Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excess Mortality in Patients with Severe Mental Disorders in 1996-2010 in Finland

Unselected population-based nationwide studies on the excess mortality of individuals with severe mental disorders are scarce with regard to several important causes of death. Using comprehensive register data, we set out to examine excess mortality and its trends among patients with severe mental disorders compared to the total population. Patients aged 25–74 and hospitalised with severe mental disorders in 1990–2010 in Finland were identified using the national hospital discharge register and linked individually to population register data on mortality and demographics. We studied mortality in the period 1996–2010 among patients with psychotic disorders, psychoactive substance use disorders, and mood disorders by several causes of death. In addition to all-cause mortality, we examined mortality amenable to health care interventions, ischaemic heart disease mortality, disease mortality, and alcohol-related mortality. Patients with severe mental disorders had a clearly higher mortality rate than the total population throughout the study period regardless of cause of death, with the exception of alcohol-related mortality among male patients with psychotic disorders without comorbidity with substance use disorders. The all-cause mortality rate ratio of patients with psychotic disorders compared to the total population was 3.48 (95% confidence interval 2.98–4.06) among men and 3.75 (95% CI 3.08–4.55) among women in the period 2008–10. The corresponding rate ratio of patients with psychoactive substance use disorders was 5.33 (95% CI 4.87–5.82) among men and 7.54 (95% CI 6.30–9.03) among women. Overall, the mortality of the total population and patients with severe mental disorders decreased between 1996 and 2010. However, the mortality rate ratio of patients with psychotic disorders and patients with psychoactive substance use disorders compared to the total population increased in general during the study period. Exceptions were alcohol-related mortality among patients with psychoactive substance use disorders and female patients with psychotic disorders, as well as amenable mortality among male patients with psychotic disorders. The mortality rate ratio of persons with mood disorders compared to the total population decreased. The markedly high mortality amenable to health care intervention among patients with severe mental disorders found in our study suggests indirectly that they may receive poorer quality somatic care. The results highlight the challenges in co-ordinating mental and somatic health services.
DNA Recognition by the Herpes Simplex Virus Transactivator VP16: a Novel DNA-Binding Structure

ABSTRACT Upon infection, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) transcriptional activator VP16 directs the formation of a multiprotein-DNA complex—the VP16-induced complex—with two cellular proteins, the host cell factor HCF-1 and the POU domain transcription factor Oct-1, on TAATGARAT-containing sequences found in the promoters of HSV immediate-early genes. HSV VP16 contains carboxy-terminal sequences important for transcriptional activation and a central conserved core that is important for VP16-induced complex assembly. On its own, VP16 displays little, if any, sequence-specific DNA-binding activity. We show here that, within the VP16-induced complex, however, the VP16 core has an important role in DNA binding. Mutation of basic residues on the surface of the VP16 core reveals a novel DNA-binding surface with essential residues which are conserved among VP16 orthologs. These results illuminate how, through association with DNA, VP16 is able to interpret cis-regulatory signals in the DNA to direct the assembly of a multiprotein-DNA transcriptional regulatory complex.
Feature-centric ranking algorithms for georeferenced video search

While it is commonplace to retrieve photos showing a particular feature (e.g. through tools such as Google Pictures or Bing Images), spatial approaches for retrieving videos showing a particular feature (e.g. a building) have yet to be established. This article proposes five ranking algorithms to query georeferenced videos for a specific feature based on the videos' spatio-temporal metadata. 12 relevance criteria for feature-centric video ranking were compiled from a focus group discussion. From these, four criteria have been selected for implementation: "Feature Depiction", "Feature Illumination", "Feature Visibility Duration", and "Distance to Feature". These criteria were implemented in five algorithms and evaluated regarding efficiency and user perceived plausibility. The evaluation suggests that the "Feature Visibility Duration" of the video's viewshed with the queried feature geometry offers a good trade-off between computationally performant and cognitive plausible ranking. The obtained results are relevant to user-centered approaches for interacting with georeferenced videos.
Breakpoints in immunoregulation required for Th1 cells to induce diabetes

