Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KU- and X-band backscatter analysis and SWE retrieval for Alpine snow

Spatial and temporal characteristics of Ku- and X-band backscatter signatures of Alpine snow are discussed and related to in situ snow observations. The radar data have been acquired with the airborne SnowSAR sensor over three test sites in the Austrian Alps during the AlpSAR campaign in winter 2012/13. An example for inversion of backscatter images in terms of snow water equivalent (SWE) is presented. The backscatter signatures of three test sites in different elevation zones show significant differences in terms of mean values and temporal trends during the winter season. These variations can be attributed to snow structure and to properties of the medium below the snow pack.
Cofolding Organizes Alfalfa Mosaic Virus RNA and Coat Protein for Replication

Alfalfa mosaic virus genomic RNAs are infectious only when the viral coat protein binds to the RNA 3′ termini. The crystal structure of an alfalfa mosaic virus RNA-peptide complex reveals that conserved AUGC repeats and Pro-Thr-x-Arg-Ser-x-x-Tyr coat protein amino acids cofold upon interacting. Alternating AUGC residues have opposite orientation, and they base pair in different adjacent duplexes. Localized RNA backbone reversals stabilized by arginine-guanine interactions place the adenosines and guanines in reverse order in the duplex. The results suggest that a uniform, organized 3′ conformation, similar to that found on viral RNAs with transfer RNA–like ends, may be essential for replication.
The study of control design method

This paper presents the robustness of the coefficient diagram method (CDM) which has been developed recently [Manabe, S, 1994]. We are supposed to approach the goal through comparative studies of several design methods. These consist of two parts: the first part is of competitive comparisons of classical controller design methods such as ITAE, LQR, and dominant second order pole placement, the second part is to compare the CDM with a H/sup /spl infin// design. These comparisons are carried out in parameter space, root space and frequency domain and parametric uncertainties in both plant and controller are considered. We show that the CDM has some significant characteristics in robustness viewpoints. The results can be referred as a background when we want to choose a design method.
An approximate string matching algorithm for content-based music data retrieval

An approach for content based music data retrieval is proposed. In this approach, thematic feature strings, such as melody strings, rhythm strings, and chord strings are extracted from the original music objects and treated as the meta data to represent their contents. The problem of content based music data retrieval is then transformed into the string matching problem. A new approximate string matching algorithm is also proposed which provides fault tolerance ability according to the music characteristics. To show the efficiency of the algorithm, a set of experiments are performed to compare with the agrep and the fgrep utility on both synthetic and real music data.
Comparison between cartilage and fascia grafts in type 1 tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVES We retrospectively analysed long-term hearing results and graft take rates in our cases with both temporalis muscle fascia and the cartilage island technique. METHODOLOGY Between September 2000 and October 2011, a total of 489 patients underwent cartilage tympanoplasty, while 318 patients had tympanoplasty using fascia. In this study we included patients with a follow-up period of at least 3 years. Exclusion criteria were ossicular chain defects, cholesteatoma, otorrhoea, middle ear granulation or effusion, and a history of middle ear surgery. RESULTS The cartilage group consisted of 49 patients, with 28 patients being included in the fascia group. Both air conduction hearing thresholds and air bone gaps improved significantly in both groups. However, no statistical significance was found between the results for the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Our study concurs with many others in the literature, clearly indicating that cartilage produces hearing results that are comparable to temporalis muscle fascia grafts.
Chemical constituents and allelopathic and antioxidant activities of Alchorneopsis floribunda Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

Chemical investigation of extracts from the stems and leaves of Alchorneopsis floribunda Müll. Arg. , collected in the Amazon region, was performed. The main isolated compounds were triterpenes (α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, betulin, betulinic acid, uvaol, erythrodiol and oleanolic acid) and phenolic acid derivatives from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (gallic and protocatechuic acids and isocorilagin). In the germination assays, high inhibitory allelopathic effects of the extracts and isocorilagin were observed and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of isocorilagin was higher than those of the standards used (Trolox and butylated hydroxyanisole). This is the first chemical study of the genus Alchorneopsis (Euphorbiaceae).
Delay in Surgical Débridement of Open Tibia Fractures: An Analysis of National Practice Trends

