Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobility of a Restriction-Modification System Revealed by Its Genetic Contexts in Three Hosts

ABSTRACT The flow of genes among prokaryotes plays a fundamental role in shaping bacterial evolution, and restriction-modification systems can modulate this flow. However, relatively little is known about the distribution and movement of restriction-modification systems themselves. We have isolated and characterized the genes for restriction-modification systems from two species of Salmonella, S. enterica serovar Paratyphi A and S. enterica serovar Bareilly. Both systems are closely related to the PvuII restriction-modification system and share its target specificity. In the case of S. enterica serovar Paratyphi A, the restriction endonuclease is inactive, apparently due to a mutation in the subunit interface region. Unlike the chromosomally located Salmonella systems, the PvuII system is plasmid borne. We have completed the sequence characterization of the PvuII plasmid pPvu1, originally from Proteus vulgaris, making this the first completely sequenced plasmid from the genus Proteus. Despite the pronounced similarity of the three restriction-modification systems, the flanking sequences in Proteus and Salmonella are completely different. The SptAI and SbaI genes lie between an equivalent pair of bacteriophage P4-related open reading frames, one of which is a putative integrase gene, while the PvuII genes are adjacent to a mob operon and a XerCD recombination (cer) site.
Evaluation of rezasurin microtiter assay and high resolution melting curve analysis for detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates.

BACKGROUND Several methods have been proposed for rapid detection of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). High resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis has been developed for accurate and simultaneous detection of resistance of M. tuberculosis isolates to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH). Other techniques include the resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) which is one of the new colorimetric phenotypic methods. The present study evaluated the HRM curve analysis and REMA assay in comparison to the proportional method (PM) for rapid identification of multidrug resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis isolates. METHODS Thirty M. tuberculosis clinical isolates of known resistance phenotypes were used. An HRM curve was generated for each isolate to scan for mutations in the rpoB and katG genes to detect RIF and INH resistance, respectively. The REMA colorimetric assay was also evaluated using the same isolates. The results of both techniques were compared to the gold standard proportional method. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the REMA assay for RIF and INH susceptibility testing were 100%. The HRM curve assay results for RIF susceptibility testing were 92.3%, 100%, 100%, 94.4%, and 96.7%, respectively, and for INH they were 85%, 100%, 100%, 76.9%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS REMA is a rapid non-conventional and inexpensive method and may serve as a replacement for the proportion method in resource limited settings, while the PPV and NPV of the HRM curve make this assay an ideal screening method for the TB laboratory.
The B-Subunit of DNA Polymerase α-Primase Associates with the Origin Recognition Complex for Initiation of DNA Replication

ABSTRACT The B-subunit (p70/Pol12p) of the DNA polymerase α-primase (Polα-primase) complex is thought to have a regulatory role in an early stage of S phase. We generated a panel of fission yeast thermosensitive mutants of the B-subunit (termed Spb70) to investigate its role in initiation of DNA replication by genetic and biochemical approaches. Here, we show that the fission yeast Spb70 genetically interacts and coprecipitates with origin recognition complex proteins Orp1/Orc1 and Orp2/Orc2 and primase coupling subunit Spp2/p58. A fraction of Spb70 associates with Orp2 on chromatin throughout the cell cycle independent of the other subunits of Polα-primase. Furthermore, primase Spp2/p58 subunit preferentially associates with the unphosphorylated Orp2, and the association requires Spb70. Mutations in orp2+ that abolish or mimic the Cdc2 phosphorylation of Orp2 suppress or exacerbate the thermosensitivity of the spb70 mutants, respectively, indicating that an unphosphorylated Orp2 promotes an Spb70-dependent replication event. Together, these results indicate that the chromatin-bound B-subunit in association with origin recognition complex mediates recruiting Polα-primase complex onto replication origins in G1 pre-Start through an interaction with primase Spp2/p58 subunit. Our results thus suggest a role for the recruited Polα-primase in the initiation of both leading and lagging strands at the replication origins.
The apparently contradictory energetics of hopping and running: the counter-intuitive effect of constraints resolves the paradox

