Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short- and long-term consequences of larval stage exposure to constantly and ephemerally elevated carbon dioxide for marine bivalve populations

While larval bivalves are highly sensitive to ocean acidification, the basis for this sensitivity and the longer-term implications of this sensitivity are unclear. Experiments were performed to assess the short-term (days) and long-term (months) consequences of larval stage exposure to varying CO 2 concentrations for calcifying bivalves. Higher CO 2 concentrations depressed both calcification rates assessed using 45 Ca uptake and RNA : DNA ratios in Mercenaria mercenaria and Argopecten irradians larvae with RNA : DNA ratios being highly correlated with larval growth rates ( r 2 >0.9). These findings suggested that high CO 2 has a cascading negative physiological impact on bivalve larvae stemming in part from lower calcification rates. Exposure to elevated CO 2 during the first four days of larval development significantly depressed A. irradians larval survival rates, while a 10-day exposure later in larval development did not, demonstrating the extreme CO 2 sensitivity of bivalve larvae during first days of development. Short- (weeks) and long-term (10 month) experiments revealed that individuals surviving exposure to high CO 2 during larval development grew faster when exposed to normal CO 2 as juveniles compared to individuals reared under ambient CO 2 as larvae. These increased growth rates could not, however, overcome size differences established during larval development, as size deficits of individuals exposed to even moderate levels of CO 2 as larvae were evident even after 10 months of growth under normal CO 2 concentrations. This "legacy effect" emphasizes the central role larval stage CO 2 exposure can play in shaping the success of modern-day bivalve populations.
Discrete smooth interpolation

Interpolation of a function ƒ (.) known at some data points of <italic>R<supscrpt>P</supscrpt></italic> is a common problem. Many computer applications (e.g., automatic contouring) need to perform interpolation only at the nodes of a given grid. Whereas most classical methods solve the problem by finding a function defined everywhere, the proposed method avoids explicitly computing such a function and instead produces values only at the grid points. For two-dimensional regular grids, a special case of this method is identical to the Briggs method (see “Machine Contouring Using Minimum Curvature,” <italic>Geophysics 17</italic>, 1 (1974)), while another special case is equivalent to a discrete version of thin plate splines (see J. Duchon, <italic>Fonctions Splines du type Plaque Mince en Dimention 2</italic>, Séminaire d'analyse numérique, n 231, U.S.M.G., Grenoble, 1975; and J. Enriquez, J. Thomann, and M. Goupillot, Application of bidimensional spline functions to geophysics, <italic>Geophysics 48</italic>, 9 (1983)).
Static transmission network expansion planning of electric power systems using the firefly optimization

This paper proposes a method based on Firefly Optimization (FO) to solve the static transmission network expansion planning (STNEP) of electric power systems. For this purpose, this paper has used heuristics information so as to reduce the search space and therefore increasing the efficiency of the bio-inspired optimization process. The proposed methodology can be divided into two steps: (1) Firstly, the reduced set of routes is obtained through the heuristics information, in order to identify relevant path for expansion and to reduce the search space; (2) The other one, the Firefly Optimization (FO) uses the heuristic information provided by the first step in order to find the minimum expansion investment cost. The proposed methodology is applied to the Garver system and two real equivalent South and Southeastern Brazilian systems.
Distinct transcription profiles of primary and secondary glioblastoma subgroups.

