Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Finding a Fox: An Evaluation of Survey Methods to Estimate Abundance of a Small Desert Carnivore

The status of many carnivore species is a growing concern for wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, and the general public. Historically, kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) were classified as abundant and distributed in the desert and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America, but is now considered rare throughout its range. Survey methods have been evaluated for kit foxes, but often in populations where abundance is high and there is little consensus on which technique is best to monitor abundance. We conducted a 2-year study to evaluate four survey methods (scat deposition surveys, scent station surveys, spotlight survey, and trapping) for detecting kit foxes and measuring fox abundance. We determined the probability of detection for each method, and examined the correlation between the relative abundance as estimated by each survey method and the known minimum kit fox abundance as determined by radio-collared animals. All surveys were conducted on 15 5-km transects during the 3 biological seasons of the kit fox. Scat deposition surveys had both the highest detection probabilities (p = 0.88) and were most closely related to minimum known fox abundance (r2 = 0.50, P = 0.001). The next best method for kit fox detection was the scent station survey (p = 0.73), which had the second highest correlation to fox abundance (r2 = 0.46, P<0.001). For detecting kit foxes in a low density population we suggest using scat deposition transects during the breeding season. Scat deposition surveys have low costs, resilience to weather, low labor requirements, and pose no risk to the study animals. The breeding season was ideal for monitoring kit fox population size, as detections consisted of the resident population and had the highest detection probabilities. Using appropriate monitoring techniques will be critical for future conservation actions for this rare desert carnivore.
PIM-1 kinase inhibitor SMI-4a exerts antitumor effects in chronic myeloid leukemia cells by enhancing the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β

The development of targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has succeeded in altering the course of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, a number of patients have failed to respond or experienced disease relapse following TKI treatment. Proviral integration site for moloney murine leukemia virus-1 (PIM-1) is a serine/threonine kinase that participates in regulating apoptosis, cell cycle, signal transduction and transcriptional pathways, which are associated with tumor progression, and poor prognosis. SMI-4a is a selective PIM-1 kinase inhibitor that inhibits PIM-1 kinase activity in vivo and in vitro. The present study aimed to explore the mechanism underlying the antitumor effect of SMI-4a in K562 and imatinib-resistant K562 (K562/G) cell lines. It was demonstrated that SMI-4a inhibited the proliferation of K562 and K562/G cells using a WST-8 assay. The Annexin V-propidium iodide assay demonstrated that SMI-4a induced apoptosis of K562 and K562/G cells in a dose-, and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Hoechst 33342 staining was used to verify the apoptosis rate. The clone formation assay revealed that SMI-4a significantly inhibited the colony formation capacity of K562 and K562/G cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that SMI-4a decreased phosphorylated (p)-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β/pGSK3β and inhibited the translocation of β-catenin. In addition, the downstream gene expression of apoptosis regulator Bax and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 was upregulated, and apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 and Myc proto-oncogene protein expression levels were downregulated. Immunofluorescence results demonstrated changes in the expression level of β-catenin in the plasma and nucleus. The results of the present study suggest that SMI-4a is an effective drug to use in combination with current chemotherapeutics for the treatment of imatinib-resistant CML.
Incidence and associations of painful neuroma in a contemporary cohort of lower‐limb amputees

The painful post amputation neuroma significantly impairs the prosthesis‐wearing lower‐limb amputee. It remains poorly understood, with literature limited to cohorts of traumatic amputees. This paper reports the incidence and associations of painful neuroma in a modern tertiary centre with a case load of amputations performed for both traumatic and non‐traumatic indications.
Activity Patterns and Health Outcomes in Later Life: The Role of Nature of Engagement.