ABSTRACT Metabolic rate appears to increase with the rate of force application for running. Leg function during ground contact is similar in hopping and running, so one might expect that this relationship would hold for hopping as well. Surprisingly, metabolic rate appeared to decrease with increasing force rate for hopping. However, this paradox is the result of comparing different cross-sections of the metabolic cost landscapes for hopping and running. The apparent relationship between metabolic rate and force rate observed in treadmill running is likely not a fundamental characteristic of muscle physiology, but a result of runners responding to speed constraints, i.e. runners selecting step frequencies that minimize metabolic cost per distance for a series of treadmill-specified speeds. Evaluating hopping metabolic rate over a narrow range of hop frequencies similar to that selected by treadmill runners yields energy use trends similar to those of running. Summary: Metabolic rate appears to be proportional to force rate for treadmill running; however, this is the result of runners selecting step frequencies that minimize cost per distance for specified speeds (speed constraints).
Acquired factor V inhibitor

Summary Acquired factor V(FV) inhibitors as a rare bleeding disorder, poses a formidable challenge to treating physicians with limited evidence to guide its management. We systematically reviewed our experience in Singapore and the published literature to determine possible answers to clinical questions formulated on the manifestation and best management of non-bovine thrombin and non-congenital acquired FV inhibitors. The incidence in Singapore was 0.09 cases per million person years (3 cases over 10 years). Seventy-three other cases meeting pre-defined search criteria were found in the published literature. Bleeding occurred in 68.4% of these patients, with mucous membranes being the most common site. Intracranial and retroperitoneal bleeds carried the highest mortality. The mortality rate from bleeding was 12%. There was a tendency for FV levels and PT/aPTT prolongation to predict bleeding but not the inhibitor level. No consistently effective haemostatic agent could be determined, but platelet transfusion should probably be the first line therapy. Among bleeding patients, inhibitors tended to disappear faster with inhibitor elimination therapy (IET) compared to without IET (60 vs. 150 days, p=0.299). IET made no significant difference among non-bleeding patients (p=0.511) and is thus recommended for bleeding patients or those with high bleeding risk. Steroids as single agent IET was effective in the majority of patients. Logical management approaches may be drawn but are limited by small sample size, heterogeneity of reports, and potential publication bias. The inception of a comprehensive registry will provide more reliable data that may verify our findings.
Design and Implementation of a Unity Power Factor Fuzzy Battery Charger using an Ultrasparse Matrix Rectifier

This paper presents a novel unity power factor fuzzy battery charger conception based on an ultrasparse matrix rectifier (USMR). The advantages of the proposed converter are low harmonic distortion in absorbed currents and nearly unity power factor over a wide operating output power range. Its circuit has only three switching components and low-energy-conversion loss. This reduces the cost and enhances the system's efficiency for high-voltage battery. Thus, the proposed fuzzy logic controller improves the line power quality and delivers admissible output power to the battery. Experimental results based on a 24-V battery charger are proposed to validate the proposed approach and to demonstrate its performance. The stability and performance of the battery charger are then verified by the constant current and constant voltage charge. The fuzzy control and space vector modulation algorithms are implemented with the Digital Signal Processor.
Evidence for Acyl Homoserine Lactone Signal Production in Bacteria Associated with Marine Sponges

ABSTRACT We report for the first time the production of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) by bacteria associated with marine sponges. Given the involvement of AHLs in bacterial colonization of many higher organisms, we speculate that such quorum sensing signals could play a part in interactions between sponges and the dense bacterial communities living within them.
Consumer demand for frozen seafood product categories in the United States

