Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ocean acidification shows negligible impacts on high-latitude bacterial community structure in coastal pelagic mesocosms

The impact of ocean acidification and carbonation on microbial community structure was assessed during a large-scale in situ costal pelagic mesocosm study, included as part of the EPOCA 2010 Arctic campaign. The mesocosm experiment included ambient conditions (fjord) and nine mesocosms, with pCO2 range from ~145 to ~1420 μatm. Samples collected at nine time points (t-1, t1, t5, t7, t12, t14, t22, t26 to t28) in seven treatments (ambient fjord (~145), 2×~185, ~270, ~685, ~820, ~1050 μatm) were analysed for "free-living" and "particle associated" microbial community composition using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. This high-throughput sequencing analysis produced ~20 000 000 16S rRNA V4 reads, which comprised 7000 OTUs. The main variables structuring these communities were, sample origin (fjord or mesocosms) and the filter size fraction (free-living or particle associated). The community was significantly different between the fjord and both the control and elevated 2 mesocosms (which were not significant different) after nutrients were added to the mesocosms; suggesting that the addition of nutrients is the primary driver of the change in mesocosm community structure. The relative importance of each structuring variable depended greatly on the time at which the community was sampled in relation to the phytoplankton bloom. The size fraction was the second most important factor for community structure; separating free-living from particle-associated bacteria. When free-living and particle-associated bacteria were analysed separately at different time points, the only taxon pCO2 was found to significantly affect were the Gammaproteobacteria after nutrient addition. Finally, pCO2 treatment was found to be significantly correlated (non-linear) with 15 rare taxa, most of which increased in abundance with higher CO2.
Serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor as a potential tumor marker in patients with malignant melanoma

Serum markers can be important tools for prognostic classification and treatment monitoring in cancer patients. The MAP-kinase pathway, which is upregulated in the majority of melanoma patients, can be activated by hepatocyte-growth factor (HGF) through the proto-oncogene c-MET. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of circulating HGF in terms of treatment outcome and survival compared with a widely established serum marker, protein S-100B, in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. HGF and S-100B were measured in serum samples of 101 patients with metastatic melanoma (American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IV) before and after treatment and 50 patients with stage I/II melanoma. HGF and S-100B correlated significantly with the stage of disease (P=0.032 and P<0.001, respectively). In stage IV melanoma patients, baseline serum levels of HGF and S-100B were significantly associated with treatment response (P=0.012 and 0.006, respectively). Furthermore, the Cox regression analysis confirmed that serum levels of HGF and S-100B proved to have a significant prognostic impact on progression-free survival (hazard ratio=1.39 and 1.29, respectively) and overall survival (hazard ratio=1.27 and 1.29, respectively) in advanced metastatic melanoma patients. In melanoma patients, serum levels of HGF and S-100B correlate significantly with the stage of disease. In stage IV melanoma, both markers are prognostic factors and correlate significantly with progression-free survival and overall survival. Measurement of serum HGF levels might be a useful additional tool in the management of melanoma patients.
Enhancement of endothelial permeability by free fatty acid through lysosomal cathepsin B-mediated Nlrp3 inflammasome activation

Obesity is an important risk factor for exacerbating chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. High serum level of saturated free fatty acids such as palmitate is an important contributor for obesity-induced diseases. Here, we examined the contribution of inflammasome activation in vascular cells to free fatty acid-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular injury in obesity. Our findings demonstrated that high fat diet-induced impairment of vascular integrity and enhanced vascular permeability in the myocardium in mice were significantly attenuated by Nlrp3 gene deletion. In microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs), palmitate markedly induces Nlrp3 inflammasome complex formation leading to caspase-1 activation and IL1β production. By fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, we observed that such palmitate-induced Nlrp3 inflammasome activated was accompanied by a reduction in inter-endothelial tight junction proteins ZO-1/ZO-2. Such palmitate-induced decrease of ZO-1/ZO-2 was also correlated with an increase in the permeability of endothelial monolayers treated with palmitates. Moreover, palmitate-induced alterations in ZO-1/ZO-2 or permeability were significantly reversed by an inflammasome activity inhibitor, YVAD, or a high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) activity inhibitor glycyrrhizin. Lastly, blockade of cathepsin B with Ca-074Me significantly abolished palmitate-induced activation of Nlrp3 inflammasomes, down-regulation of ZO-1/ZO-2, and enhanced permeability in MVECs or their monolayers. Together, these data strongly suggest that activation of endothelial inflammasomes due to increased free fatty acids produces HMGB1, which disrupts inter-endothelial junctions and increases paracellular permeability of endothelium contributing to early onset of endothelial injury during obesity.
RAINFED WHEAT RESPONSE TO TILLAGE AND NITROGEN

