Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of a Multiplexed Fluorescent Covalent Microsphere Immunoassay and an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Measurement of Human Immunoglobulin G Antibodies to Anthrax Toxins

ABSTRACT Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an accurate, sensitive, specific, reproducible, and quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) in human serum (C. P. Quinn, V. A. Semenova, C. M. Elie et al., Emerg. Infect. Dis. 8:1103-1110, 2002). The ELISA had a minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of 0.06 μg/ml, which, when dilution adjusted, yielded a whole-serum MDC of 3.0 μg of anti-PA IgG per ml. The reliable detection limit (RDL) was 0.09 μg/ml, while the dynamic range was 0.06 to 1.7 μg/ml. The diagnostic sensitivity of the assay was 97.6% and the diagnostic specificity was 94.2% for clinically verified cases of anthrax. A competitive inhibition anti-PA IgG ELISA was also developed to enhance the diagnostic specificity to 100%. We report a newly developed fluorescence covalent microbead immunosorbent assay (FCMIA) for B. anthracis PA which was Luminex xMap technology. The FCMIA MDC was 0.006 μg of anti-PA IgG per ml, the RDL was 0.016 μg/ml, and the whole-serum equivalent MDC was 1.5 μg/ml. The dynamic range was 0.006 to 6.8 μg/ml. Using this system, we analyzed 20 serum samples for anti-PA IgG and compared our results to those measured by ELISA in a double-masked analysis. The two methods had a high positive correlation (r2 = 0.852; P < 0.001). The FCMIA appears to have benefits over the ELISA for the measurement of anti-PA IgG, including greater sensitivity and speed, enhanced dynamic range and reagent stability, the use of smaller sample volumes, and the ability to be multiplexed (measurement of more than one analyte simultaneously), as evidenced by the multiplexed measurement in the present report of anti-PA and anti-lethal factor IgG in serum from a confirmed clinical anthrax infection.
Mudslide‐caused ecosystem degradation following Wenchuan earthquake 2008

We have applied a scalable and extensible geo‐fluid model (SEGMENT) that considers soil mechanics, vegetation transpiration and root mechanical reinforcement, and hydrological processes to simulate two dimensional maps of the landslides occurrence following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Modeled locations and areas generally agree with observations. The model suggests that the potential energy of earth was lowered by 1.52 × 1015 J by these landslides. With this, the vegetation destroyed transfer ∼235 Tg C to the dead respiring pool and transforms 5.54 × 10−2 Tg N into unavailable sediments pools and the atmosphere. The cumulative CO2 release to the atmosphere over the coming decades is comparable to that caused by hurricane Katrina 2005 (∼105 Tg) and equivalent to ∼2% of current annual carbon emissions from global fossil fuel combustion. The nitrogen loss is twice as much as that released by the 2007 California Fire (∼2.5 × 10−2 Tg). A significant proportion of the nitrogen loss (14%) is in the form of nitrous oxide, which can affect the atmospheric ozone layer.
Aldose reductase (-106) C/T gene polymorphism and possibility of macrovascular complications in Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients

Introduction: Over the past three decades, the number of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) has more than doubled globally, making it one of the most important public health challenges to all nations. Aldose reductase (AR) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications; however, the association of the AR gene with diabetic macrovascular complications has rarely been investigated. Aim: The study aimed to identify the possible association between C(-106) T polymorphism of the AR gene and diabetic macroangiopathy in a cohort of Egyptian patients with type 2 DM. Settings and Design: This study was conducted on 100 Egyptian subjects, the control group (n = 20) and the patient group (n = 80) with type 2 diabetes which were further subdivided into two subgroups with (n = 48) and without macroangiopathic complications (n = 32) as evidenced by carotid intima-media thickness, electrocardiography (ECG) ischemic changes, cerebrovascular insufficiency, and peripheral vascular insufficiency. Subjects and Methods: All studied subjects were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, ECG, carotid ultrasonography, routine laboratory investigations, and molecular studies including the detection of AR C(-106) T gene polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Results: The genotype distribution and allele frequency of AR C(-106) T showed no statistical significance also the genotypes were not associated with any of the different studied parameters. Conclusions: The results suggest that the C(-106) T polymorphism in the AR gene is not involved in the pathogenesis of macroangiopathy in type 2 diabetes.
Rhetoric In Financial Reporting: A Case Study

This study is a case study conducted in an Indonesian insurance company. The aim of the study is to understand the dynamics of financial reporting in the company. Ontologically, this study is built on a belief that financial reporting practice is a socially constructed reality. As a socially constructed reality, such a practice involves an interaction among social actors, and between organisational actors and the institutional and cultural environment in which the company operates. The main research question of this study is why and how the company constructs its financial reporting to deliver messages to its audience. This study reveals that the company is committed to quality financial reporting because such reporting can be used to gain legitimacy and to maintain social harmony. Consequently, financial reporting is constructed as a rhetorical story about its performance, management ability and insight into the future.
IMephroloqy Dialysis Transplantation A randomized trial comparing 1 . 25 mmol / 1 calcium dialysate to 1 . 75 mmol / 1 calcium dialysate in CAPD patients

