Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A research on relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index among Turkish seafarers.

BACKGROUND The present study aims to investigate and to reveal the relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index (BMI) and obesity among Turkish seafarers by using the health examination reports data obtained from 2009 to 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data on age, gender, weight, height and blood groups obtained from 298,247 medical examination reports of Turkish seafarers were used with the official permission of Directorate General of Health for Border and Coastal Areas. Only 116,871 reports included blood group data. Regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to survey relationship between variables. The results of the study were compared with other studies in the related literature. RESULTS It has been revealed that AB Rh (-) group was associated the highest mean BMI value (mean: 25.952). CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that seafarers with AB Rh (-) blood group, who have the highest mean BMI value, should pay special attention to their weight.
Tom Thumb and Jack the Giant-Killer: Two Arthurian Fairytales?

This study examines the chapbook tales of Tom Thumb and Jack the Giant-Killer. The earliest recorded forms of these stories are discussed and it is contended that the common dismissal of their Arthurian elements as unimportant background—Arthur's Britain as a variant of “Once upon a time”—is unhelpful. Rather, both arguably embody and illustrate important points about the nature of the Arthurian legend in an era in which interest in this had declined considerably. It is suggested that the Arthurian element in Tom Thumb is, while not central, significant, and that it is best viewed in the context of an established pattern of development and expansion of the international Arthurian cycle that meets the needs and interests of different audiences. Jack the Giant-Killer, in contrast, seems to owe a noteworthy debt to the Arthur of Welsh and/or Cornish folklore rather than to the roi fainéant of the international legend, perhaps reflecting the decline in importance of the latter since the time of the The History of Tom Thumbe (1641).
Styrene-butadiene-styrene Tri-block Copolymers Modified wit Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes

Abstract : A novel hybrid organic/inorganic tri-block copolymer of polystyrene-butadiene-polystyrene (SBS) containing grafted polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules was synthesized by a hydrosilation method. The POSS molecules were designed to contain a single silane functional group, which was used to graft onto the dangling 1,2 butadienes in the polybutadiene soft block. Unlike typical free radical copolymerizations commonly used for many other POSS incorporations investigated, this synthesis method allows us to make a series of polymers with varying amounts of POSS without any change to the overall degree of polymerization or structure of the main SBS backbone. This gives us a unique opportunity to study the POSS behavior in the matrix and know that all differences are solely due to the POSS grafted to the soft continuous butadiene phase. X-ray diffraction revealed that the grafted POSS are very well dispersed in the matrix of the hybrid polymer, which is compared to the strong phase segregation observed in a POSS physical blend. Small-angle X-ray scattering indicates that although the cylindrical morphology attributed to the styrene component was not altered by the presence of POSS, but attachment of POSS to the continuous phase (polybutadiene block) causes the packing of discrete phase (polystyrene blocks) to lack long-range features. Results of dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the POSS has sterically hindered the motion of the polybutadiene blocks. More interestingly, the presence of POSS in the soft segments also resulted in a tapered tan peak associated with the glass transition of polystyrene and a higher tensile strength when deformed at temperature near Tg of polystyrene without affecting the elongational behavior of SBS at temperatures above Tg of polybutadiene.
The Mediating Role of Perceived Burdensomeness in Relations Between Domains of Cognitive Functioning and Indicators of Suicide Risk.

OBJECTIVES Psychiatric inpatients are at elevated risk for suicide, but there are mixed findings regarding cognitive functioning (i.e., executive functioning and problem-solving abilities) and suicide risk in this population. We hypothesized that a mediating variable (i.e., perceived burdensomeness) may explain these mixed findings. METHOD This hypothesis was tested in a sample of psychiatric inpatients admitted for suicide-related concerns (N = 110; 58.18% female, M(age) = 36.45) using a nonparametric bootstrapping procedure. RESULTS Perceived burdensomeness did not act as a mediator between any domain of cognitive functioning and current suicide ideation nor presence of recent suicide attempts. However, perceived burdensomeness was the strongest predictor of suicide ideation and mediated the relation between objective problem-solving skill and suicide risk (a weighted variable comprising current ideation and previous attempts). CONCLUSIONS Perceived burdensomeness may be associated with elevated suicide ideation, suggesting that perceived burdensomeness should be assessed to inform suicide risk decisions.
Dissection of malonyl-coenzyme A decarboxylation from polyketide formation in the reaction mechanism of a plant polyketide synthase.

