Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Species Mycobacterium africanum in the Light of New Molecular Markers

ABSTRACT The findings of recent studies addressing the molecular characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates have initiated a discussion on the classification of M. africanum, especially of those isolates originating from East Africa (cluster F, subtype II) and displaying phenotypic and biochemical characteristics more similar to those of M. tuberculosis. To further address this question, we analyzed a representative collection of 63 M. tuberculosis complex strains comprising 30 M. africanum subtype I strains, 20 M. africanum subtype II strains, 10 randomly chosen M. tuberculosis isolates, and type strains of M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. africanum for the following biochemical and molecular characteristics: single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gyrB and narGHJI and the presence or absence of RD1, RD9, and RD12. For all molecular markers analyzed, subtype II strains were identical to the M. tuberculosis strains tested. In contrast, the subtype I strains as well as the M. africanum type strain showed unique combinations of SNPs in gyrB and genomic deletions (the absence of RD9 and the presence of RD12), which proves their independence from M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. Accordingly, all subtype I strains displayed main biochemical characteristics included in the original species description of M. africanum. We conclude that the isolates from West Africa were proved to be M. africanum with respect to the phenotypic and genetic markers analyzed, while the isolates from East Africa must be regarded as phenotypic variants of M. tuberculosis (genotype Uganda). We propose the addition of the molecular characteristics defined here to the species description of M. africanum, which will allow clearer species differentiation in the future.
How feeding on young and old leaves affects the performance of Ascia monuste orseis (Godart) (Lepidoptera, Pieridae)

In the field, immature individuals of Ascia monuste orseis (Godart), the kale caterpillars, migrate in great proportion to other regions of the host in order to complete their development; there, they find leaves of different ages and are exposed to the nutritional variation of these leaves. The objective of this study was to find out how the change to leaves of different ages affects the A. monuste orseis performance. The experiments were carried out providing one kind of leaf during the three first instars, and afterwards providing leaves of different ages during the fourth and fifth instars, since it is in these two instars that the changing movement prevails in that species. The parameters to measure performance were time of development (both to complete the three first instars and the fourth and fifth instars), ingestion of food, incorporated biomass, digestive indices that evaluated efficiency in food utilization, relative growth and intake rates, percentage of emergence, weight and size of the adults. In general, the caterpillars which were first fed on new leaves presented a better performance, but this study concluded that the A. monuste orseis caterpillars have shown skills to compensate food with lower nutritional value or less abundant in nature.
Using semantic and structural properties of the Unified Medical Language System to discover potential terminological relationships.

OBJECTIVE To use the semantic and structural properties in the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Metathesaurus to characterize and discover potential relationships. DESIGN The UMLS integrates knowledge from several biomedical terminologies. This knowledge can be used to discover implicit semantic relationships between concepts. In this paper, the authors propose a problem-independent approach for discovering potential terminological relationships that employs semantic abstraction of indirect relationship paths to perform classification and analysis of network theoretical measures such as topological overlap, preferential attachment, graph partitioning, and number of indirect paths. Using different versions of the UMLS, the authors evaluate the proposed approach's ability to predict newly added relationships. MEASUREMENTS Classification accuracy, precision-recall. RESULTS Strong discriminative characteristics were observed with a semantic abstraction based classifier (classification accuracy of 91%), the average number of indirect paths, preferential attachment, and graph partitioning to identify potential relationships. The proposed relationship prediction algorithm resulted in 56% recall in top 10 results for new relationships added to subsequent versions of the UMLS between 2005 and 2007. CONCLUSIONS The UMLS has sufficient knowledge to enable discovery of potential terminological relationships.
Demo: Orion: A Radio Access Network Slicing System

Emerging 5G mobile networks are envisioned to support the dynamic deployment of services with diverse performance requirements, accommodating the needs of mobile network operators and verticals. Virtualizing the mobile network components in a flexible and cost-effective way is therefore of paramount importance. In this work, we highlight the capabilities of Orion, a novel RAN slicing architecture that enables the dynamic virtualization of base stations and flexible customization of slices to meet their respective service needs. Our demonstration of Orion's capabilities is based on a prototype implementation employing a modified version of the OpenAirInterface software LTE platform. Using this prototype, we demonstrate the functional and performance isolation, and the efficient sharing of radio hardware and spectrum that can be achieved among Orion RAN slices. Moreover, we show how Orion can be used in an end-to-end network slicing setting and demonstrate the effects of the slices' configuration and placement of virtual functions in the overall quality of the deployed services.
Detecting irregularities in regular patterns

This study compares three different methods designed for detecting irregularities from regular dot patterns. Frequency domain information is used to split an original regular pattern into two images: the first image contains the perfect repeating pattern and the second one includes all irregularities in the original image. The methods are based on the Fourier transform, but they differ in how they separate or utilize the regular and irregular image parts. Performances of these methods are compared, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed
Dichotically presented emotionally intoned words produce laterality differences as a function of localisation task