Background. Effective control of hyperparathyroidism and renal osteodystrophy in CAPD patients requires a combination of calcitriol and calcium carbonate (CaCO3), but is frequently limited by hypercalcaemia. Reducing dialysate calcium (Ca) concentration may overcome this problem, but had not been examined in a controlled trial. Methods. 45 stable CAPD patients were randomly assigned in a prospective, double-blind trial to either a study group (1.25 mmol/1 Ca dialysate) or a control group (1.75 mmol/1 Ca dialysate) for 12 months. Clinical, biochemical and radiological parameters of secondary hyperparathyroidism were followed. Results. Twenty-three patients did not complete the study due to death (9), transplantation (7) or conversion to haemodialysis (7). Eleven patients in each group completed the study. Mean serum Ca, phosphate, ionized Ca, aluminium, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores did not differ significantly at any time within or between the two groups. Severe hypercalcaemia was more common in the control group (11 vs. 2, P=0.027). Mean serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and osteocalcin (OCN) initially rose in the study group relative to controls at 3 months (40 ± 7 vs 12 ± 3 pmol/1, p=0.004, and 33±5 vs 15±2 ug/1, P=0.002 respectively), but were not sustained. Median weekly dosages of calcitriol and daily dosages of CaCO3 increased significantly in the study group (0 ug to 1 ug /> = 0.014 and 1260 mg to 2520 mg P=0.002 respectively), but not in the control group. Supplementary aluminium hydroxide (A1(OH)3) was required for phosphate control in both study (n = 5) and control patients (« = 4). Conclusions. Lowering dialysate calcium concentration reduced the frequency of severe hypercalcaemia and allowed prescription of larger quantities of calcitriol and CaCO3. However, in this study it offered no advantage in terms of A1(OH)3 requirement, while Correspondence and offprint requests to: Dr Russell Rigby, Department of Nephrology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 4102. bone mass density did and may have initially exacerbated secondary hyperparathyroidism not change.
The perceptions of school teachers and leaders toward school inspections in Tanzania secondary schools: the case of Arusha Municipality

A study was done in Arusha Municipality in Tanzania to establish the perceptions of school teachers and leaders towards school inspections and how the school teachers and leaders react towards school inspections findings and recommendations. This was in response of concerns which were raised and mentioned in different reports and studies in Tanzania showing that school inspection findings and recommendations were not effectively addressed in schools for school performances improvement. The data and methodological triangulation approaches were employed for field data collection whereby different schools, school teachers and leaders were sampled for interviews and FGDs and surveys were also done to comprehend each other in the data collected and to address the drawback of biases of respondents. It was therefore found that school inspections were negatively perceived by school teachers while school leaders tended to be somehow positive towards school inspections processes. Furthermore, school teachers seemed to reject school inspections findings and recommendations while on average school leaders seemed to accept school inspection findings and recommendations. This was because the level of involvement of school leaders in the school inspection process was higher than school teachers. It is therefore recommended that different stakeholders in education and school inspections should consider the need of introduction of a school self evaluation (SSE) system. Schools should be empowered to conduct school self evaluations so that school context data may feed school inspections reports. Furthermore, it is also further recommended that the Government of Tanzania should consider establishing an independent school inspectorate to increase the level of trust by school teachers and leaders and transparency of the inspectorate. Different stakeholders should be brought onboard on deciding the mode of operation of the independent school inspectorate. It can either work as an agency or as a hired organization or company.
Differential scanning fluorimetry as secondary screening platform for small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-XL

