Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal changes in the relative abundance of uncultivated sulfate-reducing bacteria in a salt marsh sediment and in the rhizosphere of Spartina alterniflora

Phylogenetic diversity and community composition of sulfate-reducing bacteria in a salt marsh sediment and in the rhizosphere of Spartina alterniflora were investigated. Uncultivated Desulfobacteriaceae family-related phylotypes were studied by selectively amplifying 16S rRNA gene fragments from DNA extracted from salt marsh rhizosphere samples. Two novel phylotypes were retrieved from rhizosphere samples, with A01 having 89.1% sequence similarity with Desulfococcus multivorans and 4D19 having 96.3% sequence similarity with Desulfosarcina variabilis. Additionally, six sequences that were extremely closely related to Desulfococcus multivorans (99% sequence similarity) were found. Reference RNAs containing sequences identical to corresponding cloned regions of A01 or 4D19 16S rRNA were synthesized via in vitro transcription and were used in subsequent quantitative membrane hybridization experiments. Oligonucleotide probes A01-183 and 4D19-189 were designed to specifically target these two novel phylotypes and were tested for target specificity against synthesized RNA and reference RNAs extracted from pure cultures. The newly designed probes were then used, together with eubacterial probes, to determine the relative abundances of the novel phylotypes in the salt marsh sediment and the rhizosphere. Mean relative abundances of A01-183 and 4D19-189 targets were 7.5 and 3.4%, respectively, suggesting that the target organisms of A01-183 and, to a lesser extent, of 4D19-189 play an important role in the salt marsh sediment and the Spartina rhizosphere. A seasonal trend of increased A01 relative abundance during the period of vegetative plant growth was evident, suggesting a close interaction between A01 and S. alterniflora.
Characterization of the Two-step Pathway for Inhibition of Thrombin by α-Ketoamide Transition State Analogs*

The interaction of thrombin with several potent and selective α-ketoamide transition state analogs was characterized. L-370,518 (H-N-Me-d-Phe-Pro-t-4-aminocyclohexylglycylN-methylcarboxamide) a potent (K i = 90 pm) and selective (>104-foldversus trypsin) ketoamide thrombin inhibitor was shown to bind thrombin via a two-step reaction wherein the initially formed thrombin-inhibitor complex (EI1) rearranges to a more stable, final complex (EI2). A novel sequential stopped-flow analysis showed thatk −1, the rate constant for dissociation ofEI1, was comparable tok 2, the rate constant for conversion ofEI1 to EI2 (0.049 and 0.035 s−1, respectively) indicating that formation of the initial complex EI1 is partially rate controlling. Replacement of the N-terminal methylamino group in L-370,518 with a hydrogen (L-372,051) resulted in a 44-fold loss in potency (K i = 4 nm) largely due to an increase in k −1. Consequently in the reaction of L-372,051 with thrombin formation of EI1 was not rate controlling. Replacement of the P1′N-methylcarboxamide group of L-370,518 with an azetidylcarboxamido (L-372,228) produced a 58-fold increase in the value of the equilibrium constant (K −1) for dissociation of EI1. Nevertheless, L-372,228 was a 2-fold more potent thrombin inhibitor (K i = 40 pm) than L-370,518 due to its 16-fold higherk 2 and 10-fold lowerk −2 values. The desketoamide analogs of L-370,518 and L-372,051, namely L-371,912 and L-372,011, inhibited thrombin via a one-step process. The K i value for L-371,912 and the K −1 value for its α-ketoamide analog, L-370,518, were similar (5 and 14 nm, respectively). Likewise, the K i value for L-372,011 and the K −1 value for its α-ketoamide analog, L-372,051, were similar (330 and 285 nm, respectively). These observations are consistent with the view that the α-ketoamides L-370,518 and L-372,051 form initial complexes with thrombin that are similar to the complexes formed by their desketoamide analogs, and in a second step the α-ketoamides react with the active site serine residue of thrombin to form a more stable hemiketal adduct.
Methylxanthine Content in Commonly Consumed Foods in Spain and Determination of Its Intake during Consumption

