Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of graphene oxide nano-sheets and landfill leachate bacterial culture

ABSTRACT The interaction of graphene oxide (GO) and municipal landfill leachate bacterial culture was investigated. In aerobic conditions, stepwise addition of GO concentration to 60 mg/L increased the oxygen uptake rate coefficient. However, increasing the GO concentration to 100 mg/L slightly decreased the oxygen uptake rate coefficient. When anoxic conditions developed, GO suspensions decreased the total bacterial activity and the substrate consumption. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the chemical reduction of GO during exposure to bacteria; nonetheless, the extent of reduction in anoxic conditions was more than that in aerobic conditions. The chemical composition of landfill leachate showed to be able to also slightly reduce the GO after 10 days exposure, but the role of bacterial activity in the reduction process seemed to be dominant. As far as it could be seen under a light microscope, while the gram-positive bacteria were more vulnerable in anoxic assays, GO suspension did not affect the morphology and size of active cultures in the aerobic atmosphere.
Mortality and morbidity attributable to inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy in patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis: a matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES To determine the attributable mortality and excess length of stay (LOS) associated with the use of inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy in patients with sepsis at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS A retrospective matched cohort study was performed using a prospectively collected database at a 40 bed general ICU at a university public hospital. Patients who received inadequate antimicrobial therapy at admission to the ICU (exposed) were matched with controls (unexposed) on the basis of origin of sepsis, inflammatory response at admission, surgical or medical status, hospital- or community-acquired sepsis, APACHE II score (+/-2 points) and age (+/-10 years). Clinical outcome was assessed by in-hospital mortality, and this analysis was also performed in those pairs without nosocomial infection in the ICU. RESULTS Eighty-seven pairs were successfully matched. Fifty-nine exposed patients died [67.8% mortality (95% CI, 58.0-77.6%)] and 25 unexposed controls died [28.7% mortality (95% CI, 19.2-38.2%)] (P < 0.001). Excess in-hospital mortality was estimated to be 39.1%. The rate of nosocomial infection was significantly higher in patients with inadequate empirical therapy (16.1%) than in those treated empirically with adequate antibiotics (3.4%) (P = 0.013). Excess in-hospital mortality was 31.4% after excluding those 17 pairs that developed a nosocomial infection in the ICU. Inadequate antimicrobial therapy was associated with a significant increment in duration of hospitalization (15 days in surviving pairs). CONCLUSIONS Inadequate antimicrobial therapy at admission to the ICU with sepsis is associated with excess mortality and increases LOS.
Early childhood determinants of age at menarche in rural guatemala

The influence of early childhood determinants on age at menarche was investigated in a sample of Guatemalan women who participated as children in a nutrition intervention study conducted from 1969 to 1977. Age at menarche was retrospectively estimated in 1991 and 1992. Mean age at menarche was 13.7 (±1.3) years. Data on linear growth, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and energy intake from supplementation as well as home sources were available between birth and 7 years of age. Socioeconomic status (SES) data were collected in 1975. Four hundred and ninety‐seven women who had reached menarche by 1992 were grouped into three categories of stunting based on their height‐for‐age z‐scores (none, >−2.0; moderate, −2.0 SD to −3.0 SD; severe, <−3.0 SD relative to National Center for Health Statistics reference data) at 3 years of age. About 78% of the sample was moderately or severely stunted at 3 years of age. The group that was severely stunted in childhood reached menarche at 14.1 ± 1.4 years, significantly later than those who were moderately stunted (13.7 ± 1.2 years) or not stunted (13.5 ± 1.3 years). Using multiple linear regression methods, stunting was a significant predictor of age at menarche. Average energy intake (kcal/d) from home diet was associated with earlier menarche independent of preschool growth status. Percent time ill with diarrhea was positively associated with age at menarche. When the effects of diet, supplement, percent time ill with diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and SES were taken into account, the independent influence of stunting on age at menarche persisted and remained significant. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Normal People in Clinical Practice: A General Factor of Personality in Biproportional Scaling and Its Practical Relevance