Since apoptosis is impaired in malignant cells overexpressing prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins, drugs mimicking their natural antagonists, BH3-only proteins, might overcome chemoresistance. Small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-XL function have been discovered from diverse structure classes using rational drug design as well as high-throughput screening (HTS) approaches. However, most of the BH3 mimetics that have been identified via screening based on fluorescence polarization displayed an affinity for their presumed protein targets that is far lower than that of BH3-only proteins. Therefore, it is important to establish a simple and inexpensive secondary platform for hit validation which is pertinent to current efforts for developing compounds that mimic the action of BH3-only proteins as novel anticancer agents. These considerations prompted us to explore the differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) method that is based on energetic coupling between ligand binding and protein unfolding. We have systematically tested known Bcl-XL/Bcl-2 inhibitors using DSF and have revealed distinct subsets of inhibitors. More importantly, we report that some of these inhibitors interacted selectively with glutathione S-transferase tagged Bcl-XL, whereas certain inhibitors exhibited marked selectivity towards native untagged Bcl-XL. Therefore, we propose that the affinity tag may cause a significant conformational switch in the Bcl-XL, which results in the selectivity for certain subsets of small molecule inhibitors. This finding also implies that the previous screens involving tagged proteins need to be carefully reexamined while further investigations must ensure that the right conformation of protein is used in future screens.
Survival rate of gastric cancer in Iran; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: In this study, we aimed to estimate one- to five-year survival rates in Iranian patients with gastric cancer (GC). In addition, we preformed subgroup analyses and meta-regression to explore possible sources of heterogeneity between studies. Background: According to literatures, there has been increasing attention to the long-term survival rate in patients with GC in Iran. However, results have been inconsistent and remain controversial in overall survival rates. Patients and methods: Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and ISI, as well as Magiran, Medlib, SID, and Iran Medex databases. Studies were pooled and summary one to five survival rates were calculated. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore possible sources of heterogeneity among studies. Subgroup analyses were also conducted. Analyses were conducted using the STATA statistical software package. Results: Final analysis of 29361 patients from 26 eligible studies was performed. The overall survival rate (one to five years) in all studies, by meta-analysis of 24, 14, 23, 12 and 22 studies were 52%, 31%, 24%, 22%, and 15%, respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed an increase in one- and five-year survival rate over the time (Reg Coef = 0.016, p= 0.04) and (Reg Coef= 0.021, p= 0.049), respectively. Positive heterogeneity was observed between quality of papers and data sources (P<0.001). Conclusion: More than half of GC deaths happened in the first year at diagnosis, and another 30% plus they occurred during the second year after confirmed diagnosis. Our results admit lower survival rates in Iran, similar to other developing countries.
The Pacific Cold Tongue and the ENSO mode: a unified theory within the Zebiak-Cane model

Abstract The equatorial tropical Pacific climate system is a delicate coupled system in which winds driven by gradients of sea surface temperature (SST) within the basin interact with the ocean circulation to maintain SST gradients. This results in a time mean state having a strong zonal temperature contrast along the equator with an eastern cold tongue and a western warm pool. By the same coupled processes, interannual variability, known as the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is present in the Pacific. This variability can be attributed to an oscillatory coupled mode, the ENSO mode, in the equatorial ocean–atmosphere system. Using a Zebiak–Cane-type intermediate coupled model, the coexistence of an eastern cold tongue in the annual mean state and ENSO in the Pacific climate system is investigated. The ENSO mode arises as a robust oscillatory mode on a coupled mean state and becomes unstable if the cold tongue of the mean state is sufficiently strong. The origin of this mode, its propagation mechanis.
Close temporal coupling of neuronal activity and tissue oxygen responses in rodent whisker barrel cortex

Neuronal activity elicits metabolic and vascular responses, during which oxygen is first consumed and then supplied to the tissue via an increase in cerebral blood flow. Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of blood and tissue oxygen () responses following neuronal activity is crucial for understanding the physiological basis of functional neuroimaging signals. However, our knowledge is limited because previous measurements have been made at low temporal resolution (>100 ms). Here we recorded at high temporal resolution (1 ms), simultaneously with co‐localized field potentials, at several cortical depths from the whisker region of the somatosensory cortex in anaesthetized rats and mice. Stimulation of the whiskers produced rapid, laminar‐specific changes in . Positive responses (i.e. increases) were observed in the superficial layers within 50 ms of stimulus onset, faster than previously reported. Negative responses (i.e. decreases) were observed in the deeper layers, with maximal amplitude in layer IV, within 40 ms of stimulus onset. The amplitude of the negative, but not the positive, response correlated with local field potential amplitude. Disruption of neurovascular coupling, via nitric oxide synthase inhibition, abolished positive responses to whisker stimulation in the superficial layers and increased negative responses in all layers. Our data show that responses occur rapidly following neuronal activity and are laminar dependent.
The Echo Chamber: Strategic Voting and Homophily in Social Networks

We propose a model where voters are embedded in a social network. Each voter observes the ballots of her neighbors in the network, from which she infers the likely outcome of the election. Each voter may then revise her vote strategically, to maximize her expected utility. Our work focuses on plurality voting, where strategic voting is a major concern. We show that in practice, strategization increases with voter knowledge, yet can improve the social welfare for the population. Real world social networks exhibit a property called homophily; sometimes called ``The Echo Chamber Effect'', which is the tendency for friends to have similar ideologies. We find that homophily dampens the benefits of strategization, and correspondingly, lowers the frequency of its occurrence. This effect may contribute to the low number of strategic voters observed in real world elections. Additionally, strategization may lead to the elimination of less popular candidates, as voters revise their votes to less preferred but more hopeful candidates. This phenomenon is known as Duverger's Law in political science, and we show that it does not hold in certain network structures.
On the Determinants of Local Government Debt: Does One Size Fit All?

