Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
It takes a few to tango: changing climate and fire regimes can cause regeneration failure of two subalpine conifers.

Environmental change is accelerating in the 21st century, but how multiple drivers may interact to alter forest resilience remains uncertain. In forests affected by large high-severity disturbances, tree regeneration is a resilience linchpin that shapes successional trajectories for decades. We modeled stands of two widespread western U.S. conifers, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia), in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, USA) to ask (1) What combinations of distance to seed source, fire return interval, and warming-drying conditions cause postfire tree-regeneration failure? (2) If postfire tree regeneration was successful, how does early tree density differ under future climate relative to historical climate? We conducted a stand-level (1 ha) factorial simulation experiment using the individual-based forest process model iLand to identify combinations of fire return interval (11-100 yr), distance to seed source (50-1,000 m), and climate (historical, mid-21st century, late-21st century) where trees failed to regenerate by 30-yr postfire. If regeneration was successful, we compared stand densities between climate periods. Simulated postfire regeneration were surprisingly resilient to changing climate and fire drivers. Douglas-fir regeneration failed more frequently (55%) than lodgepole pine (28% and 16% for non-serotinous and serotinous stands, respectively). Distance to seed source was an important driver of regeneration failure for Douglas-fir and non-serotinous lodgepole pine; regeneration never failed when stands were 50 m from a seed source and nearly always failed when stands were 1 km away. Regeneration of serotinous lodgepole pine only failed when fire return intervals were ≤20 yr and stands were far (1 km) from a seed source. Warming climate increased regeneration success for Douglas-fir but did not affect lodgepole pine. If regeneration was successful, postfire density varied with climate. Douglas-fir and serotinous lodgepole pine regeneration density both increased under 21st-century climate but in response to different climate variables (growing season length vs. cold limitation). Results suggest that, given a warmer future with larger and more frequent fires, a greater number of stands that fail to regenerate after fires combined with increasing density in stands where regeneration is successful could produce a more coarse-grained forest landscape.
Molecular Typing of Clinical and Environmental Cryptococcus neoformans Strains Isolated in Italy

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast causing mainly opportunistic infections. DNA molecular typing techniques divided C. neoformans into four major molecular types (AFLP1/VNI, AFLP1A/VNB/VNII, AFLP1B/ VNII, AFLP3/VNIII, AFLP2/VNIV) characterized by different pathogenicity, geographical distribution and susceptibility to antifungal treatments. In this study 170 Italian C. neoformans clinical isolates (CI) and 32 environmental isolates (EI), collected and serotyped during a ten-year period (1985 to 1995), were genotyped using [GACA]4 microsatellite PCR fingerprinting. The molecular types were compared to their geographic distribution, specimen sources and patient’s risk factors. All four molecular types were described among the CI and only VNI and VNIV among the EI. VNIV molecular type was isolated with significant prevalence among the CI and VNI among the EI. A different geographical distribution of molecular types was detected: VNIV was the most prevalent in the North and Center of Italy; VNIII was isolated almost exclusively in the Center. No significant correlation among molecular types versus predisposing diseases or isolation sources was detected. The strains isolated from different body sites of the same patient (17 cases) were of the same genotype. Five out 9 cases relapsed with a different molecular type. This preliminary investigation shows a high intraspecies variability and reveals a nonhomogeneous distribution of C. neoformans molecular types in Italy.
Monitoring Body Water Balance in Pregnant and Nursing Women: The Validity of Urine Color

