Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus Isolates from Louisiana Gulf and Retail Raw Oysters

ABSTRACT The antimicrobial susceptibilities of 168 Vibrio parahaemolyticus and 151 Vibrio vulnificus isolates recovered from 82 Louisiana Gulf and retail oysters in 2005 and 2006 were determined. Overall, the two vibrios remained susceptible to the majority of antimicrobials tested; reduced susceptibility was detected only in V. parahaemolyticus for ampicillin (81%; MIC ≥ 16 μg/ml). Additionally, V. parahaemolyticus displayed significantly higher MICs for cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline than V. vulnificus.
Hyperleukocytosis and leukostasis: management of a medical emergency

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hyperleukocytosis is defined as a white blood cell count greater than 100,000/mL in patients affected by acute leukemia and often it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, that can be up to 40% if unrecognized. Areas covered: Risk factors include younger age, myelomonocytic or monocytic/monoblastic morphology, microgranular variant of acute promyelocitic leukemia and T-cell ALL, and some cytogenetic abnormalities. Poor prognosis due to high early death rate secondary to leukostasis. The mechanisms at the origin of leukostasis are still poorly understood. The management of acute hyperleukocytosis and leukostasis involves supportive measures and reducing the number of circulating leukemic blast cells, with careful monitoring of fluid balance, control of uric acid production and control of urine pH to prevent tumour lysis syndrome. Expert commentary: Several studies have been performed to ameliorate the outcome of this setting of patients. The high number of leukocytes may cause 3 main complications: disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and leukostasis. Although hyperleukocytosis and tumour lysis syndrome are still a challenge for clinicians, a better prognosis for these conditions is emerging in the last years.
Influence of overfeeding on growth, obesity and intestinal tract in young chicks of light and heavy breeds

1. Heavy-breed (HB) chicks differed from light-breed (LB) ones in their propensity to be overfed. Whereas in the LB chicks the amount by which they could be overfed reached 70 % more than the food consumed daily by the ad lib. -fed chicks, in the HB chicks the maximal excess was only 13 %. 2. Overfeeding caused a slight but statistically significant increase in the linear growth rate (shank length) of the LB chicks, with an opposite effect in the HB chicks. 3. Overfeeding increased the weight of the crop, proventriculus, small intestine, pancreas, liver and adipose tissue but had no such effect on the heart, cerebrum or cerebellum. 4. Overfeeding had no effect on the specific activities of the pancreatic digestive enzymes, liver xanthine dehydrogenase, or tryptophan oxygenase (EC 1.13.1.12). The increase in the total activities was due entirely to organ hypertrophy. 5. Obesity induced in young chicks had no residual effects on the adult LB chicks, but reduced the linear growth of the adult HB chicks. 6. An explanation for the difference between breeds in response to overfeeding at an early age is discussed.
Crohn disease and autophagy

display abnormalities in Paneth cells, specialized cells in the crypts of Lieberkuhn in the small intestine that secrete lysozyme and antimicrobial peptides to regulate the intestinal flora. Importantly, a similar Paneth cell phenotype is seen in tissue samples from patients with Atg16L1-associated Crohn disease.
A geometric method for calibrating three-axis magnetometers

The performance of the three-axis magnetometer is mainly restricted by the sensitivity error, offset error, and nonorthogonality error. In this paper, we present a geometric ellipsoid fitting method to calibrate these errors. The new method is based on minimizing the orthogonal distances from measuring points to the ellipsoid. The minimizing problem is formulated as the nonlinear least square problem, the problem is solved by Gauss-Newton method. The simulation and experiment results show the performance of the three-axis magnetometer is improved dramatically with the proposed calibration method.
Accuracy of multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer detection: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this diagnostic meta-analysis was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer detection using anatomic T2-weighted imaging combined with two functional techniques: diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to February 3, 2012. We included diagnostic accuracy studies using a combination of T2-weighted imaging, DWI, and DCE-MRI to detect prostate cancer with histopathologic data from prostatectomy or biopsy as the reference standard. The methodologic quality was assessed with version 2 of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool by two independent reviewers. Sensitivity and specificity of all studies were calculated from 2 × 2 tables, and the results were plotted in a hierarchic summary receiver operating characteristic plot. RESULTS Seven studies that met the inclusion criteria (526 patients) could be analyzed. The pooled data showed a specificity of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.82-0.92) and sensitivity of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.66-0.81) for prostate cancer detection, with negative predictive values (NPVs) ranging from 0.65 to 0.94. Subgroup analyses showed no significant difference between the subgroups. CONCLUSION The high specificity with variable but high NPVs and sensitivities implies a potential role for multiparametric MRI in detecting prostate cancer.
Postnatal development of axosomatic synapses in the rat visual cortex: Morphogenesis and quantitative evaluation