We describe a novel TCR‐transgenic mouse line, TCR7, where MHC class II‐restricted, CD4+ T cells are specific for the subdominant H‐2b epitope (HEL74–88) of hen egg lysozyme (HEL), and displayed an increased frequency in the thymus and in peripheral lymphoid compartments over that seen in non‐transgenic littermate controls. CD4+ T cells responded vigorously to HEL or HEL74–88 epitope presented on APC and could develop into Th1 or Th2 cells under appropriate conditions. Adoptive transfer of TCR7 Ly5.1 T cells into Ly5.2 rat insulin promoter (RIP)‐HEL transgenic recipient hosts did not lead to expansion of these cells or result in islet infiltration, although these TCR7 cells could expand upon transfer into mice expressing high levels of HEL in the serum. Islet cell infiltration only occurred when the TCR7 cells had been polarized to either a Th1 or Th2 phenotype prior to transfer, which led to insulitis. Progression from insulitis to autoimmune diabetes only occurred in these recipients when Th1 but not Th2 TCR7 cells were transferred and CTLA‐4 signaling was simultaneously blocked. These findings show that regulatory pathways such as CTLA‐4 can hold in check already differentiated autoreactive effector Th1 cells, to inhibit the transition from tolerance to autoimmune diabetes.
Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity Using Biologically Realistic Action Potentials and Low-Temperature Materials

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) is a fundamental learning rule observed in biological synapses that is desirable to replicate in neuromorphic electronic systems. Nanocrystalline-silicon thin film transistors (TFTs) and memristors can be fabricated at low temperatures, and are suitable for use in such systems because of their potential for high density, 3-D integration. In this paper, a compact and robust learning circuit that implements STDP using biologically realistic nonmodulated rectangular voltage pulses is demonstrated. This is accomplished through the use of a novel nanoparticle memory-TFT with short retention time at the output of the neuron circuit that drives memristive synapses. Similarities to biological measurements are examined with single and repeating spike pairs or different timing intervals and frequencies, as well as with spike triplets.
Nandina domestica, a new host of Apple stem grooving virus and Alternanthera mosaic virus

An ornamental plant, Nandina domestica, has been found to be infected for the first time with Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) in New Zealand and Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) in Oklahoma, USA. ASGV may infect N. domestica latently and the symptoms observed in New Zealand are thought to be induced by the co-infecting Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Similarly, Plantago asiatica mosaic virus (PlAMV, syn. Nandina mosaic virus) was found to co-infect with AltMV in the USA, and therefore the observed symptoms may be induced by AltMV and/or PlAMV.
Rituximab therapy in monoclonal IgM-related neuropathies

Monoclonal IgM-related neuropathies constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders, which are generally poorly responsive to treatment. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the CD20 molecule, has been used with success in patients with neuropathy and monoclonal IgM with anti-MAG or anti-GM1 ganglioside activity. Based on this observation, four patients were treated with IgM-related neuropathy with rituximab. Between January 1999 – December 2000, four patients with IgM-related neuropathy (one with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and three with sensorimotor demyelinating neuropathy) were treated with rituximab. Rituximab was administered at a standard dose of 375 mg m−2 iv weekly for a consecutive 4 weeks; 3 months later, four additional weekly courses were administered to patients who did not experience deterioration of their neuropathy symptoms. Neurological evaluation was performed before each rituximab infusion and at 1 week and 2 months after last infusion and every 6 months the following years; including motor (MRC in six muscle groups, 9-hole peg test, 10 m walk, hand grip strength), sensory neuropathy (vibration threshold and sensory subjective score) assessment. Neurophysiological parameters were also assessed (MNCV, SNCV, CMAP, SNAP). Strength improved in three of four patients; including the patient with CIDP. This patient developed a significant worsening of her weakness 3 weeks after the initiation of rituximab. This phenomenon coincided with a serum monoclonal IgM flare and resolved spontaneously 1 week later. Her improvement is ongoing for more than 5 years. Considering neurophysiological parameters, two patients showed a slight improved regarding conduction velocities and CMAP (10%) and the patient with IgM flare had a transient worsening of conduction velocities followed by improvement. In conclusion, rituximab is a safe and well-tolerated treatment which may be effective in some patients with IgM-related neuropathy.
Aedes aegypti Molecular Responses to Zika Virus: Modulation of Infection by the Toll and Jak/Stat Immune Pathways and Virus Host Factors