Chalcone synthase (CHS) catalyzes formation of the phenylpropanoid chalcone from one p-coumaroyl-CoA and three malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thioesters. The three-dimensional structure of CHS [Ferrer, J.-L. , Jez, J. M. , Bowman, M. E. , Dixon, R. A. , and Noel, J. P. (1999) Nat. Struct. Biol. 6, 775-784] suggests that four residues (Cys164, Phe215, His303, and Asn336) participate in the multiple decarboxylation and condensation reactions catalyzed by this enzyme. Here, we functionally characterize 16 point mutants of these residues for chalcone production, malonyl-CoA decarboxylation, and the ability to bind CoA and acetyl-CoA. Our results confirm Cys164's role as the active-site nucleophile in polyketide formation and elucidate the importance of His303 and Asn336 in the malonyl-CoA decarboxylation reaction. We suggest that Phe215 may help orient substrates at the active site during elongation of the polyketide intermediate. To better understand the structure-function relationships in some of these mutants, we also determined the crystal structures of the CHS C164A, H303Q, and N336A mutants refined to 1.69, 2.0, and 2.15 A resolution, respectively. The structure of the C164A mutant reveals that the proposed oxyanion hole formed by His303 and Asn336 remains undisturbed, allowing this mutant to catalyze malonyl-CoA decarboxylation without chalcone formation. The structures of the H303Q and N336A mutants support the importance of His303 and Asn336 in polarizing the thioester carbonyl of malonyl-CoA during the decarboxylation reaction. In addition, both of these residues may also participate in stabilizing the tetrahedral transition state during polyketide elongation. Conservation of the catalytic functions of the active-site residues may occur across a wide variety of condensing enzymes, including other polyketide and fatty acid synthases.
The NAL Longitudinal Study on Outcomes of Hearing-Impaired Children : Interim Findings on Language of Early and Later-Identified Children at Six Months after Hearing Aid Fitting

Address correspondence to: Teresa YC Ching, National Acoustic Laboratories, 126 Greville Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia, Teresa.Ching@nal.gov. au. dence to determine whether earlier treatment resulting from screening leads to clinically important improvement in speech and language . is inconclusive because of the design limitations of existing studies”. Since the review, several published studies have revealed information that diverged from the previous studies on the effectiveness of early identification in improving language outcomes. The dissimilarity in cohort compositions, evaluation age, evaluation instruments and factors that confounded the respective studies explains in part the differences in findings (see table 1 for a summary). Generally, program-based studies that assessed children at an early age indicated a statistically significant association between age of identification and language abilities. Seven of these studies included children enrolled in the Colorado Home Intervention Program (Apuzzo and Yoshinaga-Itano 1995; Yoshinaga-Itano and Apuzzo 1998a; Yoshinaga-Itano and Apuzzo 1998b; Yoshinaga-Itano et al. 1998; Yoshinaga-Itano, Coulter and Thomson 2000; Mayne, Yoshinaga-Itano, Sedey and Carey 2000a; Mayne, Yoshinaga-Itano and Sedey 2000b), one included children attending an early intervention program in Nebraska (Moeller 2000), and another included children enrolled in a program in Washington (Calderon and Naidu 2000). In these studies, children who remained in the program at the time of the study or for whom there were available data were included, and there was no information on attrition or follow-up rates. All these studies were based on unblinded assessments, with several relying predominately on parental reports of language abilities. Yoshinaga-Itano et al. (1998) showed that children identified before age 6 months had higher language quotients at 3 years of age than children identified later, but found no significant difference in language performance for children identified between ages 6 to 34 months or interaction be-
Long-distance electronic energy transfer in light-harvesting supramolecular polymers.

