Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disulfide bond structure determination and biochemical analysis of glycoprotein C from herpes simplex virus

A biochemical analysis of glycoprotein C (gC of herpes simplex virus was undertaken to further characterize the structure of the glycoprotein and to determine its disulfide bond arrangement. We used three recombinant forms of gC, gC1(457t), gC1(delta33-123t), and gC2(426t), each truncated prior to the transmembrane region. The proteins were expressed and secreted by using a baculovirus expression system and have been shown to bind to monoclonal antibodies which recognize discontinuous epitopes and to complement component C3b in a dose-dependent manner. We confirmed the N-terminal residues of each mature protein by Edman degradation and confirmed the internal deletion in gC1(delta33-123t). The molecular weight and extent of glycosylation of gC1 (457t), gC1(delta33-123t), and gC2(426t) were determined by treating each protein with endoglycosidases and then subjecting it to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and mass spectrometric analysis. The data indicate that eight to nine of the predicted N-linked oligosaccharide sites on gC1(457t) are occupied by glycans of approximately 1,000 Da. In addition, O-linked oligosaccharides are present on gC1(457t), primarily localized to the N-terminal region (amino acids [aa] 33 to 123) of the protein. gC2(426t) contains N-linked oligosaccharides, but no O-linked oligosaccharides were detected. To determine the disulfide bond arrangement of the eight cysteines of gC1(457t),the protein was cleaved with cyanogen bromide. SDS-PAGE analysis followed by Edman degradation identified three cysteine-containing fragments which are not connected by disulfide linkages. Chemical modification of cysteines combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry identified disulfide bonds between cysteine 1 (aa 127) and cysteine 2 (aa 144) and between cysteine 3 (aa 286) and cysteine 4 (aa 347). Further proteolysis of the cyanogen bromide-generated fragment containing cysteine 5 through cysteine 8, combined with mass spectrometry and Edman degradation, showed that disulfide bonds link cysteine 5 (aa 386) to cysteine 8 (aa 442) and cysteine 6 (aa 390) to cysteine 7 (aa 419). A similar disulfide bond arrangement is postulated to exist in gC homologs from other herpesviruses.
The role of risk aversion in public goods dilemmas with environmental uncertainty: an experimental analysis

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to extend earlier research on environmental uncertainty in public goods dilemmas. The present paper reports the results of an experiment designed to examine the effect of risk aversion on public goods provision. A von Neumann–Morgenstern utility function with constant coefficient of relative risk aversion is used to investigate the impact of risk attitudes within a threshold public goods environment. The outcome of the threshold public goods experiment shows that subjects are indifferent to the changes in environmental conditions. Additionally, the analysis indicates that risk aversion is a significant determinant of voluntary public goods contribution level.
Perceived Exercise Self-efficacy as a Predictor of Exercise Behavior in Individuals Aging with Spinal Cord Injury

