Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of invasive plants on resident animals across ecosystems, taxa, and feeding types: a global assessment

As drivers of global change, biological invasions have fundamental ecological consequences. However, it remains unclear how invasive plant effects on resident animals vary across ecosystems, animal classes, and functional groups. We performed a comprehensive meta‐analysis covering 198 field and laboratory studies reporting a total of 3624 observations of invasive plant effects on animals. Invasive plants had reducing (56%) or neutral (44%) effects on animal abundance, diversity, fitness, and ecosystem function across different ecosystems, animal classes, and feeding types while we could not find any increasing effect. Most importantly, we found that invasive plants reduced overall animal abundance, diversity and fitness. However, this significant overall effect was contingent on ecosystems, taxa, and feeding types of animals. Decreasing effects of invasive plants were most evident in riparian ecosystems, possibly because frequent disturbance facilitates more intense plant invasions compared to other ecosystem types. In accordance with their immediate reliance on plants for food, invasive plant effects were strongest on herbivores. Regarding taxonomic groups, birds and insects were most strongly affected. In insects, this may be explained by their high frequency of herbivory, while birds demonstrate that invasive plant effects can also cascade up to secondary consumers. Since data on impacts of invasive plants are rather limited for many animal groups in most ecosystems, we argue for overcoming gaps in knowledge and for a more differentiated discussion on effects of invasive plant on native fauna.
Mendelian randomization estimates of alanine aminotransferase with cardiovascular disease: Guangzhou Biobank Cohort study

Observational studies of the association of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are inconsistent, probably because of confounding and reverse causality. Mendelian randomization (MR) provides less confounded results. We used MR analysis to assess the associations of ALT (U/L) with IHD, diabetes and other CVD risk factors. We used instrumental variable analysis based on two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) HSD17B13/MAPK10 (rs6834314) and PNPLA3/SAMM50 (rs738409) to assess the associations of ALT (U/L) with IHD, diabetes and other CVD risk factors in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS). Observationally in 19,925 participants ALT levels were strongly positively associated with self-reported IHD, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein- and total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, body mass index, waist circumference, heart rate (HR) and diabetes, but were not associated with uncorrected QT interval, HR-corrected QT interval or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In the MR study, using a credible genetic instrument (F-statistic = 23) for ALT, ALT levels were negatively associated with IHD (odds ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 0.97) and triglycerides (β - 0.08, 95% CI - 0.13 to - 0.03), but were not associated with other CVD risk factors. Our results using Mendelian randomization suggest that ALT reduces the risk of IHD, probably through reducing triglyceride levels. The underlying mechanisms deserve further investigation.
Gender nonconformity and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: Homophobic stigmatization and internalized homophobia as mediators

We assessed among a sample of 724 Dutch lesbian, gay, and bisexual–identified adults (Mage = 31.42) whether experiences with homophobic stigmatization and internalized homophobia simultaneously mediated the relation of gender nonconformity with mental health. Results indicated that homophobic stigmatization and internalized homophobia partially mediated the relation between gender nonconformity and mental health. Gender nonconformity was related to more mental health problems via increased experiences with homophobic stigmatization and to less mental health problems because of reduced levels of internalized homophobia. However, the mediated relation of gender nonconformity with mental health via homophobic stigmatization was only significant for men.
Human rights.

The Human Rights Internship Program (http://humanrights.uchicago.edu/internships/) provides funded summer fellowships to College, graduate, and professional students to gain hands-on experience at host organizations around the world and in the United States. The Pozen Center also advances human rights research through grants to faculty and doctoral students that support innovative scholarship, as well as conferences and symposia. Multi-year faculty initiatives develop projects such as health and human rights, philosophical approaches to labor rights, and changing norms of refugee protection. The Pozen Center fosters a human rights culture at the University of Chicago and in the broader community with public events (http:// humanrights.uchicago.edu/page/events/) throughout the year. Conferences, lectures, workshops, performances, and exhibitions bring scholars and practitioners from around the world to explore human rights in theory and practice.
The oldest recorded animal in Finland: ontogenetic age and growth in Margaritifera margaritifera (L. 1758) based on internal shell increments

