Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Production of Nitric Oxide and Tumor Necrosis Factor by Murine Macrophages Infected with Mycobacterial Strains Differing by Hemolytic Activity

In this study, we compared the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) by murine macrophages infected in vitro with hemolytic or unhemolytic mycobacteria isolates. We observed that unhemolytic mycobacteria induced more intensive NO production by macrophages and were more susceptible to bactericidal effect of mononuclear phagocytes than hemolytic mycobacterial strains. In contrast, the high‐virulence hemolytic isolates induced significantly stronger TNF‐α production by infected macrophages than the low‐virulence unhemolytic bacilli.
Experimental Staphylococcal Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is one of the most feared complications of ocular trauma or surgery. It is a complex pathogen- and host-mediated process that often results in significant vision loss. This review summarizes data from experimental models of staphylococcal endophthalmitis that address the host’s immune response to intraocular staphylococci and those that investigate disease pathogenesis.
Survival for immunity: the price of immune system activation for bumblebee workers.

Parasites do not always harm their hosts because the immune system keeps an infection at bay. Ironically, the cost of using immune defenses could itself reduce host fitness. This indirect cost of parasitism is often not visible because of compensatory resource intake. Here, workers of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, were challenged with lipopolysaccharides and micro-latex beads to induce their immune system under starvation (i.e., not allowing compensatory intake). Compared with controls, survival of induced workers was significantly reduced (by 50 to 70%).
A new genus and species of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from Kephart Prong, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A bacterium was isolated from a water sample collected from the Kephart Prong in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This isolate did not have a conclusive match to any known bacteria in the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP); therefore, it was tested to verify it as a novel species. The full 16S rRNA gene of the newly discovered bacterium was sequenced and results showed there to be a 100% confidence that it belonged in the Enterobacteriaceae family but only an 81% confidence that is belonged in the genus Serratia suggesting that this bacterium could represent a new genus in the family. The bacterium was characterized by its preferences and tolerance to temperature, pH, and salinity as well as for metabolic capabilities such as oxidase activity, ability to hydrolyze gelatin, ability to convert tryptophan into indole, and the ability to hydrolyze casein. Antibiotic resistance was also tested against penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, and colistin. Results from these phenotypic tests suggested that the isolate is not closely related to any known enterobacter species. Based on the limitations of the above methods, the full genome was sequenced to better place it in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Results of whole genome comparisons to its most closely related relatives indicate that this species is quite novel. Phylogenetics were performed and demonstrate that a new genus and species of bacteria has been cultured. This work will aid in understanding the biodiversity found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the possible contributions this bacterium provide to the ecosystem. Bacteria are also beneficial to humans and act as important resources in many different fields such as medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and ecology. Without the knowledge and resources gained from bacteria these fields would not be as advanced as they are today. Further, conservation and restoration of ecosystems cannot occur without first understanding the biodiversity that makes up that these environments. The discovery of this isolate helps contribute to the understanding of the biodiversity in GSMNP as well as the understanding of the Enterobacteriaceae family.
ON THE EVOLUTION OF PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN A SPATIALLY HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT

A genetic model for the dynamics of a quantitative trait is analyzed in terms of gene frequencies, linkage disequilibria, and environmental effects on the trait. In a randomly mating population, at each generation progeny move to niches where they are subject to weak Gaussian selection on the trait, with different fitness levels in the different niches. Initially, the variability of the trait is due to additive loci with heterozygous homeostasis. The evolution of plasticity is then described in terms of the invasion of the population by genetic modifiers that may epistatically affect the trait, its optimum in each niche, the strengths of selection, and other parameters characteristic of the niches. We show that the evolution of trait means within niches depends on the overall evolution in the whole system, and in general, optimum phenotypic values are not attained. The reaction norm and genotype‐environment interaction may evolve even if the only effects of the modifier are on individual rates of dispersal, or on fitness effects resulting from the different environments in the different niches; this evolution does not require that the modifier affect parameters that influence the values of the trait. It is conjectured that in the least frequently reached niches with low fitness levels, the deviations from the trait optima should be larger than those in more commonly experienced and less stringent niches. Our analysis makes explicit the different contribution of between‐ and within‐niche effects on the evolutionary dynamics of phenotypic plasticity in heterogeneous environments.
Miliary Sarcoidosis following Miliary Tuberculosis

A patient who presented with a miliary radiographic pattern due to tuberculosis and later with a similar miliary pattern due to sarcoidosis is described. The patient, a 47-year-old man, was admitted to the hospital due to coughing, weakness, weight loss and an abnormal chest radiograph with a miliary pattern. A gastric fluid culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and he was treated appropriately. He showed complete clinical and radiological remission. One year later he presented with a dry cough and a similar miliary pattern on the chest roentgenogram. Lung biopsy taken by thoracoscopy revealed sarcoidosis. The patient had a complete remission with corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a miliary pattern as presenting radiological sign in a patient with tuberculosis who subsequently developed a new miliary pattern due to sarcoidosis.
Kablosuz Ağlarda Güvenli Yönlendirme Protokolleri

