Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen‐cycling bacteria and archaea in the carbonate sediment of a coral reef

In the coarse‐grained carbonate sediments of coral reefs, advective porewater flow and the respiration of organic matter establish redox zones that are the scene of microbially mediated transformations of N compounds. To investigate the geobiology of N cycling in reef sediments, the benthic microbiota of Checker Reef in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, were surveyed for candidate nitrate reducers, ammonifying nitrite reducers, aerobic and anaerobic ammonia oxidizers (anammox) by identifying phylotypes of their key metabolic genes (napA, narG, nrfA, amoA) and ribotypes (unique RNA sequences) of anammox‐like 16S rRNA. Putative proteobacteria with the catalytic potential for nitrate reduction were identified in oxic, interfacial and anoxic habitats. The estimated richness of napA (≥202 in anoxic sediment) and narG (≥373 and ≥441 in oxic and interfacial sediment, respectively) indicates a diverse guild of nitrate reducers. The guild of nrfA hosts in interfacial reef sediment was dominated by Vibrio species. The identified members of the aerobic ammonium oxidizing guild (amoA hosts) were Crenarchaeota or close relatives of Nitrosomonadales. Putative anammox bacteria were detected in the RNA pool of Checker Reef sediment. More than half of these ribotypes show ≥90% identity with homologous sequences of Scalindua spp. , while no evidence was found for members of the genera Brocadia or Kuenenia. In addition to exploring the diversity of these four nitrogen‐cycling microbial guilds in coral reef sediments, the abundances of aerobic ammonium oxidizers (amoA), nitrite oxidizers (nxrAB), ammonifying nitrite reducers (nrfA) and denitrifiers (nosZ) were estimated using real‐time PCR. Representatives of all targeted guilds were detected, suggesting that most processes of the biogeochemical N cycle can be catalyzed by the benthic microbiota of tropical coral reefs.
Estimating Confidence intervals of Likelihood Ratios

Similarly, confidence intervals are gaining importance as a method for describing study results.5. 6 Confidence intervals portray the precision of any measurement. For example, if the average weight in a study group is 150, the 95% confidence interval might range from 135 to 165. The confidence interval gives one a perception of the precision of the weight estimate. Diamond directed attention to estimating confidence intervals of sensitivity and specificity. 7,1 Simel and colleagues have addressed a solution to estimating the confidence intervals of the likelihood ratio. ’ This technical note extends Simel’s observations and reviews the statistical literature that applies to this problem.
Humoral immune responses induced by Gymnorhynchus gigas extracts in BALB/c mice