Background: Urine osmolality (U<sub>OSM</sub>) reflects the renal regulation of excess fluid or deficit fluid, and therefore, serves as a marker of hydration status. Little is known about monitoring hydration in pregnant and lactating women despite significant physiological challenges to body water balance during that time. Therefore, we designed a study to assess if urine color (U<sub>COL</sub>), an inexpensive and practical method, was a valid means of assessing urine concentration. Twenty-four hour U<sub>COL</sub> was significantly correlated with 24 h U<sub>OSM</sub> in all women: pregnant, lactating, and control (r = 0.61-0.84, all p < 0.001). Utilizing a receiver operating characteristic statistical analysis, we found that 24 h and single sample U<sub>COL</sub> had excellent diagnostic accuracy for identifying U<sub>OSM</sub> ≥500 mOsm·kg<sup>-1</sup> in all women (area under the curve = 0.68-0.95, p < 0.001-0.46), and the U<sub>COL</sub> that reflected this cut off was ≥4 on the U<sub>COL</sub> chart. Summary: Therefore, U<sub>COL</sub> is a valid marker of urine concentration and ultimately hydration status in pregnant, lactating, and non-pregnant, non-lactating women. For pregnant, lactating, and control women, the U<sub>COL</sub> chart is a valid tool that can be used to monitor urine concentration in a single sample or over the course of the day via a 24 h sample. Key Message: Women who present with a U<sub>COL</sub> of 4 or more likely have a U<sub>OSM</sub> ≥500 mOsm·kg<sup>-1</sup>. Given the positive health benefits associated with U<sub>OSM</sub> <500 mOsm·kg<sup>-1</sup>, women should aim for a 1, 2, or 3 on the U<sub>COL</sub> chart. If a U<sub>COL</sub> of ≥4 is observed, women should consider increasing fluid consumption to improve hydration status.
What if LIGO's gravitational wave detections are strongly lensed by massive galaxy clusters?

Motivated by the preponderance of so-called ‘heavy black holes’ in the binary black hole (BBH) gravitational wave (GW) detections to date, and the role that gravitational lensing continues to play in discovering new galaxy populations, we explore the possibility that the GWs are strongly lensed by massive galaxy clusters. For example, if one of the GW sources were actually located at z = 1, then the rest-frame mass of the associated BHs would be reduced by a factor of ∼2. Based on the known populations of BBH GW sources and strong-lensing clusters, we estimate a conservative lower limit on the number of BBH mergers detected per detector year at LIGO/Virgo’s current sensitivity that are multiply-imaged, of Rdetect ≃ 10−5 yr−1. This is equivalent to rejecting the hypothesis that one of the BBH GWs detected to date was multiply-imaged at ≲4σ. It is therefore unlikely, but not impossible, that one of the GWs is multiply-imaged. We identify three spectroscopically confirmed strong-lensing clusters with well-constrained mass models within the 90 per cent credible sky localizations of the BBH GWs from LIGO’s first observing run. In the event that one of these clusters multiply-imaged one of the BBH GWs, we predict that 20–60 per cent of the putative next appearances of the GWs would be detectable by LIGO, and that they would arrive at Earth within 3yr of first detection.
Fractionating Executive Functions of Adults With ADHD

Objective: To evaluate the performance of adults with ADHD considering the fractionation of executive functions into six different domains. Method: Participants were adult ADHD patients who were not under the acute effects of medication (n = 48). Their performance was compared with that of a healthy control group (n = 20) of comparable age, education, and nonverbal intelligence quotient. The cognitive domains assessed were executive shifting, updating, inhibition of prepotent responses, dual-task performance, planning, and access to long-term memory. We also assessed the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, anxiety, and depression by validated questionnaires. Results: Compared with controls, patients reported more symptoms related to ADHD, anxiety and depression symptoms and were impaired in the shifting cost measure and phonemic fluency (measure of access to long-term memory). Conclusion: ADHD in adults selectively impaired executive shifting and access to long-term memory, domains that may alter performance in a wide range of daily tasks.
Therapeutic Management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Infection Non-Susceptible to Carbapenems but Susceptible to “Old” Cephalosporins and/or to Penicillins

It is unknown as to whether other beta-lactams can be used for bloodstream infections (BSI) resulting from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) which are non-susceptible to one or more carbapenem. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center (AHMC) from January 2010 to August 2014. Adult patients with PA-BSI non-susceptible to a group 2 carbapenem but susceptible to ceftazidime or piperacillin (with or without tazobactam), were enrolled. We compared the outcomes of patients who received an appropriate beta-lactam antibiotic (“cases”) to those who received an appropriate non-beta-lactam antibiotic (“controls”). Whole genome sequencing was performed for one of the isolates. Twenty-six patients with PA-BSI met inclusion criteria: 18 received a beta-lactam and 8 a non-beta-lactam (three a fluoroquinolone, two colistin, one a fluoroquinolone and an aminoglycoside, one a fluoroquinolone and colistin, and one colistin and an aminoglycoside). All clinical outcomes were similar between the groups. There were large variations in the phenotypic susceptibilities of the strains. A detailed molecular investigation of one isolate revealed a strain that belonged to MLST-137, with the presence of multiple efflux pumps, OXA-50, and a chromosomally mediated Pseudomonas-derived cephalosporinase (PDC). The oprD gene was intact. Non-carbapenem-β-lactams may still be effective alternatives for short duration therapy (up to 14 days) for BSI caused by a carbapenem non-susceptible (but susceptible to ceftazidime, piperacillin, and/or piperacillin-tazobactam) PA strain. This observation requires further confirmatory analyses. Future molecular investigations should be performed, in order to further analyze additional potential mechanisms for this prevalent phenotype.
The Impact of High Temperature during Growing Season on Potato Cultivars with Different Response to Environmental Stresses

