Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy for Dealing With Terrorism Precautionary Behavior: Laying the Groundwork for Communication Effectiveness

In order to formulate effective communication and intervention strategies to respond to the widespread lack of preparedness for public health crises resulting from natural and human-made disasters, researchers have developed models describing the interrelationships between factors associated with emergency preparedness decisions. Empirical research has generally assumed that two key elements of most health behavior theories—self-efficacy and response efficacy—additively influence the decision to prepare, despite compelling theoretical rationale for an interactive relationship. The few studies that have investigated interactions in preparedness outcomes have not tested the Social Cognitive Theory prediction that non-zero levels of both efficacy types are required before individuals will engage in any preparedness behavior. Based on the responses of 3,101 participants in the National Survey of Disaster Experiences and Preparedness, this study tested additive, interactive, and conditional main effect hypotheses about the influence of self-efficacy and response efficacy for dealing with terrorism on preparedness due to terrorism six years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A significant self-efficacy × response efficacy interaction effect on preparedness was found, in addition to a significant response efficacy effect when perceived self-efficacy was zero, contrary to the expectation from Social Cognitive Theory. These results offer insights into the cognitive processes underlying individuals’ decisions to prepare for disasters such as terrorist attacks, and highlight the importance of considering more complex theory-based cognitive interaction models in designing effective communication strategies to facilitate individual emergency preparedness.
Incorporating groundwater flow in land surface models: literature review and recommendations for further work

HydroJULES is a NERC-funded project that brings together NERC Centre-Surveys to investigate how to improve the simulation of the whole hydrological cycle in models. BGS’ role is to inform the inclusion of groundwater in both the land surface model Joint UK Land Environment Simulation (JULES) (Best et al., 2011; Clark et al., 2011) and the hydrological model Grid to Grid (e.g. Bell at al, 2009). To facilitate this a literature review has been undertaken of the current methods for inclusion of groundwater in land surface models. The keywords ‘global groundwater model’, ‘land surface models’ and ‘parameterisation’/‘parameterization’ were used to search the literature. Further, the main global datasets of relevance to HydroJULES have been summarised. The main finding is that the LEAF-Hydro approach (Miguez-Macho et al., 2007) is one of the most practical methods in the literature for including groundwater simulation in a land surface model. It is recommended that the LEAF-Hydro approach should be tested against existing BGS groundwater flow models for the UK.
Increasing calcium intake in young women through gain-framed, targeted messages: A randomised controlled trial

Background: Adequate calcium consumption during early adulthood can help prevent osteoporosis in women. Purpose: The effects of gain-framed, targeted messaging on calcium intake were examined over 12 months. Methods: Young women (18–19 years) not consuming sufficient calcium were randomly assigned to receive standard care materials (control) or gain-framed, targeted materials (experimental). Health belief model (HBM) constructs, calcium intake and markers of bone formation, resorption and bone mineral density were assessed at various time points throughout the year. Results: Calcium intake increased significantly more in the experimental versus the control condition (p < 0.01). Self-efficacy was the only HBM construct to improve significantly more in the experimental condition versus control (p = 0.05). The HBM did not mediate changes in calcium intake. Measures of bone health did not differ between conditions by the end of this nonpharmacological intervention (p's > 0.05). Conclusions: It is possible to increase young women's calcium consumption through gain-framed, targeted messages.
Multiple mechanisms actively target the SUN protein UNC-84 to the inner nuclear membrane

The mechanisms of inner nuclear membrane protein trafficking remain mostly unknown. We identified UNC-84 mutants that suggest that moving from the endoplasmic reticulum to the nuclear envelope does not occur by diffusion alone. Three signals need to be disrupted to block localization, suggesting that multiple mechanisms facilitate trafficking to the inner nuclear membrane.
Membrane-penetrating Domain of Streptolysin O Identified by Cysteine Scanning Mutagenesis*

