Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of the induction of nitric oxide synthase by endogenous glucocorticoids accounts for endotoxin tolerance in vivo.

An enhanced formation of nitric oxide (NO) due to induction of a calcium-independent (inducible) NO synthase (iNOS) contributes importantly to the cardiovascular failure caused by bacterial endotoxin. Repeated challenges with small doses of endotoxin result in tolerance to both peripheral vascular failure and death caused by subsequent injection of a higher dose of endotoxin. Here we investigate whether tolerance to endotoxin is associated with a lack of induction of iNOS in vivo and whether endogenous glucocorticoids play a role in the development of endotoxin tolerance. In anesthetized rats, i.v. administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS); 2 mg.kg-1] resulted in a prolonged decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and hyporeactivity to the contractile responses elicited by norepinephrine (NE; 10 nM) in aortic rings ex vivo. Hyporeactivity to NE was partially reversed by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (0.3 mM) in vitro, suggesting that an enhanced formation of NO contributes to this hyporeactivity. There was a substantial increase in the activity of iNOS in the lung 3 h after i.v. injection of LPS (0.2 +/- 0.1 to 6.6 +/- 0.6 pmol.mg-1.min-1; n = 5; P < 0.01). Rats injected i.p. with LPS (0.5 mg.kg-1) for 4 consecutive days became tolerant to an i.v. injection of LPS (2 mg.kg-1) in that both hypotension and vascular hyporeactivity to NE were significantly attenuated. Moreover, in these endotoxin-tolerant rats, the induction of iNOS by LPS in the lung was attenuated by 63% +/- 6%. Injection of LPS caused a 9-fold increase in plasma corticosterone (CCS) levels within 2 h and CCS levels remained significantly elevated 6 and 24 h after LPS. Animals rendered tolerant to endotoxin by administration of a low dose of LPS (0.5 mg.kg-1, i.p.) for 4 days still had a 6-fold increase in plasma CCS levels 24 h after the last injection of LPS. When endotoxin-tolerant rats were treated with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 486 (50 mg.kg-1, p.o. 3 h prior to LPS), there was a restoration of the effects of LPS (2 mg.kg-1, i.v.) in causing hypotension, vascular hyporeactivity to NE, and iNOS induction in the lung. However, in control rats RU 486 enhanced neither the decrease in MAP nor the induction of iNOS in response to LPS (2 mg.kg-1, i.v.). Thus, cardiovascular tolerance to endotoxin is accompanied and explained by reduced induction of iNOS in vivo due to the elevation of endogenous glucocorticoid levels.
Factors affecting youth bankrupty in Malaysia

The aim of this study is to determine factors affecting youth bankruptcy in Malaysia.This study provides theoretical evidences that will benefit the financial institutions in the improvement of borrowing and lending by avoiding excessive debt among customers. In addition, it will expand the current knowledge and increase awareness of bankruptcy among youth. Thus, this research paper pursues two objectives: to provide a statistical profile of youth bankruptcy and to investigate factors affecting youth bankruptcy in Malaysia. An overview of statistical youth filing for bankruptcy was acquired from the Malaysia Department of Insolvency (MDI). The interviews were performed and questionnaires were distributed to 140 individual who filed for bankruptcy in the Malaysia Department of Insolvency (MDI) and Credit Counseling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK). There are seven hypotheses used in testing study aspects, namely gender, race, education, marital status, occupation, work experience, and loans. Hence, result of regression analysis shows that six out of seven variables are significant to the dependent variable. The lack of discipline regarding financial management is why many youth in Malaysians today carry major debts and face a high probability of going bankrupt.
Vector-evaluated particle swarm optimization with local search

Many real-world optimization problems contain multiple goals to be optimized concurrently. Vector-evaluated particle swarm optimization is a particle swarm optimization variant which employs multiple swarms to solve multi-objective optimization problems. Each swarm optimizes a single objective and information regarding current best positions is passed among swarms using a knowledge transfer strategy. This paper investigates the application of a local search technique to the vector-evaluated particle swarm optimization algorithm. A hill climbing algorithm is applied to non-dominated solutions, dominated solutions, swarm personal best positions and swarm global best positions. Performance of each local search strategy is compared with the standard vector-evaluated particle swarm optimization algorithm using various knowledge transfer strategies. The results indicate that three out of the four local search techniques significantly improved performance of the vector-evaluated particle swarm optimization algorithm for problems possessing two objectives. No significant performance improvement was found for three-objective problems.
A BIOASSAY SYSTEM FOR THE EVALUATION OF BLACK FLY (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) CONTROL AGENTS UNDER SIMULATED STREAM CONDITIONS