Zika (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. However, the molecular interactions between the vector and ZIKV remain largely unexplored. In this work, we further investigated the tropism of ZIKV in two different Aedes aegypti strains and show that the virus infection kinetics, tissue migration, and susceptibility to infection differ between mosquito strains. We also compare the vector transcriptome changes upon ZIKV or DENV infection demonstrating that 40% of the mosquito’s midgut infection-responsive transcriptome is virus-specific at 7 days after virus ingestion. Regulated genes included key factors of the mosquito’s anti-viral immunity. Comparison of the ZIKV and DENV infection-responsive transcriptome data to those available for yellow fever virus and West Nile virus identified 26 genes likely to play key roles in virus infection of Aedes mosquitoes. Through reverse genetic analyses, we show that the Toll and the Jak/Stat innate immune pathways mediate increased resistance to ZIKV infection, and the conserved DENV host factors vATPase and inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase are also utilized for ZIKV infection.
Lentil (Lens culinaris) Lipid Transfer Protein Len c 3: A Novel Legume Allergen

Background: Lentils are increasingly consumed in many parts of the world.Two allergens, Len c 1 and 2, have been reported previously. Recently, peanut and green bean lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) have been identified as the first two members of an important group of allergens that might be associated with severe food allergies. Objective: To investigate lentil LTP as a potential new allergen. Methods: Efficacy of LTP extraction was monitored at different acidic pH values, using immunoblotting with cross-reactive anti-peach LTP antiserum. Natural LTP was purified from lentil extract and expressed as recombinant allergen in Escherichia coli. Sera from 10 lentil-allergic and/or -sensitized patients (Spain: 6, Italy: 1 and the Netherlands: 3) were used to further characterize lentil LTP. Results: Natural lentil LTP, purified from the homogenized germinated seeds and optimally extracted at pH 3, was identified and designated as allergen Len c 3. By CAP, 9/10 sera showed specific IgE to Len c 3. Recombinant (r) Len c 3 was successfully purified. The natural (n) Len c 3 CAP was completely inhibited by rLen c 3/rPru p 3. IgE binding to lentil pH 3 extract blot was completely inhibited by rLen c 3. Conclusion: The availability of immunochemically active nLen/rLen c 3 as a novel legume allergen facilitates further development and implementation of a third (next to peanut and green bean) legume LTP in component-resolved diagnosis strategies and contributes to evaluate the clinical importance of legume LTPs. Preferential extraction of Len c 3 (pH 3) will affect the production of sensitive extract-based diagnostic tests.
Controlling a 4-wire PV-AF system in existence of unbalanced and distorted supply voltages

This paper presents a 4-wire photovoltaic power generation and active filter (PV-AF) system for local load supply and harmonic compensation with unbalanced and distorted supply voltage. In this work, the strategy received from instantaneous power theory formulations applied to unbalanced and nonlinear systems is analyzed. A study is carried out about its performance in compensation by means of two indices measured in the source currents after compensation: the source current total harmonic distortion (THD) value and the neutral current root mean square (rms) value. The control strategy using vectorial theory and a simple method for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) are proposed. The vectorail theory and simple MPPT method are used as reference current generator for PV-AF system that injects maximum available power of PV array and compensates load harmonics, reactive power and unbalance. Finally simulation is performed using PSCAD/EMTDC software, and results are presented to demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed.
Randomized prospective study comparing moxalactam and cefoxitin with or without tobramycin for the treatment of serious surgical infections

