Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glacier melting and response of Daphnia oxidative stress

We analysed the antioxidant response of Daphnia commutata in an oligotrophic North-Patagonian lake (Lake Mascardi) that receives inputs of glacial clay in one extreme, which creates a plume with a consequent gradient in underwater light intensity (including ultraviolet radiation) and suspended solid material. This gradient in light intensity also affects the light:nutrient ratio and hence the C:P ratio of the food for planktonic herbivores. In the field, along a 9 km transparency gradient, we measured the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) enzymes involved in protection against UVR. Through laboratory experiments, we tested the possible role of suspended sediment particles as an additional stressor for a filter feeding zooplankter. Our results indicate that the inputs of glacial clay into the lake have antagonistic effects on Daphnia. Glacial clay was a stress mitigating factor to UVR (decrease in the antioxidant response of GST activity), but was also a source of stress that generated feeding interference, increased respiration rates and consequently increased CAT activity. This light gradient also affected the C:P ratio of food and the maximum response in GST is also modulated by food quality (C:P ratio) that limits its activity in the transparent end of the gradient.
A randomized clinical trial of analgesia in children with acute abdominal pain.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of intravenous morphine on pain reduction, physical examination, and diagnostic accuracy in children with acute abdominal pain. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at an emergency department of a tertiary care children's hospital. Children aged 5-18 years with abdominal pain of < or =5 days' duration, pain score > or =5 on a 0-10 visual analog scale, and need for surgical evaluation were eligible. Following the initial assessment, patients were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg morphine or an equal volume of saline. The pediatric emergency medicine physician and surgical consultant independently recorded the areas of tenderness to palpation and percussion, and their diagnoses before the study medication and 15 to 30 minutes later. RESULTS Sixty patients were enrolled, and 29 received morphine and 31 received saline. The demographic characteristics between the two groups were similar. The median reduction of pain score between the two study groups was 2 (95% CI = 1 to 4; p = 0.002). There was no significant change in the areas of tenderness in both study groups. Children with surgical conditions had persistent tenderness to palpation and/or percussion. There was no significant change in the diagnostic accuracy between the study groups and between the physician groups. All patients requiring laparotomy were identified and no significant complication was noted in the morphine group. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous morphine provides significant pain reduction to children with acute abdominal pain without adversely affecting the examination, and morphine does not affect the ability to identify children with surgical conditions.
Effects of parenteral and enteral nutrition on gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Changes in mucosal defense have been implicated as important factors affecting infections complications in critically ill patients. To study the effects of nutrient administration on gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT), ICR mice were randomized to receive chow plus intravenous saline, intravenous feeding of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution, or enteral feeding of the same TPN solution. In a second series of experiments, a more complex enteral diet (Nutren) was compared with chow feeding and enteral TPN. After 5 days of feeding with experimental diets, lymphocytes were harvested from the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), Peyer's patches (PPs), lamina propria (LP) cells, and intraepithelial (IE) spaces of the small intestine to determine cell yields and phenotypes. Small intestinal washings, gallbladder contents, and sera were collected and analyzed for immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels. In both series of experiments, there were no significant changes within the MLNs. There were significant decreases in total cell yields from the PPs, IE spaces, and LP in animals fed with TPN solution, either enterally or parenterally, as compared with chow-fed mice. Total T cells were decreased in both TPN-fed groups in the PPs and LP, whereas total B cells were decreased in the PP, IE, and LP populations. Total cell numbers remained normal in the Nutrenfed group, except for a decrease in LP T cells. CD4+ LP cells decreased significantly with a reduction in the CD4/CD8 ratio in mice fed TPN solution either intravenously or enterally, whereas IgA recovery from small intestinal washings was significantly decreased in the same groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Archaeosome Adjuvant Overcomes Tolerance to Tumor-Associated Melanoma Antigens Inducing Protective CD8+ T Cell Responses

Vesicles comprised of the ether glycerolipids of the archaeon Methanobrevibacter smithii (archaeosomes) are potent adjuvants for evoking CD8+ T cell responses. We therefore explored the ability of archaeosomes to overcome immunologic tolerance to self-antigens. Priming and boosting of mice with archaeosome-antigen evoked comparable CD8+ T cell response and tumor protection to an alternate boosting strategy utilizing live bacterial vectors for antigen delivery. Vaccination with melanoma antigenic peptides TRP181-189 and Gp10025-33 delivered in archaeosomes resulted in IFN-γ producing antigen-specific CD8+ T cells with strong cytolytic capability and protection against subcutaneous B16 melanoma. Targeting responses against multiple antigens afforded prolonged median survival against melanoma challenge. Entrapment of multiple peptides within the same vesicle or admixed formulations were both effective at evoking CD8+ T cells against each antigen. Melanoma-antigen archaeosome formulations also afforded therapeutic protection against established B16 tumors when combined with depletion of T-regulatory cells. Overall, we demonstrate that archaeosome adjuvants constitute an effective choice for formulating cancer vaccines.
The Cross-Section and Time-Series of Stock and Bond Returns

