Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric N and S Deposition Fluxes in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey, Mexico and Its Relation with Criteria Air Pollutants and Meteorological Conditions

The objective of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal variability of N and S atmospheric deposition and its relation with criteria air pollutants (CAPs) and meteorological conditions (MCs) in the metropolitan area of Monterrey (MAM). Atmospheric deposition was collected in 10 sampling sites during 3 climatic periods by using passive samplers based on ionic exchange resins (IERs); simultaneously, CAP and MC were mon- itored. Ions were extracted from IER to determine nitrate, ammonium, and sulfate levels, and deposition fluxes were estimated. On the other hand, from CAP and MC, wind and concentration roses were built to identify the exceedances of the current regulations, and relationships between CAP and meteorological conditions. It was found that only S depo- sition fluxes exceeded critical load values proposed in Europe, suggesting that S deposi tion could be a serious threat in MAM. It was found that CO in Juárez sampling site and O 3 and PM 10 in all sampling sites showed exceedances of the current regulatory limits, showing seasonal and spatial patterns similar to N and S deposition fluxes. Deposition fluxes were mapped to identify critical zones or periods in which these fluxes could be higher as a result of the prevailing meteorological conditions. prevailing wind direction during all year in MAM. In addition, PM 2.5 levels were higher when wind came from north. It suggests that sources located at north (N) and east (E) from MAM contributed significantly to pollution in MAM. Finally, this study suggests that, since O 3 and PM 10 levels exceeded the allowable maximum limit during all year and in all sampling sites, the implications that this fact may have on the population health in MAM could be serious.
PET Imaging of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Baboons with 18F-AZAN, a Radioligand with Improved Brain Kinetics

There are only 2 currently available radioligands, 2-18F-FA and 6-18F-FA, for quantitative PET of the main cerebral subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α4β2-nAChRs) in humans. Both exhibit slow distribution kinetics in the brain and require several hours for PET imaging. This makes PET of nAChRs with these radioligands logistically difficult and a serious burden for human subjects. The main purpose of this study was to preclinically evaluate (−)-2-(6-18F-fluoro-2,3′-bipyridin-5′-yl)-7-methyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2. 1]heptane (18F-AZAN), our new radiolabeled antagonist of α4β2-nAChRs, that has high binding potential and rapid brain kinetics in baboons. Methods: 18F-AZAN was synthesized using a modified 18F-FDG synthesis module. The regional distribution of 18F-AZAN in the brain was evaluated in baseline and cytisine-blocking studies of 4 male Papio anubis baboons. PET modeling procedures were used for calculation of regional distribution volume (VT), nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND), and receptor occupancy. Results: 18F-AZAN rapidly entered the baboon brain, reached a steady state within 90 min after injection, and specifically labeled cerebral nAChRs. The peak radioactivity in the thalamus was 540 (percentage standardized uptake value) at 18 ± 7 min (n = 4) after bolus injection. Mathematical data analysis demonstrated that scanning for only 90 min is sufficient for determination of PET outcome variables (BPND, 3.2 [unitless] and VT, 32–35 mL/mL in thalamus). The dose-dependent blocking experiments with cytisine demonstrated that 18F-AZAN binds specifically with β2-containing (predominantly α4β2) nAChRs. Conclusion: 18F-AZAN specifically labels nAChRs in baboon brains with a high value of BPND and it requires only 90 min of PET scanning to produce estimates of VT and BPND in the various brain regions. The blocking of nAChRs with cytisine is dose-dependent and it showed that 18F-AZAN is suitable for application in nicotinic drug evaluation. In summary, 18F-AZAN is superior to 2-18F-FA and 6-18F-FA for imaging cerebral β2-containing nAChRs in baboons. Further evaluations of 18F-AZAN in the human brain are under way.
Pretreatment with citrulline improves gut barrier after intestinal obstruction in mice.

