Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping Identifies a Locally Endemic Clone of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

We developed, tested, and applied a TaqMan real-time PCR assay for interrogation of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms that differentiate a clade (termed ‘t003-X’) within the radiation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST225. The TaqMan assay achieved 98% typeability and results were fully concordant with DNA sequencing. By applying this assay to 305 ST225 isolates from an international collection, we demonstrate that clade t003-X is endemic in a single acute-care hospital in Germany at least since 2006, where it has caused a substantial proportion of infections. The strain was also detected in another hospital located 16 kilometers away. Strikingly, however, clade t003-X was not found in 62 other hospitals throughout Germany nor among isolates from other countries, and, hence, displayed a very restricted geographical distribution. Consequently, our results show that SNP-typing may be useful to identify and track MRSA clones that are specific to individual healthcare institutions. In contrast, the spatial dissemination pattern observed here had not been resolved by other typing procedures, including multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa typing, DNA macrorestriction, and multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA).
Modelo de simulación de una subasta de doble punta mediante el paradigma multi-agente

El proposito de este articulo es presentar las fases de conceptualizacion, analisis y diseno de un modelo de simulacion basado en el paradigma multiagente (MABS) para el proceso de transaccion de acciones en la bolsa de valores de Colombia. Para hacer esto se considero el mecanismo de subasta de doble punta (Double Auction) que es el que actualmente se utiliza, no solo en el caso Colombiano, si no tambien en muchas de las principales bolsas del mundo y se empleo como metodologia de modelamiento Sigma, la cual fue propuesta por el grupo GIDIA (Grupo de Investigacion y Desarrollo en Inteligencia Artificial) de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Medellin. Si bien el alcance del trabajo presentado en este articulo no contempla la implementacion del modelo ni la incorporacion de los mecanismos de razonamiento complejos que pueden exhibir los agentes involucrados, si se presentan los resultados preliminares de un primer prototipo por una parte, y los lineamientos para la modelacion de tales comportamientos por otra parte.
Survival of Spacecraft-Associated Microorganisms under Simulated Martian UV Irradiation

ABSTRACT Spore-forming microbes recovered from spacecraft surfaces and assembly facilities were exposed to simulated Martian UV irradiation. The effects of UVA (315 to 400 nm), UVA+B (280 to 400 nm), and the full UV spectrum (200 to 400 nm) on the survival of microorganisms were studied at UV intensities expected to strike the surfaces of Mars. Microbial species isolated from the surfaces of several spacecraft, including Mars Odyssey, X-2000 (avionics), and the International Space Station, and their assembly facilities were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Forty-three Bacillus spore lines were screened, and 19 isolates showed resistance to UVC irradiation (200 to 280 nm) after exposure to 1,000 J m−2 of UVC irradiation at 254 nm using a low-pressure mercury lamp. Spores of Bacillus species isolated from spacecraft-associated surfaces were more resistant than a standard dosimetric strain, Bacillus subtilis 168. In addition, the exposure time required for UVA+B irradiation to reduce the viable spore numbers by 90% was 35-fold longer than the exposure time required for the full UV spectrum to do this, confirming that UVC is the primary biocidal bandwidth. Among the Bacillus species tested, spores of a Bacillus pumilus strain showed the greatest resistance to all three UV bandwidths, as well as the total spectrum. The resistance to simulated Mars UV irradiation was strain specific; B. pumilus SAFR-032 exhibited greater resistance than all other strains tested. The isolation of organisms like B. pumilus SAFR-032 and the greater survival of this organism (sixfold) than of the standard dosimetric strains should be considered when the sanitation capabilities of UV irradiation are determined.
Cochrane for CAM providers: evidence for action.

