Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Allelic Diversity of the Two Transferrin Binding Protein B Gene Isotypes among a Collection of Neisseria meningitidisStrains Representative of Serogroup B Disease: Implication for the Composition of a Recombinant TbpB-Based Vaccine

ABSTRACT The distribution of the two isotypes of tbpB in a collection of 108 serogroup B meningococcal strains belonging to the four major clonal groups associated with epidemic and hyperendemic disease (the ET-37 complex, the ET-5 complex, lineage III, and cluster A4) was determined. Isotype I strains (with a 1.8-kbtbpB gene) was less represented than isotype II strains (19.4 versus 80.6%). Isotype I was restricted to the ET-37 complex strains, while isotype II was found in all four clonal complexes. The extent of the allelic diversity of tbpB in these two groups was studied by PCR restriction analysis and sequencing of 10 newtbpB genes. Four major tbpB gene variants were characterized: B16B6 (representative of isotype I) and M982, BZ83, and 8680 (representative of isotype II). The relevance of these variants was assessed at the antigenic level by the determination of cross-bactericidal activity of purified immunoglobulin G preparations raised to the corresponding recombinant TbpB (rTbpB) protein against a panel of 27 strains (5 of isotype I and 22 of isotype II). The results indicated that rTbpB corresponding to each variant was able to induce cross-bactericidal antibodies. However, the number of strains killed with an anti-rTbpB serum was slightly lower than that obtained with an anti-TbpA+B complex. None of the sera tested raised against an isotype I strain was able to kill an isotype II strain and vice versa. None of the specific antisera tested (anti-rTbpB or anti-TbpA+B complex) was able to kill all of the 22 isotype II strains tested. Moreover, using sera raised against the C-terminus domain of TbpB M982 (amino acids 352 to 691) or BZ83 (amino acids 329 to 669) fused to the maltose-binding protein, cross-bactericidal activity was detected against 12 and 7 isotype II strains, respectively, of the 22 tested. These results suggest surface accessibility of the C-terminal end of TbpB. Altogether, these results show that although more than one rTbpB will be required in the composition of a TbpB-based vaccine to achieve a fully cross-bactericidal activity, rTbpB and its C terminus were able by themselves to induce cross-bactericidal antibodies.
Parameter Identification of a Biological Process: A Compartive Study

This paper addresses the parameter identification of a batch bio-dissimilation process of glycerol to 1, 3-propanediol. Considering the least-square error criterion, the slop error criterion, and the sum of the least-square error criterion and slop error criterion of biomass, glycerol, 1, 3-propanediol, acetic acid and ethanol, respectively, three parameter identification models for the excess kinetics of batch bio-dissimilation process of glycerol to 1, 3-propanediol are first established. Then cubic spline interpolation is used to estimate the slope of the experimental data. A genetic algorithm is applied to solve the proposed parameter identification problems. Finally, a comparative study for the identification results obtained by using the proposed parameter estimation models is given.
Effectiveness of Basic Life Support Training for Middle School Students

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a basic life support (BLS) educational course given to 110 middle school children, using a pretest posttest design. In the pretest, students were asked to demonstrate BLS on a manikin to simulate a real-life scenario. After the pretest, a BLS training course of two sessions was provided, followed by posttest on the same manikin. Students were assessed using an observational sheet based on the American Heart Association’s BLS guidelines. In the pretest, students showed significant weakness in the majority of guidelines. In the posttest, they demonstrated significant improvement in their BLS skills. BLS training in the middle school was effective, considering the lack of previous skills. It is recommended that BLS education be compulsory in the school setting.
False-positive troponin I in a young healthy woman with chest pain.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is frequently used to help determine whether a patient with chest pain has had cardiac damage. A false-positive finding can result in patients undergoing unnecessary hospitalization and potentially invasive tests. Clinicians need to be aware of the possibility of spuriously elevated troponin I levels. Case Report A 43-year-old healthy woman came to the emergency department complaining of a dull ache in her left chest, which radiated to her left shoulder. The pain was minimal but constant and unaffected by exertion or rest. She had no associated diaphoresis, nausea, or vomiting. The patient did not smoke and did not have hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of cardiac disease. Her low-density lipoprotein was less than 130 mg/dL 1 year earlier. Findings of her physical examination, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate, were normal. An electrocardiogram was normal and without evidence of ischemic changes. Laboratory studies disclosed the following values: creatine kinase (CK) was 67 U/L (normal 21–215 U/L), with a CK-MB of 0.5 ng/mL (normal 0.0 –5.0 ng/ mL); and troponin I (AxSYM, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill) was 9.3 ng/mL (normal 0.0 – 0.4 ng/mL). Given this single laboratory abnormality, the patient was admitted to the family practice inpatient service. The patient was asymptomatic at admission and remained so throughout the hospitalization. A dipyridamole nuclear scan showed no ischemia, a normal ejection fraction, and normal wall motion. A repeat troponin I measurement later in the day of admission was 9.8 ng/mL. Levels of troponin I remained elevated 1 week (3.3 ng/mL) and 2 months (4.5 ng/mL) after she was released from the hospital. Her renal function was normal, and rheumatoid factor was not present. Her troponin T level was within normal limits.
Spatial Interweave Opportunistic Spectrum Reuse by Employing Distributed Interference Alignment

