Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Passage through mitosis is required for oncoretroviruses but not for the human immunodeficiency virus

The human immunodeficiency virus productively infects and integrates into cells that have been arrested in the cell cycle with either gamma irradiation or aphidicolin. Integration by oncoretroviruses such as the murine leukemia virus (MuLV), on the other hand, depends on cell proliferation. Although the entire cell cycle is not necessary for MuLV infection, it is essential that the infected cells pass through mitosis. The long terminal repeat circle junction, a marker for nuclear entry, is first observed in MuLV-infected cells immediately after mitosis. These results suggest that mitosis is necessary for nuclear entry of MuLV, but not human immunodeficiency virus, unintegrated proviral DNA.
The Perceived Parenting Self-Efficacy of First-Time Fathers Caring for Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Objective: Although the period after the birth of their infant is a difficult and complex time for first-time parents who have to attain new abilities, knowledge, and skills, parents of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) face even greater challenges. Parenting self-efficacy has been found to play a key role in the transition to parenthood and has been linked with positive behavioral outcomes. Although many studies have attempted to describe the needs and experiences of mothers in this area, very little is yet known about fathers. Design: Using a qualitative, descriptive method, this study explored the factors that first-time fathers of a VLBW infant perceive to influence their parenting self-efficacy beliefs. Setting: The study was conducted though a neonatal follow-up clinic in an urban setting in Canada. Participants: Five participants were recruited though convenience sampling. Results: Thematic coding analysis revealed five key themes that fathers identified as influencing their perceived self-efficacy: learning from capable role models, personal experiences, the importance of personal beliefs and traits, positive reinforcement, and infant health status. Conclusions: The study results highlight the needs of first-time fathers of VLBW infants in the early period after birth and offer guidance to nurses as to how they might foster self-efficacy during this time.
Ethylene Production, Respiration, & Internal Gas Concentrations in Cantaloupe Fruits at Various Stages of Maturity.

In studying the relationship between ethylene production and the climacteric rise in respiration exhibited by ripening fruits, it was not possible to determine when ethylene production begins until the advent of gas chromatography. This technique makes available quantitative measurement of ethylene concentrations at or below the threshold of physiological activity. Burg and Thimann (3, 4) were the first to apply the method to studies of fruit ripening; ethylene was determined with an especially sensitive thermal conductivity detector (2). In recent work, Meigh et al. (11, 12), using the more sensitive flameionization detector, measured ethylene concentrations as low as a few parts per billion. Gas chromatography was used in this study of cantaloupe fruits (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatis) to assess the rate of ethylene and carbon dioxide evolution and concurrent internal concentrations of ethylene, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. For the ethylene determinations, a highly sensitive flame-ionization detector was used, and the other gases were analyzed with a thermal conductivity detector. Results from two experiments are reported. In the first experiment, analyses were performed on the internal atmospheres of cantaloupes harvested at different stages of development, and in the second. changes in the rate of production of ethylene and carbon dioxide and in the composition of the internal atmosphere were followed in harvested mature melons as they progressed from the preclimacteric through the climacteric stages of ripening. While a few values have been reported for the respiratory rate of cantaloupes (13), these data are the first to present a pattern of respiration and establish clearly the presence of the climacteric in this fruit.
Resource Reservation protocol Tunnelling Extension in MPLS for sustainable Mobile Wireless Networks

Traffic Engineering (TE) is most effective in networks where some links are heavily utilized and have little or no bandwidth available while others carry little or no traffic. It is of great importance to the recent development of mobile and wireless technologies. Without the process of TE, there is possibilities of having under-utilization and over-utilization problems along the links. It is necessary to consider the implementation that would avoid the goal of network and unguaranteed bandwidth delivery. Therefore, the operators and service providers require seamless combination of network protocols with an improved quality of service (QoS). This paper will be focusing on Resource Reservation Protocol Tunnelling Extension Multiprotocol Layer Switching (RSVP-TE MPLS) for sustainable mobile wireless networks. This will make provision of bandwidth allocation possible by implementing the configurations of the dynamic and static LSPs (Label Switching Paths). The network model designed will be used for this purpose by using simulation approach. The verification of the MPLS model will be presented. It will eventually maximize bandwidth utilization, minimize operation cost and improve QoS.
Fumonisin B2 production by Aspergillus niger in Thai coffee beans

