Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of flow velocity on the dynamic behaviour of biofilm bacteria

Abstract The impact of flow velocity (FV) on the growth dynamics of biofilms and bulk water heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria in drinking water distribution systems was quantified and modeled by combining a logistic growth model with mass balance equations. The dynamic variations in the specific growth and release rates of biofilm bacteria were also quantified. The experimental results showed that the maximum biofilm biomass did not change when flow velocity was increased from 20 to 40 cm s−1, but was significantly affected when flow velocity was further increased to 60 cm s−1. Although the concentration of biofilm bacteria was substantially reduced by the higher shear stress, the concentration of bacteria in the bulk fluid was slightly increased. From this it is estimated that the specific growth rate and specific release rate of biofilm bacteria had doubled. The specific release (detachment) rate was dependent on the specific growth rate of the biofilm bacteria.
Current normal values for TSH and FT3 in children are too low: evidence from over 11,000 samples

Abstract Background: Current pediatric normal values for thyroid function tests are based on data from relatively few patients. Objective: To develop new normal pediatric values based on a large sample of children. Patients and methods: Data were collected from a computerized database in Jerusalem, Israel, of thyroid function tests taken in community pediatric clinics. Samples from patients with antithyroid peroxidase antibodies and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies and from those treated with levothyroxine, methimazole, propylthiouracil, thyrotropin, lithium, phenobarbital, or glucocorticoids were excluded. The analysis included over 11,000 samples tested for TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) with the ADVIA® Centaur™ system. Results: The upper normal limit (UNL) for TSH increased by about 1 mIU/L and the lower normal limit (LNL) for FT3 increased by 0.5–2 pmol/L in different age groups. There was no significant change in FT4 values. Conclusions: These reference data should replace current normal values.
Olanzapine‐Associated Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially serious complication of neuroleptic drugs. It may vary in both presenting characteristics and severity. Several different criteria for diagnosis exist, and each differs from the others slightly. We describe a 66‐year‐old woman with chronic paranoid schizophrenia who was prescribed olanzapine along with several other psychiatric drugs and an antihypertensive drug. The patient displayed several characteristics of NMS during therapy with olanzapine, including fever, elevated creatine kinase level, leukocytosis, and mild muscle rigidity. When olanzapine was held, the signs and symptoms improved and then returned with rechallenge of olanzapine. For this reason, olanzapine was considered strongly associated with this patient's apparent NMS episode. The patient's β‐blocker therapy may have masked additional signs of NMS. In addition, the patient tolerated other neuroleptics that were started in the hospital after the suspected NMS episode. The variation among different diagnostic criteria makes this syndrome a challenging diagnosis at times, in particular when atypical antipsychotics are suspected as the causative agent.
Calcineurin Feedback Inhibition of Agonist-evoked cAMP Formation (*)

The effects of immunosuppressant blockers of calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) on cAMP formation and hormone release were investigated in mouse pituitary tumor (AtT20) cells. Immunosuppressants enhanced corticotropin-releasing factor- and isoproterenol-evoked cAMP production in proportion with their potency to block calcineurin. Further analysis of cAMP production revealed that intracellular Ca derived through voltage-regulated calcium channels reduces cAMP formation induced by corticotropin releasing-factor or β-adrenergic stimulation and that this effect of Ca is inhibited by blockers of calcineurin. AtT20 cells were found to express at least three species of adenylyl cyclase mRNA-encoding types 1 and 6 as well as a novel isotype, which appeared to be the predominant species. In two cell lines expressing very low or undetectable levels of the novel cyclase mRNA (NCB20 and HEK293 cells respectively), corticotropin-releasing factor-induced cAMP formation was not altered upon blockage of calcineurin activity. These data identify calcineurin as a Ca sensor that mediates the negative feedback effect of intracellular Ca on receptor-stimulated cAMP production. Furthermore, the effect of calcineurin on cAMP synthesis appears to be associated with the expression of a novel adenylyl cyclase isotype, which is highly abundant in AtT20 cells.
Codon swapping of zinc finger nucleases confers expression in primary cells and in vivo from a single lentiviral vector.