Tillage and nitrogen play an important role in wheat productivity. The objective of the research was to optimize N levels under different tillage systems to improve wheat productivity. A field experiment was conducted to study the response of rainfed wheat to tillage systems (zero, reduced, conventional and maximum) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 25, 50, 75 kg N ha -1 ) on farmer’s field at Sari Naurang (Lakki Marwat), Pakistan during 2007-08. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Tillage systems were allotted to main plots and nitrogen levels to subplots. The experimental result showed that maximum tillage system produced higher number of productive tillers m -2 (67), and grain yield (1709 kg ha -1 ). Nitrogen applied at the rate of 75 kg N ha -1 significantly increased grain yield (1744 kg ha -1 ) while higher number of plants m -2 (57), 1000 grain weight (34.50 g ) and grains spike -1 (34) were recorded in plots that received 50 kg N ha -1 . The interaction between T and N was significant for grain weight and grain yield. Maximum tillage improved grain weight up to 50 kg N ha -1 while conventional tillage increased grain weight with increase in N level. Interaction among the tillage and nitrogen level indicated that maximum, conventional and reduced tillage give highest grain yield at 75 kg N ha -1 . It is concluded that application of 75 kg N ha -1 under maximum tillage showed promising
Anonymity or Distance? Job Search and Labour Market Exclusion in a Growing African City

We show that helping young job seekers signal their skills to employers generates large and persistent improvements in their labour market outcomes. We do this by comparing an intervention that improves the ability to signal skills (the “job application workshop”) to a transport subsidy treatment designed to reduce the cost of job search. In the short run, both interventions have large positive effects on the probability of finding a formal job. The workshop also increases the probability of having a stable job with an open-ended contract. Four years later, the workshop significantly increases earnings, job satisfaction, and employment duration, but the effects of the transport subsidy have dissipated. Gains are concentrated on individuals who generally have worse labour market outcomes. Overall, our findings highlight that young people possess valuable skills that are unobservable to employers. Making these skills observable generates earnings gains that are far greater than the cost of the intervention.
No Evidence for a Relationship Between Hair Testosterone Concentrations and 2D:4D Ratio or Risk Taking

Using a recently developed alternative assay procedure to measure hormone levels from hair samples, we examined the relationships between testosterone, cortisol, 2D:4D ratio, overconfidence and risk taking. A total of 162 (53 male) participants provided a 3 cm sample of hair, a scanned image of their right and left hands from which we determined 2D:4D ratios, and completed measures of overconfidence and behavioral risk taking. While our sample size for males was less than ideal, our results revealed no evidence for a relationship between hair testosterone concentrations, 2D:4D ratios and risk taking. No relationships with overconfidence emerged. Partially consistent with the Dual Hormone Hypothesis, we did find evidence for the interacting effect of testosterone and cortisol on risk taking but only in men. Hair testosterone concentrations were positively related to risk taking when levels of hair cortisol concentrations were low, in men. Our results lend support to the suggestion that endogenous testosterone and 2D:4D ratio are unrelated and might then exert diverging activating vs. organizing effects on behavior. Comparing our results to those reported in the existing literature we speculate that behavioral correlates of testosterone such as direct effects on risk taking may be more sensitive to state-based fluctuations than baseline levels of testosterone.
Exposure to violence and cardiovascular and neuroendocrine measures in adolescents