Consider spatial interweave opportunistic spectrum reuse scheme, primary user with power constraints maximizes its achievable rate by water-filling its power on singular values of its channel links and leaving some eigen modes free to use. Therefore, secondary user can transmit using this free subspace in order to avoid interference at primary receiver. By employing transmit beamforming, secondary user can design its precoding matrix, where the interference to primary user can be aligned to the free subspace. As a result of non-degraded primary user's performance, perfect channel state information (CSI) is required at secondary transmitter. Unfortunately, this kind of CSI is hard to realize, it is therefore in this paper to investigate a limited CSI scheme. By secondary transmitter sensing the label of the Grassmannian quantized channel vectors, the proposed criterion can upper-bound the overall interference at primary receiver with a constant value, which is independent of secondary transmit power. We also study an alternative primary user power allocation strategy in order to balance the overall system performance.
Costs and Infant Outcomes After Implementation of a Care Process Model for Febrile Infants

OBJECTIVE: Febrile infants in the first 90 days may have life-threatening serious bacterial infection (SBI). Well-appearing febrile infants with SBI cannot be distinguished from those without by examination alone. Variation in care resulting in both undertreatment and overtreatment is common. METHODS: We developed and implemented an evidence-based care process model (EB-CPM) for the management of well-appearing febrile infants in the Intermountain Healthcare System. We report an observational study describing changes in (1) care delivery, (2) outcomes of febrile infants, and (3) costs before and after implementation of the EB-CPM in a children’s hospital and in regional medical centers. RESULTS: From 2004 through 2009, 8044 infants had 8431 febrile episodes, resulting in medical evaluation. After implementation of the EB-CPM in 2008, infants in all facilities were more likely to receive evidence-based care including appropriate diagnostic testing, determination of risk for SBI, antibiotic selection, decreased antibiotic duration, and shorter hospital stays (P < .001 for all). In addition, more infants had a definitive diagnosis of urinary tract infection or viral illness (P < .001 for both). Infant outcomes improved with more admitted infants positive for SBI (P = .011), and infants at low risk for SBI were more often managed without antibiotics (P < .001). Although hospital admissions were shortened by 27%, there were no cases of missed SBI. Health Care costs were also reduced, with the mean cost per admitted infant decreasing from $7178 in 2007 to $5979 in 2009 (−17%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The EB-CPM increased evidence-based care in all facilities. Infant outcomes improved and costs were reduced, substantially improving value.
Measurement of procalcitonin levels in children with bacterial or viral meningitis.

We measured the plasma procalcitonin levels in 59 children who were admitted to the hospital because of bacterial or viral meningitis. Eighteen children with acute bacterial meningitis had elevated procalcitonin levels (mean level, 54.5 micrograms/L; range, 4.8-110 micrograms/L). The procalcitonin levels in 41 children with viral meningitis were low (mean level, 0.32 micrograms/L; range, 0-1.7 micrograms/L; P < .0001). Assay of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells and proteins and serum C-reactive protein showed a zone of overlapping values between the two groups. Procalcitonin was not produced in CSF. Plasma procalcitonin levels decreased rapidly during antibiotic therapy. These data suggest that the measurement of plasma procalcitonin might be of value in the differential diagnosis of meningitis due to either bacteria or viruses.
Coffee Consumption in Relation to Smoking Behavior

Smokers and nonsmokers, each group consisting of 25 men and women, were observed an average of 9.16 min. while engaging in coffee-drinking behavior at the student union cafeteria. Data were tabulated in sips per minute. Smokers sipped coffee significantly less often than nonsmokers. Further, men sipped coffee markedly less frequently than women. Statistical analysis indicated that the major difference resulted from men smokers who sipped coffee significantly less frequently than the other groups.
Terrorism and democracy