Potato crop is the fourth main food crops in the world after maize, rice and wheat. It is characterized by specific temperature requirements and develops best at about 20°C. Forecasts of global warming prompt us to study the tolerance of potato genotypes to heat during the growing season. The aim of this work was to assess the response of chosen potato cultivars to high temperature during the different stages of plant growth under conditions of good soil moisture and drought. The impact of high temperature 32°C/25°C on potato plants was determined in pot experiment in three growth stages. A main measure of tolerance of the potato cultivars to high temperature during the growing season was an evaluation of the yield in relation to the Control combination. Here we demonstrated that tested potato cultivar’s response to high temperature during the growing season is dependent on the growth stage. The earlier it occurs, the more negative its impact on the growth and yield of potatoes is.
Silicon Nanowires for Integrated Photonics: Bridging Nano and Micro Photonics

Silicon Nanowires (SiNWs) with ability to confine carriers and photons in two directions while allowing propagation in third dimension offer interesting modified optical properties such as increased material absorption and optical non-linearities with regard to that of bulk silicon. Enhanced optical properties in SiNWs open a window not only to improve the performance of existing devices but also to realize novel structures. As such, I chose to investigate SiNWs for their applications in photonics, especially for sensing and non-linear devices. My goal was to conduct fundamental research on the optical properties of these SiNWs, and then develop an integration platform to realize practical devices. The platform should be compatible with IC manufacturing. Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) using a Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) resist followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Reactive Ion Etching (ICP-RIE) is used for SiNWs fabrication. Now we are able to fabricate nanowires as small as 15 nm in diameter with the smallest separation of 50 nm. In addition, the interface between SiNWs and Si substrate is optically smooth enabling us to fundamentally understand optical properties of these structures. During the course of this project, I have contributed new fundamental knowledge about SiNWs. For example, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) is demonstrated in SiNWs, which is absent in bulk silicon. This is achieved by self-straining the nanowires and is the first demonstration of this kind. Second-order non-linearities are more efficient for optical signal processing than third-order ones (which have been used for silicon photonics devices so far). Therefore, these results open a new area of research in silicon. In addition to second order nonlinearity, high enhancement of Raman scattering is achieved in SiNWs fabricated on Silicon on Insulator (SOI) substrate. This can find promising applications in sensing and nonlinear based devices such as optical switches and logic gates. Further, polarization resolved reflections from these nanowire arrays were measured and significant differences were observed for the reflection characteristics for the sand p-polarized beams. In order to understand these reflections, an effective index model is proposed based on calculations using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. Results of this analysis provide useful information for designing of many optical devices using SiNWs such as solar cells and photodetectors. As another part of this thesis, vivid colors in mutually coupled SiNWs is demonstrated where nanowire diameters range from 105 nm to 345 nm. A simple sensor is demonstrated by observing the change in the reflected color with changing refractive index of the surrounding medium. A refractive index resolution of 5 × 10−5 is achieved using a simple charge coupled device (CCD) camera.
Frequency of awake bruxism behaviours in the natural environment. A 7‐day, multiple‐point observation of real‐time report in healthy young adults