To investigate the clinical relevance of absolute scaling in personality assessment, Hofstee and Ten Berge's (2004) biproportional scaling method was applied to 3 clinical samples and compared with relative scaling in traditional analyses. In the first sample, 80 psychotherapy clients provided self-reports as well as reports by 3 informants, resulting in 320 ratings of the Dutch short form of the MMPI (NVM). In the second sample, 96 psychotherapy clients provided self-reports and informant reports, resulting in 384 Five-Factor Personality Inventory (FFPI) ratings. In the third sample, 95 clients provided self-reports and informant reports, resulting in 380 ratings of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO–FFI). In Part I of the study, the personality structure based on biproportional scaling was examined by replicating Hofstee, Barelds, and Ten Berge (2006). In Part II, this personality structure as well as self-informant distances and self-informant likenesses were related to symptoms, personality pathology, and level of functioning. The results confirmed the presence of a general factor of personality in absolute scaling, which appears to reflect social fitness and the absence of severe psychopathology. This factor was significantly associated with fewer symptoms and better functioning in all 3 samples. The personality pathology results were only significant in the FFPI sample. Self-informant distance and self-informant likeness were primarily associated with symptoms. A relationship between poor social fitness and insecure early attachment was suggested in 3 case studies.
The genome landscape of ERα- and ERβ-binding DNA regions

In this article, we have applied the ChIP-on-chip approach to pursue a large scale identification of ERα- and ERβ-binding DNA regions in intact chromatin. We show that there is a high degree of overlap between the regions identified as bound by ERα and ERβ, respectively, but there are also regions that are bound by ERα only in the presence of ERβ, as well as regions that are selectively bound by either receptor. Analysis of bound regions shows that regions bound by ERα have distinct properties in terms of genome landscape, sequence features, and conservation compared with regions that are bound by ERβ. ERβ-bound regions are, as a group, located more closely to transcription start sites. ERα- and ERβ-bound regions differ in sequence properties, with ERα-bound regions having an overrepresentation of TA-rich motifs including forkhead binding sites and ERβ-bound regions having a predominance of classical estrogen response elements (EREs) and GC-rich motifs. Differences in the properties of ER bound regions might explain some of the differences in gene expression programs and physiological effects shown by the respective estrogen receptors.
International Spillovers of Monetary Policy: Conventional Policy vs. Quantitative Easing

This paper evaluates the popular view that quantitative easing exerts greater international spillovers than conventional monetary policies. We employ a novel approach to compare the international spillovers of conventional and balance sheet policies undertaken by the Federal Reserve. In principle, conventional monetary policy affects bond yields and financial conditions by affecting the expected path of short rates, while balance-sheet policy is believed act through the term premium. To distinguish the effects of these two types of policies we use a term structure model to decompose longer-term bond yields into expected short-term interest rates and term premiums. We then examine the relative effects of changes in these two components of yields on changes in exchange rates and foreign bond yields. We find that the dollar is more sensitive to expected short-term interest rates than to term premia; moreover, the rise in the sensitivity of the dollar to monetary policy announcements since the GFC owes more to an increased sensitivity of the dollar to expected interest rates than to term premiums. We also find that changes in short rates and term premiums have similar effects on foreign yields. All told, our findings contradict the popular view that quantitative easing exerts greater international spillovers than conventional monetary policies.
Photochemical treatment of platelet concentrates with amotosalen and long‐wavelength ultraviolet light inactivates a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria

BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of platelet (PLT) concentrates can result in transfusion‐transmitted sepsis. A photochemical treatment (PCT) process with amotosalen HCl and long‐wavelength ultraviolet light (UVA), which cross‐links nucleic acids, was developed to inactivate bacteria and other pathogens in PLT concentrates.
WCDMA HSDPA network performance with receive diversity and LMMSE chip equalization