Background and Objectives The health benefit of activity participation at older ages is documented in the current literature. Many studies, however, only explored the health benefits of engaging in a few activities and did not examine mechanisms connecting activity participation to health. We investigated the pathway between activity and health by testing the mediation role of the nature of engagement (physical, cognitive, and social) on physical, mental, and cognitive health of older adults. Research Design and Methods We analyzed data of 6,044 older adults from the 2010 and 2012 Health and Retirement Study linked with 2011 Consumption and Activity Mail Survey. We used latent class analysis to identify the patterns of participating in 33 activities as well as patterns of nature of engagement, and examined how these patterns were associated with cognition, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health in later life. Results Meaningful patterns of activity (high, medium, low, passive leisure, and working) and the nature of activity engagement (full, partial, and minimal) were identified. High and working groups, compared to the passive leisure group, showed better health and cognition outcomes. The nature of engagement mediated the relationship between activity patterns and health, especially for older adults who were either full or partially engaged. Discussion and Implications The nature of engagement may play a more important role than the activity itself in relation to health. Identifying the heterogeneity in activity engagement in later life is critical for tailoring interventions and designing programs that can improve the health of older adults.
Clinical Interventions in Aging Dovepress the Benefit of Atrial Septal Defect Closure in Elderly Patients*

Objective: Closure of an atrial septal defect in elderly patients is controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) in elderly patients. Patients and methods: From a total of 488 patients with ASDs who underwent transcatheter closure, 75 patients aged over 60 years (45 female, 30 male) with a mean age of 65.3±15.7 (60–75) years were analyzed. All patients had an isolated secundum ASD with a mean pulmonary blood flow:systemic blood flow of 2.84±1.9 (1.5–3.9). Symptom-limited treadmill exercise tests with respiratory gas-exchange analysis and transthoracic color Doppler echocardiographic study, as well as quality of life measured using the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were repeated in all patients before the procedure and after 12 months of follow-up. Results: The atrial septal device was successfully implanted in all patients (procedure time 37.7±4.5 [13–59] minutes, fluoroscopy time 11.2±9.9 [6–40] minutes). There were no major complications. The defect echo diameter was 17.7±15.8 (12–30) mm. The mean balloon-stretched diameter of ASDs was 22.4±7.9 (14–34) mm. The diameter of the implanted devices ranged from 16 to 34 mm. Significant improvement of exercise capacity was noted at 6 and 12 months after the procedure. Exercise time within 6 months of ASD closure was longer (P0.001) compared to baseline values, and also oxygen consumption increased (P0.001). Seven quality-of-life parameters (except mental health) improved at 12-month follow-up compared to baseline data. The mean SF-36 scale increased significantly in 66 (88%) patients, with a mean of 46.2±19.1 (5–69). As early as 1 month after the procedure, a significant decrease of the right ventricular dimension and the right atrium dimension was observed (P0.001). The right ventricular dimension decreased in 67 patients (89.3%). Conclusion: Closure of ASDs in elderly patients caused significant clinical and hemodynamic improvement after percutaneous treatment, which was maintained during long-term follow-up, justifying this procedure in old age.
Fitness Level and Not Aging per se, Determines the Oxygen Uptake Kinetics Response