Background: Exposure to violence has clear, detrimental psychological consequences, but the physiological effects are less well understood.Purpose: This study examined the influence of exposure to violence on biological basal and reactivity measures in adolescents.Methods: There were 115 high school student participants. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), and cortisol levels were recorded during baseline and a laboratory stressor. The Exposure to Violence interview was administered and assessed two dimensions: total observed violence and total personally experienced violence. These were then divided into component parts: lifetime frequency, proximity, and severity.Results: Greater total experienced violence was associated with increased basal SBP (r = .19, p < .05) and decreased acute stress reactivity in terms of SBP (β =−.13, p = .05), HR (β =−.21, p = .00), and HRV (β = .13, p = .05). Lifetime frequency of experienced violence was associated with higher basal DBP (r = .33, p < .05), HR (r = .33, p < .05), and cortisol (r = .53, p < .00), and decreased SBP (β = −.27, p < .05) and DBP (β = −.31, p < .05) reactivity. Exposure to violence is associated with increased biological basal levels in adolescents, supporting allostatic-load research and decreased cardiovascular reactivity, supporting the inoculation effect.Conclusions: The findings illustrate that being a victim of violence has more pervasive biological consequences than witnessing violence and that the accumulation of stressful experiences has the greatest effect on biological markers.
Differences in Characteristics and Outcomes Between Asian and Non-Asian Patients in the TIAregistry.org

Background and Purpose— This study provides the contemporary causes and prognosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke in Asians and the direct comparisons with non-Asians. Methods— The TIAregistry.org enrolled 4789 patients (1149 Asians and 3640 non-Asians) with a TIA or minor ischemic stroke within 7 days of onset. Every participating facility had systems dedicated to urgent intervention of TIA/stroke patients by specialists. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, and nonfatal acute coronary syndrome. Results— Approximately 80% of patients were evaluated within 24 hours of symptom onset. At 1 year, there were no differences in the rates of composite cardiovascular events (6.8% versus 6.0%; P=0.38) and stroke (6.0% versus 4.8%; P=0.11) between Asians and non-Asians. Asians had a lower risk of cerebrovascular disease (stroke or TIA) than non-Asians (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.98; P=0.03); the difference was primarily driven by a lower rate of TIA in Asians (4.2% versus 8.3%; P<0.001). Moderately severe bleeding was more frequent in Asians (0.8% versus 0.3%; P=0.02). In multivariable analysis, multiple acute infarcts (P=0.005) and alcohol consumption (P=0.02) were independent predictors of stroke recurrence in Asians, whereas intracranial stenosis (P<0.001), ABCD2 score (P<0.001), atrial fibrillation (P=0.008), extracranial stenosis (P=0.03), and previous stroke or TIA (P=0.03) were independent predictors in non-Asians. Conclusions— The short-term stroke risk after a TIA or minor stroke was lower than expected when urgent evidence-based care was delivered, irrespective of race/ethnicity or region. However, the predictors of stroke were different for Asians and non-Asians.
Marfan Syndrome Decreases Ca2+ Wave Frequency and Vasoconstriction in Murine Mesenteric Resistance Arteries without Changing Underlying Mechanisms

