Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and redox characterization of the polyoxo anion, gamma*-[S2W18O62]4-: a unique fast oxidation pathway determines the characteristic reversible electrochemical behavior of polyoxometalate anions in acidic media.

The synthesis and characterization of (Bu4N)4[S2W18O62]. 1.23MeCN. 0.27H2O are reported. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 22.389(6) A, b = 22.104(3) A, c = 25.505(5) A, beta = 95.690(15) degrees, V = 12560(5) A3, and Z = 4. The anion exists as the gamma* isomer, the second example of this isomer type to be characterized structurally. The equivalent molybdenum salt occurs as the alpha isomer. gamma*-[S2W18O62]4- in MeCN solution displayed four electrochemically reversible one-electron redox processes at E1/2 values of -0.24, -0.62, -1.18, and -1.57 V versus the Fc+/Fc couple. Upon addition of acid in MeCN/H2O (95/5 v/v), the two most cathodic processes converted to an overall two-electron process at -0.71 V. The total data suggested that this process actually comprises two one-electron transfer processes, occurring at different potentials, with associated proton-transfer reactions. The interpretation is supported by simulation of the effect of acid titration upon the cyclic voltammetry. While multiple pathways for correlated reduction and protonation are present in both the molybdenum and tungsten systems, only a single fast oxidation pathway is available. As the reduced forms of [S2W18O62]4- are much weaker bases than those of [S2Mo18O62]4-, the individual oxidation pathways are not the same. However, their existence determines the highly reversible electrochemical behavior that is characteristic of these anions, and that of polyoxometalate systems in general.
Exclusive and Persistent Use of the Entry Coreceptor CXCR4 by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 from a Subject Homozygous for CCR5 Δ32

ABSTRACT Individuals who are homozygous for the 32-bp deletion in the gene coding for the chemokine receptor and major human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor CCR5 (CCR5 −/−) lack functional cell surface CCR5 molecules and are relatively resistant to HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 infection in CCR5 −/− individuals, although rare, has been increasingly documented. We now report that the viral quasispecies from one such individual throughout disease is homogenous, T cell line tropic, and phenotypically syncytium inducing (SI); exclusively uses CXCR4; and replicates well in CCR5−/− primary T cells. The recently discovered coreceptors BOB and Bonzo are not used. Although early and persistent SI variants have been described in longitudinal studies, this is the first demonstration of exclusive and persistent CXCR4 usage. With the caveat that the earliest viruses available from this subject were from approximately 4 years following primary infection, these data suggest that HIV-1 infection can be mediated and persistently maintained by viruses which exclusively utilize CXCR4. The lack of evolution toward the available minor coreceptors in this subject underscores the dominant biological roles of the major coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4. This and two similar subjects (R. Biti, R. Ffrench, J. Young, B. Bennetts, G. Stewart, and T. Liang, Nat. Med. 3:252–253, 1997; I. Theodoreu, L. Meyer, M. Magierowska, C. Katlama, and C. Rouzioux, Lancet 349:1219–1220, 1997) showed relatively rapid CD4+ T-cell declines despite average or low initial viral RNA load. Since viruses which use CXCR4 exclusively cannot infect macrophages, these data have implications for the relative infection of the T-cell compartment versus the macrophage compartment in vivo and for the development of CCR5-based therapeutics.
Estimation of sleeping posture for M-Health by a wearable tri-axis accelerometer

Sensor technology has been developed for measuring daily activity. Measurement instruments of all kinds have continued to become much smaller, consume less power, and increase in resolution and/or sensitivity. This study proposed a way to detect sleeping postures from data acquired using a tri-axis accelerometer strapped to subject's chest. We defined sleeping postures as five states focusing on basal-surface, which indicates the place of human's body on the ground. An evaluation was performed both manually by a technician and automatically by designed software. Results is that the accelerometer allowed us to accurately classify postures. Changes in posture were detected with a mean error of less than 3 s, which is acceptable for clinical cardiovascular applications.
Enhancement Technique of Image Contrast using New Histogram Transformation

This paper presents a preprocessing technique that can provide the improved quality of image robust to illumination changes. First, in order to enhance the image contrast, we proposed new adaptive histogram transformation combining histogram equalization and histogram specification. Here, by examining the characteristic of histogram distribution shape, we determine the appropriate target distribution. Next, applying the histogram equalization with an image histogram, we have obtained the uniform distribution of pixel values, and then we have again carried out the histogram transformation using an inverse of target distribution function. Finally we have conducted various experiments that can enhance the quality of image by applying our method with various standard images. The experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve moderately good image enhancement results.
Dysregulated T helper cell differentiation in the absence of interferon regulatory factor 4

