±35.5 mg/dL, P=0.423; HDL-c: 30 sec: pre, 53.5±9.2 mg/dL, immediately, 61.4±11.4 mg/dL; 90 sec: pre, 55.8±11.1 mg/dL, immediately, 84.9±27.8, mg/dL; P=0.146). On the other hand, PAI-1 had a tendency to decrease only in the 90-sec condition (pre, 7,754.9±2,927.7 pg/mL; immediately, 5,313.1±4,637.4 pg/mL; P=0.085). There was a positive correlation between PAI-1 and Chol (30 sec: r=0.83, 90 sec: r=0.91; P<0.05), PAI-1 and fat-free mass in both conditions (30 sec post-15: r=0.79, post-30: r=081, P<0.05; 90 sec immediately: r=0.77, post-15: r=0.81; P<0.05), and PAI-1 and TAG only in 30 sec (r=0.87, P<0.05). Short and moderate intervals of recovery improve lipid profiles after heavy strength exercise but only 90 sec induced greater improved in PAI-1 concentration in recreational weightlifters.