Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shell size divergence in Littorina mariae and L . obtusata and predation by crabs

REIMCHEN, T. E. 1982. Shell size divergence in Littorina mariae and L. obtusata and predation by crabs. Can. J . Zool. 60: 687-695. On the British and Irish coasts, Littorina mariae and L. obtusata show geographical variation in adult shell size, the former decreasing and the latter increasing in localities with increased protection from wave action. Within some shores, L. obtusata is relatively small in upper tidal positions but increases in size towards the lower shore where it overlaps with the much smaller shelled L. mariae. Characteristic signs of repair observed on the shells are considered to have resulted from unsuccessful attacks by crabs such as Carcinus maenas. High frequencies of these shell injuries were associated with the presence of large-shelled populations of L. obtusata both between localities and between different levels on the shore. Experimental work showed that large-shelled L. obtusata (1617 mm) were exceptionally resistant to breakage by large C. maenas while smaller adult shells of L. obtusata (1316 mm) and those of L. mariae (613 mm) were very susceptible. Small C . maenas were unable to successfully crack the thickened outer whorl of adult shells of either species and could only break the thin shells of juveniles. It is argued that small adult_ size, as seen in L. mariae, could represent an adaptation for a contracted juvenile stage and thus early maturity where small crabs are important predators.
Mathematical modeling of ripple- and oscillation-mark formation in the casting of steel

ZAMBRANO M. Mathematical modeling of rippleand oscillation-mark formation in the casting of steel. 2018. 118 p. Tese (Doutorado em Ciências – Ciências de Computação e Matemática Computacional) – Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP, 2018. Ripple marks and oscillation marks are undesirable defects which occur on the surface of solidified steel produced industrially in the ingot and the continuous casting processes, respectively; these defects are characterized by more or less evenly spaced indentations on the metal surface. Although the mechanisms for their formation are thought to be qualitatively understood, there is still considerable scope for improvement as regards quantitative mathematical modeling. In this thesis, models for the two processes are developed. For the case of ripple marks, transient twodimensional (2D) momentum and heat transfer in ingot casting is considered, and a criterion is derived, in terms of the process parameters, that can help to inform how to avoid such marks. For the case of oscillation marks in continuous casting, a novel numerical formulation for a transient 2D model is developed with the aim of tracking the spatial location of the first point of molten steel to solidify, since this determines the profile of the final oscillation mark. In both cases, the models are nondimensionalized, and the sizes of the dimensionless parameters that appear are used to derive asymptotically reduced models, with a view to not only clarifying the qualitative behavior, but also as a means to reducing the computational expense; both finite-difference and finite-element methods are used to solve the resulting model equations. One of the conclusions is that, although experimentalists and metallurgists have, in the past, treated the two cases as being linked, the present modeling approach shows quite clearly, and perhaps for the first time, how they quantitatively differ.
Is interleukin-6 the link between low LDL cholesterol and increased non-cardiovascular mortality in the elderly?

A number of prospective studies, dating back to the 1980s, have found that lower levels of plasma cholesterol correlate with increased risk for cancer; in some of these studies, it was noted that this correlation was strongest for cancers diagnosed within a year of cholesterol measurement, suggesting the possibility of reverse causality.1–11 More recently, Ravnskov and colleagues conducted a systematic review of cohort studies enrolling subjects over 60 in which the association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular mortality had been evaluated.12 In 14 of the 30 total cohorts involved, LDL-C was inversely and significantly associated with all-cause mortality; in the remaining 16, no association was found. With respect to cardiovascular mortality, which was determined in nine cohorts, the association of LDL-C was inverse and significant in two and null in seven. The failure to find a positive a correlation between LDL-C and cardiovascular mortality is consistent with the previous research reporting that the positive correlation of LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular mortality that is clearly seen among younger subjects is substantially blunted among the elderly. These findings have led some to suspect that low LDL-C plays a pathogenic role in cancer and perhaps other non-cardiovascular pathologies and that LDL-C is of little pathogenic significance for the progression atherogenic disease in the elderly.12 This interpretation evidently casts doubt on the wisdom of medicating the elderly for LDL-C control. The thesis that low LDL-C may play a causative role in higher non-cardiovascular mortality has been challenged cogently by several lines of evidence. Law and colleagues13 compared cohort studies of groups of employees, most of whom could be presumed to be healthy at baseline, with community cohorts, which included many individuals with prevalent disease. They found that low total cholesterol in the employee cohorts was not …
Long-Term Effects Of Adoption: An Empirical Study Of Adult Adoptees