Postnatal development of axosomatic synapses was studied in the rat visual cortex in order to obtain experimental data that may explain how the unequal distribution of asymmetric and symmetric synapses evolves on the soma of cortical neurons. Three types of synaptic junctions were identified: (1) asymmetric or type 1 synapses, with postsynaptic densities ≥ 20 nm, (2) symmetric type 2 synapses, and (3) symmetric synapses with an intermediate structure. The third synapse type had a structure similar to that of type 1 synapses, although the postsynaptic densities were thinner than 20 nm.
Reduction of Mitochondria–Endoplasmic Reticulum Interactions by Acetylcholine Protects Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells From Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury

Objective— We explored the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondria Ca2+ cross talk involving voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1)/glucose-regulated protein 75/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 complex and mitofusin 2 in endothelial cells during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), and investigated the protective effects of acetylcholine. Approach and Results— Acetylcholine treatment during reoxygenation prevented intracellular and mitochondrial Ca2+ increases and alleviated ER Ca2+ depletion during H/R in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Consequently, acetylcholine enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited proapoptotic cascades, thereby reducing cell death and preserving endothelial ultrastructure. This effect was likely mediated by the type-3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. In addition, interactions among members of the VDAC1/glucose-regulated protein 75/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 complex were increased after H/R and were associated with mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and cell death. Inhibition of the partner of the Ca2+ channeling complex (VDAC1 siRNA) or a reduction in ER–mitochondria tethering (mitofusin 2 siRNA) prevented the increased protein interaction within the complex and reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation and subsequent endothelial cell death after H/R. Intriguingly, acetylcholine could modulate ER–mitochondria Ca2+ cross talk by inhibiting the VDAC1/glucose-regulated protein 75/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 complex and mitofusin 2 expression. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase siRNA diminished acetylcholine-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and VDAC1/glucose-regulated protein 75/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 complex formation induced by H/R. Conclusions— Our data suggest that ER–mitochondria interplay plays an important role in reperfusion injury in the endothelium and may be a novel molecular target for endothelial protection. Acetylcholine attenuates both intracellular and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and protects endothelial cells from H/R injury, presumably by disrupting the ER–mitochondria interaction.
Behavioral Impulsivity Does Not Predict Naturalistic Alcohol Consumption or Treatment Outcomes

Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine whether behavioral impulsivity under multiple conditions (baseline, after alcohol consumption, or after serotonin depletion) predicted naturalistic alcohol use or treatment outcomes from a moderation-based contingency management (CM) intervention. Method:The current data analysis pulls information from 3 phases of a large study: (1) phase 1 examined baseline and the effects of alcohol use and serotonin depletion on 3 types of behavioral impulsivity: response initiation (IMT task), response inhibition (GoStop task), and delay discounting (SKIP task); (2) phase 2 involved 28 days of naturalistic drinking; and (3) phase 3 involved 3 months of CM. During phases 2 and 3 alcohol use was measured objectively using transdermal alcohol monitors. The results of each individual phase has been previously published showing that at a group level the effects of alcohol consumption on impulsivity were dependent on the component of impulsivity being measured and the dose of alcohol consumed but serotonin depletion had no effect on impulsivity, and that a moderation-based CM intervention reduced heavy drinking. Results:The current analysis combining data from those who completed all 3 phases (n=67) showed that impulsivity measured at baseline, after alcohol consumption, or after serotonin depletion did not predict naturalistic drinking or treatment outcomes from a moderation-based CM treatment. Conclusions:CM interventions may prove to be an effective intervention for impulsive individuals; however, normal variations in measured impulsivity do not seem to relate to normal variations in drinking pattern or response to moderation-based CM.
Call admission control for self-similar data traffic in cellular communications

In this paper, we propose a call admission control (CAC) scheme for wireless cellular networks supporting self-similar data traffic, which is rarely discussed in previous literature. The grade of service (GoS) at the call level is represented by handoff call dropping probability, while the quality of service (QoS) at the packet level is represented by transmission accuracy and delay. The effective bandwidth for the data traffic is derived to support the QoS requirements. The user and call transition functions are derived to compute the handoff call dropping probability. The proposed CAC scheme is to ensure satisfaction of both QoS and GoS, and to achieve maximal resource utilization.
Comparison of adaptive and innate immune responses induced by licensed vaccines for human papillomavirus