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to test the hypothesized association between exercise self-efficacy and exercise behavior, controlling for demographic variables and clinical characteristics, in a sample of individuals with spinal cord injuries. DesignA cross-sectional national survey of 612 community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury in the United States ranging from 18 to 89 yrs of age was conducted. Sample consisted of 63.1% men with a mean (SD) duration of 15.8 (12.79) yrs postinjury; 86.3% reported using a wheelchair. ResultsSelf-efficacy was the only independent variable that consistently predicted all four exercise outcomes. Self-efficacy beliefs were significantly related to frequency and intensity of resistance training (R2 change = 0.08 and 0.03, respectively; P < 0.01 for all) and aerobic training (R2 change = 0.07 and 0.05, respectively; P < 0.01 for all), thus explaining between 3% and 8% of the variance. Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that controlling for other demographic and physical capability variables, the age-related variables made statistically significant contributions and explained between 1% and 3% of the variance in aerobic exercise frequency and intensity (R2 change = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively; P < 0.01 for all). Clinical functional characteristics but not demographic variables explained participation in resistance exercise. ConclusionsSelf-efficacy beliefs play an important role as predictors of exercise. Variations in exercise intensity along the age continuum have implications for exercise prescription and composition. Future research should replicate findings with objective activity measures.
Women's perceptions about the etiology of urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE Incontinent women have low rates of care seeking and treatment, some of which may be explained by their beliefs about the causes of their own urine loss. As little is known about these beliefs, our aim was to qualitatively assess what women perceive as the etiology of their urinary incontinence (UI). METHODS In a written survey on urinary symptoms administered to female HMO enrollees aged 30-90 years, incontinent women were asked the open-ended question: "Why do you think you lose urine? " Qualitative analyses of the responses identified themes, which were quantified and organized into major categories. Subjects were assigned multiple themes/categories as indicated. Relationships between major categories and subject/incontinence characteristics were explored. RESULTS Of the 1458 women with incontinence who completed the survey, 1192 (82%) responded to the open-ended question. Qualitative analyses identified 23 themes, with 5 themes cited by >or=10% of subjects: pelvic floor/bladder muscles (31%), pregnancy/childbirth (18%), age (14%), exertional triggers (12%), and waiting too long to void (10%). The 23 themes were organized into 5 major categories: pelvic floor/bladder related (53%), uncontrollable factors (23%), part of being female (21%), personal/lifestyle attributes (21%), and don't know (12%). Subjects expressed a range of 1-4 themes/categories. Major categories differed by age, and significant associations were seen between major categories and incontinence severity. CONCLUSIONS Women attribute their UI to a number of causes, which can be condensed into workable themes and categories. By understanding women's beliefs about the etiology of incontinence, clinicians may improve their ability to educate, counsel, and treat women with incontinence.
Development stress monitoring system based on personal digital assistant (PDA)

We have developed nonintrusive type stress monitoring system based on the PDA (Personal Digital Assistance). This system separated sensing part of the physiological signal and estimating part of the stress states. First, sensing part consists of four electrodes such as one PPG electrode, two EDA electrodes and one SKT electrode. Sensing part was able to measuring heart rate, skin temperature variation, and electrodermal activity, all of which can be acquired without discomfort from finger. Second, estimating part was developed and verified for physiological signal database that was obtained from multiple subjects by presenting stress stimuli that were elaborated to effectively induce stress. This system is a useful measure of human stress in portabel device as PDA and smart phone.
Crystal structure of fenclorim

In the title compound, C10H6Cl2N2 (systematic name: 4,6-dichloro-2-phenylpyrimidine), which is used commercially as the herbicide safener, fenclorim, the dihedral angle between the dichloropyrimidyl and phenyl rings is 9.45 (10)°. In the crystal, C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link adjacent molecules, forming chains along the c-axis direction. In addition, weak intermolecular C—Cl⋯π [3.6185 (10) Å] and π–π [3.8796 (11) Å] interactions are present, forming a three-dimensional network.
Cardiac rehabilitation after transcatheter versus surgical prosthetic valve implantation for aortic stenosis in the elderly

Background Transcatheter aortic valve implantation plays a leading role in the management of aortic stenosis in patients with comorbidities but no data are available about cardiac rehabilitation in these subjects. This study aimed to compare safety and efficacy of an early, exercise-based, cardiac rehabilitation programme in octogenarians after a traditional surgical aortic valve replacement versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods Seventy-eight consecutive transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients were studied in order to evaluate the effect of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme in comparison to 80 of a similar age having surgical aortic valve replacement. Functional capacity was assessed by a 6 min walking test on admission and at the end of the programme. When possible, a cardiopulmonary exercise test was also performed before discharge. Results The two groups were similar in terms of gender and length of stay in cardiac rehabilitation; as expected, the transcatheter aortic valve implantation group had more comorbidities but no major complications occurred in either group during rehabilitation. All patients enhanced autonomy and mobility and were able to walk at least with the assistance of a stick. In those patients who were able to perform the 6 min walking test, the distance walked at discharge did not significantly differ between the groups (272.7 ± 108 vs. 294.2 ± 101 m, p = 0.42), neither did the exercise capacity assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test (peak-VO2 12.5 ± 3.6 vs. 13.9 ± 2.7 ml/kg/min, p = 0.16). Conclusions Cardiac rehabilitation is feasible, safe and effective in octogenarian patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation as well as after traditional surgery. An early cardiac rehabilitation programme enhances independence, mobility and functional capacity and should be highly encouraged.
Circular RNAs signature predicts the early recurrence of stage III gastric cancer after radical surgery