ABSTRACT Frozen seafood marketing in grocery stores in the United States (U.S.) has undergone substantial transformation as a result of the introduction of value-added and convenience products into the category. However, it is not yet clear whether consumers perceive these value-added products to be substitutes for the traditional unbreaded products. We model the demand for frozen seafood in the United States using the linear approximate almost ideal demand system (LA-AIDS) employing market-level monthly retail scanner panel data. Our emphasis is on the demand relationships between the three aggregate frozen seafood categories, namely, breaded products, entrées and unbreaded products, and on the demand relationships for these categories when disaggregated as finfish and shellfish. We use fixed effects on the spatial and temporal variation in demand and incorporated demographic shifter variables. Our results show that unbreaded products, as compared to value-added categories of breaded seafood and seafood entrées, would gain market share if expenditure on frozen seafood increases. We also find that unbreaded products are stronger substitutes for value-added products than vice versa. We explore similar relationships between frozen shellfish and finfish products. Unbreaded shellfish can be expected to gain market share if expenditure on frozen seafood were to increase.
Mapping delphinid occurrence using a passive acoustic monitoring system towed by an unmanned surface vehicle on the Southeast Coast of Brazil

The use of autonomous passive acoustics is an efficient technique to monitor vocally active marine animals such as dolphins. Coupling autonomous acoustic recorders with unmanned vehicles allows data sampling through varying time scales and an increase in the sample area in relation to fixed recorders. In the present study, an autonomous acoustic recorder was towed by an unmanned surface vehicle, type Wave Glider, in the offshore waters of the Southeast Coast of Brazil through a period of ten days, sampling continuously along a distance of 377 km. Three sound detectors were used to scan all recordings in search of whistles, burst-pulsed sounds and echolocation clicks produced by delphinids. Consecutive detections within an interval shorter than one hour between them were considered as belonging to a detection event, meaning an encounter with a group of delphinids. Intervals larger than one hour between detections were considered a separate event. Detection events were quantified and mapped to obtain the spatial distribution of encounters in the sampling area. There were 99,849 positive detections in all of the sampled days, distributed through 14 detection events. Of all detections, 100,212 were echolocation clicks, 1,029 were whistles, and 202 were burst-pulsed sounds. There was no clear time pattern distribution, but the majority of detections occurred during night hours. Mean local depth of delphinid encounters was of 960 m. The abundance of detections through the entire sampling period indicates that the area around the shelf break is an important area for delphinid occurrence. Furthermore, it was evidenced that autonomous recorders coupled to glider technology can adequately register delphinid presence.
Assessing Repeated-Sprint Ability in Division I Collegiate Women Soccer Players.

Lockie, RG, Liu, TM, Stage, AA, Lazar, A, Giuliano, DV, Hurley, JM, Torne, IA, Beiley, MD, Birmingham-Babauta, SA, Stokes, JJ, Risso, FG, Davis, DL, Moreno, MR, and Orjalo, AJ. Assessing repeated-sprint ability in Division I collegiate women soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-Repeated-sprint ability (RSA) is a key component of soccer, and is the capacity to repeatedly produce near-maximal to maximal sprints with short recovery periods. Repeated-sprint ability has received little analysis in collegiate women soccer players. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between RSA and tests of soccer-specific performance. Nineteen players from the same Division I collegiate women's soccer team were recruited. The RSA test consisted of six 20-m sprints completed on 15-second cycles. The measurements taken were total time (TT) and percent decrement (PD; percent change from first to last sprint). Subjects also completed tests of: lower-body strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM] back squat); jump performance (vertical and standing long jumps); linear (0-5, 0-10, and 0-30 m sprint intervals) and change-of-direction (505 from each leg) speed; and soccer-specific fitness (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 [YYIRT1]). Pearson's correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were used to calculate relationships between RSA TT and PD with the performance tests. Total time exhibited significant relationships with the 0-10 (r = 0.50) and 0-30 m (r = 0.71) sprint intervals, and the left-leg 505 (r = 0.57). However, lower-body strength measured by the 1RM back squat and jump performance did not relate to TT. Percent decrement correlated only with the left-leg 505 (r = 0.53) and no other performance test. This included the YYIRT1, although both PD and YYIRT1 performance are limited by fatigue. The results from this study indicated that faster linear sprinting speed could positively influence RSA in Division I collegiate women soccer players.
Glomus Tumors: Therapeutic Role of Selective Embolization

