Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3t as a clinical tool in patients with intracranial tumors

Purpose: To investigate the potential of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3T as a clinical tool in the preoperative evaluation of patients with intracranial tumors. High magnetic field strength such as 3T is of benefit for fMRI because signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity to susceptibility changes are field-strength-dependent. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with tumors close to eloquent sensorimotor or language areas were studied. Motor, sensory, and two language paradigms (word generation, rhyming) were used; their effectiveness was determined as the percentage of patients in whom the functional area of interest was activated. Activation maps were calculated and their quality rated as high, adequate, or insufficient. The influence of fMRI on the neurosurgical decision regarding operability, surgical approach, and extent of the resection, was assessed. Results: Paradigm effectiveness was 90% for motor and 95% for sensory stimulation, and varied from 79% to 95% for word generation and rhyming in combination. Ninety percent of the activation maps held high or adequate quality. fMRI proved useful: in the decision to operate (9 patients), in the surgical approach (13 patients), and in extent of the resection (12 patients). Conclusion: fMRI at 3T is a clinically applicable tool in the work-up of patients with intracranial tumors.
Functional Trait Trade-Offs for the Tropical Montane Rain Forest Species Responding to Light from Simulating Experiments

Differences among tropical tree species in survival and growth to light play a key role in plant competition and community composition. Two canopy species with contrasting functional traits dominating early and late successional stages, respectively, in a tropical montane rain forest of Hainan Island, China, were selected in a pot experiment under 4 levels of light intensity (full, 50%, 30%, and 10%) in order to explore the adaptive strategies of tropical trees to light conditions. Under each light intensity level, the pioneer species, Endospermum chinense (Euphorbiaceae), had higher relative growth rate (RGR), stem mass ratio (SMR), specific leaf area (SLA), and morphological plasticity while the shade tolerant climax species, Parakmeria lotungensis (Magnoliaceae), had higher root mass ratio (RMR) and leaf mass ratio (LMR). RGR of both species was positively related to SMR and SLA under each light level but was negatively correlated with RMR under lower light (30% and 10% full light). The climax species increased its survival by a conservative resource use strategy through increasing leaf defense and root biomass investment at the expense of growth rate in low light. In contrast, the pioneer increased its growth by an exploitative resource use strategy through increasing leaf photosynthetic capacity and stem biomass investment at the expense of survival under low light. There was a trade-off between growth and survival for species under different light conditions. Our study suggests that tree species in the tropical rainforest adopt different strategies in stands of different successional stages. Species in the earlier successional stages have functional traits more advantageous to grow faster in the high light conditions, whereas species in the late successional stages have traits more favorable to survive in the low light conditions.
A model of photosynthesis and photo‐protection based on reaction center damage and repair

Phytoplankton photosynthesis under the rapidly fluctuating irradiance which results from turbulent mixing through the vertical light gradient is poorly understood. Ship‐based measurements often apply the fast repetition rate fluorescence (FRRF) technique in situ or in vivo to gauge the physiological state of the phytoplankton community and infer some of the physical properties of the water column (such as mixing time scales). We describe the development and validation of a model of photosynthetic electron turnover at photosystemII with consideration of downstream limitation, based on the redox state of photosystem II. We also include empirical formulations for slower processes such as photo‐protection (from nonphotochemical quenching) and photo‐inhibition. By confronting the simple model with laboratory data for Dunaliella tertiolecta, we were able to refine the model so that it faithfully produced rates of photosynthetic electron transfer determined by FRR fluorescence. Further, we were able to validate the model estimates of linear photosynthetic electron transfer rates against completely independent measurements obtained using 14C‐bicarbonate assimilation in photosynthesis‐light curves.
Single‐breath Vital Capacity Rapid Inhalation Induction in Children: 8% Sevoflurane versus 5% Halothane

Background The authors compared the speed of induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane with and without nitrous oxide with the speed of halothane and nitrous oxide using a single‐breath vital capacity induction. Methods With informed parental consent, 51 healthy unpremedicated children aged 5–12 yr were randomized to inhale a single breath of one of three gas mixtures: 8% sevoflurane in 66% nitrous oxide, 8% sevoflurane in oxygen, or 5% halothane in 66% nitrous oxide. A blinded observer recorded the times to loss of the eyelash reflex, return of conjugate gaze, the presence of airway reflex responses, involuntary movement, and hemodynamic responses. Results Forty‐two children completed the study. The times (mean +/‐ SD) to loss of the eyelash reflex with sevoflurane/nitrous oxide, 38 +/‐ 8 s, and for sevoflurane‐oxygen, 34 +/‐ 12 s, were less than that with halothane‐nitrous oxide, 58 +/‐ 17 s (P < 0.01). Movement occurred less frequently during sevoflurane than during halothane anesthesia (P < 0.05). The times to return of conjugate gaze and the incidence of airway reflex responses were similar among the groups. The incidence of dysrhythmias in the sevoflurane groups was less than that in the halothane group (P < 0.01). Conclusions Induction of anesthesia with a single breath of 8% sevoflurane with or without 66% nitrous oxide is more rapid than with 5% inspired halothane with 66% nitrous oxide in children. The incidence of movement and dysrhythmias during a single‐breath induction with sevoflurane are less than they are with halothane.
The safety of sputum induction in adults with acute exacerbation of COPD

