Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological water at the protein surface: Dynamical solvation probed directly with femtosecond resolution

Biological water at the interface of proteins is critical to their equilibrium structures and enzyme function and to phenomena such as molecular recognition and protein–protein interactions. To actually probe the dynamics of water structure at the surface, we must examine the protein itself, without disrupting the native structure, and the ultrafast elementary processes of hydration. Here we report direct study, with femtosecond resolution, of the dynamics of hydration at the surface of the enzyme protein Subtilisin Carlsberg, whose single Trp residue (Trp-113) was used as an intrinsic biological fluorescent probe. For the protein, we observed two well separated dynamical solvation times, 0.8 ps and 38 ps, whereas in bulk water, we obtained 180 fs and 1.1 ps. We also studied a covalently bonded probe at a separation of ≈7 Å and observed the near disappearance of the 38-ps component, with solvation being practically complete in (time constant) 1.5 ps. The degree of rigidity of the probe (anisotropy decay) and of the water environment (protein vs. micelle) was also studied. These results show that hydration at the surface is a dynamical process with two general types of trajectories, those that result from weak interactions with the selected surface site, giving rise to bulk-type solvation (≈1 ps), and those that have a stronger interaction, enough to define a rigid water structure, with a solvation time of 38 ps, much slower than that of the bulk. At a distance of ≈7 Å from the surface, essentially all trajectories are bulk-type. The theoretical framework for these observations is discussed.
Superensemble forecasts of dengue outbreaks

In recent years, a number of systems capable of predicting future infectious disease incidence have been developed. As more of these systems are operationalized, it is important that the forecasts generated by these different approaches be formally reconciled so that individual forecast error and bias are reduced. Here we present a first example of such multi-system, or superensemble, forecast. We develop three distinct systems for predicting dengue, which are applied retrospectively to forecast outbreak characteristics in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We then use Bayesian averaging methods to combine the predictions from these systems and create superensemble forecasts. We demonstrate that on average, the superensemble approach produces more accurate forecasts than those made from any of the individual forecasting systems.
Somatic calreticulin mutations in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis

We studied the role of the recently identified CALR mutations in 141 patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) or portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in a large multinational cohort. A CALR mutation was present in one of the 141 patients (0.7%). This patient was previously diagnosed with primary
Comparison of Roche Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis Assay with In-House PCR and Culture for Detection of M. tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The new Roche Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosisassay, which is a semiautomated version of the manually performed Roche Amplicor M. tuberculosis test, was compared to culture and an IS6110-based in-house PCR protocol. A total of 1,681 specimens from 833 patients, including specimen types other than sputum, were tested in parallel by both the in-house PCR and the Cobas Amplicor M. tuberculosis assay. After we resolved discrepant PCR results, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the Cobas Amplicor M. tuberculosis assay were 66.33, 99.71, 94.36, and 97.66%, respectively. The corresponding values for the in-house PCR were 91.08, 99.85, 97.87, and 99.37%, respectively. For culture- and smear-positive specimens, the sensitivity of the Cobas AmplicorM. tuberculosis test was 96.42% (in-house PCR, 100%). If only smear-negative sputum specimens were considered, the Cobas Amplicor M. tuberculosis assay exhibited a sensitivity of 45.45% (in-house PCR, 63.63%) relative to that of culture. With a modified protocol for DNA extraction (washing of samples plus ultrasonication), both PCR methods performed better with gastric aspirates than with sputum samples (sensitivity of the Cobas AmplicorM. tuberculosis assay with smear-negative gastric aspirates, 70.00%; sensitivity of in-house PCR, 90.00%). With dithiothreitol being used for liquefaction of specimens in this study, the Cobas Amplicor M. tuberculosis assay exhibited an inhibition rate of 9.16%. In our view, the new Cobas Amplicor M. tuberculosis test (i) is well suited for typing of smear-positive specimens, (ii) may also be applied to gastric aspirates and other types of specimens if DNA extraction methods are modified appropriately, and (iii) exhibits a sensitivity with smear-negative sputum specimens which makes it recommendable that a minimum of three samples from the same patient be tested.
Cheating, Breakup, and Divorce: Is Facebook Use to Blame?