The aim of this study was to assess awake bruxism (AB) behaviours in a sample of healthy young adults using a smartphone-based application for a real-time report (ie, ecological momentary assessment [EMA], also called experience sampling method [ESM]). Forty-six dental students used a smartphone application that sent 15 alerts at random intervals during the day for 1 week to collect AB self-reports. They had to answer on time by tapping on the display icon that refers to their current condition of jaw muscles: relaxed; teeth contact; teeth clenching; teeth grinding; jaw clenching without teeth contact (ie, bracing). The average frequency of relaxed jaw muscles, as a percentage of answers over the 7 days, was 71.7%. Teeth contact (14.5%) and jaw clenching (10.0%) were the most frequent AB behaviours. No significant gender differences were detected. Interindividual differences were quite relevant, but the overall frequency was in general only moderately variable from day-to-day. Coefficient of variation (CV) was low for the condition "relaxed jaw muscles" (0.44). At the individual level, teeth contact was the most prevalent behaviour, with a 39.1%-52.2% proportion of subjects reporting it at least once a day. During a 7-day observation period, the frequency of real-time report of AB behaviours in a sample of healthy young adults was 28.3%. The low daily variability in the average frequency value for the relaxed jaw muscles condition suggests that EMA may be a reliable strategy to get deeper into the epidemiology of oral behaviours. This investigation introduced EMA principles to the study of AB and provided data on the frequency of AB behaviours in young adults that could be compared to populations with risk/associated factors and possible clinical consequences.
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen – Targeted PET / CT Imaging in Localized Prostate Cancer Correlation With Multiparametric MRI and Histopathology

Baris Turkbey, MD,* Esther Mena, MD,* Liza Lindenberg, MD,* Stephen Adler, PhD,† Sandra Bednarova, MD,‡ Rose Berman, BA,* Anita T. Ton, MS,* Yolanda McKinney, RN,§ Philip Eclarinal, RT,* Craig Hill, PhD,|| George Afari, PhD,|| Sibaprasad Bhattacharyya, PhD,¶ Ronnie C. Mease, PhD,** Maria J. Merino, MD,†† Paula M. Jacobs, PhD,‡‡ Bradford J. Wood, MD,§§ Peter A. Pinto, MD,|||| Martin G. Pomper, MD, PhD,** and Peter L. Choyke, MD*
The influence of acute elevations in plasma osmolality and serum sodium on sympathetic outflow and blood pressure responses to exercise.

Elevated plasma osmolality (pOsm) has been shown to increase resting sympathetic nerve activity in animals and humans. The present study tested the hypothesis that increases in pOsm and serum sodium (sNa+) concentration would exaggerate muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and blood pressure (BP) responses to handgrip (HG) exercise and postexercise ischemia (PEI). BP and MSNA were measured during HG followed by PEI before and after a 23-min hypertonic saline infusion (HSI-3% NaCl). Eighteen participants (age 23 ± 1 yr; BMI 24 ± 1 kg/m2) completed the protocol; pOsm and sNa+ increased from pre- to post-HSI (285 ± 1 to 291 ± 1 mosmol/kg H2O; 138.2 ± 0.3 to 141.3 ± 0.4 mM; P < 0.05 for both). Resting mean BP (90 ± 2 vs. 92 ± 1 mmHg) and MSNA (11 ± 2 vs. 15 ± 2 bursts/min) were increased pre- to post-HSI ( P < 0.05 for both). Mean BP responses to HG (106 ± 2 vs. 111 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) and PEI (102 ± 2 vs. 107 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) were higher post-HSI. Similarly, MSNA during HG (20 ± 2 vs. 29 ± 2 bursts/min, P < 0.05) and PEI (19 ± 2 vs. 24 ± 3 bursts/min, P < 0.05) were greater post-HSI. In addition, the change in MSNA was greater post-HSI during HG (Δ9 ± 2 vs. Δ13 ± 3 bursts/min, P < 0.05). A second set of participants ( n = 13, age 23 ± 1 yr; BMI 24 ± 1 kg/m2) completed a time control (TC) protocol consisting of quiet rest instead of an infusion. The TC condition yielded no change in resting sNa+, pOsm, mean BP, or MSNA (all P > 0.05); responses to HG and PEI were not different pre- to post-quiet rest ( P > 0.05). In summary, acutely increasing pOsm and sNa+ exaggerates BP and MSNA responses during HG exercise and PEI. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Elevated plasma osmolality has been shown to increase resting sympathetic activity and blood pressure. This study provides evidence that acute elevations in plasma osmolality and serum sodium exaggerated muscle sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure responses during exercise pressor reflex activation in healthy young adults.
Cell Culture Systems To Study Human Herpesvirus 6A/B Chromosomal Integration

