Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Charge transfer effects, thermo and photochromism in single crystal CVD synthetic diamond

We report on the effects of thermal treatment and ultraviolet irradiation on the point defect concentrations and optical absorption profiles of single crystal CVD synthetic diamond. All thermal treatments were below 850 K, which is lower than the growth temperature and unlikely to result in any structural change. UV–visible absorption spectroscopy measurements showed that upon thermal treatment (823 K), various broad absorption features diminished: an absorption band at 270 nm (used to deduce neutral single substitutional nitrogen (NS0) concentrations) and also two broad features centred at approximately 360 and 520 nm. Point defect centre concentrations as a function of temperature were also deduced using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Above ∼500 K, we observed a decrease in the concentration of NS0 centres and a concomitant increase in the negatively charged nitrogen–vacancy–hydrogen (NVH) complex (NVH−) concentration. Both transitions exhibited an activation energy between 0.6 and 1.2 eV, which is lower than that for the NS0 donor (∼1.7 eV). Finally, it was found that illuminating samples with intense short-wave ultraviolet light recovered the NS0 concentration and also the 270, 360 and 520 nm absorption features. From these results, we postulate a valence band mediated charge transfer process between NVH and single nitrogen centres with an acceptor trap depth for NVH of 0.6–1.2 eV. Because the loss of NS0 concentration is greater than the increase in NVH− concentration we also suggest the presence of another unknown acceptor existing at a similar energy to NVH. The extent to which the colour in CVD synthetic diamond is dependent on prior history is discussed.
ORC5L, a New Member of the Human Origin Recognition Complex, Is Deleted in Uterine Leiomyomas and Malignant Myeloid Diseases*

A new member of the human origin recognition complex (ORC) was cloned and identified as ORC5L. HsORC5p is a 50-kDa protein whose sequence is 38% identical and 62% similar to ORC5p from Drosophila melanogaster. Two alleles ofORC5L were identified, one with and one without an evolutionarily conserved purine nucleotide binding motif. HsORC5p is precipitated from cell extracts with HsORC2p and HsORC4p, indicating that it is part of the putative human ORC. The bulk of HsORC5p is in an insoluble nuclear fraction, whereas the other known human ORC subunits (HsORC1p, HsORC2p, and HsORC4p) are easily extracted in the nuclear-soluble fractions and in S100 (HsORC1p). In addition, we identified an alternatively spliced mRNA from the same locus (HsORC5T). HsORC5Tp also formed a complex with HsORC4p but not with HsORC2p, suggesting it may play a regulatory role in the assembly of different ORC subcomplexes. HsORC5, HsORC5T, and HsORC4 transcripts are abundant in spleen, ovary, and prostate in addition to tissues with high levels of DNA replication like testes and colon mucosa, implicating the human ORC proteins in functions besides DNA replication. Finally, the gene for ORC5L is located at chromosome 7, band q22, in the minimal region deleted in 10% of uterine leiomyomas and in 10–20% of acute myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Advances in Tissue Engineering; a Novel Technology Making Use of an in Vivo Vascularized Chamber

Abstract Introduction : Regenerative therapies aim to repair or replace damaged tissues. Clinical applications may vary from organ replacement, to breast reconstruction or limb regeneration. In growing 3-dimensional tissue constructs, access to a nourishing vascular network is essential. Methods : In rats, an arteriovenous loop was surgically established from the femoral vessels and positioned inside a perforated chamber in the groin. Chambers were filled with 2 ml Adipogel, a novel acellular tissue engineering gel containing growth factors and polymers. Constructs were harvested at 6 and 12 weeks (n = 6) and assessed for volume and histological content. Results : The chambers filled with tissue to about half of their content. Histological assessment showed growth of different tissue types within the chamber; not only had a vascular network grown throughout the construct by 12 weeks, adipose, muscular and connective tissue was abundantly present as well. The grown tissue-types seemed to resemble surrounding groin tissue. Conclusion : This in vivo study makes use of a novel technology for tissue generation. In a surgically established vascularized chamber, spontaneous tissue growth within an acellular gel was achieved. Most likely, stem cells residing in adjacent tissues were driven to the chamber to form new tissue. With this technology, hope rises for a variety of novel patient-tailored therapies, such as organ regeneration or soft tissue repair. In all of these strategies, the surgeon is playing an essential role.
A Semiautomated Test for Microsatellite Instability and its Significance for the Prognosis of Sporadic Endometrial Cancer in Northern Norway

