Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Midregional proadrenomedullin as a prognostic tool in community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Previous work has been hampered by sample size and illness spectrum limits. We sought to describe the pattern of MR-proADM in a broad CAP cohort, confirm its prognostic role, and compare its performance to procalcitonin, a novel biomarker of infection. METHODS We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study in 28 community and teaching EDs. Patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of CAP were enrolled. We stratified MR-proADM levels a priori into quartiles and quantified severity of illness using the pneumonia severity index (PSI); and confusion (abbreviated mental test score of <or= 8), urea >or= 7 mmol/L, respiratory rate >or= 30 breaths/min, BP < 90 mm Hg systolic or < 60 mm Hg diastolic, age >or= 65 years (CURB-65). The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. RESULTS A total of 1,653 patients formed the study cohort. MR-proADM levels consistently rose with PSI class and 30-day mortality (p < 0.001). MR-proADM had a higher area under the curve for 30-day mortality than procalcitonin (0.76 vs 0.65, respectively; p < 0.001), but adding MR-proADM to the PSI in all subjects minimally improved performance. Among low-risk subjects (PSI classes I to III), mortality was low and did not differ by MR-proADM quartile. However, among high-risk subjects (PSI class IV/V; n = 546), subjects in the highest MR-proADM quartile (n = 232; 42%) had higher 30-day mortality than those in MR-proADM quartiles 1 to 3 (23% vs 9%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Similar results were seen with CURB-65. MR-proADM and procalcitonin levels were generally concordant; only 6% of PSI class IV/V subjects in the highest MR-proADM quartile had very low procalcitonin levels (< 0.1 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS In our multicenter CAP cohort, MR-proADM levels correlate with increasing severity of illness and death. High MR-proADM levels offer additional risk stratification in high-risk CAP patients, but otherwise MR-proADM levels do not alter PSI-based risk assessment in most CAP patients.
Activated macrophages for treating skin ulceration: gene expression in human monocytes after hypo‐osmotic shock

Macrophages play a major role in almost all stages of the complex process of wound healing. It has been previously shown that the incorporation of a hypo‐osmotic shock step, in the process of monocyte‐concentrate preparation from a blood unit, induces monocyte/macrophage activation. As the macrophages are produced using a unique, closed and sterile system, they are suitable for local application on ulcers in elderly and paraplegic patients. Enhanced phagocytosis by the activated cells, as well as increased secretion of cytokines such as IL‐1, IL‐6, were detected in a recent study which are in accord with the very encouraging clinical results. In the present study, we used DNA microarrays to analyse the differential gene expressions of the hypo‐osmotic shock‐activated monocytes/macrophages and compare them to non‐treated cells. Of the genes that exhibited differences of expression in the activated cell population, 94% (68/72) displayed increased activity. The mRNA levels of 43/68 of these genes (63%) were found to be 1·5‐fold or higher (1·5–7·98) in the activated macrophages cell population as compared to the non‐treated cells. Only four genes were found to have lower mRNA levels in the activated cells, with ratios of expression of 0·62–0·8, which may suggest that the changes are insignificant. A significant number of the genes that showed increased levels of expression is known to be directly involved in macrophage function and wound healing. This may correlate with the increased secretion of different cytokines by the activated macrophages depicted previously. Other groups of genes expressed are known to be involved in important pathways such as neuronal growth and function, developmental defects and cancer. The hypo‐osmotic shock induces a gene expression profile of cytokines and receptors in the activated cells. These may evoke potential abilities to produce a variety of protein products needed in the wound healing process and may bring to light possibilities for other therapeutic applications of these cells.
Sexual reproduction of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica s.l.) at its northern distribution limit: new evidence of the effect of climate warming on an invasive species.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY In response to climate warming, plant species may shift their distribution northward, but such a process is slow and hard to detect. Alternatively, phenological changes (earlier flowering) are expected as first adaptations for populations located near their distribution limit. That could be the case for the invasive Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica s.l., including the hybrid Bohemian knotweed F. ×bohemica). We hypothesized that climate warming now allows the species to produce viable seeds in the northernmost populations. METHODS Seeds were collected along a 550 km long transect in Quebec, Canada, and tested for germination. The genetic diversity of a population was determined using polymorphic microsatellite markers to verify whether the species is actually producing new individuals through sexual reproduction. KEY RESULTS Japanese knotweed produces, in Quebec, a large number of seeds with a high germination rate (up to 93%). The geographical limit for viable seed production in North America has been extended to Quebec City, about 500 km north of the formerly reported limit. Bohemian knotweeds are genetically diverse, while true Japanese knotweeds all share a common multilocus genotype. This suggests that Bohemian knotweed stands mostly arose from seed, while true Japanese knotweeds result only from the propagation of rhizome or stem fragments. CONCLUSIONS The effect of climate change is already palpable on the phenology of invasive plant species at their northern distribution limit. Bohemian knotweed, which until recently was rare in Quebec, could rapidly spread in the near future with the help of an additional diaspore type (seeds).
Split Hopkinson (Kolsky) Bar: Design, Testing and Applications

