Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contagious sterility in the parasitoid wasp Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract The parasitoid wasp Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is used commercially to control the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Recently, a rapid deterioration of E. mundus populations has been documented under mass-rearing conditions. We found that deteriorating cultures consist of increasing proportions of sterile individuals, up to 90% within 6 months. Microscopic examination revealed that the gonads of wasps from both sexes are severely underdeveloped. Preliminary screening for potential pathogen candidates by means of polymerase chain reaction and denaturating-gradient gel electrophoresis did not provide any indication of possible causative agents.
Sweat production and localisation of carbonic anhydrase in the equine sweat gland during exercise at two ambient temperatures.

The aim of this investigation was to study sweat production during exercise at 2 ambient temperatures (20 degrees C and 35 degrees C) and the concurrent localisation of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the sweat gland. Horses develop alkalosis during prolonged exercise and the sweat contains HCO3-. Carbonic anhydrase is therefore of interest since it catalyses the reaction CO2 + H2O<-->HCO3- + H+. Four standardbred trotters performed an exercise test. Skin biopsies were taken from the neck, and sweat rate, blood and skin temperatures were measured. There was a close relationship between sweat rate, temperatures and work intensity at 20 degrees C. Temperatures and sweat rate were higher at 35 degrees C and did not fall when the work intensity dropped. A significant decrease in the sweat gland cell area was found after exercise at 35 degrees C with an accompanying decrease of vesicles. Strong CA activity was present at the luminal cell membrane and weaker basolaterally. The staining intensity increased after exercise. We suggest that CA might be of importance for counteracting the alkalosis developed after exercise by delivering HCO3- for generation of the alkaline pH in sweat.
The Impact of Limited Clinical Sites on Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs: Current Issues and Recommendations for the Future

Nursing is an ever-changing field. Issues exist. Healthcare is at a crossroads and nursing is at the forefront of influencing change. Many obstacles challenge prelicensure nursing programs today. One prominent issue is the lack of inpatient clinical sites to prepare students for nursing practice. Many factors contribute to this worsening problem including, but not limited to, a looming nursing shortage, faculty shortage, lack of collaboration between nurses in academic and practice settings and with other healthcare professionals, cost, and safety and liability issues. This paper examines the impact of limited clinical sites on the preparation of nurses for professional practice and proposes recommendations that emphasize service-learning and community-based practice learning experiences, which are viable options for many nursing programs.
The Use of a Computed Tomographic Application for Mobile Devices in the Diagnosis of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

AbstractThe aim of the current technical report was to introduce a computed tomographic (CT) application for mobile devices as a diagnostic tool for analyzing CT images. An iPad and an iPhone (Apple, Cuppertino, CA) were used to navigate through multiplanar reconstructions of cone beam CT scans, using an application derived from the OsiriX CT software. Tools and advantages of this method were recorded. In addition, images rendered in the iPad were manipulated during dental implant placement and grafting procedures to follow up and confirm the implant digital planning in real time. The study population consisted of 10 patients. In all cases, it was possible to use image manipulation tools, such as changing contrast and brightness, zooming, rotating, panning, performing both linear and area measurements, and analyzing gray-scale values of a region of interest. Furthermore, it was possible to use the OsiriX application in the dental clinic where the study was conducted, to follow-up the analyzed implant placement and grafting procedures at the chairside. The current findings suggest that technological and practical methods to visualize radiographic images are invaluable resources to improve training, teaching, networking, and the performance of real-time follow-up of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of introducing this new technology in the clinical routine.
Effect of Sediment Particle Size and Temperature on Fecal Bacteria Mortality Rates and the Fecal Coliform/Fecal Streptococci Ratio

Extended survival of fecal bacteria in sediment can obscure the source and extent of fecal contamination in agricultural settings. The variability in fecal coliform/fecal streptococci (FC/FS) ratios with time and discrepancies between observable fecal sources and measured FC/FS ratios in shallow surface water from agricultural watersheds may be explained by examining FC and FS mortality rates in response to ambient temperature and sediment particle size. We measured FC and FS mortality rates at three different temperatures and in three feces-amended sediments with different particle size in a laboratory study. In controlled conditions, using physiological saline to reduce cell death by osmotic shock, FC mortality rates exceeded FS mortality rates. These rates declined as sediment particle-size shrank and as temperature decreased. There was no interaction between these two factors in determining fecal bacteria persistence. The apparent half-lives of FCs exceeded those of FS, even though mortality rates were higher, because of FC regrowth shortly after deposition. The FC/FS ratio is influenced by temperature, the presence of sediment, and sediment particle size. In warm conditions, FC regrowth increases FC/FS ratios to levels indicative of human contamination even where none clearly exists. These factors interfere with the interpretation of the FC/FS ratio and contribute to the difficulty of its use in agricultural settings.
Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

