Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solar wind parameters for magnetospheric magnetic field modeling

Magnetospheric magnetic field models are crucial for many space weather applications. However, the latest empirical models require solar wind and IMF data, which are not always available. Data gaps are especially common for times before the launch of the WIND spacecraft at the end of 1994, but even after then there are data gaps. We present a method to interpolate the solar wind characteristics across data gaps and to evaluate the W parameters needed for the TS05 model (Tsyganenko and Sitnov, 2005). Within some distance from the edge of a data gap, the solar wind parameters from our method yield a better estimate of the observed magnetic field than that which could be found using average values of the parameters. Deep within data gaps (far from measured values), the interpolated parameters are reasonable, or typical values, no better or worse than average values. We have created a database of hourly data with solar wind characteristics, G, and W parameters from 1963 to 31 May 2007, which is sufficient for use in all the Tsyganenko models, including the latest TS05 model. Our comparisons of the model and observed magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit give an estimate of the error in the model field as a function of status parameters defined by the interpolation scheme. We also show that the model field is on average just as accurate using the hourly data as that based on 5 min data (at least at geosynchronous orbit).
Olivine hydration in the deep upper mantle: Effects of temperature and silica activity

Although water controls the biology and geology of the surface, hydrogen is perhaps the most poorly constrained compositional variable in the bulk Earth. Its concentration in the upper mantle appears to be controlled by its solubility as hydroxyl in the nominally anhydrous silicate phases, olivine, pyroxene, garnet, wadsleyite, and ringwoodite. Here we describe a series of experiments showing that the solubility of H2O in olivine at 12 GPa increases with temperature to 8900 ppm by weight at 1250°C and decreases at higher temperature with the onset of melting. Sample characterization by infrared spectroscopy indicates that the primary hydration mechanism is the substitution of 2H+ for Mg2+. Similar results obtained from samples coexisting with clinohumite (low‐silica) and with clinoenstatite (high‐silica) indicate that silica activity has minimal effect on hydration under these conditions. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements constrain the volume of hydration and indicate significant M‐site vacancies. Hydrogen thus appears to become a geochemically compatible element as depths approach 400 km.
Acute-on-chronic liver failure: concept, natural history, and prognosis

Purpose of reviewA population of patients with previously compensated cirrhosis will develop acute deterioration resulting in multiorgan failure and high short-term mortality. Complications of cirrhosis frequently culminate in admissions to the ICU. This review advances the concept of acute-on-chronic liver failure as a distinct clinical entity. Recent findingsRecently, the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and the European Association for the Study of the Liver created a research consortium to advance the state of the science of acute-on-chronic liver failure. The goal of this consortium is aimed at improving outcomes, identification of a subset of patients with cirrhosis at high risk for deterioration, and the inciting events that lead to this deterioration. Liver transplant remains the only curative option for advanced cirrhosis; however, the limited number of available organs necessitates innovations in the care of advanced liver disease. Liver replacement therapies have not as yet demonstrated reduction in mortality, but have demonstrated improvements in other measures. Large-scale prospective studies of cirrhosis are required. SummaryAcute-on-chronic liver failure may be a distinct clinical entity with a potential for reversibility when identified early and managed with aggressive critical care support.
Biofilm formation by the fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare: a quantitative and qualitative study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that temperature, pH, salinity, hardness and carbohydrates have on biofilm formation by the fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare. Nineteen F. columnare strains, including representatives from all genomovars, were compared in this study. Biofilm formation was quantified spectrophotometrically by allowing cells to attach and colonize polystyrene wells that were then stained with crystal violet. Although significant strain-to-strain variation was observed, differences in biofilm formation between genomovars were not significant. The two main factors influencing biofilm formation were salinity and hardness. Low salinity (5 ppt) and high hardness (360 ppm) favored biofilm proliferation. In addition, the carbohydrate mannose also promoted biofilm. On the contrary, warmer temperatures (30°C) inhibited biofilm formation. The ultrastructure of biofilm developed on glass slides was characterized by light, confocal laser and scanning electron microscopy. Surface colonization started within 6 h post-inoculation and microcolonies were observed within 24 h. Extracellular polysaccharide substances (EPS) and water channels were observed in mature biofilms (24-48 h). The virulence potential of biofilm was confirmed by cutaneous inoculation of channel catfish fingerlings with mature biofilm. My results showed that Flavobacterium columnare can attach to inert surfaces and colonize them by producing biofilm. My data showed that some physicochemical parameters modulated biofilm formation by F. columnare. The values identified in this study could be used as reference values to prevent biofilm formation in aquaculture settings. I have experimentally proved that it is possible to induce columnaris disease in channel catfish when compromised skin is exposed to mature biofilm of F. columnare. This suggests that F. columnare could use biofilm as reservoir in the natural environment but also in aquaculture facilities.
General, Artistic and Scientific Creativity Attributes of Engineering and Music Students

