Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Oxidation Kinetics of Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria: Nitrite Availability as a Key Factor in Niche Differentiation

ABSTRACT Nitrification has an immense impact on nitrogen cycling in natural ecosystems and in wastewater treatment plants. Mathematical models function as tools to capture the complexity of these biological systems, but kinetic parameters especially of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are lacking because of a limited number of pure cultures until recently. In this study, we compared the nitrite oxidation kinetics of six pure cultures and one enrichment culture representing three genera of NOB (Nitrobacter, Nitrospira, Nitrotoga). With half-saturation constants (Km ) between 9 and 27 μM nitrite, Nitrospira bacteria are adapted to live under significant substrate limitation. Nitrobacter showed a wide range of lower substrate affinities, with Km values between 49 and 544 μM nitrite. However, the advantage of Nitrobacter emerged under excess nitrite supply, sustaining high maximum specific activities (V max) of 64 to 164 μmol nitrite/mg protein/h, contrary to the lower activities of Nitrospira of 18 to 48 μmol nitrite/mg protein/h. The V max (26 μmol nitrite/mg protein/h) and Km (58 μM nitrite) of “Candidatus Nitrotoga arctica” measured at a low temperature of 17°C suggest that Nitrotoga can advantageously compete with other NOB, especially in cold habitats. The kinetic parameters determined represent improved basis values for nitrifying models and will support predictions of community structure and nitrification rates in natural and engineered ecosystems.
Cestoda and monogenea of some teleost fishes off the Mudanya Coast (Sea of Marmara, Turkey)

SummaryThe following helminths are reported from the Sea of Marmara off the Mudanya coast. Cestoda: Didymobothrium rudolphii in Solea solea, Clestobothrium crassiceps in Merluccius merluccius, tetraphyllidean larvae in Gobius niger, G. cobitis, M. merluccius, Eutrigla gurnardus, S. solea, Scorpaena scrofa and Progrillotia dasyatidis in G. niger. Monogenea: Trochopus pini in E. gurnardus, Ligophorus confusus in Liza ramada, Tetraonchoides paradoxus in Uranoscopus scaber, Microcotyle mugilis in L. ramada and Anthocotyle merluccii in M. merluccius.
Sex Differences of High-Risk Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque with Less Than 50% Stenosis in Asymptomatic Patients: An In Vivo 3T MRI Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Men have a greater prevalence of high-risk carotid plaque features associated with stroke compared with women who have ≥50% stenosis, but little is known about these features in less significantly stenotic carotid arteries. This study aims to evaluate sex differences in complicated carotid plaque features in asymptomatic patients with <50% stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six patients (50 men, 46 women) with <50% carotid stenosis on MRA who had been referred for analysis of contralateral >50% carotid stenosis were included. The associations between sex and plaque features as identified by 3T MR carotid plaque imaging were examined by using logistic and linear regression models controlling for demographic characteristics, MRA stenosis, and the presence of contralateral plaque features. RESULTS: The presence of a thin/ruptured fibrous cap (16% versus 2%, adjusted odds ratio = 8.57, P = .047), IPH (24% versus 6%, adjusted odds ratio = 4.53, P = .027), and American Heart Association type VI plaque (26% versus 6%, adjusted odds ratio = 5.04, P = .017) was significantly higher in men than in women. These associations remained significant following adjustment for contralateral plaque features. Men demonstrated a larger percentage volume of LR/NC (median, 1.66% versus −0.21%; P < .01). Calcification was not significantly associated with sex. CONCLUSIONS: There is a sex difference of higher risk carotid plaque features during the early stage of disease seen in patients recruited for MR imaging evaluation of contralateral moderate-to-severe stenosis. Given the potential of using LR/NC without or with IPH to monitor therapy, these results indicate the possible importance of sex-based management in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis across all stages of carotid stenosis.
Role of Magnesium Ion in the Stabilization of Biogenic Amorphous Calcium Carbonate: A Structure−Function Investigation

Magnesium is a key component used by many organisms in biomineralization. One role for magnesium is in stabilizing an otherwise unstable amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) phase. The way in which this stabilization is achieved is unknown. Here, we address this question by studying the chemical environment around magnesium in biogenic and synthetic ACCs using Mg K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). We show that although the short-range structure around the Mg ion is different in the various minerals studied, they all involve a shortening of the Mg−O bond length compared to crystalline anhydrous MgCO3 minerals. We propose that the compact structure around magnesium introduces distortion in the CaCO3 host mineral, thus inhibiting its crystallization. This study also shows that despite technical challenges in the soft X-ray energy regime, Mg K-edge XAS is a valuable tool for structural analysis of Mg containing amorphous materials, in biology and materials science.
Complete Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii Strain KBN10P04593, a Clinical Isolate from South Korea