Extracts of the leaves of the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba, have long been used in china as a traditional medicine for various disorders of health. A standardized extracts is widely prescribed in Germany and France for the treatment of a range of conditions, including memory and concentration problems, confusion, depression, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache. The mechanisms of action are thought to reflect the action of several components of the extract and include increasing blood supply by dilating blood vessels, reducing blood viscosity, modification of neurotransmitter systems, and reducing the density of oxygen free radicals. Here, Liu and MacLehose assess the efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of patient with dementia or cognitive decline.
Population-Oriented Simulated Annealing: A Genetic/Thermodynamic Hybrid Approach to Optimization

In this paper, a new hybrid of genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA), referred to as GSA, is presented. In this algorithm, SA is incorporated into GA to escape from local optima. The concept of hierarchical parallel GA is employed to parallelize GSA for the optimization of multimodal functions. In addition, multi-niche crowding is used to maintain the diversity in the population of the parallel GSA (PGSA). The performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated against a standard set of multimodal benchmark functions. The multi-niche crowding PGSA and normal PGSA show some remarkable improvement in comparison with the conventional parallel genetic algorithm and the breeder genetic algorithm (BGA).
Implementing Comprehensive Interventions to Support Student Success in Online Learning

The innovation and maturity of education technology has enabled online learning to be more accessible and manageable than ever before. Online education becomes so appealing as programs of study can be pursued with the flexibility in time and space. However, the most pressing challenge posed is student attrition that has significant quality and economic impacts on the institutions. In response to the negative influences brought by high dropout rates, educational institutions have striven to implement strategies to improve students? learning experiences and assist them in successfully achieving their academic goals. This presentation first reviews Tinto? s student integration model as the theoretical framework. This presentation depicts a survey of literature to highlight significant factors that lead to a student? s decision on withdrawal from a course or program. This presentation also summarizes an assortment of evidence-based practices in relation to student retention. Finally, a case study is portrayed to examine the implementation of interventions in an online university. Student persistence is a vital part of the institution? s survival. A continuing monitoring and evaluation system plays a key role in improving student satisfaction and success.
Sémantique du langage naturel et profondeur variable : Une première approche

Le travail que nous presentons concerne la semantique du langage naturel. Il se situe dans le cadre de ce que la tradition informatique appelle comprehension du langage naturel. Apres avoir tente de cerner les enjeux de cette discipline et avoir analyse les differents courants existants, nous presentons un systeme: le systeme a profondeur variable. Celui-ci s'appuie sur un appareil logique, precisement une logique non monotone. Les nombreuses connaissances exigees dans le processus de comprehension d'un texte sont representees dans le systeme grâce a un ensemble de concepts et de regles. Nous montrons sur trois applications en quoi ce systeme apporte des elements de reponse interessants a certains problemes semantiques. Une application concerne l'elaboration d'une ontologie temporelle pour un traitement semantique de recits en langage naturel. Cette ontologie rend compte des phenomenes temporels de la langue et concretise cette capacite de la langue a multiplier les points de vue sur une entite temporelle. Une autre tente, sur un court texte, un travail semantique complet prenant en compte de maniere homogene les differents types de connaissances, du lexique aux connaissances du monde. Enfin, nous traitons d'un corpus compose de textes de constats d'accident de voiture. Nous cherchons a reproduire un raisonnement physique de sens commun qui semble souvent loin d'un raisonnement de physique traditionnelle et nous formalisons, pour cela, des elements d'une physique naive adaptee a ces textes.
3D motion estimation from a stereo image sequence using dual-sequential-Kalman-filter

Aiming at solving the coupling and time-consuming problem in motion estimation from images, a recursive estimator comprised of two sequential Kalman filters is proposed. 3D motion of a rigid object can be decomposed into translation of a point fixed on the object, called rotation center, and rotation w.r. t. this point. The rotational parameters are proved to be separate with the others, which means the motion has the potential to be decoupled. Viewing the moving object as a dynamic system, called moving object system, motion estimating is formulated as a state estimation problem. Decoupling the moving object system into two sub-systems, then the dual-sequential-Kalman-filter can be designed to estimate the states of the moving object system, thus a high dimension filter is replaced with two reduced ones. As time cost in computing depends on the third power of the dimension of the estimator, the time-consuming problem is solved partly. The performance of dual-sequential-Kalman-filter is illustrated using both simulated and real image sequences, two important merits, accuracy and robustness, are presented with the experiment results.
GICEB: automatic segmentation algorithm for biomedical images