Glioblastomas are invasive and aggressive tumors of the brain, generally considered to arise from glial cells. A subset of these cancers develops from lower-grade gliomas and can thus be clinically classified as "secondary," whereas some glioblastomas occur with no prior evidence of a lower-grade tumor and can be clinically classified as "primary. " Substantial genetic differences between these groups of glioblastomas have been identified previously. We used large-scale expression analyses to identify glioblastoma-associated genes (GAG) that are associated with a more malignant phenotype via comparison with lower-grade astrocytomas. We have further defined gene expression differences that distinguish primary and secondary glioblastomas. GAGs distinct to primary or secondary tumors provided information on the heterogeneous properties and apparently distinct oncogenic mechanisms of these tumors. Secondary GAGs primarily include mitotic cell cycle components, suggesting the loss of function in prominent cell cycle regulators, whereas primary GAGs highlight genes typical of a stromal response, suggesting the importance of extracellular signaling. Immunohistochemical staining of glioblastoma tissue arrays confirmed expression differences. These data highlight that the development of gene pathway-targeted therapies may need to be specifically tailored to each subtype of glioblastoma.
Integration of medical therapy and mechanical circulatory support in the management of acute heart failure

Acute heart failure is still characterized by poor prognosis with high mortality. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and hemodynamic measurements. Early coronary revascularization in cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction improves outcome. The further contemporary therapeutic options in the management of acute heart failure are limited to a merely symptomatic effect with relief of dyspnea, reduction of volume overload and improvement of hemodynamic parameters by vasodilators (in hypertension) or inotropic and vasopressor agents (in hypotension). However, so far no medical therapy has been shown to positively affect clinical outcomes of patients with acute heart failure. Early identification of impending circulatory collapse coupled with rapid implementation of mechanical circulatory support may contribute to mortality reduction as a combined concept of the management of acute heart failure.
The scatter of documents over databases in different subject domains: How many databases are needed?

The distribution of bibliographic records in on-line bibliographic databases is examined using 14 different search topics. These topics were searched using the DIALOG database host, and using as many suitable databases as possible. The presence of duplicate records in the searches was taken into consideration in the analysis, and the problem with lexical ambiguity in at least one search topic is discussed. The study answers questions such as how many databases are needed in a multifile search for particular topics, and what coverage will be achieved using a certain number of databases. The distribution of the percentages of records retrieved over a number of databases for 13 of the 14 search topics roughly fell into three groups: (1) high concentration of records in one database with about 80% coverage in five to eight databases; (2) moderate concentration in one database with about 80% coverage in seven to 10 databases; and (3) low concentration in one database with about 80% coverage in 16 to 19 databases. The study does conform with earlier results, but shows that the number of databases needed for searches with varying complexities of search strategies, is much more topic dependent than previous studies would indicate.
Mouse models of inherited lipodystrophy

Insulin resistance is a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and underpins the strong association between obesity and diabetes. Paradoxically, the metabolic consequences of having ‘too much’ fat (obesity) are remarkably similar to those of having ‘too little’ fat (lipodystrophy): a finding that has generated considerable interest in a rare disease. In both cases, excess energy accumulates as lipid in ectopic sites such as the liver (fatty liver) and skeletal muscle, where it plays a central role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes. Human lipodystrophies are characterised by a total or partial deficiency of body fat, and may be inherited or acquired in origin. Genetically engineered mice with generalised lipodystrophy manifest many of the features of the human disorder, including hyperphagia, fatty liver, hypertriglyceridaemia, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, providing a useful tractable model of the human disorder. Partial lipodystrophy, which causes similar, albeit milder, metabolic problems in humans has been more difficult to mimic in the mouse. This review discusses key translational studies in mice with generalised lipodystrophy, including fat transplantation and the use of recombinant leptin replacement therapy. These studies have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the underlying molecular pathogenesis of ectopic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, and have prompted the initiation and subsequent adoption of leptin replacement therapy in human lipodystrophies. This review also considers the possible reasons for the apparent difficulties in generating mouse models of partial lipodystrophy, such as interspecies differences in the distribution of fat depots and the apparent lack of sexual dimorphism in fat mass and distribution in mice compared with the dramatic differences present in adult humans.
A randomized algorithm for gossiping in radio networks

We present an O(n log4n)‐time randomized algorithm for gossiping in radio networks with unknown topology. This is the first algorithm for gossiping in this model whose running time is only a polylogarithmic factor away from the optimum. The fastest previously known (deterministic) algorithm for this problem works in time O(n3/2log2n). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collaboration surrounding beacon use during companion avalanche rescue

