Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Culture Techniques for Isolation of Pseudomonas pseudomallei from Soil

Three selective enrichment broths and four selective agar media were evaluated for their ability to support the growth of Pseudomonas pseudomallei both at 35°C and at ambient temperature (range, 20 to 32°C; mean, 25°C). Colony counts of 50 strains of P. pseudomallei and recovery studies with 1 soil strain in 60 simulated soil samples demonstrated that enrichment with Trypticase soy broth incorporating 5 mg of crystal violet per liter and 20 mg of colistin per liter (CVCB) and subculture to Ashdown medium supported the growth of all 50 strains and produced the highest recovery rates with the greatest suppression of other soil flora. An enrichment broth of MacConkey broth (purple) incorporating 10 mg of crystal violet per liter, 5 mg of bromcresol purple per liter, 25 mg of gentamicin per liter, and 650 mg of streptomycin per liter showed greater suppression of soil bacteria than CVCB, but it failed to support the growth of three strains of P. pseudomallei. Recovery rates were essentially the same irrespective of whether the soil samples were incubated at 35°C or at ambient temperature, provided cultures were incubated in protected shade for an extended period. This is an important feature for field work in large-scale epidemiological surveys in which resources are limited.
A passivity based control for an electropneumatic actuator with a mass variation

This paper deals with robust control problem of an electropneumatic system subjected to parameters uncertainties and load disturbances. The control strategies are based on passivity control approaches. First, the nonlinear model of the electropneumatic system is presented. Then, a nonlinear control law is developed without depending on the mass of the carriage, to track desired position. Experimental results for various values of the mass are also presented and discussed.
Two-Phase Self-Assisted Zero-Voltage Switching DC–DC Converter

This paper proposes a two-phase self-assisted zero-voltage switching (ZVS) converter suitable for fully monolithic implementation. The proposed topology utilizes an auxiliary inductor connected between the two branches of a two-phase converter to achieve ZVS conditions. The proposed converter helps reduce the output voltage ripples of the standard ZVS topology. Furthermore, the auxiliary inductor could be magnetically coupled with the filtering inductor to reduce the occupied silicon area. The advantages of the proposed converter are validated through simulations on a 65-nm CMOS process.
Insulin hypersensitivity in mice lacking the V1b vasopressin receptor

We have reported that [Arg8]‐vasopressin‐stimulated insulin release is blunted in islet cells isolated from V1b receptor‐deficient (V1bR−/−) mice. In this study, we used V1bR−/− mice to examine the physiological role of the V1b receptor in regulating blood glucose levels in vivo, and we found that the fasting plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon levels were lower in V1bR−/− mice than in wild‐type (V1bR+/+) mice. Next, we evaluated glucose tolerance by performing an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (GTT). The plasma glucose and insulin levels during the GTT were lower in V1bR−/− mice than in V1bR+/+ mice. An insulin tolerance test (ITT) revealed that, after insulin administration, plasma glucose levels were lower in V1bR−/− mice than in V1bR+/+ mice. In addition, a hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp study showed that the glucose infusion rate was increased in V1bR−/− mice, indicating that insulin sensitivity was enhanced at the in vivo level in V1bR−/− mice. Furthermore, we found that the V1b receptor was expressed in white adipose tissue and that insulin‐stimulated phosphorylation of Akt as an important signaling molecule was increased in adipocytes isolated from V1bR−/− mice. Thus, the blockade of the V1b receptor could result, at least in part, in enhanced insulin sensitivity by altering insulin signalling in adipocytes.
Flexible Demand and Supply As Enablers of Variable Energy Integration

Abstract This article analyses the impact of the interplay between the demand response, wind penetration and hydropower in the Nordic power market. Long-term equilibrium model is developed, in which the thermal power capacity adjusts to the zero-profit level over varying real-time pricing adoption rates and wind power shares. The results show that an increased demand response decreases the amount of thermal power capacity and improves the utilization rate of thermal power and the value of wind power. There is a decreasing marginal gain from an increasing demand response adoption with respect to the thermal utilization and wind value factor. However, the demand response itself does not lead to lower CO2 emissions or reduced variation in hydropower generation.
Does a Third Party Observer Affect Neuropsychological Test Performance? It Depends