The aim of this study was to determine if the plerocercoid larvae of Gymnorhynchus gigas, a common cestode of the ray’s bream (Brama raii), possess antigenic compounds potentially capable of provoking anaphylactic episodes. A murine experimental model, using BALB/c mice, was developed to study the humoral immune response induced by G. gigas extracts. A highly specific humoral immune response was detected and cross-reactions were not observed between parasite and host antigens. The presence of IgM and IgG3 levels suggest the presence of thymus-independent antigens in the parasitic extract. The IgG antibody class showed the highest levels, with the IgG1 the predominant subclass. These IgG1 levels are in accordance with the supposed presence of a type I allergic reaction after the ingestion of G. gigas plerocercoids parasitizing fish, as well as inducing anaphylaxia in fish. These results indicate that somatic products released from ingested larvae of G. gigas could induce the development of a Th2 response capable of causing allergic disorders.
Survey on Perspectives of Pursuing a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Purpose: The communication sciences and disorders (CSD) field has a critical shortage of PhD students and faculty. This study examined master's in speech-language pathology and doctorate of audiology students' and faculty's perspectives regarding reasons students do or do not pursue a PhD as well as stu- dents' perceptions of a faculty career and lifestyle. Ad- ditionally, students' responses were compared to SLPs' responses from Madison, Guy, and Koch (2004). Method: Two online surveys were sent to 279 stu- dents and faculty, of which 73 replied. Results: Students almost evenly responded that yes they planned or no they did not plan to obtain a PhD. Aspects of teaching and mentoring motivated students to obtain a PhD, but the requirement of developing research projects strongly deterred them
Clinical characteristics and outcome of Spanish patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) at presentation, in a wide cohort of Spanish patients, and to analyze the impact of the vasculitis type, ANCA specificity, prognostic factors, and treatments administered at diagnosis, in the outcome. A total of 450 patients diagnosed between January 1990 and January 2014 in 20 Hospitals from Spain were included. Altogether, 40.9% had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 37.1% microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and 22% eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). The mean age at diagnosis was 55.6 ± 17.3 years, patients with MPA being significantly older (P < 0.001). Fever, arthralgia, weight loss, respiratory, and ear–nose–throat (ENT) symptoms, were the most common at disease onset. ANCAs tested positive in 86.4% of cases: 36.2% C-ANCA-PR3 and 50.2% P-ANCA-MPO. P-ANCA-MPO was significantly associated with an increased risk for renal disease (OR 2.6, P < 0.001) and alveolar hemorrhage (OR 2, P = 0.010), while C-ANCA-PR3 was significantly associated with an increased risk for ENT (OR 3.4, P < 0.001) and ocular involvement (OR 2.3, P = 0.002). All patients received corticosteroids (CS) and 74.9% cyclophosphamide (CYC). The median follow-up was 82 months (IQR 100.4). Over this period 39.9% of patients suffered bacterial infections and 14.6% opportunistic infections, both being most prevalent in patients with high-cumulated doses of CYC and CS (P < 0.001). Relapses were recorded in 36.4% of cases with a mean rate of 2.5 ± 2.3, and were more frequent in patients with C-ANCA-PR3 (P = 0.012). The initial disease severity was significantly associated with mortality but not with the occurrence of relapses. One hundred twenty-nine (28.7%) patients (74 MPA, 41 GPA, 14 EGPA) died. The mean survival was 58 months (IQR 105) and was significantly lower for patients with MPA (P < 0.001). Factors independently related to death were renal involvement (P = 0.010), cardiac failure (P = 0.029) and age over 65 years old (P < 0.001) at disease onset, and bacterial infections (P < 0.001). An improved outcome with significant decrease in mortality and treatment-related morbidity was observed in patients diagnosed after 2000, and was related to the implementation of less toxic regimens adapted to the disease activity and stage, and a drastic reduction in the cumulated CYC and CS dose.
Composition and sensory analysis for quality evaluation of a typical Italian cheese: influence of ripening period.

n = 12) and an established cheese flavour sensory language. In quantitative descriptive analysis a trained panel rated the cheeses for colour, odour, taste and texture. In the affective tests the panellists evaluated the samples for overall quality. The results proved that months of production had significant effects on the sensory quality of the cheeses.
A Grid QoS Provision Solution for PGAS based on MetaService and CCM

This paper mainly focuses on solution to QoS provision in power grid analysis system (PGAS) which is an improvement for the electric power information system. The solution consists of two parts. The first part is the grid QoS provision model for PGAS based on metaservices and CCM. The model is proposed based on requirement of data-intensive QoS guaranteed grid systems. The second part is an adaptive scheduling algorithm which handles two types of tasks (with/without QoS guarantee tasks) in PGAS. Simulations of two types of tasks based on GridSim show the results of our solution can meet various QoS requirements of users in PGAS and the scheduling algorithm take good effect.
Haematological cancer patients: achieving a sense of empowerment by use of strategies to control illness.