Tumor recurrence is usually detected within one year after radical resection of stage III gastric cancer. This study aimed to establish the expression profile and determine potential circular RNAs (circRNAs) and predict the early recurrence of stage III gastric cancer. We identified 46 differently expressed circRNAs between cancer and adjacent normal tissues through circRNA microarray. We further screened eight indicators related to early recurrence. We subsequently divided the remaining cases into two cohorts. qRT-PCR results demonstrated a significantly different outcome between low and high expressed groups of four circRNAs in the training cohort. We then constructed a four-circRNA-based classifier to evaluate the risk of early recurrence and distinguished patients with a high risk from those with a low risk. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) of this classifier were 0.763 and 0.711 in the two cohorts, respectively. A new formula could be established by combined the circRNA classifier with TNM stages. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.866 and 0.818 of the two cohorts, respectively. Our study suggested that this four-circRNA-based classifier yielded a predictive ability to the early recurrence of stage III gastric cancer after radical surgery.
The Impact of Technical Change on Healthcare Production and Efficiency

This article measures the technical efficiency of healthcare production and estimates the impact of technical change on healthcare across OECD countries between 2000 and 2011, based on a 34 country panel data set, extending the study by Fare et al. (1997). The study adopted a DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) based output-oriented efficiency measure to obtain the productive efficiency of each country for all given years, and used the Malmquist Index to determine the productivity growth and decompose the technical change from efficiency changes over the years. It is found that the production frontier shifted up around 0.8% annually between 2000 and 2011, with a cumulative 8.5% technical and 7.2% productivity increase over the period. Technological progress seems to be stable over time, while most of the fluctuations in productivity growth come from changes in efficiency due to utilization of new technologies.
Transcatheter occlusion of the arterial duct with Cook detachable coils: early experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of modified, controlled release Gianturco coils for transcatheter occlusion of the arterial duct. DESIGN: Prospective study, approved by local medical ethics committee. SETTING: Tertiary paediatric cardiac centre. PATIENTS: 43 patients with left to right shunting through the arterial duct, two of whom had a residual leak after surgical ligation and three had residual shunting after previous Rashkind umbrella implantation. INTERVENTION: Transcatheter delivery of one or more coils to the arterial duct. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete occlusion of the arterial duct, based on intention to treat and judged by Doppler echocardiography. Absence of flow disturbance in the branch pulmonary arteries and the descending aorta following the procedure. Assessment of cost of the disposable items used. RESULTS: At a median follow up period of three months complete duct occlusion was achieved in 37 (86%) of the 43 patients. No flow disturbance in the branch pulmonary arteries or the descending aorta was detected in any patient. The median cost of disposable items used during the procedure was 342 pounds. CONCLUSIONS: The Cook detachable coil is an effective and financially attractive alternative to the Rashkind umbrella for closure of the arterial duct.
Public Support for European Solidarity: Between Euroscepticism and EU Agenda Preferences?

