Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The warm Blob in the northeast Pacific—the bridge leading to the 2015/16 El Niño

We address the occurrence of the warm anomaly, known as the Blob, that developed from late 2013 to 2015 in the northeast Pacific and its connection with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability. The warm Blob results from the enhanced second ocean–atmosphere (O–A) coupled mode of variability in the tropical and North Pacific, representing a small part of the Victoria mode (VM) in the northeast Pacific forced by the strengthened North Pacific Oscillation-like atmospheric pattern since 2013. We also show that this second O–A mode reflects the meridional variability through the tropical–extratropical teleconnection and is an important precursor to the ENSO variability. The process is confirmed by the coupled patterns that evolved from late 2013 to 2016 and the multi-year persistence of the warm Blob. We emphasize the role of evolving basin-scale VM but not the warm Blob itself prior to the ENSO variability. Hence, the Blob and the most recent 2015/16 El Niño, which differs significantly from the other large El Niños in terms of the triggering hemisphere, are actually linked rather than independent phenomena.
Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy-Guided Placement of Central Venous Ports via Internal Jugular Vein: Retrospective Analysis of 1254 Port Implantations at a Single Center

Objective To assess the technical success and complication rates of the radiologic placement of central venous ports via the internal jugular vein. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1254 central venous ports implanted at our institution between August 2002 and October 2009. All procedures were guided by using ultrasound and fluoroscopy. Catheter maintenance days, technical success rates, peri-procedural, as well as early and late complication rates were evaluated based on the interventional radiologic reports and patient medical records. Results A total of 433386 catheter maintenance days (mean, 350 days; range 0-1165 days) were recorded. The technical success rate was 99.9% and a total of 61 complications occurred (5%), resulting in a post-procedural complication rate of 0.129 of 1000 catheter days. Among them, peri-procedural complications within 24 hours occurred in five patients (0.4%). There were 56 post-procedural complications including 24 (1.9%, 0.055 of 1000 catheter days) early and 32 (2.6%, 0.074 of 1000 catheter days) late complications including, infection (0.6%, 0.018 of 10000 catheter days), thrombotic malfunction (1.4%, 0.040 of 1000 catheter days), nonthrombotic malfunction (0.9%, 0.025 of 1000 catheter days), venous thrombosis (0.5%, 0.014 of 1000 catheter days), as well as wound problems (1.1%, 0.032 of 1000 catheter days). Thirty six CVPs (3%) were removed due to complications. Bloodstream infections and venous thrombosis were the two main adverse events prolonging hospitalization (mean 13 days and 5 days, respectively). Conclusion Radiologic placement of a central venous port via the internal jugular vein is safe and efficient as evidenced by its high technical success rate and a very low complication rate.
A calcineurin antagonist‐free induction/maintenance strategy for immunosuppression in elderly recipients of renal allografts from elderly cadaver donors: long‐term results from a prospective single centre trial *

Abstract: Background: With the aim to improve the inferior outcomes in elderly recipients of kidneys from elderly cadaver donors, we applied and investigated a therapeutic regimen consisting of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)‐free, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)‐based immunosuppressive (i.s.) induction/maintenance protocol. In this article, we report the long‐term results of this clinical trial.
Immunoglobulin E receptor‐activated calcium conductance in rat mast cells.