When there is a confrontation between the absolute politics of terrorism and the compromising politics of democracies, the former seems to be in a position of advantage. This essay discusses the strengths of democracies (non‐violent change through elections, open criticism in and by the media, courts that protect the weak against the strong) as well as their weaknesses (freedom of movement and association, abundance of accessible targets and a legal system that requires solid proof). The weaknesses of democratic societies are increased by some features of the market system (it not only increases wealth but also inequality, sells weapons to supporters of terrorism, manages their banking and offers them access to the media through the commercial basis of the concept of news value). Ultimately, the struggle between terrorism and democracy is one for legitimacy and maintaining the latter is strategically more important for democratic governments than winning short‐term victories through tactical ‘quick fixes’.
Animal Welfare Issues in the Poultry Industry: Is There a Lesson to Be Learned?

Many of the conditions in which poultry live and the procedures to which they are subjected compromise their welfare. This article describes these welfare problems in the hope that they may serve as warnings to the rest of animal agriculture, which then might take steps to avoid the same pitfalls. The article discusses poultry welfare problems under the headings of battery cages for laying hens, forced molting, disposal of spent laying hens, fast growth problems in meat poultry, catching and transportation, food restriction of broiler breeders, hyperaggressiveness in broiler breeder males, elective surgeries, and water-bath stunning.
Rien ne sera plus comme avant

Le 11 septembre 2001 est-il un « tournant » de l’Histoire ? Une date comparable a celle, tenue pour fondatrice celle-ci, du 28 juin 1914 a Sarajevo, qui declencha la Grande Guerre annonciatrice du 20e siecle ? Ni les gouvernants ni les opinions publiques n’ont certes reagi de la meme facon en 1914 et en 2001. Les deux evenements tragiques sont donc profondement differents. C’est neanmoins une raison supplementaire pour envisager que rien, effectivement, pourrait bien ne plus etre desormais « comme avant » ce 11 septembre d’un nouveau siecle.
Designing fault-tolerant techniques for SRAM-based FPGAs

FPGAs have become prevalent in critical applications in which transient faults can seriously affect the circuit's operation. We present a fault tolerance technique for transient and permanent faults in SRAM-based FPGAs. This technique combines duplication with comparison (DWC) and concurrent error detection (CEO) to provide a highly reliable circuit while maintaining hardware, pin, and power overheads far lower than with classic triple-modular-redundancy techniques.
Independent Black Institutions: African-Centered Education Models.

Many have argued that the academic achievement of a large number of African American children across the country-as measured by standardized achievement tests, suspension rates, Special Education placement rates, and dropout rates-has deteriorated considerably over the last 20 years. Several factors have been identified as contributing to this dilemma, including teacher attitudes (Fine, 1991) and inadequate facilities (The Council of the Great City Schools, 1987). Of late, there has been much discussion about the potential benefits for African American students of African-centered curricula. Several urban school districts in the United States including Washington, DC, Dallas, Detroit, Buffalo, New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Portland are using or considering using an African-centered approach to teaching. Indeed, Portland has gone quite far already in attempting to implement such a curriculum on a far-reaching scale. The Africancentered approach has been the foundation of most of the members of the Council of Independent Black Institutions (CIBI), based in Buffalo, New York, since 1972. Contrary to what some scholars say, it is not too early to judge the results of these curricula. While the dialogue about them is very interesting, much of it is unfortunately lacking in critical information, some of which I will share in the present article. The focus on African-centered curricula has occurred partly because parents and educators are looking for new ways to improve the education of African American children. Mention is often made of the Ocean Hill-Brownsville (New York City) controversy of the 1960s. This conflict, which ensued when African American parents and other community members sought local control of the public schools in their neighborhoods, was, in part, the outcry of African Americans for culturally relevant curricula for their children (Weusi, 1973). Rarely is it mentioned in the current dialogue that largely out of such controversies across the country grew a network of independent, African-centered preschools, elementary schools, and high schools that to this day address these issues. Others point out that low self-esteem is an obstacle to academic achievement for African American children. They assert that the African-
SPIRITUAL INTEGRATION AS A PREDICTOR OF PERSISTENCE AT A CHRISTIAN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The research reported in this paper tested three core constructs in Tinto’s (1993) Model of Student Departure within the context of Christian higher education. In addition, the research added a spiritual integration variable to Tinto’s model that could potentially help to better explain retention and attrition at Christian institutions of higher education. The findings related to the spiritual integration variable are reported here. The sample for this study consisted of the students who completed the Student Information Form, the Institutional Integration Scales, and the spiritual integration measure. These students were tracked for one year, from their initial enrollment in the fall semester of 2000 through the fall semester of 2001. Students were then placed into one of two groups. One group consisted of persisters, students who reenrolled for the fall semester of 2001. The second group consisted of withdrawers, students who did not return for the fall 2001 semester. Survey research and quantitative data analysis were utilized to gather information and answer four research questions. The surveys used in this study include the Student Information Form (2000), the Institutional Integration Scales (Pascarella and Terenzini 1980), and a spiritual integration measure (Schreiner 2000). The integration surveys were distributed in the spring 2001 semester, during the twelfth week of classes, to first-year students enrolled in a required Bible course. This study found that the construct of spiritual integration was a significant predictor of student persistence.
In vitro anticancer activity of ethanolic extracts of Piper nigrum against colorectal carcinoma cell lines

