Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deletion analysis of minimal sequence requirements for autonomous replication of ors8, a monkey early‐replicating DNA sequence

We have generated a panel of deletion mutants of ors8 (483 bp), a mammalian autonomously replicating DNA sequence, previously isolated by extrusion of nascent monkey (CV‐1) DNA from replication bubbles active at the onset of S phase. The deletion mutants were tested for replication function by the DpnI resistance assay, in vivo, after transfection into HeLa cells, and in vitro. An internal fragment of 186‐bp that is required for autonomous replication function of ors8 was identified. This fragment, when subcloned into pBR322 and similarly tested, was capable of autonomous replication in vivo and in vitro. The 186‐bp fragment contains several repeated sequence motifs, such as the ATTA and ATTTAT motifs, occurring three and five times, respectively, the sequences TAGG and TAGA, occurring three and seven times, respectively, two 5′‐ATT‐3′ repeats, a 44‐bp imperfect inverted repeat (IR) sequence, and an imperfect consensus binding element for the transcription factor Oct‐1. A measurable sequence‐directed DNA curvature was also detected, coinciding with the AT‐rich regions of the 186‐bp fragment.
Modelling the speech reception threshold in non-stationary noise in hearing-impaired listeners as a function of level

Abstract The extended speech intelligibility index (ESII) model (29) forms an upgrade to the conventional speech intelligibility index model. For normal-hearing listeners the ESII model is able to predict the speech reception threshold (SRT) in both stationary and non-stationary noise maskers. In this paper, a first attempt is made to evaluate the ESII with SRT data obtained by 5, and 35 of hearing-impaired listeners in stationary, 10-Hz interrupted, and non-stationary speech-shaped noise measured at different noise levels. The results show that the ESII model is able to describe the SRT in different non-stationary noises for normal-hearing listeners at different noise levels reasonably well. However, the ESII model is less successful in the case of predicting the SRT in non-stationary noise for hearing-impaired subjects. As long as the present audibility models cannot describe the auditory processing in a listener with cochlear hearing loss accurately, it is difficult to distinguish between raised SRTs due to supra-threshold deficits or factors such as cognition, age, and language skills. Sumario El modelo del Índice extendido de inteligibilidad del lenguaje (ESII) (29) constituye una actualización del modelo de índice convencional de inteligibilidad del lenguaje. Para oyentes con audición normal, el modelo del ESII es capaz de predecir el umbral de recepción del lenguaje (SRT) tanto ante enmascaradores de ruido estacionario y como no estacionario. En este trabajo, se realiza un primer intento para evaluar el ESII con datos del SRT obtenidos por Laat y Plomp (1983) y 35 a partir de sujetos con hipoacusia, en ruido estacionario, con interrupciones de 10-Hz, y en ruido no estacionario con conformación de lenguaje, medido a diferentes niveles de intensidad. Los resultados muestran que el modelo ESII es capaz de describir el SRT razonablemente bien, para diferentes ruidos no estacionarios en sujetos normo-oyentes, a diferentes niveles de intensidad. Sin embargo, el modelo ESII es menos exitoso para predecir el SRT en ruido no estacionario con sujetos hipoacúsicos. En tanto que los modelos presentes de audibilidad no puedan describir el procesamiento auditivo en un sujeto con pérdida auditiva coclear en forma exacta, es difícil distinguir entre un SRT elevado debido a una deficiencia supra-umbral o a factores tales como cognición, edad o habilidad para el lenguaje.
Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document ( ATBD ) for Deep Convective Cloud ( DCC ) technique of calibrating GEO sensors with Aqua-MODIS for GSICS