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to investigate similarities and differences in general, artistic, and scientific creativity between engineering versus music students, as 2 groups respectively representing scientific and artistic domains. One hundred music and 105 engineering students from a large, Northeastern university completed measures of general creativity, music creativity, engineering creativity, and a demographic questionnaire. Results indicated that musicians scored higher in general and artistic creativity, with no significant differences in scientific creativity. Participants had higher levels of creativity, compared with normative data from previous studies. Gender, age, and specialization within major yielded no significant differences. Implications for creativity measures are discussed, including cognitive risk tolerance.
Determinants of Physical Activity Maintenance in Breast Cancer Survivors After a Community-Based Intervention.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine whether empirically selected and social cognitive theory-based factors, including baseline characteristics and modifiable behavioral and psychosocial factors, were determinants of physical activity (PA) maintenance in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) six months after a PA intervention. DESIGN Single-group longitudinal study. SETTING The Breast Health Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. SAMPLE 42 survivors with stage 0-III breast cancer who completed chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. METHODS The community-based PA intervention included six weekly education and practice sessions on home-based aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES The dependent variable, PA maintenance, was determined based on PA level measurement at six months postintervention. The independent variables of baseline characteristics (age, stage of cancer, and chronic musculoskeletal symptoms) and modifiable behavioral and psychosocial factors (PA level, fatigue, PA self-efficacy in overcoming barriers and performing tasks) were assessed at baseline and postintervention. FINDINGS Multivariate regression analyses revealed that baseline fatigue and chronic musculoskeletal symptoms were the only factors significantly associated with PA maintenance. CONCLUSIONS Baseline fatigue level and chronic musculoskeletal symptoms were significant determinants of PA maintenance in breast cancer survivors who had completed a community-based PA intervention. However, other key factors were considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Prior to participation in community-based PA interventions, clinicians should take into account the effects of high baseline fatigue levels and chronic musculoskeletal symptoms on potential PA maintenance, and consider additional assessments and support for BCSs to sustain their PA behavioral change.
Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs in Small and Medium Enterprises in Swaziland

Although contemporary economies take women entrepreneurship seriously, the uptake of entrepreneurship activities by women remains low in Swaziland; the involvement of women-run businesses in economic development is minimal. Using a quantitative research methodology which involved the filling in of objective questionnaires by female entrepreneurs, the study sought to establish the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Swaziland, identify contributing factors to these challenges and consider the roles played by different stakeholders in promoting women entrepreneurship. The study revealed that most women who are actively engaged in business are aged between 30 to 49. Because of the power of education, these women believe that they are capable of running successful businesses. However, some women feel that they are weak and marginalized. All the study participants have less than 10 years of experience in business. There is inadequate Government support and most of the women lack knowledge about where they could get support. Despite having legislation that supports women’s participation in economic development and the business interests of women, women remain underrepresented in national economic activities. Significant challenges faced by women in business in Swaziland are related to cultural factors, funding and lack of information. More research based strategies are required to create awareness of the business opportunities available for women entrepreneurs in Swaziland. The study concluded that women entrepreneurism is fairly new in Swaziland hence there is need for further research on the women entrepreneurism and how it benefits different stakeholders. Gender justice based socio-cultural reorientation in Swaziland could give more women the opportunity to explore their potential in business without fear of victimization and marginalization.
Effects of Age, Sex, and Disorder on Voice Range Profile Characteristics of 230 Children

In this study, the effect of age, sex, and disorder on the vocal performance of 230 children 6 to 11 years of age was investigated by means of the voice range profile (VRP). Ninety-four control children and 136 children with disorders were studied. The VRPs were quantitatively described by frequency and intensity characteristics, as well as by morphological characteristics. Significant differences between healthy children and children with disorders were found. Age has a different effect in girls than in boys regarding vocal performance. Most of the characteristics for the healthy girls change gradually over the period from 6 to 11 years. For the healthy boys, however, Two age groups can be identified: one below and one above 8 years of age. It is hypothesized that the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate may play a role in this phenomenon.
Genetic testing in the long QT syndrome: development and validation of an efficient approach to genotyping in clinical practice.

