Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteome signatures for stress and starvation in Bacillus subtilis as revealed by a 2‐D gel image color coding approach

In this paper we have defined proteome signatures of Bacillus subtilis in response to heat, salt, peroxide, and superoxide stress as well as after starvation for ammonium, tryptophan, glucose, and phosphate using the 2‐D gel‐based approach. In total, 79 stress‐induced and 155 starvation‐induced marker proteins were identified including 50% that are not expressed in the vegetative proteome. Fused proteome maps and a color coding approach have been used to define stress‐specific regulons that are involved in specific adaptative functions (HrcA for heat, PerR and Fur for oxidative stress, RecA for peroxide, CymR and S‐box for superoxide stress). In addition, starvation‐specific regulons are defined that are involved in the uptake or utilization of alternative nutrient sources (TnrA, σL/BkdR for ammonium; tryptophan‐activated RNA‐binding attenuation protein for tryptophan; CcpA, CcpN, σL/AcoR for glucose; PhoPR for phosphate starvation). The general stress or starvation proteome signatures include the CtsR, Spx, σL/RocR, σB, σH, CodY, σF, and σE regulons. Among these, the Spx‐dependent oxidase NfrA was induced by all stress conditions indicating stress‐induced protein damages. Finally, a subset of σH‐dependent proteins (sporulation response regulator, YvyD, YtxH, YisK, YuxI, YpiB) and the CodY‐dependent aspartyl phosphatase RapA were defined as general starvation proteins that indicate the transition to stationary phase caused by starvation.
[Radiation-modifying effect of oxygen barotherapy in complex treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis].

AIM To evaluate the efficiency of radiotherapy (RT) in combination with oxygen barotherapy (OBT) versus PT used in the complex therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthrosis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS 46 patients with RA and 18 patients with OA were examined, of them 24 patients with RA and 10 with OA received complex therapy involving a course of OBT. The groups of patients had no statistically significant differences in the characteristics of their disease and in the nature of the therapy performed. All the patients received RT as radiation therapy. The patients were followed up for 2 years by assessing basic clinical (the Richi articular index, total pain index, local articular index, pain index for knee and hand joints, circumference of knee and wrist joints) and ultrasound (the magnitude of exudate, an erosive process, osteophytes, articular fissure stenosis, the thickness of the synovial membrane and cartilage) indices. RESULTS Use of OBT in patients with RA and OA just before articular radiation therapy brought about a more pronounced positive effect of complex therapy. In addition to significant positive changes in clinical parameters, there was a slow progression of a pathological process, as evidenced by ultrasound study. CONCLUSION By reducing needs for drug therapy, for nonsteroidal antiflammatory drugs in particular, OBT produces a pharmacoeconomic effect.
Antibacterial and Herbicidal Activity of Ring-Substituted 3-Hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxanilides †

In this study, a series of twenty-two ring-substituted 3-hydroxy-N-phenylnaphthalene-2-carboxanilides were prepared and characterized. The compounds were tested for their activity related to inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was also performed against four Staphylococcus strains and against two mycobacterial species. 3-Hydroxy-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)naphthalene-2-carboxamide showed high biological activity (MIC = 55.0 µmol/L) against S. aureus as well as methicillin-resistant strains. N-(2-Fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide showed higher activity (MIC = 28.4 µmol/L) against M. marinum than the standard isoniazid and 3-hydroxy-N-(4-nitrophenyl)naphthalene-2-carboxamide expressed higher activity (MIC = 13.0 µmol/L) against M. kansasii than the standard isoniazid. Cytotoxicity assay of effective antimicrobial compounds was performed using the human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cell line. The PET-inhibiting activity expressed by IC50 value of the most active compound 3-hydroxy-N-(3-nitrophenyl)naphthalene-2-carboxamide was 16.9 μmol/L. The structure-activity relationships of all compounds are discussed.
The familial aggregation of the lesser variant in biological and nonbiological relatives of PDD probands: a family history study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of the lesser variant (or PDD-like traits) in the biological and nonbiological second- and third-degree relatives of PDD probands using a screening questionnaire and to investigate the extent to which the risk of the lesser variant differs according to various characteristics of the proband. METHOD The sample consists of a series of 34 nuclear families with 2 affected PDD children (multiplex, MPX), 44 families with a single PDD child (simplex, SPX), and 14 families who adopted a PDD child. Data on characteristics of the lesser variant in 1362 biological and 337 nonbiological second- and third-degree relatives were collected from parents by telephone interview and from several maternal and paternal relatives by questionnaire. RESULTS All components of the lesser variant were more common in biological relatives (BR) than nonbiological relatives (NBR), confirming the familial aggregation of the traits. Proband characteristics associated with an increased risk of the lesser variant in relatives were a higher level of functioning and coming from a MPX family. CONCLUSIONS These findings on the familial aggregation of the lesser variant suggest that the genes for PDD also confer susceptibility to the lesser variant and that PDD may be a genetically heterogeneous disorder.
Endometriosis and human infertility: a new investigation into the role of eutopic endometrium.