This article investigates public support for two types of EU‐wide solidarity that currently exist, namely member state solidarity (such as transfers to less developed and crisis‐hit countries) and transnational solidarity (such as granting cross‐border social rights to EU citizens). Drawing on data from the 2014 Belgian National Election Study, we find that opposition towards European integration – in particular regarding EU enlargement – reduces citizens' willingness to support European solidarity to a large extent. However, this article reveals that public support for European solidarity cannot simply be reduced to a pro‐versus anti‐integration, nor to a domestic left–right conflict. Citizens' substantive positions towards the EU's social and economic agenda are a crucial element in understanding contestation over European integration issues.
Joint Association Testing of Common and Rare Genetic Variants Using Hierarchical Modeling

New sequencing technologies provide an opportunity for assessing the impact of rare and common variants on complex diseases. Several methods have been developed for evaluating rare variants, many of which use weighted collapsing to combine rare variants. Some approaches require arbitrary frequency thresholds below which to collapse alleles, and most assume that effect sizes for each collapsed variant are either the same or a function of minor allele frequency. Some methods also further assume that all rare variants are deleterious rather than protective. We expect that such assumptions will not hold in general, and as a result performance of these tests will be adversely affected. We propose a hierarchical model, implemented in the new program CHARM, to detect the joint signal from rare and common variants within a genomic region while properly accounting for linkage disequilibrium between variants. Our model explores the scale, rather than the center of the odds ratio distribution, allowing for both causative and protective effects. We use cross‐validation to assess the evidence for association in a region. We use model averaging to widen the range of disease models under which we will have good power. To assess this approach, we simulate data under a range of disease models with effects at common and/or rare variants. Overall, our method had more power than other well‐known rare variant approaches; it performed well when either only rare, or only common variants were causal, and better than other approaches when both common and rare variants contributed to disease.
Patient selection for intensive care: a comparison of New Zealand and United States hospitals.

To examine how the use of intensive care varies, we compared 5,030 adult ICU admissions in 13 U.S. hospitals with 1,005 patients in two New Zealand (N.Z.) hospitals. Despite similar national demographic and hospital patient characteristics, there were substantial differences in the use of intensive care. The N.Z. hospitals designated 1.7% of their total beds for intensive care compared to 5.6% in the U.S. hospitals. The average age for N.Z. admissions was 42 compared to 55 in the U.S. (p less than .0001). The N.Z. ICUs admitted fewer patients with severe chronic failing health (N.Z. 8.7%, U.S. 18%) and following elective surgery (N.Z. 8%, U.S. 40%). Approximately half the N.Z. admissions were for trauma, drug overdose, and asthma while these diagnoses accounted for 11% of U.S. admissions. When controlled for differences in case mix and severity of illness, hospital mortality rates in N.Z. were comparable to the U.S. This study demonstrates substantial differences in patient selection among these U.S. and N.Z. ICUs that have equal technical and manpower capabilities and provide similar high-quality intensive care. Physicians from both countries justify the differences on medical criteria; however, both approaches to patient selection cannot be optimal. Additional outcome comparisons between acutely ill patients treated in the U.S. and N.Z. could help refine ICU selection criteria and improve the precision of clinical decision-making.
Mechanical Reliability of a Digital Micromirror With Interdigitated Cantilevers

This paper is the first to report on analytical studies and experimental results pertaining to the mechanical reliability of a micromirror with a new spring structure called as interdigitated cantilevers. The bending actuation of the interdigitated cantilevers means that it is capable of a symmetrical bidirectional rotation. Through analytical calculations, finite element method (FEM) simulations, and experiments, we show that the mechanical reliability of the micromirror can simply be improved by changing the spring structure from a conventional twisting hinge type to the new bending interdigitated cantilever type. To quantitatively demonstrate the improvement, we compare the maximum Von Mises stress exerted in two types of micromirrors. The analytical calculations and FEM simulations confirm that the maximum Von Mises stress for cyclic rotations with regard to the micromirror with interdigitated cantilevers is only half that of a conventional micromirror with a hinge when the two micromirrors have the same performance and the same rotation angle. Also, we experimentally evaluate the mechanical reliability of the micromirror with interdigitated cantilevers. The micromirror that is made of pure aluminum was successfully operated without any failures after more than 500 h of operation and 2 × 1010 cycles under a laboratory air condition (23°C and 50 %).
Air Pollution, Lung Function, and Physical Symptoms in Communities Near Concentrated Swine Feeding Operations