To study the diversity and efficiency of signal peptides for secreted proteins in gram-positive bacteria, two plasmid vectors were constructed which were used to probe for export signal-coding regions in Bacillus subtilis. The vectors contained genes coding for extraceUular proteins (the a-amylase gene from Bacillus licheniformis and the p-Iactamase gene from Escherichia coli) which lacked a functional signal sequence. By shotgun cloning of restriction fragments from B. subtilis chromosomal DNA, a great variet y of different export-coding regions were selected. These regions were functional both in B. subtilis and in E. coli. In a number of cases where protein export had been restored, intraceUular precursor proteins of increased size could be detected, which upon translocation across the ceUular membrane were processed to mature products. The high frequency with which export signal-coding regions were obtained suggests that, in addition to natural signal sequences, many randomly cloned sequences can function as export signal.
Alien hand syndrome

Article abstract-The neuroanatomic substrate of the alien hand syndrome has remained controversial due to the noncircumscribed nature of cerebral injuries present in most cases. There have been few cases studied in which damage was restricted to portions of the body of the callosum, and most of those involved surgical callosotomy for tumors or epilepsy. We report the case of a woman with a transient alien hand syndrome caused by a stroke limited to the middle and posterior portions of the body of the corpus callosum. This case provides supportive evidence for damage to the midbody of the corpus callosum as the anatomic basis of nondominant alien hand syndrome and conforms to a model of interhemispheric motor disconnection as the essential component of this unusual behavioral syndrome. This disconnection can occur with injuries involving interhemispheric premotor and motor fibers traveling in the midportion of the callosum in individuals with left hemisphere dominance for motor activities. NEUROLOGY 1995;45: 802-808
On a support system for finding icons by estimating user's recognition on structure of folders

This research is aimed at developing a support system of PC user for finding icons in window system. It is necessary to estimate the user's recognition on the structure of folders to support for finding the target icon. We propose a method to estimate the user's recognition from a sequence of user's operations of the window system. Prototyping support system for finding icons based on the estimation method has been developed
Unique Deep Level in Spectroscopic CdZnTe: Compensation, Trapping, and Polarization

As yet, the role of the main native defects in the compensation, trapping, and polarization of x-ray and gamma-ray room-temperature detectors based on semi-insulated cadmium telluride (CdTe) and cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) is indeterminate. To better quantify it, we assessed the ionization energy, i.e., the binding energy for the hole of the second (2-/1-) acceptor level of Cd vacancies in Cd<formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$_{1 - {\rm x}}$</tex></formula>Zn<formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$_{\rm x}$</tex></formula>Te(x<formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$\approx 0.1$</tex></formula>). We characterized the defects in several ways, including measuring the photoconductivity at below-bandgap excitation, and photoconductivity quenching by comparing their positions in the bandgap with that of the native energy-levels in CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and other II-VI semiconductors. In this way, we determined unambiguously that a deep acceptor, Cd vacancy, behaves as a doubly charged acceptor, and the second ionization level is located at <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$\sim {\rm E}_{\rm V}{+}(0.5 \pm 0.05)$</tex></formula> eV, i.e., relatively far from the midgap <formula formulatype="inline"> <tex Notation="TeX">${\sim} {\hbox {0.8}}$</tex></formula> eV. This configuration may determine the lifetime of holes, but it does not stabilize precisely the compensation condition, and it is not responsible for electron trapping and polarization.
Caveolin-1 Gene Disruption Promotes Mammary Tumorigenesis and Dramatically Enhances Lung Metastasis in Vivo