Archival histologic material from 105 women (median age 62 years) treated for endometrial cancer was investigated for the replication error phenotype indicated by the observation of widespread microsatellite instability (MSI). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue was analyzed for MSI using six microsatellite loci with a fluorescent-based detection system. Flow cytometry and morphometric investigation were performed in the same material for each of the patients. Twenty percent (21 of 105) of screened endometrial cancers were found to have high MSI at two or more of the loci tested. The mean detection frequency per marker was highest in the dinucleotide repeat sequence, D2S123, and the mononucleotide repeat sequences amplified by Bat 25 and Bat 26. Death from endometrial cancer was not related to the occurrence of MSI (p=0.6). There was no significant association between MSI and FIGO stage (p=0.5), myometrial invasion depth (p=0.8), histological grade (p=0.3), or vessel invasion (p=0.5). There were, however, more MSI cases among the group of diploid cases compared with the aneuploid and tetraploid group. MSI is not a valuable prognosticator for survival of sporadic endometrial cancer, and diploid cases are significantly more often MSI positive than aneuploid and tetraploid cases.
Incidence and prognostic factors of chronic pain after isolated musculoskeletal extremity injury

Chronic pain in patients is usually related to an episode of pain following acute injury, emphasizing the need to prevent progression from acute to chronic pain. Multiple factors in the acute phase might be responsible for perpetuating the pain. The presentation of patients at the emergency department (ED) presents a prime opportunity to identify patients at high risk for chronic pain and to start appropriate treatment.
Productivity Growth in Italy: A Tale of a Slow-Motion Change

Productivity is the main factor holding back long-term economic growth in Italy. Since the second half of the 1990s, productivity growth has been feeble both by historical standards and compared with the other main euro area countries. Understanding the reasons for such a performance and finding the most effective policy levers is crucial to increase Italy’s potential growth rate. Against this background, we provide a detailed analysis of the data and a critical review of the available empirical evidence to identify both the structural weaknesses limiting productivity growth and the strengths of the Italian productive system that may support it looking forward. Since the end of the 1990s and more intensively since the second half of 2011, the reform effort has been particularly effective in the regulation of product and labor markets and industrial policy. On other factors which are very relevant for productivity dynamics, the reform action has been less effective so far.
Electromyographic Investigation of Extensor Activity in Cerebral‐palsied Children in Different Seating Positions

This study was designed to determine whether tonic myoelectric activity of low‐back extensors of spastic cerebral‐palsied children changed in response to changes in seating position, and if so, which position was coincident with the least extensor activity. Using two pairs of surface electrodes, the electrical activity of the lumbar erector spinae muscles was monitored in seven combinations of backrest inclinations (75o, 90o, 105o and 120o) and seat surface elevations (0o and 15o degrees). Off‐line analysis of action potential counts per second of recorded electromyographic signals showed that electrical activity was least when the seat surface elevation was 0o and the backrest inclination 7o. The results showed that differences existed in the activity of the low‐back extensors in the seating positions that were assessed.
Somatodendritic Localization of Translin, a Component of the Translin/Trax RNA Binding Complex