This study is a meta-analysis of available literature examining the effect of an observer on cognitive task performance. Of the 210 identified relevant articles, 62 met inclusion criteria yielding a final sample with 4405 individuals (2496 observed cases, 1909 not observed). The overall effect size was significant (d = −0.24), i.e., the presence of an observer was associated with poorer performance. However results were moderated by the effect size calculation method, cognitive domain, visibility of the observer, and number of observers. Attention, learning/memory, and delayed recall tasks were most adversely impacted by the presence of an observer.
Role of Distinct Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways and Cooperation between Ets-2, ATF-2, and Jun Family Members in Human Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Gene Induction by Interleukin-1 and Tetradecanoyl Phorbol Acetate

ABSTRACT We have investigated the in vivo and in vitro regulation of the human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) gene by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and analyzed the transcription factors and signalling pathways involved in the response of the −2.0-kb uPA enhancer to IL-1 induction and to tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) induction. Mutational analysis showed the cooperative activity of the Ets-binding site (EBS) and the two AP-1 elements of the enhancer. The results reveal that the EBS is required for the response to both inducers mediated by Ets-2, which is regulated at a level subsequent to DNA binding, by an IL-1- and phorbol ester-inducible transactivation domain. Both the IL-1 and the TPA-mediated induction result in a drastic increase of AP-1 binding to the downstream site of the enhancer (uPA 3′ TPA-responsive element), while a mostly qualitative change, resulting from the interplay between ATF-2 homodimers and c-Jun–ATF-2 heterodimers, takes place at the upstream AP-1 element. The analysis of two distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways shows that stress-activated protein kinase–Jun N-terminal kinase activation, resulting in the phosphorylation of ATF-2, c-Jun, and JunD, is required not only for the IL-1- but also for the TPA-dependent induction, while the extracellular signal-related kinase 1 (ERK-1) and ERK-2 activation is involved in the TPA- but not in the IL-1-dependent stimulation of the uPA enhancer.
Brucella Suis Biovar 1 in Naturally Infected Cattle: A Bacteriological, Serological, and Histological Study

and immunodiffusion for serodiagnosis of paratuberculosis. Can J Vet Res 53:405–410. 20. Wright PF, Kelly WA, Gall DEJ: 1985, Application of a timing protocol to the reduction of interplate variability in the indirect enzyme immunoassay for detection of anti-Brucella antibody. J Immunoassay 6:189–205. 21. Yokomizo Y, Merkal RS, Lyle PAS: 1983, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of bovine immunoglobulin G1 antibody to a protoplasmic antigen of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Am J Vet Res 44:2205–2207. 22. Yokomizo Y, Yugi H, Merkal RS: 1985, A method for avoiding false-positive reactions in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of bovine paratuberculosis Jpn J Vet Sci 47:111–119.
The Entrepreneurship Industry: Influences of the Goods and Services Marketed to Entrepreneurs

This paper constitutes the first comprehensive attempt to define and assess entrepreneurship as an industry, and it is the only study to date to empirically evaluate the extent to which the entrepreneurship industry (EI) is associated with entrepreneurial actions and outcomes. EI is defined as the goods and services explicitly intended for opportunity discovery and development by current and prospective entrepreneurs, an industry with $13 billion in annual revenue. In order to assess EI's influence, we employ a matched set comparison of EI consumers and nonconsumers, which reveals that high levels of EI consumption are associated with an increase in entrepreneurial activity but a decrease in performance and survival prospects. The findings address material gaps in existing frameworks by adding EI to the entrepreneurial contexts that exert a potent influence on the identification, development, and exploitation of opportunities.
Interactive effects of salinity on metabolic rate, activity, growth and osmoregulation in the euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos)

The euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos) is an excellent subject for studies of the physiological and behavioral processes involved in salinity adaptation. In this study, energy partitioning for metabolism, activity and growth, maximal activity performance and blood osmotic concentrations were assessed at two activity levels in juvenile milkfish fed equal rations and maintained at a relatively constant temperature (262 C) and at salinities (15, 35 and 55 ? ) that represented a wide range of osmoregulatory challenges. Changes in the measured parameters were not consistently related to the magnitude of the trans-integumentary osmotic gradients. Routine oxygen consumption rates were high in 35 ? salinity (mean 1 s.e.m. 1678 mg O2 kg-1 h-1) and comparably low in 15 and 55 ? salinity (1336 and 1273 mg O2 kg-1 h-1, respectively). Routine activity levels (relative swimming velocity) were highest in 35 ? salinity (0. 960.04 L s-1), where L is standard length, intermediate in 15 ? salinity (0.770.03 L s-1) and lowest in 55 ? salinity (0.670.03 L s-1). Growth was significantly higher in 55 ? salinity (3.40.2 % increase in wet body mass per day) than in 35 ? salinity (2.40.2 % increase per day) and intermediate in 15 ? salinity (2.90.5 % increase per day). Maximum swimming velocities decreased with increases in salinity, from 9.90. 7 L s-1 in 15 ? salinity to 6.60. 5 L s-1 in 55 ? salinity. Sustained swimming activity above routine levels for 2 h resulted in an increase in blood osmotic concentrations in milkfish in 55 ? salinity, but osmoregulation was re-established during the second 2 h of activity. Thus, patterns of variation in metabolic rate and growth were largely parallel to variations in routine activity although, comparing 15 and 55 ? salinity, elevated maintenance costs for osmoregulation at the high salinity were detectable. Reduced osmoregulatory abilities and reductions in maximal swimming performance suggest that high salinity may constrain activity. The results demonstrate that investigations of salinity adaptation in euryhaline fishes should take into account the interactive effects of salinity on physiology and behavior.
Epithelial Sodium Channel Stiffens the Vascular Endothelium In Vitro and in Liddle Mice

Liddle syndrome, an inherited form of hypertension, is caused by gain-of-function mutations in the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), the principal mediator of Na+ reabsorption in the kidney. Accordingly, the disease pathology was ascribed to a primary renal mechanism. Whether this is the sole responsible mechanism, however, remains uncertain as dysregulation of ENaC in other tissues may also be involved. Previous work indicates that ENaC in the vascular endothelium is crucial for the regulation of cellular mechanics and thus vascular function. The hormone aldosterone has been shown to concomitantly increase ENaC surface expression and stiffness of the cell cortex in vascular endothelial cells. The latter entails a reduced release of the vasodilator nitric oxide, which eventually leads to an increase in vascular tone and blood pressure. Using atomic force microscopy, we have found a direct correlation between ENaC surface expression and the formation of cortical stiffness in endothelial cells. Stable knockdown of &agr;ENaC in endothelial cells evoked a reduced channel surface density and a lower cortical stiffness compared with the mock control. In turn, an increased &agr;ENaC expression induced an elevated cortical stiffness. More importantly, using ex vivo preparations from a mouse model for Liddle syndrome, we show that this disorder evokes enhanced ENaC expression and increased cortical stiffness in vascular endothelial cells in situ. We conclude that ENaC in the vascular endothelium determines cellular mechanics and hence might participate in the control of vascular function.
Freedom from endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair does not equal treatment success.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether freedom from endoleak after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) is a reliable guide to freedom from persistent or recurrent pressurisation of the aneurysm sac (endotension) and therefore freedom from risk of rupture. PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of 55 patients followed for more than 3 months after EVAR were reviewed to correlate the presence or absence of endoleak on contrast-enhanced CT and/or angiography with changes in maximum aneurysm diameter (DMAX). RESULTS in 22 (40%) patients there was no significant change in DMAX during follow-up. In 21 of these no endoleak was observed on CT or angiography. One patient developed a secondary side-branch endoleak which remains under observation. In 18 (33%) patients, DMAX decreased during follow-up. Thirteen of these remained free of endoleak. Four patients developed secondary endoleaks which were treated by secondary intervention. One patient with persistent primary endoleak suffered fatal aneurysm rupture three days before planned intervention. DMAX increased in 15 (27%) patients. In only five of these could an endoleak be identified on CT and/or angiography. One primary side-branch endoleak persists following failed embolisation. Four secondary endoleaks have been corrected by secondary intervention. Four of the remaining 10 patients died suddenly from unknown cause. All had DMAX greater than 65 mm at last follow-up. One patient underwent late conversion, which suggested continued pressurisation through thrombus at the site of a "sealed" primary proximal endoleak. Two patients are scheduled to undergo embolisation of patent side-branches revealed only by Levovist enhanced Duplex scanning and three patients remain under observation. CONCLUSION Freedom from endoleak on conventional imaging incorrectly suggested freedom from endotension in 10 (18%) of our patients. Follow-up after endovascular repair must include regular measurement of DMAX and/or aneurysm sac volume to identify those patients who remain at risk of rupture.
A New E-Government System by Documenting Information

