Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary relationships among pathogenic and nonpathogenic Escherichia coli strains inferred from multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and mdh sequence studies

Within the species Escherichia coli, there are commensal strains and a variety of pathogenic strains, including enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and urinary tract infection (UTI) strains. The pathogenic strains are identified by serotype and by possession of specific virulence determinants (toxins and adhesions, etc.) encoded by either monocistronic genes, plasmids, or pathogenicity islands. Although there are studies on the relationships between selected pathogenic strains, the relatedness among the majority of the pathogenic forms to each other, to commensal E. coli, and to the genus Shigella (which has often been suggested to be part of E. coli) has not been determined. We used multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) at 10 enzyme loci and the sequence of the mdh housekeeping gene to study the genetic relationships of pathogenic E. coli strains (including Shigella clones), namely, 5 EPEC strains (serotypes O111 and O55), 3 EHEC strains (serotype O157), 6 ETEC strains (serotypes O78, O159, and O148), 5 EIEC strains (serotypes O124, O28, and O112), and 13 Shigella strains representing clones Flexneri, Dysenteriae, Boydii, and Sonnei, to commensal E. coli strains. Both the MLEE and mdh sequence trees reveal that EPEC, EHEC, ETEC, EIEC, and UTI strains are distributed among the ECOR set groups, with no overall clustering of EPEC, ETEC, EIEC, or UTI strains. The genus Shigella is shown to comprise a group of closely related pathogenic E. coli strains. Six pathogenic strains, i.e., M502 (EIEC; O112ac:NM), M503 (EPEC; O111:H12), M526 (ETEC; O159:H4), M522 (EPEC; O111ac:H12), M524 (ETEC; O78:H11), and M506 (ETEC; O78:H11), were found to have mdh sequences identical to those of five ECOR group A strains (ECOR5, ECOR10, ECOR14, ECOR6, and K-12). All 11 strains are closely related by MLEE. The results indicate that pathogenic strains of E. coli do not have a single evolutionary origin within E. coli but have arisen many times. The results also suggest the possibility that any E. coli strain acquiring the appropriate virulence factors may give rise to a pathogenic form.
Salivary Cortisol As Indicators of Pain in Preterm Infants

Assessment and management of pain in preterm infants is critical and complicated. The addition of salivary cortisol measurement may improve the specificity of assessment and guide care to alleviate pain. The purpose of this study was fourfold: (a) assess the feasibility of a method of saliva collection in premature infants, (b) assess reliability of a method of measuring salivary cortisol in response to heelstick, (c) identify relationships between salivary cortisol and a measure of pain behavior (using CRIES) following heelstick, and (d) identify peak response times for elevations of salivary cortisol following heelstick in preterm infants. This was a prospective, descriptive pilot study. Serial saliva samples were collected from eight healthy infants 30 to 36 weeks’ gestational age in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Cortisol levels were determined using enzyme-immuneassay. Samples were collected without use of stimulants. Sample means supported peak and trough patterns previously described in the literature. Behavioral measures of pain did not correlate well with peak cortisol levels.
An Improved CS Algorithm Based on the Curved Trajectory in Geosynchronous SAR

In Geosynchronous (GEO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), the linear trajectory model fits the actual slant range history in a poor approximation. For example, when the satellite passes the apogee, the velocity and squint angle based on the linear trajectory model will be imaginary numbers; when the satellite passes the perigee and equator, the linear trajectory model can cause large phase error such as hundreds of radians. Therefore, the classical chirp scaling (CS) algorithm under the linear trajectory model is not useable in GEO SAR. In this paper, an improved CS algorithm is proposed to solve the imaging in GEO SAR. Firstly, the true slant histories (curved trajectory) are accurately modeled based on vector expression. Then, an accurate Two-Dimension spectrum in GEO SAR is obtained for the first time based on the high order Taylor expansion and series reversion method. The new CS factor, range migration factor, chirp frequency rate, range and azimuth compression functions are all analytically derived over again in sequence. Finally, the simulation results show that the improved CS algorithm can realize the focusing of large scene and long synthetic aperture time (hundreds of seconds) in GEO SAR.
The Contractile Ring and Furrowing in Dividing Cells

