Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dimerization and incommensurate spiral spin correlations in the zigzag spin chain: Analogies to the Kondo lattice.

Using the density matrix renormalization group and a bosonization approach, we study a spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain with near-neighbor coupling ${\mathit{J}}_{1}$ and frustrating second-neighbor coupling ${\mathit{J}}_{2}$, particularly in the limit ${\mathit{J}}_{2}$\ensuremath{\gg}${\mathit{J}}_{1}$. This system exhibits both dimerization and incommensurate spiral spin correlations. We argue that this system is closely related to a doped, spin-gapped phase of the one-dimensional Kondo lattice. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Correlation between beta‐lipoprotein levels and outcome of hepatitis C treatment

The low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has been proposed as a candidate receptor for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Competitive inhibition of HCV binding to the LDLR by low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) has been shown in vitro. If similar inhibition occurs in vivo, an elevated serum concentration of beta‐ lipoproteins may reduce the efficiency of infecting hepatocytes with HCV by competitively inhibiting HCV viral receptor binding. We investigated the role of baseline lipid values in influencing the outcome of HCV treatment. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients treated with an interferon‐based regimen at our liver and gastroenterology clinics between 1998 and 2004. Of 99 patients enrolled in the study, 49 (49.5%) had HCV genotype 1 (LDL 100.2 ± 30.2 mg/dL [mean ± SD]), and 50 patients (50.5%) had genotype 2 or 3 (LDL 110.1 ± 40 mg/dL) infection. Early viral response (EVR), end‐of‐treatment response (ETR), and sustained viral response (SVR) were documented in 99, 88, and 77 patients, respectively. LDL and cholesterol levels prior to treatment were found to be higher in patients with positive EVR, ETR, and SVR. This difference remained significant independent of age. Multivariate analysis controlling for genotype and age showed that the higher the cholesterol and LDL levels prior to treatment, the greater the odds of responding to treatment. In conclusion, having higher serum LDL and cholesterol levels before treatment may be significant prognostic indicators for treatment outcome of those with chronic hepatitis C infection, particularly in genotypes 1 and 2. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:335–340.)
Strontium Isotopes and the Reconstruction of the Chaco Regional System: Evaluating Uncertainty with Bayesian Mixing Models

Strontium isotope sourcing has become a common and useful method for assigning sources to archaeological artifacts. In Chaco Canyon, an Ancestral Pueblo regional center in New Mexico, previous studies using these methods have suggested that significant portion of maize and wood originate in the Chuska Mountains region, 75 km to the East. In the present manuscript, these results were tested using both frequentist methods (to determine if geochemical sources can truly be differentiated) and Bayesian methods (to address uncertainty in geochemical source attribution). It was found that Chaco Canyon and the Chuska Mountain region are not easily distinguishable based on radiogenic strontium isotope values. The strontium profiles of many geochemical sources in the region overlap, making it difficult to definitively identify any one particular geochemical source for the canyon's pre-historic maize. Bayesian mixing models support the argument that some spruce and fir wood originated in the San Mateo Mountains, but that this cannot explain all 87Sr/86Sr values in Chaco timber. Overall radiogenic strontium isotope data do not clearly identify a single major geochemical source for maize, ponderosa, and most spruce/fir timber. As such, the degree to which Chaco Canyon relied upon outside support for both food and construction material is still ambiguous.
Surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2004–2009

Introduction The last case of wild polio virus transmission occurred in Akwa Ibom state in October 2001; however, combination high routine immunization coverage with OPV, high quality AFP surveillance, mass immunization campaign in which two doses of potent oral polio vaccine is administered to eligible children and mop-up campaigns in areas with identified immunization or surveillance gaps has help the state in maintaining a free polio status for over ten years. This study was carried out to describe the characteristics of reported acute flaccid paralysis cases between 2004 and 2009, and to evaluate the performance of the acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system using indicators recommended by the World Health Organization. Methods A retrospective study was conducted among children, 0-15 years, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Epidemiology unit of State Ministry of Health (SMOH), Uyo. The demographic characteristics and the results of isolation and identification of polio and other enteroviruses in stool samples sent to the WHO Polio Laboratory Ibadan for cases was analyzed. Results A total of 521 cases of AFP (270 males and 251 females) aged 0 month to=15 years were reported by the surveillance system between 2004 and 2009. Those below 5 years of age accounted for 82.5% of cases reported and investigated. Of the 521 cases investigated 512 (98.3%) received at least three doses of oral polio vaccine, while 9(1.7) never received any oral polio vaccine (zero-dose). In all 5.1% of the isolates were Sabin, 7.9% non polio enterovirus (NPEV) and 2.3% were classified by national expert committee as compatible with poliomyelitis. There was consistent and steady increase in three critical indicators; Non polio AFP rate in children <15 years from 4.5 to 6.4 per 100 000 population, proportion of AFP cases with 2 stool specimens collected within 14 days of onset of paralysis from 57% in 2005 to 91% in 2009 and proportion of Local Government Areas (Districts) meeting both core indicators from 23% in 2005 to 87% in 2009. The highest numbers of cases were seen in the months of March, May and September. Conclusion This study showed high levels of surveillance performance with some challenges in reverse the cold chain system, the continuation and sustained AFP case detection, prompt investigation and response, improvement in the reserve cold chain system would achieve optimal standards recommended by WHO and might provide a good model for the eradication of poliomyelitis.
Differential Sorting of Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Hippocampal Neurons