1. The nystatin perforated‐patch method was used to record macroscopic currents from anti‐trinitrophenyl (TNP) immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐sensitized rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL‐2H3) cells at 37 degrees C. 2. An inwardly rectifying Ca2+ current (ICa) was activated upon stimulation with the multivalent antigen trinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (TNP‐BSA). Induction of ICa was not observed at room temperature. ICa was reversed and reinduced upon cyclical addition of the monovalent hapten dinitrophenyl (DNP)‐lysine and multivalent antigen, indicating that a specific interaction of antigen with IgE was required to elicit ICa. 3. The antigen‐induced current was also carried by Ba2+ or Sr2+, and to a lesser extent by Na+, in the nominal absence of Ca2+. ICa did not exhibit time‐dependent opening (< or = 1 ms) in response to hyperpolarizing voltage steps to ‐100 mV, although it did accumulate steady‐state inactivation of approximately 40‐50% over 100 ms. 4. Two inorganic blockers of antigen‐stimulated 45Ca2+ influx and secretion, La3+ and Zn2+, inhibited ICa by approximately 50% at concentrations known to produce 50% block of 45Ca2+ influx. In contrast, cromolyn sodium (0.5 mM) and the L‐type Ca2+ channel antagonist nitrendipine (5 microM) had no effect on ICa. 5. ICa also was induced by the intracellular Ca2+ mobilizer thapsigargin. Because the actions of thapsigargin and antigen were not additive, IgE receptor cross‐linkage appears to activate the recently described capacitative Ca2+ entry channels.
Histidine maintenance requirement and efficiency of its utilization in young pigs

Abstract An experiment was conducted in young pigs (initial BW 10.1 kg) to estimate the maintenance requirement for histidine and its efficiency of utilization for protein accretion using a comparative slaughter technique. Three groups of six pigs each were fed a purified diet supplying 0, 14 or 56 mg histidine per kg BW0.75. Following 21 d of feeding, pigs were killed for whole body compositional analysis. A representative group of six pigs was killed at the beginning of the experiment. Retention of histidine and total N were the main criteria of response. Histidine retention (R2 = 0.73) and N retention (R2 = 0.78) were linear functions of histidine intake (p < 0.001). Histidine requirement for zero histidine retention was 15.5 mg/kg BW0.75, whereas histidine required for zero N retention was 4.1 mg/kg BW0.75. At zero histidine retention, the pigs retained daily 82 mg N/kg BW0.75, presumably due to the degradation of histidine-rich compounds such as haemoglobin and/or carnosine. The slope of the regression line relating histidine retention to N retention indicated that 105 mg of histidine was deposited per gram of total N which was considerably less than the estimated histidine concentration in body protein (179 mg/g N). Based on the slopes of regression equations for histidine and N retention, marginal efficiency of histidine utilization was calculated to be 0.94 and 1.34, respectively.
Metaplastic breast carcinomas are negative for Her-2 but frequently express EGFR (Her-1): potential relevance to adjuvant treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors?

Background: Metaplastic carcinomas (MCs) of the breast rarely express steroid receptors and Her-2, which minimises the options for adjuvant treatment in patients with advanced disease. Aims: To investigate the possible eligibility of patients with MCs for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted treatment. Methods: Immunohistochemical assessment of the expression of steroid receptors and four members of the EGFR/Her family (EGFR/Her-1–4) in 20 MCs (eight with heterologous elements, seven spindle cell MCs, four carcinosarcomas, and one matrix producing carcinoma). Fourteen of the 20 MCs were positive for EGFR (Her-1). Among these cases, 1+, 2+, and 3+ reactivity were seen in two, four, and eight cases, respectively. Her-2 was only present in one MC with 1+ reactivity. Her-3 (1+ reactivity), Her-4 (2+ reactivity), and the androgen receptor (2+ reactivity) were also expressed by one tumour. Oestrogen and progesterone receptors (3+ reactivity each) were detected in the epithelial component only of two carcinosarcoma-type MCs. Conclusions: MCs express EGFR considerably more frequently than the types of breast carcinomas that have been investigated previously. Although molecular analyses for possible genetic alterations in the EGFR might be required, these results suggest that women suffering from this aggressive form of breast carcinoma might benefit from treatment with protein kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes and Related Microbial Species

