Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The cell cycle in Staphylococcus aureus is regulated by an amidase that controls peptidoglycan synthesis

Bacteria are protected by a polymer of peptidoglycan that serves as an exoskeleton. In Staphylococcus aureus, the enzymes that assemble peptidoglycan move during the cell cycle from the periphery, where they are active during growth, to the division site where they build the partition between daughter cells. But how peptidoglycan synthesis is regulated throughout the cell cycle is not understood. Here we identify a membrane protein complex that spatially regulates S. aureus peptidoglycan synthesis. This complex consists of an amidase that removes peptide chains from uncrosslinked peptidoglycan and a partner protein that controls its activity. Typical amidases act after cell division to hydrolyze peptidoglycan between daughter cells so they can separate. However, we show that this amidase controls cell growth. In its absence, excess peptidoglycan synthesis occurs at the cell periphery, causing cells to grow so large that cell division is defective. We show that cell growth and division defects due to loss of this amidase can be mitigated by attenuating the polymerase activity of the major S. aureus peptidoglycan synthase. Our findings lead to a model wherein the amidase complex regulates the density of peptidoglycan assembly sites to control peptidoglycan synthase activity at a given cellular location. Removal of peptide chains from peptidoglycan at the cell periphery promotes synthase movement to midcell during cell division. This mechanism ensures that cell expansion is properly coordinated with cell division.
Mechanism of action of antireflux procedures

To define the clinical role of antireflux surgical procedures a proper understanding of their mode of action is required. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of total or posterior partial fundoplication on the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) in the basal state as well as during stimulation.
Nutritional management in long-term care: development of a clinical guideline. Council for Nutritional Strategies in Long-Term Care.

BACKGROUND Involuntary weight loss resulting from malnutrition is a major problem among residents in long-term care facilities. Although body weight is easily measured, the evaluation of unintended weight loss in long-term care facilities is difficult. METHODS The Council for Nutritional Clinical Strategies in Long-Term Care, an expert panel of interdisciplinary thought leaders representing academia and the medical community, derived a structured approach aimed at improving management of malnutrition in long-term care settings, using literature review and consensus development. The Clinical Guide to Prevent and Manage Malnutrition in Long-Term Care is based on a best-evidence approach to the management of nutritional problems in long-term care. RESULTS The Clinical Guide is divided into two parts, one designed for nursing staff, dietary staff, and dietitians, and a second directed to physicians, pharmacists, and dietitians. CONCLUSIONS A structured approach to the management of unintended weight loss or malnutrition in long-term care is intended to ensure a comprehensive resident evaluation. While the Clinical Guide is presented in a linear fashion, many of the considerations can be done simultaneously and the order varied dependent on the individual resident's needs. Further research to validate the effectiveness of using the algorithm in long-term care settings will be required.
Randomized controlled trial on the impact of music therapy during cardiac catheterization on reactive hyperemia index and patient satisfaction: the Functional Change in Endothelium After Cardiac Catheterization, With and Without Music Therapy (FEAT) study.

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of music intervention on endothelial function, hemodynamics, and patient anxiety before, during, and after cardiac catheterization. BACKGROUND The effect of music therapy during cardiac catheterization on endothelial function and patient satisfaction has received limited study. METHODS Seventy patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization were randomized to music therapy (n=36) or no music therapy (n=34). Peripheral arterial tonometry was performed before and after catheterization. A 6 item (24-point scale) questionnaire evaluating patient anxiety and discomfort levels was also administered after the procedure. RESULTS Both study groups had similar baseline characteristics, fluoroscopy time, and contrast administration. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) change was 0.14 ± 0.72 in the music group and 0.30 ± 0.58 in the control group (P=.35). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) changes did not significantly differ between the two groups (systolic BP change -3.3 ± 17.3 mm Hg vs -2.3 ± 19.4 mm Hg; P=.83 and diastolic BP change -1.9 ± 12.2 mm Hg vs. 2.0 ± 13.4 mm Hg; P=.23). Heart rate changes were also comparable between the two groups (-1 ± 6 beats/ min vs -1 ± 7 beats/min; P=.22). Patient satisfaction questionnaire measurements were found to be similar in patients with and without music therapy (8 [7-11] vs 9 [8-12]; P=.36). CONCLUSIONS In this study, music intervention did not elicit a vasodilator response, did not lower blood pressure or heart rate, and did not relieve anxiety or stress discomfort in patients who underwent coronary angiography.
Real Time QRS Detection Based on Redundant Discrete Wavelet Transform

The electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis provide several information about the current state of the heart. The QRS complex detection is one of the fundamental issue in the electrocardiographic signal analysis. This paper presents a real time QRS complex detector based on Redundant Discrete Wavelet Transform (RDWT). The algorithm use both scales and wavelet coefficients, and the wavelet coefficient energy for detection. The algorithm was evaluated with the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database, achieving an detection rate of QRS complexes above 99.32 % and for the P and T waves can also be detected, based on QRS positions and wavelet coefficients.
Preparation and Characterization of Functionalized Metal–Organic Frameworks with Core/Shell Magnetic Particles (Fe3O4@SiO2@MOFs) for Removal of Congo Red and Methylene Blue from Water Solution

In this work, a novel core@double-shell three-layer structure adsorbent (Fe3O4@SiO2@Zn–TDPAT) [TDPAT = 2,4,6-tris(3,5-dicarboxyl phenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine] was prepared to remove congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB). The as-obtained magnetic adsorbent Fe3O4@SiO2@Zn–TDPAT was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, vibrating sample magnetometry, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The influencing adsorption parameters including adsorbent amounts, extraction time, pH, and ionic strength were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the removal efficiencies of CR and MB reached 100 and 99%, respectively. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model were suitable to illustrate the adsorption processes of CR and MB. The thermodynamic values, including Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°), showed that the adsorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Moreover, the obtained nanocomposite .
A Comparison of Free Weight Squat to Smith Machine Squat Using Electromyography

Schwanbeck, S, Chilibeck, PD, and Binsted, G. A comparison of free weight squat to smith machine squat using electromyography. J Strength Cond Res 23(9): 2588-2591, 2009-The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether free weight or Smith machine squats were optimal for activating the prime movers of the legs and the stabilizers of the legs and the trunk. Six healthy participants performed 1 set of 8 repetitions (using a weight they could lift 8 times, i.e., 8RM, or 8 repetition maximum) for each of the free weight squat and Smith machine squat in a randomized order with a minimum of 3 days between sessions, while electromyographic (EMG) activity of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, lumbar erector spinae, and rectus abdominus were simultaneously measured. Electromyographic activity was significantly higher by 34, 26, and 49 in the gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and vastus medialis, respectively, during the free weight squat compared to the Smith machine squat (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between free weight and Smith machine squat for any of the other muscles; however, the EMG averaged over all muscles during the free weight squat was 43% higher when compared to the Smith machine squat (p < 0.05). The free weight squat may be more beneficial than the Smith machine squat for individuals who are looking to strengthen plantar flexors, knee flexors, and knee extensors.
The SH 3 p 4 y Sh 3 p 8 y SH 3 p 13 protein family : Binding partners for synaptojanin and dynamin via a Grb 2-like Src homology 3 domain

The GTPase dynamin I and the inositol 5phosphatase synaptojanin are nerve terminal proteins implicated in synaptic vesicle recycling. Both proteins contain COOHterminal proline-rich domains that can interact with a variety of Src homology 3 (SH3) domains. A major physiological binding partner for dynamin I and synaptojanin in the nervous system is amphiphysin I, an SH3 domain-containing protein also concentrated in nerve terminals. We have used the proline-rich tail of synaptojanin to screen a rat brain library by the two-hybrid method to identify additional interacting partners of synaptojanin. Three related proteins containing SH3 domains that are closely related to the SH3 domains of Grb2 were isolated: SH3p4, SH3p8, and SH3p13. Further biochemical studies demonstrated that the SH3p4y8y13 proteins bind to both synaptojanin and dynamin I. The SH3p4y8y13 transcripts are differentially expressed in tissues: SH3p4 mRNA was detected only in brain, SH3p13 mRNA was present in brain and testis, and the SH3p8 transcript was detected at similar levels in multiple tissues. Members of the SH3p4y8y13 protein family were found to be concentrated in nerve terminals, and pools of synaptojanin and dynamin I were coprecipitated from brain extracts with antibodies recognizing SH3p4y8y13. These findings underscore the important role of SH3-mediated interactions in synaptic vesicle
Fault Diagnosis with the Use of the Knowledge about Symptoms Delay Intervals

Abstract The paper refers the issue of utilisation of knowledge about symptoms delays in fault isolation. Firstly, formal conditions for fault isolability in the case of reasoning based on binary diagnostics matrix and the intervals of the symptoms delays are formulated and its influence of fault isolability is discussed. Finally, the new isolation algorithm utilising such knowledge is proposed. The presented approach is illustrated with the example of fault isolability analysis for three tank system.
Comparison of prenatal ultrasound and postmortem findings in fetuses and infants with central nervous system anomalies