Streptolysin O (SLO), a polypeptide of 571 amino acids, belongs to a family of highly homologous toxins that bind to cell membranes containing cholesterol and then polymerize to form large transmembrane pores. A conserved region close to the C terminus contains the single cysteine residue of SLO and has been implicated in membrane binding, which has been the only clear assignment of function to a part of the sequence. We have used a cysteine-less active mutant of SLO to introduce single cysteine residues at 19 positions distributed throughout the sequence. The cysteines were derivatized with the polarity-sensitive fluorophore acrylodan, and the fluorescence emission of the label was examined at the different stages of SLO pore assembly. With several mutants, oligomerization on membranes was accompanied by emission blue-shifts, indicating movement of the label into a more hydrophobic environment. These effects were essentially confined to the range of amino acids 213-305. With oligomeric mutants L274C, S286C, and S305C, additional environmental alterations were induced when different nondenaturing detergents were used to dislodge the membrane lipids from the oligomers. The corresponding amino acid residues thus insert into the lipid bilayer during pore formation. Conversely, the spectra of oligomeric mutants A213C and T245C were not affected by detergents. Devoid of contact with the lipid bilayer, these amino acid residues probably participate in the interaction of SLO molecules within the oligomer.
Summarizing Specific Profiles in Illumina Sequencing from Whole-Genome Amplified DNA

Advances in both high-throughput sequencing and whole-genome amplification (WGA) protocols have allowed genomes to be sequenced from femtograms of DNA, for example from individual cells or from precious clinical and archived samples. Using the highly curated Caenorhabditis elegans genome as a reference, we have sequenced and identified errors and biases associated with Illumina library construction, library insert size, different WGA methods and genome features such as GC bias and simple repeat content. Detailed analysis of the reads from amplified libraries revealed characteristics suggesting that majority of amplified fragment ends are identical but inverted versions of each other. Read coverage in amplified libraries is correlated with both tandem and inverted repeat content, while GC content only influences sequencing in long-insert libraries. Nevertheless, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calls and assembly metrics from reads in amplified libraries show comparable results with unamplified libraries. To utilize the full potential of WGA to reveal the real biological interest, this article highlights the importance of recognizing additional sources of errors from amplified sequence reads and discusses the potential implications in downstream analyses.
TCG-S: orthogonal coupling of P/sup */-admissible representations for general floorplans

In this paper, we extend the concept of the P-admissible floorplan representation to that of the P/sup */-admissible one. A P/sup */-admissible representation can model the most general floorplans. Each of the currently existing P/sup */-admissible representations, sequence pair (SP), bounded-slicing grid, and transitive closure graph (TCG), has its strengths as well as weaknesses. We show the equivalence of the two most promising P/sup */-admissible representations, TCG and SP, and integrate TCG with a packing sequence (part of SP) into a representation, called TCG-S. TCG-S combines the advantages of SP and TCG and at the same time eliminates their disadvantages. With the property of SP, a fast packing scheme is possible. Inherited nice properties from TCG, the geometric relations among modules are transparent to TCG-S (implying faster convergence to a desired solution), placement with position constraints becomes much easier, and incremental update for cost evaluation can be realized. These nice properties make TCG-S a superior representation which exhibits an elegant solution structure to facilitate the search for a desired floorplan/placement. Extensive experiments show that TCG-S results in the best area utilization, wirelength optimization, convergence speed, and stability among existing works and is very flexible in handling placement with special constraints.
Chronic Diseases and Natural Hazards: Impact of Disasters on Diabetic, Renal, and Cardiac Patients

Abstract Background: Inadequately controlled chronic diseases may present a threat to life and well-being during the emergency response phase of disasters. Chronic disease exacerbations (CDE) account for one of the largest patient populations during disasters, and patients are at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the burden of chronic renal failure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease during disasters due to natural hazards, identify impediments to care, and propose solutions to improve the disaster preparation and management of CDE. Methods: A thorough search of the PubMed, Ovid, and Medline databases was performed. Dr. Miller's personal international experiences treating CDE after disasters due to natural hazards, such as the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, are included. Discussion: Chronic disease exacerbations comprise a sizable disease burden during disasters related to natural hazards. Surveys estimate that 25–40% of those living in the regions affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita lived with at least one chronic disease. Chronic illness accounted for 33% of visits, peaking 10 days after hurricane landfall. The international nephrology community has responded to dialysis needs by forming a well-organized and effective organization called the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF). The response to the needs of diabetic and cardiac patients has been less vigorous. Patients must be familiar with emergency diet and renal fluid restriction plans, possible modification of dialysis schedules and methods, and rescue treatments such as the administration of kayexalate. Facilities may consider investing in water-independent extracorporeal dialysis techniques as a rescue treatment. In addition to patient databases and medical alert identification, diabetics should maintain an emergency medical kit. Diabetic patients must be taught and practice the carbohydrate counting technique. In addition to improved planning, responding agencies and organizations must bring adequate supplies and medications to care for diabetic, cardiac, and renal patients during relief efforts. Conclusions: By recognizing and addressing impediments to the care of chronic disease exacerbations after natural disasters, the quality, delivery, and effectiveness of the care provided to diabetic patients during relief efforts can be improved.
The Nature of Blue Early-Type Galaxies in the GOODS Fields