BACKGROUND Citrulline has been shown to be an important marker of gut function, regulator of protein metabolism, and precursor of arginine. The authors assessed the effects of citrulline on gut barrier integrity and bacterial translocation (BT) in mice undergoing intestinal obstruction. METHODS Mice were divided into 3 groups: sham, intestinal obstruction (IO), and citrulline (CIT). The CIT group received a diet containing 0.6% citrulline; the IO and sham groups were fed a standard chow diet. On the eighth day of treatment, all animals received a diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) solution labeled with (99m)Technetium ((99m)Tc-DTPA) by gavage for the intestinal permeability study. Terminal ileum was ligated except the sham group, which only underwent laparotomy. After 4, 8, and 18 hours, blood was collected to determine radioactivity. Samples of ileum were removed 18 hours after intestinal obstruction for histological analysis. In another set of animals, BT was evaluated. Animals received 10(8) CFU/mL of (99m)Tc-Escherichia coli by gavage; 90 minutes later, they underwent ileum ligation. Intestinal fluid and serum were collected to measure sIgA and cytokines. RESULTS The CIT group presented decreased intestinal permeability and BT when compared with the IO group (P < .05). Histopathology showed that citrulline preserved the ileum mucosa. The sIgA concentration was higher in the CIT group (P < .05). The IO group presented the highest levels of interferon-γ (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment with citrulline was able to preserve barrier integrity and also modulated the immune response that might have affected BT decrease.
Hyperactive S6K1 Mediates Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in Aging: Inhibition by Resveratrol

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/S6K1 signalling emerges as a critical regulator of aging. Yet, a role of mTOR/S6K1 in aging-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of S6K1 in aging-associated endothelial dysfunction and effects of the polyphenol resveratrol on S6K1 in aging endothelial cells. We show here that senescent endothelial cells displayed higher S6K1 activity, increased superoxide production and decreased bioactive nitric oxide (NO) levels than young endothelial cells, which is contributed by eNOS uncoupling. Silencing S6K1 in senescent cells reduced superoxide generation and enhanced NO production. Conversely, over-expression of a constitutively active S6K1 mutant in young endothelial cells mimicked endothelial dysfunction of the senescent cells through eNOS uncoupling and induced premature cellular senescence. Like the mTOR/S6K1 inhibitor rapamycin, resveratrol inhibited S6K1 signalling, resulting in decreased superoxide generation and enhanced NO levels in the senescent cells. Consistent with the data from cultured cells, an enhanced S6K1 activity, increased superoxide generation, and decreased bioactive NO levels associated with eNOS uncoupling were also detected in aortas of old WKY rats (aged 20–24 months) as compared to the young animals (1–3 months). Treatment of aortas of old rats with resveratrol or rapamycin inhibited S6K1 activity, oxidative stress, and improved endothelial NO production. Our data demonstrate a causal role of the hyperactive S6K1 in eNOS uncoupling leading to endothelial dysfunction and vascular aging. Resveratrol improves endothelial function in aging, at least in part, through inhibition of S6K1. Targeting S6K1 may thus represent a novel therapeutic approach for aging-associated vascular disease.
Comparison between creatinine-based equations for estimating total creatinine clearance in peritoneal dialysis: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND It is crucial to assess the adequacy of peritoneal dialysis (PD) because of its influence on patient outcome. Collecting dialysate and urine for 24 h can be rather troublesome, so a simple and inexpensive alternative method for rapidly evaluating adequacy in PD would be very useful. Our study aimed to assess the performance of 12 different creatinine (Cr)-based equations commonly used to estimate GFR in predicting total Cr clearance (totCrCL) in PD. METHODS Four Italian dialysis centres enrolled 355 PD patients with 2916 fluid collections. To rank the equations, their accuracy (median absolute percentage error, MAPE), precision (root mean square error, RMSE), agreement (k statistics), sensitivity and specificity (area under ROC curves, AUC, where x = 1 - specificity and y = sensitivity) were calculated with reference to the measured totCrCL. RESULTS The Gates, Virga and 4-MDRD equations showed the best global performance as concerns accuracy (MAPE = 14.1, 16.3, 15.9% respectively), precision (RMSE = 13.2, 13.3, 13.4), agreement (k = 0.425, 0.440, 0.375), sensitivity and specificity (AUC = 0.825, 0.826, 0.820), while the Cockcroft-Gault formula revealed a rather poor reliability. CONCLUSIONS Fluid collection remains the gold standard for assessing PD adequacy. Our study ascertained how 12 Cr-based equations performed in estimating totCrCL in PD patients with a view to enabling the most accurate and precise among them to be chosen for use in approximately assessing totCrCL.
The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on treatment outcomes for heroin dependence.