Detection of fetal developmental abnormalities by ultrasound examination of pregnant women has become a specialized field of medicine. Quality control of this field requires detailed examination of aborted fetuses. In 408 fetuses and infants with developmental anomalies, the prenatal ultrasound findings were compared with the postmortem findings. This study focused on 140 central nervous system (CNS) anomalies. Criteria for inclusion were an ultrasound examination at the National Center for Fetal Medicine (NCFM) and an autopsy performed during the period 1985–94. Results of the ultrasound and autopsy examinations were systematized into six different categories.
Working Paper No. 4

This paper applies an equilibrium quality theory for differentiated products to estimate the willingness to pay for improvements in the air quality of Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, and Indianapolis. The empirical results show (i) that the structural approach and the standard non-structural approach give very different benefit figures even for small improvements in air quality, and (ii) that a uniform improvement in air quality implies significant distributional effects.
Tobacco Use Is Associated With Accelerated Clinical Recurrence of Crohn's Disease After Surgically Induced Remission

Goals: To study the association between tobacco exposure and postoperative clinical recurrence in Crohn's disease patients and quantify the time to clinical relapse following surgical resection. Background: It is well accepted that cigarette smoking has a negative impact on postoperative course in Crohn's disease. However, the effect of smoking to hasten clinical recurrence has not been clearly delineated. Study: We reviewed medical records of patients undergoing surgical resection for medication-refractory disease within a 5-year period. Patients were followed for a period of 250 weeks. Outcomes were compared between smokers and nonsmokers and stratified by gender. Results: Fifty-nine patients were studied. Sixty-nine percent of smokers versus 23% of nonsmokers had recurrent symptoms (P = 0.02) by the end of the observation period. There was no difference in the mean ages, gender, disease location, use of postoperative medications, or number of postoperative visits (P > 0.09). Smoking was associated with an increased risk of clinical recurrence [odds ratio 2.96 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.5-5.6)]. The time to clinical relapse for smokers was 130 weeks versus 234 weeks in nonsmokers (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Smoking is associated with clinical recurrence of Crohn's disease, and the time to clinical recurrence in smokers is shorter. Strategies for smoking cessation are warranted.
Multimodal Interfaces : Intuitive Communication With Robots

The era in which we live in today is dominated by technology and digital interactions. Consequently, our desire for cutting-edge technology is spawning an increasing demand to continually build new systems. More recently this demand has geared towards building robot systems to be implemented in our everyday lives. Yet, before we can make this idea a reality we must first look at taking strides in the field of multimodal interfaces. In this paper I will discuss the implementation of a multimodal interface in a robotic system. I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating a multimodal interface in a robot system. Then I will go on to present background research of various interfaces I plan to incorporate in my system. Finally, I will discuss my research question and go over the methods I plan to use to complete my project and measure the success of my results.
Ribosomal S6 Kinase (RSK) Regulates Phosphorylation of Filamin A on an Important Regulatory Site

ABSTRACT The Ras-mitogen-activated protein (Ras-MAP) kinase pathway regulates various cellular processes, including gene expression, cell proliferation, and survival. Ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), a key player in this pathway, modulates the activities of several cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins via phosphorylation. Here we report the characterization of the cytoskeletal protein filamin A (FLNa) as a membrane-associated RSK target. We show that the N-terminal kinase domain of RSK phosphorylates FLNa on Ser2152 in response to mitogens. Inhibition of MAP kinase signaling with UO126 or mutation of Ser2152 to Ala on FLNa prevents epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated phosphorylation of FLNa in vivo. Furthermore, phosphorylation of FLNa on Ser2152 is significantly enhanced by the expression of wild-type RSK and antagonized by kinase-inactive RSK or specific reduction of endogenous RSK. Strikingly, EGF-induced, FLNa-dependent migration of human melanoma cells is significantly reduced by UO126 treatment. Together, these data provide substantial evidence that RSK phosphorylates FLNa on Ser2152 in vivo. Given that phosphorylation of FLNa on Ser2152 is required for Pak1-mediated membrane ruffling, our results suggest a novel role for RSK in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.
Ex Vivo Model of Meningococcal Bacteremia Using Human Blood for Measuring Vaccine-Induced Serum Passive Protective Activity