Two-syllable words (burden; furrow; mantle; ration) each spoken in happy, angry, sad, and neutral tones of voice were dichotically paired. For each presented wordpair, subjects were asked to localise ("left"; "right") or reject the presence of one pre-specified word on one block of trials and one pre-specified emotional tone on a second trial block. Right ear advantages (REAs) indicated by a superior hit rate averaging 9.6% were found for all words. Left ear advantages (LEAs) averaging 15.2% were obtained for emotional intonation, with additional evidence of differences between emotion categories. Results are discussed in terms of complementary hemispheric roles for linguistic and prosodic analysis.
An online marketplace for geosocial data

When recording their GPS trajectories or posting geo-tagged content on social networks, people produce social spatio-temporal data that can be stored and shared, namely geosocial data. Much of these spatio-temporal data can be used by organizations and applications, for statistical analysis or to provide services that are based on data. By letting people sell the data they produce, to different consumers, both sides can benefit. Thus, we present here a visionary idea of a geosocial marketplace where people and organizations can sell, buy and exchange geosocial data, that is, trade with spatio-temporal data pertaining people. We discuss the involved challenges, such as how to define supply and demand, pricing data, privacy issues and measuring the amount of data being exchanged. We explain the importance of the approach and its applicability. We believe that the proposed vision could motivate followup research in the area of sharing and exchanging spatio-temporal data as well as determining appropriate price points.
Double Fano resonances in an individual metallic nanostructure for high sensing sensitivity

In this paper, we report on the design and observation of double Fano resonances (DFRs) in an individual symmetry-reduced nanostructure and the induced high sensing sensitivity. Such a plasmonic nanostructure consists of a partially overlapped double-metallic nanotriangles with unequal sizes fabricated by using fast and low-cost angle-resolved nanosphere lithography. Symmetry breaking generates two narrow quadrupolar dark modes, which further enhance the coupling with fundamental bright dipole modes within the same structure, manifesting the effect of DFRs. The resonance wavelength and line shape of DFRs can be tailored by changing the degree of asymmetry as well as the size of the designed nanostructure. Based on DFRs, a high sensitivity to dielectric environment with a maximum figure of merit of 35 is measured. Due to a fast manufacturing process with high reproducibility and high structural tunability, the fabricated individual metallic nanostructure provides an opportunity for significant potential applications in localized surface plasmon resonance based single or double-wavelength sensors in the near-infrared region.
Inkjet printing of organic electronics – comparison of deposition techniques and state-of-the-art developments

Inkjet printing represents a solution dispensing technique that is characterized by its non-contact, material-efficient and reproducible processing. This critical review discusses the use of inkjet printing for organic electronics with a focus on the applicability as well as the drying behavior. The nascent inkjet printing technique is compared to commonly used solution deposition methods, like spin-coating and doctor blading. Basic drying principles of inkjet printed features are understood and fundamental correlations between processing properties and film characteristics can be drawn. It is, however, a long way to gain a full understanding of the complete drying process, since the process conditions as well as the ink properties correlate in a complex relation with the final device properties. Nevertheless, inkjet printing has the potential to evolve as one of the most promising film preparation techniques in the future and has already been applied successfully in combinatorial screening workflows and for the preparation of organic solar cell devices.
Rheological Properties and Anti-Aging Properties of PP/PP-g-AN Blends

The effect of PP-g-AN prepared by solid phase grafting on the blends of PP/PP-g-AN was investigated in this paper. The influence of aging testing time, PP-g-AN additives concentration, shear rate on the rheological properties and anti-aging properties of PP/PP-g-AN were mainly discussed. The results show that PP/PP-g-AN blends are pseudoplastic fluid and the presence of PP-g-AN can restrain the degradation of polypropylene when the content of PP-g-AN is in a certain range.
Constitutive expression of calreticulin in osteoblasts inhibits mineralization