Methylxanthines present psychostimulant effects. These compounds have low toxicity and their consumption at moderate levels presents some beneficial health effects, whereas some significant risk appears at high levels. Samples of common types of methylxanthine-containing beverages and foods consumed in Spain were analyzed to determine their content. Caffeine was the methylxanthine that was most found in the samples investigated. Instant coffees gave the highest caffeine percentage (18–44 mg·g−1). Green and scented teas were found to have a caffeine dry-weight content (8–26 mg·g−1) equivalent to ground coffees (13–23 mg·g−1), but black and pu-erh teas (18–30 mg·g−1) had a higher caffeine content. The evaluation of the most conventional methods for preparing espresso coffees showed that an espresso contains between 88–116 mg of caffeine. In the case of tea beverages, the amount of caffeine present was 2–3 times smaller than in espresso coffees. Energy drinks showed a similar caffeine content (80–106 mg) as espresso coffees. Chocolates had the lowest caffeine content. It has been found that none of the foods evaluated reach the recommended daily intake limit of 400 mg of caffeine with a single dose. This limit can be reached with 4–5 doses in the case of coffees and energy drinks. In the case of chocolates, the methylxanthine compound detected at large levels was theobromine, with amounts ranging from 4 to 10 mg·g−1 for dark chocolates.
Factors associated to acceptable treatment adherence among children with chronic kidney disease in Guatemala

Pediatric patients with Chronic Kidney Disease face several barriers to medication adherence that, if addressed, may improve clinical care outcomes. A cross sectional questionnaire was administered in the Foundation for Children with Kidney Disease (FUNDANIER, Guatemala City) from September of 2015 to April of 2016 to identify the predisposing factors, enabling factors and need factors related to medication adherence. Sample size was calculated using simple random sampling with a confidence level of 95%, confidence interval of 0.05 and a proportion of 87%. A total of 103 participants responded to the questionnaire (calculated sample size was 96). Independent variables were defined and described, and the bivariate relationship to dependent variables was determined using Odds Ratio. Multivariate analysis was carried out using logistic regression. The mean adherence of study population was 78% (SD 0.08, max = 96%, min = 55%). The mean adherence in transplant patients was 82% (SD 7.8, max 96%, min 63%), and the mean adherence in dialysis patients was 76% (SD 7.8 max 90%, min 55%). Adherence was positively associated to the mother’s educational level and to higher monthly household income. Together predisposing, enabling and need factors illustrate the complexities surrounding adherence in this pediatric CKD population. Public policy strategies aimed at improving access to comprehensive treatment regimens may facilitate treatment access, alleviating economic strain on caregivers and may improve adherence outcomes.
Credit Risk Modeling with Delayed Information

We introduce a notion of market times that are stochastic processes in order to represent information delay in structural credit risk models. The market times are extensions of the time change process introduced by Guo, Jarrow and Zeng in the sense that each component of the market time is not required to be a stopping time. We introduce a class of market times called idempotent market times that contain natural examples including market times driven by Poisson processes. We show that any idempotent market time is hard to be a model of the time change process. We define a filtration modulated by the market time and show that it is an extension of the continuously delayed filtration that is the filtration modulated by the time change process. We show that the conditional expectations given market filtrations have some Markov property in a binomial setting, which is useful for pricing defaultable financial instruments.
Update on primary cleft lip rhinoplasty