Mobil tasarsiz aglar kendi kendilerini otomatik olarak duzenler ve kablosuz iletisim yaparlar. Bir dugum erisim mesafesi disinda olan dugumlerle diger dugumler araciligiyla paketlerin bir dugumden diger dugume iletilmesini saglayarak haberlesebilmektedir. Kablosuz aglarda iletisim herkese acik ortamda yapildigi icin veri guvenliginin saglanmasi kablolu aglara gore daha zordur. Guvenligin saglanabilmesi icin veri paketlerinin guvenli yollar secilerek yonlendirilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu calismada kablosuz teknolojiler ve bu teknolojiler icin onerilmis guvenli yonlendirme protokolleri ele alinarak incelenmistir. Bu protokollerin cozum yontemleri, avantajlari ve dezavantajlari arastirilmis ve birbirleriyle karsilastirilmistir. Son olarak guvenli yonlendirme icin calisma yapilabilecek arastirma konulari onerilmistir.
Memory B-cell depletion is a feature of HIV-2 infection even in the absence of detectable viremia

Objective:Memory B-cell loss has long been recognized as an important contributor to HIV immunodeficiency. HIV-2 infection, which is characterized by a slow rate of progression to AIDS and reduced to undetectable viremia, provides a unique model to investigate B-cell disturbances. Design and methods:B-cell subsets were evaluated in 38 HIV-2-infected individuals, along with markers of T-cell activation and serum levels of immunoglobulins and a major B-cell homeostatic cytokine, B-cell activating factor (BAFF). Untreated HIV-1-infected and seronegative control individuals were studied in parallel. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney tests and Spearman's correlations. Results:We found that HIV-2 was associated with significant depletion of both unswitched (CD27+IgD+) and switched (CD27+IgDneg) memory B-cells that directly correlated with T-cell activation, even in individuals with undetectable plasma viral load. Nevertheless, the presence of detectable viremia, even at low levels, was associated with significant memory B-cell loss and higher BAFF levels. Moreover, these alterations were not recovered by antiretroviral-therapy, as treated HIV-2-infected patients showed more pronounced B-cell disturbances, possibly related to their extended length of infection. Conclusion:These first data regarding B-cell imbalances during HIV-2 infection show that, irrespective of viremia, prolonged HIV infection leads to irreversible damage of memory B-cell homeostasis.
Botulinum toxin A for treatment of sialorrhea in children: an effective, minimally invasive approach.

OBJECTIVES To report (1) our experience with botulinum toxin A injections into the salivary glands of pediatric patients with sialorrhea, (2) the clinical outcomes of these interventions, and (3) the associated complication rates. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Urban pediatric hospital and pediatric rehabilitation center. PATIENTS Forty-five neurologically impaired children. INTERVENTIONS Patients received botulinum toxin A intrasalivary injections between January 2004 and May 2008 at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. All patients received sedation or general anesthesia for their botulinum toxin A injections, which were performed using ultrasonographic guidance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Posttreatment assessments included the duration of effect, patient complications, saliva consistency, caregiver willingness to repeat the treatment, caregiver satisfaction with the treatment, and caregiver overall assessment of the child's posttreatment quality of life. RESULTS Forty-five subjects received a total of 91 botulinum toxin A treatments. The mean (SD) duration of effect was 4.6 (5.2) months. Duration of effect (log transformed) was significantly negatively associated with saliva quantity (P = .02), and there was a positive association with both increasing age and female sex, although neither reached statistical significance (P = .08 for each). Seven of the 24 documented complications were major, according to the Society of Interventional Radiology Classification System for Complications by Outcome scale. Thirty-six of the caregivers reported that this treatment improved the child's quality of life (80%). CONCLUSION Ultrasonographically guided botulinum toxin A injections into the salivary glands are safe and efficacious in the management of sialorrhea in children with neurologic disorders.
Update on Natural Variation of Plant Metabolism Natural Variation of Plant Metabolism : Genetic Mechanisms , Interpretive Caveats , and Evolutionary and Mechanistic Insights 1

Combining quantitative genetics studies with metabolomics/metabolic profiling platforms, genomics, and transcriptomics is creating significant progress in identifying the causal genes controlling natural variation in metabolite accumulations and profiles. In this review, we discuss key mechanistic and evolutionary insights that are arising from these studies. This includes the potential role of transport and other processes in leading to a separation of the site of mechanistic causation and metabolic consequence. A reilluminated observation is the potential for genomic variation in the organelle to alter phenotypic variation alone and in epistatic interaction with the nuclear genetic variation. These studies are also highlighting new aspects of metabolic pleiotropy both in terms of the breadth of loci altering metabolic variation as well as the potential for broader effects on plant defense regulation of the metabolic variation than has previously been predicted. We also illustrate caveats that can be overlooked when translating quantitative genetics descriptors such as heritability and per-locus r to mechanistic or evolutionary interpretations.
How Clumpy Star Formation Affects Globular Cluster Systems