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen that is responsible for various life-threating infections in immunocompromised hosts. We present the complete 3.93-Mb genome sequence of A. baumannii KBN10P04593, generated by combining PacBio and Illumina technologies. ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen that is responsible for various life-threating infections in immunocompromised hosts. We present the complete 3.93-Mb genome sequence of A. baumannii KBN10P04593, generated by combining PacBio and Illumina technologies.
The good turned ugly: immunopathogenic basis for diabetogenic CD8+ T cells in NOD mice

Summary: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in both humans and nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is a T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune disease in which the insulin‐producing pancreatic islet β‐cells are selectively eliminated. As a result, glucose metabolism cannot be regulated unless exogenous insulin is administered. Both the CD4+ and the CD8+ T‐cell subsets are required for T1D development. Approximately 20 years ago, an association between certain class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles and susceptibility to T1D was reported. This finding led to enormous interest in the CD4+ T cells participating in the development of T1D, while the CD8+ subset was relatively ignored. However, the isolation of β‐cell‐autoreactive CD8+ T‐cell clones from the islets of NOD mice helped to generate interest in the pathogenic role of this subset, as has accumulating evidence that certain class I MHC alleles are additional risk factors for T1D development in humans. Three distinct diabetogenic CD8+ T‐cell populations have now been characterized in NOD mice. Here, we review recent investigations exploring their selection, activation, trafficking, and antigenic specificities. As CD8+ T cells are suspected contributors to β‐cell demise in humans, continued exploration of these critical areas could very possibly lead to tangible benefits for T1D patients and at‐risk individuals.
Cost-effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Germany

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is the main cause of end-stage renal disease in Europe and the United States. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors slow down the progression of renal disease and, therefore, provide a renal-protective effect. The aim of this study was to assess the most cost-effective time to start an ACE inhibitor (or an angiotensin II receptor blocker in the event of cough) in patients with type 2 diabetes in Germany. Methods: Three strategies were compared: treating all patients at the time of diagnosing type 2 diabetes, screening for microalbuminuria, and screening for macroalbuminuria. A lifetime Markov decision model with simulated 50-year-old patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was developed using published data on costs and health outcomes and simulating the progression of renal disease. A statutory health insurance perspective was adopted. Results: In the base-case analysis, the treat-all strategy is associated with the lowest costs and highest benefit and, therefore, dominates screening both for macroalbuminuria and microalbuminuria. A multivariate sensitivity analysis shows that the probability of savings is 89 percent. Conclusions: Patients with type 2 diabetes should receive an ACE inhibitor immediately after diagnosis if they do not have contraindications. The potential for cost savings would be even larger if the prevention of cardiovascular events were considered.
Virulence factors in Escherichia coli strains isolated from Swedish piglets with diarrhea

Parenteral vaccination of sows against Escherichia coli diarrhea in their newborn piglets has become more common during the last decade in Sweden, and the vaccination has generally had positive effects. For more than 20 years we have investigated E. coli strains isolated from piglets and weaned pigs with enteric disorders, noting the presence of O groups, enterotoxins, and adhesins. There has been a continuous change in the frequency of these virulence factors. The present study was performed during 1983 and 1984 to follow this change, since such information is essential for the proper choice of vaccines. A total of 856 E. coli strains were obtained from 683 herds divided into three age groups: 1 to 6 days old, 1 to 6 weeks old, and weaned pigs. O group 149 still dominated in the last two age groups, while O group 101 was, for the first time, the most frequent O group in neonatal piglets. All but four O149 strains carried the K88 antigen, which was found in only one other strain (O group 8). K99 antigen was most often found in O groups 101 and 64, and among all the K99 strains ST mouse was the most common (44 of 57), followed by ST mouse-ST pig strains (12 of 57). The 987P antigen was demonstrated in 26 strains belonging to O groups 141 and OX46 and nontypable strains. Two strains belonging to O group 101 were positive for F41 antigen; one of them also carried the K99 antigen. Among all non-O149 strains, ST mouse was the most common type of enterotoxigenic E. coli ( n = 88), followed in decreasing order by ST mouse-ST pig strains ( n = 69) and ST pig strains ( n = 33). In 114 strains producing enterotoxins no adhesive factor was found. Thus, vaccination of the Swedish sow population for more than 5 years with vaccines containing O149 and K88 antigens has apparently changed the pattern of enterotoxigenic E. coli in neonatal diarrhea. The frequency of O149:K88 strains has been reduced, and O101:K99:ST mouse strains now dominate. However, O149 strains remain the dominant O group in piglets older than 1 week. In spite of all our diagnostic efforts, no virulence factors were detected in about one third of the piglets and weaned pigs with enteric disorders.
EN PLAQUE SPHENOID WING MENINGIOMAS: RECURRENCE FACTORS AND SURGICAL STRATEGY IN A SERIES OF 71 PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE En plaque sphenoid wing meningiomas are complex tumors involving the sphenoid wing, the orbit, and sometimes the cavernous sinus. Complete removal is difficult, so these tumors have high rates of recurrence and postoperative morbidity. The authors report a series of 71 patients with sphenoid wing meningiomas that were managed surgically. METHODS The clinical records of 71 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for sphenoid wing meningiomas at Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, were prospectively collected in a database during a 20-year period and analyzed for presenting symptoms, surgical technique, clinical outcome, and follow-up. RESULTS Among the 71 patients (mean age, 52. 7 years; range, 12–79 years), 62 were females and 9 were males. The most typical symptoms recorded were proptosis in 61 patients (85.9%), visual impairment in 41 patients (57.7%), and oculomotor paresis in 9 patients (12.7%). Complete removal was achieved in 59 patients (83%). At 6 months of follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed residual tumor in 12 patients (9 in the cavernous sinus and 3 around the superior orbital fissure). Mean follow-up was 76.8 months (range, 12–168 months). Tumor recurrence was recorded in 3 of 59 patients (5%) with total macroscopic removal. Among the patients with subtotal resection, tumor progression was observed in 3 of 12 patients (25%; 2 patients with grade III and 1 patient with grade IV resection). Mean time to recurrence was 43.3 months (range, 32–53 months). CONCLUSION Surgical management of patients with sphenoid wing meningiomas cannot be uniform; it must be tailored on a case-by-case basis. Successful resection requires extensive intra- and extradural surgery. We recommend optic canal decompression in all patients to ameliorate and/or preserve visual function.
Sex-Specific Finger-Length Patterns Linked to Behavioral Variables: Consistency across Various Human Populations