The DCC technique is an invariant target calibration approach designed to verify the stability of the GEO calibration. Other invariant targets include earth targets, such as the deserts and clear-sky ocean, or non-earth targets such as the sun and the moon. The advantage of using DCC is that they are available over all GEO domains. They are at the tropopause level, therefore the effects of atmospheric absorption are reduced with the exception of stratospheric aerosols, and they are the brightest targets on earth a combination of highly reflective clouds at near nadir solar angles. DCC are solar diffusers, which have predictable, near Lambertion albedos.
Inhibition of acute myelogenous leukemia blast proliferation by interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist and soluble IL-1 receptors.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has recently been reported to play an important role in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) blast proliferation. We therefore investigated the effect of soluble IL-1 receptors (sIL-1R) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) on the growth of AML bone marrow blast progenitors from 25 patients. In the AML blast colony culture assay, sIL-1R and IL-1RA inhibited blast colony-forming cell replication in a dose-dependent fashion, at concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 ng/mL (sIL-1R) and 10 to 1,000 ng/mL (IL-1RA), and their inhibitory effect was partially reversed by IL-1 beta. A similar inhibitory effect was also noted with the use of anti-IL-1 beta neutralizing antibodies. When AML blast progenitors were grown either in the presence of fetal calf serum (FCS) alone or with one of the following: phytohemagglutinin leukocyte-conditioned medium (PHA-LCM), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), G-CSF, interleukin-3 (IL-3), or stem cell factor (SCF), addition of 100 ng/mL sIL-1R or IL-1RA inhibited blast colony formation by 3% to 96% and 2% to 97%, respectively. In sharp contrast, neither of these IL-1-inhibitory molecules significantly inhibited proliferation of normal marrow hematopoietic progenitors. Lysates of 2 x 10(7) low-density AML marrow cells were tested for intrinsic IL-1 beta content using an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbant assay (ELISA). Samples from five of six patients showed high concentrations (ranging from 501 to 2,041 pg), whereas 2 x 10(7) cells from two normal marrow aspirates yielded 54.6 pg of IL-1 beta. AML blast colony-forming cells from all six patients were inhibited by sIL-1R, IL-1RA, or both. Incubation of nine samples of AML low-density cells with either sIL-1R or IL-1RA reduced GM-CSF concentrations in cell lysates, and supernatants from nine (P less than .01) and six samples (P less than .037), respectively, and G-CSF concentration in lysates from six of nine samples (P less than .03), and in supernatants from five of six samples (P less than .06) when studied by ELISAs. Our data implicate IL-1 in AML blast proliferation and suggest the potential benefits of using IL-1-inhibitory molecules in future therapies for AML.
Hippocampal sclerosis: cause or consequence of febrile seizures

Retrospective studies of patients who underwent surgery for refractory temporal lobe epilepsy found a relation between history of early febrile seizures, hippocampal sclerosis, and the development of temporal lobe epilepsy.1 Previous MRI studies have reported smaller volumes of the amygdala and the hippocampus in patients with prolonged febrile seizures in childhood than in those without such a history2 suggesting that early febrile seizures are a precipitating event that leads to hippocampal sclerosis. In prospective studies, early febrile seizures or other brain injuries rarely lead to hippocampal sclerosis and temporal lobe epilepsy.3Although epidemiological studies have not yet corroborated the “surgical” correlations, there is convincing evidence that children with complicated febrile seizures have a higher risk for development of temporal lobe epilepsy. The precise pathophysiological relation, however, between febrile seizures, hippocampal sclerosis, and temporal lobe …
Inspiring hope—A physician's responsibility, translating the science into clinical practice

Giving hope to patients is our responsibility. It is the essence of a meaningful practice in medicine. Science now allows us to understand this complex and multidimensional human dynamic, and translate it into clinical practice. Quantitative research has shown hope is strong even in terminal illness. Through qualitative methodology hope fostering strategies and hope hindering behaviors have been identified. This exciting new knowledge facilitates the challenging task of disclosure of bad news while enabling hope.
How do steppe plants follow their optimal environmental conditions or persist under suboptimal conditions? The differing strategies of annuals and perennials