Three large and robust shells of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) from Lapland were studied. Internal shell-growth increments, showing annual periodicity, provided information about the ontogenetic age and growth of the mussels. Increment widths generally ranged between 0.4 mm and 30 μm and showed exponential growth trends. Moreover, it was shown that the increment series of different specimens could be temporally synchronized by their common growth signal. This enabled crossdating of the increment series, after which they were averaged into one sclerochronology. One of the shells showed past growth disturbance due to breakage of the shell. Subsequent growth increase, not obsereved in the other shells, had occurred over the next 5 to 8 years. The oldest specimen exhibited 162 annual increments. Considering the width of the umbonal corrosion and the widths of the increments next to the corrosion, the loss of 17 young increments could be estimated. Moreover, a number of four years was added to the age estimate due to presumably minimal shell growth during the early post-parasitic years. Our results indicate that, if not anthropogenically disturbed, super-centenarian ages may not be a rarity in the region and the oldest mussels may reach an age of even two centuries.
Seeing is believing: A review of apheresis therapy in the treatment of ophthalmologic disease

Apheresis procedures have a role in treatment of disparate diseases involving many different organ systems. Often the disease processes where apheresis plays a role in treatment are considered “orphan diseases”—relatively rare disease processes that lack specific pharmaceutical agents or established treatment protocols. Many of these disease processes can affect the eye with devastating results for the eyesight of these patients. The unique ability of apheresis to affect disease by modifying blood plasma and modulating disease‐causing agents therein renders apheresis procedures valuable tools in the treatment of certain ophthalmologic diseases. This review comprehensively evaluates the role of apheresis in the treatment of ophthalmologic diseases of the eye and surrounding orbit including age‐related macular degeneration, bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation, paraneoplastic retinopathy, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, sympathetic ophthalmia, and endocrine‐associated ophthalmopathy. Apheresis procedure parameters are provided for the apheresis practitioner based on review of the relevant literature.
Limitations of amphotericin B and nitazoxanide in the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. The disease is characterised by infiltrative growth of the parasitic tissue in the liver and the potential for metastasis. As its development is similar to a malignant tumour, a staging system has been proposed for the disease, by the World Health Organization, based on scores for the parasitic mass in the liver (P), the involvement of neighbouring organs (N), and the level of metastasis (M) (Kern et al., 2006). Unfortunately, most cases are inoperable at the time of their diagnosis (Reuter et al., 2003a), and cholestasis, cholangitis and thrombosis of the portal vein, as well as metastasis, may all occur. The only substances that are currently licensed for the antiparasitic chemotherapy of AE are albendazole and mebendazole, and treatment failures and severe adverse effects, such as toxic hepatitis, may occur when these drugs are used (Reuter et al., 2000). Other drugs, such as amphotericin B (Reuter et al., 2003b) and nitazoxanide (Stettler et al., 2003; Reuter et al., 2006), have shown promising activities against E. multilocularis when tested in vitro. Recently, amphotericin B deoxycholate (AMB-D) has also been successfully administered, as a salvage treatment, in three patients with AE who either did not tolerate or failed benzimidazole treatment (Reuter et al., 2003a). Sadly, the drug’s nephrotoxic side-effects make long-term AMB-D treatment difficult. Recently, a combination of AMB-D and nitazoxanide has been used to treat a case of AE for the first time. The German patient who was treated with the combination (described below) had intrahepatic cholestasis and had previously developed recurrent toxic hepatitis under benzimidazole treatment.
Further Investigation on Laminar Forced Convection of Nanofluid Flows in a Uniformly Heated Pipe Using Direct Numerical Simulations

In the present paper, laminar forced convection nanofluid flows in a uniformly heated horizontal tube were revisited by direct numerical simulations. Single and two-phase models were employed with constant and temperature-dependent properties. Comparisons with experimental data showed that the mixture model performs better than the single-phase model in the all cases studied. Temperature-dependent fluid properties also resulted in a better prediction of the thermal field. Particular attention was paid to the grid arrangement. The two-phase model was used then confidently to investigate the influence of the nanoparticle size on the heat and fluid flow with a particular emphasis on the sedimentation process. Four nanoparticle diameters were considered: 10, 42, 100 and 200 nm for both copper-water and alumina/water nanofluids. For the largest diameter d n p = 200 nm, the Cu nanoparticles were more sedimented by around 80%, while the A l 2 O 3 nanoparticles sedimented only by 2 . 5 %. Besides, it was found that increasing the Reynolds number improved the heat transfer rate, while it decreased the friction factor allowing the nanoparticles to stay more dispersed in the base fluid. The effect of nanoparticle type on the heat transfer coefficient was also investigated for six different water-based nanofluids. Results showed that the Cu-water nanofluid achieved the highest heat transfer coefficient, followed by C, A l 2 O 3 , C u O , T i O 2 , and S i O 2 , respectively. All results were presented and discussed for four different values of the concentration in nanoparticles, namely φ = 0 , 0 . 6 % , 1 % and 1 . 6 % . Empirical correlations for the friction coefficient and the average Nusselt number were also provided summarizing all the presented results.
First Record of Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) for the Brazilian Coast