Abstract A new bioassay unit is described which provides simulated stream conditions for testing control agents against black fly larvae. Attributes include uniform flow, high control survival, and excellent visibility for observing larval behavior. It also possesses the unique advantage of using recycled water, continuously supplied fresh water, or both simultaneously. The unit has performed satisfactorily in assays against black flies using pathogens, parasites, and chemicals. In addition, stream invertebrates from four insect orders have been maintained in the unit. A simple and inexpensive incubation unit is also described which possesses several of the advantages of the bioassay unit. It lacks the capability for recirculation and is generally less versatile than the bioassay unit; however, it is useful for the maintenance and observation of stream insects.
Novel Energy Exchange Models and a trading agent for community energy market

It is necessary to manage periods of excess electricity production from renewable sources and to optimise the use of electricity with in residential communities. This can be achieved by providing community members with a market to trade electricity. In addition, such markets will allow people to profit from their surplus energy and community members to reduce their energy cost. To enable this, we define the concept of community energy (CE) and identify its stakeholders. We also propose Energy Exchange Models between traders in a CE market (CEM). The idea is to design a balance (supply and demand) market and an intelligent trading agent for CEM. The CEM tries to manage internal transaction before trading with outside entities. Using examples, we show that maximising local energy transactions also maximises the overall utility obtained. For further models, a trading agent is proposed to determine outside transaction that will improve overall utility.
High Prevalence of Macrolide-resistance and Molecular Characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes Isolates Circulating in China from 2009 to 2016

Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus, is a pathogen responsible for a wide range of clinical manifestations, from mild skin and soft tissue infections and pharyngitis to severe diseases. Its epidemiological characteristics should be comprehensively under surveillance for regulating the national prevention and treatment practice. Herein, a total of 140 S. pyogenes, including 38 invasive and 102 noninvasive isolates, were collected from infected patients in 10 tertiary general hospitals from 7 cities/provinces in China during the years 2009–2016. All strains were characterized by classical and molecular techniques for its emm types/subtypes, virulent factors and antibiotic resistance profiling. Of 140 isolates, 15 distinct emm types and 31 subtypes were detected, dominated by emm12 (60 isolates, 42.9%), emm1(43, 30.7%), and emm89 (10, 7.1%), and 8 new emm variant subtypes were identified. All strains, invasive or not, harbored the superantigenic genes, speB and slo. The other virulence genes, smeZ, speF, and speC accounted for 96.4, 91.4, and 87.1% of collected isolates, respectively. Further multilocus sequence typing (MLST) placed all strains into 22 individual sequence types (STs), including 4 newly-identified STs (11, 7.9%). All isolates were phenotypically susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, and vancomycin, whereas 131(93.5%), 132(94.2%), and 121(86.4%) were resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline, respectively. Our study highlights high genotypic diversity and high prevalence of macrolide resistance of S. pyogenes among clinical isolates circulating in China.
Cooperation and Competition Among Regions : The Umbrella Brand as a Tool for Tourism Competitiveness

Many brands exist within the tourism industry. Territorial brands exist at local, regional, national, and supranational level where they overlap and are interrelated. Therefore, it is necessary that tourist destinations develop and manage their brands to obtain a strong differentiated position in the competitive market. This study analyzed relationships between destinations in the new global scenario. It aimed to improve brand architecture and increase tourist loyalty. A comprehensive analysis considering 6,964 tourists from 17 countries was applied. The study offered recommendations to destinations in order to expand the design of marketing activities, improve coopetition strategies, and advance competitiveness. The results confirmed that the destinations must adapt their promotional strategies to the new global landscape of interconnected business. In addition, they need to develop strategies for horizontal loyalty between destinations.
Power prediction method applicable to horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbines

The objective of the paper is to identify a power prediction method suitable to horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbines using simulation, laboratory testing and operational data collected from literature. An open source framework for the simulation and design is used in order to determine the optimal design of the blade geometry for small rotor models which are then tested in a dedicated experimental bench for axial hydraulic turbine models. The results of the paper as well as the data collected from related projects or scientific articles are used to predict the extracted power for a given water velocity and a range of hydrokinetic turbines with different diameters and similar geometry, based on the adaptation of the performance curve power coefficient vs. tip speed ratio.
Statically balanced stair climbing gait research for a hybrid quadruped robot

This paper first introduced the mechanical specifications of a hybrid quadruped robot built by Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Then, for gait research convenience, described the mathematical model of the robot and solved it. This paper classified the quadruped gaits into three kinds: acute angle gait, obtuse angle gait and right angle gait, and point out that the acute angle gait will get the best stability, to verify it, researched two representative stair climbing gaits: rectangle gait correspond to right angle gait, and parallelogram gait correspond to acute angle gait; contrasted its performance. Gait planning and simulation is well done. By detailed data comparison, get a conclusion that the parallelogram gait is more stable, more efficient and smoother than the rectangle gait.
Anomalous percolation properties of growing networks.