The contractile ring is the cytoskeletal structure believed to generate the constriction force for cells that divide by furrowing, namely, all animal cells and a few plant cells. Although its function seems superficially to be reflected in its organization, in many ways it remains poorly understood. To gain an integrated picture of the contractile ring, we need to know a great deal more about what it is morphologically and biochemically, how it works mechanically to produce a furrow, where its components come from and how they are organized, and how its formation is stimulated by antecedent events in mitosis. These are challenging goals, especially in the face of three obstacles: first, the cells that divide by furrowing vary widely in character and the diversity tends to conflict with efforts to find unifying, universal principles of mechanism; second, the techniques for detecting or quantifying the necessary details of the contractile ring are often too crude and imprecise to answer clearly the experimental questions that are asked, and third, the impatience to “solve” the mechanism of furrowing has blurred the distinction between facts and imagination. In this article I will first reiterate the contractile ring’s basic organizational features, for they establish the principle framework in which a morphologist views other aspects of furrowing. I will then briefly consider possible origins of the contractile ring as well as the events that are thought to stimulate its formation. Finally, I will discuss a global contractile phenomenon of the cell cortex that precedes furrowing and that poses a special set of questions concerning furrowing and other allied constriction. I urge any reader who might be seriously interested in furrowing to consult thoroughly the extensive original literature and yet to maintain an open mind about what has been written.
Brassinosteroid-Induced Transcriptional Repression and Dephosphorylation-Dependent Protein Degradation Negatively Regulate BIN2-Interacting AIF2 (a BR Signaling-Negative Regulator) bHLH Transcription Factor

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant polyhydroxy-steroids that play important roles in plant growth and development via extensive signal integration through direct interactions between regulatory components of different signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that diverse helix-loop-helix/basic helix-loop-helix (HLH/bHLH) family proteins are actively involved in control of BR signaling pathways and interact with other signaling pathways. In this study, we show that ATBS1-INTERACTING FACTOR 2 (AIF2), a nuclear-localized atypical bHLH transcription factor, specifically interacts with BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) among other BR signaling molecules. Overexpression of AIF2 down-regulated transcript expression of growth-promoting genes, thus resulting in retardation of growth. AIF2 renders plants hyposensitive to BR-induced root growth inhibition, but shows little effects on BR-promoted hypocotyl elongation. Notably, AIF2 was dephosphorylated by BR, and the dephosphorylated AIF2 was subject to proteasome-mediated degradation. AIF2 degradation was greatly induced by BR and ABA, but relatively slightly by other hormones such as auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin and ethylene. Moreover, AIF2 transcription was significantly suppressed by a BRI1/BZR1-mediated BR signaling pathway through a direct binding of BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) to the BR response element (BRRE) region of the AIF2 promoter. In conclusion, our study suggests that BIN2-driven AIF2 phosphorylation could augment the BIN2/AIF2-mediated negative circuit of BR signaling pathways, and the BR-induced transcriptional repression and protein degradation negatively regulate AIF2 transcription factor, reinforcing the BZR1/BES1-mediated positive BR signaling pathway.
Nitrogen balance and δ15N: why you're not what you eat during nutritional stress

While past experiments on animals, birds, fish, and insects have shown changes in stable isotope ratios due to nutritional stress, there has been little research on this topic in humans. To address this issue, a small pilot study was conducted. Hair samples from eight pregnant women who experienced nutritional stress associated with the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) were measured for carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios. The δ13C results showed no change during morning sickness or pregnancy when compared with pre-pregnancy values. In contrast, the δ15N values generally increased during periods of weight loss and/or restricted weight gain associated with morning sickness. With weight gain and recovery from nutritional stress, the hair δ15N values displayed a decreasing trend over the course of gestation towards birth. This study illustrates how δ15N values are not only affected by diet, but also by the nitrogen balance of an individual. Potential applications of this research include the development of diagnostic techniques for tracking eating disorders, disease states, and nitrogen balance in archaeological, medical, and forensic cases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of Alginate in Gentamicin Antibiotic Susceptibility during the Early Stages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 Biofilm Establishment

The primary cause attributed to decreased susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antibiotics is its ability to form dense, mucoid microbial communities known as biofilms, of which alginate is an important component. In this experiment we attempted to determine the point at which alginate becomes critical for reducing gentamicin susceptibility of P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. We predicted that treatment of P. aeruginosa with alginate lyase would increase susceptibility, particularly in mature biofilms when alginate becomes a predominant biofilm component. Gentamicin susceptibility was tested on three strains, wild type PAO1, alginate overexpressing mutant ΔmucA, and underexpressing mutant ΔalgA. Results showed that although antibiotic susceptibility decreased with increased growth, there was no significant difference between the lyase treated and control samples in any strain. No significant change in susceptibility was observed between wild type PAO1 and ΔmucA, but ΔalgA exhibited a higher susceptibility within the 6 to 24 hour time frame. Using the wild type strain only, we showed that alginate concentration increased over time, although the alginate lyase treatment did not appear to have any effect. However, the concentration of reducing sugars showed a significantly higher increase in the enzyme treated biofilms, suggesting alginate degradation. Due to these conflicting results, we were unable to determine whether or not the lyase treatment was effective in decreasing the alginate concentration. Further experiments are required to either support or refute our hypothesis.
ANOSOGNOSIA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA: TOWARD RECOVERY OF INSIGHT