The efficient collection of solar energy relies on the design and construction of well-organized light-harvesting systems. Herein we report that supramolecular phenanthrene polymers doped with pyrene are effective collectors of light energy. The linear polymers are formed through the assembly of short amphiphilic oligomers in water. Absorption of light by phenanthrene residues is followed by electronic energy transfer along the polymer over long distances (>100 nm) to the accepting pyrene molecules. The high efficiency of the energy transfer, which is documented by large fluorescence quantum yields, suggests a quantum coherent process.
Significant role of laminin‐1 in branching morphogenesis of mouse salivary epithelium cultured in basement membrane matrix

Mouse submandibular epithelium shows branching morphogenesis in mesenchyme‐free conditions when covered with a basement membrane matrix (Matrigel) in medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor. In the present study, the role of laminin‐1 (LN1), a major glycoprotein of Matrigel, in this culture system was defined. When the epithelium was cultured in a LN1‐nidogen gel, the epithelium showed much branching, comparable to that observed with Matrigel. By electron microscopy, only a felt‐like matrix was formed on the epithelial surface in the LN1‐nidogen gel cultures, while an organized basal lamina structure was formed on the epithelial surface in direct or transfilter recombination cultures with mesenchyme. Next, the epithelium covered with Matrigel was cultured in medium containing either biologically active peptides from LN1, IKVAV‐including peptide (2097–2108), AG10 (2183–2194), AG32 (2370–2381) or AG73 (2719–2730) from the α1 chain, or YIGSR‐including peptide (926–933) from the β1 chain. Only AG73 (RKRLQVQLSIRT from the α1 chain carboxyl‐terminal globular domain) inhibited the epithelial branching in Matrigel. These results suggest that LN1‐nidogen can support the branching morphogenesis of submandibular epithelium even if LN1‐nidogen is not assembled into an intact basal lamina, and that the AG73 sequence is an important site on LN1, which interacts with submandibular epithelial cells.
Probability distribution and statistical properties of spherically compensated cosmic regions in ΛCDM cosmology

The statistical properties of cosmic structures are well known to be strong probes for cosmology. In particular, several studies tried to use the cosmic void counting number to obtain tight constrains on Dark Energy. In this paper we address this question by using the CoSphere model as introduced in de Fromont & Alimi (2017a). We derive their exact statistics in both primordial and non linearly evolved Universe for the standard $\Lambda$CDM model. We first compute the full joint Gaussian probability distribution for the various parameters describing these profiles in the Gaussian Random Field. We recover the results of Bardeen et al. (1986) only in the limit where the compensation radius becomes very large, i.e. when the central extremum decouples from its cosmic environment. We derive the probability distribution of the compensation size in this primordial field. We show that this distribution is redshift independent and can be used to model cosmic void size distribution. Interestingly, it can be used for central maximum such as DM haloes. We compute analytically the statistical distribution of the compensation density in both primordial and evolved Universe. We also derive the statistical distribution of the peak parameters already introduced by Bardeen et al. (1986) and discuss their correlation with the cosmic environment. We thus show that small central extrema with low density are associated with narrow compensation regions with a small $R_1$ and a deep compensation density $\delta_1$ while higher central extrema are located in larger but smoother over/under massive regions.
Target and Trajectory Clinical Application Accuracy in Neuronavigation