Certain IFN regulatory factor (IRF) transcription factors indirectly influence T helper (Th) cell differentiation by regulating the production of IL-12. Here, we show that IRF4 directly regulates Th cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo during murine leishmaniasis. In the absence of IRF4, IL-12-induced Th1 cell differentiation was compromised, while IL-4 failed to induce Th2 cell differentiation. Instead, IL-4 tended to induce Th1 cells, defined by production of IFN-γ and TNF. Although early IL-4 signaling was normal in IRF4−/− Th cells, the protein GATA-3, a transcription factor critical for Th2 development, was not up-regulated following IL-4 treatment. Retroviral overexpression of GATA-3 rescued Th2 differentiation. Therefore, IRF4 deficiency manifests itself as severely dysregulated Th cell differentiation.
Interoperability in the Petroleum Industry

The petroleum industry is a technically challenging business with highly specialized companies and complex operational structures. Several terminological standards have been introduced over the last few years, though they address particular disciplines and cannot help people collaborate efficiently across disciplines and organizational borders. This paper discusses the results from the industrally driven Integrated Information Platform project, which has developed and formalized an extensive OWL ontology for the Norwegian petroleum business. The ontology is now used in production reports, and the ontology is considered vital to semantic interoperability and the concept of integrated operations on the Norwegian
Fluorescein angiographic correlation of focal narrowing of retinal arterioles in glaucoma

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that focal narrowing of retinal arterioles in the parapapillary region occurs in eyes with optic neuropathies such as glaucoma. This study evaluated whether these vessel constrictions detected ophthalmoscopically have an equivalent in angiographic imaging of the fundus. METHODS Fluorescein angiograms and colour wide angle fundus photographs of 33 patients with open angle glaucoma and 76 subjects with normal optic nerves were examined for focal narrowing of retinal arterioles. The angiograms had primarily been taken for other reasons such as age related macula degeneration. RESULTS All focal narrowings of retinal arterioles detected on fundus photographs showed a localised constriction of vessel filling in the fluorescein angiograms. Degree of vessel narrowing on the fundus photographs and degree of constriction of the fluorescein vessel filling were significantly (p<0.001) correlated with each other. CONCLUSIONS Focal narrowing of retinal arterioles in the parapapillary region of eyes with optic neuropathies represents a real stenosis of the vessel lumen and is not due to an ophthalmoscopic artefact.
An analysis of wide-area name server traffic: a study of the Internet Domain Name System

Over a million computers implement the Internet's Domain Name System of DNS, making it the world's most distributed database and the Internet's most significant source of wide-area RPC-like traffic. Last year, over eight percent of the packets and four percent of the bytes that traversed the NSFnet were due to DNS. We estimate that a third of this wide-area DNS traffic was destined to seven root name servers. This paper explores the performance of DNS based on two 24-hour traces of traffic destined to one of these root name servers. It considers the effectiveness of name caching and retransmission timeout calculation, shows how algorithms to increase DNS's resiliency lead to disastrous behavior when servers fail or when certain implementation faults are triggered, explains the paradoxically high fraction of wide-area DNS packets, and evaluates the impact of flaws in various implementations of DNS. It shows that negative caching would improve DNS performance only marginally in an internet of correctly implemented name servers. It concludes by calling for a fundamental change in the way we specify and implement future name servers and distributed applications.
The effect of negative pressure wound therapy with periodic instillation using antimicrobial solutions on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on porcine skin explants