Abstract: Recent studies implicating dendritic protein synthesis in synaptic plasticity have focused attention on identifying components of the molecular machinery involved in processing dendritic RNA. Although Translin was originally identified as a protein capable of binding single‐stranded DNA, subsequent studies have demonstrated that it also binds RNAin vitro. Because previous studies indicated that Translin‐containing RNA/single‐stranded DNA binding complexes are highly enriched in brain, we and others have proposed that it may be involved in dendritic RNA processing. To assess this possibility, we have conducted studies aimed at defining the localization of Translin and its partner protein, Trax, in brain. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated that both Translin and Trax are expressed in neurons with prominent staining apparent in cerebellar Purkinje cells and neuronal layers of the hippocampus. Subcellular fractionation studies demonstrated that both Translin and Trax are highly enriched in the cytoplasmic fraction compared with nuclear extracts. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies with Translin antibodies revealed prominent staining in Purkinje neuron cell bodies that extends into proximal and distal dendrites. A similar pattern of somatodendritic localization was observed in hippocampal and neocortical pyramidal neurons. These findings demonstrate that Translin is expressed in neuronal dendrites and therefore support the hypothesis that the Translin/Trax complex may be involved in dendritic RNA processing.
Validation of nigrostriatal positron emission tomography measures: Critical limits

Molecular imaging and clinical endpoints are frequently discordant in Parkinson disease clinical trials, raising questions about validity of these imaging measures to reflect disease severity. We compared striatal uptake for 3 positron emission tomography (PET) tracers with in vitro measures of nigral cell counts and striatal dopamine in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐treated monkeys.
Efficacy of Command-and-Control and Market-Based Environmental Regulation in Developing Countries

Like their counterparts in industrialized countries, environmental regulators in developing countries rely principally on two types of instruments: command-and-control (CAC) policies, such as emissions and technology standards, and to a lesser extent, market-based instruments (MBIs), such as emissions fees and tradable permits. But these regulators often lack the capacity to implement, monitor, and enforce CAC and MBI policies. As a result, the efficacy of those policies is an empirical matter. We review emerging experimental and quasi-experimental evidence on CAC and MBI policies in developing countries, specifically, from 32 studies of CAC policies and 8 studies of MBIs. Although drawn from a small and decidedly nonrandom sample of countries and policy types, the evidence clearly indicates that CAC and MBI policies can have significant environmental benefits in developing countries. In addition to cataloging and reviewing this evidence, we discuss data and methodological challenges to augmenting it and suggest directions for future research.
The nature of the shock matters: NiGEM estimations of the macroeconomic effects of recent dollar and euro fluctuations

Exchange rate fluctuations have been particularly large since mid-2014, displaying divergent developments across the period. The nominal effective exchange rate of the dollar has appreciated by 15 per cent since June 2014, masking a 25 per cent appreciation to December 2016 followed by a depreciation of 8 per cent. Changes in the euro have turned positive after being negative. This article attempts to measure the impact of currency changes on domestic activity, accounting for the source of fluctuations. More specifically, by using the multi-country structural model NiGEM, we show that different types of exchange rate shocks can have different macroeconomic outcomes. Focusing on the period from January 2017 to February 2018, we show that the depreciation of the dollar, stemming mostly from changes in sentiment in foreign exchange markets, would in fact have been detrimental to US growth. A weaker currency, in this particular case, turned out to be no recipe for stronger growth. Similarly, the appreciation of the euro, triggered by a fall in the risk premium of the currency, may have been positive for growth. There are caveats to the exercise, but the results are nonetheless consistent with previous research pointing to the importance of the nature of the exchange rate shocks in estimating their impact on prices and growth.
Intracellular localization modulates targeting of ExoS, a type III cytotoxin, to eukaryotic signalling proteins