We describe the anomalous phase transition of the emergence of the giant connected component in scale-free networks growing under mechanism of preferential linking. We obtain exact results for the size of the giant connected component and the distribution of vertices among connected components. We show that all the derivatives of the giant connected component size S over the rate b of the emergence of new edges are zero at the percolation threshold b(c), and S infinity exp[-d(gamma)(b-b(c))(-1/2)], where the coefficient d is a function of the degree distribution exponent gamma. In the entire phase without the giant component, these networks are in a "critical state. " The probability P(k) that a vertex belongs to a connected component of a size k is of a power-law form. At the phase transition point, P(k) approximately 1/(k ln k)(2). In the phase with the giant component, P(k) has an exponential cutoff at k(c) approximately 1/S. In the simplest particular case, we present exact results for growing exponential networks.
Impedance control for biped robot locomotion

This paper proposes a control method for biped robot locomotion based on impedance control and impedance modulation. Both legs are controlled by the impedance control, where the desired impedance at the hip and the swing foot are specified. The impedance parameters are changed depending on the gait phase of the biped robot. To reduce the magnitude of impact and to guarantee a stable footing at foot landings on the ground, the damping coefficient of the impedance of the landing foot is increased drastically and the reference trajectory of the landing foot is reset at its initial contact with the ground. A series of computer simulations of a 12-degree-of-freedom (DOF) biped robot with a 6-DOF environment model which consists of nonlinear and linear compliant spring-and-dampers, shows that the proposed control method works well and is superior to position-oriented control methods such as the computed-torque control method in impact regulation during foot landings and adaptation to some ground irregularity.
Effect of Exposure to Various Durations of Light on Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I in Prepubertal Holstein Heifers

Our objective was to determine if prolonged exposure to various durations of light (i.e., photoperiod) would affect serum IGF-I concentrations in heifers. Thus, 16 Holstein heifers, 2 to 4 mo of age, were exposed during a 5-wk pretreatment period to 12 h of cool-white fluorescent light (L) at an intensity of 1200 lux and 12 h of dark (D). At 5 wk, photoperiods were adjusted to 24 L: 0 D (24 L), 20 L: 4 d (20 L), 16 L: 8 D (16 L) or 8 L: 16 D (8 L) per 24 h (n=4 heifers per photoperiod treatment). Blood was sampled at 5 wk and monthly for 4 mo. During each sampling period, blood was collected at 16-h intervals for 48 h and serum IGF-I was determined by RIA. Photoperiod treatment, month of experiment and their interactions affected serum IGF-I concentrations. Averaged over months, concentrations of serum IGF-I was greatest in heifers on 16 L; heifers on 20 L had IGF-I concentrations similar to 8 L, 16 L and 24 L and heifers on 24 L had concentrations similar to that of heifers on 8 L. Heifers in all treatment groups exhibited an increase in serum IGF-I concentration during the 4 mo of treatment. Heifers on 16 L and 20 L exhibited the greatest difference in serum IGF-I concentrations compared with 8L heifers after 3 mo of treatment. In conclusion, 16 L increases concentrations of serum IGF-I above that seen for heifers treated with 8 L or 24 L.
The Influence of Venture Capital Investment on Underpricing of Second-Board Market IPO

This study introduces venture capital investment as a variable in underpricing of stock’s IPO. From the theoretical perspective, this study uses four points of view—Certification, Supervision, Adverse selection and Grandstanding theory, to explain the relationship of venture capital investment and underpricing of IPO. In real empirical part, this study takes 125 second-board companies as a sample to research on the relationship among venture capital investment, the characteristics of venture capital and underpricing of IPO. The finding shows that in the second-board market, companies which have venture capital institutions involved show a higher IPO underpricing rate compared to the companies which have no venture capital institutions involved. The main finding is that there is irrational investment behavior in the market.
Geometrical properties of disordered packings of hard disks

We present experimental and theoretical results for geometrical properties of 2D packings of disks. We were mainly interested in the study of mixtures with disk size distribution which are of more practical interest than equal disks. Average geometrical properties, such as packing fraction of coordination number do not depend on the composition of the mixture, contrary to what would be expected from 3D experiments. We show the existence of a local order in the relative positions of grains with different sizes; this local order may modify the physical properties of the packing. An approximate theoretical expression for the packing fraction c of 2D close packings is given. It implies the knowledge of the average area of quadrilaterals of the network drawn from the real contacts only. For equal disk disordered packings, it yields the limit c=π 2 /12∼0.822 Presentation de resultats experimentaux et theoriques concernant les proprietes d'empilement bidimensionnels de disques, en particulier dans le cas de melanges avec distribution de taille des disques. Les proprietes moyennes, telles que compacite et coordinence, ne dependent pas de la composition du melange, contrairement a ce que l'on pourrait attendre au vu des experiences a 3-D. Mise en evidence de l'existence d'un ordre local dans la position relative de grains de tailles differentes, ordre pouvant modifier les proprietes physiques de l'empilement. Une expression theorique approchee pour la compacite d'empilements 2-D compacts est donnee
Malnutrition in Developing Countries: Role of Agriculture and Trading

