Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observer aging and long-term avian survey data quality

Long-term wildlife monitoring involves collecting time series data, often using the same observers over multiple years. Aging-related changes to these observers may be an important, under-recognized source of error that can bias management decisions. In this study, we used data from two large, independent bird surveys, the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (“OBBA”) and the North American Breeding Bird Survey (“BBS”), to test for age-related observer effects in long-term time series of avian presence and abundance. We then considered the effect of such aging phenomena on current population trend estimates. We found significantly fewer detections among older versus younger observers for 13 of 43 OBBA species, and declines in detection as an observer ages for 4 of 6 vocalization groups comprising 59 of 64 BBS species. Consistent with hearing loss influencing this pattern, we also found evidence for increasingly severe detection declines with increasing call frequency among nine high-pitched bird species (OBBA); however, there were also detection declines at other frequencies, suggesting important additional effects of aging, independent of hearing loss. We lastly found subtle, significant relationships between some species' published population trend estimates and (1) their corresponding vocalization frequency (n ≥ 22 species) and (2) their estimated declines in detectability among older observers (n = 9 high-frequency, monotone species), suggesting that observer aging can negatively bias long-term monitoring data for some species in part through hearing loss effects. We recommend that survey designers and modelers account for observer age where possible.
Evidence for genetic differentiation and variable recombination rates among Dutch populations of the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

As the frequency of antifungal drug resistance continues to increase, understanding the genetic structure of fungal populations, where resistant isolates have emerged and spread, is of major importance. Aspergillus fumigatus is an ubiquitously distributed fungus and the primary causative agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA), a potentially lethal infection in immunocompromised individuals. In the last few years, an increasing number of A. fumigatus isolates has evolved resistance to triazoles, the primary drugs for treating IA infections. In most isolates, this multiple‐triazole‐resistance (MTR) phenotype is caused by mutations in the cyp51A gene, which encodes the protein targeted by the triazoles. We investigated the genetic differentiation and reproductive mode of A. fumigatus in the Netherlands, the country where the MTR phenotype probably originated, to determine their role in facilitating the emergence and distribution of resistance genotypes. Using 20 genome‐wide neutral markers, we genotyped 255 Dutch isolates including 25 isolates with the MTR phenotype. In contrast to previous reports, our results show that Dutch A. fumigatus genotypes are genetically differentiated into five distinct populations. Four of the five populations show significant linkage disequilibrium, indicative of an asexual reproductive mode, whereas the fifth population is in linkage equilibrium, indicative of a sexual reproductive mode. Notably, the observed genetic differentiation among Dutch isolates does not correlate with geography, although all isolates with the MTR phenotype nest within a single, predominantly asexual, population. These results suggest that both reproductive mode and genetic differentiation contribute to the structure of Dutch A. fumigatus populations and are probably shaping the evolutionary dynamics of drug resistance in this potentially deadly pathogen.
The role of skill in animal contests: a neglected component of fighting ability

What attributes make some individuals more likely to win a fight than others? A range of morphological and physiological traits have been studied intensely but far less focus has been placed on the actual agonistic behaviours used. Current studies of agonistic behaviour focus on contest duration and the vigour of fighting. It also seems obvious that individuals that fight more skilfully should have a greater chance of winning a fight. Here, we discuss the meaning of skill in animal fights. As the activities of each opponent can be disrupted by the behaviour of their rival, we differentiate among ability, technique and skill itself. In addition to efficient, accurate and sometimes precise movement, skilful fighting also requires rapid decision-making, so that appropriate tactics and strategies are selected. We consider how these different components of skill could be acquired, through genes, experiences of play-fighting and of real fights. Skilful fighting can enhance resource holding potential (RHP) by allowing for sustained vigour, by inflicting greater costs on opponents and by minimizing the chance of damage. Therefore, we argue that skill is a neglected but important component of RHP that could be readily studied to provide new insights into the evolution of agonistic behaviour.
Heregulin Activation of Extracellular Acidification in Mammary Carcinoma Cells Is Associated with Expression of HER2 and HER3 (*)