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the factors that directly influence levels of debt in Spanish local governments. Specifically, the main objective is to find out the extent to which indebtedness is originated by controllable factors that public managers can influence, or whether it hinges on other variables beyond managers’ control. The importance of this issue has intensified since the start of the crisis in 2008, due to the abrupt decline of revenues and, simultaneously, to the fact that the levels of costs these institutions face has remained the same or, in some cases, increased. Results can be explored from multiple perspectives, given that the set of explanatory factors is also multiple. However, the most interesting finding is the varying effect of each covariate depending on a municipality's specific debt level, which suggests that economic policy recommendations should not be homogeneous across local governments.
Sex differences and attitudes toward living donor kidney transplantation among urban black patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Living donor kidney transplantation, the treatment of choice for ESRD, is underused by women and blacks. To better understand sex differences in the context of potential barriers to living donor kidney transplantation, the Dialysis Patient Transplant Questionnaire was administered in two urban, predominantly black hemodialysis units. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS The Dialysis Patient Transplant Questionnaire was designed to study barriers to kidney transplantation from previously validated questions. Between July of 2008 and January of 2009, the Dialysis Patient Transplant Questionnaire was administered to 116 patients on hemodialysis, including potentially eligible and ineligible living donor kidney transplantation candidates. Of 101 patients who self-identified as black or African American, 50 (49.5%) patients had the questionnaire entirely administered by the researcher or assistant, 25 (24.8%) patients required some assistance, and 26 (25.7%) patients completed the Dialysis Patient Transplant Questionnaire entirely by themselves. Multiple logistic regression methods were used to determine if the observed bivariate associations and differences persisted when controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS Women were less likely to want living donor kidney transplantation compared with men (58.5% versus 87.5%, P=0.003), despite being nearly two times as likely as men to receive unsolicited offers for kidney transplant (73.2% versus 43.2%, P=0.02). They were also less likely to have been evaluated for a kidney transplant (28.3% versus 52.2%, P=0.01). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that sex was a statistically significant predictor of wanting living donor kidney transplantation (women versus men odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.46), controlling for various factors known to influence transplant decisions. A sensitivity analysis indicated that mode of administration did not bias these results. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previous studies, the study found that black women were less likely to want living donor kidney transplantation compared with black men. Black women were also less likely to be evaluated for a kidney transplant, although they were more likely to receive an unsolicited living donor kidney transplantation offer.
Host Genetic Factors Associated with Symptomatic Primary HIV Infection and Disease Progression among Argentinean Seroconverters

Background Variants in HIV-coreceptor C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) and Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are the most important host genetic factors associated with HIV infection and disease progression. Our aim was to analyze the association of these genetic factors in the presence of clinical symptoms during Primary HIV Infection (PHI) and disease progression within the first year. Methods Seventy subjects diagnosed during PHI were studied (55 symptomatic and 15 asymptomatic). Viral load (VL) and CD4 T-cell count were evaluated. HIV progression was defined by presence of B or C events and/or CD4 T-cell counts <350 cell/mm3. CCR5 haplotypes were characterized by polymerase chain reaction and SDM-PCR-RFLP. HLA-I characterization was performed by Sequencing. Results Symptoms during PHI were significantly associated with lower frequency of CCR5-CF1 (1.8% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.006). Rapid progression was significantly associated with higher frequency of CCR5-CF2 (16.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.024) and HLA-A*11 (16.7% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.003) and lower frequency of HLA-C*3 (2.8% vs. 17.5%, p = 0.035). Higher baseline VL was significantly associated with presence of HLA-A*11, HLA-A*24, and absence of HLA-A*31 and HLA-B*57. Higher 6-month VL was significantly associated with presence of CCR5-HHE, HLA-A*24, HLA-B*53, and absence of HLA-A*31 and CCR5-CF1. Lower baseline CD4 T-cell count was significantly associated with presence of HLA-A*24/*33, HLA-B*53, CCR5-CF2 and absence of HLA-A*01/*23 and CCR5-HHA. Lower 6-month CD4 T-cell count was associated with presence of HLA-A*24 and HLA-B*53, and absence of HLA-A*01 and HLA-B*07/*39. Moreover, lower 12-month CD4 T-cell count was significantly associated with presence of HLA-A*33, HLA-B*14, HLA-C*08, CCR5-CF2, and absence of HLA-B*07 and HLA-C*07. Conclusion Several host factors were significantly associated with disease progression in PHI subjects. Most results agree with previous studies performed in other groups. However, some genetic factor associations are being described for the first time, highlighting the importance of genetic studies at a local level.