The minimal inhibitory concentrations of 32 antimicrobial agents were established for 73 strains of Propionibacterium acnes and four related species (P. granulosum, P. avidum, Corynebacterium minutissimum, and C. parvum). Most strains showed good susceptibility to those agents usually considered active against gram-positive organisms. With the exception of C. minutissimum, the strains tested revealed more or less identical susceptibility ranges. The lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations were observed with benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, rifampin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and minocycline. C. minutissimum was more susceptible to gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycin, and fusidic acid but more resistant to most other drugs than were the other species examined.
Comparision of Vacuum-Asisted Closure and Moist Wound Dressing in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a new method in wound care which speeds wound healing by causing vacuum, improving tissue perfusion and suctioning the exudates. This study aims to evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients with diabetic foot ulcers were enrolled in the moist dressing group, and 10 patients in the VAC group. The site, size and depth of the wound were inspected and recorded before and every three days during the study period. Patient satisfaction and formation of granulation tissue were also assessed. Results: Improvement of the wound in the form of reducing the diameter and depth and increasing proliferation of granulation tissue was significant in most of the patients of the VAC group after two weeks. Satisfaction of patients in the VAC group was evaluated as excellent as no amputation was done in this group. Wagner score was reduced in both the study groups, although this decrement was not significant in the moist dressing group. Conclusion: VAC appears to be as safe as and more efficacious than moist dressing for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Effects of Single Doses of Alpidem, Lorazepam, and Placebo on Memory and Attention in Healthy Young and Elderly Volunteers

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of alpidem, a new imidazopyridine derivative with benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic effects, with those of lorazepam and placebo on memory and attention in two age groups of healthy volunteers. The study design was that of a randomized double-blind crossover trial with 12 young (18-30 years old) and 12 elderly (65-80) subjects. At weekly intervals, each subject was administered single oral doses of 25 mg alpidem, 50 mg alpidem, 1 mg lorazepam, and placebo in a randomized sequence. Computerized memory and attention tests were performed 90 minutes before and 320 minutes after drug administration. Lorazepam and alpidem 50 mg produced memory impairments: for verbal memory tests the difference against placebo was highly significant for both drugs, while for visual memory this impairment was significant for lorazepam only. No memory effects were seen with 25 mg alpidem. There were no significant drug effects on attention, suggesting a specific amnestic effect not explained by general sedation. Performance of the elderly subjects was much lower than that of the younger ones in both memory and attention tasks. It was not possible to observe any interaction effects between drug and age.
Congenital melanocytic naevus with associated neurofibroma and schwannoma-like change

Congenital melanocytic naevus and neurofibromatosis type 1 are distinct clinical entities. A diagnosis of neurofibromatosis is difficult to make in the presence of a congenital melanocytic naevus because nodules may arise in the naevus that have similar histopathological appearances to neurofibromata. A case is reported where nodules arising from a naevus were examined histologically and were found to have neurofibroma and schwannoma like elements but strong positivity for S100 protein in keeping with dermal melanocytes. Lisch nodules were also said to be found in the patient but may represent nodular naevi of the irides. It is important that histopathological findings are interpreted within a clinical context and S100 protein immunohistochemical stain is valuable in helping to differentiate these two conditions.
International fund flows: surges, sudden stops, and cyclicality

International fund flows are cross-border investments in domestic equity and bond markets by global investment funds. They have increased dramatically since the 1990s and played an increasingly important role in the transmission of shocks. In this thesis, we examine the drivers of large changes in fund flows (surges and sudden stops) and the dynamic relationship between fund flows and equity returns, exchange rates, and business cycles of the receiving countries. First, we focus on exceptionally large fund inflows: surges. We find that the occurrence of fund flow surges is dominated by global (push) factors, whereas the magnitude of fund flow surges primarily depends on domestic (pull) factors. Second, we concentrate on another risk related to fund flows: sudden stops, i.e. an abrupt and major reduction in capital inflows to a country that has been receiving large volumes of foreign capital. Different from surges, both push and pull factors are important in explaining the occurrence of sudden stops in fund flows, while the magnitude of sudden stops is primarily driven by global factors. Surges will deteriorate the economic fundamentals of the receiving country and increase the likelihood of sudden stops in fund flows. Capital controls are not helpful to control fund flow surges as well as sudden stops. Third, three methods are employed to examine the cyclicality of fund flows. The results suggest that fund flows tend to be pro-cyclical ahead of business cycle and counter-cyclical contemporaneously. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is that fund flows tend to be positively related with domestic stock returns and domestic stock returns are leading indicators of real economic activities. Finally, we investigate the dynamic interactions between international fund flows, equity returns and exchange rates. We find that large equity fund inflows will increase the demand for domestic currencies and equities, and therefore increase their relative prices. Financial markets in emerging countries have smaller scale and tend to be less developed than industrial countries, which makes them more susceptible to the volatility of international fund flows.
Redo Coloanal Anastomosis: A Retrospective Study of 66 Patients