Recent studies have shown that the multifunctional protein calreticulin can localize to the cell nucleus and regulate gene transcription via its ability to bind a protein motif in the DNA-binding domain of nuclear hormone receptors. A number of known modulators of bone cell function, including vitamin D, act through this receptor family, suggesting that calreticulin may regulate their action in bone cells. We have used a gain-of-function strategy to examine this putative role of calreticulin in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Purified calreticulin inhibited the binding of the vitamin D receptor to characterized vitamin D response elements in gel retardation assays. This inhibition was due to direct protein-protein interactions between the vitamin D receptor and calreticulin. Expression of calreticulin transcripts declined during MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic differentiation. MC3T3-E1 cells were transfected with calreticulin expression vectors; stably transfected cell lines overexpressing recombinant calreticulin were established and assayed for vitamin D-induced gene expression and the capacity to mineralize. Constitutive calreticulin expression inhibited basal and vitamin D-induced expression of the osteocalcin gene, whereas osteopontin gene expression was unaffected. This pattern mimicked the gene expression pattern observed in parental cells before down- regulation of endogenous calreticulin expression. In long-term cultures of parental or vector-transfected cells, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) induced a two- to threefold stimulation of 45Ca accumulation into the matrix layer. Constitutive expression of calreticulin inhibited the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced 45Ca accumulation. This result correlated with the complete absence of mineralization nodules in long-term cultures of calreticulin-transfected cells. These data suggest that calreticulin can regulate bone cell function by interacting with specific nuclear hormone receptor-mediated pathways.
Relationship between microstructure and acoustic emission in Mn-Mo-Ni A533B steel

AbstractThe sources of acoustic emission in a steel of the A533B composition with low sulphur content have been investigated using two different recording techniques. First, systematic narrow band (0.1–1.0 MHz) measurements were made of acoustic emission activity during uniaxial tensile tests of specimens with a range of controlled microstructures. Mechanical properties and fracto graphic data were analysed, and the most probable deformation and fracture mechanisms deduced for these microstructures. It appears that only a few processes generate detectable emission in this material. For instance, high-velocity dislocation motion can be detected during the yield of slow-cooled or long-tempered specimens, and cleavage fracture in rapidly quenched specimens. A model is presented to relate the magnitude of the emission to the dynamic operation of dislocation and fracture sources. Second, very wide band (25 MHz) calibrated measurements were made of the most energetic emission sources in rapidly quenched materia.
Involvement of SNAP-23 and syntaxin 6 in human neutrophil exocytosis

To understand the molecular basis of exocytosis in human neutrophils, the role of syntaxin 6 and SNAP-23 in neutrophil degranulation was examined. Human syntaxin 6 was cloned and identified as a 255-amino acid protein with a carboxyterminal transmembrane region and two coiled-coil domains. Syntaxin 6 was localized mainly in the plasma membrane of human resting neutrophils, whereas SNAP-23 was located primarily in the mobilizable tertiary and specific granules. SNAP-23 was translocated to the cell surface, colocalizing with syntaxin 6, on neutrophil activation. In vitro binding studies established that SNAP-23 binds to syntaxin 6. Coimmunoprecipitation assays indicated that SNAP-23 interacts with syntaxin 6 in vivo, and this interaction was dramatically increased on neutrophil activation. Antibodies against SNAP-23 inhibited Ca 11 and GTP-g -S–induced exocytosis of CD67-enriched specific granules, but they hardly affected exocytosis of the CD63-enriched azurophilic granules, when introduced into electropermeabilized neutrophils. Anti–syntaxin 6 antibodies prevented exocytosis of both CD67and CD63-enriched granules in electropermeabilized neutrophils. These data show that syntaxin 6 and SNAP-23 are involved in human neutrophil exocytosis, demonstrating that vesicle SNAP receptor-target SNAP receptor (v-SNARE– t-SNARE) interactions modulate neutrophil secretion. Syntaxin 6 acts as a target for secretion of specific and azurophilic granules, whereas SNAP-23 mediates specific granule secretion. (Blood. 2000;96: 2574-2583)
Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD and the risk of serious pneumonia

Background Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are known to increase the risk of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear whether the risk of pneumonia varies for different inhaled agents, particularly fluticasone and budesonide, and increases with the dose and long-term duration of use. Methods We formed a new-user cohort of patients with COPD treated during 1990–2005. Subjects were identified using the Quebec health insurance databases and followed through 2007 or until a serious pneumonia event, defined as a first hospitalisation for or death from pneumonia. A nested case–control analysis was used to estimate the rate ratio (RR) of serious pneumonia associated with current ICS use, adjusted for age, sex, respiratory disease severity and comorbidity. Results The cohort included 163 514 patients, of which 20 344 had a serious pneumonia event during the 5.4 years of follow-up (incidence rate 2.4/100/year). Current use of ICS was associated with a 69% increase in the rate of serious pneumonia (RR 1.69; 95% CI 1.63 to 1.75). The risk was sustained with long-term use and declined gradually after stopping ICS use, disappearing after 6 months (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.17). The rate of serious pneumonia was higher with fluticasone (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.93 to 2.10), increasing with the daily dose, but was much lower with budesonide (RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.26). Conclusions ICS use by patients with COPD increases the risk of serious pneumonia. The risk is particularly elevated and dose related with fluticasone. While residual confounding cannot be ruled out, the results are consistent with those from recent randomised trials.
Imaging characteristics of plastic scintillating fiber screens for mammography

