Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comorbidities Affect Risk of Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Background & Aims The incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) has not been reduced despite the decreasing incidence of peptic ulcers, strategies to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection, and prophylaxis against ulceration from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other factors might therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of GIB. Patients with GIB have increasing nongastrointestinal comorbidity, so we investigated whether comorbidity itself increased the risk of GIB. Methods We conducted a matched case-control study using linked primary and secondary care data collected in England from April 1, 1997 through August 31, 2010. Patients older than 15 years with nonvariceal GIB (n = 16,355) were matched to 5 controls by age, sex, year, and practice (n = 81,636). All available risk factors for GIB were extracted and modeled using conditional logistic regression. Adjusted associations with nongastrointestinal comorbidity, defined using the Charlson Index, were then tested and sequential population attributable fractions calculated. Results Comorbidity had a strong graded association with GIB; the adjusted odds ratio for a single comorbidity was 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35–1.52) and for multiple or severe comorbidity was 2.26 (95% CI: 2.14%–2.38%). The additional population attributable fraction for comorbidity (19.8%; 95% CI: 18.4%–21.2%) was considerably larger than that for any other measured risk factor, including aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (3.0% and 3.1%, respectively). Conclusions Nongastrointestinal comorbidity is an independent risk factor for GIB, and contributes to a greater proportion of patients with bleeding in the population than other recognized risk factors. These findings could help in the assessment of potential causes of GIB, and also explain why the incidence of GIB remains high in an aging population.
Extreme high‐temperature event in southern China in 2016 and the possible role of cross‐equatorial flows

An extreme high‐temperature (HT) event occurred in China in the summer of 2016. Northwestern and southern China experienced more than 20 HT days with a daily maximum temperature (DMT) greater than 35 °C. Compared with the average local climatology, southern China experienced 10–15 more HT days with temperatures greater than 35 °C and 5–10 more HT days with temperatures greater than 38 °C. The extreme HT event in 2016 in southern China began on July 20, responding to the end of the Chinese Mei‐yu in the region. The HT event lasted for approximately 2 weeks until August 2. The western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) in the summer of 2016 was much stronger and more westwards than normal owing to a strong El Niño event. During the HT period, the WPSH shifted further westwards. Its western boundary reached 106°E, and it covered most parts of southern China. It was more westwards than its average position during the 1981–2010 reference period and the previous Mei‐yu period. The high experienced a notable shift northwards covering all regions south of the Yangtze River valley. The South Asian high moved eastwards covering the East Asian continent. Thus, the upwards flow at the lower tropospheric levels over southern China in the previous period was replaced by a much stronger downwards flow. The Chinese Mei‐yu ended and southern China therefore entered a dry and hot period. During the HT period, the Somalia cross‐equatorial flow (CEF), the Bay of Bengal (BOB) CEF, and the westerly flow over the tropical Indian Ocean weakened clearly. Lag correlation analyses indicate that the WPSH had a close relationship with zonal wind over the ocean. This suggests that the westwards extension of the subtropical high corresponding to the HT event was caused mainly by the weakening of the CEFs and the westerly flow over the tropical Indian Ocean. Case of 2017 HT event and composed circulations of 28 HT cases since 1981 also supported this result. In August 2016, the MJO was much active over the western Pacific, which weakened the WPSH and finally ended the extreme HT event.
Supersymmetric M-brane Solution in a Dynamical Background

Supersymmetry arises in certain theories of fermions coupled to gauge fields and gravity in a spacetime of 11 dimensions. The dynamical brane background has mainly been studied for the class of purely bosonic solutions only, but recent developments involving a time-dependent brane solution have made it clear that one can get more information by asking what happens on supersymmetric systems. In this proceeding, we construct an exact supersymmetric solution of a dynamical M-brane background in the 11-dimensional supergravity and investigate supersymmetry breaking, the geometric features near the singularity and the black hole horizon.
Distribution of calponin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain in fine‐needle aspiration biopsies of the breast

The cell types that may be present in any fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of breast include epithelial cells (EC), myoepithelial cells (MEC), bipolar stromal cells (BSC), vascular pericytes/endothelial cells (VPEC), and adipose cells (AC). The recognition of most of these benign cellular elements in aspirates of the breast is relatively straightforward, based on distinct cytomorphologic criteria. However, there is controversy regarding the recognition of MEC because BSC are often referred to as MEC by cytopathologists. It is important to identify MEC in breast aspirates, because their presence has been associated with benign epithelial proliferations.
Cortical Thickness and White Matter Integrity are Associated with CTG Expansion Size in Myotonic Dystrophy Type I