BACKGROUND The role that empowerment plays through involving haematological cancer patients and their families in their treatment and care is undeniable. It encompasses the implementation of various strategies to achieve a sense of empowerment. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This phenomenological study sought to identify core strategies used by cancer patients regardless of their illness stage and prognosis who exhibited a strong sense of empowerment in coping with their condition. DESIGN A phenomenological approach using an in depth interviewing technique was used to identify the common factors which patients and spouses believed could enable them to achieve a measure of control in managing their illness. These measures were referred to as coping strategies. METHODS It was decided to conduct a purposive study and re-interview seven of 12 patients who had previously participated in a pilot Haematology Shared Care project and who had developed a high level of ability in coping with their illness. At the patient's discretion, spouses were invited to participate and to contribute to the interview. Three spouses participated in the interviewing process. RESULTS Common strategies emerged regardless of the patient's stage of illness and prognosis. Informants identified the determination to remain in control of the illness and treatment side effects, having the support of family and significant others, illness acceptance and maintaining hope as crucial to their sense of empowerment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE It is hoped that clinicians will gain a deeper understanding of the varied and numerous strategies used by cancer patients in coping with their illness. This understanding will ensure that by encouraging these strategies, patients and their families will be supported by health professionals to achieve a greater sense of empowerment. As this and other studies have shown, working alongside health professionals contributes to empowerment for both the cancer patient and significant others in their lives.
Comparative mapping of GABA‐immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous systems of nudibranch molluscs

The relative simplicity of certain invertebrate nervous systems, such as those of gastropod molluscs, allows behaviors to be dissected at the level of small neural circuits composed of individually identifiable neurons. Elucidating the neurotransmitter phenotype of neurons in neural circuits is important for understanding how those neural circuits function. In this study, we examined the distribution of γ‐aminobutyric‐acid;‐immunoreactive (GABA‐ir) neurons in four species of sea slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia): Tritonia diomedea, Melibe leonina, Dendronotus iris, and Hermissenda crassicornis. We found consistent patterns of GABA immunoreactivity in the pedal and cerebral‐pleural ganglia across species. In particular, there were bilateral clusters in the lateral and medial regions of the dorsal surface of the cerebral ganglia as well as a cluster on the ventral surface of the pedal ganglia. There were also individual GABA‐ir neurons that were recognizable across species. The invariant presence of these individual neurons and clusters suggests that they are homologous, although there were interspecies differences in the numbers of neurons in the clusters. The GABAergic system was largely restricted to the central nervous system, with the majority of axons confined to ganglionic connectives and commissures, suggesting a central, integrative role for GABA. GABA was a candidate inhibitory neurotransmitter for neurons in central pattern generator (CPG) circuits underlying swimming behaviors in these species, however none of the known swim CPG neurons were GABA‐ir. Although the functions of these GABA‐ir neurons are not known, it is clear that their presence has been strongly conserved across nudibranchs. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:794–810, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The post-operative analgesic efficacy of celecoxib compared with placebo and parecoxib after total hip or knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with opioids is a model of multimodal analgesia. NSAIDs have the oral and parenteral forms. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of celecoxib compared with placebo and parecoxib after total hip or knee arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHOD A total of 120, ASA 1-2, aged 18-75 years, patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the three groups: Group I (control) received placebo (n=40), group II received 400 mg celecoxib orally (n=40) and group III received 40 mg parecoxib intravenously (n=40). The present study medication was administered I hour before surgery. All patients had access to patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous morphine. Patients were studied at 0, 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively for verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), morphine consumption, satisfaction score and side effects. RESULTS The intraoperatively fentayl requirement were similar among the three groups (p < 0.00). Celecoxib and parecoxib significantly decreased the amount of morphine requirement after total hip or knee arthroplasty compared to placebo at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours (p < 0.00). The celecoxib group required more morphine than the parecoxib group at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours (p < 0.00). The VNRS score in parecoxib group was significantly lower than the celecoxib and control groups at 1, 6, 12 but not at 24 hours. The VNRS score was lower in the celecoxib group compared to the control group at I and 6 hours postoperatively (p = 0.01, p < 0. 01 respectively). The placebo group had a higher sedation score (p = 0.008) but not for nausea vomiting (p = 0.36) and pruritus (p = 0.12) compared to the treatment groups. CONCLUSION Within 12 hours after total hip and knee arthroplasty, pre-operative administration of parenteral parecoxib 40 mg was more effective than oral celecoxib 400 mg and placebo in terms of morphine consumption and VNRS score.
Trait Rumination Influences Neural Correlates of the Anticipation but Not the Consumption Phase of Reward Processing