Background: Débridement and irrigation (D&I) of open tibia fractures less than 6 hours from the time of injury has been promoted as orthopaedic dogma despite limited evidence. The goal of this study was to determine the duration between emergency room presentation and D&I in open tibia fractures and to examine factors associated with delay in treatment. Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank Version 3.0 identified 6099 blunt trauma patients with open tibia fractures. Time was calculated from emergency room arrival to first D&I. Risk factors associated with delay in treatment greater than 6 hours and greater than 24 hours were then calculated using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Results: Median time to D&I was 4.9 hours. Forty-two percent of patients with open tibia fractures experienced a delay in treatment of greater than 6 hours and 24% of patients experienced a delay to treatment of greater than 24 hours. Risk factors associated with greater than 6- and 24-hour delay on univariate and multivariate logistic regression were age, head or thoracic injury with Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 2, and presentation between 6 pm and 2 am. Level I and university hospitals carry a greater risk of delay that was independent of injury severity in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: A significant percentage of patients with open tibia fractures undergo their first surgical intervention of D&I greater than 6 hours after presentation to the emergency room. Patients with delayed D&I have more severe injuries, are treated at university or Level I centers, and present later in the day.
Structural basis of human PR/SET domain 9 (PRDM9) allele C–specific recognition of its cognate DNA sequence

PRDM9 is the only mammalian gene that has been associated with speciation. The PR/SET domain 9 (PRDM9) protein is a major determinant of meiotic recombination hot spots and acts through sequence-specific DNA binding via its C2H2 zinc finger (ZF) tandem array, which is highly polymorphic within and between species. The most common human variant, PRDM9 allele A (PRDM9a), contains 13 fingers (ZF1–13). Allele C (PRDM9c) is the second-most common among African populations and differs from PRDM9a by an arginine-to-serine change (R764S) in ZF9 and by replacement of ZF11 with two other fingers, yielding 14 fingers in PRDM9c. Here we co-crystallized the six-finger fragment ZF8–13 of PRDM9c, in complex with an oligonucleotide representing a known PRDM9c-specific hot spot sequence, and compared the structure with that of a characterized PRDM9a-specific complex. There are three major differences. First, Ser764 in ZF9 allows PRDM9c to accommodate a variable base, whereas PRDM9a Arg764 recognizes a conserved guanine. Second, the two-finger expansion of ZF11 allows PRDM9c to recognize three-base-pair-longer sequences. A tryptophan in the additional ZF interacts with a conserved thymine methyl group. Third, an Arg–Asp dipeptide immediately preceding the ZF helix, conserved in two PRDM9a fingers and three PRDM9c fingers, permits adaptability to variations from a C:G base pair (G–Arg interaction) to a G:C base pair (C–Asp interaction). This Arg–Asp conformational switch allows identical ZF modules to recognize different sequences. Our findings illuminate the molecular mechanisms for flexible and conserved binding of human PRDM9 alleles to their cognate DNA sequences.
A new aspect of transcriptional control of the Escherichia coli crp gene: positive autoregulation

Transcription of the Escherichia coli crp gene is negatively regulated by CRP–cAMP that binds to a specific site located downstream of the crp promoter. A second binding site for CRP–cAMP (CRP site II) exists upstream of the crp promoter. Using an in vitro transcription assay, we have demonstrated that CRP‐cAMP activates transcription of crp in certain conditions. A promoter which carries an altered CRP‐binding site II is no longer activated by CRP–cAMP, indicating that CRP site II mediates the activation of crp transcription. The concentrations of cAMP that are required for positive autoregulation are higher than those for negative autoregulation. Evidence for positive and negative autoregulation in vivo is presented by a quantitative S1 nuclease analysis.
What makes maternity teams effective and safe? Lessons from a series of research on teamwork, leadership and team training

We describe lessons for safety from a synthesis of seven studies of teamwork, leadership and team training across a healthcare region. Two studies identified successes and challenges in a unit with embedded team training: a staff survey demonstrated a positive culture but a perceived need for greater senior presence; training improved actual emergency care, but wide variation in team performance remained. Analysis of multicenter simulation records showed that variation in patient safety and team efficiency correlated with their teamwork but not individual knowledge, skills or attitudes. Safe teams tended to declare the emergency earlier, hand over in a more structured way, and use closed‐loop communication. Focused and directed communication was also associated with better patient‐actor perception of care. Focus groups corroborated these findings, proposed that the capability and experience of the leader is more important than seniority, and identified teamwork and leadership issues that require further research.
Targeted therapies in small-cell lung cancer