HER2, the erbB-2/neu proto-oncogene product, is a 185-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein related to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Overexpression of HER2 was reported in several human adenocarcinomas, including mammary and ovarian carcinomas. A family of glycoproteins, the heregulin/neu differentiation factors, was characterized and implicated as the ligands for HER2. Recently, it has been shown that HER2 alone is not sufficient to reconstitute high affinity heregulin receptors and that HER3 or HER4 may be the required components of the heregulin receptors on mammary carcinoma cells (Sliwkowski, M. X., Schaefer, G., Akita, R. W., Lofgren, J. A., Fitzpatrick, V. D., Nuijens, A., Fendly, B. M., Cerione, R. A., Vandlen, R. L., and Carraway, K. L., III(1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 14661-14665; Plowman, G. D. , Green, J. M. , Culouscou, J.-M. , Carlton, G. W. , Rothwell, V. M. , and Buckley, W. (1993) Nature 366, 473-475). Using the Cytosensor to measure the extracellular acidification rate, we have examined the effects of recombinant human heregulin-α on three mammary carcinoma cell lines expressing HER2 (MDA-MB-453, SK-BR-3, and MCF-7), an ovarian carcinoma cell line expressing HER2 (SK-OV-3), and CHO-K1 and 293-EBNA cells stably transfected with HER2. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, we found that the breast cells also express HER3 and that the ovarian line co-expresses the HER4 message. A dramatic increase in the acidification rate was observed for the mammary carcinoma cells co-expressing high levels of HER2 and HER3. In contrast, the ovarian cells expressing high levels of HER2 and low levels of HER4 or CHO-K1 and 293-EBNA cells expressing HER2 alone were not responsive to heregulin. When these same transfected cells were exposed to monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody followed by anti-IgG to cause aggregation of the HER2 molecules, an increase in the acidification rate was observed, indicating coupling of transfected HER2 to the signal transduction pathway. Transfection of HER2 into MCF-7 cells, on the other hand, gave 4-fold enhanced acidification responses. These data, together with the previously reported high affinity heregulin binding and activation of tyrosine phosphorylation in HER2 and HER3 co-transfected cells support the role of HER2 and HER3 as components of the heregulin receptor in breast cells.
In Vitro Studies on Erythrosine-Based Photodynamic Therapy of Malignant and Pre-Malignant Oral Epithelial Cells

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) involves the administration of a tumor localizing photosensitizing agent, which upon activation with light of an appropriate wavelength leads to the destruction of the tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of erythrosine as a photosensitizer for the PDT of oral malignancies. The drug uptake kinetics of erythrosine in malignant (H357) and pre-malignant (DOK) oral epithelial cells and their susceptibility to erythrosine-based PDT was studied along with the determination of the subcellular localization of erythrosine. This was followed by initial investigations into the mechanism of cell killing induced following PDT involving both high and low concentrations of erythrosine. The results showed that at 37°C the uptake of erythrosine by both DOK and H357 cells increased in an erythrosine dose dependent manner. However, the percentage of cell killing observed following PDT differed between the 2 cell lines; a maximum of ∼80% of DOK cell killing was achieved as compared to ∼60% killing for H357 cells. Both the DOK and H357 cell types exhibited predominantly mitochondrial accumulation of erythrosine, but the mitochondrial trans-membrane potential (ΔΨm) studies showed that the H357 cells were far more resistant to the changes in ΔΨm when compared to the DOK cells and this might be a factor in the apparent relative resistance of the H357 cells to PDT. Finally, cell death morphology and caspase activity analysis studies demonstrated the occurrence of extensive necrosis with high dose PDT in DOK cells, whereas apoptosis was observed at lower doses of PDT for both cell lines. For H357 cells, high dose PDT produced both apoptotic as well as necrotic responses. This is the first instance of erythrosine-based PDT's usage for cancer cell killing.
The role of trust in the use of health infomediaries among university students

Purpose This study identifies, through the extended technology acceptance model, the relationships among trust, information quality (IQ) and intention, as well as various trust levels, as they influence the behavior intention to use health infomediaries. Method Our survey was conducted with university undergraduate students in March 2008. There were 274 usable responses. The survey instrument consisted of questions regarding demographics; information relevance, understandability, reliability, adequacy and usefulness; trust and behavior intention. Respondents were divided into two groups: a high-trust group and a low-trust group. Results The results suggest that in the case of the high-trust group, trust has positive mediation effects of information relevance and information reliability on behavior intention. The positive mediation effects of information adequacy and information usefulness on behavior intention were also identified in the case of the low-trust group. Conclusion This study expands the understanding of health infomediary users, including aspects of trust and IQ. It also suggests that an effective strategy should aim at understanding the conceptual difference between high and low trust and the differential mechanisms by which high-trust and low-trust consumer groups affect the adoption of health infomediaries.
Mycophenolate mofetil for the prophylaxis of acute GVHD in HLA‐mismatched bone marrow transplant patients

