Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endonuclease analysis of viral DNA from varicella and subsequent zoster infections in the same patient.

VARICELLA is a common exanthematous disease that affects most persons during childhood. Zoster is most prevalent in the elderly and is characterized by vesicular lesions similar to those of varicella but typically confined to a single cutaneous dermatome.1 A series of careful clinical and epidemiologic studies conducted over the past century have led to the recognition that varicella and zoster are closely related infections.2 3 4 Those observations and the determination that varicella and zoster viruses behave similarly on in vitro cultivation led Hope-Simpson to postulate that zoster represents a reactivated infection with varicella virus that has persisted in a latent form .
Evaluation of transcervical chorionic villus sampling with a completed follow‐up of 1550 consecutive pregnancies

Data from 1550 consecutive pregnancies after first‐trimester prenatal diagnosis by transcervical chorionic villus sampling (TC‐CVS) are presented. The sampling efficacy was 97.8 per cent; the mean amount of collected villus tissue was 23 mg (range 5–100 mg). There were 97 affected fetuses, mainly (73.2 per cent) with a chromosomal abnormality or a male karyotype in carriers of X‐linked disease. Pregnancy termination in these and four other women for social reasons resulted in 1449 continuing pregnancies. In these pregnancies, the fetal loss rate up to 28 weeks of gestation was 5.1 per cent with the highest loss rate (3.9 per cent) before 16 weeks. When relating this fetal loss rate to maternal age, this was 6.1 per cent in the advanced maternal age group (⩾36 years) against 3.1 per cent in the younger age group. In 1376 pregnancies continuing beyond 28 weeks, the perinatal mortality rate was 1.1 per cent; the percentage of non‐genetic congenital anomalies was 0.9 per cent.
Rotated complex wavelet based texture features for content based image retrieval

In this paper we have proposed a novel approach of extracting texture features for content-based image retrieval. A new set of two-dimensional (2-D) rotated complex wavelet filters (RCWF) is designed with complex wavelet filter coefficients. 2-D RCWF are nonseparable and oriented, which improves characterization of oriented textures. Dual-tree rotated complex wavelet filter (DT-RCWF) and dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) are used jointly for texture analysis in twelve different directions. Texture features are obtained by computing the energy and standard deviation of each subband. Retrieval results obtained using each individual method and in combination are presented. Retrieval performance obtained with the combined filterbank is superior relative to the performance obtained using the other existing methods. New method also retains comparable levels of computational complexity.
THE ORIGIN OF HVS17, AN UNBOUND MAIN SEQUENCE B STAR AT 50 kpc

We analyze Keck Echellette Spectrograph and Imager spectroscopy of HVS17, a B-type star traveling with a Galactic rest frame radial velocity of +445 km s−1 in the outer halo of the Milky Way. HVS17 has the projected rotation of a main sequence B star and is chemically peculiar, with solar iron abundance and sub-solar alpha abundance. Comparing measured Teff and log g with stellar evolution tracks implies that HVS17 is a 3.91 ± 0.09 M☉, 153 ± 9 Myr old star at a Galactocentric distance of r = 48.5 ± 4.6 kpc. The time between its formation and ejection significantly exceeds 10 Myr and thus is difficult to reconcile with any Galactic disk runaway scenario involving massive stars. The observations are consistent, on the other hand, with a hypervelocity star ejection from the Galactic center. We show that Gaia proper motion measurements will easily discriminate between a disk and Galactic center origin, thus allowing us to use HVS17 as a test particle to probe the shape of the Milky Way's dark matter halo.
TRANSMISSION MECHANISM OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM’S MONETARY POLICY IN THE CONDITIONS OF ZERO BOUND ON NOMINAL INTEREST RATES