The primary goals of preoperative embolization of glomus tumors are to reduce the blood loss in the surgical field, minimize the risk of operative complications, and prevent recurrence by contributing to complete resection. Obliteration of a vascular channel may provide additional help in symptomatic relief by decreasing the tumor volume. Selective transarterial embolotherapy outcomes of 17 patients, most of whom had inoperable tumors and were unable to have surgery/radiotherapy because of poor general health, were evaluated to investigate the therapeutic contributions, efficacy, and safety of embolization techniques in the treatment of different glomus tumors and to examine the role of the embolotherapy in the treatment algorithm of such lesions. The pattern of vascular supply of these tumors was also documented. Eleven glomus jugulotympanicum, 4 glomus caroticum, and 2 glomus vagale tumors were embolized for palliative or curative purposes between 1992 and 2000. Coils and combination of coils plus polyvinyl alcohol were used for embolization. Relief of symptoms and patient satisfaction were analyzed within 3 months after the intervention by a questionnaire combined with full ear, nose, and throat and neurological examinations. The results indicate that the use of embolotherapy in the treatment of glomus tumors must be basically preoperative but is not curative.
The impact of crime on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are in the forefront of economic policy in developing economies, playing critical role in local economic growth and development. SMEs tend to serve local rather than global markets. However, several obstacles prevent greater participation of SMEs in the economy. Among them, crime is a major issue that negatively affects local development in developing countries, as robbery, theft, vandalism and arson increase the cost of doing business. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between crime and firm performance for Latin American SMEs in both service and hospitality sectors, using labor productivity as a measure of firm performance. Labor productivity is a key concern in Latin America as institution-related issues of corruption, infrastructure, regulations, trade policies, access to finance, and human capital may reduce the efficiency of firms in developing economies. The overall findings suggest that there is a negative relationship between criminal activity and firm performance for SMEs in Latin America.
Bipedal Locomotion Control via CPGs with Coupled Nonlinear Oscillators

This paper describes the design and analysis of a biologically inspired central pattern generator (CPG) using a network of mutually coupled nonlinear oscillators to generate rhythmic walking pattern for biped robots. The paper examines the characteristics of a CPG model composed of a network of nonlinear oscillators, and the effect of assigning symmetrical and asymmetrical coupling mechanism among oscillators within the network structure under different possibilities of inhibitions and excitations. The paper highlights the necessity to understand the targeted physical system and its functionalities before concluding the design parameters of the CPG. In addition, the paper considers the way in which the sensory feedback contributes to generate adaptive walking trajectory and enhance gait stability, and how the driving input and external perturbation affect the speed of locomotion and change the period of its own active phase. Modeling of bipedal robot using a CPG based controller and a musculo-skeletal system has been achieved for the purpose to realize the interaction with each other and to study the necessary conditions for stable dynamic walking on dynamic terrain that lead to stable and sustained response from the network. The kinematics and dynamics of a five-link biped robot has been modeled and its joints are actuated through simulation by the proportional torques output from the CPG to generate the trajectories for hip, knee, and ankle joints. The CPG based bipedal locomotion is carried out and evaluated through simulations using MATLAB.
Parallel-plate noise isolation using a macro-via photonic crystal structure in advanced package

A novel macro-via crystal (MVPC) structure is proposed for suppression of PPNs in high-speed or mixed signal circuit package. This structure is designed by periodically embedding macro-via cylinders, which consist of six vias and two circular pads, between the power and ground planes. Compared with previously proposed EBG structures, several advantages have been demonstrated. First, etching slots or high-density vias are not required. It will have better SI and PI performance for the package. Second, it can be fabricated in the typical and low-cost package process. Third, significant routing space is available on the layers between power and ground planes. A test sample was fabricated in the package substrate. Excellent PPN suppression has been presented from 1.8 GHz to 5.6 GHz. Agreement between the measurement and simulation is favorably good.
Selective impairment of endothelium‐dependent relaxations by prostaglandin endoperoxide