CONTEXT In long QT syndrome (LQTS), disease severity and response to therapy vary according to the genetic loci. There exists a critical need to devise strategies to expedite genetic analysis. OBJECTIVE To perform genetic screening in patients with LQTS to determine the yield of genetic testing, as well as the type and the prevalence of mutations. DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND SETTING We investigated whether the detection of a set of frequently mutated codons in the KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A genes may translate in a novel strategy for rapid efficient genetic testing of 430 consecutive patients referred to our center between June 1996 and June 2004. The entire coding regions of KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A, KCNE1, and KCNE2 were screened by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing. The frequency and the type of mutations were defined to identify a set of recurring mutations. A separate cohort of 75 consecutive probands was used as a validation group to quantify prospectively the prevalence of the recurring mutations identified in the primary LQTS population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Development of a novel approach to LQTS genotyping. RESULTS We identified 235 different mutations, 138 of which were novel, in 310 (72%) of 430 probands (49% KCNQ1, 39% KCNH2, 10% SCN5A, 1.7% KCNE1, and 0.7% KCNE2). Fifty-eight percent of probands carried nonprivate mutations in 64 codons of KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A genes. A similar occurrence of mutations at these codons (52%) was confirmed in the prospective cohort of 75 probands and in previously published LQTS cohorts. CONCLUSIONS We have developed an approach to improve the efficiency of genetic screening for LQTS. This novel method may facilitate wider access to genotyping resulting in better risk stratification and treatment of LQTS patients.
Electron acceptor taxis and blue light effect on bacterial chemotaxis

Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli from anaerobic cultures displayed tactic responses to gradients of nitrate, fumarate, and oxygen when the appropriate electron transport pathway was present. Such responses were named "electron acceptor taxis" because they are elicited by terminal electron acceptors. Mutant strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli were used to establish that functioning electron transport pathways to nitrate and fumarate are required for taxis to these compounds. Aerotaxis in S. typhimurium was blocked by 1.0 mM KCN, which inhibited oxygen uptake. Similarly, a functioning electron transport pathway was shown to be essential for the tumbling response of S. typhimurium and E. coli to intense light (290 to 530 nm). Some inhibitors and uncouplers of respiration were repellents of S. typhimurium. We propose that behavioral responses to light or electron acceptors involve electron transport-mediated perturbations of the proton motive force.
Optimizing Energy using Probabilistic Routing in Underwater Sensor Network

As the Importance of Applications, Such as Ocean Sampling, Environmental Monitoring, Disaster Prevention, and Distributed Tactical Surveillance, Has Recently Grown, the Need for Underwater Communication Has Become More Pronounced. unlike Terrestrial Sensor Networks, Underwater Sensor Networks (Uwsns) Have Different Characteristics Such as a Long Propagation Delay, a Narrow Bandwidth and High Packet Loss.Considering the Various Challenges Posed by the Underwater Environment, a Routing Algorithm Has Been Proposed in This Paper. the Algorithm Consists of Special Features, including Three Different Types of Nodes in the Architecture Proposed, a Mathematical Formula in Order to Select the next Node to Be Used for Transmission. the Major Aim of the Algorithm Is to Select the next Node to Be Used for Successful Data Delivery, and Ensure Minimum Energy Consumption. the next Node Is Chosen With Utmost Care in Order to Increase the Probability of Successful Data Delivery. the Packet Is Transferred from the Source to the Sub-Destination by Exploiting Minimum Energy of the Nodes. the Simulation Studies for the Protocol Were Conducted using AQUA-GLOMO Network Simulator. the Protocol Was Benchmarked With DSR Routing Protocol. the Matrices That Were Considered for the Simulation Study Were Throughput, PDR, Energy Consumption and Delay and It Was Observed That Our Proposed Model Performed Better in the Underwater Environment.
Classification of drugs to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): evidence and perspectives.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) (defined as resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin), has a relevant epidemiological impact, with 480, 000 cases and 190,000 deaths notified in 2014; 10% of them meet the criteria for extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB [MDR-TB with additional resistance to any fluoroquinolone, and to at least one injectable second-line drugs (SLDs)] (capreomycin, kanamycin or amikacin) (1,2).
Ambidextrous molecules: cylindrical peptide structures formed by fusing left- and right-handed helices.