In humans, as in nonhuman primates, the digits of the hands are similar in length during early fetal development. Subsequently, differentiation leads to a patter of unequal finger lengths, described by George as the finger-length pattern. Recent work by Manning and colleagues suggested that digit length patterns are due to early influences of sex hormones. Most importantly for psychology, such patterns might also relate to cognitive activities that are influenced by early organizing actions of sex hormones. The exciting possibility of having an easily measurable indicator of early action of sex hormones that relates to behavior led us to examine the universality of digit length patterns. With samples from Brazil, Canada, India, Turkey, and Korea, we showed that patterns of distal extent of finger tips are similar across different human populations. Consistent sex differences were found across the samples, showing that the index finger in males extends less far distally relative to the middle finger than is the case for females and that the difference in distal extent between index and ring fingers, relative to the middle finger, is smaller in females than in males.
Partner Services in Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Programs: A Review

Background Partner services have been a mainstay of public health sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention programs for decades. The principal goals are to interrupt transmission and reduce STD morbidity and sequelae. In this article, we review current literature with the goal of informing STD prevention programs. Methods We searched the literature for systematic reviews. We found 9 reviews published between 2005 and 2014 (covering 108 studies). The reviews varied by study inclusion criteria (e.g., study methods, geographic location, and infections). We abstracted major conclusions and recommendations from the reviews. Results Conclusions and recommendations were divided into patient referral interventions and provider referral interventions. For patient referral, there was evidence supporting the use of expedited partner therapy and interactive counseling, but not purely didactic instruction. Provider referral through Disease Intervention Specialists was efficacious and particularly well supported for HIV. For other studies, modeling data and testing outcomes showed that partner notification in general reached high-prevalence populations. Reviews also suggested more focus on using technology and population-level implementation strategies. However, partner services may not be the most efficient means to reach infected persons. Conclusions Partner services programs constitute a large proportion of program STD prevention activities. Value is maximized by balancing a portfolio of patient and provider referral interventions and by blending partner notification interventions with other STD prevention interventions in overall partner services program structure. Sexually transmitted disease prevention needs program-level research and development to generate this portfolio.
A comparative analysis of communication about sex, health and sexual health in India and South Africa: Implications for HIV prevention

This paper provides a comparative analysis of modes of dialogue, non‐verbal communication and embodied action relating to sex and health in two contrasting countries—India and South Africa—which have the world's two most heavily HIV‐affected populations (in terms of numbers of people living with HIV). Drawing on material derived from multiple studies, including ethnographic and other forms of qualitative and multi‐disciplinary research, the paper identifies commonalities as well as differences in communication relating to sex and sexual health in these diverse settings. The paper considers: first, how and by whom sex is and is not talked about, in public discourse and private conversation; second, how sexual intention and desire are communicated through indirect, non‐verbal means in everyday life; and third, how references to sexuality and the sexual body re‐enter within a more explicit set of indigenous discourses about health (rather than ‘sexual health’ per se), such as semen loss in India and womb ‘dirtiness’ in South Africa. The concluding section reflects on the implications of a comparative analysis such as this for current policy emphases on the importance of promoting verbal communication skills as part of ‘life skills’ for HIV prevention.
Religion's Role in Promoting Health and Reducing Risk Among American Youth