Value stocks have higher exposure to innovations in the nominal bond risk premium, which measures the markets' perception of cyclical variation in future output growth, than growth stocks. The ICAPM then predicts a value risk premium provided that good news about future output lowers the marginal utility of investors' wealth today. In support of the business cycle as a priced state variable, we show that low value minus growth returns, typically realized at the start of recessions when nominal bond risk premia are low and declining, are associated with lower future dividend growth rates on value minus growth and with lower future output growth in the short term. Because of this new nexus between stock and bond returns, a parsimonious three-factor model can jointly price the book-to-market stock and maturity-sorted bond portfolios and reproduce the time-series variation in expected bond returns. Structural dynamic asset pricing models need to impute a central role to the business cycle as a priced state variable to be quantitatively consistent with the observed value, equity, and nominal bond risk premia.
Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING in the OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES of the

The complexity of a model can have important implications for its costs of development, ease of use, and the reliability of its output. However, there is no standard definition of model complexity in the literature and little acknowledgement of its many possible forms. Furthermore, it is difficult to determine the appropriate levels of complexity for a particular model because there are few quantitative studies of the effects of model complexity on results. In this paper, an attempt is made to classify various types of model complexity and to determine an appropriate indicator for quantifying each type of complexity. Using three of these indicators, network flow models of Northern California’s water system are formulated and compared at six levels of spatial aggregation. The results show that some spatial aggregration is possible with little change in the overall results but that high levels of aggregation can cause significant errors. In addition, changes in complexity are shown to have more significant effects at the local level. Additional research is needed to more completely understand the effects of model complexity on results.
Tree slotted aloha: a new protocol for tag identification in RFID networks

In this paper, we approach the problem of identifying a set of objects in an RFID network. We propose a modified version of slotted aloha protocol to reduce the number of transmission collisions. All tags select a slot to transmit their ID by generating a random number. If there is a collision in a slot, the reader broadcasts the next identification request only to tags which collided in that slot. Simulation results show that our approach performs better than framed slotted aloha and query tree based protocols, in terms of number of slots needed to identify all tags, which is a commonly used metric, strictly related to delay
WAIS-IV Profile of Cognition in Schizophrenia

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) has been used extensively to study impairment across a range of cognitive domains in schizophrenia. However, cognitive performance among those with the illness has yet to be examined using the newest edition of this measure. Hence, the current study aims first, to provide WAIS-IV normative data for Canadian individuals with schizophrenia of low average intelligence; second, to examine schizophrenia performance on all WAIS-IV subtest, index and general intelligence scores relative to healthy comparison subjects; and third, to revalidate the pattern of impairment identified in this clinical group using the WAIS-III, where processing speed (PS) was most affected, followed by working memory (WM), perceptual reasoning (PR) and verbal comprehension (VC). The WAIS-IV was administered to outpatients with schizophrenia and their performance compared with age, gender, and education matched controls. WAIS-IV schizophrenia performance data are provided. Analyses revealed significant impairment on several tasks, including the new Cancellation subtest and the VC supplemental subtest, Comprehension. At the index score level, group differences in PS were significantly larger than those observed in all other cognitive domains. Impairments were also observed in WM amid relatively preserved performance in VC, thereby confirming the pattern of impairment identified using the WAIS-III.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: An Innovation in Immunotherapy for the Treatment and Management of Patients with Cancer

Cancer survival rates are generally increasing in the United States. These trends have been partially attributed to improvement in therapeutic strategies. Cancer immunotherapy is an example of one of the newer strategies used to fight cancer, which primes or activates the immune system to produce antitumor effects. The first half of this review paper concisely describes the cell mechanisms that control antitumor immunity and the major immunotherapeutic strategies developed to target these mechanisms. The second half of the review discusses in greater depth immune checkpoint inhibitors that have recently demonstrated tremendous promise for the treatment of diverse solid tumor types, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and others. More specifically, the mechanisms of action, side effects, and patient and family management and education concerns are discussed to provide oncology nurses up-to-date information relevant to caring for cancer-affected patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Future directions for cancer immunotherapy are considered.
Efficacy of Selective Arterial Embolisation for the Treatment of Life-Threatening Post-Partum Haemorrhage in a Large Population