ABSTRACT The binding of complement factor H (fH) to meningococci was recently found to be specific for human fH. Therefore, passive protective antibody activity measured in animal models of meningococcal bacteremia may overestimate protection in humans, since in the absence of bound fH, complement activation is not downregulated. We developed an ex vivo model of meningococcal bacteremia using nonimmune human blood to measure the passive protective activity of stored sera from 36 adults who had been immunized with an investigational meningococcal multicomponent recombinant protein vaccine. Before immunization, human complement-mediated serum bactericidal activity (SBA) titers of ≥1:4 against group B strains H44/76, NZ98/254, and S3032 were present in 19, 11, and 8% of subjects, respectively; these proportions increased to 97, 22, and 36%, respectively, 1 month after dose 3 (P < 0.01 for H44/76 and S3032). Against the two SBA-resistant strains, NZ98/254 and S3032, passive protective titers of ≥1:4 were present in 11 and 42% of sera before immunization, respectively, and these proportions increased to 61 and 94% after immunization (P < 0.001 for each strain). Most of the sera with SBA titers of <1:4 and passive protective activity showed a level of killing in the whole-blood assay (>1 to 2 log10 decreases in CFU/ml during a 90-min incubation) similar to that of sera with SBA titers of ≥1:4. In conclusion, passive protective activity was 2.6- to 2.8-fold more frequent than SBA after immunization. The ability of SBA-negative sera to kill Neisseria meningitidis in human blood where fH is bound to the bacteria provides further evidence that SBA titers of ≥1:4 measured with human complement may underestimate meningococcal immunity.
Complex networks and human language

This paper introduces how human languages can be studied in light of recent development of network theories. There are two directions of exploration. One is to study networks existing in the language system. Various lexical networks can be built based on different relationships between words, being semantic or syntactic. Recent studies have shown that these lexical networks exhibit small-world and scale-free features. The other direction of exploration is to study networks of language users (i.e. social networks of people in the linguistic community), and their role in language evolution. Social networks also show small-world and scale-free features, which cannot be captured by random or regular network models. In the past, computational models of language change and language emergence often assume a population to have a random or regular structure, and there has been little discussion how network structures may affect the dynamics. In the second part of the paper, a series of simulation models of diffusion of linguistic innovation are used to illustrate the importance of choosing realistic conditions of population structure for modeling language change. Four types of social networks are compared, which exhibit two categories of diffusion dynamics. While the questions about which type of networks are more appropriate for modeling still remains, we give some preliminary suggestions for choosing the type of social networks for modeling.
Investigation on effect of antenna positions to tag detection pattern in RFIWS system

A Radio-Frequency Identification Walking Stick (RFIWS) system was developed to assist the blind walking. The RFIWS system used Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enhance the traditional walking stick. In RFIWS system, the passive RFID tag and circular polarization RFID antenna has been used. In order to optimize the RFIWS functionality, an investigation on effect of antenna positions to tag detection pattern has been accompanied. Three experimental tests conducted; Experiment on effect of antenna heights to tag detection patterns, experiment on effect of antenna angles to tag detection patterns and experiment on effect of combination antenna heights and angles to tag detection patterns. As a conclusion, the tag detection patterns size can be improved with combining the position of antenna heights and angles. The different antenna position by combining the height and angle was produced a different size of tag detection patterns.
Neuronal Migration, Cerebral Cortical Development, and Cerebral Cortical Anomalies

Cerebral cortical malformations are relatively common anomalies identified by neuroimaging and pathologically in patients with epilepsy and mental retardation. A disruption in neuronal migration during central nervous system development has been postulated as the pathogenesis for many of these disorders. Recently, the cell migration hypothesis has been proven accurate for lissencephaly, subcortical band heterotopia, and periventricular nodular heterotopia. Furthermore, advances in cellular and molecular biology have begun elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying these migration disorders. These data have resulted in redefining and recategorizing specific malformations based on their molecular genetic abnormality. In this review we shall discuss the current understanding of neuronal migration in the developing cerebral cortex, the evaluation of these patients, and attempt to describe the pathogenesis for several well-characterized human disorders of cell migration.
An official American Thoracic Society statement: diagnosis and management of beryllium sensitivity and chronic beryllium disease.

RATIONALE Beryllium continues to have a wide range of industrial applications. Exposure to beryllium can lead to sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). OBJECTIVES The purpose of this statement is to increase awareness and knowledge about beryllium exposure, BeS, and CBD. METHODS Evidence was identified by a search of MEDLINE. The committee then summarized the evidence, drew conclusions, and described their approach to diagnosis and management. MAIN RESULTS The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test is the cornerstone of both medical surveillance and the diagnosis of BeS and CBD. A confirmed abnormal beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test without evidence of lung disease is diagnostic of BeS. BeS with evidence of a granulomatous inflammatory response in the lung is diagnostic of CBD. The determinants of progression from BeS to CBD are uncertain, but higher exposures and the presence of a genetic variant in the HLA-DP β chain appear to increase the risk. Periodic evaluation of affected individuals can detect disease progression (from BeS to CBD, or from mild CBD to more severe CBD). Corticosteroid therapy is typically administered when a patient with CBD exhibits evidence of significant lung function abnormality or decline. CONCLUSIONS Medical surveillance in workplaces that use beryllium-containing materials can identify individuals with BeS and at-risk groups of workers, which can help prioritize efforts to reduce inhalational and dermal exposures.