ABSTRACT Human herpesviruses 6A/B (HHV-6A/B) can integrate their viral genomes in the telomeres of human chromosomes. The viral and cellular factors contributing to HHV-6A/B integration remain largely unknown, mostly due to the lack of efficient and reproducible cell culture models to study HHV-6A/B integration. In this study, we characterized the HHV-6A/B integration efficiencies in several human cell lines using two different approaches. First, after a short-term infection (5 h), cells were processed for single-cell cloning and analyzed for chromosomally integrated HHV-6A/B (ciHHV-6A/B). Second, cells were infected with HHV-6A/B and allowed to grow in bulk for 4 weeks or longer and then analyzed for the presence of ciHHV-6. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), droplet digital PCR, and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we could demonstrate that HHV-6A/B integrated in most human cell lines tested, including telomerase-positive (HeLa, MCF-7, HCT-116, and HEK293T) and telomerase-negative cell lines (U2OS and GM847). Our results also indicate that inhibition of DNA replication, using phosphonoacetic acid, did not affect HHV-6A/B integration. Certain clones harboring ciHHV-6A/B spontaneously express viral genes and proteins. Treatment of cells with phorbol ester or histone deacetylase inhibitors triggered the expression of many viral genes, including U39, U90, and U100, without the production of infectious virus, suggesting that the tested stimuli were not sufficient to trigger full reactivation. In summary, both integration models yielded comparable results and should enable the identification of viral and cellular factors contributing to HHV-6A/B integration and the screening of drugs influencing viral gene expression, as well as the release of infectious HHV-6A/B from the integrated state. IMPORTANCE The analysis and understanding of HHV-6A/B genome integration into host DNA is currently limited due to the lack of reproducible and efficient viral integration systems. In the present study, we describe two quantitative cell culture viral integration systems. These systems can be used to define cellular and viral factors that play a role in HHV-6A/B integration. Furthermore, these systems will allow us to decipher the conditions resulting in virus gene expression and excision of the integrated viral genome resulting in reactivation.
Effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on disease severity in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review

Many randomized controlled trials have been performed on the efficacy and mechanism of action of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFAs) on psoriasis. However, contradictory results have been obtained. This study wants to assess the effects of n‐3 PUFAs on the severity of psoriasis.
Quantitative characterization of metacarpal and radial bone in rheumatoid arthritis using high resolution‐ peripheral quantitative computed tomography

The objectives of this study were: (i) to develop a standardized method of quantifying bone mineral density (BMD) and microarchitecture in the hand and wrist bones of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using high resolution‐ peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR‐pQCT); (ii) to compare quantitative bone parameters between RA and post‐menopausal osteopenic (PM‐OP) subjects; and (iii) to correlate quantitative bone parameters at the distal radius with those at the metacarpal heads in RA subjects.
Unusually High Incidences of Staphylococcus aureus Infection within Studies of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Prevention Using Topical Antibiotics: Benchmarking the Evidence Base

Selective digestive decontamination (SDD, topical antibiotic regimens applied to the respiratory tract) appears effective for preventing ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, potential contextual effects of SDD on Staphylococcus aureus infections in the ICU remain unclear. The S. aureus ventilator associated pneumonia (S. aureus VAP), VAP overall and S. aureus bacteremia incidences within component (control and intervention) groups within 27 SDD studies were benchmarked against 115 observational groups. Component groups from 66 studies of various interventions other than SDD provided additional points of reference. In 27 SDD study control groups, the mean S. aureus VAP incidence is 9.6% (95% CI; 6.9–13.2) versus a benchmark derived from 115 observational groups being 4.8% (95% CI; 4.2–5.6). In nine SDD study control groups the mean S. aureus bacteremia incidence is 3.8% (95% CI; 2.1–5.7) versus a benchmark derived from 10 observational groups being 2.1% (95% CI; 1.1–4.1). The incidences of S. aureus VAP and S. aureus bacteremia within the control groups of SDD studies are each higher than literature derived benchmarks. Paradoxically, within the SDD intervention groups, the incidences of both S. aureus VAP and VAP overall are more similar to the benchmarks.