Abstract For a species to be able to respond to environmental change, it must either succeed in following its optimal environmental conditions or in persisting under suboptimal conditions, but we know very little about what controls these capacities. We parameterized species distribution models (SDMs) for 135 plant species from the Algerian steppes. We interpreted low false‐positive rates as reflecting a high capacity to follow optimal environmental conditions and high false‐negative rates as a high capacity to persist under suboptimal environmental conditions. We also measured functional traits in the field and built a unique plant trait database for the North‐African steppe. For both perennial and annual species, we explored how these two capacities can be explained by species traits and whether relevant trait values reflect species strategies or biases in SDMs. We found low false‐positive rates in species with small seeds, flowers attracting specialist pollinators, and specialized distributions (among annuals and perennials), low root:shoot ratios, wide root‐systems, and large leaves (perennials only) (R 2 = .52–58). We found high false‐negative rates in species with marginal environmental distribution (among annuals and perennials), small seeds, relatively deep roots, and specialized distributions (annuals) or large leaves, wide root‐systems, and monocarpic life cycle (perennials) (R 2 = .38 for annuals and 0.65 for perennials). Overall, relevant traits are rarely indicative of the possible biases of SDMs, but rather reflect the species' reproductive strategy, dispersal ability, stress tolerance, and pollination strategies. Our results suggest that wide undirected dispersal in annual species and efficient resource acquisition in perennial species favor both capacities, whereas short life spans in perennial species favor persistence in suboptimal environmental conditions and flowers attracting specialist pollinators in perennial and annual species favor following optimal environmental conditions. Species that neither follow nor persist will be at risk under future environmental change.
Increased Frontomotor Oscillations During Tic Suppression in Children With Tourette Syndrome

This work investigated whether Tourette syndrome patients exhibit alterations in neural oscillations during spontaneous expression and suppression of tics. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from 9 medication-naïve children with Tourette syndrome and 10 age-matched healthy subjects in resting conditions and during tic suppression. Their cortical oscillations were examined using the power spectral method and partial directed coherence. The authors found increased oscillations of broad frequency bands in the frontomotor regions of patients during tic expression, suggesting the involvement of aberrant cortical oscillations in Tourette syndrome. More significantly, prominent increases in theta oscillation in the prefrontal area and directed frontomotor interactions in the theta and beta bands were observed during tic suppression. Furthermore, the directed EEG interaction from the frontal to motor regions was positively correlated with the severity of tic symptoms. These findings suggest that the frontal to motor interaction of cortical oscillations plays a significant role in tic suppression.
The impact of study abroad on Japanese language learners’ social networks

Study abroad is commonly believed to be an ideal environment for second language acquisition to take place, due to the increased opportunities for interaction with native speakers that it is considered to offer. However, several studies have challenged these beliefs, finding that study abroad students were disappointed with the degree of out-ofclass interaction they had with native speakers. It is therefore important to gain an understanding of the study abroad context and the factors that promote and constrain opportunities for second language (L2) interaction. This paper examines the complexities behind six Japanese language learners’ interaction and social relationships with native speakers through analysis of their social networks before, during, and after a study abroad period in Japan. It also compares the networks that were formed in an urban and a regional setting in Australia. The paper concludes with a discussion of the benefits of study abroad and offers several implications for foreign language teaching and study abroad program development.
Improved model of hydrated calcium ion for molecular dynamics simulations using classical biomolecular force fields