When facing an avalanche, backcountry skiers need to work effectively both individually and as a group to rescue buried victims. If they don't, death is likely. One of the tools used by each person is a digital beacon that transmits an electromagnetic signal. If buried, others use their beacons to locate victims by searching for their signals, and then dig them out. This study focuses on the collaborative practices of avalanche rescue and the interactions with beacons while backcountry skiing. We conducted interviews with backcountry recreationists and experts, and we observed avalanche rescue practice scenarios. Our results highlight aspects and challenges of mental representation, trust, distributed cognition, and practice. Implications include three considerations for the redesign of beacons: simplicity, visibility and practice.
A resistor-free temperature-compensated CMOS current reference

This paper presents a resistor-free temperature compensated CMOS current reference designed in a standard 0.18 um CMOS process. The temperature compensation scheme is achieved by combining a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) current generator circuit with a NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) current generator circuit. The proposed design is shown to be less sensitive to process and temperature variations and well suited for integration into other circuits as an accurate and stable current source. Simulation results for the proposed current reference show a temperature coefficient of 170 ppm/°C over a temperature range of 20 °C to 120 °C and an output current variation of 3% over a power supply range of 2 V to 3 V.
Ecological history and latent conservation potential: Large and giant tortoises as a model for taxon substitutions

Starting in the late 1970s, ecologists began unraveling the role of recently extinct large vertebrates in evolutionary ecology and ecosystem dynamics. Three decades later, practitioners are now considering the role of ecological history in conservation practice, and some have called for restoring missing ecological functions and evolutionary potential using taxon substitutes - extant, functionally similar taxa - to replace extinct species. This pro-active approach to biodiversity conservation has proved controversial. Yet, rewilding with taxon substitutes, or ecological analogues, is now being integrated into conservation and restoration programmes around the world. Empirical evidence is emerging that illustrates how taxon substitutions can restore missing ecological functions and evolutionary potential. However, a major roadblock to a broader evaluation and application of taxon substitution is the lack of practical guidelines within which they should be conducted. While the International Union for Conservation of Nature's reintroduction guidelines are an obvious choice, they are unsuitable in their current form. We recommend necessary amendments to these guidelines to explicitly address taxon substitutions. A second impediment to empirical evaluations of rewilding with taxon substitutions is the sheer scale of some proposed projects; the majority involves large mammals over large areas. We present and discuss evidence that large and giant tortoises (family Testudinidae) are a useful model to rapidly provide empirical assessments of the use of taxon substitutes on a comparatively smaller scale. Worldwide, at least 36 species of large and giant tortoises went extinct since the late Pleistocene, leaving 32 extant species. We examine the latent conservation potential, benefits, and risks of using tortoise taxon substitutes as a strategy for restoring dysfunctional ecosystems. We highlight how, especially on islands, conservation practitioners are starting to employ extant large tortoises in ecosystems to replace extinct tortoises that once played keystone roles. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Ecography.
Fungal Peritonitis: Underestimated Disease in Critically Ill Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Spontaneous Peritonitis