During 2006 and 2007, a total of 64 Thai dried coffee bean samples (Coffea arabica) from two growing sites in Chiangmai Province and 32 Thai dried coffee bean samples (Coffea canephora) from two growing sites in Chumporn Province, Thailand, were collected and assessed for fumonisin contamination by black Aspergilli. No Fusarium species known to produce fumonisin were detected, but black Aspergilli had high incidences on both Arabica and Robusta Thai coffee beans. Liquid chromatography (LC) with high-resolution mass spectrometric (HRMS) detection showed that 67% of Aspergillus niger isolates from coffee beans were capable of producing fumonisins B2 (FB2) and B4 when grown on Czapek Yeast Agar with 5% NaCl. Small amounts (1–9.7 ng g−1) of FB2 were detected in seven of 12 selected coffee samples after ion-exchange purification and LC–MS/MS detection. Two samples also contained FB4. This is the first record of freshly isolated A. niger strains producing fumonisins and the first report on the natural occurrence of FB2 and FB4 in coffee.
The anatomy of difference: comprehending the evolutionary dynamics of economic and spatial structure in the Austrian and Czech economies

ABSTRACT The research on the economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries towards the old EU members is voluminous, and it has an obvious appeal to both policy-makers and public. Unlike the traditional literature concerned with selected macro-patterns of the European convergence process, this paper presents a comparative study of two economies, attempting to comprehend more nuanced aspects and underlying mechanisms shaping their evolution. It examines the evolutionary dynamics of the structure and spatial organization of the Czech and Austrian economies since the late 1980s. Therefore, as a basis for subsequent analysis, the conceptual part attempts to systematize the key specific factors of the former command economies. The empirical results show that, despite significant similarities in the structure of these economies, the absolute and relative productivity as well as the spatial relatedness of the main types of industries reveal important differences between these two countries. These distinctions tend to be disregarded when making inferences about the European convergence process on the basis of traditional literature concerned predominantly with macro-patterns. Consequently, this study shows that since the collapse of socialism, Czechia has been reintegrated into the global economy in a different way from Austria, implying different evolutionary trajectories in the future.
A decentralized planning algorithm considering tack spatial configuration for a group of AUVs

One of essential factors in mission planning for an AUV group is mission running time. This paper addresses decentralized techniques, which can be used in order to minimize mission running time under uncertainty such as a change in the list of group members. The major contribution of this paper is decentralization of a previously developed mathematical model (a “version model”), intended for centralized approach. A modified auction scheme is compared to a pairwise exchange scheme, allowing both initial task distribution and plan modification.
Can studies of aluminum toxicity in vivo and in vitro provide relevant information on the pathogenesis and etiology of Alzheimer's disease?

The study reported in the present issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease by Mizoroki et al. [8] concludes that the failure of treatment of transgenic mice with aluminum maltolate to induce Alzheimer’s-like neuropathological changes provides proof that aluminum is not a causative agent in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. In our opinion, this report by Mizoroki et al. fails to provide an incisive analysis of previous work on the possible role of aluminum as an initiator of neurodegeneration, both in experimental animals and in humans. Dietary aluminum has been shown to increase brain amyloidosis in APP transgenic mice [11]. Since neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques appear to be seen in only a few animal species, including aged bears [1] and, of course, humans, it is not surprising that aluminum compounds in most species fails to reproduce the neuropathological and biochemical abnormalities seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Such a lack of an exact match in abnormal features does not rule out
Effect of Alcohol and Smoking on Pancreatic Lithogenesis in the Course of Chronic Pancreatitis