Although aging has been associated to slower V˙O2 kinetics, some evidence indicates that fitness status and not aging per se might modulate this response. The main goal of this study was to examine the V˙O2, deoxygenated hemoglobin+myoglobin (deoxy-[Hb+Mb]) kinetics, and the NIRS-derived vascular reperfusion responses in older compared to young men of different training levels (i.e., inactive, recreationally active, and endurance trained). Ten young inactive [YI; 26 ± 5 yrs. ; peak V˙O2 (V˙O2peak), 2.96 ± 0.55 L·min−1], 10 young recreationally active (YR; 26 ± 6 yrs.; 3.92 ± 0.33 L·min−1), 10 young endurance trained (YT; 30 ± 4 yrs.; 4.42 ± 0.32 L·min−1), 7 older inactive (OI; 69 ± 4 yrs.; 2.50 ± 0.31 L·min−1), 10 older recreationally active (OR; 69 ± 5 yrs.; 2.71 ± 0.42 L·min−1), and 10 older endurance trained (OT; 66 ± 3 yrs.; 3.20 ± 0.35 L·min−1) men completed transitions of moderate intensity cycling exercise (MODS) to determine V˙O2 and deoxy-[Hb+Mb] kinetics, and the deoxy-[Hb+Mb]/V˙O2 ratio. The time constant of V˙O2 (τV˙O2) was greater in YI (38.8 ± 10.4 s) and OI (44.1 ± 10.8 s) compared with YR (26.8 ± 7.5 s) and OR (26.6 ± 6.5 s), as well as compared to YT (14.8 ± 3.4 s), and OT (17.7 ± 2.7 s) (p < 0.05). τV˙O2 was greater in YR and OR compared with YT and OT (p < 0.05). The deoxy-[Hb+Mb]/V˙O2 ratio was greater in YI (1.23 ± 0.05) and OI (1.29 ± 0.08) compared with YR (1.11 ± 0.03) and OR (1.13 ± 0.06), as well as compared to YT (1.01 ± 0.03), and OT (1.06 ± 0.03) (p < 0.05). Similarly, the deoxy-[Hb+Mb]/ V˙O2 ratio was greater in YR and OR compared with YT and OT (p < 0.05). There was a main effect of training (p = 0.033), whereby inactive (p = 0.018) and recreationally active men (p = 0.031) had significantly poorer vascular reperfusion than endurance trained men regardless of age. This study demonstrated not only that age-related slowing of V˙O2 kinetics can be eliminated in endurance trained individuals, but also that inactive lifestyle negatively impacts the V˙O2 kinetics response of young healthy individuals.
Unbiased Learning to Rank with Unbiased Propensity Estimation

Learning to rank with biased click data is a well-known challenge. A variety of methods has been explored to debias click data for learning to rank such as click models, result interleaving and, more recently, the unbiased learning-to-rank framework based on inverse propensity weighting. Despite their differences, most existing studies separate the estimation of click bias (namely the propensity model ) from the learning of ranking algorithms. To estimate click propensities, they either conduct online result randomization, which can negatively affect the user experience, or offline parameter estimation, which has special requirements for click data and is optimized for objectives (e.g. click likelihood) that are not directly related to the ranking performance of the system. In this work, we address those problems by unifying the learning of propensity models and ranking models. We find that the problem of estimating a propensity model from click data is a dual problem of unbiased learning to rank. Based on this observation, we propose a Dual Learning Algorithm (DLA) that jointly learns an unbiased ranker and an unbiased propensity model. DLA is an automatic unbiased learning-to-rank framework as it directly learns unbiased ranking models from biased click data without any preprocessing. It can adapt to the change of bias distributions and is applicable to online learning. Our empirical experiments with synthetic and real-world data show that the models trained with DLA significantly outperformed the unbiased learning-to-rank algorithms based on result randomization and the models trained with relevance signals extracted by click models.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Postoperative Quality of Recovery Score: The QoR-15

Background:Quality of recovery (QoR) after anesthesia is an important measure of the early postoperative health status of patients. The aim was to develop a short-form postoperative QoR score, and test its validity, reliability, responsiveness, and clinical acceptability and feasibility. Methods:Based on extensive clinical and research experience with the 40-item QoR-40, the strongest psychometrically performing items from each of the five dimensions of the QoR-40 were selected to create a short-form version, the QoR-15. This was then evaluated in 127 adult patients after general anesthesia and surgery. Results:There was good convergent validity between the QoR-15 and a global QoR visual analog scale (r = 0.68, P < 0.0005). Construct validity was supported by a negative correlation with duration of surgery (r = −0.49, P < 0.0005), time spent in the postanesthesia care unit (r = −0.41, P < 0.0005), and duration of hospital stay (r = −0.53, P < 0.0005). There was also excellent internal consistency (0.85), split-half reliability (0.78), and test–retest reliability (ri = 0.99), all P < 0.0005. Responsiveness was excellent with an effect size of 1.35 and a standardized response mean of 1.04. The mean ± SD time to complete the QoR-15 was 2.4 ± 0.8min. Conclusions:The QoR-15 provides a valid, extensive, and yet efficient evaluation of postoperative QoR.
Anorectal Manometry May Reduce the Number of Rectal Suction Biopsy Procedures Needed to Diagnose Hirschsprung Disease