The invasion of the northwestern Atlantic by the Indo-Pacific lionfish has developed extraordinarily fast, and is expected to cause one of the most negative ecological impacts among all marine invasions. In less than 30 years, lionfish have dramatically expanded their distribution range to an area encompassing the eastern coast of the USA, Bermuda, the entire Caribbean region and the Gulf of Mexico. The rapidity of the lionfish spread has raised concerns in other parts of the Atlantic that may be under the reach of the invasion. Despite the anticipation that lionfish would eventually extend their range throughout most of the eastern coast of South America, it had not been recorded in Brazil until now. Here we report the first lionfish appearance for the Brazilian coast and show that the individual collected by us is genetically linked to the invasive Caribbean population. Since small-range endemics are found in several locations in Brazil and are among the species that are most vulnerable to extinction, we recommend urgent control, management and education measures aimed at minimizing the effects of this impending invasion.
Laughter Valence Prediction in Motivational Interviewing Based on Lexical and Acoustic Cues

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a goal oriented psychotherapy counseling that aims to instill positive change in a client through discussion. Since the discourse is in the form of semi-structured natural conversation, it often involves a variety of non-verbal social and affective behaviors such as laughter. Laughter carries information related to affect, mood and personality and can offer a window into the mental state of a person. In this work, we conduct an analytical study on predicting the valence of laughters (positive, neutral or negative) based on lexical and acoustic cues, within the context of MI. We hypothesize that the valence of laughter can be predicted using a window of past and future context around the laughter and, design models to incorporate context, from both text and audio. Through these experiments we validate the relation of the two modalities to perceived laughter valence. Based on the outputs of the prediction experiment, we perform a follow up analysis of the results including: (i) identification of the optimal past and future context in the audio and lexical channels, (ii) investigation of the differences in the prediction patterns for the counselor and the client and, (iii) analysis of feature patterns across the two modalities.
Derivation and Validation of the Acute Organ Failure Score to Predict Outcome in Critically Ill Patients: A Cohort Study

Objectives:Prediction models for ICU mortality rely heavily on physiologic variables that may not be available in large retrospective studies. An alternative approach when physiologic variables are absent stratifies mortality risk by acute organ failure classification. Design:Retrospective cohort study. Setting:Two large teaching hospitals in Boston, MA. Subjects:Ninety-two thousand eight hundred eighty-six patients aged 18 years old or older admitted between November 3, 1997, and February 25, 2011, who received critical care. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:The derivation cohort consisted of 35,566 patients from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the validation cohort comprised 57,320 patients from Massachusetts General Hospital. Acute organ failure was determined for each patient based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification code combinations. The main outcome measure was 30-day mortality. A clinical prediction model was created based on a logistic regression model describing the risk of 30-day mortality as a function of age, medical versus surgical patient type, Deyo-Charlson index, sepsis, and type acute organ failure (respiratory, renal, hepatic, hematologic, metabolic, and neurologic) after ICU admission. We computed goodness-of fit statistics and c-statistics as measures of model calibration and 30-day mortality discrimination, respectively. Thirty-day mortality occurred in 5,228 of 35,566 patients (14.7%) assigned to the derivation cohort. The clinical prediction model was predictive for 30-day mortality. The c-statistic for the clinical prediction model was 0.7447 (95% CI, 0.74–0.75) in the derivation cohort and 0.7356 (95% CI, 0.73–0.74) in the validation cohort. For both the derivation and validation cohorts, the Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square p values indicated good model fit. In a smaller cohort of 444 patients with Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores determined, differences in model discrimination of 30-day mortality between the clinical prediction model and Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II were not significant (chi-square = 0.76; p =0.38). Conclusions:An acute organ failure–based clinical prediction model shows good calibration and discrimination for 30-day mortality in the critically ill. The clinical prediction model compares favorably to Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II score in the prediction of 30-day mortality in the critically ill. This score may be useful for severity of illness risk adjustment in observational studies where physiologic data are unavailable.
Third generation OO processes: a critique of RUP and OPEN from a project management perspective

Second generation OO methods, with a few exceptions, contained no elements addressing process or project management. Third generation methods have been defined as those collaborative developments which also have a significant process element. Two examples are the rational unified process (RUP) and object-oriented process, environment and notation (OPEN). We examine RUP and OPEN from a project management viewpoint and evaluate whether either or both would meet acceptable standards in process support, project management guidelines and full lifecycle description for OO software development.
Sleep‐dependent modulation of affectively guided decision‐making

