Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of anharmonicity on charge transport in hydrogen-bonded systems

We study solitonic charge transport in a hydrogen-bonded model system representing a one-dimensional polypeptide chain. Supersonic solitons are constructed for zero temperature in the frame of a Morse lattice model for which an nonlinear electronic system is coupled in a tight-binding approximation to H-bond vibrations of the molecular chain. The latter are of anharmonic nature. Charge transport is realized via the coupling between the electron and the local lattice deformations. This electron-lattice coupling is described by the soliton solutions, assigned to states of a localized charge in association with its local chain deformation. By retaining the discrete nature of the underlying lattice system it is shown that even strongly localized states are mobile. In fact, we illustrate that for nonlinear electron-vibration interaction supersonic solitonic carriers in the lattice assist the transport of narrow electron and lattice solitons. Moreover, by using realistic values from polypeptides for the system parameters we demonstrate that the interaction between the H-bond vibrations and the electron is strong enough to sustain thermal perturbations up to T = 300 K. Most importantly localization is maintained over extended periods of time during which the electron travels directionally over such long distances along the chain exceeding by far those achievable with single-step tunneling. Furthermore, we discuss the role of an applied electric field. It is demonstrated that in a wide range of its values the velocity of the soliton motion and hence the electric current remains unaffected by the electric field. Above this range the velocity of the solitons is proportional to the field strength so that the corresponding current follows Ohm’s law. Then for still higher field strengths above a critical value the coupling between electron and soliton dynamics breaks down.
Directional asymmetry of upper limbs in a medieval population from Poland: A combination of linear and geometric morphometrics

Degrees of upper‐limb bilateral asymmetry reflect habitual behavior and activity levels throughout life in human populations. The shoulder joint facilitates a wide range of combined motions due to the simultaneous motion of all three bones: clavicle, scapula, and humerus. Accordingly, we used three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics to analyze shape differences in the glenoid cavity and linear morphometrics to obtain the degree of directional asymmetry in a medieval population.
Environmentalist accused of scientific dishonesty

A leading international environmentalist, Professor Bjcrn Lomborg, has been found guilty of scientific dishonesty by the Danish government committees that investigate scientific fraud and misconduct. But the ruling has sparked a furore, with questions raised about the basis on which the decision has been reached, and has forced the Danish Research Agency to issue a disclaimer about its intentions. This week the Danish parliament will debate whether the country's national …
Use of formal and informal mental health resources by cancer survivors: differences between rural and nonrural survivors and a preliminary test of the theory of planned behavior

Objective: Previous research has identified rural residence as a risk factor for poorer mental health (MH) outcomes in cancer survivors. This may be due to less use of various MH resources due to poorer access and less favorable attitudes and social norms related to MH resource utilization. The present study sought to examine use of MH resources in rural and nonrural survivors and identify factors associated with MH resource use.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Adult Nasopharynx

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the adult head and neck is rare, particularly beyond 40 years of age. In this region, the nasopharynx is an unusual site. Most nasopharyngeal rhabdomyosarcomas are of an alveolar variety. We report a case of embryonal or spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma in the nasopharynx of a 47-year-old man. The histology of this tumour revealed clear cells that have not been described in embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas occurring in the head and neck. The pathology is discussed and current literature reviewed.
Myasthenia gravis and pregnancy.

Introduction Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by varying degrees of weakness in the skeletal muscles of the body. It is caused by the development of autoantibodies directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the postsynaptic portion of the neuromuscular junction. Although a rare disease, MG is the most common primary disorder of neuromuscular transmission with prevalence ranges from 50 to 125 cases per million population. Whereas genetic factors are usually involved with autoimmune disease, there are no significant human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types associated with this disease. Myasthenia gravis affects twice as many women as men, with the peak incidence in women occurring in the third decade of life as compared with men, in whom it occurs in the sixth and seventh decade.
Selective recovery of video packet loss using error concealment

An efficient recovery method using error concealment is proposed for video packet loss in fast packet switching networks. In this method, the receiver detects the damaged picture area caused by packet loss from the structured picture data received, makes error concealments, notifies the transmitter, and continues decoding. The transmitter, having received the notice, calculates the affected picture area in the local decoded picture and continues encoding without using this affected area. In this selective recovery method, video signals are not stopped even if a long propagation delay exists, no additional information is transmitted to error recovery and conventional coding algorithms can be used. The proposed method is suitable for multipoint communication. Simulation results show the affected picture area is localized for a considerable time attesting to the method's effectiveness. >
Who starts antiretroviral therapy in Durban, South Africa?… not everyone who should