AIMS To examine the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on 2-year treatment outcomes for heroin dependence. DESIGN Prospective longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS Data were obtained from a predominantly treatment seeking sample of 615 dependent heroin users who were followed-up at 3, 12 and 24 months (follow-up rates: 89%, 81% and 76%, respectively). MEASUREMENTS Outcomes examined include treatment retention and exposure, substance use, general physical and mental health and employment. FINDINGS Despite improvements in substance use, PTSD was associated with continued physical (beta - 1.69, SE 0.61, P < 0.01) and mental disability (beta - 2.07, SE 0.66, P < 0.01), and reduced occupational functioning (OR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.93) throughout the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Although conventional treatment services are successful in producing improvements in substance use and associated disability, the disability associated with PTSD remains. An intervention targeting both heroin dependence and PTSD may help to improve the outcomes of those with PTSD.
Seismic Structure of the Upper Mantle Beneath Eastern Asia From Full Waveform Seismic Tomography

To better understand the subsurface behavior of subducting slabs and their relation to the tectonic evolution of the overriding plate, we conduct a full waveform inversion on a large data set to determine a high‐resolution seismic model, FWEA18 (Full Waveform inversion of East Asia in 2018), of the upper mantle beneath eastern Asia. FWEA18 reveals sharper, more intense high‐velocity slabs in the upper mantle under the southern Kuril, Japan, and Ryukyu arcs, than previous studies have found. The subducting Pacific plate is imaged as a roughly 100 km thick high‐velocity slab to near 550 km depth indicating relatively little deformation. Stagnation near 600 km depth is observed over horizontal distances of 600 km or less. The Pacific plate we image accounts for roughly 25 Myr of subduction with older slab likely located in the lower mantle. The Philippine plate, subducting beneath the Ryukyu Islands, has a clear termination at about 450 km depth. This may indicate a tearing event in the past or that less Philippine Sea plate has subducted than previously thought. We found a double‐layer high‐velocity anomaly above and below 660 km under the Yellow Sea and eastern coast of North China. This may correspond to parts of the Philippine Sea plate that detached in the past and Pacific plate that have intersected at depth or a complicated behavior of the Pacific plate at that depth. Slow cylindrical anomalies cross the entire upper mantle are imaged beneath major Holocene volcanoes, which are likely upwellings associated with the edges of deep slabs that are entering the lower mantle.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Patients With Permanent Pacemakers or Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

Background—Although cardiac device infections (CDIs) are a devastating complication of permanent pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, the incidence of CDI in patients with bacteremia is not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of CDI among patients with permanent pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators who develop Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Methods and Results—A cohort of all adult patients with SAB and permanent pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators over a 6-year period was evaluated prospectively. The overall incidence of confirmed CDI was 15 of 33 (45.4%). Confirmed CDI occurred in 9 of the 12 patients (75%) with early SAB (<1 year after device placement). Fifteen of 21 patients (71.5%) with late SAB (≥1 year after device placement) had either confirmed (6 of 21, 28.5%) or possible (9 of 21, 43%) CDI. In 60% of the patients (9 of 15) with confirmed CDI, no local signs or symptoms suggesting generator pocket infection were noted. Conclusions—The incidence of CDI among patients with SAB and cardiac devices is high. Neither physical examination nor echocardiography can exclude the possibility of CDI. In patients with early SAB, the device is usually involved, and ≈40% of these patients have obvious clinical signs of cardiac device involvement. Conversely, in patients with late SAB, the cardiac device is rarely the initial source of bacteremia, and there is a paucity of local signs of device involvement. The cardiac device is involved, however, in ≥28% of these patients.
Biology and oncogenicity of the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus K1 protein

The Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV), or human herpesvirus 8, is a gammaherpesvirus etiologically linked to the development of Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphomas, and multicentric Castleman disease in humans. KSHV is unique among other human herpesviruses because of the elevated number of viral products that mimic human cellular proteins, such as a viral cyclin, a viral G protein‐coupled receptor, anti‐apoptotic proteins (e.g. v‐bcl2 and v‐FLIP), viral interferon regulatory factors, and CC chemokine viral homologues. Several KSHV products have oncogenic properties, including the transmembrane K1 glycoprotein. KSHV K1 is encoded in the viral ORFK1, which is the most variable portion of the viral genome, commonly used to discriminate among viral genotypes. The extracellular region of K1 has homology with the light chain of lambda immunoglobulin, and its cytoplasmic region contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif (ITAM). KSHV K1 ITAM activates several intracellular signaling pathways, notably PI3K/AKT. Consequently, K1 expression inhibits proapoptotic proteins and increases the life‐span of KSHV‐infected cells. Another remarkable effect of K1 activity is the production of inflammatory cytokines and proangiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. KSHV K1 immortalizes primary human endothelial cells and transforms rodent fibroblasts in vitro; moreover, K1 induces tumors in vivo in transgenic mice expressing this viral protein. This review aims to consolidate and discuss the current knowledge on this intriguing KSHV protein, focusing on activities of K1 that can contribute to the pathogenesis of KSHV‐associated human cancers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Crop Establishment Method and Nutrient Management on Yield and Yield Attributes of Short Duration T. Aman Rice

A field trial was conducted at Agronomy Farm of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to find out the effect of crop establishment method and nutrient management on yield performance of BRRI developed short-duration Aman rice var. BRRI dhan62 during July to October 2016. The trial comprised of four crop establishment methods viz., M1 = BRRI recommended puddle transplanting, M2 = System of rice intensification (SRI) method (9-days old seedling transplantation), M3 = Sprouted seed in line sowing and M4 = Sprouted seed in broadcasting and three nutrient management levels viz.,N1 = BRRI recommended nutrient management, N2 = Soil test-based nutrient management, N3 = Control. The study was conducted in a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The result showed that planting methods had significant effects on the yield of rice. The SRI method along with BRRI recommended fertilizer dose produced the maximum grain yield of 4.49 t ha-1 which was statistically similar with that produced in SRI method day- and soil test-based nutrient management combination. The highest gross margin (Tk. 36,308.00 ha-1) and cost benefit ratio (2.06) were observed in direct seeding of sprouted seed in line sowing method along with BRRI recommended fertilizer dose. So, direct seeding of sprouted seed in line could be a suitable planting method due to reduction of 26.0% production cost associated with seedling raising and transplanting operations. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2018, 21(1): 117-123
Intra- and interspecific variability in the distribution patterns and diet of the two most common catsharks caught in demersal trawls off the West and South coasts of South Africa: Evidence for habitat and resource partitioning?