The aim of the study was to establish whether correlations were discernible between calcification, smoking, and other variables—including alcohol intake—in chronic pancreatitis. A total of 637 patients with chronic pancreatitis diagnosed over the period of 1973—1989 were reviewed. Only patients who had had one or more instrumental tests (ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, computed tomography, plain film of the abdomen) every 3 years were included in the study. Onset of calcification was taken as the end point of the follow-up. No statistically significant correlation was found between alcohol intake and calcification. As regards smoking habits, patients were divided into two groups: nonsmokers and medium-to-heavy smokers (210 cigarettedday). Of 637 patients, only 570 fulfilled our criteria. Three hundred seventy-six patients (66%) developed calcifications, whereas 64 (10%) already presented calcifications at the time of diagnosis. Smoking correlated with formation of calcifications (p < 0.004). The mean time to onset of calcification in smokers was 8 years as against 12 years in nonsmokers. The relative risk of calcification in smokers versus nonsmokers was 1.21 (95% confidence limits: 1.10-1.32). By the end of follow-up (17 years), 277 smokers (69%) with chronic pancreatitis had developed calcifications compared with only 93 nonsmokers (55%). The results show that, in this sample of chronic pancreatitis sufferers, smokers present a significantly increased risk of developing calcifications.
Cardiac Denial and Psychological Predictors of Cardiac Care Adherence in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

The current study examined cardiac denial and psychological predictors (i.e., depression, anxiety) of health outcomes including medical nonadherence and physical health in a sample of 80 adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Results indicated that denial of impact was elevated in this patient group compared with reference groups, and denial was negatively associated with depression and anxiety at ps < . 01. Results indicated that depression, anxiety, and denial predicted unique variance in medical nonadherence, and gender moderated the relationships between these psychological factors and nonadherence. For depression, men and women showed similar relationships between depression and nonadherence at high levels of depression; however, at low levels of depression (i.e., a more normal mood state), men were less adherent compared with women. For anxiety, men and women did not differ in adherence at low levels of anxiety; however, men experiencing high anxiety were less adherent compared with women experiencing high anxiety. Implications of this study are discussed including the role of gender and denial and the impact of denial functioning to reduce negative affect. Depression was the only significant predictor of physical functioning. Results of this study suggest that psychological interventions aimed at depression and anxiety may function differently across gender to improve patient medical adherence and improve physical functioning in ACHD.
Compact structured-light projector for 3D surface profiling

We present a highly compact projector using a diffractive optical element (DOE) and a collimated laser beam to project light patterns on to a three-dimensional (3D) surface as used in structured-light 3D surface profilers. The compact device has been designed to work in a far-field range from 4 mm to 40 mm with the pattern size of 5 mm× 5 mm at 10 mm distance, yielding a projection angle of 28°. A first prototype successfully demonstrated projection of stripe patterns over this large depth-of-focus range with a very short image plane distance of 4 mm.
Successful induction of severe destructive arthritis by the transfer of in vitro‐activated synovial fluid T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice

In order to investigate the role of pathogenic T cells in RA, the establishment of an RA model using patients’ T cells is thought to be essential. In this study, multiple and severe destructive arthritis was established by transferring in vitro‐stimulated synovial fluid T (SFT) cells from patients with RA through simultaneous injection into knee joint and peritoneal cavity of SCID mice without causing xenogeneic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). Neither the transfer of unstimulated SFT cells nor sole i.p. injection was sufficient to induce severe arthritis. Interestingly, in contrast with SFT cells, in vitro‐activated peripheral blood lymphocytes from RA patients failed to trigger such arthritis, suggesting that pathogenic T cells might be concentrated in synovial fluid of RA patients. This, the first severe arthritis model mimicking RA induced by RA patients’ T cells, is expected to provide important information about RA pathogenesis and a possible therapeutic approach.
Immunology of gut mucosal vaccines