Calcium ions (Ca2+) play key roles in various fundamental biological processes such as cell signaling and brain function. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study such interactions, however, the accuracy of the Ca2+ models provided by the standard MD force fields has not been rigorously tested. Here, we assess the performance of the Ca2+ models from the most popular classical force fields AMBER and CHARMM by computing the osmotic pressure of model compounds and the free energy of DNA–DNA interactions. In the simulations performed using the two standard models, Ca2+ ions are seen to form artificial clusters with chloride, acetate, and phosphate species; the osmotic pressure of CaAc2 and CaCl2 solutions is a small fraction of the experimental values for both force fields. Using the standard parameterization of Ca2+ ions in the simulations of Ca2+‐mediated DNA–DNA interactions leads to qualitatively wrong outcomes: both AMBER and CHARMM simulations suggest strong inter‐DNA attraction whereas, in experiment, DNA molecules repel one another. The artificial attraction of Ca2+ to DNA phosphate is strong enough to affect the direction of the electric field‐driven translocation of DNA through a solid‐state nanopore. To address these shortcomings of the standard Ca2+ model, we introduce a custom model of a hydrated Ca2+ ion and show that using our model brings the results of the above MD simulations in quantitative agreement with experiment. Our improved model of Ca2+ can be readily applied to MD simulations of various biomolecular systems, including nucleic acids, proteins and lipid bilayer membranes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 752–763, 2016.
Retinopathy in Young-onset Diabetic Patients

The relative importance of duration of diabetes before and after 13 yr of age as a risk factor for retinopathy was investigated using data from 200 persons who were younger than 26 yr of age. These persons were identified in a population-based study of diabetic retinopathy in southern Wisconsin in 1980–1982. Retinopathy was found in 9% of persons who were younger than 13 yr and in 34% of persons who were 13 yr or older and had been diagnosed at or after 13 yr. Presence of retinopathy was more strongly associated with the duration of diabetes after 13 yr of age than before it.
Tolerance and efficacy of rituximab and changes in serum B cell biomarkers in patients with systemic complications of primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of rituximab (RTX) for systemic symptoms in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and changes in B cell biomarkers. Patients and methods: The records of 16 patients with pSS according to the American European consensus group criteria were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Patients, all women, had a median age of 58.5 (range 41–71) years and a disease duration of 9.5 (range 0–25) years. RTX was prescribed for lymphoma (n = 5), refractory pulmonary disease with polysynovitis (n = 2), severe polysynovitis (n = 2), mixed cryoglobulinaemia (n = 5), thrombocytopenia (n = 1) and mononeuritis multiplex (n = 1). The median follow-up duration was 14.5 (range 2–48) months. Three patients experienced adverse events, including one mild serum sickness-like reaction with the presence of human antichimeric antibodies. Efficacy of treatment was observed in 4 of 5 patients with lymphomas and in 9 of 11 patients with systemic involvement. Dryness was improved in only a minority of patients. Corticosteroid dose was reduced in 11 patients. RTX induced decreased rheumatoid factor, γ-globulin and β2-microglobulin levels, and the level of B cell activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) increased concomitantly with B cell depletion. Five patients were re-treated, with good efficacy and tolerance, except for one with probable serum sickness-like reaction. Conclusion: This study shows good efficacy and fair tolerance of RTX for systemic features. In addition, RTX allows for a marked reduction in corticosteroid use. Except for BAFF, the level of which increases, serum B cell biomarker levels decrease after taking RTX. Controlled trials should be performed to confirm the efficacy of RTX in pSS.
More Than a Nuisance

Despite indications that acts of frotteurism and exhibitionism are frequent occurrences, these sexual paraphilias have received little empirical attention. To address this gap in our knowledge about these paraphilias, 459 undergraduate students in a major metropolitan city completed a self-report measure designed to investigate the frequency and correlates of frotteurism and exhibitionism. Results indicate a high rate of victimization among female college students for both paraphilias. Furthermore, acts of frotteurism and exhibitionism most often occurred in places related to public transportation (e.g., subway trains or platforms) in this urban setting. In addition, victims reported a number of negative outcomes as a consequence of victimization, including feelings of violation, changes in behavior, and even long-term psychological distress. Older females were the most likely to be victimized. These findings are discussed as they pertain to the prevention and deterrence of paraphilic sexual acts.
Ochre and hide-working at a Natufian burial place

Particular stones found on Epi-Palaeolithic sites in the Levant are thought to be for grinding vegetable matter and to be essential instruments in the development of food processing. Finding an assemblage of these tools in a burial cave, the authors ask a harder question: could they have been used for processing hides with ochre? Use-wear analysis allows a positive verdict, and so the tools take their place in the ritual apparatus associated with burial.
Professionalism: the major factor influencing job satisfaction among Korean and Chinese nurses.