Two HPV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, HPV-16/18 (GlaxoSmithKline, Cervarix®) and HPV-6/11/16/18 (Merck, Gardasil®), are currently licensed in the United States. Given the similar antigenic content but different adjuvant formulations in the 2 vaccines, they provide an efficient method for evaluating adjuvants and comparing the kinetics of the innate and adaptive immune responses. We randomized women to receive either Cervarix® or Gardasil®, followed 6 month vaccination delivery schedules per manufacturer's recommendations, and analyzed the humoral immune response, T cell response, and circulating plasma cytokine levels in response to vaccination. Cervarix® recipients had higher anti-HPV-16 antibody and neutralization titers at month 7, and elevated anti-HPV-18 antibody and neutralization titers at months 7 and 12. Antibody avidity was similar for the 2 vaccines. HPV-31 was the only phylogenetically related non-vaccine HPV type, for which there is evidence of cross-protection, to be cross-neutralized and only in response to Cervarix®. Comparing CD4+ T cell cytokine responses at month 12, there was a trend of increased levels of IL-2 and TNF-α in the Cervarix® groups versus the Gardasil® groups that was consistent across all 4 tested HPV types (16/18/33/45). Elevated levels of circulating plasma cytokine/chemokines were observed post first vaccination in Gardasil® recipients and proinflammatory cytokines were elevated following 1st and 3rd Cervarix® vaccinations. Cervarix® and Gardasil® are both highly immunogenic vaccines. Higher antibody levels and CD4 T cell responses were achieved with Cervarix® after 3 doses, although similar affinity maturation was measured for the 2 vaccines. The clinical implications of the differences in immune responses are unknown.
Security Weaknesses of Dynamic ID-based Remote User Authentication Protocol

Recently, with the appearance of smart cards, many user authentication protocols using smart card have been proposed to mitigate the vulnerabilities in user authentication process. In 2004, Das et al. proposed a ID-based user authentication protocol that is secure against ID-theft and replay attack using smart card. In 2009, Wang et al. showed that Das et al.’s protocol is not secure to randomly chosen password attack and impersonation attack, and proposed an improved protocol. Their protocol provided mutual authentication and efficient password management. In this paper, we analyze the security weaknesses and point out the vulnerabilities of Wang et al.’s protocol. Keywords—Message Alteration Attack, Impersonation Attack
Second screen TV synchronization

The combined use of broadcast and broadband networks offers the perspective of efficient delivery of a wide range of personalized TV services. Such services are particularly compelling when related content is simultaneously rendered on a personal terminal and on a TV set. As media components are transported separately over different networks, and delivered to different devices, there is a need for a technique to assure their accurate temporal alignment. This paper describes a solution for frame accurate synchronization of hybrid media components used to compose personalized second screen TV services. The approach enables content components from distributed sources to be synchronously rendered on multiple terminals, even after transport over broadcast and broadband networks using different protocols and timing models. An evaluation system has been built showing accurate lip-sync for an on-demand personalized soundtrack consumed on an IP connected handheld terminal in conjunction with broadcast video on a TV set.
Leaky-wave antenna integrated duplexer using CRLH uniform ferrite-loaded open waveguide

A novel leaky-wave antenna integrated duplexer, based on the CRLH uniform ferrite-loaded open radiating waveguide, is introduced and demonstrated both numerically and experimentally. The duplexing operation is performed directly within the non-reciprocal antenna and unlimited Tx-Rx isolation is achievable. In the fabricated prototype, a gain of 2.3 dBi with isolation of more than 15 dB at all ports is realized. This new device may find applications in various wireless communication systems.
Capacitive Gate Insulator Thickness and Its Impact on Static and Dynamic Behavior of Scaled PD-SOI-MOSFET

The influence of technological parameters on the capacitive gate insulator thickness and the electrical transistor behavior of different technology nodes were simulated. Starting from calibrated PD-SOI-transistors, designed for the 130 nm technology, scaled 45 nm technology transistors were examined. The inverter propagation delay time and corresponding saturation drive currents of different technologies with varying gate insulator thicknesses were compared under the aspect of manufacturability. Further improvements due to the implementation of metal gates were estimated
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: LXXXV. Sudden Infant Death, Bands of Geomagnetic Activity, and Pc1 (0.2 to 5 Hz) Geomagnetic Micropulsations

Pcls (continuous pulsations) within the geomagnetic field, whose durations are about 30 minutes but which can reoccur several times nightly, are observed during periods when global geomagnetic activity is very low (less than 10 nT). The hypothesis that these 0.2 to 5 Hz synchronized micropulsations or hydromagnetic emissions might stimulate physical chemical cascades within the brain that precipitate the sudden death in infants was tested by correlational analysis for a two-year period (1960–1961) for Ontario. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that the monthly incidences of these unexpected deaths, pcl micropulsations and geomagnetic activity less than 10 nT displayed a shared source of variance. Implications are discussed.
Optimised ExpTime Tableaux for S H I N over Finite Residuated Lattices