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is released through the constitutive secretory pathway from cells in peripheral tissues and nerves where it can act as a target-derived survival factor. In contrast, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) appears to be processed in the regulated secretory pathway of brain neurons and secreted in an activity-dependent manner to play a role in synaptic plasticity. To determine whether sorting differences are intrinsic to the neurotrophins or reflect differences between cell types, we compared NGF and BDNF processing in cultured hippocampal neurons using a Vaccinia virus expression system. Three independent criteria (retention or release from cells after pulse–chase labeling, depolarization-dependent release, and immunocytochemical localization) suggest that the bulk of newly synthesized NGF is sorted into the constitutive pathway, whereas BDNF is primarily sorted into the regulated secretory pathway. Similar results occurred with AtT 20 cells, including those transfected with cDNAs encoding neurotrophin precursor–green fluorescent protein fusions. The NGF precursor, but not the BDNF precursor, is efficiently cleaved by the endoprotease furin in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Blocking furin activity in AtT 20 cells with α1-PDX as well as increasing the expression of NGF precursor partially directed NGF into the regulated secretory pathway. Therefore, neurotrophins can be sorted into either the constitutive or regulated secretory pathways, and sorting may be regulated by the efficiency of furin cleavage in the TGN. This mechanism may explain how neuron-generated neurotrophins can act both as survival factors and as neuropeptides.
Effect of Various Programmed Overloads on the Threshold for High-Frequency Fatigue Crack Growth

A threshold value of crack tip stress intensity range (ΔK t h ) exists below which Mode I cracks do not propagate in high-frequency fatigue. The response of ΔK t h , in a commercial nickel-base and titanium-base alloy, to single and multiple cycle overloads (that is, the behavior of an overload modified threshold, ΔK t h *) has been defined for a variety of fatigue conditions. Both alloys responded similarly and showed an exponential increase of ΔK t h * with increased magnitude of the overload. The effects of overload rate, temperature, cycle shape and number, and the fatigue conditions of mean stress and cyclic frequency have lesser, but significant, effects on ΔK t h *. Metallography and scanning electron fractography have been used to define the changes in crack size and tip shape which contribute to the overload effects.
Spatial variation in risk and consequence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans introduction in the USA

A newly identified fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans(Bsal), is responsible for mass mortality events and severe population declines in European salamanders. The eastern USA has the highest diversity of salamanders in the world and the introduction of this pathogen is likely to be devastating. Although data are inevitably limited for new pathogens, disease-risk assessments use best available data to inform management decisions. Using characteristics of Bsalecology, spatial data on imports and pet trade establishments, and salamander species diversity, we identify high-risk areas with both a high likelihood of introduction and severe consequences for local salamanders. We predict that the Pacific coast, southern Appalachian Mountains and mid-Atlantic regions will have the highest relative risk from Bsal. Management of invasive pathogens becomes difficult once they are established in wildlife populations; therefore, import restrictions to limit pathogen introduction and early detection through surveillance of high-risk areas are priorities for preventing the next crisis for North American salamanders.
Routine Dyspnea Assessment on Unit Admission

OverviewDyspnea assessment is valuable in diagnosis, prognosis, symptom management, and targeted intervention, and in the allotment and management of patient care resources. The assessment of dyspnea, like that of pain, depends on patient self-report. Expert consensus panels have called for dyspnea to be measured quantitatively and documented on a routine basis, as is the practice with pain. But little information is available on how to measure and record dyspnea ratings systematically. Consequently, the prevalence of dyspnea in hospital settings may be greater than is generally recognized, and dyspnea may be insufficiently managed. This article describes a pilot study that sought to test the feasibility of measuring dyspnea as part of the initial patient assessment performed by nurses within several inpatient units of a large urban hospital.
Diagnostic Value of Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule 1 for Acute Kidney Injury: A Meta-Analysis