The present study seeks to identify psychological differences between extrafamilial adult adoptees and a non-adopted comparison group through projective tests and life history interviews. Two demographically matched groups (18 adoptees and 16 non-adoptees) were administered the Thematic Apperception Test and Loevinger's Sentence Completion Test (a measure of Ego Stage). The TAT was scored thematically for "Alienation" and McClelland's "Need For Affiliation". Interview data were examined for corroboration or refutation of themes present in the projective tests. Results indicated no between group differences in Ego Stage however adoptees were significantly higher on some "Alienation" scores and non-adoptees were significantly higher on some "Affiliation" scores (p < .05). In addition, adoption status was predictable (p < .05) from a discriminant analysis using variables that had significantly zero-order correlations with it .
Poverty as an independent risk factor for in‐hospital mortality in community‐acquired pneumonia: A study in a developing country population

Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most severe lower respiratory tract infections with a high in‐hospital mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic and medical risk factors affecting the prognosis of acute pneumonia. The results of this study can mention the value of socioeconomic backgrounds like poverty and illiteracy in clinical practice, even in a well‐known biological phenomenon (eg acute pneumonia).
Association Between Distal Radial Fracture Malunion and Patient-Reported Activity Limitations: A Long-Term Follow-up

Background: The long-term effect of distal radial fracture malunion on activity limitations is unknown. Between 2001 and 2002, we conducted a prospective cohort study of all patients with distal radial fracture treated with casting or percutaneous fixation in northeast Scania in Sweden. In that original study, the patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire at baseline and at 2 years. We performed a long-term follow-up study of patients who were 18 to 65 years of age at the time of the fracture to investigate the association between fracture malunion and activity limitations. Methods: In this long-term follow-up, patients who had participated in the original study completed the DASH questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and for satisfaction (scored, 0 [best] to 100) and underwent radiographic and physical examinations at 12 to 14 years after the fracture. We defined malunion as dorsal angulation of ≥10°, ulnar variance of ≥3 mm, and/or radial inclination of ⩽15°. We also assessed the presence of radiocarpal osteoarthritis and ulnar styloid nonunion. The primary outcome was the change in DASH score from baseline. Secondary outcomes were DASH, pain, and satisfaction scores, wrist range of motion, and grip strength at the time of the follow-up. Results: Of 85 eligible patients, 63 (74%) responded to the questionnaires and underwent examinations. Malunion was found in 25 patients, osteoarthritis was found in 38 patients, and styloid nonunion was found in 9 patients. Compared with patients without malunion, those with malunion had significantly worse DASH scores from baseline to 12 to 14 years (p = 0.002); the adjusted mean difference was 11 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 4 to 17 points). Similarly, follow-up scores were significantly worse among patients with malunion; the adjusted mean difference was 14 points (95% CI, 7 to 22 points; p < 0.001) for DASH scores, 10 points (95% CI, 0 to 20 points; p = 0.049) for VAS pain scores, and 26 points (95% CI, 11 to 41 points; p = 0.001) for VAS satisfaction scores. No differences were found in range of motion or grip strength. Osteoarthritis (mostly mild) and styloid nonunion had no significant association (p > 0.05) with DASH scores, VAS pain or satisfaction scores, or grip strength. Conclusions: Patients who sustain a distal radial fracture at the age of 18 to 65 years and develop malunion are more likely to have worse long-term outcomes including activity limitations and pain. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Density, size structure and reproductive characteristics of fissiparous brittle stars in algae and sponges: evidence for interpopulational variation in levels of sexual and asexual reproduction

This study documents density, size structure and levels of sexual and asexual reproduction in populabons of fissiparous brittle stars occupying algal turf and sponge habitats in Jamaica, Belize and Bermuda. Ophiocomella ophiactoides allowed comparison between algal turf habitats in Jamaica and Belize; Ophiactis savignyi allowed comparisons between algal turf and sponge habitats at each location. In algal turf growing in protected Jamaican coves. 0. ophjactoides was present at moderate to high densities (max. 26 dl-' of algae). Asexual reproduction predominated among the numerous small individuals, whereas sexual reproduction was confined to a few large individuals. In contrast, in algal turf growing in more exposed backreef and reef crest areas at Belize, this species was present at very low densities (max. 1 dl-l), showed a higher incidence of fission at all body sizes, and was exclusively asexual. Both mean body size and density of 0. savignyl were greater in sponges than in algal turf at each location. Sponge-dwelling populations contained asexual individuals as well as a comparatively small number of large sexually reproducing individuals, whereas epiphytic individuals were almost all asexual. These differences are considered in relation to habitat stability and other ecological factors. Algal clumps and sponges frequently contained all-male or all-female clusters of fissiparous brittle stars, suggesting clonal aggregations. Male 0. sarrignyi predominated in sponges: no sexual females were hscovered in samples taken from Harrington Sound, Bermuda, and females constituted only 11 and 17 O/O, respectively, of sexual individuals examlned from sponges in Jamaica and Belize.
Improving accuracy in coronary lumen segmentation via explicit calcium exclusion, learning-based ray detection and surface optimization