Summary: Understanding the mechanisms underlying the induction of immunity in the gastrointestinal mucosa following oral immunization and the cross‐talk between mucosal and systemic immunity should expedite the development of vaccines to diminish the global burden caused by enteric pathogens. Identifying an immunological correlate of protection in the course of field trials of efficacy, animal models (when available), or human challenge studies is also invaluable. In industrialized country populations, live attenuated vaccines (e.g. polio, typhoid, and rotavirus) mimic natural infection and generate robust protective immune responses. In contrast, a major challenge is to understand and overcome the barriers responsible for the diminished immunogenicity and efficacy of the same enteric vaccines in underprivileged populations in developing countries. Success in developing vaccines against some enteric pathogens has heretofore been elusive (e.g. Shigella). Different types of oral vaccines can selectively or inclusively elicit mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A and serum immunoglobulin G antibodies and a variety of cell‐mediated immune responses. Areas of research that require acceleration include interaction between the gut innate immune system and the stimulation of adaptive immunity, development of safe yet effective mucosal adjuvants, better understanding of homing to the mucosa of immunologically relevant cells, and elicitation of mucosal immunologic memory. This review dissects the immune responses elicited in humans by enteric vaccines.
Fatigue properties of human thenar motor units paralysed by chronic spinal cord injury

Human muscles paralysed chronically by spinal cord injury (SCI) fatigue excessively. Whether these reductions in force reflect a decrease in the fatigue resistance of the motor units is unknown. Our aim was to determine the fatigability of thenar motor units paralysed chronically (10 ± 2 years) by cervical SCI. Surface electromyographic activity (EMG) and force were recorded from 17 paralysed motor units (n= 7 subjects) in response to intraneural motor axon stimulation (13 pulses at 40 Hz, 1 s−1 for 2 min). Unit force decreased progressively, reaching 8–60% of initial after 2 min, whereas both the amplitude and area of the first EMG potentials in the trains increased significantly (both P < 0.05). Thus, transmission of neural signals to the sarcolemma was effective and the reduction in force must reflect impaired processes in the muscle fibres. The median fatigue index for paralysed units (0.31), the ratio of the force at 2 min compared to the initial force, was significantly lower than that for units from control subjects (0.85, P < 0.05), but the distribution of fatigue indices for each population had a similar shape (ranges: 0.08–0.60 and 0.41–0.95, respectively). Hence, chronic paralysis did not limit the range of fatigability typically found for thenar units, only its magnitude. These findings suggest that all paralysed units underwent similar reductions in fatigue resistance. After fatigue, paralysed unit forces were reduced at all frequencies (1–100 Hz, P < 0.05). Twitch contraction and half‐relaxation times were increased, as was the frequency needed to produce half maximal force (P < 0.05). Thus, stimulation protocols used to produce functional movements in paralysed muscles need to accommodate the significant and rapid fatigue of the motor units.
[Medical comorbidity in Alzheimer's disease: baseline characteristics of the REAL.FR Cohort].

PURPOSE Alzheimer's disease (AD) evolves over about ten years with cognitive decline that can be considered as linear. Comorbidities are frequent in geriatric population. The major objective of this study is to determine whether comorbidity influences natural history of AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a prospective, multicentric French study (REAL.FR) of a cohort of ambulatory patients suffering from AD from a mild to a moderately severe stage, with a Mini-Mental State between 10 and 26, and followed with a caregiver. We evaluated the comorbidities and they were quantified using the Charlson index. RESULTS We analysed 579 AD patients enrolled between April 2000 and June 2002. Majority of patients were women (72%). Average age and MMS average score were respectively 77.4 +/- 7.1 and 20.1 +/- 4.5. Cardiovascular diseases were the most frequent comorbid conditions (34%), before sensorial handicap (23%), and neurological diseases (18%) apart from dementia. Four AD patients groups differed according to the comorbidities figures, from none to more than three (maximum 8). Average Charlson index was 1.5 +/- 0.9. CONCLUSION The follow-up of the four AD patients groups, differentiated by the comorbidities figures, should allow to precise the influence of comorbidities on the AD evolution. Charlson index could be used to quantify the comorbidities in the cohort's follow-up. However, this index, validated in a cohort of cancer patients, show limits for its use in geriatric population.
In-vitro activity of moxifloxacin against fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of aerobic gram-negative bacilli and Enterococcus faecalis.