ExoS is a bifunctional type III cytotoxin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Residues 96–232 comprise the Rho GTPase activating protein (Rho GAP) domain, whereas residues 233–453 comprise the 14‐3‐3‐dependent ADP‐ribosyltransferase domain. Earlier studies showed that the N‐terminus targeted ExoS to intracellular membranes within eukaryotic cells. This N‐terminal targeting region is now characterized for cellular and biological contributions to intoxications by ExoS. An ExoS(1–107)–green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein co‐localized with α‐mannosidase, which indicated that the fusion protein localized near the Golgi. Residues 51–72 of ExoS (termed the membrane localization domain, MLD) were necessary and sufficient for membrane localization within eukaryotic cells. Deletion of the MLD did not inhibit type III secretion of ExoS from P. aeruginosa or type III delivery of ExoS into eukaryotic cells. Type III‐delivered ExoS(ΔMLD) localized within the cytosol of eukaryotic cells, whereas type III‐delivered ExoS was membrane associated. Although type III‐delivered ExoS(ΔMLD) stimulated the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton (a Rho GAP activity), it did not ADP‐ribosylate Ras. Type III‐delivered ExoS(ΔMLD) and ExoS showed similar capacities for eliciting a cytotoxic response in CHO cells, which uncoupled the ADP‐ribosylation of Ras from the cytotoxicity elicited by ExoS.
Role of beta interferon in resistance to Toxoplasma gondii infection

The role of recombinant murine beta interferon (rMuIFN-beta) and recombinant human IFN-beta (rHuIFN-beta) in resistance to Toxoplasma gondii was examined. rMuIFN-beta protected mice against a lethal infection with the parasite. The protective effect appeared to depend on the concomitant release of gamma interferon. rMuIFN-beta did not activate murine peritoneal macrophages to inhibit or kill T. gondii whether used alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). rHuIFN-beta did not activate human monocyte-derived macrophages to inhibit or kill T. gondii when 5-day-old monocyte-derived macrophages were used. In contrast, significant killing of T. gondii was noted when 10-day-old monocyte-derived macrophages were used. The addition of LPS enhanced this effect. These results revealed a role for IFN-beta in the mechanisms of defense against T. gondii and suggest its potential use in the treatment of toxoplasmosis in humans.
Forecasting Renewable Energy Consumption under Zero Assumptions

Renewable energy, as an environmentally friendly and sustainable source of energy, is key to realizing the nationally determined contributions of the United States (US) to the December 2015 Paris agreement. Policymakers in the US rely on energy forecasts to draft and implement cost-minimizing, efficient and realistic renewable and sustainable energy policies but the inaccuracies in past projections are considerably high. The inaccuracies and inconsistencies in forecasts are due to the numerous factors considered, massive assumptions and modeling flaws in the underlying model. Here, we propose and apply a machine learning forecasting algorithm devoid of massive independent variables and assumptions to model and forecast renewable energy consumption (REC) in the US. We employ the forecasting technique to make projections on REC from biomass (REC-BMs) and hydroelectric (HE-EC) sources for the 2009–2016 period. We find that, relative to reference case projections in Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2008, projections based on our proposed technique present an enormous improvement up to ~138.26-fold on REC-BMs and ~24.67-fold on HE-EC; and that applying our technique saves the US ~2692.62PJ petajoules(PJ) on HE-EC and ~9695.09PJ on REC-BMs for the 8-year forecast period. The achieved high-accuracy is also replicable to other regions.
Efficacy and safety of second-generation long-acting injections in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

The aim of the present article is to test at a meta-analytical level the efficacy and safety of second-generation long-acting antipsychotic injections (SGLAI) in schizophrenia. Thirteen randomized-controlled trials comparing SGLAI with either placebo or oral antipsychotics were included in a quantitative meta-analysis (6313 patients). Efficacy and safety measures as well as demographic and clinical variables were extracted from each publication or obtained directly from authors. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots and Egger’s intercept. Heterogeneity was addressed with the Q statistic and the I 2 index. SGLAI were more effective than placebo injections [Hedges’s g=0.336, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.246–0.426, Z=7.325, P<0.001] in reducing the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores, but no differences were observed compared with oral antipsychotics (Hedges’s g=0.072, 95% CI −0.072 to 0.217, Z=0.983, P=0.326). There were more responders under SGLAI than placebo (47 vs. 24%, NNT 4, 95% CI 3–6), but no differences in comparison with oral antipsychotics [relative risk (RR)=0.962, P=0.094]. SGLAI and controls groups shared a common safety profile with respect to the number of deaths, overall number of treatment-adverse events, insomnia, QT prolongation, or pain in the injection site. There was a greater risk of developing extrapyramidal side effects with SGLAI than with placebo (RR=2.037, P<0.001) or with oral antipsychotics (RR=1.451, P=0.048). There was no evidence of publication bias (Egger’s P=0.476), and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of results. The present meta-analysis shows superior efficacy for the SGLAI over placebo on psychotic symptoms, although with a relatively small effect size; no evidence of superiority in efficacy over oral antipsychotics; and modest evidence of greater symptoms of extrapyramidal side effects. These data suggest that SGLAI lack an advantage in reducing psychotic symptoms over oral medications. Their potential effects on relapse prevention should be better addressed by future randomized-controlled trials.
Reply to Xie S, Mai G. Comments on “Efficacy of Stone Density on Noncontrast Computed Tomography in Predicting the Outcome of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Patients With Pancreatic Stones” by Ohyama et al