Purpose of reviewThe optimal timing and techniques utilized to address the nasal deformity of the cleft lip continue to raise challenges and debate for the surgical community. There has been a shift in the paradigm addressing the nasal deformity to a more proactive approach. The goal of this article is to provide an update of the latest techniques for primary cleft rhinoplasty. Recent findingsA medical literature search was performed specifically targeting primary cleft rhinoplasty in order to review the current strategies implemented, including presurgical orthopedics, surgical incisions, reconstruction, and suture techniques. SummaryToday primary rhinoplasty is performed widely with many investigators reporting improved esthetic and functional outcomes. Both endonasal and external rhinoplasty approaches have been described for the unilateral and bilateral deformity. Goals include closure of the nasal floor and sill, symmetry of the alar base, and symmetry of the lower lateral cartilages with appropriate projection of the dome. Recent literature supports that rhinoplasty performed at the time of the primary cleft lip closure may reduce the frequency and magnitude of required intermediate and definitive rhinoplasty operations.
Spectral method for the correction of the Cerenkov light effect in plastic scintillation detectors: a comparison study of calibration procedures and validation in Cerenkov light-dominated situations.

PURPOSE The purposes of this work were: (1) To determine if a spectral method can accurately correct the Cerenkov light effect in plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) for situations where the Cerenkov light is dominant over the scintillation light and (2) to develop a procedural guideline for accurately determining the calibration factors of PSDs. METHODS The authors demonstrate, by using the equations of the spectral method, that the condition for accurately correcting the effect of Cerenkov light is that the ratio of the two calibration factors must be equal to the ratio of the Cerenkov light measured within the two different spectral regions used for analysis. Based on this proof, the authors propose two new procedures to determine the calibration factors of PSDs, which were designed to respect this condition. A PSD that consists of a cylindrical polystyrene scintillating fiber (1.6 mm3) coupled to a plastic optical fiber was calibrated by using these new procedures and the two reference procedures described in the literature. To validate the extracted calibration factors, relative dose profiles and output factors for a 6 MV photon beam from a medical linac were measured with the PSD and an ionization chamber. Emphasis was placed on situations where the Cerenkov light is dominant over the scintillation light and on situations dissimilar to the calibration conditions. RESULTS The authors found that the accuracy of the spectral method depends on the procedure used to determine the calibration factors of the PSD and on the attenuation properties of the optical fiber used. The results from the relative dose profile measurements showed that the spectral method can correct the Cerenkov light effect with an accuracy level of 1%. The results obtained also indicate that PSDs measure output factors that are lower than those measured with ionization chambers for square field sizes larger than 25 x 25 cm2, in general agreement with previously published Monte Carlo results. CONCLUSIONS The authors conclude that the spectral method can be used to accurately correct the Cerenkov light effect in PSDs. The authors confirmed the importance of maximizing the difference of Cerenkov light production between calibration measurements. The authors also found that the attenuation of the optical fiber, which is assumed to be constant in the original formulation of the spectral method, may cause a variation of the calibration factors in some experimental setups.
'Breaking the silence': local perceptions of slum tourism in Dharavi

Slum tourism has been criticized for potentially exploiting the communities it visits. While the daily life of residents is the primary attraction of slum tourism, they do not receive any remuneration. Given the heated debate surrounding this topic, it is surprising that the perspective of residents remains largely unknown. This article aims to address this lacuna, by providing insights into the perceptions that residents have on slum tourism in Dharavi slum, India. It is unique in that it explicitly addresses host perceptions towards slum tourism enterprises as well as charitable activities funded through slum tourism. Insights were gained through 74 semistructured interviews, conducted in the most visited areas of the slum. Four different resident perspectives are recognized: apprehensive, positive, indifferent, and skeptical. Over time, residents in Dharavi become less excited by the presence of tourists, but they do not develop a negative attitude to them. Although residents are not without criticism of tourism, and there is a lack of knowledge on tourism's contribution to community development projects, they do not view tourism as exploitative. The struggle for Dharavi will be to ensure tour operators will continue to operate in a way sensitive to the local community, as tourist numbers and competition increases.
Happiness, Pain Intensity, Pain Interference, and Distress in Individuals with Physical Disabilities