In this paper a new system for e-government is suggested. In this method a government can set a precise and perfect system to control people and organizations by using five major documents for each one. These documents contain the important information of each member of a society and help all organizations to do their informatics tasks through them. This information would be accessible only by a national code that a secure program would support it. The suggested system can give a good awareness to the society and help it be managed correctly.
Flagellin A is essential for the virulence of Vibrio anguillarum

A flagellin gene from the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum was cloned, sequenced, and mutagenized. The DNA sequence suggests that the flaA gene encodes a 40.1-kDa protein and is a single transcriptional unit. A polar mutation and four in-frame deletion mutations (180 bp deleted from the 5' end of the gene, 153 bp deleted from the 3' end of the gene, a double deletion of both the 180- and 153-bp deletions, and 942 bp deleted from the entire gene) were made. Compared with the wild type, all mutants were partially motile, and a shortening of the flagellum was seen by electron microscopy. Wild-type phenotypes were regained when the mutations were transcomplemented with the flaA gene. Protein analysis indicated that the flaA gene corresponds to a 40-kDa protein and that the flagellum consists of three additional flagellin proteins with molecular masses of 41, 42, and 45 kDa. N-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that the additional proteins were flagellins with N termini that are 82 to 88% identical to the N terminus of FlaA. Virulence studies showed that the N terminal deletion, the double deletion, and the 942-bp deletion increased the 50% lethal dose between 70- and 700-fold via immersion infection, whereas infection via intraperitoneal injection showed no loss in virulence. In contrast, the polar mutant and the carboxy-terminal deletion mutant showed approximately a 10(4)-fold increase in the 50% lethal dose by both immersion and intraperitoneal infection. In summary, FlaA is needed for crossing the fish integument and may play a role in virulence after invasion of the host.
Contribution of pancreatic edema and short-term ischemia to experimental acute pancreatitis in the rat. I. Procedure and pathomorphological investigations.

: For experimental analysis of pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis a suitable animal model is necessary. The pancreatic (juice) edema and an alteration of cellular energy metabolism are important pathogenetic factors. A partial intrapancreatic edema was induced by stimulating secretion against permanent or temporary obstruction by ductal ligation. Short-term ischemia was used as tool for alteration of cellular energy metabolism. 24 h postoperatively morphological changes were macro- and microscopically investigated. The data show a correlation between duration of ischemia (10-30 min) and the frequency of acute pancreatitis at preexisting juice edema (44-68 percent). With increasing ischemia the morphological alterations (e.g.: necroses of adipose tissue) were enhanced, too. A hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis was rarely observed. In comparison to other experimental models the presented one is characterized by a mostly moderate and light course of acute pancreatitis offering a good tool for elucidation of the very first stages of the pathogenesis.
Refining Vancomycin Protein Binding Estimates: Identification of Clinical Factors That Influence Protein Binding