Conventional Kolsky bars. - Kolsky compression bar experiments on brittle materials. - Kolsky compression bar experiments on soft materials. - Kolsky compression bar experiments on ductile materials. - Multiaxial compression experiments. - Experiments at high/low temperatures. - Tensile experiments. - Torsional experiments. - Kolsky bars for intermediate-rate experiments. - Structural experiments.
High CO2 enhances the competitive strength of seaweeds over corals

Space competition between corals and seaweeds is an important ecological process underlying coral-reef dynamics. Processes promoting seaweed growth and survival, such as herbivore overfishing and eutrophication, can lead to local reef degradation. Here, we present the case that increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2 may be an additional process driving a shift from corals to seaweeds on reefs. Coral (Acropora intermedia) mortality in contact with a common coral-reef seaweed (Lobophora papenfussii) increased two- to threefold between background CO2 (400 ppm) and highest level projected for late 21st century (1140 ppm). The strong interaction between CO2 and seaweeds on coral mortality was most likely attributable to a chemical competitive mechanism, as control corals with algal mimics showed no mortality. Our results suggest that coral (Acropora) reefs may become increasingly susceptible to seaweed proliferation under ocean acidification, and processes regulating algal abundance (e.g. herbivory) will play an increasingly important role in maintaining coral abundance.
Expanding Access to Non-Medicalized Community-Based Rapid Testing to Men Who Have Sex with Men: An Urgent HIV Prevention Intervention (The ANRS-DRAG Study)

Background Little is known about the public health benefits of community-based, non-medicalized rapid HIV testing offers (CBOffer) specifically targeting men who have sex with men (MSM), compared with the standard medicalized HIV testing offer (SMOffer) in France. This study aimed to verify whether such a CBOffer, implemented in voluntary counselling and testing centres, could improve access to less recently HIV-tested MSM who present a risk behaviour profile similar to or higher than MSM tested with the SMOffer. Method This multisite study enrolled MSM attending voluntary counselling and testing centres’ during opening hours in the SMOffer. CBOffer enrolees voluntarily came to the centres outside of opening hours, following a communication campaign in gay venues. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate HIV testing history and sexual behaviours including inconsistent condom use and risk reduction behaviours (in particular, a score of “intentional avoidance” for various at-risk situations was calculated). A mixed logistic regression identified factors associated with access to the CBOffer. Results Among the 330 participants, 64% attended the CBOffer. Percentages of inconsistent condom use in both offers were similar (51% CBOffer, 50% SMOffer). In multivariate analyses, those attending the CBOffer had only one or no test in the previous two years, had a lower intentional avoidance score, and met more casual partners in saunas and backrooms than SMOffer enrolees. Conclusion This specific rapid CBOffer attracted MSM less recently HIV-tested, who presented similar inconsistent condom use rates to SMOffer enrolees but who exposed themselves more to HIV-associated risks. Increasing entry points for HIV testing using community and non-medicalized tests is a priority to reach MSM who are still excluded.
A Post-Processing Procedure for Improving Music Tempo Estimates Using Supervised Learning