Purpose Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is characterized by progressive muscular weakness with symptoms caused by involvement of the brain. The aim of this study was to delineate global changes in cortical thickness and white matter integrity in patients with DM1, compared to age-matched healthy controls, and in brain areas highly correlated with CTG repeat size. Materials and Methods Cortical thickness and white matter integrity were compared in nine adult DM1 patients and age matched healthy controls using T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging. The patients' intelligence quotient (IQ) and CTG repeat size were measured in each individual. Results Cortical thickness was significantly reduced in the frontal, temporal, and occipital cortices, while tract-based spatial statistics showed decreased diffusion metrics in widespread areas, including the bilateral orbitofrontal, anterior frontal, insular, external capsule, and occipital cortices in DM1 patients, compared to controls. Additionally, thickness was negatively correlated with the number of CTG repeats in those areas. White matter integrity was negatively correlated with CTG repeats in the left entorhinal, anterior corona radiata, orbitofrontal, and lateral occipital areas. No statistically significant correlation was found between IQ scores and the size of CTG repeats. Conclusion Our results suggest that DM1 is associated with wide distributions of network changes in both gray and white matter. Some of areas related to cognition showed significant correlations with CTG repeats.
Desert Playa Wetlands: Ecological Controls of their Functioning and Responses to Climate Change

9 Introduction . 10 Methods . 13 Results . 20 Discussion . 25 Acknowledgements . 27 Chapter References . 28 3 BIOPHYSICAL CONTROLS OVER CONCENTRATION AND DEPTH DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND NITROGEN IN DESERT PLAYAS . 31
Mechanistic Insights into Homotypic Fusion of ER Membranes by the Atlastin GTPase

A variety of diseases, including Hereditary Spastic Parapalegia (HSP), are associated with defects in Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) morphogenesis, highlighting the significance of forming and maintaining proper ER structure in the context of human health. While the overall shape and structure adopted by the ER is mainly influenced by the lipid and protein composition of its membrane, fusion plays an equally important role. Recent studies have implicated a conserved family of proteins called atlastin/Sey1 as the fusion machinery responsible for generating three-way junctions within the peripheral ER; however, the actual mechanism used by atlastin (ATL) to catalyze homotypic membrane fusion remains to be clarified. Structural and biochemical studies performed largely with the soluble domain of ATL, suggested that GTP binding facilitated membrane tethering between ATLs anchored in opposing membranes (pre-fusion), followed by GTP hydrolysis catalyzing a crossover conformational change that pulled opposing membranes together for fusion (post-fusion). Through structure-function analysis, I identified key residues that are required for stabilizing the post-fusion conformation, which assisted in elucidating the energy requirements for achieving the post-fusion conformational state of the ATL soluble domain. Using various nucleotides and analogs, I discovered that the soluble domain of ATL was capable of adopting the post-fusion dimer in the absence of GTP hydrolysis, suggesting that GTP hydrolysis may be required for another discrete step within the ATL fusion cycle, such as disassembly. However, this result appeared to be inconsistent with the requirement for GTP hydrolysis in the ATL-mediated fusion of synthetic liposomes and may perhaps be attributed to the different behaviors exhibited by the soluble domain verses membrane-anchored ATL molecules. Therefore, I extended our initial analysis of the ATL soluble domain to membrane-anchored ATL, specifically focusing on identifying the energetic and conformational requirements for ATL-mediated tethering. My investigation revealed that membrane tethering depended on GTP hydrolysis; but, unlike fusion, it did not depend on crossover.
Autocrine motility factor receptor is a marker for a distinct membranous tubular organelle

Autocrine motility factor (AMF) is secreted by tumor cells and is capable of stimulating the motility of the secreting cells. In addition to being expressed on the cell surface, its receptor, AMF-R, is found within a Triton X-100 extractable intracellular tubular compartment. AMF-R tubules can be distinguished by double immunofluorescence microscopy from endosomes labeled with the transferrin receptor, lysosomes labeled with LAMP-2, and the Golgi apparatus labeled with beta-COP. AMF-R can also be separated from a LAMP-2 containing lysosomal fraction by differential centrifugation of MDCK cells and is found within a 100,000 g membrane pellet. By electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, AMF-R is localized predominantly to smooth vesicular and tubular membranous organelles as well as to a lesser extent to the plasma membrane and rough endoplasmic reticulum. AMF-R tubules have a variable diameter of 50-250 nm and can acquire an elaborate branched morphology. By immunofluorescence microscopy, AMF-R tubules are clearly distinguished from the calnexin labeled rough endoplasmic reticulum and AMF-R tubule expression is stable to extended cycloheximide treatment. The AMF-R tubule is therefore not a biosynthetic subcompartment of the endoplasmic reticulum. The tubular morphology of the AMF-R tubule is modulated by both the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. In a similar fashion to that described previously for the tubular lysosome and endoplasmic reticulum, the linear extension and peripheral cellular orientation of the AMF-R tubule are dependent on the integrity of the microtubule cytoskeleton. The AMF-R tubule may thus form part of a family of microtubule- associated tubular organelles.
Performance optimization of tunable standing wave thermoacoustic engine by varying the stack parameters and resonator length: An experimental study