Background Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM-1) is a proximal tubular injury biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI), with variable performance characteristics depending on clinical and population settings. Methods Meta-analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of urinary KIM-1 in AKI. Relevant studies were searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library. Meta-analysis methods were used to pool sensitivity and specificity and to construct summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves. Results A total of 2979 patients from 11 eligible studies were enrolled in the analysis. Five prospective cohorts, two cross-sectional and four case-control studies were identified for meta-analysis. The estimated sensitivity of urinary KIM-1 for the diagnosis of AKI was 74.0% (95% CI, 61.0%–84.0%), and specificity was 86.0% (95% CI, 74.0%–93.0%). The SROC analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.86(0.83–0.89). Subgroup analysis suggested that population settings and detection time were the key factors affecting the efficiency of KIM-1 for AKI diagnosis. Limitation Various population settings, different definition of AKI and Serum creatinine level used as the standard might have influence on AKI diagnosis. The relatively small number of studies and heterogeneity between them also affected the evaluation. Conclusion Urinary KIM-1 may be a promising biomarker for early detection of AKI with considerable predictive value, especially for cardiac surgery patients, and its potential value needs to be validated in large studies and across a broader scope of clinical settings.
Subunits of the epithelial sodium channel family are differentially expressed in the retina of mice with ocular hypertension

Glaucoma is a prevalent cause of blindness, resulting in the apoptotic death of retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve degeneration. The disease is often associated with elevated intraocular pressure, however, molecular mechanisms involved in ganglion cell death are poorly understood. To identify proteins contributing to this pathological process, we analysed the retinal gene expression of DBA/2J mice that develop an elevated intraocular pressure by the age of 6 months with subsequent ganglion cell loss. In this study, we identified subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) family that are specifically expressed under elevated intraocular pressure. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction we observed a significant increase of α‐ENaC in the neuronal retina of DBA/2J mice when compared with control animals, while β‐ENaC and γ‐ENaC were not detectable in this tissue. Specific immune sera to ENaC subunits showed up‐regulation of α‐ENaC in synaptic and nuclear layers of the retina, and in the retinal pigment epithelium. Consistent with our polymerase chain reaction data, β‐ENaC was not detected by specific antibodies in the retina, while γ‐ENaC was only present in the retinal pigment epithelium under ocular hypertension. Finally, the increase of α‐ENaC gene expression in the neuronal retina and the retinal pigment epithelium was not observed in other tissues of DBA/2J mice. Since the intraocular pressure is regulated by the transport of aqueous humour across epithelial structures of the eye that in turn is associated with ion flux, the specific up‐regulation of ENaC proteins could serve as a protecting mechanism against elevated intraocular pressure.
Differences of sexual behavior predictors between sexually active and nonactive female adolescents in congested communities, Bangkok metropolis.

OBJECTIVE To test the differences among the predictors between sexually active and non-active female adolescents. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive research. MATERIAL AND METHOD The participants included 581 Thai female adolescents: 262 sexually non-active and 319 sexually active (average age = 19.7 years). They completed questionnaires measuring self-discrepancy, depression, power in relationships (decision making dominance and relationship control), sexual self-efficacy (ability to say no, assertiveness, precaution), cognitive strategies (gain thinking: relationship, development, curiosity; punishment avoidance thinking: negative consequence, ethical-related, fear-related), and sexual behavior. The t-test and the Hierarchical Regression were employed for data analyses. RESULTS Among the sexually active, 68.8% had vaginal or anal sexual intercourse (11.7%) without using a condom. Significant enabling predictors among the sexually active included sexual self-efficacy (precaution), and gain thinking (relationship), whereas punishment avoidance thinking (negative consequence) had a negative influence: it accounted about 11.0%. Among sexually non-active, alcohol consumption, power in a relationship (decision making dominance), and gain thinking (relationship) accounted for 26.9% of the variance in explaining sexual behavior. CONCLUSION A specific link between sexual self-efficacy and cognitive strategies will be drawn to develop a program for the sexually active. Implications for behavioral modification addressing alcohol drinking and power in a relationship should be discussed among the sexually non-active.
State-of-the-art of wind energy in cold climates

Wind turbines in cold climates refer to sites that may experience significant time or frequency of either icing events or low temperatures outside the op- erational limits of standard wind turbines. The potential for producing electric- ity at such, often inhabited, sites is vast. Consequently, the International En- ergy Agency, IEA RDD Task 19-Wind Energy in Cold Climates. The goal of the cooperation is to monitor reliability of standard and adapted technology and establish guide- lines for applying wind power in cold climates. In this report, the state-of-the- art of arctic wind energy is presented: knowledge on climatic conditions and resources, technical solutions in use and operational experience of wind tur- bines in cold climates. This is the updated version of the first State-of-the-art report published in 2003.
Fall detection with distributed floor-mounted accelerometers: An overview of the development and evaluation of a fall detection system within the project eHome