Background/Aims: Vascular smooth muscle in Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in FBN1 encoding fibrillin-1, is associated with decreased tonic contraction. As Ca2+ waves are tightly associated with vasoconstriction, we hypothesized decreased tonic contraction in Marfan syndrome is due to aberrant Ca2+ wave signaling. Methods: Isometric force and intracellular Ca2+ were measured from second-order mesenteric arteries from mice heterozygous for the Fbn1 allele encoding a cysteine substitution (Fbn1C1039G/+). Results: Phenylephrine concentration-dependently induced tonic contraction associated with sustained repetitive oscillations in intracellular [Ca2+] in both control and Marfan vessels, although Marfan vessels displayed significantly decreased Ca2+ wave frequency and decreased number of cells exhibiting waves. Inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ re-uptake by cyclopiazonic acid abolished Ca2+ waves, dramatically decreasing tonic contraction. Nifedipine significantly reduced Ca2+ wave frequency and tonic contraction, while the nifedipine-insensitive component was abolished by SKF-96365. Ca2+ waves and tonic contraction were abolished by 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate, but were unaffected by ryanodine or tetracaine. Conclusion: Phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ waves underlie tonic contraction in resistance-sized mesenteric arteries and appear to be produced by repetitive cycles of regenerative Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Decreased frequency of Ca2+ waves in Marfan syndrome appears to be responsible for reduced tonic contraction.
Dimension-specific burden of caregiving among partners of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES To assess subjective caregiver burden among partners of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to identify partner and patient variables and objective caregiver burden related to subjective caregiver burden. METHODS In 2001, 134 patients diagnosed with RA and their caregiving partners participated in a postal questionnaire survey. Information was gathered on age, gender and health problems of patient and partner, disease duration of the patient, objective caregiver burden and subjective caregiver burden of the partner (using the multidimensional Caregiver Reaction Assessment). Correlation coefficients were computed between the subjective caregiver burden dimensions. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables that explained the variation in subjective burden. RESULTS Partners of RA patients derived, on average, a high level of self-esteem from giving care. Negative subjective caregiver burden was to a large degree caused by a disrupted schedule and to a smaller degree by a lack of family support, financial problems and loss of physical strength. Problems of the partner with mobility or with pain/discomfort and problems of the patient with self-care activities and activities of daily life had the largest impact on negative levels of subjective caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS Health parameters of the patient and partner have a considerable predictive value for the development of high levels of subjective burden in partners of RA patients. Support strategies should be developed for partners of RA patients, and should focus especially on reducing the burden caused by a disrupted schedule, and simultaneously on increasing the focus of caregivers on the positive aspects of caregiving.
Efficient bulk mass accommodation and dissociation of N 2 O 5 in neutral aqueous aerosol

Abstract. An isotope exchange experiment with the short-lived radioactive tracer 13N is used to trace N2O5 uptake into nitrate-containing aqueous aerosol particles. While uptake of 13N-labelled N2O5 to deliquesced Na2SO4 aerosol is consistent with previous studies, efficient exchange of labelled nitrate with the non-labelled nitrate pool was observed in the presence of aerosol-phase nitrate. The experiments provide direct evidence for efficient bulk mass accommodation of N2O5 into aqueous solution with αb > 0.4 at room temperature, as well as for the fast dissociation into nitronium and nitrate. While for experimental reasons this study is limited to non-acidic nitrate-containing aerosol, it is likely that bulk mass accommodation and dissociation are not limiting N2O5 uptake under wider ranges of conditions.
When Compressive Sensing Meets Data Hiding

We present a novel framework of performing multimedia data hiding using an over-complete dictionary, which brings compressive sensing to the application of data hiding. Unlike the conventional orthonormal full-space dictionary, the over-complete dictionary produces an underdetermined system with infinite transform results. We first discuss the minimum norm formulation (ℓ2-norm) which yields a closed-form solution and the concept of watermark projection, so that higher embedding capacity and an additional privacy preserving feature can be obtained. Furthermore, we study the sparse formulation (ℓ2-norm) and illustrate that as long as the ℓ0-norm of the sparse representation of the host signal is less than the signal's dimension in the original domain, an informed sparse domain data hiding system can be established by modifying the coefficients of the atoms that have not participated in representing the host signal. A single support modification-based data hiding system is then proposed and analyzed as an example. Several potential research directions are discussed for further studies. More generally, apart from the ℓ2- and ℓ0-norm constraints, other conditions for reliable detection performance are worth of future investigation.
Arsenic exposure and seafood intake in Korean adults