A question of great interest in current sleep research is whether and how sleep might facilitate complex cognitive skills such as decision‐making. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was used to investigate effects of sleep on affect‐guided decision‐making. After a brief standardized preview of the IGT that was insufficient to learn its underlying rule, participants underwent a 12‐h delay containing either a normal night’s sleep (Sleep group; N = 28) or continuous daytime wake (Wake group; N = 26). Following the delay, both groups performed the full IGT. To control for circadian effects, two additional groups performed both the preview and the full task either in the morning (N = 17) or the evening (N = 21). In the IGT, four decks of cards were presented. Draws from two ‘advantageous decks’ yielded low play‐money rewards, occasional low losses and, over multiple draws, a net gain. Draws from ‘disadvantageous’ decks yielded high rewards, occasional high losses and, over multiple draws, a net loss. Participants were instructed to win and avoid losing as much as possible, and better performance was defined as more advantageous draws. Relative to the wake group, the sleep group showed both superior behavioral outcome (more advantageous draws) and superior rule understanding (blindly judged from statements written at task completion). Neither measure differentiated the two control groups. These results illustrate a role of sleep in optimizing decision‐making, a benefit that may be brought about by changes in underlying emotional or cognitive processes.
A diagnostic algorithm for persistence of very early inflammatory arthritis: the utility of power Doppler ultrasound when added to conventional assessment tools

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the value of power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) in combination with routine management in a cohort of patients with very early inflammatory arthritis (IA). Methods: 50 patients with ⩽12 weeks of inflammatory symptoms with or without signs had clinical, laboratory and imaging assessments. Diagnosis was recorded at 12 months. Assuming a 15% pre-test probability of IA, post-test probabilities for various assessments were calculated and used to develop a diagnostic algorithm. Results: All patients positive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) developed persistent IA, so the added value of PDUS was assessed in the seronegative (RF and CCP negative) group. The probability of IA in a seronegative patient was 6%. The addition of clinical and radiographic features raised the probability of IA to 30% and, with certain ultrasound features, this rose to 94%. Conclusions: In seronegative patients with early IA, combining PDUS with routine assessment can have a major impact on the certainty of diagnosis.
SODIUM AND WATER IMBALANCE AFTER SELLAR, SUPRASELLAR, AND PARASELLAR SURGERY.

OBJECTIVE To report the frequency of sodium and water disturbances (SWDs) in patients undergoing sellar, suprasellar, and parasellar surgery (SSPS). METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective study on 115 patients in the Aga Khan University Hospital after ethical approval. Patients were 16 years old or older undergoing pituitary or sellar surgeries. We collected data on basic sociodemographic characteristics and clinical indication for surgery. We noted laboratory values for serum electrolytes, plasma and urine osmolality, urine sodium, and 24-hour fluid balance from the immediate postoperative day until discharge and follow-up. We recorded medical management plans. We also recorded diabetes insipidus (DI), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), cerebral salt wasting (CSW), triphasic response, and hyponatremia, according to the diagnostic definitions. Finally, we performed data analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 19.0. RESULTS Of 115 patients, there were 61.7% males, mean age 42.3 ± 13.86 years, 91.3% had pituitary adenoma (73.0% nonfunctioning), and 86.1% underwent transsphenoidal surgical approach. Transient DI occurred from days 1 to 6, peaking with 57.4% on day 2. Permanent DI and SIADH were rare. We did not note typical triphasic response or CSW in any of the patients. However, isolated hyponatremia occurred in 11%, and 20.9% had DI with hyponatremia. CONCLUSION Transient DI is the most common postoperative SWD after SSPS. Hyponatremia occurred alone and following DI. This is the first study describing postoperative SWDs after different sellar surgeries in Pakistan. ABBREVIATIONS ADH = antidiuretic hormone CSW = cerebral salt wasting DI = diabetes insipidus SIADH = syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone SSPS = sellar, suprasellar, and parasellar surgery SWD = sodium and water disturbance.
Safe and efficient active network programming

Active networks are aimed at incorporating programmability into the network to achieve extensibility. One approach to obtaining extensibility is to download router programs into network nodes. This programmability is critical to allow multipoint distributed systems to adapt to network conditions and individual clients' needs. Although promising, this approach raises critical issues such as safety to achieve reliability despite the complexity of a distributed system, security to protect shared resources, and efficiency to maximize usage of bandwidth. This paper proposes the use of a domain-specific language, PLAN-P, to address all of the above issues. To address safety and security, we give examples of properties of PLAN-P programs that can be automatically checked due to the use of a restricted language. For efficiency, we show that an automatically generated run-time compiler for PLAN-P produces code which outperforms an equivalent compiled Java program. Additionally, we present performance results on a real application (learning bridge) where we obtain 100% of the maximum possible throughput.