BACKGROUND: Catheter, needle, and electrode misplacement in navigated neurosurgery can result in ineffective treatment and severe complications. OBJECTIVE: To assess the Ommaya ventricular catheter localization accuracy both along the planned trajectory and at the target. METHODS: We measured the localization error along the ventricular catheter and on its tip for 15 consecutive patients who underwent insertion of the Ommaya catheter surgery with a commercial neuronavigation system. The preoperative computed tomography/magnetic resonance images and the planned trajectory were aligned with the postoperative computed tomography images showing the Ommaya catheter. The localization errors along the trajectory and at the target were then computed by comparing the preoperative planned trajectory with the actual postoperative catheter position. The measured localization errors were also compared with the error reported by the navigation system. RESULTS: The mean localization errors at the target and entry point locations were 5.9 ± 4.3 and 3.3 ± 1.9 mm, respectively. The mean shift and angle between planned and actual trajectories were 1.6 ± 1.9 mm and 3.9 ± 4.7°, respectively. The mean difference between the localization error at the target and entry point was 3.9 ± 3.7 mm. The mean difference between the target localization error and the reported navigation system error was 4.9 ± 4.8 mm. CONCLUSION: The catheter localization errors have significant variations at the target and along the insertion trajectory. Trajectory errors may differ significantly from the errors at the target. Moreover, the single registration error number reported by the navigation system does not appropriately reflect the trajectory and target errors and thus should be used with caution to assess the procedure risk.
X-structured precoder design for spatial multiplexing MIMO systems

In multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission, precoding has been considered a promising method to improve the system performance. In general, the precoder design criterion depends on the detector used at the receiver. For the maximum-likelihood (ML) detector, the optimum precoder design criterion is equivalent to maximizing the minimum distance of received signal constellations. Several precoding methods have been developed in the literature. However, most of them use numerical searches to derive the precoders and require table look-ups in realtime applications. In this paper, we propose a simple but effective method to solve the problem. The proposed precoder has a simple closed-form expression and no tables are required to store. Simulation results show that the proposed precoder can provide almost the same performance as existing precoders.
Long‐term consequences of Sox9 depletion on inner ear development

The transcription factor Sox9 has been implicated in inner ear formation in several species. To investigate the long‐term consequences of Sox9 depletion on inner ear development we analyzed the inner ear architecture of Sox9‐depleted Xenopus tadpoles generated by injection of increasing amounts of Sox9 morpholino antisense oligonucleotides. We found that Sox9‐depletion resulted in major defects in the development of vestibular structures, semicircular canals and utricle, while the ventrally located saccule was less severely affected in these embryos. Consistent with this phenotype, we observed a specific loss of the dorsal expression of Wnt3a expression in the otic vesicle of Sox9 morphants, associated with an increase in cell death and a reduction in cell proliferation in the region of the presumptive otic epithelium. We propose that, in addition to its early role in placode specification, Sox9 is also required for the maintenance of progenitors in the otic epithelium. Developmental Dynamics 239:1102–1112, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Allograft Survival Following Adult‐to‐Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation (AALDLT) is emerging as a method to treat patients with end‐stage liver disease. The aims of this study were to identify donor and recipient characteristics of AALDLT, to determine variables that affect allograft survival, and to examine outcomes compared with those achieved following cadaveric transplantation. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to examine characteristics associated with the survival of AALDLT. Survival of AALDLT was then compared with cadaveric allografts in multivariable Cox models. Older donor age (>44 years), female‐to‐male donor to recipient relationship, recipient race, and the recipient medical condition before transplant were factors related to allograft failure among 731 AALDLT. Despite favorable donor and recipient characteristics, the rate of allograft failure, specifically the need for retransplantation, was increased among AALDLT (hazard ratio 1.66, 95% C.I. = 1.30–2.11) compared with cadaveric recipients. In conclusion, among AALDLT recipients, selecting younger donors, placing the allografts in recipients who have not had a prior transplant and are not in the ICU, may enhance allograft survival. Analysis of this early experience with AALDLT suggests that allograft failure may be higher than among recipients of a cadaveric liver.
Modeling and Performance Analysis of the DC/DC Series–Parallel Resonant Converter Operating With Discrete Self-Sustained Phase-Shift Modulation Technique