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether anorectal manometry (ARM), which is used to test the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), is a safe alternative for reducing the number of invasive rectal suction biopsy (RSB) procedures needed to diagnose Hirschsprung disease (HD). Methods: Between 2010 and 2017, we prospectively collected the ARM results of 105 patients suspected of having HD. Following the outcome, the patients either underwent additional tests to confirm HD or they were treated conservatively. Primary ARM-based diagnoses were compared with the definitive diagnoses based on the pathology reports and/or clinical follow-ups. Additionally, we analyzed whether modifications to our ARM protocol improved diagnostic accuracy. Results: The sensitivity of ARM and RSB was comparable (97% vs 97%). The specificity of ARM, performed according to our initial protocol, was significantly lower than that of RSB. After we modified the protocol the difference between the specificity of ARM and RSB was no longer statistically significant (74% vs 84%, respectively, P = 0.260). The negative predictive value of ARM was 100%, while their positive predictive value was significantly lower than that of RSB (56% vs 97%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: ARM is a viable screening tool for HD and, provided it is performed properly, it can be used to exclude HD with absolute certainty. By contrast, an absent rectoanal inhibitory reflex on ARM should always be followed by an RSB to confirm the diagnosis of HD. Using ARM as the diagnostic of first choice could reduce the number of invasive biopsies.
Lens Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine in the Lens Capsule / Epithelium After Peroral Intake : A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Citation: Kronschläger M, Stimpfl T, Ruiß M, Hirnschall N, Leisser C, Findl O. Pharmacokinetics of caffeine in the lens capsule/epithelium after peroral intake: a pilot randomized controlled study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018;59:1855–1860. https://doi.org/ 10.1167/iovs.18-23963 PURPOSE. To determine the pharmacokinetics of perorally administered caffeine, a widely consumed and potent dietary antioxidant, in the anterior lens capsule and lens epithelial cells, a crucial cell monolayer for cataract development.
A 8.6 μW 3-bit programmable gain amplifier for multiplexed-input neural recording systems

We report a fully-integrated low-power 3-bit programmable-gain amplifier (PGA) that can be used as the second stage amplifier to adjust the gain for multi-channel neural recording systems. The design strategy maximizes energy-efficiency using a technique by optimizing a slew rate, gain and phase margin. The PGA consumes 8. 66μW from 1-V single supply. This is an order of magnitude lower than the previous designs reported up to date. Analysis, simulation, and measurement results will be described in detail for a part of a multiplexed 16-channels neural recording system. In this implementation, while giving a full flexibility of gain control, the overhead for each channel is quite negligible: only 0. 54μW in power and less than 0.002mm2 in area.
A general Markov chain approach for disease and rumour spreading in complex networks

Spreading processes are ubiquitous in natural and artiﬁcial systems. They can be studied via a plethora of models, depending on the speciﬁc details of the phenomena under study. Disease contagion and rumour spreading are among the most important of these processes due to their practical relevance. However, despite the similarities between them, current models address both spreading dynamics separately. In this article, we propose a general spreading model that is based on discrete time Markov chains. The model includes all the transitions that are plausible for both a disease contagion process and rumour propagation. We show that our model not only covers the traditional spreading schemes but that it also contains some features relevant in social dynamics, such as apathy, forgetting, and lost/recovering of interest. The model is evaluated analytically to obtain the spreading thresholds and the early time dynamical behaviour for the contact and reactive processes in several scenarios. Comparison with Monte Carlo simulations shows that the Markov chain formalism is highly accurate while it excels in computational efﬁciency. We round off our work by showing how the proposed framework can be applied to the study of spreading processes occurring on social networks.
Consequences of Cannabinoid and Monoaminergic System Disruption in a Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairment in social, communication skills and stereotype behaviors. While autism may be uniquely human, there are behavioral characteristics in ASDs that can be mimicked using animal models. We used the BTBR T+tf/J mice that have been shown to exhibit autism-like behavioral phenotypes to 1). Evaluate cannabinoid-induced behavioral changes using forced swim test (FST) and spontaneous wheel running (SWR) activity and 2). Determine the behavioral and neurochemical changes after the administration of MDMA (20 mg/kg), methamphetamine (10 mg/kg) or MPTP (20 mg/kg). We found that the BTBR mice exhibited an enhanced basal spontaneous locomotor behavior in the SWR test and a reduced depressogenic profile. These responses appeared to be enhanced by the prototypic cannabinoid, Δ9-THC. MDMA and MPTP at the doses used did not modify SWR behavior in the BTBR mice whereas MPTP reduced SWR activity in the control CB57BL/6J mice. In the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex, the levels of DA and 5-HT and their metabolites were differentially altered in the BTBR and C57BL/6J mice. Our data provides a basis for further studies in evaluating the role of the cannabinoid and monoaminergic systems in the etiology of ASDs.
VUV photolysis of aqueous solutions of nitrate and nitrite