Within the project "eHome" a prototype of an assistive home system was developed, aiming to prolong the independent life of elderly people at home. Besides communication, e-access and safety relevant features, a core part of this system is an automatic fall detection, which utilizes floor-mounted accelerometers to gather body-sound signals that typically occur during a human fall. This approach targets to avoid acceptance, usability and reliability issues of available body-mounted fall detectors. The system was developed with focus on practical applicability, reliability and exploitability. The prototype was evaluated successfully in laboratory and during 507 days in real-life at homes of persons from the target group. During the laboratory trials a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 97.7% could be achieved for a defined fall scenario and across four tested floors. Further research is suggested to investigate floor dependencies of the fall detection performance.
Clinical management patterns and treatment outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across Europe: EPICLIN-Lung study

Abstract Background: Throughout Europe, physicians face similar challenges in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management, but comprehensive international information on usual clinical practice is lacking so the burden of NSCLC is not fully understood. Methods: This multinational, multicentre, non-interventional study (NCT00831909) was conducted in eight European countries. Patients with confirmed NSCLC were consecutively enrolled from January to March 2009 and followed for 12 months or until death. Information was collected on patient and disease characteristics, diagnosis and treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes. Spontaneously reported adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. Results: Data were available for 3508 patients. Most patients (77.5%) were male, median (range) age was 65.0 years (21.6–90.7), the majority of patients had a World Health Organization performance status of ≤1 (74.7%), and 10.8% were never smokers. The most prevalent histologies were adenocarcinoma (43.8%) and squamous-cell carcinoma (29.4%). Most patients presented with advanced disease (11.6% with stage IIIA, 18.7% with stage IIIB, 48.6% with stage IV). In stage IV disease, median progression-free survival and overall survival (months) by first-line treatment cluster were platinum regimens: 6.5, 10.8; non-platinum regimens: 4.3, 8.5; regimens with bevacizumab 8.7, 12.9; investigational regimens: 5.6, 10.8; best supportive care: 5.4, 6.6. The most frequently reported severe (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 >2) AEs were blood/bone marrow (16.0%) and pulmonary/upper respiratory (7.8%). Key limitations of this study related to its non-interventional nature and wide regional focus; for example, achieving a representative sample of the overall NSCLC population, variation in recruitment between countries, and data based on information from medical records derived from routine visits. Conclusions: The Epidemiological Study to Describe NSCLC Clinical Management Pattern in Europe–Lung (EPICLIN-Lung) study provides new insights into the descriptive patterns and clinical management strategies for NSCLC across Europe, and how they affect patient outcomes.
SentiWordNet: A High-Coverage Lexical Resource for Opinion Mining

Opinion mining (OM) is a recent subdiscipline at the crossroads of information retrieval and computational linguistics which is concerned not with the topic a document is about, but with the opinions it expresses. OM has a rich set of applications, ranging from tracking users’ opinions about products or about political candidates as expressed in online forums, to customer relationship management. In order to aid the extraction of opinions from text, recent research has tried to automatically determine the “PN-polarity” of subjective terms, i.e. identify whether a term that indicates the presence of an opinion has a positive or a negative connotation. Research on determining the “SO-polarity” of terms, i.e. whether a term indeed indicates the presence of an opinion (a subjective term) or not (an objective, or neutral term) has been instead much scarcer. In this paper we describe SentiWordNet, a lexical resource produced by asking an automated classifier Φ to associate to each synset s of WordNet (version 2.0) a triplet of scores Φ(s, p) (for p ∈ P ={Positive, Negative, Objective}) describing how strongly the terms contained in s enjoy each of the three properties. The method used to develop SentiWordNet is based on the quantitative analysis of the glosses associated to synsets, and on the use of the resulting vectorial term representations for semi-supervised synset classification. The score triplet is derived by combining the results produced by a committee of eight ternary classifiers, all characterized by similar accuracy levels but extremely different classification behaviour. We present the results of evaluating the accuracy of the automatically assigned triplets on a publicly available benchmark. SentiWordNet is freely available for research purposes, and is endowed with a Web-based graphical user interface.
Analyzing single‐molecule manipulation experiments

Single‐molecule manipulation studies can provide quantitative information about the physical properties of complex biological molecules without ensemble artifacts obscuring the measurements. We demonstrate computational techniques which aim at more fully utilizing the wealth of information contained in noisy experimental time series. The “noise” comes from multiple sources e.g., inherent thermal motion, instrument measurement error, etc. The primary focus of this paper is a methodology that uses time domain based methods to extract the effective molecular friction from single‐molecule pulling data. We studied molecules composed of eight tandem repeat titin I27 domains, but the modeling approaches have applicability to other single‐molecule mechanical studies. The merits and challenges associated with applying such a computational approach to existing single‐molecule manipulation data are also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.