There is now clear evidence the metallicities of globular clusters are not simple tracers of the elemental abundances in their protocluster clouds; some of the heavy elements were formed subsequently within the cluster itself. It is also manifestly clear that star formation is a clumpy process. We present a brief overview of a theoretical model for how self-enrichment by supernova ejecta proceeds in a protocluster undergoing clumpy star formation, and show that it predicts internal abundance spreads in surprisingly good agreement with those in observed Milky Way clusters.
Continent‐Wide Climatic Variation Drives Local Adaptation in North American White Clover

Abstract Climate‐associated clines in adaptive polymorphisms are commonly cited as evidence of local adaptation within species. However, the contribution of the clinally varying trait to overall fitness is often unknown. To address this question, we examined survival, vegetative growth, and reproductive output in a central US common garden experiment using 161 genotypes of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) originating from 15 locations across North America. White clover is polymorphic for cyanogenesis (hydrogen cyanide release upon tissue damage), a chemical defense against generalist herbivores, and climate‐associated cyanogenesis clines have repeatedly evolved across the species range. Over a 12‐month experiment, we observed striking correlations between the population of origin and plant performance in the common garden, with climatic distance from the common garden site predicting fitness more accurately than geographic distance. Assessments of herbivore leaf damage over the 2015 growing season indicated marginally lower herbivory on cyanogenic plants; however, this effect did not result in increased fitness in the common garden location. Linear mixed modeling suggested that while cyanogenesis variation had little predictive value for vegetative growth, it is as important as climatic variation for predicting reproductive output in the central United States. Together, our findings suggest that knowledge of climate similarity, as well as knowledge of locally favored adaptive traits, will help to inform transplantation strategies for restoration ecology and other conservation efforts in the face of climate change.
0.34  $\text{V}_{\mathrm {T}}$  AlGaN/GaN-on-Si Large Schottky Barrier Diode With Recessed Dual Anode Metal

A large GaN-Schottky barrier diode (SBD) with a recessed dual anode metal is proposed to achieve improved the forward characteristics without a degradation of the reverse performances. Using optimized dry etch condition for a large device, the electrical characteristics of the device are demonstrated when applying the recessed dual anode metal and changing the recess depths. The device size and channel width are 4 mm2 and 63 mm, respectively. The 16-nm recessed dual anode metal SBD has a turn-ON voltage of 0.34 V, a breakdown voltage of 802 V, and a reverse leakage current of 1.82 μA/mm at -15 V. The packaged SBD exhibits a forward current of 6.2 A at 2 V and a reverse recovery charge of 11.54 nC.
Shot-noise-limited spin measurements in a pulsed molecular beam

Heavy diatomic molecules have been identified as good candidates for use in electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) searches. Suitable molecular species can be produced in pulsed beams, but with a total flux and/or temporal evolution that varies significantly from pulse to pulse. These variations can degrade the experimental sensitivity to changes in the spin precession phase of an electrically polarized state, which is the observable of interest for an eEDM measurement. We present two methods for measurement of the phase that provide immunity to beam temporal variations, and make it possible to reach shot-noise-limited sensitivity. Each method employs rapid projection of the spin state onto both components of an orthonormal basis. We demonstrate both methods using the eEDM-sensitive $H{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{3}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{1}$ state of thorium monoxide, and use one of them to measure the magnetic moment of this state with increased accuracy relative to previous determinations.
Criteria for polycystic ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome as a function of age.

CONCEPT Ovaries meeting criteria for polycystic ovary morphology during peak reproductive years may no longer meet the criteria with age. OBJECTIVE Ovarian volume and follicle number decrease with age in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), permitting age-dependent criteria for PCOM. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted longitudinal (7-15 year interval) and cross-sectional studies to examine polycystic ovarian morphology over time at an outpatient clinic and pathology laboratory in a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Subjects included those with PCOS defined by the National Institutes of Health criteria (n = 11 and 483 for longitudinal and cross-sectional, respectively) and control women with regular menstrual cycles and no hyperandrogenism (n = 15 and 367), age 18-64 yr. INTERVENTIONS Subjects underwent an ovarian ultrasound by a single observer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Ovarian volume and follicle number were measured and ultrasound findings confirmed by a pathologist in a subset (n = 9). RESULTS Ovarian volume (15.2 +/- 7.4 vs. 7.1 +/- 3.7 ml; P < 0.01) and follicle number (12.8 +/- 3.2 vs. 8.1 +/- 3.9; P < 0.05) decreased longitudinally in PCOS and control women (volume 11.6 +/- 4.4 vs. 5.4 +/- 2.2 ml and follicle number 8.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.3 +/- 1.8; both P < 0.005). Using cross-sectional data, log ovarian volume and follicle number decreased in both groups, but the decrease in log ovarian volume was less pronounced in women with PCOS than in controls (P < 0.01). A combination of age, log ovarian volume, follicle number, and testosterone distinguished PCOS subjects from controls with a receiver operator characteristic curve area of 0.90. CONCLUSIONS Ovarian volume and follicle number decrease with age in women with PCOS and controls necessitating age-based criteria to define polycystic ovarian morphology. It is possible to use these criteria to distinguish PCOS in women over age 40 yr.
In Vivo Emergence of High-Level Macrolide Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae following a Single Dose of Azithromycin