Introduction: Induced sputum is a non‐invasive method, and a useful tool to evaluate inflammatory cells and mediators in the airway lumen in the setting of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, the inhalation of hypertonic saline solution to induce sputum may cause a bronchoconstrictive response, so it is important to evaluate the success and safety of sputum induction (SI).
Modelling within-Host Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Invasive Bacterial Disease

Mechanistic determinants of bacterial growth, death, and spread within mammalian hosts cannot be fully resolved studying a single bacterial population. They are also currently poorly understood. Here, we report on the application of sophisticated experimental approaches to map spatiotemporal population dynamics of bacteria during an infection. We analyzed heterogeneous traits of simultaneous infections with tagged Salmonella enterica populations (wild-type isogenic tagged strains [WITS]) in wild-type and gene-targeted mice. WITS are phenotypically identical but can be distinguished and enumerated by quantitative PCR, making it possible, using probabilistic models, to estimate bacterial death rate based on the disappearance of strains through time. This multidisciplinary approach allowed us to establish the timing, relative occurrence, and immune control of key infection parameters in a true host–pathogen combination. Our analyses support a model in which shortly after infection, concomitant death and rapid bacterial replication lead to the establishment of independent bacterial subpopulations in different organs, a process controlled by host antimicrobial mechanisms. Later, decreased microbial mortality leads to an exponential increase in the number of bacteria that spread locally, with subsequent mixing of bacteria between organs via bacteraemia and further stochastic selection. This approach provides us with an unprecedented outlook on the pathogenesis of S. enterica infections, illustrating the complex spatial and stochastic effects that drive an infectious disease. The application of the novel method that we present in appropriate and diverse host–pathogen combinations, together with modelling of the data that result, will facilitate a comprehensive view of the spatial and stochastic nature of within-host dynamics.
Pharmacological and combined interventions for the acute depressive episode: focus on efficacy and tolerability

Background: Use of antidepressants is the gold standard therapy for major depression. However, despite the large number of commercially available antidepressant drugs there are several differences among them in efficacy, tolerability, and cost-effectiveness. In addition the optimal augmentation strategy is still not clear when dealing with treatment-resistant depression, a condition that affects 15% to 40% of depressed patients. Methods: We therefore reviewed the main characteristics of these drugs regarding their efficacy, tolerability, side effects and cost-effectiveness, by accessing all meta-analyses and systematic reviews published from 2004 to 2009. In addition, we reviewed the augmentation strategy of associated antidepressants with neurostimulation therapies (such as transcranial magnetic stimulation [TMS] and transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS]). A search was undertaken in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scielo databases. We included: 21 meta-analyses of antidepressant trials, 15 neurostimulation clinical trials and 8 studies of pharmacoeconomics. We then performed a comprehensive review on these articles. Results and Conclusion: Although recent meta-analyses suggest sertraline and escitalopram might have increased efficacy/tolerability, other studies and large pragmatic trials have not found these to be superior to other antidepressant drugs. Also, we did not identify any superior drug in terms of cost-effectiveness due to the different designs observed among pharmacoecomics studies. Side effects such as sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal problems and weight gain were common causes of discontinuation. Tolerability was an important issue for novel neurostimulation interventions, such as TMS and tDCS. These therapies might be interesting augmentation strategies, considering their benign profile of side effects, if proper safety parameters are adopted.
Seroprevalence Assessment and Risk Factor Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Goats from Northeastern Algeria