Objective:To evaluate rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation within 12 months of a new HIV diagnosis in Durban, South Africa. Design:Prospective observational cohort. Methods:Adults (≥18 years) were enrolled before HIV testing at two outpatient clinics into the South African Test, Identify and Link cohort. Both sites offer comprehensive HIV care. HIV test results, CD4 cell counts, dates of ART initiation and dates of death were collected from medical records and 12-month patient/family interviews were conducted. ART eligibility was defined as a CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/μl within 90 days of HIV diagnosis. The primary endpoint was ART initiation within 12 months for ART-eligible subjects. Results:From November 2006 to October 2008, 1474 newly diagnosed HIV-infected outpatients were enrolled, 1012 (69%) of whom underwent CD4 cell count testing within 90 days. The median CD4 cell count was 159 cells/μl (interquartile range 65–299). Of those who underwent CD4 cell count testing, 538 (53%) were ART-eligible. Only 210 (39%) eligible enrollees were known to have initiated ART within 12 months. Among ART-eligible subjects, there were 108 known deaths; 82% occurred before ART initiation or with unknown ART initiation status. Men [rate ratio (RR) 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.5] and subjects without an HIV-infected family member/friend (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.7) were more likely not to start ART. Conclusion:Less than half of ART-eligible subjects started ART within 12 months. Substantial attrition and mortality follow HIV diagnosis before ART initiation in Durban, South Africa. Major efforts directed towards earlier HIV diagnosis, effective linkage to care and timely ART initiation are urgently needed.
Conventional patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) socket/stump interface dynamic pressure distributions recorded during the prosthetic stance phase of gait of a transtibial amputee

Force sensing resistors (FSR) have been used to measure dynamic stump/socket interface pressures during the gait of a trans-tibial amputee. A total of 350 pressure sensor cells were attached to the inner wall of a patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) socket. Data was sampled at 150 Hz during the approximate 0.8 seconds of prosthetic stance of gait. A total of 42,000 pressures were recorded during a single prosthetic stance. This paper describes the distribution of the pressure patterns monitored during the prosthetic stance phase of gait.
Skills retention for insertion of the Combitube and laryngeal mask airway.

OBJECTIVE To determine if the skills to successfully ventilate using the laryngeal mask (The Laryngeal Mask Company Limited, Henley on Thames, United Kingdom) and Combitube (The Kendall Company, Mansfield, USA) can be retained after seven months. METHODS Nursing, medical and theatre staff from Dunedin Hospital were recruited in a prospective study. Subjects were taught to insert and ventilate an Ambuman manikin using both devices. Subjects were tested on their ability to ventilate the manikin with both devices within one month then following a six-month period. RESULTS A total of 101 subjects were recruited with 86 subjects retested at least six months later. Initial testing resulted in subjects successfully ventilating the manikin in 90% (laryngeal mask) and 92% (Combitube) of attempts. At retesting, successful ventilation was achieved in 85% (laryngeal mask) and 77% (Combitube) of attempts. The decline in skills level was significant for the Combitube only (95% CI 4% to 26%). CONCLUSION The ability to successfully ventilate is better maintained with the laryngeal mask than the Combitube after seven months.
Investigations of Muscle Bioenergetics with 31P NMR

Many factors have been proposed to contribute to the development of muscle fatigue, but as yet a definitive assessment of their relative contributions has not been possible. To determine whether changes in bioenergetic factors are determinants of muscle force during the development of fatigue, simultaneous measurements were made during fatiguing exercise of the decline in muscle force and changes in phosphorus (31P) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The results showed that the decline in force strongly correlated with a rise in inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration; in contrast, fatigue correlated less strongly with intracellular pH. Similar results were found in different muscles and with different exercise protocols. They suggest that the rise in [Pi] is a mechanism that produces progressive inhibition of the force-generating reaction, while energy availability is not limiting. Down-regulation of force and energy utilization are consistent with fatigue being not simply a disruptive process, but an adaptive response that establishes an equilibrium between energy supply and demand.
Ambiguity Attitudes

In many decisions under uncertainty, the decision maker has only vague information about the probabilities of potential outcomes of her actions. Following Ellsberg (1961), such situations with unknown or uncertain probabilities are often called ambiguous, to distinguish them from situations with objectively known probabilities, which are typically called risky. Ellsberg’s 1961 article suggested that decision makers have a preference for risky over ambiguous acts that are equivalent under SEU (Savage, 1954). Ellsberg’s conjecture has initiated a large empirical literature studying the prevalence and the causes of such ambiguity aversion. This literature has shown that attitudes towards ambiguity depend on the likelihood of the uncertain events, the domain of the outcome, and the source that generates the uncertainty. Because both ambiguity aversion and ambiguity seeking have been observed, we employ the more appropriate term ambiguity attitude. A theoretical literature that is mostly independent of the empirical work has developed a large number of models of ambiguity‐averse preferences. These models have subsequently been applied to explain a wide range of behavioral phenomena that are difficult to reconcile with agents who maximize SEU. For example, in financial economics, Easley and O’Hara (2009) show that ambiguity aversion can explain low participation in the stock market despite the potentially high benefits. In medical-decision problems, Berger, Bleichrodt, and Eeckhoudt (2013) find that ambiguity about the diagnosis or the treatment of a medical condition affects treatment decisions. Similarly, Hoy, Peter, and Richter (2013) explain low take‐up of costless genetic tests by reference to ambiguity aversion. Interestingly, the empirical literature has so far provided relatively little evidence linking individual attitudes toward ambiguity to behavior outside the laboratory in these, theoretically, ambiguity‐sensitive decisions. Are those agents who show the strongest degree of ambiguity aversion in some experimental 3
Image indexing by modified color cooccurrence matrix