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi) is increasingly used as an adjunct therapy for a wide variety of infected wounds. However, the effect of NPWTi on mature biofilm in wounds has not been determined. This study assessed the effects of NPWTi using saline or various antimicrobial solutions on mature Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm using an ex vivo porcine skin explant biofilm model. Treatment consisted of six cycles with 10‐minute exposure to instillation solution followed by 4 hours of negative pressure at −125 mm Hg over a 24‐hour period. NPWTi using saline reduced bacterial levels by 1‐log (logarithmic) of 7‐log total colony‐forming units (CFUs). In contrast, instillation of 1% povidone iodine (2‐log), L‐solution (3‐log), 0·05% chlorhexidine gluconate (3‐log), 0·1% polyhexamethylene biguanide (4‐log), 0·2% polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (4‐log) and 10% povidone iodine (5‐log), all significantly reduced (P < 0·001) total CFUs. Scanning electron micrographs showed disrupted exopolymeric matrix of biofilms and damaged bacterial cells that correlated with CFU levels. Compared with previous studies assessing microbicidal effects of topical antimicrobial dressings on biofilms cultured on porcine skin explants, these ex vivo model data suggest that NPWTi with delivery of active antimicrobial agents enhances the reduction of CFUs by increasing destruction and removal of biofilm bacteria. These results must be confirmed in human studies.
Second-trimester pregnancy termination with 600-microg vs. 400-microg vaginal misoprostol and systematic curettage postexpulsion: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to compare efficacy and safety of 600 mcg of misoprostol vaginally every 6 h up to four doses vs. 400 mcg of misoprostol vaginally every 4 h up to five doses, followed by systematic curettage of the uterine cavity, for pregnancy termination between 12 and 20 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN We used a randomized clinical trial conducted at Hospital Gineco-Obstétrico "Eusebio Hernández", Havana, Cuba. Subjects were women requesting voluntary termination of pregnancies between 12 and 20 weeks' gestation. Two hundred ten women were randomly assigned to receive 600 mcg of vaginal misoprostol every 6 h up to four doses (Group I) vs. 400 mcg of vaginal misoprostol every 4 h up to five doses (Group II), followed by curettage 1 h after expulsion. The main outcomes measured were successful abortion rate and mean expulsion time. RESULTS Successful abortion occurred in 103/105 women (98.1%) in Group I and in 99/105 (94.3%) in Group II [p=. 279, relative risk (RR)=3.121 and 95% confidence interval for RR=0.615 to 15.833]. Fetus mean expulsion time was 10.7+/-1.3 (SD) h in Group I and 11.5+/-5.0 (SD) h in Group II (p=.209). CONCLUSIONS Six hundred micrograms of misoprostol administered vaginally every 6 h was as effective as 400 mcg of misoprostol every 4 h for second-trimester pregnancy termination.
Orthodontic treatment of impacted maxillary canines: an appraisal of prognostic factors.

AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of pre-treatment radiographic features (alpha-angle, d-distance and s-sector) on the duration of active orthodontic traction of impacted maxillary canines treated by a combined surgical (flap approach) and orthodontic (direct traction to the center of the ridge) treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS A study population of 168 patients (168 canines) was evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was used. RESULTS Pre-treatment radiographic variables were associated significantly with the duration of orthodontic traction. Age, gender and site of impaction did not affect the duration of traction significantly. CONCLUSIONS Alpha-angle, d-distance and s-sector are valid indicators for the duration of orthodontic traction.
Career Self-Efficacy: Exemplary Recent Research and Emerging Directions

This article discusses what the author views as exemplary work illustrating important directions in research on the applications of Bandura's self-efficacy theory to career theory, assessment, and counseling. The author begins with research on measuring career self-efficacy, following which research testing the postulated behavioral consequences of career self-efficacy expectations is discussed. Notable studies of the learning experiences postulated to lead to the development of strong expectations of efficacy are reviewed. Studies of the possible relationships of efficacy expectations to parallel measures of vocational interests are included. Finally, exemplary studies applying the theory to the career development of diverse groups, studies of interventions designed to increase career self-efficacy, and new research attempting to integrate self-efficacy theory with personality constructs are included. The article is not intended as a comprehensive review of this research but rather to provide highlights of some of the excellent work being done in this area.
ADH ACTION: EVIDENCE FOR A MEMBRANE SHUTTLE MECHANISM *

It is now well established that the action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is mediated by cAMP and that ADH induces physiological changes in the luminal cell Less certain at this stage are the events that link an elevation of intracellular cAMP to an increase in luminal membrane permeability to water and solutes. In recent years, three observations on the toad bladder have provided important insights into these post-CAMP events: (1) The demonstration that by a variety of maneuvers the changes in water permeability can be dissociated from changes in solute Permeability and therefore that separate pathways are involved.5-7 (2) The observations demonstrating that microtubules and microfilaments are involved in the water permeability response.8-10 (3 ) The finding that intramembrane particle aggregates visualized by freeze-fracture electron microscopy are associated with the modulation of luminal-membrane water pem1eabi1ity.ll-l~ Observations reported by many laboratories clearly demonstrate that these organized membrane structures perform an important role in the action of ADH.ll-la Most workers in the field now strongly suspect that these structures are the site of transmembrane water channels. The evidence that aggregates play a role in the ADH response has been discussed in several review papers.l73 Here we will describe how freeze-fracture observations have led to a new proposal for the mechanism of action of ADH and discuss to what extent this proposal is supported by the available evidence.
Trichloroethene degradation in a two-step system by methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. Optimization of system performance: use of formate and methane.