Small-cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of lung cancer that, overall, remains the most common cause of cancer death in the US. Some advances have been made in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer using cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents but no truly targeted therapies are available as of yet. At present, research is focused on finding therapies that can target the specific molecular mechanisms responsible for the survival, growth and metastasis of the tumor thereby improving responses to chemotherapy and minimizing toxicity. Several new agents, such as angiogenesis inhibitors and regulators of apoptosis, have reached clinical testing and multiple others are in preclinical trials. Some of these will be discussed in this review.
Clinical Use of Infliximab Trough Levels and Antibodies to Infliximab in Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives: Optimizing infliximab (IFX) treatment in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by using serum infliximab (S-IFX) trough levels and antibodies to IFX is recommended. There is need for studies assessing this strategy in clinical practice. Methods: We retrospectively identified all pediatric patients with IBD (n = 146, median age 14.8 years) treated with IFX at our tertiary referral center from 2003 to 2014. All were analyzed for IFX trough levels (S-IFX, n = 475), and IFX antibody (IFX-Ab, n = 219) titers were included. Both were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We correlated these parameters with concurrently analyzed fecal calprotectin levels and the treatment outcome. Results: If IFX had no efficacy, or a loss of response occurred, 40 of 64 (63%) had trough levels <2.0 mg/L, with negative IFX-Ab in 37 of 59 (63%). If the S-IFX was very low (<0.2 mg/L), 4 of 36 still had negative IFX-Ab. Concurrent azathioprine therapy did not relate to IFX-Ab. Fecal calprotectin was significantly lower in patients with clinical remission or ongoing therapy compared with those with subsequent loss of efficacy: medians 95 &mgr;g/g (33–308) and 670 &mgr;g/g (264–1473), P < 0.0001. The S-IFX median was substantially higher in patients with either remission or ongoing therapy, compared with those with no or loss of efficacy: 3.7 mg/L (1.8–5.4) and 1.2 mg/L (0.03–4.4, P = 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: Measuring IFX trough levels and fecal calprotectin has a potential impact on the treatment strategies and should be included in clinical routine. Low IFX trough levels associate with increased antibodies to IFX in most, but not in all cases.
The nephrologist in the HAART era.

There is evidence that HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) can be prevented and its progression slowed by HAART. More than 20 antiretroviral drugs and drug combinations are available, and life expectancy of HIVinfected individuals is now measured in decades. However, it is likely that more indolent forms of HIVAN remain common in the HAART era, predisposing patients to nephrotoxicity from HAART and related therapies. Indeed, the prevalence of acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease appears to be increasing among HIV-infected patients in the United States [1,2], and kidney disease has emerged as an important predictor of mortality [2,3]. Adverse effects of antiviral treatments should be considered, including their long-term renal toxicity and their role in renal scarring after acute adverse events. In addition, the burden of comorbid chronic kidney disease is likely to increase with ageing of the HIVinfected cohort, continued growth of the epidemic among susceptible minorities and increasing prevalence of HAART-related metabolic abnormalities. In this population of patients, evaluation of renal disorders and prevention of evolution toward chronic renal failure are a crucial challenge.
Multiple sclerosis in stepsiblings: recurrence risk and ascertainment

Reports implicating specific transmissible agents in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility continue to appear. We therefore re-evaluated MS risk in 687 stepsiblings of 19 746 MS index cases. We found the risk of MS to be indistinguishable from that of the general population after diagnostic verification. These results are coherent with studies of adopted children, half siblings and conjugals, showing no risk attributable to the familial microenvironment. This family based genetic epidemiological approach found no trace of transmissibility other than genetic from one affected individual to another in the high prevalence area of Canada. This adds to existing data showing that the action of environment in influencing MS risk is operative at a population level.
Topical Review: Skin Infections in the Foot and Ankle Patient

There are numerous cutaneous disorders that affect the foot, but of these conditions skin infections have the most significant impact on overall patient morbidity and clinical outcome. Skin infections in foot and ankle patients are common, with often devastating consequences if left unrecognized and untreated in both surgical and nonsurgical cases. There is a diverse array of infectious dermatoses that afflict the foot and ankle patient including tinea pedis, onychomycosis, paronychia, pitted keratolysis, verruca, folliculitis, and erysipelas. Prompt diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of these common infectious conditions are critical in managing these dermatoses that can potentially progress to form deep abscesses and osteomyelitis. Infections can be managed with a combination of ventilated shoewear and synthetic substances to keep the feet dry, topical and oral antimicrobial agents, and patient education regarding preventative hygiene measures. The purpose of this review is to aid foot and ankle surgeons and other physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious dermatoses affecting the foot.
Prevalence of anterior knee pain in 20-40 years old adults attending ortho OPD in a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu

Objective: To measure the prevalence of anterior knee pain among the adults between 20-40 years and study the gender differences, if any, on this condition. Methods: The sample were taken from those who attended Ortho OPD for various musculoskeletal disorders. All the participants were asked to complete the Anterior Knee Pain Questionnaire (AKPQ), a functional outcome tool developed to document symptoms of AKP. Total subjects involved were N-968. Among them, the Males were 462 and the Females were 506. Results: Twenty nine per cent (N -281) of the respondents reported positive for anterior knee pain. Of these, 30% (N-152) were females and 28% (N-129) were males. Majority took, on average, three months to seek medical advice. The prevalence of anterior knee pain was slightly higher amongst females (30%) compared the same age males (28%). Conclusion: Anterior knee pain is common amongst active young adults of age between 20 and 40 years and it affects approximately one third of this active productive population group. Participation in certain work-related physical activity increases the likelihood of anterior knee pain, which in turn limits their physical activities and reduces the productivity.
Defining Web 3.0: opportunities and challenges