BACKGROUND Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) are promising tools for genome editing for biotechnological as well as therapeutic purposes. Delivery remains a major issue impeding targeted genome modification. Lentiviral vectors are highly efficient for delivering transgenes into cell lines, primary cells and into organs, such as the liver. However, the reverse transcription of lentiviral vectors leads to recombination of homologous sequences, as found between and within ZFN monomers. METHODS We used a codon swapping strategy to both drastically disrupt sequence identity between ZFN monomers and to reduce sequence repeats within a monomer sequence. We constructed lentiviral vectors encoding codon-swapped ZFNs or unmodified ZFNs from a single mRNA transcript. Cell lines, primary hepatocytes and newborn rats were used to evaluate the efficacy of integrative-competent (ICLV) and integrative-deficient (IDLV) lentiviral vectors to deliver ZFNs into target cells. RESULTS We reduced total identity between ZFN monomers from 90.9% to 61.4% and showed that a single ICLV allowed efficient expression of functional ZFNs targeting the rat UGT1A1 gene after codon-swapping, leading to much higher ZFN activity in cell lines (up to 7-fold increase compared to unmodified ZFNs and 60% activity in C6 cells), as compared to plasmid transfection or a single ICLV encoding unmodified ZFN monomers. Off-target analysis located several active sites for the 5-finger UGT1A1-ZFNs. Furthermore, we reported for the first time successful ZFN-induced targeted DNA double-strand breaks in primary cells (hepatocytes) and in vivo (liver) after delivery of a single IDLV encoding two ZFNs. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that a codon-swapping approach allowed a single lentiviral vector to efficiently express ZFNs and should stimulate the use of this viral platform for ZFN-mediated genome editing of primary cells, for both ex vivo or in vivo applications.
The setting for the crack era: macro forces, micro consequences (1960-1992).

This article provides an overview of the social history leading up to the crack era, especially 1960 to the present. The central theme holds that several major macro social forces (e.g., economic decline, job loss, ghettoization, housing abandonment, homelessness) have disproportionately impacted on the inner-city economy. These forces have created micro consequences that have impacted directly on many inner-city residents and have increased levels of distress experienced by households, families, and individuals. Economic marginality has generated high levels of alcohol and other drug abuse as well as criminality, which are exemplified in this article by one inner-city household having an extensive family history exhibiting the chronic impacts of these macro forces and their micro consequences.
Context in Focus: Transaction and Infrastructure in Workpractices

Abstract Information systems appear in work contexts. There exist several conceptualisations of IS context. The paper investigates two such context conceptualisations: workpractice vs business process. The workpractice theory of Goldkuhl & Rostlinger has been studied. Two new concepts (transaction and infrastructure) have been introduced and added to the theory. Different workpractice conditions have been classified as transactional or infrastructural. This conceptual extension enables the workpractice notion to include business process as a clearly defined part. Keywords: Workpractice, practice, business process, information systems, context, workpractice theory 1 Introduction Information systems (IS) are used by humans when performing work. IS are always situated in some work context. The need for recognizing the work context of an IS is well acknowledged. The function and content of an IS will be determined by features of its work context. There are however disagreements how to conceive this IS context. The context can be labelled in different ways and these different labels also entail different perspectives on the IS context. There exist at least the following concepts to designate the context of IS: • Activity (e.g. Nardi, 1996; Andersen, 2003) • Human activity system (e.g. Checkland, 1981) • Work system (e.g. Alter, 2002) • Business process (e.g. Davenport, 1993) • Practice (e.g. Wynn, 1991; Orlikowski, 2000; Goldkuhl & Rostlinger, 1999) • Workpractice (e.g. Clarke, 2003; Goldkuhl & Rostlinger, 2003ab) • Habitat (e.g. Brynskov & Andersen, 2003) • Context (e.g. Roque et al, 2003) There is however some ambiguity in the IS context concept. ‘Context’ is often used to designate the environment of something. The surrounding of an IS is its context. The etymological meaning of ‘context’ is weaving together
Lymphatic malformations