Cumulative evidence suggests that trait rumination can be defined as an abstract information processing mode, which leads people to constantly anticipate the likely impact of present events on future events and experiences. A previous study with remitted depressed patients suggested that enhanced rumination tendencies distort brain mechanisms of anticipatory processes associated with reward and loss cues. In the present study, we explored the impact of trait rumination on neural activity during reward and loss anticipation among never-depressed people. We analyzed the data of 37 healthy controls, who performed the monetary incentive delay (MID) task which was designed for the simultaneous measurement of the anticipation (motivational) and consumption (hedonic) phase of reward processing, during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Our results show that rumination—after controlling for age, gender, and current mood—significantly influenced neural responses to reward (win) cues compared to loss cues. Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) triangularis, left anterior insula, and left rolandic operculum was positively related to Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) scores. We did not detect any significant rumination-related activations associated with win-neutral or loss-neutral cues and with reward or loss consumption. Our results highlight the influence of trait rumination on reward anticipation in a non-depressed sample. They also suggest that for never-depressed ruminators rewarding cues are more salient than loss cues. BOLD response during reward consumption did not relate to rumination, suggesting that rumination mainly relates to processing of the motivational (wanting) aspect of reward rather than the hedonic (liking) aspect, at least in the absence of pathological mood.
Descripción y usos del método Delphi en investigaciones del área de la salud

El presente manuscrito aborda un panorama general de la técnica Delphi, desde su origen hasta las etapas que la integran para lograr la premisa de la misma: llegar a un consenso entre expertos. La dinámica de la técnica gira en torno a una problemática compleja, de ahí se derivan una serie de cuestionamientos que el grupo coordinador va guiando, analizando y supervisando a modo de hacer fluir la información entre el grupo de expertos y el mismo grupo coordinador. Dentro de este proceso surge oportunamente el feedback, elemento importante para lograr establecer un nivel de acuerdo entre los expertos. La técnica favorece la investigación en el área de las ciencias de la salud, pues una de las fortalezas que tiene es no requerir de la presencia de los expertos y la dinámica del manejo de la información se gestiona a través de correo postal o vía internet. En el caso de los expertos del área de las ciencias de la salud, quienes suelen ser de los profesionales con mayor saturación de agendas, por medio del uso de las tecnologías de la comunicación es posible contar con ellos para que formen parte del grupo y contribuyan con juicios y opiniones en pro de la investigación en esta área.
Era and RbfA Have Overlapping Function in Ribosome Biogenesis in Escherichia coli

A cold-shock protein, RbfA (ribosome-binding factor A), is essential for cell growth at low temperature. In an rbfA-deletion strain, 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits increase relative to 70S monosomes with concomitant accumulation of a precursor 16S rRNA (17S rRNA). Recently, we have reported that overexpression of Era, an essential GTP-binding protein, suppresses not only the cold-sensitive cell growth but also defective ribosome biogenesis in the rbfA-deletion strain. Here, in order to elucidate how RbfA and Era functionally overlap, we characterized a cold-sensitive Era mutant (a point mutation at the Glu-200 to Lys; E200K) which shows a similar phenotype as the rbfA-deletion strain; accumulation of free ribosome subunits and 17S rRNA. To examine the effect of E200K in the rbfA-deletion strain, we constructed an E200K-inducible expression system. Interestingly, unlike wild-type Era, overexpression of Era(E200K) protein in the rbfA-deletion strain severely inhibited cell growth even at permissive temperature with further concomitant reduction of 16S rRNA. Purified Era(E200K) protein binds to 30S ribosomal subunits in a nucleotide-dependent manner like wild-type Era and retains both GTPase and autophosphorylation activities. Furthermore, we isolated spontaneous revertants of the E200K mutant. These revertants partially suppressed the accumulation of 17S rRNA. All the spontaneous mutations were found to result in higher Era(E200K) expression. These results suggest that the Era(E200K) protein has an impaired function in ribosome biogenesis without losing its ribosome binding activity. The severe growth defect caused by E200K in the rbfA-deletion strain may be due to competition between intrinsic wild-type Era and overexpressed Era(E200K) for binding to 30S ribosomal subunits. We propose that Era and RbfA have an overlapping function that is essential for ribosome biogenesis, and that RbfA becomes dispensable only at high temperatures because Era can complement its function only at higher temperatures.
Behavioral Response of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae to Synthetic and Natural Attractants and Repellents