More advanced receiver structures than the conventional single antenna Rake can be used to improve the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios, which is especially beneficial in order to utilize the high bit rates provided by the HSDPA concept in WCDMA network. In WCDMA system, orthogonal Walsh-Hadamard sequences are used as channelization codes. In frequency-selective fading channels the orthogonality of channelization codes disappears and intra-cell multiple access interference (MAI) arises. In order to mitigate the effect of MAI, a chip-level equalization has shown to be a simple and effective solution. The effectiveness of chip equalization, however, degrades at the cell borders where the inter-cell interference dominates rather than MAI. Dual antenna is a straight-forward solution to mitigate that performance drop. In this paper we consider receivers equipped with dual antenna and linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) chip-level equalizers and present an analysts of the expected gains over conventional single and dual antenna rake receivers in realistic situations by using a dynamic WCDMA system-level tool
Self-Discrepancy and Regulatory Fit in Avatar-Based Exergames

Drawing from Higgins's self-discrepancy theory and regulatory focus theory, this study examined the use of activated selves and regulatory foci in health games. Utilizing the Wii's® avatar-creating and exergaming features, a 2 (activated self: actual self versus ideal self) × 2 (regulatory focus: promotion versus prevention) × 2 (efficacy appeals: self-efficacy versus response-efficacy) between-subjects experiment tested the interactions of activated selves, regulatory foci, and efficacy appeals on low-calorie dieting intentions after health game playing. Results from an experiment with 156 participants demonstrated that a fit between regulatory focus and efficacy appeals induced greater dieting intentions when the actual self was activated while the opposite effect occurred when the ideal self was activated. Theoretical contributions to basic and applied social psychology as well as managerial implications for consumer behavior research are considered.
Heritability of Longitudinal Measures of Body Mass Index and Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels in Aging Twins

Abstract Body-mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels are known to be highly heritable. We evaluated the genetic and environmental relationships of these measures over time in an analysis of twin pairs. Monozygotic (235 pairs) and dizygotic (260 pairs) male twins were participants in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Veteran Twin Study, and were followed with three clinical exams from mean age 48 years to mean age 63 years. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with adjustment for APOE genotype (a significant contributor to TC and LDL-C) was used to assess longitudinal patterns of heritability. Results indicated a contribution of genetic factors to BMI, TC, LDL-C, HLD-C, and TG. Modest increases over time were observed in the heritability of BMI (from 0.48 to 0.61), TC (from 0.46 to 0.57), LDL-C (from 0.49 to 0.64), and HDL-C (from 0.50 to 0.62), but this trend was not present for TG. There was a corresponding decrease in shared environmental influences over time for these traits, although shared environment was a significant contributor only for HDL-C. Moreover, we observed that genetic influences for all measures were significantly correlated over time, and we found no evidence of age-specific genetic effects. In summary, longitudinal analyses of twin data indicate that genetic factors do not account for a significant proportion of the variation in age-related changes of BMI or lipid and lipoprotein levels.
Structural insights into the roles of the IcmS–IcmW complex in the type IVb secretion system of Legionella pneumophila