Purpose of reviewTo update current knowledge of basic science and clinical care of lymphatic malformations. Recent findingsAdvances in gene sequencing methods have allowed further elucidation of the genetic pathways involved in vascular development. New cell culture techniques are promising the development of practical models to test novel therapeutic interventions. Clinical treatment trends are continuing to shift more away from early surgery and toward sclerotherapy in appropriate cases. New emphasis has been placed upon quality of life analysis of treatment outcomes. SummaryBasic science is increasing the understanding of vascular anomalies in general and may lead us soon toward more effective nonsurgical therapies. Focus on quality of life measures will help to elucidate the most effective therapeutic interventions.
New Methods for Calibrated Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM)

A batch microfabricated scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) probe is presented. The sensor, based on a Pd resistance thermometer is shown to be suitable for calibration and stable for very long periods (> 700 hours). A technique for achieving transformer isolation of the SThM probe is described and shown to be a highly effective route to obtaining calibrated SThM scans of electrically sensitive samples as well as those subject to large bias voltages.
Regulation of Life Cycle Checkpoints and Developmental Activation of Infective Larvae in Strongyloides stercoralis by Dafachronic Acid

The complex life cycle of the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis leads to either developmental arrest of infectious third-stage larvae (iL3) or growth to reproductive adults. In the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, analogous determination between dauer arrest and reproductive growth is governed by dafachronic acids (DAs), a class of steroid hormones that are ligands for the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12. Biosynthesis of DAs requires the cytochrome P450 (CYP) DAF-9. We tested the hypothesis that DAs also regulate S. stercoralis development via DAF-12 signaling at three points. First, we found that 1 μM Δ7-DA stimulated 100% of post-parasitic first-stage larvae (L1s) to develop to free-living adults instead of iL3 at 37°C, while 69.4±12.0% (SD) of post-parasitic L1s developed to iL3 in controls. Second, we found that 1 μM Δ7-DA prevented post-free-living iL3 arrest and stimulated 85.2±16.9% of larvae to develop to free-living rhabditiform third- and fourth-stages, compared to 0% in the control. This induction required 24–48 hours of Δ7-DA exposure. Third, we found that the CYP inhibitor ketoconazole prevented iL3 feeding in host-like conditions, with only 5.6±2.9% of iL3 feeding in 40 μM ketoconazole, compared to 98.8±0.4% in the positive control. This inhibition was partially rescued by Δ7-DA, with 71.2±16.4% of iL3 feeding in 400 nM Δ7-DA and 35 μM ketoconazole, providing the first evidence of endogenous DA production in S. stercoralis. We then characterized the 26 CYP-encoding genes in S. stercoralis and identified a homolog with sequence and developmental regulation similar to DAF-9. Overall, these data demonstrate that DAF-12 signaling regulates S. stercoralis development, showing that in the post-parasitic generation, loss of DAF-12 signaling favors iL3 arrest, while increased DAF-12 signaling favors reproductive development; that in the post-free-living generation, absence of DAF-12 signaling is crucial for iL3 arrest; and that endogenous DA production regulates iL3 activation.
A Normative Study of the Trail Making Test A and B in Greek Adults

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of age and education on the performance of the Trail Making Test (TMT), and to provide normative data in the Greek population. The TMT was administered to 643 healthy participants. All participants satisfied the criteria excluding dementia and other medical, psychiatric, and neurological disorders. Statistical analysis revealed that, age, education, and general level of intelligence significantly influence individual performance. Performance on TMT, especially part B, decreases with increasing age and lower levels of education. Current norms of the Greek version of TMT represent a useful set of norms for clinical practice.
Source and timing of Streptococcus su ; s infection in neonatal piss : Implications for early weaning procedures