Resistance to macrolides in the pneumococcus is generally by virtue of an efflux pump (encoded by the mefA or mefE gene) or the presence of a ribosomal methylase (encoded by the ermB or, rarely, the ermA gene). Horizontal spread of these genes can occur through inter- and intraspecies recombination
REVIEW OF THE 2006 UNITED STATES NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL REPORT: FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER

SUMMARY: The recent report by a 12-member committee of the US National Research Council (NRC) examined the scientific basis for the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of fluoride in drinking water promulgated in 1985 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Due to misdirection by EPA management, who requested the report, the NRC committee identified only health effects known with total certainty. This is contrary to the intent of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which requires the EPA to determine “whether any adverse effects can be reasonably anticipated, even though not proved to exist. ” Further misdirection by EPA consisted of instructing the committee not to identify a new MCLG—in other words, not to determine a safe level of fluoride in drinking water, and not to discuss silicofluorides, phosphate fertilizer manufacturing by-products used in most cities to fluoridate their water. Despite these restrictions, the committee broke new ground declaring severe dental fluorosis and moderate (stage II) skeletal fluorosis adverse health effects, and by noting that the current standard of 4 mg F/L in drinking water does not protect against bone fractures or severe dental fluorosis. Silicofluorides were said to need health effects testing. The NRC review includes extensive information on other possible health effects of fluoride, such as endocrine effects and effects on the brain. On the basis of this information and the proper interpretation of the SDWA, the following are all adverse health effects: moderate dental fluorosis, stage I skeletal fluorosis (arthritis with joint pain and stiffness), decreased thyroid function, and detrimental effects on the brain, especially in conjunction with aluminum. The amount of fluoride necessary to cause these effects to susceptible members of the population is at or below the dose received from current levels of fluoride recommended for water fluoridation. The recommended Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for fluoride in drinking water should be zero.
Patient safety and quality of care in developing countries in Southeast Asia: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE To establish current knowledge of patient safety and quality of care in developing countries in Southeast Asia, current interventions and the knowledge gaps. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES Key words, synonyms and subject headings were used to search seven electronic databases in addition to manual searching of relevant journals. DATA SYNTHESIS Titles and abstracts of publications between 1990 and 2014 were screened by two reviewers and checked by a third. Full text articles were screened against the eligibility criteria. Data on design, methods and key findings were extracted and synthesized. RESULTS Four inter-related safety and quality concerns were evident from 33 publications: (i) the risk of patient infection in healthcare delivery, (ii) medications errors/use, (iii) the quality and provision of maternal and perinatal care and (iv) the quality of healthcare provision overall. CONCLUSIONS Large-scale prevalence studies are needed to identify the full range of safety and quality problems in developing countries in Southeast Asia. Sharing lessons learnt from extensive quality and safety work conducted in industrialized nations may contribute to significant improvements. Yet the applicability of interventions utilized in developed countries to the political and social context in this region must be considered. Strategies to facilitate the collection of robust safety and quality data in the context of limited resources and the local context in each country are needed.
Sensor Clustering and Sensing Technology for Optimal Throughput of Sensor-Aided Cognitive Radio Networks Supporting Multiple Licensed Channels

In cognitive radio networks, secondary users may not sense licensed channels efficiently due to problems of fading channel, shadowing, unfamiliar environment, and so forth. To cope with the limitation, a pervasive sensor network can cooperate with cognitive radio network, which is called sensor-aided cognitive radio network. In the paper, we investigate sensor clustering and sensing time of each sensor cluster with aiming at achieving optimal throughput of sensor-aided cognitive radio network supporting multiple licensed channels. Moreover, the minimum throughput requirement of cognitive radio user is also guaranteed in the sensor clustering problem. To do this, we formulate the throughput maximization problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming and utilize the Branch and Bound algorithm to solve it. We also propose an heuristic algorithm which can provide similar performance to that of the Branch and Bound algorithm while reducing computation complexity significantly.