Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and rheology of microgel colloids at ambient and high pressure

Microgel colloids exhibit a polymer collapse transition resulting in a large reduction in colloid particle volume at high temperatures or pressures. They are of interest because of their potential for applications in areas, like drug delivery and chemical separation, that involve the uptake, encapsulation and release of small or biological molecules. The goal of this work is to obtain a microscopic understanding of the internal structure and microscopic dynamics of microgels by examining the temperature and pressure dependence of the collapse transition. Deuterium NMR (²H NMR) has been used to probe the microscopic dynamics of crosslinked poly N-isopropylacrylamide (polynipam) chains, in microgel colloids, as a function of temperature and pressure for a series of four crosslink densities (Cd). Each crosslinked microgel colloids was synthesized with deuteron labels on the nipam backbone (d3 nipam). Macroscopic properties of unlabeled colloids having the same crosslink densities were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and rheology. Rheological characterization as a function of temperature (T) and particle concentration (C), and for 4 crosslink densities, showed that the microgel viscosity decreases as temperature is increased. The Krieger- Dougherty model of the relative viscosity as a function of volume fraction was employed for viscosity analysis. The measured viscosity in the colloidal regime (at high T, low C) collapsed onto one line when plotted against volume fraction. This yields a measure of the water content in the particles as function of T. The water volume fraction in the microgel particle at 45ᴼC was always found to be 0.6 for any Cd. ²H NMR spectra of the d3 nipam suspensions for all Cd indicated freely moving chains at low temperature and a nearly immobilized fraction above 35ᴼC. This is consistent with DLS observations of a transition from swollen to collapsed colloids. Nipam segments in the collapsed phase of the d3 nipam suspension were more mobile than those in the dry powder. This suggests significant amounts of water in the collapsed phase, a finding consistent with the rheology observations. Variable pressure NMR (up to 90 MPa) showed a slight increase in transition temperature with pressure for all Cd values studied.
Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Blood Lead Levels in Pregnancy: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background Prenatal lead exposure is associated with deficits in fetal growth and neurodevelopment. Calcium supplementation may attenuate fetal exposure by inhibiting mobilization of maternal bone lead and/or intestinal absorption of ingested lead. Objective Our goal was to evaluate the effect of 1,200 mg dietary calcium supplementation on maternal blood lead levels during pregnancy. Methods In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted from 2001 through 2003 in Mexico City, we randomly assigned 670 women in their first trimester of pregnancy to ingest calcium (n = 334) or placebo (n = 336). We followed subjects through pregnancy and evaluated the effect of supplementation on maternal blood lead, using an intent-to-treat analysis by a mixed-effects regression model with random intercept, in 557 participants (83%) who completed follow-up. We then conducted as-treated analyses using similar models stratified by treatment compliance. Results Adjusting for baseline lead level, age, trimester of pregnancy, and dietary energy and calcium intake, calcium was associated with an average 11% reduction (0.4 μg/dL) in blood lead level relative to placebo (p = 0.004). This reduction was more evident in the second trimester (−14%, p < 0.001) than in the third (−8%, p = 0.107) and was strongest in women who were most compliant (those who consumed ≥ 75% calcium pills; −24%, p < 0.001), had baseline blood lead > 5 μg/dL (−17%, p < 0.01), or reported use of lead-glazed ceramics and high bone lead (−31%, p < 0.01). Conclusion Calcium supplementation was associated with modest reductions in blood lead when administered during pregnancy and may constitute an important secondary prevention effort to reduce circulating maternal lead and, consequently, fetal exposure.
Collecting Image Annotations Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk

Crowd-sourcing approaches such as Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) make it possible to annotate or collect large amounts of linguistic data at a relatively low cost and high speed. However, MTurk offers only limited control over who is allowed to particpate in a particular task. This is particularly problematic for tasks requiring free-form text entry. Unlike multiple-choice tasks there is no correct answer, and therefore control items for which the correct answer is known cannot be used. Furthermore, MTurk has no effective built-in mechanism to guarantee workers are proficient English writers. We describe our experience in creating corpora of images annotated with multiple one-sentence descriptions on MTurk and explore the effectiveness of different quality control strategies for collecting linguistic data using Mechanical MTurk. We find that the use of a qualification test provides the highest improvement of quality, whereas refining the annotations through follow-up tasks works rather poorly. Using our best setup, we construct two image corpora, totaling more than 40,000 descriptive captions for 9000 images.
Properties of branes in curved spacetimes

A generic property of curved manifolds is the existence of focal points. We show that branes located at focal points of the geometry satisfy special properties. Examples of backgrounds to which our discussion applies are AdSm × Sn and plane wave backgrounds. As an example, we show that a pair of AdS2 branes located at the north and south pole of the S5 in AdS5 × S5 are half supersymmetric and that they are dual to a two-monopole solution of = 4 SU(N) SYM theory. Our second example involves spacelike branes in the (lorentzian) plane wave. We develop a modified lightcone gauge for the open string channel, analyze in detail the cylinder diagram and establish open-closed duality. In the new gauge the open string feels an inverted harmonic oscillator potential. When the branes are located at focal points of the geometry the amplitude acquires most of the characteristics of flat space amplitudes. In the open string channel the special properties are due to stringy modes that become massless.
Can we ever stop worrying about venous thromboembolism after trauma?

BACKGROUND Trauma patients are known to be at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE); this risk may change over time following injury. Determining the period in which patients are at increased risk of developing VTE may have an impact on prophylaxis, cost, and quality of care. METHODS The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development hospital discharge database was searched between 1995 and 2010 for patients admitted with traumatic pelvic fractures, vertebral fractures, and spinal cord injuries. Those patients were then searched for VTE any time after injury. Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to assess the timing and risk of VTE events after injury. RESULTS A total of 267,743 trauma patients met the injury criteria; of those, 10,633 or 3.97% developed VTE. The occurrence of VTE was a significant predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; p < 0.001). Compared with patients with pelvic fractures, patients with vertebral fractures were less likely to develop VTE (HR, 0.85; p = 0.002). However, patients with spinal cord injury were more likely to develop VTE (HR, 3.17; p < 0.001); this remained true when in combination with a pelvic fracture (HR, 2.17; p = 0.001). Patients with cervical or thoracic spinal cord injuries were significantly more likely to develop VTE (HR of 1.49 [p = 0.037] and 1.87 [p = 0.001], respectively), compared with those with lumbar injury. In the first 3 months after injury, the incidence of VTE is 10.3%. This rate dropped to 0.5% by 6 months after injury, subsequently falling to 0.2% at 1 year and 0.14% at 18 months and remaining low at 0.12% at 2 years. CONCLUSION The highest risk of VTE is during the first 3 months after injury; between 12 months and 15 months, the rate returns to that of the general population at 0.1% to 0.2%. These results may guide management strategies such as duration of VTE prophylaxis and removal of inferior vena cava filters, which may have an impact on quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level IV.
Energy pathways of hepatomas H-35 and 7800.

The energy pathways of Hepatomas H-35 and 7800 have been described. Like Hepatoma 5123, slices of these tumors displayed no aerobic or anaerobic glycolysis, no Crabtree effect, and no glycolytically supported synthesis of protein or DNA. The three hepatomas showed a similar brisk response of their respiratory rates to succinate addition. Thus, the two new hepatomas, like Hepatoma 5123, possessed none of the characteristics considered typical of the energy metabolism of tumors.
Predictors of Food Insecurity among Older Adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE Food insecurity among U.S. households is a national concern. Since 2010, the U.S. Healthy People goal has been to reduce food insecurity to 6%. Despite this goal, 14.5% of households remained food insecure in 2013 (U.S. Department of Agriculture). The purpose of this study was to examine the antecedents of food insecurity among older adults through the lens of the social ecological model. DESIGN AND SAMPLE This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the years 2007 and 2008 from a sample that included 2,045 adults 60 years of age and older. MEASURES Variables related to the constructs of the social ecological model were examined using descriptive, chi-square, and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Analyses of the model indicated that the severity of depression, reports of financial support, and having ever received household food stamp benefits had statistically significant main effects on food insecurity among older adults. CONCLUSIONS The study findings have implications for nursing practice, education, and research and could facilitate the development of screening methods, interventions, and policy evaluation that focus on food insecurity at multiple spheres of influence among the targeted population.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Throat Colonization Among Healthcare Workers During an Outbreak in Singapore General Hospital