Introduction:Low colorectal (LCRA) and coloanal anastomoses (CAA) are associated with high leakage rate. After such complication, around 17% of patients remain with their stoma. Treatment of failed LCRA and CAA is not frequently proposed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of redo surgery in such patients. Methods:Patients who underwent redo surgery between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively included. Success was defined as a functional anastomosis without diverting stoma. Quality of life and continence were assessed with health survey scoring (SF-12) and Wexner scores. Results:Sixty-six patients were included, 44 had an LCRA, and 22 had a CAA. Reasons for redo surgery were chronic pelvic abscess (n = 21), rectovaginal fistula (n = 19), strictures (n = 10), prior Hartmann procedures (n = 13), or colovesical fistulas (n = 3). Redo surgery was impossible in 3 patients. Soave's procedure was performed in 27 patients. There were 20 transmesenteric (30.8%) and 5 Deloyers' (7.7%) maneuvers. All patients were diverted. There was no operative mortality. Morbidity rate was 32.3%, 9 patients had to be reoperated. After a median delay of 2.2 months (0.8–121.6), stoma was closed in 56 patients. Forty-six patients were recontacted. Using the SF-12 score, with a median physical health composite scale (PCS) of 48 (28–65) and a median mental health composite scale (MCS) of 52.5 (21–66), quality of life was not altered. Median Wexner score was 8 (0–17); 28% of patients had never experienced incontinence and 60% had fragmentation. With a median follow-up of 35.7 months [range: 0–122.4, 47.9 (±37.8)], 52 patients were cured (78.8%). Conclusions:After failed LCRA or CAA, redo anastomosis has a high success rate and acceptable morbidity and function.
Symptomatic, endoscopic and histological assessment of upper gastrointestinal tract in renal transplant recipients.

AIM To assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, endoscopic findings, and histological abnormalities in renal transplant recipients. SETTING Teaching hospital in northern Jordan. METHODS Seventy-six renal transplant recipients with stable renal function were interviewed for gastrointestinal symptoms, and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy; gastric antral biopsies were evaluated for inflammatory changes and the presence of Helicobacter pylori. One hundred consecutive patients attending the general medical outpatient for various medical problems served as controls; 41 of them consented to undergo endoscopy and biopsy examination. RESULTS Upper gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 50% of patients compared to 47% of controls (p=0.80). Endoscopic abnormalities were found in 71% versus 63.4%. One patient in each group had duodenal ulcer. H. pylori were found in 60.5% versus 46.3% (p=0.20), and histological gastritis in 40 (52.6%) with acute inflammatory changes in 22 (28.9%), compared to 21 (51.2%) and 15 (36.6%) controls, respectively. Monilial and cytomegalovirus esophagitis were found in 2 (2.6%) and one patient, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic and histological findings in stable renal transplant recipients are similar to those in controls. Also, there was no increase in opportunistic infections of the gastrointestinal tract or of gastric H. pylori in these patients.
Finance Is Not the Economy: Reviving the Conceptual Distinction

Abstract: Conflation of real capital with finance capital is at the heart of current misunderstandings of economic crisis and recession. We ground this distinction in the classical analysis of rent and the difference between productive and unproductive credit. We then apply it to current conditions, in which household credit — especially mortgage credit — is the premier form of unproductive credit. This is supported by an institutional analysis of postwar U.S. development and a review of quantitative empirical research across many countries. Finally, we discuss contemporary consequences of the financial sector’s malformation and overdevelopment.
Working Memory Moderates the Association Between Smoking Urge and Smoking Lapse Behavior After Alcohol Administration in a Laboratory Analogue Task.