There are at least 29 serotypes of Streptococcus suis, with types 1, 2, 3, and 8 being the most common in North America. ) Streptococcus suis may cause disease outbreaks in pigs of all ages.2 Many of the serotypes have been associated with septicemia resulting in meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, endocarditis, and polyserositis. Summary: To determine the possible sources of Streptococcus suis that colonize neonatal pigs, and the youngest age at which S. suis may be isolated from pigs, multiple samples were collected from 35 pigs, their dams, and the environment. Streptococcus suis was not isolated from environmental samples collected before sows were placed in the farrowing house. At the day of farrowing and for 6 days thereafter, five pigs were euthanized daily and tonsils and meningeal swabs were collected from each pig. Additionally, multiple samples (sow vaginal swab, placental swab, milk, sow teat skin swab, sow feces, sow saliva, sow nasal secretions, piglet water, swab of piglet mat, environmental air) were collected at the time the pig was removed. All samples were culturally examined for s. suis. Streptococcus suis isolates were serotyped and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. No conclusions were drawn from the meningeal swab samples; cultural examination confirmed that they had become contaminated during sampling. Fortyfive isolates of S. suis serotypes I-8 were isolated. The most prevalent serotype of S. suis isolated was serotype 3 (33.3%), followed by 5 (22.2%), 7 (17.8%), 4 (I I. 1%), 6 (6.7%), 8 (6.7%), and 2 (2.2%). Often (six of seven dams), multiple serotypes of S. suis were isolated from samples collected from a single dam. Streptococcus suis was isolated from samples of sow origin beginning on day 0 (two of seven sows), and the tonsils of pigs as early as day I (two of five pigs). In four of seven dams, S. suis of the same serotype isolated from samples collected from the dam was detected in samples of the tonsil of that dam's pig.These results suggest that the source of S. suis was the sow, and that S. suis could have colonized the tonsil of the pig shortly after birth when the pig contacted sow excretions and secretions. Ninety-one percent of the S. suis isolates were susceptible to amPicillin.Less than 50% of these isolates were susceptible to apramycin, lincomycin, penicillin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, and tylosin. Consequently, the use of antimicrobial susceptibility testing on herd isolates of S. suis is recommended due to the variability in sensitivity between isolates.
Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis with Local Hydrocortisone Hemisuccinate Sodium

tiated glycogen-storage disease into a number of different types, and has revealed that the peripheral part of the glycogen molecule can undergo metabolic change independently of the central part. What light these new observations will throw on medicine will become clear early in the second century of glycogen. I believe that we can confidently assume that Claude Bernard would have given his interested approval to the many investigations into the structure and biosynthesis of glycogen which have taken place during the last twenty-five years of the first century of this substance.
Continuous Tunable Phase Shifter Based on Injection Locked Local Oscillators at 30 GHz

Injection locking is used to achieve a continuous tunable phase shift over 280deg at 30 GHz. By locking a free running VCO at 15 GHz to an external reference source and doubling the output signal a very linear phase tuning range can be achieved. A phase noise of -117 dBc/Hz and -140 dBc/Hz at 100 KHz and 1 MHz offset frequency, respectively, have been measured. The prototype phase shifter is build on high epsiv r = 10.2 RT/Duroid substrate to test later implementation in LTCC. The architecture is scalable to higher frequencies and can be made broadband by utilizing hybrids instead of T-junctions
Hybrid glycophorins from human erythrocyte membranes. I. Isolation and complete structural analysis of the hybrid sialoglycoprotein from Dantu-positive red cells of the N.E. variety.