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization of healthcare workers (HCWs) is a well-recognized phenomenon, and outbreaks originating from this reservoir have been documented. Although there is increasing evidence that the throat is a common site of MRSA colonization, in Singapore General Hospital, a 1,600-bed tertiary care hospital, only nasal MRSA screening of HCWs is performed during outbreak investigations. The main objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of throat colonization among our HCWs. A secondary objective was to characterize MRSA isolates recovered from HCWs who had concurrent throat and nasal carriage to determine if these isolates were clonal in origin.
Patterns of structural dynamics in RACK1 protein retained throughout evolution: A hydrogen‐deuterium exchange study of three orthologs

RACK1 is a member of the WD repeat family of proteins and is involved in multiple fundamental cellular processes. An intriguing feature of RACK1 is its ability to interact with at least 80 different protein partners. Thus, the structural features enabling such interactomic flexibility are of great interest. Several previous studies of the crystal structures of RACK1 orthologs described its detailed architecture and confirmed predictions that RACK1 adopts a seven‐bladed β‐propeller fold. However, this did not explain its ability to bind to multiple partners. We performed hydrogen‐deuterium (H‐D) exchange mass spectrometry on three orthologs of RACK1 (human, yeast, and plant) to obtain insights into the dynamic properties of RACK1 in solution. All three variants retained similar patterns of deuterium uptake, with some pronounced differences that can be attributed to RACK1's divergent biological functions. In all cases, the most rigid structural elements were confined to B‐C turns and, to some extent, strands B and C, while the remaining regions retained much flexibility. We also compared the average rate constants for H‐D exchange in different regions of RACK1 and found that amide protons in some regions exchanged at least 1000‐fold faster than in others. We conclude that its evolutionarily retained structural architecture might have allowed RACK1 to accommodate multiple molecular partners. This was exemplified by our additional analysis of yeast RACK1 dimer, which showed stabilization, as well as destabilization, of several interface regions upon dimer formation.
Efficiency and productivity growth of domestic and foreign commercial banks in Malaysia

This study examines the technical efficiency and productivity of domestic and foreign commercial banks in Malaysia 1994-2000. We find that foreign banks have a higher efficiency level than domestic banks, and that efficient banks are characterised by size but not profitability or loan quality. The main source of productivity growth is technical change rather than improvement in efficiency. The productivity of domestic banks is more susceptible to macroeconomic shocks than foreign banks but over the medium term foreign banks are only marginally superior to domestic banks.
Sirolimus-based regimen is associated with decreased expression of glomerular vascular endothelial growth factor.