ABSTRACT While current data indicate only free (unbound) drug is pharmacologically active and is most predictive of response, pharmacodynamic studies of vancomycin have been limited to measurement of total concentrations. The protein binding of vancomycin is thought to be approximately 50%, but considerable variability surrounds this estimate. The present study sought to determine the extent of vancomycin protein binding, to identify factors that modulate its binding, and to create and validate a prediction tool to estimate the extent of protein binding based on individual clinical factors. This single-site prospective cohort study included hospitalized adult patients treated with vancomycin and with a vancomycin serum concentration determination available. Linear regression was used to predict the free vancomycin concentration (f[vanco]) and to determine the clinical factors modulating vancomycin protein binding. Among the 50 patients in the study, the mean protein binding was 41.5%. The strongest predictor of f[vanco] was the total vancomycin concentration (total [vanco]), and this was modified by dialysis and total protein of ≥6.7 g/dl as covariates. The algebraic expression from the final prediction model was f[vanco] = 0.643 + 0.560 × total [vanco] − {0.067 × total [vanco] × D} − {0.071 × total [vanco] × TP} where D = 1 if dialysis dependent or 0 if not dialysis dependent, and TP = 1 if total protein is ≥6.7 g/dl or 0 if total protein is <6.7 g/dl. The R2 of the final prediction model was 0.959 (P < 0.001). Validation of our model was performed in 13 patients, and the predictive performance was highly favorable (R2 was 0.9, and bias and precision were 0.18 and 0.18, respectively). Prediction models such as ours can be utilized in future pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies evaluating the exposure-response profile and to determine the pharmacodynamic target of interest as it relates to the free concentration.
Not All Bad News After All? Exploring the Relationship Between Citizens’ Use of Online Mass Media for Government Information and Trust in Government

ABSTRACT Mass media coverage of government is often blamed for inciting anti-public sector sentiment. Yet there have been few empirical assessments of these claims. To address this gap in the literature, this study examines whether relationships between citizens’ expectations of public sector performance, satisfaction with public services, and levels of trust in government vary according to their use of online mass media for information about government. Using data collected in 2012 from a survey of 1,100 Seoul citizens, we find that greater use of online mass media to obtain information about government reinforces negative relationships between (1) expectations of public sector performance and satisfaction with public services, and (2) expectations of public sector performance and trust in government. Moreover, the size and strength of the negative indirect relationship between expectations of public sector performance and trust in government increase as respondents use online mass media more frequently for information about government.
Ongoing changes in HIV RNA levels during untreated HIV infection: implications for CD4 cell count depletion

Background:Understanding of the interplay between plasma HIV RNA level and CD4 cell count depletion in untreated infection remains incomplete. Methods:We studied 1169 people with HIV seen for care at a major London clinic while naive to antiretroviral therapy. We considered pairs (n = 5940) of consecutive simultaneously measured CD4 cell count and plasma HIV RNA values from patients who had never started therapy. Baseline was the first date when both measures were known. Results:HIV RNA levels increased variably and often substantially from baseline (60% experience an increase of over 50 000 copies/ml by 5 years of follow-up). The current HIV RNA level (i.e. first value of the pair) was strongly associated with the time-standardized change in CD4 cell count, with a mean 106 cells/μl per year greater rate of CD4 cell count decline per log-copy/ml higher current HIV RNA level (P < 0.0001). After adjustment for the current level, higher baseline HIV RNA was not associated with CD4 cell count decline. There was no average CD4 cell count decline with current HIV RNA level below 3.0 log-copies/ml, compared with a 159 cells/μl per year decline for those with HIV RNA at least 5.5 log-copies/ml (P < 0.0001). Further, the current CD4 cell count predicted subsequent changes in HIV RNA level (0.04 log-copies/year greater increases per 100 cells/μl lower CD4 cell count; P < 0.0001). Conclusion:The often substantial increases in HIV RNA level observed in untreated HIV infection appear fundamentally linked to CD4 cell count depletion. Research into mechanisms by which HIV RNA levels rise over time should yield insights into the causes of CD4 cell count depletion, as the two processes are intimately linked.