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a new immunosuppressive drug successfully used in renal and heart transplant recipients, was used in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA), methotrexate (MTX) and prednisolone for the prophylaxis of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐mismatched, unrelated (n=9) and related donors (n=4) in an open single‐centre phase II study. Thirteen patients, transplanted from HLA‐mismatched donors of 18–57 yr of age, received 1 g MMF daily, starting at day 10, in addition to CsA and prednisolone for aGVHD prophylaxis. All patients were engrafted between days 13 and 15. Four of the 13 patients experienced aGVHD grade I/II (n=2) and grade III (n=2). All patients except 3 were alive on day 100 post‐transplantation. No severe adverse effects of MMF were recorded. In our pilot study, we demonstrated that MMF can be used safely for the prophylaxis of aGVHD.
Towards scalable P2P computing for mobile ad hoc networks

In mobile ad hoc networks, nodes interact peer-to-peer. They self-organize, share workloads and provide services that they also use. There are middleware platforms, designed for the Internet, which support the development of peer-to-peer distributed systems, providing an interface for subject-based data routing. These platforms put emphasis on decentralization and resilience, and guarantee bounded lookup costs. Hence, we consider these platforms appealing for ad hoc environments. We show how a cross-layer protocol stack design for ad hoc nodes, simplifies the tasks of a subject-based routing substrate in ad hoc environments. We give details for a platform like Pastry, emphasizing the cross-layer interaction with a pro-active routing protocol at the network layer.
Frequency of atypical depression in late‐life depressed outpatients

seems a very important place for the study and organization of mental health services for the demented elderly. If the churches have such an in ̄uence, there is need for proper education of religious leaders to correct certain misconceptions that have led to the use of sometimes dangerous treatment methods like beating. Music and dancing are in the core of African tradition and culture contributing greatly to the motivation of native Africans. The use of this method in the churches is an excellent group psychotherapeutic technique, providing, not only relaxation and exercise, but also reminiscence therapy. The importance of music in dementia management has been demonstrated (Crystal et al., 1989; Swartz et al., 1989; Randall, 1991; Aldridge, 1993; Gerdner, 1997); this is lacking in our orthodox care package and this absence, together with the lack of group setting probably accounts partly for the non-patronage of our services. It may be necessary and practical to incorporate African music in our care arrangements. As fewer members of families are available to care for their demented elderly, church members may be mobilized as well organized volunteers to pay home visits, provide daily care, respite care, befriending and other useful services. The practice of providing ®nancial, material and practical assistance to elderly and ill members of the churches seems to be the high point of care provided for dementia patients. There are no social security provisions for elderly subjects, and as the traditional extended family set up gradually disintegrates, many elderly Nigerians are now being left to themselves, such that those with dementia require enormous outside assistance which the church can be mobilized to provide. If this is combined with greater acceptance of Western orthodox care, modi®ed to accommodate the relevant religio-cultural practices of Africans, it may be possible to develop better dementia services in Nigeria.
Distributions of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes worldwide are characterized by latitudinal clines.

BACKGROUND Deletion types of genetic variants of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and T1, the GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null which are risk factors for certain cancers, have been ubiquitously found in human populations but their worldwide distribution pattern is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS To perform a meta-analysis, a systematic search for the literature on GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes was done to identify 63 reports for 81 human populations. Relationships between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype frequencies and the absolute latitude of 81 populations were tested by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS A significant positive correlation was detected between the GSTM1 null genotype frequency and the absolute latitude (r=0.28, p-value <0.05), whereas the GSTT1 null genotype frequency and absolute latitude showed a significant negative correlation (r= -0.41 p-value <0.01). There was no correlation between the frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype in each population (r= -0.029, p-value=0.80). CONCLUSIONS Latitudinal clines of the distribution of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes may be attributed to the result of gene-environmental adaptation. No functional compensation between GSTM1 and GSTT1 was suggested by the lack of correlation between the null frequencies for GSTM1 and GSTT1.
An apamin-sensitive Ca 21 -activated K 1 current in hippocampal pyramidal neurons

In hippocampal and other cortical neurons, action potentials are followed by afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) generated by the activation of small-conductance Ca 21 -activated K 1 channels (SK channels). By shaping the neuronal firing pattern, these AHPs contribute to the regu- lation of excitability and to the encoding function of neurons. Here we report that CA1 pyramidal neurons express an AHP current that is suppressed by apamin and is involved in the control of repetitive firing. This current presents distinct kinetic and pharmacological features, and it is modulated differently than the apamin-insensitive slow AHP current. Furthermore, our in situ hybridizations show that the apamin- sensitive SK subunits are expressed in CA1 pyramidal neu- rons, providing a potential molecular correlate to the apamin- sensitive AHP current. Altogether, these results clarify the discrepancy between the reported high density of apamin- binding sites in the CA1 region and the apparent lack of an apamin-sensitive current in CA1 pyramidal neurons, and they may explain the effects of this toxin on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning.
Mechanisms of the enhanced antibacterial effect of Ag-TiO2 coatings