The experience of Japan from the 90s of the twentieth century and the recent global financial crisis has shown that the zero lower bound problem has ceased to be a theoretical curiosity and became the subject of intense scientific discussion. This issue is closely linked with John Maynard Keynes’s liquidity trap. The phenomenon of the zero lower bound is very controversial. Not all economists agree that it may restrict the effectiveness of the central bank’s actions. The aim of the article is to present the views of economists on this transmission mechanism of monetary policy under the zero lower bound. The paper also attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve System’s monetary policy at zero nominal interest rates.
Effect of eWOM Valence on Online Retail Sales

Online retail sector in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth in recent times. Online shopping has also become a popular trend among the younger generation in India. Increasing number of shoppers visit online retailer websites and read online reviews before making their purchase decision. The online reviews or electronic word of mouth (eWOM) becomes an important guiding tool for the online shoppers with its intrinsic product information and evaluation characteristics. The present study aims to analyze the effects of various eWOM antecedents on online sales by considering the effects of positive and mixed-neutral eWOM (MNWOM) valence (stimuli) on sales. It also explores the role of market-level eWOM factors, such as price, on online sales of security products like antivirus software. The confirmatory bias of these factors was noted, while the elaboration likelihood model (ELL) has been used to understand the relative importance of these factors in influencing customers’ purchase decision and sales. Further, a content analysis method supplemented by a multiple regression method was used to analyze 205 real-time online sales (reviews from verified purchasers) data pertaining to popular and top-selling antivirus products taken from two leading e-commerce websites. The study contributes as a pioneering effort in the domain with the use of innovative methodology of capturing real-time online data with a subsequent kappa statistics validation. The results showed a new insightful perspective of eWOM valence and price on sales, and provided further research directions.
Dynamic encirclement of a moving target using decentralized nonlinear Model Predictive Control

Dynamic encirclement is a tactic which can be employed by a group of UAVs to neutralize a target by restricting its movement, or provide constant surveillance of a target. The aim of the UAVs in the formation is to move into a position close to the target and establish a moving formation around the target. In this paper, the problem of creating a dynamic circular formation around a moving target is considered, and a Decentralized Model Predictive Control (DMPC) policy is formulated. Using theoretical results, a stabilizing control policy is derived, and the policy is validated through simulation results. Furthermore, we examine the effects of communications between the UAVs and the use of a model target on the performance of the UAVs. The contributions of this paper are the extension of the dynamic encirclement tactic to the case of a group of UAVs and a moving target, the consideration of a target model and communications, and the application of theoretical stability analysis to the problem.
Vaccinia Virus Extracellular Enveloped Virion Neutralization In Vitro and Protection In Vivo Depend on Complement