We present a study of the nature of the blue early-type galaxies (BEGs) in the GOODS North and South fields using the GOODS archival HST ACS data. Using visual inspection, we have selected 58 BEGs and 113 normal red early-type galaxies (REGs) in the sample of 1949 galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts. We find that the BEGs are generally bluer, fainter, and less massive than the REGs, although a few BEGs are exceptionally bright and massive. The number fraction of BEGs to total early-type galaxies is almost constant (~0.3) at z ≤ 1.1. In addition, we find that the sizes of the BEGs in a given redshift bin decrease as redshift decreases. The BEGs look similar to the REGs in the images and surface brightness profiles. However, at least 27 BEGs show traces of tidal disturbances in their fine structure: elongated cores, off-center cores, asymmetric internal color distributions, tidally distorted outer structures, collisional rings, or very nearby companions. Twenty-one BEGs are detected in the X-ray bands, and 11 of them are as luminous as L0.5-10 keV ≥ 1043.5 ergs s-1, indicating the existence of AGNs at their centers. These results show that at least half of the BEGs may be the descendants of mergers or interacting galaxies and that at least a quarter of the BEGs may be AGN host galaxies. The BEGs may evolve into REGs, and the size evolution of the BEGs is consistent with the galactic downsizing scenario.
Ventriculomegaly associated with ependymal gliosis and declines in barrier integrity in the aging human and mouse brain

Age‐associated ventriculomegaly is typically attributed to neurodegeneration; however, additional factors might initiate or contribute to progressive ventricular expansion. By directly linking postmortem human MRI sequences with histological features of periventricular tissue, we show that substantial lateral ventricle surface gliosis is associated with ventriculomegaly. To examine whether loss of ependymal cell coverage resulting in ventricle surface glial scarring can lead directly to ventricle enlargement independent of any other injury or degenerative loss, we modeled in mice the glial scarring found along the lateral ventricle surface in aged humans. Neuraminidase, which cleaves glycosidic linkages of apical adherens junction proteins, was administered intracerebroventricularly to denude areas of ependymal cells. Substantial ependymal cell loss resulted in reactive gliosis rather than stem cell‐mediated regenerative repair of the ventricle lining, and the gliotic regions showed morphologic and phenotypic characteristics similar to those found in aged humans. Increased levels of aquaporin‐4, indicative of edema, observed in regions of periventricular gliosis in human tissue were also replicated in our mouse model. 3D modeling together with volume measurements revealed that mice with ventricle surface scarring developed expanded ventricles, independent of neurodegeneration. Through a comprehensive, comparative analysis of the lateral ventricles and associated periventricular tissue in aged humans and mouse, followed by modeling of surface gliosis in mice, we have demonstrated a direct link between lateral ventricle surface gliosis and ventricle enlargement. These studies highlight the importance of maintaining an intact ependymal cell lining throughout aging.
Mechanical prophylaxis after hip fracture: what is the risk of deep vein thrombosis? A retrospective observational study

Graduated compression stockings carry a potential risk of pressure, vascular and other complications. Current understanding of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk leaves it uncertain whether patients with hip fracture should wear stockings on both legs. Objectives To determine the association between the side of the hip fracture and the subsequent occurrence of symptomatic lower limb DVT. Setting Single tertiary trauma centre, Wales. Participants All 3657 patients presenting with hip fracture between 2007 and 2013 were identified from our unit's National Hip Fracture Database. We excluded 404 patients (11.0%) resident outside our catchment area, leaving a total of 3253. Median age was 83 years (±12.4). Primary/secondary outcome measures We cross-linked patient details with Medical Physics records, to identify 634 (19.5%) who had undergone one or more lower-limb Doppler-ultrasound scans at some point during the study period. The distribution rates of DVT were calculated from this resulting data set. Results Many of the total 634 scans were unrelated to the hip fracture, including 225 (35.5%) performed prior to the fracture. We calculated a baseline rate of DVT of 3.7/1000 patients per year, for the 3-month period immediately before the hip fracture. Scans performed following hip fracture showed DVT risk to be highest in the 3-month period after fracture (35.7/1000 patients per year). This resulted from a six-fold increase in DVTs on the side of the fracture (29.5/1000 patients per year, p<0.01). We found only a very small non-significant increase in DVT on the contralateral leg (6.1/1000 patients per year) Conclusions The additional risk of DVT after hip fracture is essentially confined to the fractured limb—the leg to which it is most painful to apply stockings. There appears little justification for the cost and potential risk of using stockings on the contralateral leg.
Introduction of a new NHS electric-powered indoor/outdoor chair (EPIOC) service: benefits, risks and implications for prescribers