Automatic segmentation is an essential problem in biomedical imaging. It is still an open problem to automatically segment biomedical images with complex structures and compositions. This paper proposes a novel algorithm called Gradient-Intensity Clusters and Expanding Boundaries (GICEB). The algorithm attempts to solve the problem with considerations of the image properties in intensity, gradient, and spatial coherence in the image space. The solution is achieved through a combination of using a two-dimensional histogram, domain connectivity in the image space, and segment region growing. The algorithm has been tested on some real images and the results have been evaluated.
Service Quality Evaluation Model of Automated Teller Machines Using Statistical Inference and Performance Evaluation Matrix

Automated teller machines (ATMs) provide customers with safe and efficient financial services round-the-clock, while simultaneously reducing operating costs. They have consequently become an integral aspect of financial service systems across the world. Clients' satisfaction with ATM service is an important concern for these firms. High-quality service provision necessitates analysis of factors underlying service failure. This paper uses a questionnaire survey to aggregate customer responses regarding their use of ATMs and their overall satisfaction toward this experience, and then employs a simple regression model to explore how individual service items affect their overall satisfaction. Lastly this paper presents an influence index which, combined with the satisfaction index, allows for the construction of a performance evaluation matrix. This paper also uses the mean of the two indices to create dynamic standards for ongoing quality management. Statistical inference is conducted to obtain interval estimations regarding both indices in order to counter the uncertainty of service quality evaluation caused by sampling error. Using this criterion, financial market operators can determine the standard of their service quality, as well as outline strategies for improvement.
Reciprocal Phosphorylation and Regulation of Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase in Response to Bradykinin Stimulation*

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is phosphorylated at Ser-1179 (bovine sequence) by Akt after growth factor or shear stress stimulation of endothelial cells, resulting in increased eNOS activity. Purified eNOS is also phosphorylated at Thr-497 by purified AMP-activated protein kinase, resulting in decreased eNOS activity. We investigated whether bradykinin (BK) stimulation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) regulates eNOS through Akt activation and Ser-1179 or Thr-497 phosphorylation. Akt is transiently activated in BK-stimulated BAECs. Activation is blocked completely by wortmannin and LY294002, inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, suggesting that Akt activation occurs downstream from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. BK stimulates a transient phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-1179 that is correlated temporally with a transient dephosphorylation of eNOS at Thr-497. Phosphorylation at Ser-1179, but not dephosphorylation at Thr-497, is blocked by wortmannin and LY294002. BK also stimulates a transient nitric oxide (NO) release from BAECs with a time-course similar to Ser-1179 phosphorylation and Thr-497 dephosphorylation. NO release is not altered by wortmannin. BK-stimulated dephosphorylation of Thr-497 and NO release are blocked by the calcineurin inhibitor, cyclosporin A. These data suggest that BK activation of eNOS in BAECs primarily involves deinhibition of the enzyme through calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation at Thr-497.
Biochemical and Molecular Actions of Nutrients Xanthophylls and-Tocopherol Decrease UVB-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Stress Signaling in Human Lens Epithelial Cells 1 , 2