Arsenic (As) is widely distributed in the environment, and humans can be exposed to As from various sources such as air, water, soil, and food. This study was performed to evaluate the As exposure levels in Korean adults by measuring total As in urine and its relation with the consumption of seafood, a favorite food in Korea. A total of 2077 adults were the study subjects; they ranged in age from 19 to 83, and they were recruited by probability sampling stratified by area, sex, and age. None of the subjects had been exposed to As occupationally. We collected information about the demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and food consumption of study subjects using a questionnaire and followed urine sampling. Diet was assessed in individual interviews using the 24-h recall method. Total As in urine was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (PerkinElmer NEXION 300S; Concord, Ontario, Canada). The geometric mean concentration of total As in urine was observed to be 97.6 µg/L and was higher in males (103.9 µg/L) than in females (93.0 µg/L). Total As levels in urine were affected by sex, age, seafood intake, and geographic location. In this study, total As in urine was positively correlated with fish and shellfish consumption, and was mainly determined by As intake through fish and shellfish/grains/flavors. These findings suggest that seafood consumption might be a major contributor to urinary As levels in Korean adults.
Spot Sign in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Dynamic T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background and Purpose— In computed tomographic imaging of acute intracerebral hemorrhage spot sign on computed tomographic angiography has been established as a marker for hematoma expansion and poor clinical outcome. Although, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately visualize acute intracerebral hemorrhage, a corresponding MRI marker is lacking to date. Methods— We prospectively examined 50 consecutive patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage within 24 hours of symptom onset. The MRI protocol consisted of a standard stroke protocol and dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging with a time resolution of 7.07 s/batch. Stroke scores were assessed at admission and at time of discharge. Volume measurements of hematoma size and spot sign were performed with MRIcron. Results— Contrast extravasation within sites of the hemorrhage (MRI spot sign) was seen in 46% of the patients. Patients with an MRI spot sign had a significantly shorter time to imaging than those without (P<0.001). The clinical outcome measured by the modified Rankin Scale was significantly worse in patients with spot sign compared with those without (P⩽0.001). Hematoma expansion was observed in the spot sign group compared with the nonspot sign group, although the differences were not significant. Conclusions— Spot sign can be detected using MRI on postcontrast T1-weighted and dynamic T1-weighted images. It is associated with worse clinical outcome. The time course of contrast extravasation in dynamic T1 images indicates that these spots represent ongoing bleeding.
Development of comprehensive nomograms for evaluating overall and cancer-specific survival of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with neck dissection

Background Neck dissection for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients could provide complementary prognostic information for AJCC N staging, like lymph node ratio (LNR). The aim of this study was to develop effective nomograms to better predict survival for LSCC patients treated with neck dissection. Results 2752 patients were identified and randomly divided into training (n = 2477) and validation (n = 275) cohorts. The 3- and 5-year probabilities of cancer-specific mortality (CSM) were 30.1% and 37.2% while 3- and 5-year death resulting from other causes (DROC) rate were 6.2% and 11.3%, respectively. 13 significant prognostic factors including LNR for overall (OS) and 12 (except race) for CSS were enrolled in the nomograms. Concordance index as a commonly used indicator of predictive performance, showed the nomograms had superiority over the no-LNR models and TNM classification (Training-cohort: OS: 0.713 vs 0.703 vs 0.667, CSS: 0.725 vs 0.713 vs 0.688; Validation-cohort: OS: 0.704 vs 0.690 vs 0.658, cancer-specific survival (CSS): 0.709 vs 0.693 vs 0.672). All calibration plots revealed good agreement between nomogram prediction and actual survival. Materials and Methods We identified LSCC patients undergoing neck dissection diagnosed between 1988 and 2008 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Optimal cutoff points were determined by X-tile program. Cumulative incidence function was used to analyze cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and death resulting from other causes (DROC). Significant predictive factors were used to establish nomograms estimating overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The nomograms were bootstrapped validated both internally and externally. Conclusions Comprehensive nomograms were constructed to predict OS and CSS for LSCC patients treated with neck dissection more accurately.