Background: Piper nigrum (PN) is well known for its cytotoxic and pharmacological benefits. However, there is minimal documented evidence about its cytotoxic efficacy against colorectal carcinoma. We therefore sought to procure a precisely quantitative and qualitative result, pertaining the efficacy of an ethanolic extract of PN (EEPN) against colorectal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: EEPN was prepared by subjecting dried PN seeds to gradient ethanol fractionation. The total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), and anti-inflammatory activity (AIA) were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu assay, ferric reducing ability of plasma and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl methods, and human red blood cells membrane stabilizing assay, respectively. Colorectal carcinoma cell lines (HCT-116, HCT-15, and HT-29) were procured from National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, and were cultured in Dulbecco′s modified eagle media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1 mM L-glutamine. Cells were seeded into a 96-well plate, followed by treatment with increasing concentrations of EEPN. The cytotoxic efficacy was evaluated based on percentage inhibition of cells, using sulforhodamine-B assay. The IC-50 values were calculated using Prism software (Prism from GraphPad software, Inc. CA, USA). Results: Biochemical analysis revealed that 50% EEPN exhibited higher TPC, AOA, and AIA when compared to 70% and 100% EEPN at any given concentration (P = 0.041). Cytotoxic analysis revealed a dose-dependent response with maximum cellular inhibition at TPC of 6 and 3 μg/ml, using 50% EEPN. However, 50% inhibition of cellular growth using 50% EEPN was seen with TPC of 3.2, 2.9, and 1.9 μg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively, in HCT-15 cells. Hence, time- and dose-dependent increase in the cytotoxic efficacy of 50% EEPN against colorectal carcinoma cell lines were noted (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Given the significantly positive correlations exhibited between the biochemical and the cytotoxic properties evaluated in our study, we hereby conclude PN as a novel therapeutic spice for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma.
Mentoring girls in juvenile facilities: Connecting college students with incarcerated girls

This paper describes a course offered over the past two summers (2000 and 2001) in the Sociology/Criminal Justice and Criminology Department at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The course brought college students together with system-involved girls for an eight-week mentoring program. The development and a description of the course are presented, along with the rationale for providing this type of relationally-oriented program to girls. Based primarily on analyses of student papers, there is an exploration of the experiences, perceptions, and changes in attitudes and beliefs of the student mentors. The goal of the course was to provide enriching educational experiences for the students and to provide beneficial and often unavailable services to girls involved in the juvenile justice system. This assessment shows that the course was successful in achieving those outcomes and highlights the key components of a positive and productive relationship between mentor and mentee. This process analysis demonstrates the successes and problems and issues faced in the implementation of such a course.
PREVALENCE OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO METABOLIC SYNDROME IN A COHORT OF CHILDREN IN SOUTH BRAZIL.

INTRODUCTION the Metabolic Syndrome is a group of disorders and it has gaining importance due to its association with the subsequent development of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES to determine the prevalence of risk factors associated to the metabolic syndrome in children from a cohort in Southern Brazil. METHODS a prospective cohort study with hospital screening of all births (2741) occurred from September 2002 to May 2003, monitoring a random sample of 30.0% at one, three and six months and eight years old. During the visit at the age of eight years, a questionnaire containing questions related to nutrition, physical activity and family history of chronic diseases. Also, weight, height and the waist circumference were measured. Descriptive and bivariate analyzes between independent variables and the outcome were performed. Results y discussion: from the 616 studied children, 51.3% were male, 70.3% had white, about half belonged to the economic class C, 20.5% were overweight and 16.9% were obese. There was high prevalence of family history for hypertension (81.5%), and was observed that 20.7% of the eutrophic children showed elevated waist circumference. CONCLUSION the high prevalence of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome found in the studied children reinforces the importance of proper medical history including family history. It is suggested to include the measurement of waist circumference in routine pediatric care.