BACKGROUND Sirolimus (SRL) is a potent immunosuppressant used in organ transplantation. It is known to decrease vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis, making it an interesting treatment option for transplant patients who develop Kaposi sarcoma or other malignant diseases. Because VEGF plays a key role in glomerular function and vascular remodelling, we determined the effect of SRL on renal VEGF expression. METHODS Using immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis, we examined renal VEGF expression in routine kidney biopsies performed at 1 year post-transplant in the CONCEPT study, a prospective randomized study comparing a cyclosporine (CsA)-based regimen to a SRL-based regimen in association with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). RESULTS A total of 74 patients were included in this substudy; 35 were randomized to the CsA group and 39 to the SRL group. Using continuous variables, the mean percentage of glomerular VEGF expression at Week 52 was significantly lower in the SRL group (14.7 ± 13%) compared to CsA group (21.2 ± 14%: P = 0.02). The percentage of glomerular VEGF expression at Week 52 was not influenced by recipient or donor age, gender, renal function, CsA dose, CsA blood level, SRL dose or SRL blood level. It was significantly lower in patients with a proteinuria over versus below 0.5 g/day (11.58 ± 7.9 versus 19.45 ± 15.53; P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS There is emerging evidence that the VEGF system can play either a beneficial or a detrimental role depending on the specific pathologic situations. Therefore, modulating the renal VEGF axis by using an SRL-based regimen may influence the evolution of kidney injury associated with renal transplantation.
Correlations Between Input and Output Units in Neural Networks

Correlation analyses of recent back-propagation neural networks show that network results are due to imbalances in stimulus input. Conclusions concerning the effects of receptive field size, hemispheric specialization, and other issues of relevance to psychology cannot therefore be drawn until the dominating effects of low-level correlations are removed. Statistical techniques for evaluating the stimulus materials for neural networks are introduced.
Ultrasonography: A novel approach to central venous cannulation

Background: Portable ultrasound machines are highly valuable in ICUs, where a patient's condition might not permit shifting the patient to the USG department for imaging. Traditionally central lines are put blindly using anatomical landmarks, which often result in complications such as difficulty in access, misplaced lines, pneumothorax, bleeding from inadvertent arterial punctures, etc. Ultrasonography provides “real time” imaging, i.e., the needle can be visualized entering the vein. Aims: We performed a study to compare USG guided central venous cannulation (CVC) and conventional anatomical landmark approach to CVC, in terms of ease of cannulation, time consumed, and associated complications. Settings and Design: The study was performed in a 16-bed open ICU. Eighty patients were randomly divided in two groups. Materials and Methods: The right internal jugular vein (IJV) was cannulated in all. In Group I, a portable ultrasound machine was used during cannulation. The vessels were visualized in the transverse section with the internal carotid artery (ICA) identified as a circular pulsatile structure, while the IJV as a lateral, oval nonpulsatile structure). The needle was inserted perpendicular to the skin under visualization on the US screen. Central venous line was then inserted by the Seldinger technique. In Group II, CVC was performed by the conventional landmark approach. The parameters studied included time for insertion, attempts required, and complications encountered. Statistical Analysis: The database of all parameters was analyzed using SPSS software version 10.5. Results: The mean time to successful insertion was 145 and 176.4 sec in groups I and II, respectively (p = 0.00). An average of 1.2 attempts per cannulation was required for group I, while 1.53 for group II (p = 0.03): 10% witnessed arterial puncture and 2.5% pneumothorax in group I and none in group II. Conclusion: USG-guided CVC is thus easier, quicker, and safer than landmark approach.
Injuries in Women’s Ice Hockey: Special Considerations

Ice hockey is a popular collision sport with a growing number of female athletes participating each year. As participation among girls and women continues to increase, it will be important to recognize common injuries occurring during women’s games. Despite difference in the rules that prohibit body checking in women’s and girls’ games, injury profiles are similar to those of their male counterparts. Concussions, contusions, acromioclavicular joint injuries, ligamentous knee injuries, and muscle strains occur during women’s ice hockey games, with groin strains accounting for the most common practice injury. This article will review both injury rates and common injuries occurring in women’s ice hockey, with a focus on the observed concussion rate and groin injuries.
Structural analysis of B. subtilis CcpA effector binding site