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between using the social networking site known as Facebook and negative interpersonal relationship outcomes. A survey of 205 Facebook users aged 18-82 was conducted using a 16-question online survey to examine whether high levels of Facebook use predicted negative relationship outcomes (breakup/divorce, emotional cheating, and physical cheating). It was hypothesized that those with higher levels of Facebook use would demonstrate more negative relationship outcomes than those with lower use. The study then examined whether these relationships were mediated by Facebook-related conflict. Furthermore, the researchers examined length of relationship as a moderator variable in the aforementioned model. The results indicate that a high level of Facebook usage is associated with negative relationship outcomes, and that these relationships are indeed mediated by Facebook-related conflict. This series of relationships only holds for those who are, or have been, in relatively newer relationships of 3 years or less. The current study adds to the growing body of literature investigating Internet use and relationship outcomes, and may be a precursor to further research investigating whether Facebook use attributes to the divorce rate, emotional cheating, and physical cheating.
The changing impact of a severe disaster on the mental health and substance misuse of adolescents: follow-up of a controlled study

Background. Disasters are believed to have large effects on the mental health of adolescents but the lack of prospective pre- and post-disaster data on affected and control populations have limited our knowledge on the validity of these claims. We examined the medium-term, 12 months' effects of a severe disaster on the mental health of adolescents, and compared them to effects after 5 months. Method. A café fire in The Netherlands injured 250 adolescents and killed 14. We obtained data 15 months before and 12 months after the disaster about behavioural and emotional problems (using the Youth Self-Report) and substance misuse, in 124 students of an affected school of whom 31 were present at the fire (response 77·5%) and 830 other students (56·4%); mean age at baseline, 13·8 years. Results. We found differences between students from the affected school and others for excessive use of alcohol (odds ratio 3·42, 95% confidence interval 2·00–5·85, p<0·0001), but not for behavioural and emotional problems and use of other substances. Effects had decreased compared to those after 5 months. Conclusions. In the long run, the effects of disaster decrease regarding self-reported behavioural and emotional problems, but they remain regarding alcohol misuse among those present at the disaster, and their peers.
Beverage Bloggers: A Developing Relationship Between Wine Blogger Expertise and Twitter Followers

This pilot study examines how beverage bloggers’ beverage experience and certified wine knowledge influences their wine destination recommendations on Twitter. Microblogging a wine destination through Twitter is explored in this study. In the context of social media, the role of Twitter as a microblog in promoting wine destinations is specifically examined. The present study examines the food and beverage experience and wine credentials of bloggers through survey and correlations of their wine destination recommendations, travel habits and geographic home. This exploratory study finds that different levels of wine credentials have an influence on blogger's recommendation of both international and domestic wine destinations. The analysis shows that the increasing number of wine credentials possessed by a blogger influences the number of followers they have on Twitter.
Modification of the host response in experimental histoplasmosis

IN a previous paper, the methods used to establish a disseminated infection with Histoplasm@ capsulatum in the mouse have been described. A constant increment in the weight of certain organs in relation to the body weight was found, if a constant infecting dose was used. With this model, studies were done to assess the degree of granuloma formation in these various tissues. In addition, the effects of reticulo-endothelial " blockade " and " stimulation " have been investigated, and the origin of the component cells of the histoplasma granuloma determined (Berry, 1969a and b). The purpose of the present paper is to compare the responses of immunised and non-immunised animals to the experimental infection, and to examine the effects of methotrexate and antilymphocyte serum (ALS) on the standard infection.
AN UWB PRINTED ANTENNA FOR PARTIAL DISCHARGE UHF DETECTION IN HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCHGEARS

As important fundamental equipment, high voltage switchgears are widely used in electric power systems and directly relative to the power reliability and quality. Partial discharge (PD) online monitoring is one of the most effective methods used for insulation testing and diagnosis in high voltage switchgears and power systems. This paper proposes a unique ultra-wide-band (UWB) antenna with high performance for PD ultra-high-frequency (UHF) detection in high voltage switchgears. Actual PD experiments were carried out, and the designed antenna was used for PD measurements. The measured results demonstrate that the proposed antenna has wide work frequency band, good omnidirectional radiation patterns and appreciable gain, which indicate that the proposed antenna is suitable for UHF online monitoring of PDs in high voltage switchgears.
Simulations of Dual-Vortex Interaction within Environmental Shear

Abstract For over a century it has been known that each vortex in a multiple vortex configuration will move in response to the other vortices. However, despite advances since that time, the complexities of multiple vortex scenarios when sheared environments are present are still not completely understood. The interaction of binary vortices within horizontal environmental shear is explored here through shallow water simulations on a β plane. Due to nonlinear feedbacks, the combination of environmental vorticity (or vorticity gradient) and shear, as well as the multiple vortex situation, results in a more complicated track than for a storm experiencing any individual component. Despite the complexity of these vortex–environment interactions, the use of previous single-vortex studies greatly aids interpretation. Centroid-relative motion of the individual vortices is considered, as well as the propagation of the vortex pair centroid, to understand motion effects of the different vortex–environment combination.
Congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy, central dysmyelination, and Waardenburg–Hirschsprung disease: Phenotypes linked by SOX10 mutation

A unique phenotype of Waardenburg–Hirschsprung disease (WS4) accompanied by peripheral neuropathy and central dysmyelination has been recognized recently in association with SOX10 mutations. We report an infant boy with lethal congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy and WS4 who had a heterozygous SOX10 mutation (Q250X). Histopathological studies showed an absence of peripheral nerve myelin despite normal numbers of Schwann cells and profound dysmyelination in the central nervous system. These observations suggest that some SOX10 mutations such as Q250X may allow Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes to proliferate but interfere with further differentiation to form myelin. In contrast with the SOX10 loss‐of‐function mutations causing only WS4, mutations associated with both peripheral and central dysmyelination may affect pathology through a dominant‐negative mechanism.
Predictors and consequences of altered mineral metabolism: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study.

BACKGROUND Altered mineral metabolism contributes to bone disease, cardiovascular disease, and other clinical problems in patients with end-stage renal disease. METHODS This study describes the recent status, significant predictors, and potential consequences of abnormal mineral metabolism in representative groups of hemodialysis facilities (N= 307) and patients (N= 17,236) participating in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) in the United States, Europe, and Japan from 1996 to 2001. RESULTS Many patients fell out of the recommended guideline range for serum concentrations of phosphorus (8% of patients below lower target range, 52% of patients above upper target range), albumin-corrected calcium (9% below, 50% above), calcium-phosphorus product (44% above), and intact PTH (51% below, 27% above). All-cause mortality was significantly and independently associated with serum concentrations of phosphorus (RR 1.04 per 1 mg/dL, P= 0.0003), calcium (RR 1.10 per 1 mg/dL, P < 0.0001), calcium-phosphorus product (RR 1.02 per 5 mg(2)/dL(2), P= 0.0001), PTH (1.01 per 100 pg/dL, P= 0.04), and dialysate calcium (RR 1.13 per 1 mEq/L, P= 0.01). Cardiovascular mortality was significantly associated with the serum concentrations of phosphorus (RR 1.09, P < 0.0001), calcium (RR 1.14, P < 0.0001), calcium-phosphorus product (RR 1.05, P < 0.0001), and PTH (RR 1.02, P= 0.03). The adjusted rate of parathyroidectomy varied 4-fold across the DOPPS countries, and was significantly associated with baseline concentrations of phosphorus (RR 1.17, P < 0.0001), calcium (RR 1.58, P < 0.0001), calcium-phosphorus product (RR 1.11, P < 0.0001), PTH (RR 1.07, P < 0.0001), and dialysate calcium concentration (RR 0.57, P= 0.03). Overall, 52% of patients received some form of vitamin D therapy, with parenteral forms almost exclusively restricted to the United States. Vitamin D was potentially underused in up to 34% of patients with high PTH, and overused in up to 46% of patients with low PTH. Phosphorus binders (mostly calcium salts during the study period) were used by 81% of patients, with potential overuse in up to 77% patients with low serum phosphorus concentration, and potential underuse in up to 18% of patients with a high serum phosphorus concentration. CONCLUSION This study expands our understanding of the relationship between altered mineral metabolism and outcomes and identifies several potential opportunities for improved practice in this area.
Overexpression of Stromal Cell–Derived Factor 1 and Its Receptor CXCR4 Induces Autocrine/Paracrine Cell Proliferation in Human Pituitary Adenomas