This study proposes to adopt a novel tableau reasoning algorithm for the description logic with semantics based on a finite residuated De Morgan lattice. The syntax, semantics, and logical properties of this logic are given, and a sound, complete, and terminating tableaux algorithm for deciding fuzzy ABox consistency and concept satisfiability problem with respect to TBox is presented. Moreover, based on extended and/or completion-forest with a series of sound optimization technique for checking satisfiability with respect to a TBox in the logic, a new optimized ExpTime (complexity-optimal) tableau decision procedure is presented here. The experimental evaluation indicates that the optimization techniques we considered result in improved efficiency significantly.
Student Perceptions of Using Blended Learning in Secondary Science

Australian school student participation in senior science subjects has declined over the last 20 years. A recent report from the Office of the Chief Scientist (2014) discussed the pedagogical approach of Australian science teachers as an area of concern. As blended learning is one pedagogical approach to improved student engagement, this study investigated student perceptions on the use of a blended learning approach when teaching the Australian Year 10 Earth Science curriculum. Blended learning integrates online teaching and face-to-face (classroom) teaching. The study was conducted with two Year 10 Science classes at an independent, state school in Far North Queensland, Australia. Online components were available to students using the learning management system Blackboard® as it is the preferred system supported by the state education system in Queensland. This paper reports on a mixed methods analysis comprising both quantitative and qualitative data sources to describe aspects of blended learning the Year 10 students perceived as barriers and benefits. The study also investigated students' motivation for using eLearning within a blended learning pedagogy and opportunities for improved student engagement. This study contributes to our understanding of factors affecting students' engagement in secondary science, and the results illuminate some of the key aspects of a successful blended learning approach to teaching science.
Brief Report: Attitudes About Responding to Survey Questions Concerning Childhood Sexual Abuse by Hispanic Female College Students

In no studies have research participants been asked how they feel about answering questions concerning childhood sexual abuse. We have performed searches from two different search engines again and have found nothing published which specifically addresses this question in the way we have. A questionnaire about childhood sexual abuse was administered to a sample of Mexican-American female college students. Over 32% reported positive histories of childhood sexual abuse before age 18. These subjects were more uncomfortable (37%) than those who did not experience childhood sexual abuse when answering questions about childhood sexual abuse (12%; p < 0.00001), but they were not more uncomfortable in answering questions about alcohol or drug use. Women who were sexually abused in childhood also readily disclosed childhood sexual abuse histories despite revealing discomfort about being asked questions concerning childhood sexual abuse. Our findings support concerns by researchers that childhood sexual abuse is neglected because researchers have an unwarranted perception about how fragile sexually abused subjects are as subjects.
Influence of Posterior Condylar Offset on Maximal Flexion and Outcome Scales Following TKA in Asian Patients

Background: Infection complicates traditional joint reconstruction prostheses in up to 7% of cases, witBackground: Alteration in femoral posterior condylar offset (PCO) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been reported to influence maximal flexion angle after TKA. However, there are contradictory reports about its influence on clinical outcome, and the effects of PCO alterations may vary with implant type. Question / purposes : The purpose of this study was to determine whether PCO alterations affect maximal flexion after TKA and other functional outcomes, and whether the effects of PCO alterations differ by implant type. Patients and Methods : Fifty consecutive cases of TKAs in each of four implant types, namely, fixed bearing (FB) cruciate retaining (CR) or posterior stabilized (PS), mobile bearing (MB) CR or PS were included in the study. Patients were evaluated for maximal flexion and clinical outcome scales. The PCO alteration was measured using pre- and postoperative true lateral knee radiographs. Correlations between PCO alterations and functional outcomes including maximal flexion were compared among the four implant types. Results : No significant correlation was found between PCO alterations and maximal flexion achieved in any of the four implant groups (Correlation Coefficient [CC]=-0.03, 0.14, -0.14, 0.04; p> 0.05). The mean maximal postoperative flexion was greater in PS implants than in CR implants (p <0.05). In MB-CR implanted knees, a greater PCO alteration was correlated with worse anterior knee pain score as measured by the PF scoring system (CC=-0.44, p=0.003) and worse WOMAC pain score (CC=-0.41, p=0.007). Conclusions : Our findings indicate that PCO alterations have no effect on maximal postoperative flexion after TKA regardless of the implant type. Whether the implant is of PS or CR type is a better predictor of the final flexion achieved. However, increased PCO is correlated with worse pain score in MB-CR implants. Level of Evidence : Level III, Retrospective comparative study