Image indexing based on a modified color cooccurrence matrix (MCCM) is proposed. First, the CCM is simplified to represent the number of color (hue) pairs between adjacent pixels in the image. Then, the CCM is split into diagonal and non-diagonal elements that constitute two elements of the MCCM. Indexing the image by MCCM could exploit shape information in the abstract level. The proposed MCCM is an accumulative feature. Experimental results show the superiority of MCCM based indexing in comparison to indexing based on other accumulative features, color histogram and auto-correlogram, with very competitive computational cost.
The human topoisomerase I gene promoter is regulated by NF-IL6

We investigated the expression of the human DNA topoisomerase I (hTOP1) gene in HeLa cells and in adenovirus-transformed 293 cells. A highly conserved proximal promoter element is essential for hTOP1 promoter activity in HeLa cells but not in 293 cells. This correlates with the presence of specific promoter-binding proteins in HeLa cells and their absence in 293 cells. We identified the HeLa binding protein by screening a cDNA expression library with the specific promoter site as a probe and demonstrate now that the activating protein is identical to the nuclear factor for interleukin-6 expression (NF-IL6), a member of the C/EBP family of transcription factors. Overexpression of NF-IL6 strongly stimulates hTOP1 promoter activity in HeLa cells, suggesting that NF-IL6 is a major hTOP1-regulating protein. Because of the presence of adenovirus protein E1A, 293 cells express the hTOP1 gene more efficiently than HeLa cells but do not contain NF-IL6 activity. E1A activation of the hTOP1 promoter is suppressed by NF-IL6 overexpression. This result supports previous observations concerning a functional interaction between viral protein E1A and NF-IL6. Finally, we show that hTOP1 gene expression in differentiating macrophages is correlated with the synthesis of NF-IL6-specific mRNA.
Changes in quality of life over time--Dutch haemodialysis patients and general population compared.

BACKGROUND Improving the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for haemodialysis patients is a considerable challenge. The aim of the present study was to compare changes in HRQOL in haemodialysis patients with those observed in the general population over a 10-year period and explore factors that might explain possible differences. METHODS We compared 126 haemodialysis patients assessed in 1995 in the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis-1 (NECOSAD-I) with 515 patients enrolled in 2006 in the ongoing Convective Transport Study (CONTRAST). Changes in HRQOL in these cohorts were compared with two representative samples from the general Dutch population, assessed in 1992 (n = 1,063) and 2001 (n = 10,600). HRQOL was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Differences in HRQOL were analysed with ANCOVA to adjust for demographic variables. To assess possible differences, we used multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS HRQOL in haemodialysis patients in 2006 [CONTRAST, mean age 63 ± 14 years (SD), 62% male] was significantly better than in 1995 (NECOSAD-I, 59 ± 16 years, 53% male) in four domains of the SF-36: bodily pain (+ 5 points, P = 0.009), vitality (+ 7, P < 0.001), role-emotional (+ 14, P < 0.001) and mental health (+ 8, P < 0.001), after adjusting for demographic variables. This increment could partly be explained by improved haemoglobin and phosphate levels. Compared to the general population, HRQOL improvement was most outspoken in two domains: bodily pain (+ 6, P = 0.01) and role-emotional (+ 8, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS This study showed an improvement of HRQOL in haemodialysis patients over an 11-year period of time, independent of global changes in the general population.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Plasma Load Discrepancies between the Roche COBAS AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Version 1.5 and the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 Assays

ABSTRACT We compared plasma viral load values obtained with COBAS AMPLICOR human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) MONITOR version 1.5 and with COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 assays. Mean values were 4.2 and 2.9 log10 copies/ml, respectively, showing the lack of agreement between the two assays.
Childhood ADHD Predicts Risky Sexual Behavior in Young Adulthood