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is related to infertility even in the absence of mechanical alterations of the reproductive tract. Even though the pathogenesis of this phenomenon is still unclear, an impaired endometrial receptivity has been recently suggested. The aim of the present study was to investigate if endometriotic peritoneal fluids (EPF) could interfere with endometrial stromal cell (ESC) decidualization and if tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha could be involved in the EPF effect. METHODS Eutopic ESC were isolated from patients with or without endometriosis. ESC were treated with 17beta-estradiol 10(-8) M and 6alpha-methyl-17alpha-hydroxyprogesteroneacetate 2x10(-7) M for 16 days. In vitro decidualization was morphologically and biochemically assessed. We analysed whether ESC decidualization could be affected by EPF or peritoneal fluids from control patients (CPF), with or without soluble TNF-alpha receptor 1 (sTNFR-1). RESULTS Compared with ESC from control patients, eutopic ESC from patients with endometriosis showed an impaired decidualization. Decidualization of normal ESC was morphologically normal but biochemically abnormal in the presence of EPF, which was able to decrease the secretion of decidualization markers. sTNFR-1 was able to partially counteract this effect. CONCLUSIONS In endometriosis, the milieu surrounding the uterine cavity may be involved in impaired eutopic ESC decidualization, partially due to increased peritoneal levels of TNF-alpha.
When a Good Is a Bad (or a Bad Is a Good)—Analysis of Data from an Ambiguous Nonmarket Valuation Setting

This paper analyses data from a contingent valuation experiment carried out in a context with large degree of preference heterogeneity and valuation ambiguity. Despite this challenge, by implementing estimation of an unrestricted valuation function on pooled data from two elicitation formats, utilizing all preference information available from the survey, we are able to estimate welfare measures with an acceptable degree of statistical confidence. It turns out that an offshore wind farm, a priori believed to constitute a bad that people would be willing to pay to avoid, instead was a good that people would be willing to forego under compensation. This was true on average but not for all study participants. Two key determinants of preferences were spatial proximity to the proposed wind farm and perceptions of the visual impacts of wind turbines. Individuals who would be near and thought wind turbines are “ugly” had a mean willingness to pay to avoid the wind farm of about $508 per household per year. In contrast, those who would be far away and perceived wind turbines to be “beautiful” had a negative mean willingness to pay to avoid the wind farm of about −$595 per household per year.
Validation of a verbally administered numerical rating scale of acute pain for use in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES Verbally administered numerical rating scales (NRSs) from 0 to 10 are often used to measure pain, but they have not been validated in the emergency department (ED) setting. The authors wished to assess the comparability of the NRS and visual analog scale (VAS) as measures of acute pain, and to identify the minimum clinically significant difference in pain that could be detected on the NRS. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of a convenience sample of adults presenting with acute pain to an urban ED. Patients verbally rated pain intensity as an integer from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain), and marked a 10-cm horizontal VAS bounded by these descriptors. VAS and NRS data were obtained at presentation, 30 minutes later, and 60 minutes later. At 30 and 60 minutes, patients were asked whether their pain was "much less," "a little less," "about the same," "a little more," or "much more. " Differences between consecutive pairs of measurements on the VAS and NRS obtained at 30-minute intervals were calculated for each of the five categories of pain descriptor. The association between VAS and NRS scores was expressed as a correlation coefficient. The VAS scores were regressed on the NRS scores in order to assess the equivalence of the measures. The mean changes associated with descriptors "a little less" or "a little more" were combined to define the minimum clinically significant difference in pain measured on the VAS and NRS. RESULTS Of 108 patients entered, 103 provided data at 30 minutes and 86 at 60 minutes. NRS scores were strongly correlated to VAS scores at all time periods (r = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.93 to 0.95). The slope of the regression line was 1.01 (95% CI = 0.97 to 1.06) and the y-intercept was -0.34 (95% CI = -0.67 to -0.01). The minimum clinically significant difference in pain was 1.3 (95% CI = 1.0 to 1.5) on the NRS and 1.4 (95% CI = 1.1 to 1.7) on the VAS. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the verbally administered NRS can be substituted for the VAS in acute pain measurement.
Political Competitiveness and Fiscal Structure: A Time Series Analysis. Canada, 1870 - 2015