Background The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and determine the optimal indication of selective arterial embolisation (SAE) in patients with life-threatening post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Methodology/Principal Findings One hundred and two patients with PPH underwent SAE and were included from January 1998 to January 2002 in our university care center. Embolisation was considered effective when no other surgical procedure was required. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed. SAE was effective for 73 patients (71.5%), while 29 required surgical procedures. SAE was effective in 88.6% of women with uterine atony that was associated with positive outcome (OR 4.13, 1.35–12.60), whereas caesarean deliveries (OR 0.16, 0.04–0.5) and haemodynamic shock (OR 0.21, 0.07–0.60) were associated with high failure rates, 47.6% and 39.1%, respectively. Conclusions/Significance Success rate for SAE observed in a large population is lower than previously reported. It is most likely to succeed for uterine atony but not recommended in case of haemodynamic shock or after caesarean section.
PCR primers to amplify 16S rRNA genes from cyanobacteria

We developed and tested a set of oligonucleotide primers for the specific amplification of 16S rRNA gene segments from cyanobacteria and plastids by PCR. PCR products were recovered from all cultures of cyanobacteria and diatoms that were checked but not from other bacteria and archaea. Gene segments selectively retrieved from cyanobacteria and diatoms in unialgal but nonaxenic cultures and from cyanobionts in lichens could be directly sequenced. In the context of growing sequence databases, this procedure allows rapid and phylogenetically meaningful identification without pure cultures or molecular cloning. We demonstrate the use of this specific PCR in combination with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to probe the diversity of oxygenic phototrophic microorganisms in cultures, lichens, and complex microbial communities.
Physiological and transcriptional responses to salt stress in salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) seedlings

Excess salinity is a major environmental threat to agriculture. However, the adaptive mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive soybeans in their physiological characteristics and the expression patterns of 8 cation antiporters under salt stress. The inhibitory effects of salt stress on growth and photosynthesis in salt‐sensitive soybean were stronger than those in salt‐tolerant soybean. The concentration of phosphate and most other ions in the seedlings significantly declined under a 150‐mM‐NaCl treatment. Relative K+, Mg2+, and P concentrations were significantly positively correlated with relative net photosynthetic rate. GmNHX1 (Glyma.10G158700) and GmNcl1 (Glyma.03g171500) had similar expression patterns in the salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive cultivars. Furthermore, a significant correlation was present between the transcript levels of these 2 genes and the Na+ concentration in soybean leaves. In addition to GmSALT3, which is the major gene in soybean for salt tolerance in previous studies, GmNHX1 and GmNcl1 may be associated with salt tolerance in soybean to some extent. The salt‐tolerant cultivars in this study maintained higher K+, Mg2+, and P concentrations in the leaf and had higher photosynthetic rates than the salt‐sensitive cultivar did under salt stress. These findings can provide theoretical references for the molecular breeding of salt‐tolerant soybean and the sustainable use of saline soils.
Gender differences in suicide attempts from adolescence to young adulthood.

OBJECTIVE To examine associations of age, gender, and psychosocial factors during adolescence with risk of suicide attempt between ages 19 and 23 years. METHOD Initial assessments were conducted with 1,709 adolescents (aged 14-18) in western Oregon between 1987 and 1989. One year later, 1,507 participants returned for a second assessment. A subset of participants (n = 941; 57.2% women) had a third diagnostic assessment after turning 24 (between 1993 and 1999). Information on suicidal behavior, psychosocial risk factors, and lifetime DSM-III-R psychiatric diagnosis was collected at each assessment. RESULTS The suicide attempt hazard rate for female adolescents was significantly higher than for male adolescents (Wilcoxon chi 2(1)[n = 941] = 12.69, p < . 001). By age 19, the attempt hazard rate for female adolescents dropped to a level comparable with that of male adolescents. Disappearance of the gender difference for suicide attempts by young adulthood was not paralleled by a decrease in the gender difference for major depression. Adolescent suicidal behavior predicted suicide attempt during young adulthood for female, but not male, participants. Adolescent psychosocial risk factors for suicide attempt during young adulthood were identified separately for girls and boys. CONCLUSIONS Unlike depression, the elevated incidence rate of suicide attempts by adolescent girls is not maintained into young adulthood. Screening and prevention implications are discussed.
Groundwater Quality Protection for Livestock Feeding Operations.