Invasive cardiac angiography (catheterization) is still the standard in clinical practice for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) but it involves a high amount of risk and cost. New generations of CT scanners can acquire high-quality images of coronary arteries which allow for an accurate identification and delineation of stenoses. Recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been applied to coronary blood flow using geometric lumen models extracted from CT angiography (CTA). The computed pressure drop at stenoses proved to be indicative for ischemia-causing lesions, leading to non-invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) derived from CTA. Since the diagnostic value of non-invasive procedures for diagnosing CAD relies on an accurate extraction of the lumen, a precise segmentation of the coronary arteries is crucial. As manual segmentation is tedious, time-consuming and subjective, automatic procedures are desirable. We present a novel fully-automatic method to accurately segment the lumen of coronary arteries in the presence of calcified and non-calcified plaque. Our segmentation framework is based on three main steps: boundary detection, calcium exclusion and surface optimization. A learning-based boundary detector enables a robust lumen contour detection via dense ray-casting. The exclusion of calcified plaque is assured through a novel calcium exclusion technique which allows us to accurately capture stenoses of diseased arteries. The boundary detection results are incorporated into a closed set formulation whose minimization yields an optimized lumen surface. On standardized tests with clinical data, a segmentation accuracy is achieved which is comparable to clinical experts and superior to current automatic methods.
Structural, electronic, and transport properties of silicon nanowires

In this paper we review the theory of silicon nanowires. We focus on nanowires with diameters below 10 nm, where quantum effects become important and the properties diverge significantly from those of bulk silicon. These wires can be efficiently treated within electronic structure simulation methods and will be among the most important functional blocks of future nanoelectronic devices. Firstly, we review the structural properties of silicon nanowires, emphasizing the close connection between the growth orientation, the cross-section and the bounding facets. Secondly, we discuss the electronic structure of pristine and doped nanowires, which hold the ultimate key for their applicability in novel electronic devices. Finally, we review transport properties where some of the most important limitations in the performances of nanowire-based devices can lay. Many of the unique properties of these systems are at the same time defying challenges and opportunities for great technological advances.
Numerical modeling of centerline segregation by a combined 3-D and 2-D hybrid model during slab continuous casting

Centerline segregation is one of the typical internal defects, which occurs during slab continuous casting (CC). To investigate and predict the centerline segregation encountered in a continuously cast slab, a combined 3-D and 2-D hybrid simulation model for centerline segregation was developed. The average deviation between the calculated and experimented results reaches as low as 0.5%, which demonstrates that the hybrid simulation model has relatively high reliability. The centerline segregation of the slab was predicted accurately. The results show that macrosegregation occurring during the slab CC process has heredity. In the casting direction, the concentration of solutes in the liquid pool increases gradually until the casting has solidified completely. After complete solidification, the solutes’ concentration maintains an almost constant value. On the centerline, the maximum segregation degree occurs at a position roughly 614 mm from the slab center. The maximum centerline segregation degrees of C, Si, Mn, P, and S solutes are 1.163, 1.058, 1.045, 1.111, and 1.165, respectively.
Cytology cell blocks are suitable for immunohistochemical testing for PD-L1 in lung cancer

Background PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing is usually carried out on tissue blocks from core needle biopsy or surgical resections. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of using cytology cell blocks for PD-L1 IHC assay. Methods A total of 1419 consecutive cases of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including 371 cytology cell blocks, 809 small biopsies, and 239 surgical specimens, were included in the study. The cytology cell blocks were prepared with formalin only, methanol/alcohol only or both. PD-L1 expression was examined by staining with Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx kit. A Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) was categorized as <1%, 1%-49% and ≥50% tumor cells. A total of 100 viable tumor cells were required for adequacy. Results Of the cytology cell blocks, 92% of the specimens had an adequate number of tumor cells, not significantly different from small biopsies. The rate of TPS ≥50% differed between sample types and was observed in 42% of cytology cell blocks versus 36% of small biopsies (P = 0.04), and 29% of surgical resections (P = 0.001). The fixative methods did not affect the immunostaining, with overall PD-L1 high expression (TPS ≥50%) rates of 42% in formalin-fixed specimens versus 40% in specimens with combined fixation by methanol/alcohol and formalin (NS). The PD-L1 high expression rate was not associated with EGFR, ALK or KRAS molecular alterations. Higher stage (IV) was associated with higher PD-L1 TPS (P= 0.001). Conclusion Our results show that when the TPS ≥50% is used as the end point, PD-L1 IHC performs well with cytology cell blocks. Cell blocks should be considered as a valuable resource for PD-L1 testing in advanced NSCLC. The clinical significance of higher PD-L1 IHC scores in cytology specimens needs to be evaluated prospectively.
Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Trochlea: A Cohort Study of 34 Trochlear Lesions Associated With Sporting Activities that Load the Patellofemoral Joint.