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the principal structural component of caveolae membrane domains in non-muscle cells, including mammary epithelia. There is now clear evidence that caveolin-1 influences the development of human cancers. For example, a dominant-negative mutation (P132L) in the Cav-1 gene has been detected in up to 16% of human breast cancer samples. However, the exact functional role of caveolin-1 remains controversial. Mechanistically, in cultured cell models, Cav-1 is known to function as a negative regulator of the Rasp42/44 MAP kinase cascade and as a transcriptional repressor of cyclin D1 gene expression, possibly explaining its in vitro transformation suppressor activity. Genetic validation of this hypothesis at the in vivo and whole organismal level has been prevented by the lack of a Cav-1 (-/-)-null mouse model. Here, we examined the role of caveolin-1 in mammary tumorigenesis and lung metastasis using a molecular genetic approach. We interbred a well characterized transgenic mouse model of breast cancer, MMTV-PyMT (mouse mammary tumor virus-polyoma middle T antigen), with Cav-1 (-/-)-null mice. Then, we followed the onset and progression of mammary tumors and lung metastases in female mice over a 14-week period. Interestingly, PyMT/Cav-1 (-/-) mice showed an accelerated onset of mammary tumors, with increased multiplicity and tumor burden (∼2-fold). No significant differences were detected between PyMT/Cav-1 (+/+) and PyMT/Cav-1 (+/-) mice, indicating that complete loss of caveolin-1 is required to accelerate both tumorigenesis and metastasis. Molecularly, mammary tumor samples derived from PyMT/Cav-1 (-/-) mice showed ERK-1/2 hyperactivation, cyclin D1 up-regulation, and Rb hyperphosphorylation, consistent with dys-regulated cell proliferation. PyMT/Cav-1 (-/-) mice also developed markedly advanced metastatic lung disease. Conversely, recombinant expression of Cav-1 in a highly metastatic PyMT mammary carcinoma-derived cell line, namely Met-1 cells, suppressed lung metastasis by ∼4.5-fold. In vitro, these Cav-1-expressing Met-1 cells (Met-1/Cav-1) demonstrated a ∼4.8-fold reduction in invasion through Matrigel-coated membranes. Interestingly, delivery of a cell permeable peptide encoding the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (residues 82-101) into Met-1 cells was sufficient to inhibit invasion. Coincident with this decreased invasive index, Met-1/Cav-1 cells exhibited marked reductions in MMP-9 and MMP-2 secretion and associated gelatinolytic activity, as well as diminished ERK-1/2 signaling in response to growth factor stimulation. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that caveolin-1 is a potent suppressor of mammary tumor growth and metastasis using novel in vivo animal model approaches.
REPELLENT OR AVERSIVE CHEMICALS IN SHEEP NECK COLLARS DID NOT DETER COYOTE ATTACKS

Author(s): Burns, Richard J.; Connolly, Guy E. ; Griffiths, Richard E. , Jr. | Abstract: Since 1974 the Fish and Wildlife Service has studied a "toxic collar" to poison coyotes that attack collared sheep and goats. The collar patent (McBride 1974) indicates that the same collar could deliver chemicals to repel coyotes, thus saving both the coyote and the livestock. This report summarizes our experience with nonlethal tests of collars. During collar tests with 10 different toxicants, 21 coyotes received sublethal doses followed by aversive behavior or potentially aversive reactions. The subsequent predation history of these coyotes was examined for prey-avoidance. After a sublethal test, all coyotes killed lambs or kids in about 40 days, and 20 of 21 were eventually killed by another toxic collar. Limited testing with coyotes averted to salt flavor by lithium chloride-treated sheep bait also indicated poor protection of live sheep treated externally with salts (NaCl and LiCl). The results indicated little potential for using repellent or aversive chemicals in toxic collars or on sheep to repel coyotes.
Necrobiosis lipoidica: treatment with systemic corticosteroids

Summary In an attempt to find an effective therapy for necrobiosis lipoidica, we have treated six patients with this disease with a 5‐week course of systemic corticosteroids. This treatment resulted in complete cessation of disease activity in all patients and no recurrence in a mean follow‐up period of 7 months; however, restitution of atrophic skin lesions could not be achieved. The therapy was well tolerated and did not pose problems, even in diabetic patients. These results strongly suggest that short‐course therapy of necrobiosis lipoidica with corticosteroids is of lasting benefit to these patients and should probably be considered early in the course of their skin disease.
Telework rationale and implementation for people with disabilities: considerations for employer policymaking.

BACKGROUND Telework has been promoted as a viable workplace accommodation for people with disabilities since the 1990s, when information and communication technologies (ICT) had developed sufficiently to facilitate its widespread adoption. This initial research and accompanying policy recommendations were prescriptive in nature and frequently aimed at employers. OBJECTIVE This article adds to existing policy models for facilitating successful telework outcomes for people with disabilities. Drawing upon two studies by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations, we expound on employee-side considerations in the implementation of telework. METHODS Our policy model utilizes established typologies for policy evaluation to develop a process model that considers rationales and implementation factors for telework among people with physical disabilities. RESULTS Telework may be used as an accommodation for disability, but employee rationales for telework are more complex, involving work-life balance, strategies for pain and fatigue not formally recognized as disability, and expediency in travel and transportation. Implementation of telework as a component of workplace operations is similarly multifaceted, involving non-technology accommodations to realize job restructuring left incomplete by telework. CONCLUSIONS Our model grounds new empirical research in this area. We also renew our call for additional research on effective telework practices for people with disabilities.
A Bankruptcy Problem Approach to Load-shedding in Multiagent-based Microgrid Operation