A dynamic study of the DC/DC series-parallel resonant converter operating with a discrete self-sustained phase-shift modulation technique is presented. The study includes the synthesis of a suitable averaged large-signal dynamic model and the design of a nonlinear feedback controller based in the input-output linearization approach. The proposed controller and modulation type provide some outstanding features: zero-voltage switching operation for the whole load range, narrowed frequency variation range, fast transient response, and robustness in relation to external parameter variations. Experimental and simulation results are reported to validate the theoretical predictions and confirm the superior performance of the nonlinear controller when it is compared with a conventional linear controller.
In Vitro Detection of Caries Around Amalgam Restorations Using Four Different Modalities

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of PTR-LUM (The Canary System, CS), laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent, DD), LED fluorescence (Spectra), and visual inspection (ICDAS II) to detect natural decay around bonded amalgam restorations in vitro. Methods: Seventeen extracted human molars and premolars, consisting of visually healthy (n=5) and natural cavitated (n=12) teeth were selected. For the carious teeth, caries was removed leaving some decayed tissue on the floor and or wall of the preparation. For sound teeth, 3 mm. deep cavity preparations were made and teeth were restored with bonded-amalgam restorations. Thirty-six sites (13 sound sites; 23 carious sites) were selected. CS and DD scans were performed in triplicate at 2, 1.5, 0.5, and 0 mm away from the margin of the restoration (MOR). Spectra images were captured for the entire surface, and dentists blinded to the samples provided ICDAS II scoring. Results: Canary Numbers (Mean±SE) for healthy and carious sites at 2, 1.5, 0.5, and 0 mm from the MOR ranged from 12.9±0.9 to 15.4±0.9 and 56.1±4.0 to 56.3±2.0, respectively. DD peak values for healthy and carious sites ranged from 4.7±0.5 to 13.5±2.99, and 16.7±3.7 to 24.5±4.4, respectively. For CS and DD, sensitivity/specificity for sites at 2.0, 1.5, 0.5, 0 mm ranged from 0.95-1.0/0.85-1.0, and 0.45-0.74/0.54-1.0, respectively. For ICDAS II, sensitivity and specificity were 1.0 and 0.17, respectively. For Spectra, data and images were inconclusive due to signal intereference from the amalgam restoration. Conclusions: Using this in-vitro model, CS and DD were able to differentiate between sound and carious tissue at the MOR, but larger variation, less reliability, and poorer accuracy was observed for DD. Therefore, CS has the potential to detect secondary caries around amalgam restorations more accurately than the other investigated modalities.
Comparative genomics reveals mechanism for short-term and long-term clonal transitions in pandemic Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, is a bacterium autochthonous to the aquatic environment, and a serious public health threat. V. cholerae serogroup O1 is responsible for the previous two cholera pandemics, in which classical and El Tor biotypes were dominant in the sixth and the current seventh pandemics, respectively. Cholera researchers continually face newly emerging and reemerging pathogenic clones carrying diverse combinations of phenotypic and genotypic properties, which significantly hampered control of the disease. To elucidate evolutionary mechanisms governing genetic diversity of pandemic V. cholerae, we compared the genome sequences of 23 V. cholerae strains isolated from a variety of sources over the past 98 years. The genome-based phylogeny revealed 12 distinct V. cholerae lineages, of which one comprises both O1 classical and El Tor biotypes. All seventh pandemic clones share nearly identical gene content. Using analogy to influenza virology, we define the transition from sixth to seventh pandemic strains as a “shift” between pathogenic clones belonging to the same O1 serogroup, but from significantly different phyletic lineages. In contrast, transition among clones during the present pandemic period is characterized as a “drift” between clones, differentiated mainly by varying composition of laterally transferred genomic islands, resulting in emergence of variants, exemplified by V. cholerae O139 and V. cholerae O1 El Tor hybrid clones. Based on the comparative genomics it is concluded that V. cholerae undergoes extensive genetic recombination via lateral gene transfer, and, therefore, genome assortment, not serogroup, should be used to define pathogenic V. cholerae clones.