BACKGROUND Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) lesions are rarely located in the trochlea and few studies have focused on the causes and outcomes of JOCD lesions in this part of the knee. The purpose of this study is to (1) evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who undergo surgery for JOCD in this unusual location as well as (2) assess the association between trochlear JOCD and participation in sporting activities that load the patellofemoral joint. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 34 trochlear JOCD lesions in 30 patients. Cases that involved traumatic cartilage shear or patella instability were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance images and x-rays were evaluated and demographic data, sports played, comorbidities, surgical procedures, and clinical data were extracted from medical records. A case-control cohort of 102 femoral condyle lesions was used to assess the correlation between sports played and lesion location. RESULTS The cohort comprised 34 consecutive trochlear JOCD lesions in 30 patients (26 males, 4 females). Average age at surgery was 13.8 years (9.3 to 18.0 y). In total, 27 (90%) patients were active, and of these active patients, soccer and basketball were the most common sports played. In the case-control comparison, the correlation between playing either basketball or soccer and the presence of a trochlear JOCD lesion was statistically significant (P=0.017). In total, 21 knees (62%) received operative treatment. Sixteen of the surgical patients underwent repair and fixation with bioabsorbable nails. The average length of clinical and radiographic follow-up was 21.1 months. All patients who underwent fixation showed radiographic and/or clinical indications of healing at most recent follow-up. Thirteen of the patients who underwent fixation were active, and all of these patients reported successful return to sports. Thirteen knees underwent nonoperative treatment, and the majority of these patients had limited follow-up. CONCLUSIONS We report a significant association between pediatric athletes who play basketball and soccer and the development of trochlear JOCD, suggesting that repetitive loading of the patellofemoral joint may play a role in the development of JOCD lesions. Patients with trochlear JOCD lesions were likely to undergo surgery, and repair and fixation of the lesions produced good outcomes at short-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III-case-control study.
Imperfect Information, Dividend Policy, and "The Bird in the Hand" Fallacy

This paper assumes that outside investors have imperfect information about firms' profitability and that cash dividends are taxed at a higher rate than capital gains. It is shown that under these conditions, such dividends function as a signal of expected cash flows. By structuring the model so that finite-lived investors turn over continuing projects to succeeding generations of investors, we derive a comparative static result that relates the equilibrium level of dividend payout to the length of investors' planning horizons.
The potential role of plant oxygen and sulphide dynamics in die‐off events of the tropical seagrass, Thalassia testudinum

1 Oxygen and sulphide dynamics were examined, using microelectrode techniques, in meristems and rhizomes of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum at three different sites in Florida Bay, and in the laboratory, to evaluate the potential role of internal oxygen variability and sulphide invasion in episodes of sudden die‐off. The sites differed with respect to shoot density and sediment composition, with an active die‐off occurring at only one of the sites. 2 Meristematic oxygen content followed similar diel patterns at all sites with high oxygen content during the day and hyposaturation relative to the water column during the night. Minimum meristematic oxygen content was recorded around sunrise and varied among sites, with values close to zero at the die‐off site. 3 Gaseous sulphide was detected within the sediment at all sites but at different concentrations among sites and within the die‐off site. Spontaneous invasion of sulphide into Thalassia rhizomes was recorded at low internal oxygen partial pressure during darkness at the die‐off site. 4 A laboratory experiment showed that the internal oxygen dynamics depended on light availability, and hence plant photosynthesis, and on the oxygen content of the water column controlling passive oxygen diffusion from water column to leaves and below‐ground tissues in the dark. 5 Sulphide invasion only occurred at low internal oxygen content, and the rate of invasion was highly dependent on the oxygen supply to roots and rhizomes. Sulphide was slowly depleted from the tissues when high oxygen partial pressures were re‐established through leaf photosynthesis. Coexistence of sulphide and oxygen in the tissues and the slow rate of sulphide depletion suggest that sulphide reoxidation is not biologically mediated within the tissues of Thalassia. 6 Our results support the hypothesis that internal oxygen stress, caused by low water column oxygen content or poor plant performance governed by other environmental factors, allows invasion of sulphide and that the internal plant oxygen and sulphide dynamics potentially are key factors in the episodes of sudden die‐off in beds of Thalassia testudinum. Root anoxia followed by sulphide invasion may be a more general mechanism determining the growth and survival of other rooted plants in sulphate‐rich aquatic environments.