MICs of the new fluoroquinolone, moxifloxacin, and those of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin for 19 genetically characterized fluoroquinolone-resistant strains were determined by the agar dilution method. The MICs of moxifloxacin for Escherichia isolates with one mutation in gyrA (corresponding to Ser83-->Leu or Asp87-->Gly substitution) were 0.25-0.5 mg/L, while those of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin were 0.06-0.25, 1 and 0.12-0.5 mg/L, respectively. These values were four- to 16-fold higher than those of the same antibiotics for the wild-type strain, E. coli KL16. Similar results were observed with clinical isolates of Salmonella spp. harbouring one mutation in gyrA leading to the substitution of Ser83 by Phe or Tyr. In the presence of two mutations in the E. coli gyrA gene, the MICs of moxifloxacin ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin were 2, 0.5, 4 and 1 mg/L, respectively; these were 32 times higher than the MICs of these agents for E. coli KL16. The MICs of the four quinolones for triple mutants with two mutations in gyrA and one in parC were even higher, i.e. 8, 8, 16 and 8-16 mg/L, respectively. The MICs of moxifloxacin for Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni strains with a gyrA mutation leading to Thr86-->Ile substitution ranged from 1 to 2 mg/L, while the MICs of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin were 16-32 mg/L, 8-16 and 4-8 mg/L, respectively. For high-level ciprofloxacin-resistant (MICs of 32 mg/L) clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis with one substitution at position 83 in GyrA (E. coli coordinates), the MICs of moxifloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin were 8-16, > or = 128 and 32 mg/L respectively. In conclusion, moxifloxacin and other fluoroquinolones exhibit cross-resistance against aerobic gram-negative bacilli and enterococci. The in-vitro activity of moxifloxacin was greater than that of ofloxacin and slightly less than that of ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin against Enterobacteriaceae, but greater than those of the three other compounds tested against Campylobacter spp and E. faecalis.
Astrocytes restrict discharge duration and neuronal sodium loads during recurrent network activity

Influx of sodium ions into active neurons is a highly energy‐expensive process which must be strictly limited. Astrocytes could play an important role herein because they take up glutamate and potassium from the extracellular space, thereby dampening neuronal excitation. Here, we performed sodium imaging in mouse hippocampal slices combined with field potential and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings and measurement of extracellular potassium ([K+]o). Network activity was induced by Mg2+‐free, bicuculline‐containing saline, during which neurons showed recurring epileptiform bursting, accompanied by transient increases in [K+]o and astrocyte depolarizations. During bursts, neurons displayed sodium increases by up to 22 mM. Astrocyte sodium concentration increased by up to 8.5 mM, which could be followed by an undershoot below baseline. Network sodium oscillations were dependent on action potentials and activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Inhibition of glutamate uptake caused acceleration, followed by cessation of electrical activity, irreversible sodium increases, and swelling of neurons. The gliotoxin NaFAc (sodium‐fluoroacetate) resulted in elevation of astrocyte sodium concentration and reduced glial uptake of glutamate and potassium uptake through Na+/K+‐ATPase. Moreover, NaFAc extended epileptiform bursts, caused elevation of neuronal sodium, and dramatically prolonged accompanying sodium signals, most likely because of the decreased clearance of glutamate and potassium by astrocytes. Our experiments establish that recurrent neuronal bursting evokes sodium transients in neurons and astrocytes and confirm the essential role of glutamate transporters for network activity. They suggest that astrocytes restrict discharge duration and show that an intact astrocyte metabolism is critical for the neurons' capacity to recover from sodium loads during synchronized activity. GLIA 2015;63:936–957