A microgrid is composed of distributed power generation systems (DGs), distributed energy storage devices (DSs), and loads. To maintain a specific frequency in the islanded mode as an important requirement, the control of DGs’ output and charge action of DSs are used in supply surplus conditions and load-shedding and discharge action of DSs are used in supply shortage conditions. Recently, multiagent systems for autonomous microgrid operation have been studied. Especially, load-shedding, which is intentional reduction of electricity use, is a critical problem in islanded microgrid operation based on the multiagent system. Therefore, effective schemes for load-shedding are required. Meanwhile, the bankruptcy problem deals with dividing short resources among multiple agents. In order to solve the bankruptcy problem, division rules, such as the constrained equal awards rule (CEA), the constrained equal losses rule (CEL), and the random arrival rule (RA), have been used. In this paper, we approach load-shedding as a bankruptcy problem. We compare load-shedding results by above-mentioned rules in islanded microgrid operation based on wireless sensor network (WSN) as the communication link for an agent’s interactions.
Fractionnement en oxygène 18 et en deutérium entre l’eau et sa vapeur

Les facteurs de fractionnement a en oxygene 18 et en deuterium entre l’eau et la vapeur d’eau, pour les melanges isotopiques H2 16 O — HD16 O et H2 16 O — H2 18 O, ont ete, mesures entre 0 et 100 °C. Les resultats experimentaux verifient, pour le fractionnement en oxygene 18, la relation (1) :[math]et pour le fractionnement en deuterium, la relation (2) :[math]Ces relations ont permis de preciser plusieurs grandeurs thermodynamiques relatives a HD16 O et H2 18 O.En outre, ces facteurs de fractionnement ont ete calcules a partir des donnees spectroscopiques. Les valeurs calculees de a sont en bon accord avec les resultats experimentaux.
Genetic and molecular analysis of the tRNA-tufB operon of the myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca.

The tufB gene, encoding elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), from the myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca was cloned and sequenced. It is preceded by four tRNA genes, the first ever described in myxobacteria. The tRNA synthesized from these genes and the general organization of the locus seem identical to that of Escherichia coli, but differences of potential importance were found in the tRNA sequences and in the intergenic regions. The primary structure of EF-Tu was deduced from the tufB DNA sequence. The factor is composed of 396 amino acids, with a predicted molecular mass of 43.4 kDa, which was confirmed by expression of tufB in maxicells. Sequence comparisons between S.aurantiaca EF-Tu and other bacterial homologues from E.coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Thermus thermophilus displayed extensive homologies (75.9%). Among the variable positions, two Cys residues probably involved in the temperature sensitivity of E.coli and S.typhimurium EF-Tu are replaced in T.thermophilus and S.aurantiaca EF-Tu. Since two or even three tuf genes have been described in other bacterial species, the presence of multiple tuf genes was sought for. Southern and Northern analysis are consistent with two tuf genes in the genome of S.aurantiaca. Primer extension experiments indicate that the four tRNA genes and tufB are organized in a single operon.
Skin-reactive properties of different cellular fractions of animal-passed C. jejuni/coli.

Polymyxin B treated cell sonicates, cell-free supernatants and outer membrane proteins were prepared from animal-passed, virulence-enhanced strains and original isogenic strains of Cjejuni and tested for dermal toxicity in rabbits. Polymyxin B extracts produced the strongest lesions, but the outer membrane protein from 6 times mouse-passed strains elicited a mild skin reaction. Culture-supernatant did not give any noticeable toxicity, suggesting the presence of insufficient factor required to produce measureable effect. Dermal toxicity clearly differentiated animal-passed strains from unpassed original strains which elicited only a weak response(JPMA 37: 132, 1987).
Simulation of ECG and cardiovascular system

Dynamical model of electrocardiogram and cardiovascular system are important in medicine because they can be used as approximation of the real patient. A synthetic electrocardiogram and cardiovascular signals can be generated with different sampling frequencies and different noise levels in order to establish the performance of used technique. The model implementation is based on digital and analog electronic systems which enable simple modifications.
To Adjust or Not to Adjust? Sensitivity Analysis of M-Bias and Butterfly-Bias

Abstract “M-Bias,” as it is called in the epidemiologic literature, is the bias introduced by conditioning on a pretreatment covariate due to a particular “M-Structure” between two latent factors, an observed treatment, an outcome, and a “collider. ” This potential source of bias, which can occur even when the treatment and the outcome are not confounded, has been a source of considerable controversy. We here present formulae for identifying under which circumstances biases are inflated or reduced. In particular, we show that the magnitude of M-Bias in linear structural equation models tends to be relatively small compared to confounding bias, suggesting that it is generally not a serious concern in many applied settings. These theoretical results are consistent with recent empirical findings from simulation studies. We also generalize the M-Bias setting (1) to allow for the correlation between the latent factors to be nonzero and (2) to allow for the collider to be a confounder between the treatment and the outcome. These results demonstrate that mild deviations from the M-Structure tend to increase confounding bias more rapidly than M-Bias, suggesting that choosing to condition on any given covariate is generally the superior choice. As an application, we re-examine a controversial example between Professors Donald Rubin and Judea Pearl.