A scanning slot digital mammography system using a plastic scintillating fiber screen (SFS) is currently being developed. To improve the x-ray interaction efficiency and absorption efficiency of an SFS, high Z elements can be added into the scintillating fiber core. In this paper, we investigate theoretically the zero spatial frequency detective quantum efficiency, DQE(0), and modulation transfer function, MTF(f), of three 2 cm thick SFSs made of polystyrene, polystyrene loaded with 5% by weight of lead, and polystyrene loaded with 10% by weight of tin scintillating fibers. X-ray interaction efficiency, scintillating light intensity distributions and line spread functions were generated using Monte Carlo simulation. DQE(0) and MTF(f) were computed for x-ray energies ranging from 15 to 50 keg. Loading high Z elements into the SFS markedly increased the DQE(0). For x-ray energies used for mammography, DQE(0) values of both high Z element loaded SFSs are about a factor of three higher than the DQE(0) of an Min-R screen. At mammographic x-ray energies, MTF(f) values of all three SFSs are greater than 50% at 25 lp/mm spatial frequency, and were found to be dominated by the 20 micrometer individual scintillating fiber diameter used. The results show that both high DQE(0) and spatial resolution can be achieved with the high Z element loaded SFSs, which make these SFS attractive for use in a scanning slot detector for digital mammography.
Natural Compounds as Modulators of Cell Cycle Arrest: Application for Anticancer Chemotherapies

Natural compounds from various plants, microorganisms and marine species play an important role in the discovery novel components that can be successfully used in numerous biomedical applications, including anticancer therapeutics. Since uncontrolled and rapid cell division is a hallmark of cancer, unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying mitosis is key to understanding how various natural compounds might function as inhibitors of cell cycle progression. A number of natural compounds that inhibit the cell cycle arrest have proven effective for killing cancer cells in vitro, in vivo and in clinical settings. Significant advances that have been recently made in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the cell cycle regulation using the chemotherapeutic agents is of great importance for improving the efficacy of targeted therapeutics and overcoming resistance to anticancer drugs, especially of natural origin, which inhibit the activities of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, as well as other proteins and enzymes involved in proper regulation of cell cycle leading to controlled cell proliferation.
Removal of NO2 and SO2 Using Porous Media Made from Sewage Sludge

This study was carried out to investigate adsorption characteristics on NO2 and SO2 for two kinds of media, ie the carbonated media and its zeolite coated media with sewage sludge. Porous media was manufactured through processes of drying, extruding, forming, carbonation and washing. Zeolite was coated on the media, and then thermally treated. Test of NO2 and SO2 removal was peformed by detecting NO2 and SO2 concentration at inlet and outlet of the reactor continuously flowing the mixed gas. Zeolite coated media showed higher than carbonization media in removal efficiency of NO2 and SO2. Also, zeolite coated media took shorter time for achieving in 84% removal of SO2 than carbonated media. And, zeolite coated media showed that removal efficiency of NO2 and SO2 maintained high in early stage as well as time elapsing. It make possible the zeolite coated media remove SO2 and NO2 for long time. As a result, micro pore in zeolite could increase breakthrough time and adsorption capability, compared to macro pore in carbonated media. Zeolite coating on porous media would be effective on removal of SOx and NOx.
Reduction of HIV-1 RNA levels with therapy to suppress herpes simplex virus.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic data suggest that infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is associated with increased genital shedding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA and HIV-1 transmissibility. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of HSV suppressive therapy with valacyclovir (at a dose of 500 mg twice daily) in Burkina Faso among women who were seropositive for HIV-1 and HSV-2; all were ineligible for highly active antiretroviral therapy. The patients were followed for 24 weeks (12 weeks before and 12 weeks after randomization). Regression models were used to assess the effect of valacyclovir on the presence and quantity of genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA and genital HSV-2 DNA during treatment, adjusting for baseline values, and to evaluate the effect over time. RESULTS A total of 140 women were randomly assigned to treatment groups; 136 were included in the analyses. At enrollment, the median CD4 cell count was 446 cells per cubic millimeter, and the mean plasma viral load was 4.44 log10 copies per milliliter. With the use of summary-measures analysis, valacyclovir therapy was found to be associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of genital HIV-1 RNA (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21 to 0.80) and in the mean quantity of the virus (log(10) copies per milliliter, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.44 to -0.15). However, there was no significant decrease in detection of HIV (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.07). HSV suppressive therapy also reduced the mean plasma HIV-1 RNA level by 0.53 log(10) copy per milliliter (95% CI, -0.72 to -0.35). Repeated-measures analysis showed that these effects became significantly stronger during the 3 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS HSV suppressive therapy significantly reduces genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in dually infected women. This finding may have important implications for HIV control. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00158509 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).