The handedness or chirality of molecules, organisms, and elementary particles has been widely appreciated, vindicating Pasteur’s perceptive generalization, Luni-vers est dissymktrique. Ambidexterity is rare not only in biological organisms but also in molecules. One of the most striking chiral features in biopolymers is the twist or handedness of the helices that are frequently formed. Cylindrical helical structures formed by polypeptide chains are an important constituent of peptide and protein structure, The most widespread helical structures are the alpha-helix and 310-helix, both of which have a right-handed screw sense in proteins, determined by the L configuration of the component amino acids. Peptide sequences with alternating L and D residues occur in the membrane channel-forming I 5-residue peptide gramicidin A, resulting in a large diameter cylindrical structure formed by wrapping beta strands about the helix axis. ’ Alternating L,D sequences in cyclic peptides have yielded novel tubular stack. Helical polymers with alternating left- and right-handed blocks have been studies in polyisocyanates, providing new insights into the effect of chiral biases on polymer properties. In order to develop novel synthetic structures using chiral blocks, we have investigated peptides with strong helix-forming tendencies generated so as to fuse left- and right-handed cylindrical screws in the same molecule. We describe below the structural characterization of a 14-residue hydrophobic peptide containing two heptapeptide blocks of opposite chirality.
Characteristics and prognosis of patients requiring valve surgery during active infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY The study aim was to describe the characteristics and operative mortality of patients requiring valve surgery during active infective endocarditis (IE). METHODS This retrospective analysis involved 141 surgically treated patients with active IE. All cardiac operations were performed by the same surgical team between January 1998 and July 2009. All patients had definite (n = 128) or possible (n = 13) endocarditis according to modified Duke criteria. The IE was considered active if surgery was required before completion of a standard course of antimicrobial therapy. Operative mortality included any death occurring within the same hospital admission as surgery. RESULTS Among the patients (108 males, 33 females; mean age 56.3 +/- 14.9 years), native valve endocarditis was present in 122 cases (87%). Multiple valve involvement was observed in 27 patients. The infected valves were the aortic (n = 81), mitral (n = 70), tricuspid (n = 15), or pulmonary (n = 2). The most common pathogens were staphylococci (n = 49), streptococci (n = 46) and enterococci (n = 27). The operative mortality was 16%. In univariate analysis, factors linked to operative mortality were age, prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and inadequate antimicrobial therapy. In multivariate analysis, only PVE was an independent adverse predictor (adjusted Odds Ratio = 4.16; 95% confidence intervals 1.14-12.2; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Surgery for active IE is associated with a high mortality rate. The prognosis is impaired in patients with PVE, but might be improved by adequate antimicrobial therapy.
A founder MYBPC3 mutation results in HCM with a high risk of sudden death after the fourth decade of life

Background Mutations in the cardiac myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene account for a significant proportion of patients affected with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetrance and the impact of a frequent founder MYBPC3 mutation on HCM clinical expression and prognosis. Methods and results Mutation screening of MYBPC3 gene was performed in 97 HCM probands. Nineteen (19.5%) resulted to be carriers of the founder p.F305Pfs*27 mutation and other 45 mutation carriers were identified during the evaluation of 14 families. Eleven (38%) mutation carriers were diagnosed between ages 30 years and 40 years. Disease penetrance was incomplete (64.4%), age-related and was greater in men than women (85% vs 48%, p=0.009). Probands carrying the founder mutation exhibited highest prevalence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (63% vs 22%, p=0.003; 63% vs 23%, p=0.01) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (58% vs 17%, p=0.001; 58% vs 18%, p=0.005) when compared with probands without MYBPC3 mutations or carrying other MYBPC3 mutations. Reduced survival due to sudden cardiac death (SCD) or aborted SCD occurred more frequently after the fourth decade of life in probands carrying p.F305Pfs*27 mutation than those without MYBPC3 mutations (32% vs 15%, p=0.01). Conclusions p.F305Pfs*27 mutation carriers have a high probability to develop the disease between ages 30 years and 40 years with a significant major risk if they are men. This founder mutation is associated with an increase of SCD/aborted SCD events after the fourth decade of life.These findings are of relevant importance for management and clinical decision-making in patients with HCM.
Alum adjuvanticity: Unraveling a century old mystery

The development of vaccine adjuvants for human use has been one of the slowest processes in the history of medicine. For almost one century, aluminium hydroxide (alum) has been the only vaccine adjuvant approved worldwide. Only in the past decade have two oil‐in‐water emulsions and one TLR agonist been approved by the European authorities as new vaccine adjuvants. Despite the fact that alum has been injected into billions of people, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Recently, several reports have greatly increased our knowledge of the molecular and cellular events triggered by alum; however, the contribution of each of these processes to alum adjuvanticity is still unclear. A study published in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, together with two recent publications, have demonstrated that the NOD‐like receptor, pyrin domain containing 3 (Nlrp3)‐inflammasome is the molecular target of alum immunostimulatory activity in vitro. Surprisingly, these three studies reported conflicting results on the requirement of the Nlrp3 inflammasome complex for alum adjuvant effects in vivo. This commentary attempts to resolve some of these discrepancies.