Purpose: Hypothalamic or locally produced growth factors and cytokines control pituitary development, functioning, and cell division. We evaluated the expression of the chemokine stromal cell–derived factor 1 (SDF1) and its receptor CXCR4 in human pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary tissues and their role in cell proliferation. Experimental Design: The expression of SDF1 and CXCR4 in 65 human pituitary adenomas and 4 human normal pituitaries was determined by reverse transcription-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and confocal immunofluorescence. The proliferative effect of SDF1 was evaluated in eight fibroblast-free human pituitary adenoma cell cultures. Results: CXCR4 mRNA was expressed in 92% of growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (GHoma) and 81% of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), whereas SDF1 was identified in 63% and 78% of GHomas and NFPAs, respectively. Immunostaining for CXCR4 and SDF1 showed a strong homogenous labeling in all tumoral cells in both GHomas and NFPAs. In normal tissues, CXCR4 and SDF1 were expressed only in a subset of anterior pituitary cells, with a lower expression of SDF1 compared with its cognate receptor. CXCR4 and SDF1 were not confined to a specific cell population in the anterior pituitary but colocalized with discrete subpopulations of GH-, prolactin-, and adrenocorticorticotropic hormone–secreting cells. Conversely, most of the SDF1-containing cells expressed CXCR4. In six of eight pituitary adenoma primary cultures, SDF1 induced a statistically significant increase in DNA synthesis that was prevented by the treatment with the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 or somatostatin. Conclusions: CXCR4 and SDF1 are overexpressed in human pituitary adenomas and CXCR4 activation may contribute to pituitary cell proliferation and, possibly, to adenoma development `in humans.
The environmental impact of war.

Although the principles mentioned in the CMAJ editorial commemorating Remembrance Day are certainly commendable,[1][1] the article in the same issue by Jennifer Leaning reads like an apology for the real instigators of the miseries inflicted on the world since 1939. [2][2] Leaning writes about the
Polymerase chain reaction detection of adenovirus DNA sequences in human lymphocytes

Sequencias de DNA de adenovirus sao frequentemente encontradas em linfocitos humanos, tendo sido utilizadas para tal as tecnicas de PCR e "Southern blot". Isto e possivel apesar dessas celulas nao serem permissivas a replicacao de adenovirus, sugerindo persistencia do genoma viral. Para investigar esse fenomeno, procuramos detectar em voluntarios nao sintomaticos DNA adenoviral e expressao do gene E1A. Amostras de DNA obtidas de globulos brancos perifericos de 51 voluntarios, foram submetidas a PCR utilizando oligonucleotideos para uma sequencia conservada do gene hexon, seguindo-se uma "nested PCR". Sequencias de adenovirus foram encontradas em 27 amostras (52,9%). Depois de mais de um ano, novas amostras desses voluntarios positivos foram analisadas e em 70,8% dos casos o resultado foi mantido. Como isto poderia ser devido a persistencia, decidimos verificar se o gene precoce E1A estava relacionado analisando sua expressao atraves de RT-PCR. Os resultados foram negativos para todas as amostras. O par de oligonucleotideos desenvolvido para essa finalidade, que tem como alvo uma regiao conservada em E1A, permitiu detectar sequencias de adenovirus diretamente por PCR. A concordância encontrada entre essa analise e a pesquisa para o gene hexon foi de 84%. Nossos dados sugerem alta ocorrencia e persistencia de genoma adenoviral em linfocitos humanos, e indicam que uma regiao distinta de E1A e responsavel pela persistencia. Podemos tambem afirmar que a PCR para o gene E1A e uma boa opcao quando se quer detectar adenovirus, evitando-se o alto risco de contaminacao da "nested PCR" necessaria para identificar a presenca do gene hexon.
Accelerating response in geriatric depression: A pilot study combining sleep deprivation and paroxetine