We investigate the extent to which the intensity of political competition moderates the governance issues that arise in relation to Canada’s fiscal structure. By fiscal structure we mean three distinct but interrelated fiscal dimensions of the state: financial stability, long run size and short run interventions into the private economy with respect to the business cycle. The paper is distinctive in focusing on four measures of political competitiveness that reflect the degree of competition in and between national parliamentary elections: the size of the majority of the governing party in the House; the distribution of the volatility adjusted winning margins of the governing party; the proportion of electorally marginal constituencies adjusted for asymmetry between parties; and a multiparty measure of the competitiveness of elections at the constituency level. The analysis accounts for the differing time series properties of the political and economic variables and the comingling of long and short term fiscal policies in the time series data. Estimation using a sequence of ARDL models indicates that greater political competition enhances fiscal stability, speeds up convergence of government size from above on fundamentals, and helps to align fiscal deficits better with the business cycle. The potential quantitative impact of more intense electoral competition is analyzed by applying the deficit model to the period of fiscal instability that arose in the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
Hormonal and psychological factors linked to the increased thermic effect of food in malnourished fasting anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVES In patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), weight gain is lower than that expected from the energy content of the meals. Thus we investigated the thermic effect of food (TEF) in relation to subjective feelings and plasma hormone levels in a group of AN patients. METHODS TEF, feelings (14 items), and plasma release of beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, dopamine, and catecholamines were evaluated in 15 AN patients (body mass index, 13.6 +/- 1.2 kg.m(-2)) and in 15 healthy women after three gastric loads (0, 300, 700 kcal) infused by a nasogastric tube in a blind design. RESULTS In AN, the blind loads induced an energy-dependent increase in TEF (P < 0.001), which was higher than that observed in healthy women (P < 0.001). Only in AN, a load-dependent decline in the high basal plasma level of beta-endorphin (P < 0.01), an increase in plasma ACTH (P < 0.02) after the two caloric loads, and an increase in cortisol, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels after the 700-kcal load only (P < 0.05) were noted. A calorie-dependent (P < 0.001) increase in nausea, abdominal discomfort, and fear of being fat ratings and a decrease in liking to eat (P < 0.001) and body image were observed in AN patients (P < 0.05). TEF correlated with ratings on satiation, nausea, uncomfortable abdominal swelling, body image, and fear of being fat (for all, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION In AN women, blindly infused loads induced a dose-dependent increase in TEF, which correlated with the increase in plasma cortisol, ACTH, and catecholamines as in unpleasant sensations, fear of being fat, and anxiety as well as a decline in elevated basal beta-endorphin. These results could explain the difficulty for AN patients in gaining weight.
Perceiving Space and Optical Cues via a Visuo-Tactile Sensory Substitution System: A Methodological Approach for Training of Blind Subjects for Navigation

A methodological approach to perceptual learning was used to allow both early blind subjects (experimental group) and blindfolded sighted subjects (control group) to experience optical information and spatial phenomena, on the basis of visuo-tactile information transmitted by a 64-taxel pneumatic sensory substitution device. The learning process allowed the subjects to develop abilities in spatial localisation, shape recognition (with generalisation to different points of view), and monocular depth cue interpretation. During the training phase, early blind people initially experienced more difficulties than blindfolded sighted subjects (having previous perceptual experience of perspective) with interpreting and using monocular depth cues. The amelioration of the performance for all blind subjects during training sessions and the quite similar level of performance reached by two groups in the final navigation tasks suggested that early blind people were able to develop and apply cognitive understanding of depth cues. Both groups showed generalisation of the learning from the initial phases to cue identification in the maze, and subjectively experienced shapes facing them. Subjects' performance depended not only on their perceptual experience but also on their previous spatial competencies.
Prevalence of two homologous genes encoding glycosyltransferases of Helicobacter pylori in the United States and Japan

Background and Aim: jhp0562 and β‐(1,3)galT (jhp0563) of Helicobacter pylori have been suggested as novel virulent factors; however, the clinical associations and functions of these genes remain unclear. We examined the prevalence of jhp0562, β‐(1,3)galT, and cagA in the United States (US) and Japanese populations.
Spina Bifida Outcome: A 25-Year Prospective

Background: Open spina bifida is the most complex congenital abnormality compatible with long-term survival. This report outlines the 20- to 25-year outcome for our original cohort of patients with a myelomeningocele treated in a nonselective, prospective manner. Methods: Of the initial 118 children, 71 patients were available for our most recent review. Nineteen patients have been lost to follow-up and 28 patients have died. Data were collected on: motor level, shunt status, education/employment, seizure history, mobility, bladder/bowel continence, tethered cord, scoliosis, latex allergy, posterior cervical decompression, tracheostomy and/or gastrostomy tube. Results: Mortality (24%) continues to climb into young adulthood. Eighty-six percent of the cohort have cerebrospinal fluid diversion, with 95% having undergone at least one shunt revision. Thirty-two percent have undergone a tethered cord release, with 97% having an improvement or stabilization in their preoperative symptoms. Forty-nine percent have scoliosis, with 43% eventually requiring a spinal fusion. Sixteen patients (23%) have had at least one seizure. Eighty-five percent are attending or have graduated from high school and/or college. More than 80% of young adults have social bladder continence. Approximately 1/3 of patients are allergic to latex, with 6 patients having experienced a life-threatening reaction. Conclusion: At least 75% of children born with a myelomeningocele can be expected to reach their early adult years. Late deterioration is common. One of the greatest challenges in medicine today is establishing a network of care for these adults with spina bifida.
A new restructured shaded pole induction motor-3D finite element analysis and experimental verification