The efficacy and toxicity of moxalactam were compared with the efficacy and toxicity of cefoxitin given with or without tobramycin to 109 patients with surgical infections. A total of 66 patients could be assessed for efficacy (33 patients in each group); 13 of the cefoxitin-treated patients also received tobramycin for at least 72 h. Most patients had intraabdominal infections; 17 had peritonitis, 14 had intraabdominal abscesses, and 7 had perforation of a gangrenous appendix. There were 15 patients with necrotizing soft-tissue infections. The predominant pathogens were members of the Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides fragilis. The cure rates were 79% (26 of 33 patients) for moxalactam and 88% (29 of 33 patients) for cefoxitin; the difference in cure rates was not statistically significant. In several patients, cultures of purulent intraabdominal exudates were negative, although bacteria were observed after Gram staining; this presumably reflected the potent activity of the antibiotic therapy which had been started before surgical drainage could be carried out. Adverse effects were observed in 18 of 44 assessable patients (41%) in the cefoxitin group and in 12 of 36 patients (33%) in the moxalactam group; the difference in the rates of adverse effects was not statistically significant. Our results suggest that moxalactam is similar in efficacy and toxicity to cefoxitin given with or without tobramycin for the treatment of serious surgical sepsis caused by a mixture of anaerobic and aerobic pathogens.
The impact of endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) on esophageal cancer staging: a survey of thoracic surgeons and gastroenterologists.

SUMMARY Accurate staging of esophageal cancer is critical to achieving optimal treatment outcomes. End-oscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has emerged as a valuable tool for locoregional staging. However, it is unclear how different physician specialties perceive the benefit of EUS-FNA for esophageal cancer staging, and thus utilize this modality in clinical practice. A survey regarding utilization of EUS-FNA in esophageal cancer was distributed to 211 thoracic surgeons and 251 EUS-capable gastroenterologists. Seventy-six thoracic surgeons (36%) and 78 gastroenterologists (31%) responded to the survey. Most surgeons (75%) use EUS to stage potentially resectable esophageal cancer 75% of the time. Surgeons using EUS less often are less likely to have access to high-quality EUS services than their peers. Fewer surgeons believe EUS is the most accurate test for T and N-staging (84% and 71%, respectively) as compared with gastroenterologists (97% and 96%, P < 0.01 for both). Most endosonographers (68%) decide whether to dilate a malignant esophageal stricture to complete the staging exam on a case-by-case basis. Surgeons disagree as to whether involvement of celiac lymph nodes should preclude esophagectomy in distal esophageal cancer. While most thoracic surgeons have embraced EUS-FNA as the most accurate locoregional staging modality in esophageal cancer, this attitude is not fully reflected in utilization patterns due to a lack of quality EUS services in some centers. Controversial areas that warrant further study include dilation of malignant strictures to facilitate EUS staging, and the implication of involved celiac lymph nodes on management.
Trade, Education, Governance and Distance: Impact on Technology Diffusion and Productivity Growth in Asia and LAC

This paper examines the impact of North-South trade, education, governance and North-South distance, on technology diffusion and total factor productivity (TFP) growth in the South, focusing on LAC and East Asia over the 32 years before the Great Recession (1976-2007). Findings are: i) TFP rises with education, trade, governance (ETG) and imports’ RD ii) an increase of LAC’s ETG to East Asia’s levels raises TFP by 165%, fully accounting for its TFP gap with East Asia; iii) the impact of the education gap equals the sum of the governance and openness gaps; and iv) South America’s loss of TFP relative to Mexico associated with its greater distance to US-Canada (both Europe and Japan) is 9.3 (0) percent.
The effects of macroeconomic shocks on the Brunei economy: a sign restriction approach