ABSTRACT Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the key vector of three important arboviral diseases: dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Immature stages of this species inhabit human-made containers placed in residential landscapes. In this study, we evaluated a few compounds in a sensitive behavioral assay with Ae. aegypti larvae. The orientation of larvae to different compounds was surveyed using a performance index (PI). The PI represents the response to each odorant, where a value of + 1 is indicative of full attraction and -1 represents complete repulsion. The widely used insect repellent N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide elicited a significantly negative PI, as did acetophenone and indole. A yeast extract, a known food source, elicited a significantly positive PI, as did 2-methylphenol, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-methylphenol, and fish food. On the other hand, no response was observed for the essential oil of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus camaldulensis at the concentration evaluated. Pretreatment of larvae with N-ethylmaleimide and ablation of the antennae resulted in a suppression of behavioral responses. The overall mobility of ablated larvae was indistinguishable from unablated controls, and absence of any visible locomotor dysfunction was observed. This work is a contribution to the study of the chemical ecology of disease vectors with the aim of developing more efficient tools for surveillance and control. Natural and synthetic compounds attractive to Ae. aegypti larvae should be incorporated into integrated pest management programs through the use of baited traps or by improving the efficacy of larvicides commonly used in control campaigns.
Employment across chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and comparison with the general population.

OBJECTIVE To compare labor force participation across chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases in order to assess the influence of the disease, disease duration, sex, education, and labor market conditions on employment. METHODS Data from the German rheumatological database on outpatients of working age (20-59 yrs) between 1993 and 2001 were analyzed. The patients had rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 26,071), ankylosing spondylitis (AS; n = 5564), psoriatic arthritis (PsA; n = 6041), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; n = 4603), systemic sclerosis (SSc; n = 802), or Wegener's granulomatosis (WG; n = 385). Using population data, standardized employment ratios (SER) and part-time employment ratios of observed versus expected cases with 95% CI were calculated by means of indirect standardization for age and year of documentation. RESULTS Across all diseases the overall employment rates were significantly lower than in the general population. Significant differences in SER were found between the diseases. The lowest SER of 0.76 to 0.81 (1.0 = population) were found in patients with RA, SLE, SSc, and WG. Higher SER were seen in AS (0.94) and PsA (0.92). In patients with a disease duration > 10 years the relative risk of being employed compared to RA, was 1.42 for AS, 1.26 for PsA, and 1.15, 1.03, 0.62 for PsA, SLE, SSc and WG, respectively. Comparing areas with low and high unemployment rates, a highly significant influence of labor market conditions on the SER was observed. The SER were significantly lower in patients with < 10 years of school education. CONCLUSION Differences between employment rates in the population and the rates for the diseases under study are smaller than assumed by most clinical studies, especially in AS and PsA. However, these differences increase with longer disease duration. Specific measures to prevent patients from losing their job are needed, especially in areas with overall high unemployment.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods

The presence of a sample in the neutron field of a nuclear reactor creates a perturbation of the local neutron fluxes. In general, the interpretation of the sample activation due to thermal and epithermal neutrons requires the knowledge of two corrective parameters: the thermal neutron self-shielding factor, Gth, and the resonance neutron self-shielding factor, Gres. Thermal neutron self-shielding factors in different materials (Al, Au, Cd, Co, Cu, Eu, Gd, In, Ir, Mo, Ni, Pt, Pb, Rh, Sc, Sm and Ta) and different geometries (foils, wires, spheres and) have been calculated by using the MCNP code.