Introduction Spontaneous peritonitis, especially spontaneous fungal peritonitis (SFP), is an important and potentially fatal complication in patients with endstage liver disaese. We evaluated potential risk factors, microbiological findings, and outcome of patients with SFP compared to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in critically ill patients. Methods Retrospective analyses of critically ill patients with suspected spontaneous peritonitis. Results Out of 205 patients, 20 (10%) had SFP, 28 (14%) had SBP, 48 (24%) had peritonitis without microbiological findings (SP) and 109 (52%) had no-peritonitis (NP). APACHE II and SOFA score were significantly higher in patients with SFP (26; 22–28; p<0.004 and 16; 14–18; p<0.002), SBP (26; 22–28; p<0.004 and 16; 14–18; p<0.002) and SP (24; 18–30; p<0.045 and 14; 10–18; p<0.044) as compared to NP (22; 16–24 and 12; 10–14). CHILD Pugh classification was mainly CHILD C and MELD Score was in patients with SFP (34; 18–40; p<0.001), SBP (32;12–40 p<0.002) and SP (29; 14–40 p<0.003) significantly higher as compared to NP (25;8–40). Nosocomial peritonitis could be significantly more often found in patients with SFP (65%; p<0.023) and SBP (62%, p<0.030) as compared to SP (51 p = 0.243) and NP (45%). Antibiotic pretreatment last 3 month prior peritonitis was significantly more often in patients with SFP (85%; p<0.002), SBP (71%, p<0.033), and SP (56; p<0.040) as compared to NP (33%). Candida albicans (60%; 12/20) was the most common isolated fungus, followed by Candida glabrata (13%) and Candida krusei (13%). Mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with SFP (90%, p<0.001), followed by SBP (75%; p<0.001) and SP (69%; p<0.001) as compared to NP (45%). Conclusion SFP is not a rare complication in end stage liver disease which is associated with increased mortality. Physicians should be aware of SFP in patients with CHILD C liver cirrhosis, elevated MELD score, antibiotic pretreatment and nosocomial peritonitis.
Mixture Analysis of Erythrocyte Lithium‐Sodium Countertransport and Blood Pressure

This study employs multivariate normal mixture analysis, a technique for identifying discrete subgroups within populations, to examine the relation of erythrocyte lithium-sodium (RBC Li+-Na+) countertransport and blood pressure in a group of 474 healthy adults. After adjusting for effects of age, gender, race, height, and weight, univariate mixture analysis of the distribution of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) revealed the presence of only one group, whereas the distribution of RBC Li+-Na+ countertransport values was composed of a mixture of two groups (p < 0.00005). When bivariate mixture analysis was applied to the combined distribution of MAP and RBC Li+-Na+ countertransport, two commingled subgroups were identified (p < 0.00005). The smaller group (19%) had significantly higher values for both MAP (108.7±16.7 mm Hg, mean±SD) and RBC Li+-Na+ countertransport (0.455±0.147 mmol Li+/1 cells · hr) than the larger (81%) group (MAP 93.3±12.2 mm Hg, RBC Li+-Na+ countertransport 0.247±0.080 mmol Li+/1 cells · hr, p ≤ 0.0001 for both differences). The relation of MAP to RBC Li+-Na+ countertransport was distinctly different in these two subgroups. In the larger group, we found a weak positive (r = 0.21, p ≤ 0.0001) correlation for unadjusted values, which was not significant after adjustment. The smaller group, with higher levels of MAP and RBC Li+-Na+ countertransport, showed significant negative correlations for both unadjusted (r = −0.28, p ≤ 0.008) and adjusted (r = −0.41, p ≤ 0.0001) values.
Let-7-mediated suppression of mucin 1 expression in the mouse uterus during embryo implantation