BACKGROUND The nursing shortage has become an internationally important issue. Nurses' professionalism and job satisfaction have been recognized as strong factors influencing their turnover. As international interchanges in nursing education are growing between Korea and China, understanding the commonalities and differences in factors associated with job satisfaction is critical to improving nurses' job retention. AIM To compare the factors influencing job satisfaction among Korean and Chinese nurses. METHOD A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The participants were comprised of 693 nurses at three general hospitals in Jinan, People's Republic of China and 593 nurses at two general hospitals in Seoul, Korea. A questionnaire was designed to measure the nurses' professionalism and job satisfaction. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors related to job satisfaction. RESULTS Professionalism was the common factor influencing job satisfaction in Korean and Chinese nurses. Professionalism was positively related to job satisfaction in both groups. Additional factors associated with job satisfaction were demographics and job characteristics such as age, job position and department of work, which were significant only in Korean nurses. CONCLUSIONS Professionalism was the most important factor influencing job satisfaction in both Korean and Chinese nurses. Enhancing nursing professionalism is recommended as a common strategy to improve nurses' job retention across different healthcare systems.
Spontaneous resolution of fetal pleural effusion diagnosed during the second trimester

Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal pleural effusion was first reported in the late 1 9 7 0 ~ . ' ~ ~ In the past few years, there have been reports of intrauterine therapy by thoracenteses or insertion of cathe t e r ~ . ~ " Definite cionclusions about the benefit of such therapeutic ktervention cannot be made until the natural history of fetal pleural effusions is further elucidated. Fetal pleural effusions diagnosed in the late second to early third trimester have been reported in which spontaneous resolution was noted at the time of We wish to report a case of ultrasound-documented spontaneous' resolution of fetal pleural effusion during the second trimester.
Development of a hammerhead ribozyme against bcl‐2. I. Preliminary evaluation of a potential gene therapeutic agent for hormone‐refractory human prostate cancer

The bcl‐2 oncoprotein suppresses apoptosis and, when overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, makes these cells resistant to a variety of therapeutic agents, including hormonal ablation. Therefore, bcl‐2 provides a strategic target for the development of gene knockout therapies to treat human prostate cancers. Towards this end, we have synthesized an anti‐bcl‐2 gene therapeutic reagent based on ribozyme technology and have tested its effectiveness against bcl‐2 mRNA in vitro and in vivo.
Increasing use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for breast cancer patients: a trend toward more aggressive surgical treatment.

PURPOSE Many patients with unilateral breast cancer choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy to prevent cancer in the opposite breast. The purpose of our study was to determine the use and trends of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database to review the treatment of patients with unilateral breast cancer diagnosed from 1998 through 2003. We determined the rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy as a proportion of all surgically treated patients and as a proportion of all mastectomies. RESULTS We identified 152,755 patients with stage I, II, or III breast cancer; 4,969 patients chose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. The rate was 3.3% for all surgically treated patients; 7.7%, for patients undergoing mastectomy. The overall rate significantly increased from 1.8% in 1998 to 4.5% in 2003. Likewise, the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy rate for patients undergoing mastectomy significantly increased from 4.2% in 1998 to 11.0% in 2003. These increased rates applied to all cancer stages and continued to the end of our study period. Young patient age, non-Hispanic white race, lobular histology, and previous cancer diagnosis were associated with significantly higher rates. Large tumor size was associated with a higher overall rate, but with a lower rate for patients undergoing mastectomy. CONCLUSION The use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in the United States more than doubled within the recent 6-year period of our study. Prospective studies are needed to understand the decision-making processes that have led to more aggressive breast cancer surgery.