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of vegetables rich in the xanthophylls lutein (LUT) and zeaxanthin (ZEA) reduces the risk for developing age-related cataract, a leading cause of vision loss. Although LUT and ZEA are the only dietary carotenoids present in the lens, direct evidence for their photoprotective effect in this organ is not available. The present study examined the effects of xanthophylls and -tocopherol ( -TC) on lipid peroxidation and the mitogen-activated stress signaling pathways in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells following ultraviolet B light (UVB) irradiation. When presented with LUT, ZEA, astaxanthin (AST), and -TC as methyl-cyclodextrin complexes, HLE cells accumulated the lipophiles in a concentrationand time-dependent manner with uptake of LUT exceeding that of ZEA and AST. Pretreatment of cultures with either 2 mol/L xanthophyll or 10 mol/L -TC for 4 h before exposure to 300 J/m UVB radiation decreased lipid peroxidation by 47–57% compared with UVB-treated control HLE cells. Pretreatment with the xanthophylls and -TC also inhibited UVB-induced activation of c-JUN NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 by 50–60 and 25–32%, respectively. There was substantial inhibition of UVB-induced JNK and p38 activation for cells containing 0.20 and 0.30 nmol xanthophylls/mg, respectively, whereas 2.3 nmol -TC/mg protein was required to significantly decrease UVBinduced stress signaling. These data suggest that xanthophylls are more potent than -TC for protecting human lens epithelial cells against UVB insult. J. Nutr. 134: 3225–3232, 2004.
Seed‐vectored endophytic bacteria modulate development of rice seedlings

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the removal of indigenous bacteria from rice seeds on seedling growth and development. Here we report the presence of three indigenous endophytic bacteria in rice seeds that play important roles in modulating seedling development (shoot and root lengths, and formation of root hairs and secondary roots) and defence against pathogens.
Treatment of Patients with Clinical T3 Prostate Cancer

Objective : To describe and evaluate treatment alternatives for patients with clinical T3 prostate cancer. Material and Methods : Literature review with main focus on recent studies in order to include the impact of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The possibility of using neoadjuvant/adjuvant hormonal therapy in combination with surgery or radiation was assessed. Results were related to life expectancy, tumour grade and serum PSA. Results : M and N-staging is mandatory before treatment with curative intent. Watchful waiting is an option for selected patients but early hormonal therapy seems to offer some survival advantages. Standard 65-70Gy external beam radiation is not sufficient for these patients with extracapsular disease but better results are obtained with dose-escalation (beyond 70Gy) and/or adjuvant hormonal therapy. Radical prostatectomy may be an option for patients with long life expectancy and "early" tumours, neoadjuvant hormonal withdrawal is of no proven value. Conclusions : Patients with a long life expectancy should not be denied treatment with curative intent solely based on the finding of extracapsular disease.
Glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate in the mouse: two major histocompatibility complex, H-2, loci with different mechanisms.

Isolated cleft palate is induced in the progeny of pregnant mice that are given glucocorticoids. The incidence varies among inbred strains and with dose and stage of gestation when the drug is given. One chromosomal region responsible for strain-associated differences in sensitivity is the major histocompatibility complex, H-2. H-2a is associated with susceptibility, H-2b with resistance. There appear to be both maternal and embryonic genetic factors affecting the sensitivity to glucocorticoids. In experiments reported here congenic strains of mice with H-2a, H-2d and H-2k haplotypes on a C57BL/10 genomic background were used. This allowed the determination of the effect on sensitivity by two H-2 subregions; the subregions are H-2K to I-E and I-C to H-2D. Methods included dose-response analysis and reciprocal cross analysis using dexamethasone given on day 12 of pregnancy. Results show that each subregion affects the strain's sensitivity to dexamethasone-induced cleft palate. The regression coefficients for B10.A-H-2a (45.4 +/- 4.13) were different from those for B10.BR-H-2k (67.2 +/- 10.8) and B10.D2-H-2d (70.5 +/- 9.74). The estimated mean arcsine % cleft palate at 160 mg/kg was different for each strain: B10.A-H-2a, 53.1 +/- 2.19; B10.BR-H-2k, 33.1 +/- 2.27; B10.D2-H-2d, 25.0 +/- 2.75. Different patterns of change in sensitivity were observed among the reciprocal crosses. In summary, the H-2K to I-E subregion seemed to influence both maternal and embryonic factors, whereas only embryonic factors were influenced by the I-C to H-2D subregion. These data suggest that the mechanisms affecting glucocorticoid sensitivity which are genetically encoded within each H-2 subregion are different, and there is an interaction between the alleles. The mode of interaction can be either complementation or epistasis.
Molecular Analysis Improves Pathogen Identification and Epidemiologic Study of Pediatric Parapneumonic Empyema