Simple Summary Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic protozoan disease caused by the pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, can infect almost all homoeothermic animals including humans. Toxoplasma gondii is responsible for reproductive disorders in ruminants such as goats which could have an important role as a source of parasite transmission to humans. Data on seroepidemiology of T. gondii in Algeria is scarce, and almost null in the rural areas. This study was carried out to determine seroprevalence and to identify the associated risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats from four provinces in northeastern Algeria. A total of 460 serum samples were tested from 72 herds. A total of 245 samples showed the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, representing 53.26% of the goats and 94.44% of herds, indicating they were positive for T. gondii. Factors such as the presence of a water source in the pasture, number of cats, and number of abortions were significantly linked to the high seropositivity of T. gondii. This investigation suggests that T. gondii is widespread in the goat population in Algeria and the transmission of the parasite to humans could potentially increase via meat consumption. Abstract T. gondii is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease relevant in human and veterinary medicine. In Algeria, few reports focused on the presence and circulation of this parasite in the local goat population. The aim of the survey was to evaluate toxoplasmosis seroprevalence and associated risk factors. Sera from 460 goats reared on 72 farms in northeastern Algeria were collected and tested for IgG antibodies to T. gondii by an indirect ELISA. To identify risk factors, a linear regression analysis of the variables was performed. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 94.44% (68/72; 95% CI: 73.34–119.73) of goat farms and in 53.26% (245/460; 95% CI: 46.80–60.36) at the individual level. The multivariable analysis showed that seasonal pasture (OR = 3.804; 95% CI: 3.321–4.358; p = 0.003), presence of water source in pasture area (OR = 4.844; 95% CI: 1.942–7.789; p = 0.0004), use of anthelminthics (OR = 2.640; 95% CI: 1.592–3.146; p = 0.036), number of cats, hygiene, proportion of abortions, number of abortions in the last year, year of sampling, region, and season were the variables significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Abortions in goat herds seem to be related to T. gondii exposure, thus it is crucial to undertake measures and strategies to reduce, control, and prevent toxoplasmosis infection in goats, and thereby in humans, from Algeria.
Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura: Portunidae): An assessment on its diet and foraging behaviour, Thermaikos Gulf, NW Aegean Sea, Greece: Evidence for ecological and economic impacts

̶ The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, is native to the Atlantic coasts of the Americas and globally one of the most highly invasive marine species. In the present study, the species’ diet and the foraging behaviour was studied in the Thermaikos Gulf and Papapouli Lagoon for the first time. Surveys were undertaken using fyke nets, shore surveys, scuba and snorkelling. Additional data were compiled from systematic interviews with mussel farmers, shellfish traders and fishermen. In both Thermaikos Gulf and Papapouli Lagoon C. sapidus was found to prey on a wide variety of species including economically important molluscs, fishes, and crustaceans, indicating a substantial potential impact on fisheries and aquaculture in the region. Observation showed that over 6 (2009–2014) years, the blue crabs became dominant in Papapouli Lagoon at the expense of the native commercially fished crab Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 according to fisheries data. Potential management implications are discussed.
Untreated depression in the first trimester of pregnancy leads to postpartum depression: high rates from a natural follow-up study

Background This is a natural follow-up study that presents the postpartum results of women who experienced depression during pregnancy. Methods This study involved 78 women diagnosed with depression in the first trimester of pregnancy. All patients were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) in the first trimester and all were referred to a psychiatric center for treatment. Of the 78, 73 were contacted postpartum and reassessed by SCID-I. Treatment anamnesis was evaluated retrospectively. Results The women were divided into two groups at the postpartum evaluation according to anamnesis of psychiatric treatment. Twenty-one of the 73 (28.7%) had received treatment during pregnancy (treated group). Fifty-two women had not been treated (untreated group). In the treated group, no postpartum depression was determined (0%). In the untreated group, 92% (n=48) of women had a depressive disorder postpartum (P<0.01). In addition, scores regarding depression, functionality, and perceived social support were worse postpartum for the untreated group. Conclusion Untreated depression during pregnancy is an important predictor of postpartum depression. This natural follow-up study is important because it presents very striking rates of postpartum depression. Referral of patients with depression during pregnancy to psychiatric treatment should be provided and is strongly encouraged.
A functionality taxonomy for document search engines

In this paper a functionality taxonomy for document search engines is proposed. It can be used to assess the features of a search engine, to position search engines relative to each other, or to select which search engine ‘ts’ a certain situation. One is able to identify areas for improvement. During development, we were guided by the viewpoint of the user. We use the word ‘search engine’ in the broadest sense possible, including library and web based (meta) search engines. The taxonomy distinguishes seven functionality areas: an indexing service, user proling, query composition, query execution, result presentation, result renement, and history keeping. Each of these relates and provides services to other functionality areas. It can be extended whenever necessary. To illustrate the validity of our taxonomy, it has been used for comparing various document search engines existing today (ACM Digital Library, PiCarta, Copernic, AltaVista, Google, and GuideBeam). It appears that the functionality aspects covered by our taxonomy can be used for describing these search engines.
Ice Volume Estimates from Ground-Penetrating Radar Surveys, Wedel Jarlsberg Land Glaciers, Svalbard