Although past research has long documented religion's salutary impact on adult health-related behaviors and outcomes, relatively little research has examined the relationship between religion and adolescent health. This study uses large, nationally representative samples of high school seniors to examine the relationship between religion and behavioral predictors of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Relative to their peers, religious youth are less likely to engage in behaviors that compromise their health (e.g., carrying weapons, getting into fights, drinking and driving) and are more likely to behave in ways that enhance their health (e.g., proper nutrition, exercise, and rest). Multivariate analyses suggest that these relationships persist even after controlling for demographic factors, and trend analyses reveal that they have existed over time. Particularly important is the finding that religious seniors have been relatively unaffected by past and recent increases in marijuana use.
Analyzing the Cost of Screening Selectee and Non‐Selectee Baggage

Determining how to effectively operate security devices is as important to overall system performance as developing more sensitive security devices. In light of recent federal mandates for 100% screening of all checked baggage, this research studies the trade‐offs between screening only selectee checked baggage and screening both selectee and non‐selectee checked baggage for a single baggage screening security device deployed at an airport. This trade‐off is represented using a cost model that incorporates the cost of the baggage screening security device, the volume of checked baggage processed through the device, and the outcomes that occur when the device is used. The cost model captures the cost of deploying, maintaining, and operating a single baggage screening security device over a one‐year period. The study concludes that as excess baggage screening capacity is used to screen non‐selectee checked bags, the expected annual cost increases, the expected annual cost per checked bag screened decreases, and the expected annual cost per expected number of threats detected in the checked bags screened increases. These results indicate that the marginal increase in security per dollar spent is significantly lower when non‐selectee checked bags are screened than when only selectee checked bags are screened.
Towards an empirical analysis of the impact of goods trade liberalisation on services trade

TOWARDS AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF GOODS TRADE LIBERALISATION ON SERVICES TRADE Joy Chowdhury 1PhD Scholar, Department of Economics, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa – 403206, India. The present study is an attempt to find out the impact of liberalising goods trade and per capita GDP on the per capita trade in services. In this paper we have considered six countries from major trade blocs. We have estimated the impact of liberalising goods trade and per capita GDP on per capita services trade by using OLS method. Our study is based on period 2000 – 2013. The results of the study are quite interesting. We find that liberalising goods trade and per capita GDP have positive impacts on the per capita services trade.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Function Is Required for Transforming Growth Factor β-mediated Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Cell Migration*

We have studied the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In NMuMG mammary epithelial cells, exogenous TGFβ1 induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473 and Akt in vitro kinase activity against GSK-3β within 30 min. These responses were temporally correlated with delocalization of E-cadherin, ZO-1, and integrin β1 from cell junctions and the acquisition of spindle cell morphology. LY294002, an inhibitor of the p110 catalytic subunit of PI3K, and a dominant-negative mutant of Akt blocked the delocalization of ZO-1 induced by TGFβ1, whereas transfection of constitutively active p110 induced loss of ZO-1 from tight junctions. In addition, LY294002 blocked TGFβ-mediated C-terminal phosphorylation of Smad2. Consistent with these data, TGFβ-induced p3TP-Lux and p(CAGA)12-Lux reporter activities were inhibited by LY294002 and transiently expressed dominant-negative p85 and Akt mutants in NMuMG and 4T1 cells. Dominant-negative RhoA inhibited TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473, whereas constitutively active RhoA increased the basal phosphorylation of Akt, suggesting that RhoA in involved in TGFβ-induced EMT. Finally, LY294002 and neutralizing TGFβ1 antibodies inhibited ligand-independent constitutively active Akt as well as basal and TGFβ-stimulated migration in 4T1 and EMT6 breast tumor cells. Taken together, these data suggest that PI3K-Akt signaling is required for TGFβ-induced transcriptional responses, EMT, and cell migration.
Perceptually Enhanced Multimedia Processing, Visualization and Transmission

Data reduction has long been a method for adaptation to limited computational and network resources. But one major concern is the tradeoff between preserving visual quality and reducing data size. Furthermore, the presence of multi-modal data, e.g. visual and aural, is common and therefore distributing competing resources among multi-modal data to achieve optimal visual quality becomes a major. Since humans are typically the penultimate viewer of multimedia data, it is reasonable to take human perception into consideration during the data reduction and resource distribution process, in order to estimate and control the resulting visual quality. Psychophysical experiments reported in the literature have shown that better performance can be achieved in multimedia processing, visualization and transmission, by incorporating perceptual factors. This paper gives an overview of how human perception plays a role in the development of multimedia applications, so as to inspire and inform future research in this direction