Mucin 1 (Muc1) is an integral transmembrane mucin glycoprotein expressed on the apical surface of most epithelia. It is considered to be a barrier to the regulation of embryo implantation by inhibiting attachment of the embryo to the endometrium. Therefore, loss of Muc1 on the surface of uterine epithelial cells is necessary for embryo implantation. Studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in enhancing embryo implantation in mammals. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of two miRNAs (let-7a and let-7b) on the expression of Muc1 in mouse uteri during implantation. Western blotting indicated that Muc1 expression was highest on day1 of pregnancy and constantly decreased thereafter until day 4. In contrast to Muc1 expression, increased expression of let-7a and let-7b was evident on day 4 of pregnancy as measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). We demonstrated direct binding of let-7a and let-7b to the 3’untranslated region of muc1. Furthermore, Muc1 expression was suppressed after transfection of mouse uterine epithelial cells isolated from day 1 of pregnancy with let-7a and let-7b. In summary, the present study provides evidence that Muc1 is a direct target of let-7a and let-7b. Additionally, the current study suggests that miRNAs are novel targets which can be used to facilitate a successful pregnancy and repair implantation failure.
[Status of cholesterol goal attainment for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in dyslipidemia patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy: DYSIS-China subgroup analysis].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the current status of cholesterol goal attainment for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in dyslipidemia patients using data from the DYSIS-China study. METHODS Based on criteria defined in the 2014 China Cholesterol Education Program (CCEP) and the 2007 Chinese guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in adults, 25 317 dyslipidemia patients enrolled in the DYSIS-China study (from March 2012 to October 2012) were stratified to the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD) primary prevention and secondary prevention groups. The total cholesterol (TC) target goals were <3.11, 4.14, 5.18, and 6.22 mmol/L, respectively, and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) therapeutic goals were less than 1.8, 2.6, 3.4, and 4.1 mmol/L, respectively, for the very high-risk, high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk patients in the primary prevention group. The TC targets for the very high-risk and high-risk patients were <3.11 and <4.14 mmol/L, respectively, and the LDL-C targets were <1.8 and <2.6 mmol/L, respectively, in the secondary prevention group. The TC and LDL-C goal attainment rates were calculated for the different risk groups according to the targets values. RESULTS Totally, 71.09% (n=18 000) of the dyslipidemia patients were grouped into very high and high risk groups, 51.76% (n=13 104) and 48.24% (n=12 213) patients were stratified to primary and secondary prevention of ASCVD. The LDL-C and TC goal attainment rates for the secondary prevention group were 33.09%(4 041 cases) and 21.05% (2 571 cases), respectively. The LDL-C and TC goal attainment rates for the primary prevention group were 52.40% (6 866 cases) and 42.06% (5 511 cases), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus(OR=5.75, 4.15, P<0.05), coronary heart disease(OR=5.70, 3.58, P<0.001), and peripheral arterial disease(OR=2.42, 1.49, P<0.05) were risk factors for failure to achieve TC and LDL-C goals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Despite the widespread application of the 2014 CCEP and 2007 Chinese dyslipidemia guidelines, LDL-C goal attainment among secondary and primary prevention patients remains suboptimal in China. More rigorous guideline adherence is therefore required to increase the LDL-C and TC goal attainment rates and improve the long-term cardiovascular outcomes in Chinese dyslipidemia patients.
Should the diabetics have the internal thoracic artery skeletonized? Assessment of sternal perfusion by scintillography.

OBJECTIVE To assess, by scintillography, the effect of using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITAs) - prepared by two different techniques - on the sternal perfusion. METHODS 35 patients undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were divided into two groups: Group A (18) had both ITA's dissected using skeletonization technique and group B (17) as pedicle preparation. There was no difference in the two groups relating gender, age and demographic characteristics. On the 7th postoperative day the patients underwent bone scintillography. The statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test with 95% significance. RESULTS Group A (skeletonized ITA) showed higher perfusion (11.5%) of the sternum as a mean, than Group B (pedicled ITA) patients; however this was not statistically significant (P = 0.127). On the other hand, comparing the diabetic population, seven in each group, there was a marked 47.4% higher perfusion of the sternum in Group A patients (skeletonized ITA) comparing to Group B (pedicled ITA) and this difference reached statistical significance (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION 1- Sternal perfusion is not affected significantly apart from the dissection technique used for both internal thoracic arteries in the general population when assessed by bone scintillography. 2 - In the diabetic subgroup, a significant preservation of the sternal perfusion was observed in patients undergone skeletonized dissection of the internal thoracic arteries. Although these findings should be confirmed in a greater number of cases, diabetic patients should have the internal thoracic arteries dissected using skeletonization techinque.