ABSTRACT Antibody neutralization is an important component of protective immunity against vaccinia virus (VACV). Two distinct virion forms, mature virion and enveloped virion (MV and EV, respectively), possess separate functions and nonoverlapping immunological properties. In this study we examined the mechanics of EV neutralization, focusing on EV protein B5 (also called B5R). We show that neutralization of EV is predominantly complement dependent. From a panel of high-affinity anti-B5 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), the only potent neutralizer in vitro (90% at 535 ng/ml) was an immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a), and neutralization was complement mediated. This MAb was the most protective in vivo against lethal intranasal VACV challenge. Further studies demonstrated that in vivo depletion of complement caused a >50% loss of anti-B5 IgG2a protection, directly establishing the importance of complement for protection against the EV form. However, the mechanism of protection is not sterilizing immunity via elimination of the inoculum as the viral inoculum consisted of a purified MV form. The prevention of illness in vivo indicated rapid control of infection. We further demonstrate that antibody-mediated killing of VACV-infected cells expressing surface B5 is a second protective mechanism provided by complement-fixing anti-B5 IgG. Cell killing was very efficient, and this effector function was highly isotype specific. These results indicate that anti-B5 antibody-directed cell lysis via complement is a powerful mechanism for clearance of infected cells, keeping poxvirus-infected cells from being invisible to humoral immune responses. These findings highlight the importance of multiple mechanisms of antibody-mediated protection against VACV and point to key immunobiological differences between MVs and EVs that impact the outcome of infection.
Evidence for Phenotypic Plasticity among Multihost Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli Lineages, Obtained Using Ribosomal Multilocus Sequence Typing and Raman Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Closely related bacterial isolates can display divergent phenotypes. This can limit the usefulness of phylogenetic studies for understanding bacterial ecology and evolution. Here, we compare phenotyping based on Raman spectrometric analysis of cellular composition to phylogenetic classification by ribosomal multilocus sequence typing (rMLST) in 108 isolates of the zoonotic pathogens Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. Automatic relevance determination (ARD) was used to identify informative peaks in the Raman spectra that could be used to distinguish strains in taxonomic and host source groups (species, clade, clonal complex, and isolate source/host). Phenotypic characterization based on Raman spectra showed a degree of agreement with genotypic classification using rMLST, with segregation accuracy between species (83.95%), clade (in C. coli, 98.41%), and, to some extent, clonal complex (86.89% C. jejuni ST-21 and ST-45 complexes) being achieved. This confirmed the utility of Raman spectroscopy for lineage classification and the correlation between genotypic and phenotypic classification. In parallel analysis, relatively distantly related isolates (different clonal complexes) were assigned the correct host origin irrespective of the clonal origin (74.07 to 96.97% accuracy) based upon different Raman peaks. This suggests that the phenotypic characteristics, from which the phenotypic signal is derived, are not fixed by clonal descent but are influenced by the host environment and change as strains move between hosts.
Long-term treatment of 189 acromegalic patients with the somatostatin analog octreotide. Results of the International Multicenter Acromegaly Study Group.

BACKGROUND We wanted to determine the clinical and biochemical effects of long-term therapy with the somatostatin analog octreotide in 189 acromegalic patients. METHODS Patients were treated at 23 medical centers for 6 days to 231 weeks (median, 24.2 weeks) with varying octreotide dosages (100 to 1500 micrograms/d; median, 300 micrograms/d). Serum growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations before and at the end of the study were compared, and correlations between the response to treatment with total daily dosage and duration of treatment were sought. RESULTS The clinical response rate was 88%, irrespective of dosage or treatment duration. Serum growth hormone levels decreased in 172 (94%) of 182 patients and IGF-I levels decreased in 91 (92%) of 99. The mean pretreatment growth hormone level was 39.4 +/- 4.4 micrograms/L and decreased to 12.2 +/- 1.5 micrograms/L. Growth hormone levels decreased to less than 5 micrograms/L in 82 (45%) of 182 patients. The pretreatment IGF-I level was 5.62 +/- 0.41 U/mL and decreased to 2.64 +/- 0.19 U/mL; suppression to 2 U/mL or lower occurred in 46 (46%) of 99 patients. The degree of growth hormone suppression was associated with longer treatment duration but not with the total octreotide dosage per day. In 34 patients studied prospectively, pituitary tumor size decreased by greater than 20% in 15 (44%). Side effects occurred in 37% of patients and were most commonly transient loose alcoholic stools, pain at the injection site, and abdominal discomfort; severity was mild to moderate. Glucose tolerance was unchanged or improved in 52% and declined in 48% of 25 patients evaluated. CONCLUSIONS Octreotide is an effective treatment for acromegaly that may be used as primary therapy or after surgery and/or pituitary irradiation.
A systemic approach of urban resilience: power laws and urban growth patterns

Resilient historical cities are the product of evolution and they have been shaped by incremental adaptation to fluctuations and by shocks of various magnitudes. Adaptive complex cities operate as systems and they obey certain universal laws: the distribution of elements reflects organic growth processes, such as the ones described by allometric growth and inverse power laws in biology. Their elements and connections organization does not obey Gaussian laws (concentration around averages). They are not aggregates of inert elements but integrated highly differentiated self-organized wholes. They exhibit a hierarchical configurational order characteristic of complex adaptive systems, with nested subsystems ordered in a hierarchy of scales united by mathematical regularities. Planners need to be aware of these laws of adaptive complexity and plan with rather than counter to these emergent properties in order to enhance resilience. Understanding the universality of complex systems order, which characterizes living systems, and which modernist city planning has violated, would allow planning more resilient cities.
Pattern of psychiatric morbidity among theft offenders remanded or referred for psychiatric evaluation and factors associated with reoffence.