Elderly depressed patients often require an average of 12 weeks of pharmacotherapy before attaining remission. The delay between treatment initiation and remission may decrease compliance and prolongs suffering; hence, interventions that decrease the time to onset of antidepressant activity are needed. Our objective was to evaluate, in an open trial, the use of one night of total sleep deprivation combined with paroxetine to accelerate antidepressant response in elderly patients. Thirteen elderly patients with major depression were sleep‐deprived for one night and started paroxetine on the night of recovery sleep. Patients were followed for twelve weeks, and clinical improvement was rated using the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and a version of the Hamilton modified for sleep deprivation studies. 8/13 (62%) patients experienced significant improvement of depressive symptoms by 2 weeks. Within 12 weeks 11/13 (85%) patients responded to the combination of sleep deprivation and paroxetine. Median response time was 2 weeks. Clinical response at 12 weeks was correlated with changes in Sleep Deprivation Depression Rating Scale Scores between baseline and recovery sleep. In an open trial, the combined use of total sleep deprivation and paroxetine appears to be an effective method for speeding the onset of clinical antidepressant activity in geriatric depression and for improving early recognition of non‐response. Depression and Anxiety 6:113–118, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Additional Winning Strategies in Reachability Games

In game theory, deciding whether a designed player wins a game amounts to check whether he has a winning strategy. However, there are several game settings in which knowing whether he has more than a winning strategy is also important. For example, this is crucial in deciding whether a game admits a unique Nash Equilibrium, or in planning a rescue as this would provide a backup plan. In this paper we study the problem of checking whether, in a two-player reachability game, a designed player has more than a winning strategy. We investigate this question both under perfect and imperfect information about the moves performed by the players. We provide an automata-based solution that results, in the perfect information setting, in a linear-time procedure; in the imperfect information setting, instead, it shows an exponential-time upper bound. In both cases, the results are tight.
Electroconvulsive Therapy in a Major Teaching Hospital: Diagnoses and Indications

The use of ECT over an eleven year period in the University of Alberta Hospitals is reviewed. Five percent of patients received ECT, the mean number of treatments per course was 5.2, and the most frequent type of treatment was bilateral ECT. Discharge diagnoses showed that three-quarters of the patients had affective psychoses and one-fifth were schizophrenic. All patients had had a mandatory consultation before treatment and the most frequent reasons for choosing ECT were given as: failed antidepressant treatment, previous good response to ECT, failure to respond to other treatment, uncontrollable delusions or psychotic behavior, acute suicidal risk requiring a rapid response, and adverse reaction to medication. The mandatory consultation process has worked well and has helped to clarify the situations where ECT may be used with benefit. It is hoped that this may assist those who may be responsible for defining guidelines for the use of ECT.
Surgical reconstruction of lost interdental papilla: a case report

Several reasons contribute to the loss of interdental papillae and establishment of ‘black triangles’ between teeth. Several non-surgical and surgical techniques have been proposed to treat soft tissue deformities and manage the interproximal space. Non-surgical approaches (orthodontic, prosthetic and restorative procedures) modify the interproximal space, thereby inducing modifications to the soft tissues. The surgical techniques aim to re-contour, preserve and reconstruct the soft tissue between the teeth. This case report demonstrates complete reconstruction of the papilla following a semilunar coronally repositioned papilla technique with 6 months follow-up. Damodharan Deepalakshmi, Ramakrishnan Swamy Ahathya, Sunitha Raja, Aravind Kumar