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of oil price, foreign monetary policy, and domestic government spending shocks on the Brunei economy from 2003Q1 to 2014Q3 based on a structural vector autoregression model with shocks identified using the sign restriction methodology. The results show that an unanticipated oil price decline has a negative effect on government expenditure, and consequently non-oil GDP. Foreign monetary policy shocks also affect the economy through their impact on the interest rate, prices, and the real exchange rate. The procyclical fiscal stance, which exacerbates the business cycle, is an important source of macroeconomic fluctuations. Government expenditure smoothing should be accorded high importance in the conduct of fiscal policy. This could be achieved by using oil reserve funds to finance budget deficits to delink government spending from volatile oil revenue.
Rhabdomyolysis After Hyperemesis Gravidarum

BACKGROUND: Hyperemesis gravidarum may lead to hypovolemia and substantial electrolyte abnormalities, including hypokalemia. Hypokalemia, when profound, may result in rare consequences, such as rhabdomyolysis. CASE: A 20-year-old woman with hyperemesis gravidarum at 19 weeks of gestation presented with extreme leg weakness and was found to have hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia. Her course was complicated by rhabdomyolysis, which, after excluding other causes, was attributed to hypokalemia and severe dehydration. After aggressive electrolyte and hydration repletion, she experienced resolution of her symptoms. CONCLUSION: Pregnancies complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum represent potentially high-risk clinical scenarios for electrolyte abnormalities and subsequent complications, including rhabdomyolysis.
Effect of solder volume on diffusion kinetics and mechanical properties of microbump solder joints

This study, mainly emphasis on effects of solder volume on interfacial diffusion kinetics and mechanical properties of Sn/Cu microbump solder joints. Different thicknesses i.e. 12 µm Sn (electrodeposited) and 100 and 200µm Sn is screen printed over 14 µm thickness Cu under bump metallization (UBM). The diameter of Cu UBM used in this study is 50, 110 and 240µm respectively. Solder joints are subjected to multiple reflows up to 10th reflow at 245, 265 and 285°C for 60, 90 and 135 seconds under nitrogen atmosphere in a reflow oven. Morphology and diffusion kinetics have been studied with reference to reflow temperatures, multiple reflows and reflow time. Interfacial Cu-Sn intermetallic growth rates and activation energies were determined. Micro-mechanical properties of microbump solder joints, nanoindentation experiments with CSM method have used to determine the elastic modulus and hardness of the microbump solder joints.
E2A Expression Stimulates Ig Hypermutation1

Ig hypermutation is limited to a region of ∼2 kb downstream of the transcription start sites of the Ig loci. The process requires transcription and the presence of Ig enhancer sequences, and is initiated by the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-mediated deamination of cytidine bases. It remains unknown why AID causes mutations selectively in the Ig genes and not in most other transcribed loci of B cells. In this study, we report that the inactivation of the E2A gene strongly reduces the rate of Ig L chain mutations in the chicken B cell line DT40 without affecting the levels of surface Ig or AID expression. The defect is complemented by the expression of cDNAs corresponding to either of the two E2A splice variants E12 or E47. The results suggest that E2A-encoded proteins enhance Ig hypermutation by recruitment of AID to the Ig loci.
Current- and Field-Driven Domain Wall Motion in L- and C-Shaped Permalloy Nanowires With Different Wire Widths

We investigated the pulse-current-driven and magnetic-field-driven domain wall (DW) motion in permalloy nanowires with different shapes and wire widths. Two different nanowire types, 600 nm wide L- and 300 nm wide C- shaped, were considered by means of magnetic force microscope and anisotropic magnetoresistance measurement. We confirmed that every time head-to-head vortex DWs were placed at the specific places as we intended for both types of nanowires. We found similar critical current densities (~5 times 1011 A/m2) and DW velocity (~2.0 m/s) for both nanowires in spite of their different shapes and widths. Multiple vortex DWs were also observed when the applied current density exceeded only a few percent of the critical values. We also performed magnetic-field-driven DW propagations. From the pinning and depinning images and anisotropic magnetoresistance measurement, we found the magnetoresistance value of the single vortex type DW for the L-shaped permalloy nanowire.