Significance Type IVb secretion systems are crucial for the pathogenesis of Legionella pneumophila and Coxiella burnetii. IcmS and IcmW are known as adaptor proteins for the Legionella T4BSS and regulate the translocation of many virulent effector proteins into host cells. However, the mechanism by which IcmS–IcmW recognizes its substrates and facilitates their delivery is unclear. We performed structural and biochemical analyses of the IcmS–IcmW complex. We found that the IcmS–IcmW complex harbors a distinct structure and binds its cognate effectors via an extended hydrophobic surface. IcmS–IcmW also functions as an inseparable partner of DotL to assemble a unique type IV coupling protein complex. Our results provide mechanistic insights into the dual roles of the IcmS–IcmW complex in T4BSSs. The type IVb secretion system (T4BSS) of Legionella pneumophila is a multiple-component apparatus that delivers ∼300 virulent effector proteins into host cells. The injected effectors modulate host cellular processes to promote bacterial infection and proliferation. IcmS and IcmW are two conserved small, acidic adaptor proteins that form a binary complex to interact with many effectors and facilitate their translocation. IcmS and IcmW can also interact with DotL, an ATPase of the type IV coupling protein complex (T4CP). However, how IcmS–IcmW recognizes effectors, and what the roles of IcmS–IcmW are in T4BSSs are unclear. In this study, we found that IcmS and IcmW form a 1:1 heterodimeric complex to bind effector substrates. Both IcmS and IcmW adopt new structural folds and have no structural similarities with known effector chaperones. IcmS has a compact global structure with an α/β fold, while IcmW adopts a fully α-folded, relatively loose architecture. IcmS stabilizes IcmW by binding to its two C-terminal α-helices. Photocrosslinking assays revealed that the IcmS–IcmW complex binds its cognate effectors via an extended hydrophobic surface, which can also interact with the C terminus of DotL. A crystal structure of the DotL–IcmS–IcmW complex reveals extensive and highly stable interactions between DotL and IcmS–IcmW. Moreover, IcmS–IcmW recruits LvgA to DotL and assembles a unique T4CP. These data suggest that IcmS–IcmW also functions as an inseparable integral component of the DotL–T4CP complex in the bacterial inner membrane. This study provides molecular insights into the dual roles of the IcmS–IcmW complex in T4BSSs.
Understanding the antagonism of retinoblastoma protein dephosphorylation by PNUTS provides insights into the PP1 regulatory code

Significance Dephosphorylation of the tumor-suppressor retinoblastoma protein (Rb) leads to its activation. Our structure of the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) nuclear targeting subunit (PNUTS):PP1 holoenzyme reveals how this reaction is regulated: PNUTS and Rb compete for an identical binding site on PP1. Because PP1 binds PNUTS 400-fold more strongly than Rb, when PNUTS is present, Rb is not dephosphorylated. However, when PNUTS levels are reduced, PP1 binds and dephosphorylates Rb, leading to its activation. This structure also led to the identification of additional common PP1 binding motifs, allowing us to predict how a quarter of the known PP1 regulators bind to PP1. This result is a key advance for understanding the regulation of PP1, which controls >50% of all dephosphorylation reactions. The serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) dephosphorylates hundreds of key biological targets by associating with nearly 200 regulatory proteins to form highly specific holoenzymes. However, how these proteins direct PP1 specificity and the ability to predict how these PP1 interacting proteins bind PP1 from sequence alone is still missing. PP1 nuclear targeting subunit (PNUTS) is a PP1 targeting protein that, with PP1, plays a central role in the nucleus, where it regulates chromatin decondensation, RNA processing, and the phosphorylation state of fundamental cell cycle proteins, including the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), p53, and MDM2. The molecular function of PNUTS in these processes is completely unknown. Here, we show that PNUTS, which is intrinsically disordered in its free form, interacts strongly with PP1 in a highly extended manner. Unexpectedly, PNUTS blocks one of PP1’s substrate binding grooves while leaving the active site accessible. This interaction site, which we have named the arginine site, allowed us to define unique PP1 binding motifs, which advances our ability to predict how more than a quarter of the known PP1 regulators bind PP1. Additionally, the structure shows how PNUTS inhibits the PP1-mediated dephosphorylation of critical substrates, especially Rb, by blocking their binding sites on PP1, insights that are providing strategies for selectively enhancing Rb activity.
Discounting and intragenerational equity

Abstract We study the social discount rate, taking into account inequality within generations, that is, across countries or individuals. We show that if inequality decreases over time, the social discount rate should be lower than the one obtained by the standard Ramsey rule under certain but reasonable conditions. Applied to the global discount rate and due to the projected convergence across countries, this implies that the inequality adjusted discount rate should be about twice as high as the standard Ramsey rule predicts. For individual countries on the other hand, where inequality tends to increase over time, the effect goes in the other direction. For the United States for instance, this inequality effect leads to a reduction of the social discount rate by about 0.5 to 1 percentage points. We also present an analytical formula for the social discount rate allowing us to disentangle inequality, risk, and intertemporal fluctuation aversion.
Loneliness and the health of older people