Abstract We present ground-penetrating radar (GPR)—based volume calculations, with associated error estimates, for eight glaciers on Wedel Jarlsberg Land, southwestern Spitsbergen, Svalbard, and compare them with those obtained from volume-area scaling relationships. The volume estimates are based upon GPR ice-thickness data collected during the period 2004–2013. The total area and volume of the ensemble are 502.91 ± 18.60 km2 and 91.91 ± 3.12 km3, respectively. The individual areas, volumes, and average ice thickness lie within 0.37–140.99 km2, 0.01–31.98 km3, and 28–227 m, respectively, with a maximum recorded ice thickness of 619 ± 13 m on Austre Torellbreen. To estimate the ice volume of unsurveyed tributary glaciers, we combine polynomial cross-sections with a function providing the best fit to the measured ice thickness along the center line of a collection of 22 surveyed tributaries. For the time-to-depth conversion of GPR data, we test the use of a glacierwide constant radio-wave velocity chosen on the basis of local or regional common midpoint measurements, versus the use of distinct velocities for the firn, cold ice, and temperate ice layers, concluding that the corresponding volume calculations agree with each other within their error bounds.
Vascular Immunotargeting to Endothelial Determinant ICAM-1 Enables Optimal Partnering of Recombinant scFv-Thrombomodulin Fusion with Endogenous Cofactor

The use of targeted therapeutics to replenish pathologically deficient proteins on the luminal endothelial membrane has the potential to revolutionize emergency and cardiovascular medicine. Untargeted recombinant proteins, like activated protein C (APC) and thrombomodulin (TM), have demonstrated beneficial effects in acute vascular disorders, but have failed to have a major impact on clinical care. We recently reported that TM fused with an scFv antibody fragment to platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) exerts therapeutic effects superior to untargeted TM. PECAM-1 is localized to cell-cell junctions, however, whereas the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), the key co-factor of TM/APC, is exposed in the apical membrane. Here we tested whether anchoring TM to the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) favors scFv/TM collaboration with EPCR. Indeed: i) endothelial targeting scFv/TM to ICAM-1 provides ∼15-fold greater activation of protein C than its PECAM-targeted counterpart; ii) blocking EPCR reduces protein C activation by scFv/TM anchored to endothelial ICAM-1, but not PECAM-1; and iii) anti-ICAM scFv/TM fusion provides more profound anti-inflammatory effects than anti-PECAM scFv/TM in a mouse model of acute lung injury. These findings, obtained using new translational constructs, emphasize the importance of targeting protein therapeutics to the proper surface determinant, in order to optimize their microenvironment and beneficial effects.
Development of Wafer-Type Plasma Monitoring Sensor with Automated Robot Arm Transfer Capability for Two-Dimensional In Situ Processing Plasma Diagnosis

In this work, we propose our newly developed wafer-type plasma monitoring sensor based on a floating-type double probe method that can be useful for two-dimensional (2D) in situ plasma diagnosis within a semiconductor processing chamber. A key achievement of this work is the first realization of an ultra-thin plasma monitoring sensor with a system thickness of ~1.4 mm, which supports a fully automated robot arm transfer capability for in situ plasma diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, it is the thinnest accomplishment among all wafer-type plasma monitoring sensors. Our proposed sensor is assembled with two Si wafers and SiO2-based probes; accordingly, it makes it possible to monitor the actual dynamics of processing plasmas under electrostatic chucking (ESC) conditions. Also, it allows for the prevention of chamber contamination issues after continuously exposing the radio frequency (RF) to various processing gases. Using a test-bed chamber, we successfully demonstrated the feasibility and system performance of the proposed sensor, including robot arm transfer capability, vacuum and thermal stress durability, and data integrity and reproducibility. Consequently, compared with the conventional plasma diagnostic tools, we expect that our proposed sensor will be highly beneficial for tool-to-tool matching (TTTM) and/or for studying various plasma-related items by more accurately providing the parameters of processing plasmas, further saving both time and manpower resources required for preventive maintenance (PM) routines as well.
VITAMIN D STATUS IN SAUDI WOMEN WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A CASE - CONTROL STUDY

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellit us (DM). Both hypovitaminosis D and Type 2 DM are prevalent health problems among Saudi population. Ethnic and gender differences in the association between vitamin D status and type 2 DM were reported. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to dete rmine vitamin D status in Saudi diabetic women as compared to that of age and BMI matched healthy women. Methods: A total of 120 women, 60 diabetic and 60 age and BMI matched control, were enrolled for this study. Fasting blood samples were collected fro m all participants and serum was stored at - 80oC until assayed. 25 - hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: Hypovitaminosis D was prevalent among both diabetic and control groups. However, mean 25(OH)D level wa s lower in the diabetic group (30.45nmol/L) as compared to the control group (34.36nnmol/L) although not statistically significant. Vitamin D deficiency (defined as 25(OH)D level < 25 nmol/L) was more common among the diabetic group, but this did not reach statistical significance (P= 0.708). Conclusion: Although the diabetic women had lower levels of 25(OH)D, vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in both groups. Larger longitudinal studies are required to reveal any relation between hypovitaminosis D and typ e 2 DM among Saudi subjects.