Shaded pole induction motors, despite the simplicity and low cost, are difficult to analyze particularly in the equivalent circuit methods, due to the asymmetric structure, saturation, harmonics, inaccurate estimation of leakage inductances and skew. Hence, 3D numerical methods could be very useful in the design and optimization stage. This paper presents the 3D transient finite element analysis (3DTFEM) of a 1/60HP, 2-pole prototyped, restructured shaded pole induction motor that has been designed and optimized using genetic algorithm technique. Experimental test has been carried out by a hysteresis brake dynamometer to determine the motor performance. Detailed comparisons among 2D, and 3D finite-element analysis, and experimental results are presented, which confirm the potentials of the new restructured shaded pole motor to achieve lower cost and higher efficiency objectives than the previous designs.
A UAV patrol system based on Bluetooth localization

In order to solve the problem that traditional security system has some disadvantages such as low frequency, low efficiency, and high cost, this paper designs a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) patrol system based on Bluetooth location. The system has subscriber terminal and UAV terminal. User sent the instruction from PC to the UAV by Zigbee network. The Xbee S3B chip accept the instruction and transfer the controlled signal to LED module and then light LED. The data and image return to PC by using Athreros AR9271 chip in order to achieve patrol function. In addition, we use CC254X as Bluetooth controlled core. When in some areas that GPS signal is unstable, we can use Bluetooth location to improve the positional accuracy. By using UAV instead of manpower to patrol, we can greatly ameliorate the flaws of traditional security. The system test results show that the image information is stable and the Bluetooth positioning error is small.
Marked intraindividual variability in antiretroviral concentrations may limit the utility of therapeutic drug monitoring.

BACKGROUND Effective therapeutic drug monitoring for antiretrovirals requires a better understanding of intraindividual variability in pharmacokinetics. METHODS We determined concentrations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease and nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors for 10 patients with undetectable plasma HIV RNA levels who had been receiving stable regimens for > or = 11 months. Plasma samples were collected at the same time of day 3 times per week for up to 4 months. Patients were instructed to take their antiretrovirals at the same time every day. Plasma protease and nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. Pharmacokinetic variability was expressed as intraindividual percentage coefficient of variation (ICV), which was calculated as the patient's standard deviation divided by the mean drug concentration for that patient. RESULTS ICV was determined for 6 drugs for 10 patients, for a total of 17 different patient-drug combinations, using 600 total samples. ICV was unexpectedly high for most patients who were receiving protease inhibitors (ICVs for individual patients taking lopinavir/ritonavir were 24%, 33%, 51%, and 92%; for patients taking nelfinavir/M8 metabolite, they were 30%/44% and 39%/54%; for patients taking ritonavir, they were 34% and 43%; for patients taking saquinavir, they were 52% and 55%). ICVs for patients receiving nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors were lower (for patients receiving efavirenz, they were 7%, 13%, 29%, and 51%; for a patient receiving nevirapine, it was 25%). The median ICV for all patients receiving protease inhibitors (n = 12) was 43.5%, and for all patients receiving nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (n = 5), the median ICV was 25%. CONCLUSIONS Intraindividual variability in concentrations of antiretrovirals was surprisingly high in virologically suppressed patients. Possible contributors include food effects, concomitant use of prescription and herbal medications, assay variability, or medication timing, which was assessed by self-report. High intraindividual pharmacokinetic variability may limit the utility of single measurements in therapeutic drug monitoring for some antiretroviral agents.
Modeling of Crosstalk Effects in Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Interconnects

Crosstalk effects in multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) interconnects for future ICs are investigated by virtue of the equivalent single conductor model and the finite-difference time-domain solution of transmission line equations. The worst case time delay and the peak crosstalk voltage on victim wire of multiwire MWCNT interconnect configurations are derived and compared to those of the copper (Cu) wire counterparts for the intermediate and global interconnects at the 22- and 14-nm technology nodes. The numerical results illustrate that the crosstalk-induced time delays in the MWCNT interconnects are much smaller than those in the Cu interconnects, in particular, for longer wires. Nevertheless, the MWCNT interconnects exhibit little improvement on the crosstalk-induced noises in comparison with their Cu counterparts.