Background: Parapneumonic empyema (PPE) is an increasingly common complication of bacterial pneumonia. Epidemiologic study is complicated by the low frequency of positive cultures. We sought to describe the epidemiology of PPE in children using molecular analysis of pleural fluid. Methods: We performed molecular testing for bacterial pathogens using archived pleural fluid from children hospitalized in 2009 with PPE. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant), Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae as well as PCR-based serotyping of S. pneumoniae was performed. Demographic, laboratory, and microbiologic data were abstracted. Results: Pleural fluid specimens from 63 children were available for PCR. By culture, a pathogen was isolated from blood and/or pleural fluid in 22 (35%) patients, with S. pneumoniae in 15 (24%), S. pyogenes in 3 (5%), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 4 (6%). By PCR, a pathogen was detected in 53 (84%), including S. pneumoniae in 45 (71%). Compared with culture, PCR testing significantly increased detection of any pathogen (35% vs. 84%; P < 0.001) and of S. pneumoniae (24% vs. 71%; P < 0.001). Serotype 7F was the most common pneumococcal serotype detected. Comparison of culture-negative to culture-positive disease showed differences in both the pathogen profile and clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Molecular analysis of pleural fluid more than doubled the detection of pathogens causing PPE. S. pneumoniae was the most common cause of both culture-positive and culture-negative PPE, although serotype distribution and outcomes differed.
Luminance and color effects on localization of briefly flashed visual stimuli

Abstract Visual localization was studied by flashing small stimuli on a green background and requiring observers to press keys to indicate whether the stimulus appeared to the left or right of fixation. The results suggest that, for small (0.25 deg) briefly flashed (17 ms) stimuli at an eccentric location (10 deg), color contrast is not useable and localization presumably must rely on the magnocellular pathway. When stimulus size and duration were increased at 10-deg eccentricity, isochromatic stimuli could be localized at less than 10% luminance contrast (again suggesting use of the magnocellular high sensitivity luminance-contrast system), but isoluminant color-contrast stimuli could also be localized (suggesting use of the color-contrast sensitive parvocellular system). Thus, the results indicate that, dependent on stimulus conditions, both magnocellular and parvocellular pathways were utilized by normal observers in this localization task.
The relevance of sustainable management practices to competitiveness in manufacturing companies

This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the influence, on corporate competitiveness, of strategic management practices based on socio-environmental responsibility. We also sought to understand the interrelationships between the management practices relating to strategy, socio-environmental innovation and sustainable supply chain. We analyzed the aspects of competitive performance with respect to: profitability, cost, revenue, market share and image. The methodology applied was quantitative analysis, in a e-Survey, where, in o129 manufacturing industries. The results indicated a large number of significant correlations between many of the management practices studied and competitive performance, especially in terms of image. As for the practices, the ones that stood out were the initiatives to implement actions that integrate sustainable practices (e.g. inclusion of sustainability criteria in the development of new products and processes); and external relations (incorporation of socio-environmental criteria in the selection of suppliers and capital investment). As a limitation, this research was developed to cover the strategic KPI´s of a corporate competitive performance, and the future research should contemplate the tactical and operational perspectives. Just a few quantitative research’s are done with this propose, and in Brazil, it is quite insignificant, what means that this research is original. The results can be applied to stimulate the enterprises to improve their socio environmental sustainability management practices. Also, this research reinforces some of the SGDs recommended by UN for 2030 agenda which should improve company’s attractiveness for financial market and for people and planet.