This paper addresses the growing evidence that lack of insight, or unawareness of illness in people with schizophrenia, may actually be a medically based condition known as anosognosia. Major explanatory models and related research findings are discussed. A case scenario is presented, as well as current perspectives regarding assessment of insight and alternative treatment approaches. Implications for further research, nursing education, and practice also are included. With better understanding of the characteristics and treatment of diminished insight in individuals with schizophrenia, nurses can better assist clients to recover helpful insight that enables them to take an active role in managing their symptoms and problems.
Association of Body Mass Index, Body Fat and Hypertension among Postmenopausal Women

Abstract The association of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with body mass index, waist hip ratio, the sum of three trunk skinfolds, the sum of the six skinfolds, the ratio of the sum of the trunk to the sum of the extremity skinfolds and relative fat pattern index and the correlations between each of these were examined among 30 hypertensive and 30 normotensive post menopausal women of Udaipur city. Anthropometric measurements and indices like weight, height, WHR, abdominal obesity, body mass index were higher in hypertensive women. Adiposity measures had consistant relationship with blood pressure. The correlation coefficients of the adiposity measure and blood pressure are intercorrelated with a few exceptions in both groups.
Involvement of c-Src Tyrosine Kinase Upstream of Class I Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-Kinases in Salmonella Enteritidis Rck Protein-mediated Invasion

Background: The Salmonella Rck protein mediates a signaling cascade, leading to a Zipper entry mechanism. Results: Rck-mediated internalization requires c-Src protein-tyrosine kinase activity, leading to class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation. Conclusion: c-Src activation is required for Zipper entry mechanism of Salmonella. Significance: The study of the signaling cascade induced by Rck is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of the cell processes driving the Zipper entry of Salmonella. The Salmonella outer membrane protein Rck mediates a Zipper entry mechanism controlled by tyrosine phosphorylation and class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). However, the underlying mechanism leading to this signaling cascade remains unclear. The present study showed that using Rck-coated beads or Rck-overexpressing Escherichia coli, Rck-mediated actin polymerization and invasion were blocked by PP2, a Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In addition, phosphorylation of Src family kinases significantly increased after stimulation with Rck. The specific contribution of c-Src, one member of the Src family kinases, was demonstrated using c-Src-deficient fibroblasts or c-Src siRNA transfected epithelial cells. We also observed that Rck-mediated internalization led to the formation of a complex between c-Src and at least one tyrosine-phosphorylated protein. Furthermore, our results revealed that the c-Src signal molecule was upstream of PI 3-kinase during the Rck-mediated signaling pathway as Rck-mediated PI 3-kinase activation was blocked by PP2, and PI 3-kinase inhibitor had no effect on the Src phosphorylation. These results demonstrate the involvement of c-Src upstream of the PI 3-kinase in the Zipper entry process mediated by Rck.
Raloxifene as a multifunctional medicine?

Recent developments in the new endocrinology of selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) seem to have the potential to transform therapeutics. The emerging data on the multiple effects of raloxifene have generated great excitement that this might be the first multifunctional medicine. Raloxifene was developed for preventing osteoporosis and, like oestrogen, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, raloxifene may reduce the incidence of breast cancer without increasing that of endometrial cancer. Selective oestrogen receptor modulators such as raloxifene introduce important new concepts for the physician, but how did we get to this point and what is the evidence to support the claims? The description of the target site specificity of tamoxifen and raloxifene opened the door for novel applications of the drugs originally known as non-steroidal antiestrogens.1 2 Until then the drugs had been considered only as treatments for breast cancer,3 but then tamoxifen was advanced as a breast cancer preventive agent in high risk women.4 Tamoxifen would never have been acceptable as a preventive agent if it had had an antioestrogenic action on bone, resulting in an increased incidence of osteoporosis. …
The effect of kenaf fibre loading on curing characterisitics and mechanical properties of waste tyre dust/kenaf fibre hybrid filler filled natural rubber compounds

Waste tyre dust (WTD)/kenaf fibre (Ke) hybrid filler filled natural rubber (NR) compounds having constant 30 phr loading were prepared with increasing partial replacement of WTD by kenaf fibre at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 phr. Curing characteristics, mechanical properties, rubber-fibre interaction, and morphology of the NR compounds were studied after the compounds were obtained. The curing characteristics such as t2 and t90 increased with increment of kenaf fibre loading. For MHR, the increasing partial replacement of WTD by kenaf fibre showed increasing MHR value. For tensile properties, the value of tensile strength and elongation at break value decreased with increasing kenaf fibre loading. The values of M100 and M300 increased but then decreased after the addition of 15 phr of kenaf fibre loading. Besides, fatigue life value also showed a decreasing trend with increasing kenaf fibre loading. For rubber-fibre interaction, the values of Qf/Qg showed a small increment with increasing kenaf fibre loading. The SEM micrographs obtained for fractured surface of WTD/kenaf fibre hybrid filled NR compounds supported the results for the mechanical properties.
Analytical Expression for the Time-Domain Discrete Green's Function of a Plane Wave Propagating in the 2-D FDTD Grid