INTRODUCTION Lapses after smoking cessation often occur in the context of alcohol use, possibly because alcohol increases urge to smoke. Poor working memory, or alcohol-induced decrements in working memory, may influence this relationship by making it more difficult for an individual to resist smoking in the face of smoking urges. METHODS Participants (n = 41) completed measures of working memory and urge to smoke before and after alcohol administration (placebo, 0.4 g/kg, and 0.8 g/kg, within subjects) and then participated in a laboratory analogue task in which smoking abstinence was monetarily incentivized. RESULTS Working memory moderated the relationship between smoking urge and latency to smoke: for those with relatively poorer working memory, urge to smoke was more strongly and negatively associated with latency to smoke (i.e., higher urges were associated with shorter latency). CONCLUSIONS Those with weak working memory may need additional forms of treatment to help them withstand smoking urges.
Intra-operative pain perception in tooth extraction--possible causes.

OBJECTIVES To elicit the perception of pain in patients undergoing dental extraction under local anaesthesia and also to identify factors that might contribute to this experience despite the administration of local anaesthesia. SETTING Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS 122 randomly selected single-tooth extraction patients. METHODS Informed consent was obtained from patients who subsequently completed a questionnaire on the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale prior to treatment. Details documented for each patient included the demographics, history of previous tooth extraction and the status of the operator. The extraction was timed from the application of instrument until tooth delivery. Immediately after extractions, patients were asked to indicate on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores graded 0-10, the level of pain perceived during extraction. The data were subjected to simple descriptive and statistical analysis using SPSS for Windows 11.0. RESULTS Positive correlations were found between the VAS and the anxiety scores, the attending surgeons' status, patients' anxiety score and the duration of surgery. A significant difference was found between the anxiety and the VAS scores in the different occupational groups. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the status of the attending surgeon may affect the level of anxiety in patients undergoing tooth extractions prior to surgery. While patient's occupational group and duration of surgery could contribute to patient's intraoperative pain perception despite the administration of local anaesthesia.
Professional Development as a Catalyst for Changes in Beliefs and Practice: Perspectives from the Early Numeracy Research Project

Professional development programs usually aim to support teachers as they explore innovative approaches to making their teaching more effective The experience of the Early Numeracy Research Project is discussed, indicating that change in teacher beliefs and classroom practice can be an outcome of a major professional development project It is posited that seeing teachers as co-researchers and reflective professionals contributed to teacher professional growth in this project
Dense Core Vesicle Dynamics in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons and the Role of Kinesin UNC‐104

We have developed a model system in Caenorhabditis elegans to perform genetic and molecular analysis of peptidergic neurotransmission using green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged IDA‐1. IDA‐1 represents the nematode ortholog of the transmembrane proteins ICA512 and phogrin that are localized to dense core secretory vesicles (DCVs) of mammalian neuroendocrine tissues. IDA‐1::GFP was expressed in a small subset of neurons and present in both axonal and dendritic extensions, where it was localized to small mobile vesicular elements that at the ultrastructural level corresponded to 50 nm electron‐dense objects in the neuronal processes. The post‐translational processing of IDA‐1::GFP in transgenic worms was dependent on the neuropeptide proprotein convertase EGL‐3, indicating that the protein was efficiently targeted to the peptidergic secretory pathway. Time‐lapse epifluorescence microscopy of IDA‐1::GFP revealed that DCVs moved in a saltatory and bidirectional manner. DCV velocity profiles exhibited multiple distinct peaks, suggesting the participation of multiple molecular motors with distinct properties. Differences between velocity profiles for axonal and dendritic processes furthermore suggested a polarized distribution of the molecular transport machinery. Study of a number of candidate mutants identified the kinesin UNC‐104 (KIF1A) as the microtubule motor that is specifically responsible for anterograde axonal transport of DCVs at velocities of 1.6 μm/s−2.7 μm/s.