Objective Studies of aortas from hypertensive and diabetic rats and rabbits have demonstrated impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations, which were associated with increased release of endothelium-derived thromboxane A2 (TXA2). This implicates enhanced release of TXA2 or its precursor prostanoid, prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH2), or both, as factors mediating the endothelial cell dysfunction. Methods The interaction of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (PGH2, PGF2α and U-46619, a stable thromboxane-receptor agonist) and oxygen-derived free radicals with the release of nitric oxide was examined in isolated aortas from Sprague-Dawley rats. Results Exogenously applied PGH2 or U-46619 caused concentration-dependent contractions of aortic rings, these contractions being blocked by the newly developed, potent and selective PGH2- and TXA2-receptor antagonist BMS-180291, but not by inhibition of TXA synthase or cyclo-oxygenase (using dazoxiben and indomethacin, respectively). In aortic rings contracted sub-maximally with phenylephrine, brief exposure to a subthreshold concentration of PGH2 caused impairment of acetylcholine- and ADP-induced, but not of nitroprusside-induced, relaxations. The impairment was restored towards normal by BMS-180291 or by superoxide dismutase (SOD), a superoxide anion scavenger, but not by dazoxiben or indomethacin. In contrast, treatment of aortic rings with U-46619 or PGF2α did not impair the relaxations. Oxygen-derived free radicals generated by xanthine oxidase caused contractions and impaired acetylcholine relaxations which were reversed by SOD but not by BMS-180291. Conclusions These findings indicate that activation of PGH2 receptors causes contractions and selective impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations by a mechanism involving generation of oxygen-derived free radicals in the endothelium.
Personalforschung als Ad-hoc-Aktionismus. Der Personalmanagement-Professionalisierungs-Index der DGFP

Die Entwicklung der Personalarbeit in Deutschland ist durch fortschreitende Professionalisierung gekennzeichnet. Dies wurde durch die zunehmende Verrechtlichung der Personalarbeit ausgelöst und findet inzwischen seinen Ausdruck in der Verankerung der Personalfunktion in der obersten Leitungsebene. Damit ist es auch an der Zeit, ein methodisches Instrumentarium bereit zu stellen, um den Professionalisierungsgrad der Personalarbeit zu messen. Die DGFP hat einen Personalmanagement-Professionalisierungs-Index vorgelegt, der im Folgenden aus methodischer Sicht analysiert wird. Dabei zeigt es sich, dass die Fundierung auf dem Stakeholder-Ansatz lediglich eine Fassade darstellt, die bei der Umsetzung des Messinstrumentariums nicht durchgehalten wird. Das Konzept und dessen Anwendung werfen nicht nur Plausibilitäts-, sondern auch gravierende Methodenprobleme auf. Diese beziehen sich auf Operationalisierungs- und Validitätsprobleme sowie auf Probleme der Indexbildung. Schließlich ist die Messmethodik von handwerklichen Mängeln des Messinstrumentariums durchzogen. Davon sind Fragenkonstruktion und Skalierungsversuche betroffen sowie die klar erkennbaren Antworttendenzen im Instrumentarium. Auf der Basis dieser Analyse bleibt nur das Fazit, dass es sich beim Personalmanagement-Professionalisierungs-Index der DGFP um Aktionismus handelt, der unprofessionelle empirische Ad-hoc-Forschung darstellt und für die Praxis nicht nur von keinerlei Nutzen, sondern sogar schädlich sein kann, wenn man sich auf die Ergebnisse verlässt.
Low Actuation Voltage SPDT RF MEMS K Band Switch using a Single Gold Membrane

This paper presents a SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) system for K band applications using RF MEMS (Radio-Frequency MicroElectroMechanical Systems) switch. The switch is based on a single anchorless gold membrane which is simply supported. It achieves large deflections of 4¿m at a low actuaction voltage (7.5V simulated and 12V demonstrated) and with a high reliability. New mechanical testing results, showing good agreements with simulations, and RF measurements of the structure, using a wide band coplanar waveguides (CPW) to microstrip (MS) transition, will be shown.