This study compared young adults (ages 18 to 26) with and without childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on self-reported risky sexual behaviors. Participants were 175 men with childhood ADHD and 111 demographically similar men without ADHD in the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study (PALS). Childhood ADHD predicted earlier initiation of sexual activity and intercourse, more sexual partners, more casual sex, and more partner pregnancies. Although childhood conduct problems did contribute significantly to risky sexual behaviors among participants with ADHD, there was also an independent contribution of ADHD, suggesting that the characteristic deficits of the disorder or other associated features may be useful childhood markers of later vulnerability.
Facilitators and Outcomes of Student Engagement in a College Setting

The authors examined intensely engaging (i.e., flow) experiences in the context of college coursework to gain a better understanding of their antecedents and outcomes. College students (N = 137) completed a Web-based survey that assessed (a) flow experiences; (b) academic work characteristics including role clarity, professor support for autonomy, and feedback; and (c) psychological and physical health. The authors found that flow completely mediated the relation between academic work characteristics and psychological well-being. They also found that flow had an indirect effect through psychological well-being on physical health. These findings suggest restructuring academic work to be clear and autonomous and giving ample feedback opportunities to facilitate intense student engagement and mental and physical wellness.
Two Channels for Flicker in the Human Visual System

The human visual system contains a large number of narrowly-tuned spatial-frequency-specific channels. Does it contain an analogous set of channels tuned to a narrow range of temporal frequency? On the basis of data gathered with the use of a threshold elevation technique it is argued that human sensitivity to flicker can be accounted for by assuming the existence of just two filters, one a low-pass filter peaking gently at around 6 Hz and one a band-pass filter peaking at around 9 Hz. Similar data gathered from studies of interocular transfer suggest that at least some of the mechanisms involved are binocular, rather than being purely monocular as has previously been suggested.
Alkylation of 2,4-(1H,3H)-Quinazolinediones with Dialkyl Carbonates Under Microwave Irradiations

Alkylation is a very important chemical reaction which modifies the biological properties of drugs. Quinazolinedione derivatives are of considerable interest due to their wide array of pharmacological properties. We now report application of a practical alkylation procedure to several quinazolinediones, including pelanserine (5f), which shows antihypertensive properties, 1‑methyl-3-(2'-phenylethyl)-1H,3H-quinazoline-2,4-dione (1ab) and 1-methyl-3-[2'-(4'-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-lH,3H-quinazoline-2,4-dione (1ae), which had been isolated from natural sources. The alkylation was optimized using dimethyl and diethyl carbonates under microwave irradiations.
The association between retirement and age on physical activity in older adults.

BACKGROUND retirement is a major life change that is likely to affect lifestyles and yet little is still known about its influence on physical activity (PA). This study objectively quantified sedentary behaviour and ambulatory activity outcomes in retired and non-retired older, community-dwelling adults. METHODS PA was quantified in 98 community-dwelling older adults (69.1 ± 7.6 years) who wore an activPAL PA monitor (accelerometer) for seven consecutive days. Outcomes representing the volume, pattern and variability of sedentary behaviour and ambulatory activity were derived from the cross-sectional accelerometer data. The association between retirement, ageing and their interaction on sedentary and ambulatory outcomes were examined. RESULTS being retired was associated with a reduced percentage of sedentary behaviour; reduced long bouts of sitting (>55 min) and increased the percentage of ambulatory activity. The volume of sedentary behaviour increased with age, whereas ambulatory activity reduced with age. Measures of pattern and variability did not change with retirement or age. With respect to recommended amounts of PA, there was no difference between retired and employed adults and only 21% achieved the recommended 150 min/week (accumulated in ≥10 min bouts of walking). CONCLUSION while retirement was associated with a greater volume of PA, most older adults do not meet current recommended PA guidelines. Interventions are needed to increase PA in older adults in the years leading to and after the transition to retirement.
Crystal Structure of a Dodecameric Tetrahedral-shaped Aminopeptidase*

Protein turnover is an essential process in living cells. The degradation of cytosolic polypeptides is mainly carried out by the proteasome, resulting in 7–9-amino acid long peptides. Further degradation is usually carried out by energy-independent proteases like the tricorn protease from Thermoplasma acidophilum. Recently, a novel tetrahedral-shaped dodecameric 480-kDa aminopeptidase complex (TET) has been described in Haloarcula marismortui that differs from the known ring- or barrel-shaped self-compartmentalizing proteases. This complex is capable of degrading most peptides down to amino acids. We present here the crystal structure of the tetrahedral aminopeptidase homolog FrvX from Pyrococcus horikoshii. The monomer has a typical clan MH fold, as found for example in Aeromonas proteolytica aminopeptidase, containing a dinuclear zinc active center. The quaternary structure is built by dimers with a length of 100 Å that form the edges of the tetrahedron. All 12 active sites are located on the inside of the tetrahedron. Substrate access is granted by pores with a maximal diameter of 10 Å, allowing only small peptides and unfolded proteins access to the active site.