In this letter, a new closed-form expression for the time-domain discrete Green's function (DGF) of a plane wave propagating in the 2-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) grid is derived. For the sake of its verification, the time-domain implementation of the analytic field propagator (AFP) technique was developed for the plane wave injection in 2-D total-field/scattered-field (TFSF) FDTD simulations. Such an implementation of AFP requires computations of time-domain DGF for the plane wave with the use of multiple-precision arithmetic. Then, excitations at the TFSF interface can be computed as a time-domain convolution of a source function with DGF. The developed time-domain implementation of AFP demonstrates the leakage error across the TFSF interface around the numerical noise level that validates the correctness of the DGF derivation.
Evidentiality in language and cognition

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Cheating the Cheaters: Spatial Dynamics in the Evolutionary Stability of Antibiotic Resistance

Infections caused by antibiotic–resistant bacteria are posed to be one of the most pressing health concerns of the twenty–first century. A common mechanism of resistance involves production of an antibiotic–degrading enzyme. In this case, neighboring, nonproducer bacteria can “cheat” by sharing the benefits of resistance while the metabolic cost of enzyme production falls solely on producer cells. The objective of this work is to explore how the spatial population dynamics of producers and nonproducer maintain the resistance found in biofilms. A three–dimensional spatial model was used to simulate growth of both producers and nonproducer under antibiotics with different characteristics. Standard antibiotics resulted in a heterogeneous populations with stable, homogeneous community structure. The population of resistant bacteria was most sensitive to altering the fitness cost of enzyme production. These results could suggest novel antibacterial treatments in order to create therapies less likely to favor the evolution of resistance.
Future changes to the intensity and frequency of short‐duration extreme rainfall

Evidence that extreme rainfall intensity is increasing at the global scale has strengthened considerably in recent years. Research now indicates that the greatest increases are likely to occur in short‐duration storms lasting less than a day, potentially leading to an increase in the magnitude and frequency of flash floods. This review examines the evidence for subdaily extreme rainfall intensification due to anthropogenic climate change and describes our current physical understanding of the association between subdaily extreme rainfall intensity and atmospheric temperature. We also examine the nature, quality, and quantity of information needed to allow society to adapt successfully to predicted future changes, and discuss the roles of observational and modeling studies in helping us to better understand the physical processes that can influence subdaily extreme rainfall characteristics. We conclude by describing the types of research required to produce a more thorough understanding of the relationships between local‐scale thermodynamic effects, large‐scale atmospheric circulation, and subdaily extreme rainfall intensity.
Assessment of unilateral neglect.

Unilateral neglect (ULN) (or “neglect”) is a common behavioral syndrome in patients following stroke. The reported incidence of ULN varies widely from 10%1 to 82%2 following right-hemisphere stroke and from 15%3 to 65%2 following left-hemisphere stroke. Reasons for the variability in the published rates of occurrence of ULN after stroke include subject selection criteria, lesion site, and the nature and timing of the assessment.4 The clinical impression that ULN occurs more frequently following right brain damage than left brain damage has been supported in a systematic review of published data.4 Unilateral neglect is characterized by the failure to report or respond to people or objects presented to the side opposite a brain lesion. If the failure to respond can be accounted for by either sensory or motor deficits, it is not considered to be neglect.5 Patients may have one type of neglect or a combination of neglect behaviors.6 Because ULN has a wide variety of clinical presentations, no single test can be used to identify the disorder in all patients, nor will a single test provide a comprehensive diagnosis of neglect behavior.7 Some authors7,8 have recommended that assessment of neglect include a test battery. To ensure sufficient sensitivity, the battery should include measures for all types of neglect.9 The purposes of this update are: (1) to clarify the different types of neglect, as a basis for understanding the tests and measures of ULN, (2) to review the validity and reliability of determinations of ULN, and (3) to make recommendations regarding the use of these tests by physical therapists. Given the scope of this article—which is an update of the assessment of neglect—only the major tests for ULN are discussed. For an extensive discussion of the pathophysiology and …
Track-Before-Detect on quantised intensity maps

Track-Before-Detect has been shown to offer significant sensitivity improvements over point-measurement tracking. However, it uses the whole sensor intensity map as a measurement and it can be infeasible to communicate these maps around a distributed network. This paper investigates the degradation in detection and estimation performance when lossy compression is used to limit communication bandwidth.