The purpose of this study is to define Web 3.0 and discuss the underlying technologies, identify new opportunities and highlight potential challenges that are associated with the evolution to Web 3.0 technologies. ,A non-empirical study reviewing papers published in accredited research journals, articles and whitepapers and websites was conducted. To add scientific rigour to a literature review, a four-stage approach, as suggested by Sylvester et al. (2011), was used. ,The World Wide Web (henceforth referred to as the Web) is recognised as the fastest growing publication medium of all time. To stay competitive, it is crucial to stay up to date with technological trends. The Web matures in its own unique way. From the static informative characteristics of Web 1.0, it progressed into the interactive experience Web 2.0 provides. The next phase of Web evolution, Web 3.0, is already in progress. Web 3.0 entails an integrated Web experience where the machine will be able to understand and catalogue data in a manner similar to humans. This will facilitate a world wide data warehouse where any format of data can be shared and understood by any device over any network. The evolution of the Web will bring forth new opportunities and challenges. Opportunities identified can mainly be characterised as the autonomous integration of data and services which increase the pre-existing capabilities of Web services, as well as the creation of new functionalities. The challenges mainly concern unauthorised access and manipulation of data, autonomous initiation of actions and the development of harmful scripts and languages. ,The findings will assist data managers to identify future opportunities while considering negative impacts and understanding the underlying technologies associated with the structure and storage of electronic information. The research will assist anyone in the data and information management industry to identify opportunities and mitigate risk. ,Many organisations were caught off guard by the evolution of the Web to Web 2.0. Organisations, and in particular anyone in the data and information management industry, need to be ready and acquire knowledge about the opportunities and challenges arising from Web 3.0 technologies.
Cardiovascular Disorders of Turner's Syndrome: A Review

Cardiovascular Disorders of Turner's Syndrome: A Review A series of cardiovascular abnormalities may be associated with Turner's Syndrome (TS). Over 50% of the reported cardiovascular malformations have been bicuspid aortic valve or coarctation of the aorta alone. or in a combination, which may lead to a higher risk for infective endocarditis. Isolated dilation of the ascending aorta was often seen in TS, while aortic dissection has been increasingly observed in recent years. The aortic root dilation was found more likely to be due to a mesenchymal defect rather than atherosclerotic changes. Women with TS are often hypertensive as a result of aortic abnormality or renal vascular disorder. They have an increased risk of developing neoplasms, such as gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma, and therefore they may require regular monitoring while receiving hormone therapy. In patients with gonadal dysgenesis, exogenous estrogen treatment poses a problem of connective tissue disorders of the great vessels. To resolve the contradiction between exogenous estrogen therapies and the hold-up of the progression of the connective tissue abnormality is a topic to be coped with. Careful clinical assessment is mandatory in the evaluation of patients with TS with cardiovascular abnormalities.
Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance patterns and trends in a tuberculosis referral hospital, 1997–2009

SUMMARY Information about the changing epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in hospitals in China over the past decade remains largely unknown. This study examined the susceptibility patterns and trends of drug-resistant TB cases in the 309 Hospital in Beijing, China. Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were retrospectively identified, drug susceptibility test (DST) results and clinical data were analysed for the period 1997–2009. Of the 5523 culture-positive TB patients, 47·1% had resistance to any anti-TB drug, 14·8% had mono-resistant TB, 19·8% had poly-resistant TB, 19·4% had multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and 1·3% had extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Drug-resistant TB was significantly associated with age group, residential situation, and TB treatment history (P<0·001). During 1997–2000, the percentage of TB patients with any resistance, mono-resistant TB, poly-resistant TB, MDR-TB and XDR-TB all increased significantly (P<0·001). During 2000–2003, the increasing trends of MDR-TB and XDR-TB cases were reversed. During 2004–2009, the percentage of TB patients with any resistance, mono-resistant TB, poly-resistant TB, MDR-TB and XDR-TB all declined significantly (P<0·001), but the prevalence of MDR-TB and poly-resistant TB cases remained high. Our study provides evidence demonstrating that intensive TB control measures have helped reverse the increasing trends of drug-resistant TB in China, but continuous surveillance of drug-resistant TB and better case management are still needed to further reduce the remaining high prevalence of drug-resistant TB.
Multiple Resting‐State Networks Are Associated With Tremors and Cognitive Features in Essential Tremor

The heterogeneous clinical features of essential tremor indicate that the dysfunctions of this syndrome are not confined to motor networks, but extend to nonmotor networks. Currently, these neural network dysfunctions in essential tremor remain unclear. In this study, independent component analysis of resting‐state functional MRI was used to study these neural network mechanisms.