Objective: To determine problems associated with electric-powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs) and the benefits perceived by their users. Design: Hospital-based cohort study of all patients referred over a 19-month period. Setting: Regional Wheelchair Service for North West London serving nine district wheelchair services. Subjects: Of the 174 subjects referred, 10 withdrew their application or were found to be unsuitable at screening, 164 were assessed and 124 were prescribed chairs. One hundred and thirteen subjects were interviewed by telephone four months after provision of the chair. Main measures: Demographic and diagnostic data; current chair usage; self-reported accidents and component faults were compared with those recorded in the unit records; new activities embarked on since delivery; and benefits reported for main carers. Results: Seventeen ‘mishaps’ were reported by 15 users including tipping from chairs (6) and falls during transfers (3). Three probably reflected mechanical failure. Component failure was found in 39% of EPIOCs, mostly affecting control boxes (22), frames (10) and footrests (10). New activities were undertaken by 56 (50%) users, usually shopping and visits to friends/family. Eighty-five per cent of users felt that the chairs made life easier for their informal carers through increased independence, reducing transfers and reduced need for ‘pushing’. Conclusions: The component failures and self-reported accidents (some potentially dangerous) have implications for the NHS, manufacturers, prescribers and users. EPIOCs enhance the independence of severely physically disabled individuals in the community and assist carers by lessening dependence and enhancing social interaction. This study demonstrated the need for follow-up of EPIOC users and chairs.
The Impact of NBTI on the Performance of Combinational and Sequential Circuits

Negative-bias-temperature-instability (NBTI) has become the primary limiting factor of circuit lifetime. In this work, we develop a general framework for analyzing the impact of NBTI on the performance of a circuit, based on various circuit parameters such as the supply voltage, temperature, and node switching activity of the signals etc. We propose an efficient method to predict the degradation of circuit performance based on circuit topology and the switching activity of the signals over long periods of time. We demonstrate our results on ISCAS benchmarks and a 65 nm industrial design. The framework is used to provide key design insights for designing reliable circuits. The key design insights that we obtain are: (1) degradation due to NBTI is most sensitive on the input patterns and the duty cycle; the difference in the delay degradation can be up to 5X for various static and dynamic conditions, (2) during dynamic operation, NBTI-induced degradation is relatively insensitive to supply voltage, but strongly dependent on temperature; (3) NBTI has marginal impact on the clock signal.
Nonlinear analogue of the May−Wigner instability transition

Significance Complex systems equipped with stability feedback mechanisms become unstable to small displacements from equilibria as the complexity (as measured by the interaction strength and number of degrees of freedom) increases. This paper takes a global view on this transition from stability to instability. Our examination of a generic dynamical system whereby N degrees of freedom are coupled randomly shows that the phase portrait of complex multicomponent systems undergoes a sharp transition as the complexity increases. The transition manifests itself in the exponential explosion of the number of equilibria, and the transition threshold is quantitatively similar to the local instability threshold. Our model provides a mathematical framework for studying generic features of the global dynamics of large complex systems. We study a system of N≫1 degrees of freedom coupled via a smooth homogeneous Gaussian vector field with both gradient and divergence-free components. In the absence of coupling, the system is exponentially relaxing to an equilibrium with rate μ. We show that, while increasing the ratio of the coupling strength to the relaxation rate, the system experiences an abrupt transition from a topologically trivial phase portrait with a single equilibrium into a topologically nontrivial regime characterized by an exponential number of equilibria, the vast majority of which are expected to be unstable. It is suggested that this picture provides a global view on the nature of the May−Wigner instability transition originally discovered by local linear stability analysis.
Sudden Death in a Young Man with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a familial condition that presents with exercise‐induced syncope or sudden death in children or young adults. In most cases the disease is caused by a mutation in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) gene. Current evidence suggests that primary therapy for CPVT is beta blockade and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement. There is a recent report of a patient with CPVT who died despite appropriate ICD therapies, and we report a similar case. Our patient died after probably initially receiving inappropriate ICD shocks for atrial fibrillation. We recommend that utmost efforts should be made to prevent shocks including repeated exercise testing to confirm suppression of PVT.