Abstract It has been demonstrated that Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite coatings with excellent antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility have the potential to reduce infection problems. However, the mechanism of the synergistic effect of Ag-TiO2 coatings on antibacterial efficiency is still not well understood. In this study, five types of Ag-TiO2 nanocomposited coatings with different TiO2 contents were prepared on a titanium substratum. Leaching tests indicated that the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into an Ag matrix significantly promoted Ag ion release. Surface energy measurements showed that the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles also significantly increased the electron donor surface energy of the coatings. Bacterial adhesion assays with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated that the number of adhered bacteria decreased with increasing electron donor surface energy. The increased Ag ion release rate and the increased electron donor surface energy contributed to an enhanced antibacterial efficiency of the coatings.
The personality domains and styles of the five-factor model are related to incident depression in Medicare recipients aged 65 to 100.

OBJECTIVES Few prospective studies have examined personality and depression in older adults. The authors investigated whether the Five-Factor Model of personality traits-Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness-and trait combinations (styles) are related to incident major or minor depression. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Prospective data were gathered on a community sample of 512 older adults with disability and a history of significant health care utilization who were enrolled in a Medicare Demonstration Project. MEASUREMENTS Depression and personality traits and styles were assessed at baseline; depression was assessed again at approximately 12 and 22 months. DESIGN Participants who developed incident major depression were compared with those free of depression at all three assessments. Similar analyses were done for minor depression. RESULTS High Neuroticism and low Conscientiousness were risk factors for both major and minor depression. Combinations of high Neuroticism with low or high Extraversion or high Openness conferred risk for major depression. Other novel findings for major depression revealed new trait combinations of low Conscientiousness with low or high Extraversion, high Openness, or low Agreeableness. Three trait combinations, all involving low Conscientiousness, predicted risk for minor depression: high Neuroticism, high Agreeableness, and low Openness. CONCLUSION The present findings highlight the importance of examining combinations of personality traits or personality styles when identifying those who are most at-risk for geriatric depression. Since other personality domains may modify the risk related to high Neuroticism and low Conscientiousness, the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of depression could be greatly improved by assessing older patients not only on all five domains of personality but in terms of their combinations.
Robust detection of rotor winding asymmetries in wound rotor induction motors via integral current analysis

Current analysis has been widely employed in academy and industry for the diagnosis of rotor damages in cage induction motors. The conventional approach based on the FFT analysis of steady-state current (MCSA) has been recently complemented with the development of alternative techniques that rely on the time-frequency analysis of transient quantities of the machine. These techniques may bring important advantages that are related to the avoidance of eventual false indications provided by the classical MCSA. Moreover, their application is also suitable for variable speed conditions. However, the application of current-based methodologies to wound rotor induction motors (WRIM) has been much less studied and, hence, their validation in field WRIM is scarce. The present work proposes the application of an integral methodology based on the analysis of both stationary and transient currents for the diagnosis of winding asymmetries in WRIM. The method, based on up to five different fault evidences, is validated in laboratory motors and it is subsequently applied to a large field motor (1,500 kW) that was showing signs of abnormal rotor functioning. The results prove that the method is of interest for the field since it helps to ratify without ambiguity the existence of eventual asymmetries in the rotor windings, with no interference with the machine operation. However, due to the complex constructive nature of the rotor winding as well as the presence of auxiliary systems (slip rings, brushes, contactors, etc…), once the fault presence is detected, it may be interesting the utilization of complementary tools to accurately locate the root cause of the asymmetry.
Viral Aetiology in Adults with Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Jinan, Northern China

Our study investigated the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in adult patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) between August 2009 and September 2010 in Jinan, northern China. Nasal and throat swabs (n = 596) were collected from adult patients with URTIs. Nine respiratory-related viruses, including IFV, PIV, HRV, HMPV, HBoV, HCoV, ADV, RSV, and EV, were detected in all samples by conventional and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. Positive detection rate for respiratory virus was 38.76% and codetection rate was 4.70% in adults with acute respiratory tract infections. IFV (20.81%) was the dominant agent detected and IFVB had a higher incidence (12.58%) than IFVA (7.72%). Detection rates of 8.22%, 5.03%, 3.69%, and 2.52% were observed for HBoV, HRV, EV, and RSV, respectively. HCoV had the lowest detection rate of 0.50%. HBoV, HRV, EV, and ADV infection rates were higher in the 14–25-year-old group than in the 26–65-year-old group. Codetection rates were higher (7.52%) in the 14–25-year-old group than in the older age group (2.64%). The spectrum of respiratory virus infection in adult patients with URTIs was different in Jinan compared with other cities in China.