INTRODUCTION In Singapore, theft and related crimes constitute more than 50% of all reported crime, and are the most common offences committed by accused persons remanded to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Singapore. There is a need for better understanding of the forensic psychiatric aspects of such offenders. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among theft offenders remanded or referred for forensic assessment in 2010, compare the differences between first-time and repeat theft offenders, and identify the factors associated with reoffence. METHODS Forensic evaluations of inpatient and outpatient theft offenders that were conducted at IMH in the year 2010 were retrieved and reviewed. The sociodemographic and clinical data of first-time and repeat theft offenders were collected and compared using Student's t-test and chi-square test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate regression was used to identify the factors that were predictive of repeat offence. RESULTS Overall, 10% of offenders had no mental illness. Substance use disorders, mood disorders and psychotic disorders were the most common diagnoses. Psychotic disorders were significantly less common in repeat offenders. Repeat offenders also tended to have a history of conduct problems in childhood. Noncompliance with psychiatric treatment was positively associated with repeat offence, while psychotic disorders were negatively associated. CONCLUSION The pattern of psychiatric morbidity among theft offenders in Singapore has changed over the last ten years. Kleptomania remains rare. Significant differences between first-time and repeat offenders have implications on the treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation of theft offenders in Singapore.
Text-Based Discussions: Lessons Learned from One Fifth Grade Classroom.

PENDLETON, MELISSA JOY WRENN. Text-Based Discussions: Lessons Learned from One Fifth Grade Classroom. (Under the direction of Dr. Angela M. Wiseman). The purpose of the present study was to investigate text-based discussions in a fifth grade classroom. Laura, a purposefully selected fifth grade teacher, and 11 of her students participated in this three-month study at Greenwood Elementary School, a rural, Title I school with approximately 82% of students receiving free or reduced priced lunch. Data sources were consistent with qualitative research (i.e., classroom observations with field notes, audio recordings, interviews, artifacts). Data were analyzed and collapsed into four themes using constant comparative analysis (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). The first theme focuses on how the teacher's choices influenced students' discussions. The remaining three themes explain how students co-constructed meaning, engaged in unsanctioned talk, and explored their identities related to race, gender, and socio-economic status. The findings from this study validate existing research on dialogic talk and highlight the importance of identity and classroom talk, as well as the problems of unsanctioned talk. The themes have implications for policymakers, practitioners, and future researchers. © Copyright 2015 by Melissa Joy Wrenn Pendleton All Rights Reserved Text-Based Discussions: Lessons Learned from One Fifth Grade Classroom by Melissa Joy Wrenn Pendleton A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Curriculum and Instruction Raleigh, North Carolina
Computational-guided discovery and characterization of a sesquiterpene synthase from Streptomyces clavuligerus