Vincent Chaptal, Virginie Gueguen-Chaignon, Sandrine Poncet, Cécile Lecampion, Philippe Meyer, Josef Deutscher, Anne Galinier, Sylvie Nessler,* and Solange Moréra* Laboratoire d’Enzymologie et Biochimie Structurales, CNRS FRE 2930, Gif-sur-Yvette, France Laboratoire de Génétique des Microorganismes, INRA-CNRS URA 1925, Thiverval-Grignon, France Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, CNRS UPR 9043, Institut de Biologie Structurale et Microbiologie, Marseille, France
Confirmation of Nonthermal Hard X-Ray Excess in the Coma Cluster from Two Epoch Observations

We report the hard X-ray spectrum of the Coma Cluster obtained using the Phoswich Detection System data of two independent BeppoSAX observations performed with a time interval of about 3 yr. In both the spectra a nonthermal excess with respect to the thermal emission is present at a confidence level of ~3.4 σ. The combined spectrum obtained by adding up the two spectra allows a measurement of the excess at the level of ~4.8 σ at energies above 20 keV. The analysis of the full BeppoSAX data set provides a revised nonthermal X-ray flux that is slightly lower than that previously estimated (Fusco-Femiano et al.) and in agreement with that measured by two Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer observations. The analysis of the offset fields in our Coma observations provides a possible flux determination of the BL Lac object 1ES 1255+244.
Perinatal outcome for pregnancies complicated with thrombocytopenia

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia affects about 10% of all pregnancies. Preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome induced thrombocytopenia may associate perinatal morbidity, preterm delivery, or low-birth-weight newborns. Objective: To assess perinatal outcome and complications of pregnancy in women presenting with thrombocytopenia. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 936 consecutive pregnant women admitted during a 6-month period. Results: Incidence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy was 11.11% (104/936). Thrombocytopenia represented a risk factor for premature delivery – highest risk for severe thrombocytopenia (RR = 8.69, p < 0.01). Thrombocytopenic preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome associated the highest rates of prematurity (RR = 7.97, p = 0.00, respectively 12.32). Thrombocytopenia also represented a risk factor for low-birth-weight newborns, especially severe thrombocytopenia – 2047.50 ± 938.98 g (p = 0.02) versus 3224.86 ± 496.00 g in controls. Again, thrombocytopenic preeclampsia was significantly associated with low-birth-weight newborns (RR = 11.94, p = 0.00), with medium weight of 2462.05 ± 794.54 g versus 2932.37 ± 708.91 g in thrombocytopenic pregnancies, respectively 3224.86 ± 496.00 g (p = 0.00) in normal pregnancies. Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy was associated with perinatal morbidity, with the strongest association for preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome – for both prematurity and low-birth-weight: the lower the platelet count, the higher the risks for the fetus/newborn. Therefore, we strongly recommend close surveillance of thrombocytopenic mothers and their babies, in order to establish the etiology and the best moment for intervention.
A 10W GaN based X-band T/R module for AESA

The paper presents the results of a project leading to design and fabrication of a transmitting-receiving module destined for application in an active electronically scanned array (AESA). The module is supposed to operate in the band from 9 GHz to 10 GHz. GaAs technology core chip is applied and it is used to drive power amplifiers based on GaN technology. The shape of the module enclosure follows the requirements of limited space available in an X-band AESA.
Response of a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Model to Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: Sensitivity to the Rate of Increase

Abstract The influence of differing rates of increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentration on the climatic response is investigated using a coupled ocean–atmosphere model. Five transient integrations are performed each using a different constant exponential rate of CO2 increase ranging from 4% yr−1 to 0.25% yr−1. By the time of CO2 doubling, the surface air temperature response in all the transient integrations is locally more than 50% and globally more than 35% of the equilibrium response. The land–sea contrast in the warming, which is evident in the equilibrium results, is larger in all the transient experiments. The land–sea difference in the response increases with the rate of increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration. The thermohaline circulation (THC) weakens in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration in all the transient integrations, confirming earlier work. The results also indicate that the slower the rate of increase, the larger the weakening of the THC by the time of doubling. Two.