The breakdown of dissolved TCE in a two-step bioremediation system is described. In the first reactor, the organism Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is grown; in the second reactor, consisting of three 17-L column reactors in series, the cells degrade TCE. A special design allowed both for the addition of air (uG,s = 0.01-0. 04 mm s-1) in the conversion reactor to prevent oxygen limitation while minimizing stripping of TCE, and for the use of methane as exogenous electron donor. In two-step systems presented thus far, only formate was used (excess, 20 mM). We found formate additions could be reduced by 75% (15 degrees C), whereas small amounts of methane (0.02-0.04 mol CH4/g cells) could replace formate and led to equally optimal results. Example calculations show that up to 90% reduction in operating cost of chemicals can be obtained by using methane instead of formate. A model was developed to describe each of the conditions studied: excess formate and optimal methane addition, suboptimal formate addition and suboptimal methane addition. Using parameters obtained from independent batch experiments, the model gives a very good description of the overall TCE conversion in the two-step system. The system presented is flexible (oxygen/methane addition) and can easily be scaled up for field application. The model provides a tool for the design of an effective and low-cost treatment system based on methane addition in the conversion reactor.
Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics in Pregnant Women With Mild Chronic Hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the cerebrovascular autoregulation in pregnant normotensive and mild chronic hypertensive patients without preeclampsia. METHODS: Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to measure peak, end-diastolic, and mean velocities in the middle cerebral arteries of 34 normotensive and 17 mild chronic hypertensive women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Measurements were performed in the left lateral position at baseline, during 5% CO2 inhalation, and during an isometric handgrip test. Mean pulsatility index, resistance index, and cerebral perfusion pressure at each time were compared using 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Using an alpha error of 5%, the statistical power to identify differences in middle cerebral artery indices in response to the two maneuvers was at least 90% and 50% in comparison between the two groups. Significance was P < . 05. RESULTS: Pregnant women with mild chronic hypertension had higher baseline mean blood pressure but similar pulsatility index (0.73 versus 0.75), resistance index (0.50 versus 0.50), and cerebral perfusion pressure (59.9 versus 61.8 mm Hg) compared with normotensive pregnant women. Both maneuvers caused a significant reduction in pulsatility index and resistance index and higher cerebral perfusion pressure. No significant differences were noted in the response to either 5% CO2 inhalation or isometric handgrip test between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with mild chronic hypertension show normal cerebral vasomotor reactivity to CO2 breathing and isometric handgrip. This suggests that the abnormal cerebrovascular autoregulation in preeclampsia is not directly linked to the elevated blood pressure but rather is determined by a separate pathophysiologic pathway. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Mutational analysis of the functional motifs of RuvB, an AAA+ class helicase and motor protein for Holliday junction branch migration

Escherichia coli RuvB protein, together with RuvA, promotes branch migration of Holliday junctions during homologous recombination and recombination repair. The RuvB molecular motor is an intrinsic ATP‐dependent DNA helicase with a hexameric ring structure and its architecture has been suggested to be related to those of the members of the AAA+ protein class. In this study, we isolated a large number of plasmids carrying ruvB mutant genes and identified amino acid residues important for the RuvB functions by examining the in vivo DNA repair activities of the mutant proteins. Based on these mutational studies and amino acid conservation among various RuvBs, we identified 10 RuvB motifs that agreed well with the features of the AAA+ protein class and that distinguished the primary structure of RuvB from that of typical DNA/RNA helicases with seven conserved helicase motifs.
The utility of neuroimaging in the evaluation of headache in patients with normal neurologic examinations

This paper is a review of the literature on the usefulness of neuroimaging in evaluating headache patients used by the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology as the background for the report published in this issue of Neurology. Headache accounts for approximately 4% of all outpatient physician visits1 and makes up a substantially higher proportion of neurologic office visits. Twenty-four percent of adults in one survey had a headache severe enough to require an analgesic in the 2 weeks prior to the survey.2 Another study revealed 9.1% of surveyed patients reported at least one “almost unbearable headache” in the previous year.3 A recent migraine prevalence study of 20,468 subjects in the United States revealed 17.6% of females and 5.7% of males had one or more migraine headaches per year as they are defined by the International Headache S ~ c i e t y . ~ A population-based survey in England showed that 12% of men and 19% of women had consulted a physician in the last year for headache.2 Although most patients with headache do not harbor an intracranial lesion, this concern leads many physicians to perform either CT or MRI to “rule out’’ a serious organic cause of headache. Physicians should indeed consider obtaining an imaging study (CT or MRI) if they suspect an intracranial lesion. The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on CT issued this statement in 1982: “CT detection of intracranial lesions is now so well established, that the suspicion of any intracranial mass lesion from history or neurologic examination constitutes a strong indication for the p ro~edure . ”~ However, is isolated headache in and of itself enough to raise suspicions? With a proliferation of imaging facilities, increasing sensitivity about medical-legal risk, and more demanding consumers, CT and MRI are being used more often in the evaluation of headache patients. Little objective data exist to enable physicians to make an informed judgment about the yield and usefulness of neuroimaging in the evaluation of headache. Therefore, based on frequency of use, economic impact, and controversy regarding validity, the Quality Standards Subcommittee undertook the task of reviewing all the pertinent literature to determine if any clear practice parameters could be offered.