Background: Concentrated animal feeding operations emit air pollutants that may affect health. We examined associations of reported hog odor and of monitored air pollutants with physical symptoms and lung function in people living within 1.5 miles of hog operations. Methods: Between September 2003 and September 2005, we measured hydrogen sulfide (H2S), endotoxin, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM2.5–10) for approximately 2-week periods in each of 16 eastern North Carolina communities. During the same time periods, 101 adults sat outside their homes twice a day for 10 minutes, reported hog odor and physical symptoms, and measured their lung function. Conditional fixed-effects logistic and linear regression models were used to derive estimates of associations. Results: The log odds (±1 standard error) of acute eye irritation following 10 minutes outdoors increased by 0.53 (±0.06) for every unit increase in odor, by 0.15 (±0.06) per 1 ppb of H2S, and by 0.36 (±0.11) per 10 &mgr;g/m3 of PM10. Odor and H2S were also associated with irritation and respiratory symptoms in the previous 12 hours. The log odds of difficulty breathing increased by 0.50 (±0.15) per unit of odor. A 10 &mgr;g/m3 increase in mean 12-hour PM2.5 was associated with increased log odds of wheezing (0.84 ± 0.29) and declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (−0.04 ± 0.02 L). A 10 EU/mg increase in endotoxin was associated with increased log odds of sore throat (0.10 ± 0.05), chest tightness (0.09 ± 0.04), and nausea (0.10 ± 0.05). Conclusions: Pollutants measured near hog operations are related to acute physical symptoms in a longitudinal study using analyses that preclude confounding by time-invariant characteristics of individuals.
Very long single- and few-walled boron nitride nanotubes via the pressurized vapor/condenser method

A new method for producing long, small-diameter, single- and few-walled, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in macroscopic quantities is reported. The pressurized vapor/condenser (PVC) method produces, without catalysts, highly crystalline, very long, small-diameter, BNNTs. Palm-sized, cotton-like masses of BNNT raw material were grown by this technique and spun directly into centimeters-long yarn. Nanotube lengths were observed to be 100 times that of those grown by the most closely related method. Self-assembly and growth models for these long BNNTs are discussed.
Sexual patterning and condom use among a group of HIV vulnerable men in Thika, Kenya

Background/aim: A composite sample of 37 peer educators and 215 members of self help groups of male informal sector workers in Thika, Kenya, targeting HIV/AIDS prevention, were interviewed about their sexual behaviour, using a customised template, as part of a broader survey on gender attitudes and peer pressure. Method: Details on each sexual partner reported by each man over a 12 month recall period included type of partner, months during which sexual relations took place, and condom use. Results: The men reported 471 sexual partners over the recall period, with a range of 0–16 partners, and an average of just under two partners. 8% of men had had no sexual partner, half were monogamous, and 3% had multiple partners with whom they used condoms exclusively, leaving 39% at varying degrees of risk. Condom use increased significantly with reduced intimacy of partner. 16% of men reported having at least one liaison with a female sex worker and two thirds of such liaisons were exclusively protected by condom use. Younger, single men had significantly more partners, but were more likely to use condoms. Duration of membership in self help groups was strongly associated with exclusive use of condoms with casual or FSW partners. Recorded attitudes corresponded somewhat with practice, but the data showed large gaps between the two, and low levels of gender sensitivity. Conclusion: There is some evidence that group membership has resulted in increased condom use and partner reduction, but there are doubts as to the extent to which the “ABC” strategy can be successful in stemming the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It may be necessary for interventions to target contextual issues, particularly gender relations, if the approach is to be more successful.