The hybrid glycophorin in Dantu-positive human erythrocytes of the N.E. variety was not cleaved by treatment of intact cells with various proteases, in contrast to normal glycophorins. Therefore, it could be purified by phenol/saline extraction of membranes from trypsin-treated and chymotrypsin-treated red cells and subsequent gel filtration in the presence of Ammonyx-LO. The complete structure of the hybrid molecule, comprising 99 amino acid residues, was elucidated by sequence analyses of peptides prepared by chymotrypsin, trypsin, cyanogen bromide or V8 proteinase treatment. The N-terminal 39 residues and the glycosylation of the molecule were found to be indistinguishable from those of blood-group-s-specific glycophorin B. Conversely, the residues 39-99 were shown to be identical with the residues 71-131 of the major blood-group M-active or N-active sialoglycoprotein (glycophorin A). Hemagglutination inhibition assays revealed that the Dantu antigen represents a labile structure. The receptor might be located within the residues approximately 28-40 of the hybrid glycophorin, as judged from the effects of modifications of membranes. Our data provide an explanation for the previous findings that Dantu-positive cells (N.E. type) exhibit a protease-resistant N antigen and a qualitatively altered s antigen.
The ultrastructure of capillaries and arterioles of the hamster dental pulp

The ultrastructure of capillaries and arterioles of the hamster dental pulp has been studied. Pieces of the incisor pulp were fixed in 1% OsO4 buffered with 0.14 M veronal acetate, embedded in epoxy resin and studied in an electron microscope. The basic cytoplasmic organization of endothelial cells confirmed observations on blood vessels of other organs made by previous investigators. A large number of intracytoplasmic fibrils were found in many endothelial cells, and their presence was discussed in relation to earlier reports on the contractility of endothelial cells. Previous observations on the structural details of the intercellular region of the endothelium were confirmed and elaborated upon. The manner in which the cytoplasmic flaps of adjoining cells were oriented indicated that, if the integrity of the capillary wall was maintained, only cells with capacity for ameboid movement could creep through the region. Thus they were thought to play a role as an effective barrier against the passage of red blood cells. Numerous micropinocytosis and pinocytosis vesicles were found in association with plasma membranes. The significance of their structure in the transport of materials across the capillary wall is discussed. The fine structure of the pericyte resembled that of the fibroblast. Portions of plasma membranes of adjacent smooth muscle cells in the media of arterioles were brought together closely and resembled attachment zones.
Predictors of abstinence from heavy drinking during treatment in COMBINE and external validation in PREDICT.

BACKGROUND The goal of the current study was to use tree-based methods (Zhang and Singer, 2010, Recursive Partitioning and Applications, 2nd ed. Springer, New York) to identify predictors of abstinence from heavy drinking in COMBINE (Anton et al. JAMA 2006; 295:2003), the largest study of pharmacotherapy for alcoholism in the United States to date, and to validate these results in PREDICT (Mann et al. Addict Biol 2012; 18:937), a parallel study conducted in Germany. METHODS We compared a classification tree constructed according to purely statistical criteria to a tree constructed according to a combination of statistical criteria and clinical considerations for prediction of no heavy drinking during treatment in COMBINE. We considered over 100 baseline predictors. The tree approach was compared to logistic regression. The trees and a deterministic forest identified the most important predictors of no heavy drinking for direct testing in PREDICT. RESULTS The tree built using both clinical and statistical considerations consisted of 4 splits based on consecutive days of abstinence (CDA) prior to randomization, age, family history of alcoholism, and confidence to resist drinking in response to withdrawal and urges. The tree based on statistical considerations with 4 splits also split on CDA and age but also on gamma-glutamyl transferase level and drinking goal. Deterministic forest identified CDA, age, and drinking goal as the most important predictors. Backward elimination logistic regression among the top 18 predictors identified in the deterministic forest analyses identified only age and CDA as significant main effects. Longer CDA and goal of complete abstinence were associated with better outcomes in both data sets. CONCLUSIONS The most reliable predictors of abstinence from heavy drinking were CDA and drinking goal. Trees provide binary decision rules and straightforward graphical representations for identification of subgroups based on response and may be easier to implement in clinical settings.