The intense focus on major psychiatric disorders in both contemporary psychiatric research and clinical practice has resulted in the relative neglect of less definable constructs such as loneliness and how such entities might impact on health outcomes. The purpose of this review is to raise awareness among physicians and psychiatrists of the medical impact and biological effects of loneliness as well as making the argument that loneliness should be a legitimate therepeutic target.
The Constituents of Neonatal Milk

Summary: The electrolyte, lactose, total protein and lipid composition of neonatal milk has been examined. Electrolyte values were similar to those found in maternal milk; the sodium concentration of milk from one infant with adrenal insufficiency and two infants with cystic fibrosis were normal. Inflammation of the breast was associated with high sodium and low potassium values. The concentrations of lactose and total protein were similar to maternal milk.Neonatal milk contained significant amounts of fat with a full range of fatty acids. Total fat concentration was less but the relative amount of shorter chain fatty acids was greater than in maternal milk. Milk from malnourished newborns contained less fat than the secretion of healthy infants. Total milk fat level appeared to increase with postnatal age.It is concluded that the neonatal breast produces a complex secretion, that neonatal milk is indeed a ‘true milk’. The study of neonatal milk sheds light on the physiology of lactation and on metabolic processes in the newborn.Speculation: Neonatal development of the mammary gland is of considerable theoretical interest. Its study may well improve our understanding of factors influencing the growth and function of the breast in later life. It may also provide useful information in various clinical states, for the majority of infants have breast enlargement after birth and secrete milk. The value of analysing the milk as an aid to diagnosis has not been explored.
Motivations and barriers for corporate social responsibility engagement: Evidence from the Tanzanian tourism industry

This study explores the institutional forces behind the uptake of corporate social responsibility in the Tanzanian tourism industry. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 40 managers of tourism businesses. We identify six main motivations for businesses’ engaging in corporate social responsibility: maintaining social legitimacy; influence of the parent company; meeting community expectations; attracting tourists; caring for the environment; and the personal values of managers. Barriers to engagement with responsible practices include conflict with local communities over resource use and a tax and regulatory regime that hinders the growth of tourism businesses. Using institutional theory as our analytical framework, the paper indicates that understanding embedded local institutional conditions is critical not only in shaping the uptake of responsible tourism practices but also in enhancing businesses legitimacy and social license to operate.
A seroepidemiological study on toxoplasmosis.

Using the microparticle capture enzyme-immunoassay (MEIA) based on IMx technology (Abbott), we determined the current prevalence of toxoplasmosis in 784 pregnant women followed up during 1990, and in 1,839 randomly selected blood donors. They all came from the Brabant Wallon area and the South-East of Brussels. Specimens yielding low IgG immunity (6-15 units) [corrected], were further tested with a sensitive direct agglutination assay (Toxo-Screen DA, bioMerieux). Overall, the prevalence was 67% among blood donors and 50% in pregnant women. In blood donors, the prevalence in women was not statistically different from the prevalence in men: X2 = 2.95 NS. In the two populations, a progressive age-related increasing prevalence of up to 60% for pregnant women and 77% for blood donors was observed. In females, the prevalence was higher among female blood donors than among pregnant women: 63% versus 50%, X2 = 16, P < 0.001. However, when the prevalences were compared within three age subgroups of women (< or = 33 yrs, 34 to 41 yrs, > or = 42 yrs), there were no statistically significant differences between pregnant women and blood donors. Thus, the overall observed difference was due to an age effect. Therefore, the distribution of IgG titers was established in each of the six age and sex subgroups. The 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of those distributions ranged between 14 IU and 20 IU, 24 IU and 35 IU, and 40 IU and 64 IU, respectively. The annual seroconversion rate was 0.8% in pregnant women, against 0.2% amongst non-immune blood donors over 3 months. In conclusion, our findings confirm the general prevalence of 50% of toxoplasmosis and an annual seroconversion rate of 0.8% in these two populations.