To the Editor: W e read with great interest the article by Ohyama et al. We appreciate that they shared their experience in the course of treatment of pancreatic stones with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). However, we would like to discuss several concerns regarding their study. The results showed that 98 (76.6%) patients had stones in the pancreatic head alone and 30 (23.4%) had stones in the body-tail. Not one patient with stones involving both the head and body-tail was included in their report. However, in our practice and other reports, ESWL was also found safe and effective for those patients with pancreatic stones involving both the head and body-tail. Did the authors believe that ESWL was inappropriate for those patients? Stone density but not the stone diameter is a prognostic factor for complete stone removal. However, it is interesting and obvious that the mean stone diameter of those 62 patients (with a stone density of >820.5 Hounsfield units) was greater than that of those patients with lower-density stones. Was there any correlation between the stone diameter and the stone density in their observation? Did they analyze the efficacy of the stone density in predicting the outcome of ESWL by stratified analysis with the stone diameter? The number of patients with a single stone was different between Table 1 (n = 66) and Table 3 (n = 55) in their report and the authors should clarify this. In addition, because a single stone is also a prognostic factor for complete stone removal from the results and other reports, we would like to know whether the efficacy of the stone density in predicting the outcome of ESWL is different between the single-stone group and the multiple-stone group.
Explanations for Not Having an Audit Committee in a ‘Comply or Explain’ Regime

We utilise the Australian ‘comply or explain’ corporate governance regime to examine the explanations given for not having an audit committee and whether these explanations are consistent with underlying firm characteristics. We hand‐collect explanations provided by firms, and find the most common explanations are that the firm or board size is too small or that the firm is insufficiently complex to justify an audit committee. Thus, the reasons that firms provide for not having an audit committee are focused on internal factors limiting their ability to supply an audit committee. As we find that these explanations are associated with lower total assets, smaller board size and lower leverage, they are consistent with underlying firm characteristics. Thus firms are not providing inconsistent or unrelated explanations as pretexts to avoid forming an audit committee. Documenting that the explanations given for non‐compliance are associated with related firm characteristics should be of interest to regulators and policy makers.
Detergent-free isolation and characterization of cholesterol-rich membrane domains from trans-Golgi network vesicles

Cholesterol is an abundant lipid of the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and of certain endosomal membranes where cholesterol-rich microdomains are important in the organization and compartmentalization of vesicular trafficking. Here we describe the development of a rapid method to isolate a cholesterol-rich endomembrane fraction. We show that widely used subcellular fractionation techniques incompletely separate cholesterol-rich membranes, such as the TGN, from organelles, such as late endosomes and lysosomes. To address this issue, we devised a new subcellular fractionation scheme involving two rounds of velocity centrifugation, membrane sonication, and discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. This strategy resulted in the isolation of a cholesterol and GM1 glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane fraction that was completely cleared of plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. This buoyant fraction was enriched for the TGN and recycling endosome proteins Rab11 and syntaxin-6, and it was well resolved from cis-Golgi and early and late endosomal membranes. We demonstrate that this technique can give useful insights into the compartmentation of phosphoinositide synthesis, and it facilitates the isolation of cholesterol-rich membranes from a population of TGN-trafficking vesicles.