The primary constituents of livestock and poultry manure that can contaminate groundwater include pathogenic organisms, nitrates and ammonia. Other constituents such as potassium, sodium, chloride and sulfate also may leach through the soil and impair the quality of an aquifer. Phosphorus and organic solids are not usually sources of groundwater pollution because of their limited leaching potential.
The impact of health status on physicians' intentions to offer cancer screening to older women.

BACKGROUND Screening for breast and cervical cancer reduces disease-specific mortality, but high rates of comorbidity and disability among elderly persons may alter the risks and benefits of screening. METHODS We performed a mail survey of primary care physicians to estimate the impact of health status on physicians' intentions to offer cancer screening to older women. Respondents were asked to read a scenario about an older woman. Each scenario patient was one of three ages (70, 80, or 90) and had one of three levels of comorbidity and disability. Respondents were asked to estimate the likelihood of offering screening with mammography and Pap smear to these patients on a 5-point Likert scale. A logistic regression compared those physicians somewhat or very likely to offer screening with those less likely to do so. Further analyses examined the characteristics of physicians likely to "overscreen" the frailest older women (<5 years median life expectancy) or "underscreen" the healthiest (>10 years median life expectancy). RESULTS Respondents returned 2003 completed surveys (37.4%). Controlling for age and prior screening, higher levels of comorbidity and disability were associated with a significantly lower likelihood of offering screening for both mammography and Pap smear. Nonetheless, a substantial percentage (30.7%) of physicians indicated a high likelihood of offering a frail 90-year-old woman a mammogram, and 13.4% would offer her a Pap smear. In general, overscreening was more common than underscreening. Female gender was associated with "overscreening" with mammography, whereas male gender and lack of board certification predicted "underscreening. " Lack of board certification was associated with "overscreening" with Pap smear. CONCLUSIONS In addition to age, primary care physicians consider health status in deciding to offer cancer screening to older women. Education and guidelines for cancer screening should more explicitly address the risks of overscreening among frail older women.
Hyperspectral analysis of soil polluted with four types of hydrocarbons

Abstract In this study, a high spectral resolution GER-2600 spectroradiometer was used to obtain the spectral data of soil samples that were polluted with four different types of petroleum–hydrocarbons products: Diesel, Gasoline, Crude Oil and Fuel Oil. The polluted soil samples were prepared in the laboratory at five concentrations levels: unpolluted soil, 2500, 100,000, 250,000 ppm and pure pollutant. Spectral data were pre-processed and then analysed with various approaches: Principal Components Transformation and ANOVA, Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Hydrocarbon Index (HI) and Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA). The results showed that it was possible to determine the different spectral response between clean soil and some of the polluted soils: crude oil at concentrations higher than 100,000 ppm were the easiest to recognize; while samples polluted with gasoline at concentrations below 250,000 ppm were the most difficult to distinguish from non-polluted samples.
Mining significant semantic locations from GPS data

With the increasing deployment and use of GPS-enabled devices, massive amounts of GPS data are becoming available. We propose a general framework for the mining of semantically meaningful, significant locations, e.g., shopping malls and restaurants, from such data. We present techniques capable of extracting semantic locations from GPS data. We capture the relationships between locations and between locations and users with a graph. Significance is then assigned to locations using random walks over the graph that propagates significance among the locations. In doing so, mutual reinforcement between location significance and user authority is exploited for determining significance, as are aspects such as the number of visits to a location, the durations of the visits, and the distances users travel to reach locations. Studies using up to 100 million GPS records from a confined spatio-temporal region demonstrate that the proposal is effective and is capable of outperforming baseline methods and an extension of an existing proposal.
Criteria for the diagnosis of ischemic vascular dementia proposed by the State of California Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centers

Accurate diagnosis of vascular dementia is important for the recognition of underlying pathophysiology and the institution of appropriate therapy. It is also important for the determination of the incidence and prevalence of not only vascular dementia but also Alzheimer's disease (AD), since differentiating between these two entities is often problematic. The State of California Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (ADDTC) herein propose criteria for the diagnosis of ischemic vascular dementia (IVD). These criteria broaden the conceptualization of vascular dementia, include the results of neuroimaging studies, emphasize the importance of neuropathologic confirmation, refine nosology, and identify areas that require further research. Parallel use of the proposed definitions of “possible” and “mixed” categories in the diagnosis of both AD and IVD would ensure compatibility between the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) criteria for AD and the ADDTC criteria for IVD. Uniform classification of subtypes of IVD will improve the generalizability of individual studies and aid in multicenter collaborations.