Water homolyses upon vacuum-uv excitation into HO* radicals, hydrogen atoms and with lower efficiency, hydrated electrons. These primary species induce a series of reactions partially depleting nitrate and nitrite from aqueous solutions. Depletion rates depend on the presence of dissolved oxygen and temperature. Nitrate, nitrite, peroxynitrite and N2O were identified as reaction products after irradiation of, either, nitrite and nitrate in aqueous solutions. A reaction mechanism is proposed in accord with the experimental facts and with the evidence given in the literature, where NO2* and NO* are key intermediates. NO3−, NO2−, NO2*, NO* O2NO2−, ONO2− and N2O, seem to be interrelated by many redox reactions and reaction equilibria where pH and the availability of electrons determine their occurrence. The proposed mechanism is supported by a computer program with which the observed experimental behavior could be simulated.
Effect of 12-month treatment with metformin and/or oral contraceptives on health-related quality of life in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but the effect of treatment with metformin (M) and/or oral contraceptives (OCP) is undetermined. To assess changes in HRQoL during 12-month randomized treatment with M, OCP or M + OCP in PCOS. Ninety women with PCOS were randomized to treatment with M, OCP or M + OCP. HRQoL was evaluated by a PCOS-specific visual analog scale (PCOS-VAS) regarding 1: Facial hair, 2: Body hair, 3: Acne, 4: Irregular menses, 5: Weight and 6: PCOS in general, and Short Form 36 (SF-36). PCOS-VAS1(facial hair) improved during treatment with OCP (n = 23) compared to M (n = 19), and during M + OCP (n = 23) compared to M treatment, whereas changes in PCOS-VAS2-6 and SF-36 scores were comparable between the three medical intervention groups. Pooled data (n = 65) showed improved PCOS-VAS scores during treatment (all p < .05), but changes in PCOS-VAS were unassociated with changes in BMI or FG-scores despite significant weight-loss during treatment with M (−3.0 kg (−10.3; 0.6)) and M + OCP (−1.9 kg (−4.9; 0.1)) and decreased FG-score during M + OCP treatment (median (quartiles)). PCOS-VAS scores improved significantly and to the same extent during treatment with M, OCP or M + OCP.
Influence of Cements Containing Calcareous Fly Ash as a Main Component Properties of Fresh Cement Mixtures

The main goal of presented research was to examine usability of cements containing calcareous fly ash (W) from technological point of view. In the paper the results of tests concerning the influence of CEM II and CEM IV cements containing fly ash (W) on rheological properties, air content, setting times and plastic shrinkage of mortars are presented and discussed. Moreover, compatibility of plasticizers with cements containing fly ash (W) was also studied. Additionally, setting time and hydration heat of cements containing calcareous fly ash (W) were determined. In a broader aspect, the research contributes to promulgation of the possibility of using calcareous fly ash (W) in cement and concrete technology, what greatly benefits the environment protection (utilization of waste fly ash). Calcareous fly ash can be used successfully as the main component of cement. Cements produced by blending with processed fly ash or cements produced by interginding are characterized by acceptable technological properties. In respect to CEM I cements, cements containing calcareous fly ash worsen workability, decrease air content, delay setting time of mixtures. Cements with calcareous fly ash show good compatibility with plasticizers.