Significance This paper describes a novel strategy for predicting the function of terpene synthases. Functional assignment of terpene synthases is a daunting task because product selectivity is not high in many terpene synthases, and mutations in and near the active sites of selective enzyme can result in synthesis of different products. Using a homology model of an unknown terpene synthase, we developed an algorithm that predicted the enzyme synthesizes a linear triquinane. We confirmed this prediction; specifically, the enzyme converts farnesyl diphosphate to a linear triquinine sesquiterpene: (5S,7S,10R,11S)-cucumene. The findings highlight the potential for using computational approaches to assist in the discovery and characterization of unknown terpene synthases. Terpenoids are a large structurally diverse group of natural products with an array of functions in their hosts. The large amount of genomic information from recent sequencing efforts provides opportunities and challenges for the functional assignment of terpene synthases that construct the carbon skeletons of these compounds. Inferring function from the sequence and/or structure of these enzymes is not trivial because of the large number of possible reaction channels and products. We tackle this problem by developing an algorithm to enumerate possible carbocations derived from the farnesyl cation, the first reactive intermediate of the substrate, and evaluating their steric and electrostatic compatibility with the active site. The homology model of a putative pentalenene synthase (Uniprot: B5GLM7) from Streptomyces clavuligerus was used in an automated computational workflow for product prediction. Surprisingly, the workflow predicted a linear triquinane scaffold as the top product skeleton for B5GLM7. Biochemical characterization of B5GLM7 reveals the major product as (5S,7S,10R,11S)-cucumene, a sesquiterpene with a linear triquinane scaffold. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of a terpene synthase involved in the synthesis of a linear triquinane. The success of our prediction for B5GLM7 suggests that this approach can be used to facilitate the functional assignment of novel terpene synthases.
Magnetic field exposure and behavioral monitoring system

To maximize the availability and usefulness of a small magnetic field exposure laboratory, we designed a magnetic field exposure system that has been used to test human subjects, caged or confined animals, and cell cultures. The magnetic field exposure system consists of three orthogonal pairs of coils 2 m square × 1 m separation, 1.751 m × 0.875 m separation, and 1.5 m × 0.75 m separation. Each coil consisted of ten turns of insulated 8 gauge stranded copper conductor. Each of the pairs were driven by a constant‐current amplifier via digital to analog (D/A) converter. A 9 pole zero‐gain active Bessel low‐pass filter (1 kHz corner frequency) before the amplifier input attenuated the expected high frequencies generated by the D/A conversion. The magnetic field was monitored with a 3D fluxgate magnetometer (0–3 kHz, ± 1 mT) through an analog to digital converter. Behavioral monitoring utilized two monochrome video cameras (viewing the coil center vertically and horizontally), both of which could be video recorded and real‐time digitally Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) encoded to CD‐ROM. Human postural sway (standing balance) was monitored with a 3D forceplate mounted on the floor, connected to an analog to digital converter. Lighting was provided by 12 offset overhead dimmable fluorescent track lights and monitored using a digitally connected spectroradiometer. The dc resistance, inductance of each coil pair connected in series were 1.5 m coil (0.27 Ω, 1.2 mH), 1.75 m coil (0.32 Ω, 1.4 mH), and 2 m coil (0.38 Ω, 1.6 mH). The frequency response of the 1.5 m coil set was 500 Hz at ± 463 μT, 1 kHz at ± 232 μT, 150 μs rise time from −200 μTpk to + 200 μTpk (square wave) and is limited by the maximum voltage ( ± 146 V) of the amplifier (Bessel filter bypassed). Bioelectromagnetics 22:401–407, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non-Participation in the Second Wave of the Part Study on Mental Disorder and Its Effects on Risk Estimates

Background: In epidemiological studies, analyses are needed to investigate the consequences of non-response. Aims: To analyse the consequences of attrition in the second wave of the population-based PART study, which was performed three years after the first wave. Methods: Potential determinants for non-participation obtained from population registers and the first wave were analyzed. The relationships between potential determinants and reduced well-being or depressive mood in the first wave questionnaire were investigated separately for participants and non-participants in the second wave. Samples of respondents to the second wave questionnaire with reduced or not reduced well-being were summoned for interview regarding determinants of distress and disorder. The occurrence of potential determinants was compared between participants and non-participants in both groups Results: Low income, low education, non-Nordic origin, not being married and previous psychiatric diagnosis were associated with lower participation rates. These variables were similarly related to depressive mood and low psychological well-being in the first wave among participants and non-participants in the second wave. Potential determinants were not or only weakly related to participation in the interview groups. Conclusion: Although the true prevalence of distress and disorder is underestimated, the true associations between potential determinants and the outcomes seem reasonably well reproduced.