Holohalaelurus regani and S. capensis are similar sized catsharks, occupying rather similar geographic and bathymetric distributions. Despite this, no studies currently exist on their habitat use patterns. Through analysing data collected on research surveys on the West and South coasts of South Africa from 1994-2015, this study provides a first attempt at understanding the habitat use patterns of these cooccurring catsharks. The results indicate an inverse relationship in their distribution, with an increase in the abundance of H. regani and a decrease in the abundance of S. capensis when moving from the South Coast to the West Coast. Both species also displayed size-based segregations by depth, with catshark size increasing with depth for H. regani on the West Coast and for S. capensis on the West and South coasts. Segregation by sex was noted for H. regani only, with males inhabiting significantly deeper depths than females on both coasts. This study supports the findings of previous studies that have found sharks with similar morphologies and lifestyles to partition their habitat on an intraand interspecific level to reduce the intensity of competition between them. The intraand interspecific size and sex-based segregations noted in the two catshark species in the present study was assumed to be suggestive of either: morphological changes associated with ontogeny, size-based changes in habitat use that may be associated with parturition or nursery grounds, http://etd.uwc. ac.za/
Embodiment of discrimination and overseas nurses' career progression.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES To examine empirically and in-depth how discriminatory attitudes and practices are experienced by overseas nurses and how the discrimination may affect their well-being and career progression and, furthermore, to apply the theoretical perspective of embodiment in understanding these processes. BACKGROUND The UK healthcare sector has, in recent years, relied on overseas-trained professionals to fill up vacancies in nursing and other professions. Research shows that overseas nurses claim that their UK colleagues, managers and patients express discriminatory, racist and xenophobic attitudes. DESIGN AND METHOD The paper provides an existential phenomenological analysis of in-depth interviews with two overseas nurses. The data are drawn from a study of overseas-trained healthcare workers' experiences working and living in the UK. The two cases have been purposively selected to provide an illumination and discussion of personal experiences with discrimination, how individuals may respond to these and how their professional career is affected. FINDINGS Discrimination towards migrant workers may, at times, be experienced as 'blatant racism' or, in more subtle forms, as 'aversive racism'. It is demonstrated how such discrimination may impact on the afflicted person's sense of self, suggesting a theoretical model of the embodiment of discrimination. Discrimination not only works at an interpersonal and institutional level, but is a form of 'symbolic violence' that may be internalized to affect the person's 'habitus'; it can be resisted through meaning-making activity that explains and hence objectifies and embodies the experience in a way that allows individuals to positively influence their situation through agency. CONCLUSION This article details how social and institutionalized discrimination in the UK healthcare sector may be internalized by overseas workers and affects their professional careers. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The study allows a theoretical reflection on the damage inflicted by discrimination, and it may contribute to the eradication of discriminatory practices and the development of necessary support and monitoring mechanisms.
Growth pattern of the andean puna plateau constrained by apatite fission track, apatite (U-Th)/He, K-feldspar 40Ar/39Ar, and zircon U-Pb geochronology

Understand ing the pri ncipa l con tro ls on Late Cenozoic clima te changes requ ires to dis tinguish between effects of global cli mate change from those associ ated with mo untain range upl ift. Uplift of the Andean plateau is particularly important since the Andes form the only orog raphie barr ier to atmosphe ric circulation in the southern hemisph ere. We present new thermoc hronolog ic data fro m 9 different igneo us intru sions fro m the Puna plateau and the Eas tern Cordi llera in north western Argen tina (-23-26°S) . T he data co nsis ts of apa tite fiss ion track e levation transects (32 samples) , apatite ( U-Th )fHe, K-feldspar 40Arr Ar step-heating, and zirco n U-Pb data from ex humed Paleozo ic to Miocene granitoids rocks (S ierra de Macon, Com plejo Oire, Va lle Luracatao , Co lome granite, Cerro Durazno, Ag uilar granite, Fundi cion gra nite, Cobres granite, Nevado de Acay, Fig. 1). Th e new results suggest that upli ft and exhumation started earlie r than previously assumed. ----------------------,
Prominence in Triconstituent Compounds: Pitch Contours and Linguistic Theory

According to the widely accepted Lexical Category Prominence Rule (LCPR), prominence assignment to triconstituent compounds depends on the branching direction. Left-branching compounds, that is, compounds with a left-hand complex constituent, are held to have highest prominence on the left-most constituent, whereas right-branching compounds have highest prominence on the second of the three constituents. The LCPR is, however, only poorly empirically supported. The present paper tests a new hypothesis concerning the prominence of triconstituent compounds and suggests a new methodology for the empirical investigation of compound prominence. According to this hypothesis, the prominence pattern of the embedded compound has a decisive influence on the prominence of the whole compound. Using a mixed-effects generalized additive model for the analysis of the pitch movements, it is shown that all triconstituent compounds have an accent on the first constituent irrespective of branching, and that the placement of a second, or even a third, accent is dependent on the prominence pattern of the embedded compound. The LCPR is wrong.