Thermoacoustic heat engine (TAHE) converts thermal power (heat) into acoustic power. TAHE has been gaining significant interest because of its non-fuel specific, low cost and high reliability (due to reduced moving parts) compared to conventional IC engines. The performance of TAHE depends upon the various parameters such as stack position, stack length and resonator length. Previously, we built a fixed TAHE which converts heat energy to electrical energy with an efficiency of 2 %. However, the performance of the fixed engine was not fully optimized. To investigate further, another novel tunable TAHE has been built with the goal of optimizing the efficiency by tuning three critical parameters, namely stack position, stack length and resonator length. This paper shows the influence of stack parameters (stack position and stack length) and resonator length on the performance of the thermoacoustic heat engine. The performance is measured in terms of the pressure amplitude generated inside the TAHE using air as the working fluid. It is observed that the stack's position considerably affects the performance. Further, from experiments, it is observed that the maximum acoustic power is generated when the stack is positioned closer to a pressure antinode.
Mapping and assessing clinical handover training interventions

Background The literature reveals a patchwork of knowledge about the effectiveness of handover and transfer of care-training interventions, their influence on handover practices and on patient outcomes. We identified a range of training interventions, defined their content, and then proposed practical measures for improving the training effectiveness of handover practices. Methods We applied the Group Concept Mapping approach to identify objectively the shared understanding of a group of experts about patient handover training interventions. We collected 105 declarative statements about handover training interventions from an exhaustive literature review, and from structured expert interviews. The statements were then given to 21 healthcare and training design specialists to sort the statements on similarity in meaning, and rate them on their importance and feasibility. Results We used multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to depict the following seven clusters related to various handover training issues: standardisation, communication, coordination of activities, clinical microsystem care, transfer and impact, training methods and workplace learning. Conclusions Ideas on handover training interventions, grouped in thematic clusters, and prioritised on importance and feasibility creates a repository of approaches. This allows healthcare institutions to design and test concrete solutions for improving formal training and workplace learning related to handovers, and addressing informal social learning at the organisational level, with the aim of increasing impact on handover practice and patient outcomes. Measures need to be taken to assure a continuum of handover training interventions from formal training through workplace learning through less formal social learning, and to embed this training in the design of the clinical microsystem.
The Role of Instruction in Learning To Read: Preventing Reading Failure in At-Risk Children.

First and 2nd graders (N = 285) receiving Title 1 services received 1 of 3 kinds of classroom reading programs: direct instruction in letter–sound correspondences practiced in decodable text (direct code); less direct instruction in systematic sound–spelling patterns embedded in connected text (embe
LEAST SQUARES FINITE ELEMENT METHODS FOR VISCOUS , INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOWS

This paper is concerned with finite element methods of least-squares type for the approximate numerical solution of incompressible, viscous flow problems. Our main focus is on issues that are critical for the success of the finite element methods, such as decomposition of the Navier-Stokes equations into equivalent first-order systems, mathematical prerequisites for the optimality of the methods, and the use of mesh-dependent norms. In conclusion we present a novel application of least-squares principles involving an optimal boundary control problem for fluid flows.
A Comprehensive TALEN-Based Knockout Library for Generating Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Based Models for Cardiovascular Diseases

Rationale: Targeted genetic engineering using programmable nucleases such as transcription activator–like effector nucleases (TALENs) is a valuable tool for precise, site-specific genetic modification in the human genome. Objective: The emergence of novel technologies such as human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and nuclease-mediated genome editing represent a unique opportunity for studying cardiovascular diseases in vitro. Methods and Results: By incorporating extensive literature and database searches, we designed a collection of TALEN constructs to knockout 88 human genes that are associated with cardiomyopathies and congenital heart diseases. The TALEN pairs were designed to induce double-strand DNA break near the starting codon of each gene that either disrupted the start codon or introduced a frameshift mutation in the early coding region, ensuring faithful gene knockout. We observed that all the constructs were active and disrupted the target locus at high frequencies. To illustrate the utility of the TALEN–mediated knockout technique, 6 individual genes (TNNT2, LMNA/C, TBX5, MYH7, ANKRD1, and NKX2.5) were knocked out with high efficiency and specificity in human iPSCs. By selectively targeting a pathogenic mutation (TNNT2 p.R173W) in patient-specific iPSC-derived cardiac myocytes, we demonstrated that the knockout strategy ameliorates the dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype in vitro. In addition, we modeled the Holt–Oram syndrome in iPSC-cardiac myocytes in vitro and uncovered novel pathways regulated by TBX5 in human cardiac myocyte development. Conclusions: Collectively, our study illustrates the powerful combination of iPSCs and genome editing technologies for understanding the biological function of genes, and the pathological significance of genetic variants in human cardiovascular diseases. The methods, strategies, constructs, and iPSC lines developed in this study provide a validated, readily available resource for cardiovascular research.
Influence of physiological androgen levels on wound healing and immune status in men