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine how the construct of happiness is related to pain intensity, pain interference, and distress in individuals with physical disabilities. DesignThis study involves cross-sectional analyses of 471 individuals with a variety of health conditions reporting at least mild pain. ResultsThe first hypothesis that happiness mediates the relationship between pain intensity and two outcomes, pain interference and distress, was not supported. The second hypothesis was supported by a good fitting model (&khgr;210 = 12.83, P = 0.23, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.025) and indicated that pain intensity significantly mediated the effect of happiness on pain interference (indirect effect: &bgr; = −0.13, P < 0.001) and on distress (indirect effect: &bgr; = 0.10, P = 0.01). Happiness showed a significant direct effect on pain intensity (&bgr; = −0.20, P < 0.001). A third model exploring the happiness components meaning, pleasure, and engagement fitted well (&khgr;24 = 9.65, P = 0.05, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.055). Pain intensity acted as a significant mediator but only mediated the effect of meaning on pain interference (indirect effect: &bgr; = −0.07, P = 0.05) and on distress (indirect effect via pain interference: &bgr; = −0.04, P = 0.05). Only meaning (&bgr; = −0.10, P = 0.05), but neither pleasure nor engagement, had a significant direct effect on pain intensity. ConclusionsParticipants who reported greater happiness reported lower pain interference and distress through happiness’ effects on pain intensity. Experiencing meaning and purpose in life seems to be most closely (and negatively) associated with pain intensity, pain interference, and distress. Findings from this study can lay the groundwork for intervention studies to better understand how to more effectively decrease pain intensity, pain interference, and distress.
Effects of Amrinone and Enoximone on the Subclasses of Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase from Human Heart and Kidney

We observed the intracellular localization of low-Km cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (PDEIII) subclasses in human heart in comparison to that in human kidney by using comparable potencies of specific inhibitors. PDEIII was observed in not only soluble fraction but particulate fraction in human heart and kidney. Both soluble and particulate PDEIII from human heart selectively hydrolyzed cAMP with similar Km values of 0.36 and 0.40 μM, respectively. They were potently inhibited by amrinone, enoximone, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), but were weakly inhibited by rolipram with much the same IC50 values. Although several animals having soluble and particulate PDEIII possess two pharmacologically distinct subclasses of PDEIII, human heart has only one form, cGMP-sensitive PDEIII. In contrast to cardiac PDEIII, both soluble and particulate PDEIII from human kidney were not readily inhibited by amrinone, enoximone, and cGMP, but rather strongly inhibited by rolipram. Human kidney contains only cGMP-less sensitive form of PDEIII in soluble and particulate fractions. These results suggest that the intracellular distribution of PDEIII subclasses in human hearts are significantly different from those in the hearts of other animal species, and subclasses of PDEIII in humans hearts could not be distinguished by intracellular localization but by organ specificity.
Role of ictal baseline shifts and ictal high‐frequency oscillations in stereo‐electroencephalography analysis of mesial temporal lobe seizures

To assess the role of ictal baseline shifts (IBS) and ictal high‐frequency oscillations (iHFOs) in intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) presurgical evaluation by analysis of the spatial and temporal relationship of IBS, iHFOs with ictal conventional stereo‐electroencephalography (icEEG) in mesial temporal lobe seizures (MTLS).
Involuntary non-standard employment in Europe

In some countries in Europe the economic crisis starting in 2008 was marked not only by a rise in unemployment, but also by increases in individuals in part-time and temporary working, so emphasising the need to examine employment composition as well as non-employment. The promotion of non-standard forms of employment – such as part-time and temporary working – has been part of Europe’s employment agenda, but directives have also focused on raising the quality of such work. Using European Union Labour Force Survey data, an indicator of involuntary non-standard (part-time and temporary) employment (INE) is constructed, depicting a negative working condition. Descriptive analyses show important differences between countries in the incidence of INE, which is highest in Spain, Portugal and Poland, and also in the composition of INE. By contrast, INE tends to be lower in countries with Anglo-Saxon and Nordic welfare state models. Econometric analyses reveal that young workers, older workers, women, non-nationals, those with low education and those who were unemployed a year ago are at greatest risk of INE.
Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Factors Affecting Midline Incisional Hernia Rates: Analysis of 14 618 Patients