The changeable history of the fight against hunger is as old as humanity whose populations had to adapt again and again to changing environmental conditions, epidemics and other adversities. For the first time since the beginnings of agriculture, humanity now has the means at its disposal to overcome world hunger. Malnutrition remains one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most fundamental challenges for improved human development. It is important to recognize the links between malnutrition, poverty and, at the aggregate level, broad economic growth and national development, namely agrarian production. Presently one person in four goes hungry. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the modest progress achieved in recent years up to 2007 was reversed, with hunger rising 2% per year since then. Progress towards the Millennium Development Goals 1 (MDG 1) target, is assessed not only by measuring undernourishment, or hunger, but also by a second indicator – the prevalence of underweight children under five years of age. A vast amount of International Organizations deal with this subject and publish comprehensive reports not only on estimates on the progress already achieved, but also identifying remaining problems, providing guidance on which policies should be emphasized in the future. However, their targets remain almost unchanged. The aim of the present short review is to enhance the need for improved agriculture productivity and trading systems closely related with persistent malnutrition.
Value Creation through Co-Opetition in Service Networks

Well-defined interfaces and standardization allow for the composition of single Web services into value-added complex services. Such complex Web Services are increasingly traded via agile marketplaces, facilitating flexible recombination of service modules to meet heterogeneous customer demands. In order to coordinate participants, this work introduces a mechanism design approach - the co-opetition mechanism - that is tailored to requirements imposed by a networked and co-opetitive environment.
A novel type II secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The genome sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 has been determined to facilitate post‐genomic studies aimed at understanding the capacity of adaptation of this ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen. P. aeruginosa produces toxins and hydrolytic enzymes that are secreted via the type II secretory pathway using the Xcp machinery or ‘secreton’. In this study, we characterized a novel gene cluster, called hxc for homologous to xcp. Characterization of an hxcR mutant, grown in phosphate‐limiting medium, revealed the absence of a 40 kDa protein found in the culture supernatant of wild‐type or xcp derivative mutant strains. The protein corresponded to the alkaline phosphatase L‐AP, renamed LapA, which is secreted in an xcp‐independent but hxc‐dependent manner. Finally, we showed that expression of the hxc gene cluster is under phosphate regulation. This is the first report of the exist‐ence of two functional type II secretory pathways within the same organism, which could be related to the high adaptation potential of P. aeruginosa.
CONTINUOUS CULTURE OF SOME ANEROBIC AND FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RUMEN BACTERIA.

SUMMARY: Strains of Streptococcus bovis, Selenomonas ruminantium, and an anaerobic lipolytic bacterium (5s) have been grown under carbohydrate-limiting conditions in continuous culture for long periods. With S. ruminantium and bacterium 5s the fermentation products varied with growth rate. Yield of organism in continuous culture of all three bacteria showed a maximum at a particular growth rate. The yield of S. ruminantium was much higher in continuous culture at optimum growth rate than in batch culture, and was also higher than can be explained on present concepts of the energy from fermentation available for growth. The various results are discussed in the light of results obtained with other bacteria and the conditions obtaining in the rumen.
Atrial fibrillation and its relationship to dental care.

BACKGROUND The number of Americans diagnosed with and treated for atrial fibrillation, or AF, continues to rise. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED To determine how AF may affect the provision of dental care, the author conducted a literature search, using terms such as "atrial fibrillation" and "dental care. " He found a lack of information on these combined topics. Therefore, the author extrapolated information from scientific peer-reviewed articles on AF, medical and surgical management of AF, and dental care to determine appropriate guidelines for dental treatment of patients with AF. RESULTS The author found that complications can arise from AF and that medical management of AF can affect the delivery of dental care. Dentists should determine the underlying cause of AF to decide if antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated. Patients who are receiving anticoagulation therapy may not need to alter their therapy schedules for minor oral surgery procedures. Anxiety as a result of AF may require use of anxiety-reducing protocols before dental treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS To reduce potential complications associated with dental care, dental practitioners should be familiar with AF and its treatment. Dental management of patients with AF may require treatment modifications, but generally will not deviate significantly from routine standards.