Aging in men is associated with a progressive decline in the production of several hormones, including androgens. The extent to which an age-dependent decline in androgen levels lead to health problems or can affect quality of life remains under debate. Clinical results on replacement therapy do not yet provide a definitive clue on the benefit/risk balance. A sexual dimorphism of the immune system is well established, and the differences between female and male immune responses under normal, as well as pathological, conditions are generally attributed to the influence of estrogens, progestins, and androgens. The suppressive effects of male sex hormones on immune functions have been observed in a wide variety of disease processes and appear to be testosterone-mediated. Endogenous testosterone inhibits skin wound healing response in males and is associated with an enhanced inflammatory response. Although there are no known gender-related differences in permeability barrier function in adults, estrogens accelerates—whereas testosterone retards—barrier development in fetal skin, and male fetuses demonstrate slower barrier development than female littermates.
Regulation of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 and Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II by Phosphatidylinositol-Linked Dopamine Receptor in Rat Brain

A brain dopamine receptor that modulates phosphatidylinositol (PI) metabolism via the activation of phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) has been described previously. The present study aims to define the downstream signaling cascade initiated by the PI-linked dopamine receptor. Incubation of rat brain frontal cortical slices with 6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-1-(3-methylphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (SKF83959), a recently identified selective agonist of the PI-linked D1-like dopamine receptor, elicited transient time- and dose-dependent stimulations of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) activities. The stimulation of these kinases is blocked by 20 μM R-(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (SCH23390) or the PLCβ antagonist 1-[6-[[17β-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122) and is attenuated by the protein kinase inhibitor calphostin C or by the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA, indicating that SKF83959 stimulates cdk5 and CaMK II activities via a PI-linked D1-like dopamine receptor, and PLCβ and is dependent on protein kinase C and calcium. Although cdk5 and CaMK II are physically associated in native brain tissue, no change in this association was observed in response to SKF83959 stimulation or to the inhibition of either cdk5 by roscovitine or of CaMK by 2-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)]-N-(4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl)]amino-N-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-N-methylbenzylamine) (KN93), suggesting that SKF83959-mediated stimulation of cdk5 or CaMK II is independent of the other kinase and that the association of the two kinases is not modulated by change of kinase activity. Moreover, we found that cdk5 phosphorylates dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein at Thr75, whereas CaMK II is responsible for the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein in response to SKF83959 stimulation. The present data provide the first insight into the signaling mechanism for the PI-linked dopamine receptor. This information, in turn, may help in exploring the functional consequences of stimulation of this brain receptor.
A scaling theory for the size distribution of emitted dust aerosols suggests climate models underestimate the size of the global dust cycle

Mineral dust aerosols impact Earth’s radiation budget through interactions with clouds, ecosystems, and radiation, which constitutes a substantial uncertainty in understanding past and predicting future climate changes. One of the causes of this large uncertainty is that the size distribution of emitted dust aerosols is poorly understood. The present study shows that regional and global circulation models (GCMs) overestimate the emitted fraction of clay aerosols (< 2 μm diameter) by a factor of ∼2–8 relative to measurements. This discrepancy is resolved by deriving a simple theoretical expression of the emitted dust size distribution that is in excellent agreement with measurements. This expression is based on the physics of the scale-invariant fragmentation of brittle materials, which is shown to be applicable to dust emission. Because clay aerosols produce a strong radiative cooling, the overestimation of the clay fraction causes GCMs to also overestimate the radiative cooling of a given quantity of emitted dust. On local and regional scales, this affects the magnitude and possibly the sign of the dust radiative forcing, with implications for numerical weather forecasting and regional climate predictions in dusty regions. On a global scale, the dust cycle in most GCMs is tuned to match radiative measurements, such that the overestimation of the radiative cooling of a given quantity of emitted dust has likely caused GCMs to underestimate the global dust emission rate. This implies that the deposition flux of dust and its fertilizing effects on ecosystems may be substantially larger than thought.