Background The incidence of incisional hernias (IHs) following midline abdominal incisions is difficult to estimate. Furthermore recent analyses have reported inconsistent findings on the superiority of absorbable versus non-absorbable sutures. Objective To estimate the mean IH rate following midline laparotomy from the published literature, to identify variables that predict IH rates and to analyse whether the type of suture (absorbable versus non-absorbable) affects IH rates. Methods We undertook a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. We sought randomised trials and observational studies including patients undergoing midline incisions with standard suture closure. Papers describing two or more arms suitable for inclusion had data abstracted independently for each arm. Results Fifty-six papers, describing 83 separate groups comprising 14 618 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of IHs after midline incision was 12.8% (range: 0 to 35.6%) at a weighted mean of 23.7 months. The estimated risk of undergoing IH repair after midline laparotomy was 5.2%. Two meta-regression analyses (A and B) each identified seven characteristics associated with increased IH rate: one patient variable (higher age), two surgical variables (surgery for AAA and either surgery for obesity surgery (model A) or using an upper midline incision (model B)), two inclusion criteria (including patients with previous laparotomies and those with previous IHs), and two circumstantial variables (later year of publication and specifying an exact significance level). There was no significant difference in IH rate between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures either alone or in conjunction with either regression analysis. Conclusions The IH rate estimated by pooling the published literature is 12.8% after about two years. Seven factors account for the large variation in IH rates across groups. However there is no evidence that suture type has an intrinsic effect on IH rates.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis among nurse-anaesthetists in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND In Nigeria, nurse-anaesthetists are responsible for administering perioperative prophylactic antibiotics in a large number of operations but this practice is poorly studied. AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis among nurse-anaesthetists in Nigeria. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurse-anaesthetists at an Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of Nigeria Association of Nurse-Anaesthetists, using a pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS Of 70 questionnaires. 67 were returned. Antibiotic administration at induction of anaesthesia was considered inappropriate by 79.1% (n = 67) and safe by 42.6% (n = 61). There was poor knowledge of indications for intraoperative administration. There was agreement by 81.9% of respondents that anaesthetists should administer prophylactic antibiotics (n = 66) but 72.2% would want the surgeon to indicate the time of administration (n = 60). About 69.3% and 77.2% of respondents administered prophylactic antibiotics before tourniquet application (n = 62) and skin incision (n = 66) respectively in their practice but the latter finding was not corroborated by internal validity check. Availability of a hospital perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis protocol (p = 0.048) and practice for 10 or more years (p = 0.009) were associated with higher knowledge score. CONCLUSION Inclusion of lectures on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in nurse-anaesthesia training curriculum, having hospital perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis protocol, stating in the protocols that surgeons give instructions on timing of antibiotic administration and ensuring adherence to the protocols may improve knowledge and practice of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis among nurse-anaesthetists.
Big brother: Good brother? CCTV systems and crime rates in Medellín-Colombia

We investigate whether there is any effect on crime rates following the installation of public surveillance cameras in the city of Medelĺin-Colombia. To do so, we benefit from a quasiexperiment that took place in the installation of 366 cameras from April 2013 through October 2014. We highlight three main findings. First, there is a decline in total crime after the installation of the CCTV system. On average, year on year monthly changes in a total crime index are between 0.004 and 0.012 lower (i.e. between 33.3% and 100% of the average total crime index from January 2011 to October 2014 lower) in a street segment following the installation of one camera. This effect seems to be driven mainly by a decline in property crime. Second, we find no significant effects on apprehensions following the installation of surveillance cameras. These results may suggest the main channel for CCTV systems to deter criminals is through the subjective certainty of punishment. Third, we do not find crime displacement effects after the installation of CCTV systems. Instead, we find diffusion of benefits to the street segments surrounding installation sites when we restrict our sample to high crime places. This diffusion of benefits seems to be driven by a reduction in violent crime. JEL Classification: H41, K42.