Tempo estimation is a fundamental problem in music information retrieval and has been researched extensively. One problem still unsolved is the tendency of tempo estimation algorithms to produce results that are wrong by a small number of known factors (so-called octave errors). We propose a method that uses supervised learning to predict such tempo estimation errors. In a post-processing step, these predictions can then be used to correct an algorithm’s tempo estimates. While being simple and relying only on a small number of features, our proposed method significantly increases accuracy for state-of-the-art tempo estimation methods.
Filopodia are enriched in a cell cohesion molecule of Mr 80,000 and participate in cell-cell contact formation in Dictyostelium discoideum

During the early phase of Dictyostelium discoideum development, cells undergo chemotactic migration to form tight aggregates. A developmentally regulated surface glycoprotein of Mr 80,000 (gp80) has been implicated in mediating the EDTA-resistant type of cell cohesion at this stage. We have used a monoclonal antibody directed against gp80 to study the topographical distribution of gp80 on the cell surface. Indirect immunofluorescence studies showed that gp80 was primarily localized on the cell surface, with a higher concentration at contact areas. Immunoelectron microscopy was carried out by indirect labeling using protein A-gold, and a nonrandom distribution of gp80 was revealed. In addition to contact regions, gold particles were found preferentially localized on filopodia. Quantitative analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that approximately 60% more gold particles were localized in contact regions in comparison with the noncontact regions, and the filopodial surfaces had a twofold higher gold density. Both TEM and scanning electron microscopy showed that contact areas were enriched in filopodial structures. Filopodia often appeared to adhere to either smooth surfaces or similar filopodial structures of an adjacent cell. These observations suggest that the formation of stable cell-cell contacts involves at least four sequential steps in which filopodia and gp80 probably play an important role in the initial stages of recognition and cohesion among cells.
Hamiltonian and action principle formulations of plasma physics a ...

Hamiltonian and action principle formulations of the basic equations of plasma physics are reviewed. Various types of Lagrangian and Poisson bracket formulations for kinetic and fluid theories are discussed, and it is described how such formulations can be used to derive and approximate physical models. Additional uses are also described. Two applications are treated in greater detail: an algorithm based on Dirac brackets for the calculation of V-states of contour dynamics and the calculation of fluctuation spectra of Vlasov theory and shear flow dynamics by methods of statistical mechanics. © 2005 American Institute of Physics . fDOI: 10.1063/1.1882353 g
Image shading taking into account relativistic effects

This article is concerned with creating more realistic images of 3D scenes which are moving relative to the viewer at such high speeds that the propagation delay of light signals and other relativistic effects can not be neglected. Creating images of 3D scenes in relativistic motion might have important applications to science-fiction films, computer games, and virtual environments. We shall discuss the following problems: (1) how to determine the visual appearance of a rapidly moving object, (2) how to determine the apparent radiance of a scene point on a moving object, (3) how to determine the incident irradiance at a scene point coming from a moving light source, (4) how to determine the color of a rapidly moving object, and (5) how to generate shadows when there are relative motions between the viewer, the scenes, and the light sources. Detailed examples are also given to show the result of shading with the relativistic effects taken into account.
A Comparative Study on the Softening Behaviour of Cold Rolled Ingot and Continuous Cast AA5754

An investigation was conducted on the softening behaviour of cold rolled continuous cast (CC) AA5754 Al alloy and compared to the results for the ingot cast (IC) material. The present study suggests that the CC material exhibits greater resistance to softening as compared to the IC AA5754 for the same amount of cold deformation. The differences in the softening kinetics become more noticeable with increasing level of cold deformation and from a processing point of view can be attributed to the absence of the homogenization stage during the processing of the CC material. Resistivity measurements were carried out during the annealing treatment of the CC materials to examine the possibility of concurrent precipitation, which could potentially retard the softening kinetics for these materials. In addition, the current research reveals that the CC material produces a finer recrystallized grain size as compared to the IC material.
Novel approaches to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury

Purpose of reviewTo discuss the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury and the pro and cons of the different approaches proposed by literature to minimize its impact in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Recent findingsMechanical ventilation is indispensable to manage respiratory failure. The evolution of knowledge of the physiological principles and of the clinical implementation of mechanical ventilation is characterized by the shift of interest from its capability to restore ‘normal gas exchange’ to its capability of causing further lung damage and multisystem organ failure. SummaryIf one of the essential teachings to young intensivists in the 1980s was to ensure mechanical ventilation restored being able to immediately drain a pneumothorax (barotrauma), nowadays priority we teach to young intensivists is to implement ‘protective’ ventilation to protect the lungs from the pulmonary and systemic effects of ventilator-induced lung injury (biotrauma). At the same time, priority of clinical research shifted from the search of optimal ventilator settings (best positive end-expiratory pressure) and to the evaluation of ‘super-protective’ ventilation that integrating partial or total extracorporeal support tries to minimize the use of mechanical ventilation.
Selective Alpha-Particle Mediated Depletion of Tumor Vasculature with Vascular Normalization

Background Abnormal regulation of angiogenesis in tumors results in the formation of vessels that are necessary for tumor growth, but compromised in structure and function. Abnormal tumor vasculature impairs oxygen and drug delivery and results in radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance, respectively. Alpha particles are extraordinarily potent, short-ranged radiations with geometry uniquely suitable for selectively killing neovasculature. Methodology and Principal Findings Actinium-225 (225Ac)-E4G10, an alpha-emitting antibody construct reactive with the unengaged form of vascular endothelial cadherin, is capable of potent, selective killing of tumor neovascular endothelium and late endothelial progenitors in bone-marrow and blood. No specific normal-tissue uptake of E4G10 was seen by imaging or post-mortem biodistribution studies in mice. In a mouse-model of prostatic carcinoma, 225Ac-E4G10 treatment resulted in inhibition of tumor growth, lower serum prostate specific antigen level and markedly prolonged survival, which was further enhanced by subsequent administration of paclitaxel. Immunohistochemistry revealed lower vessel density and enhanced tumor cell apoptosis in 225Ac-E4G10 treated tumors. Additionally, the residual tumor vasculature appeared normalized as evident by enhanced pericyte coverage following 225Ac-E4G10 therapy. However, no toxicity was observed in vascularized normal organs following 225Ac-E4G10 therapy. Conclusions The data suggest that alpha-particle immunotherapy to neovasculature, alone or in combination with sequential chemotherapy, is an effective approach to cancer therapy.
Effects of oxidation and roughness on Cu contact resistance from 4 to 290 K

Knowledge of the factors influencing contact resistance is important for optimizing system design in cryogenic applications. In space cryogenics, indirect cooling of infrared components is the primary concern. The presence of bolted joints results in contact resistances which can dominate all other contributions to the overall heat transfer rate. Here, thermal and electrical contact resistances measured between 4 K and 290 K for a series of bolted OFHC Cu contacts are reported. Surface roughness is found to have little effect on the overall contact resistance within the experimental limits, while oxidation can increase the contact resistance by as much as a factor of 100. Thermal and electrical contact resistances measured on the same contact show that the contact resistance temperature dependence does not follow the bulk dependence. For example, the residual resistance ratio (RRR) of the OFHC Cu is 110, but for contacts made from this material, the RRR is about two.
Movement-based location update and selective paging for PCS networks

This paper introduces a mobility tracking mechanism that combines a movement-based location update policy with a selective paging scheme. Movement-based location update is selected for its simplicity. It does not require each mobile terminal to store information about the arrangement and the distance relationship of all cells. In fact, each mobile terminal only keeps a counter of the number of cells visited. A location update is performed when this counter exceeds a predefined threshold value. This scheme allows the dynamic selection of the movement threshold on a per-user basis. This is desirable as different users may have very different mobility patterns. Selective paging reduces the cost for locating a mobile terminal in the expense of an increase in the paging delay. We propose a selective paging scheme which significantly decreases the location tracking cost under a small increase in the allowable paging delay. We introduce an analytical model for the proposed location tracking mechanism which captures the mobility and the incoming call arrival patterns of each mobile terminal. Analytical results are provided to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed scheme under various parameters.
Hepatocyte Lysosomal Membrane Stabilization by Olive Leaves against Chemically Induced Hepatocellular Neoplasia in Rats

Extensive efforts are exerted looking for safe and effective chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Specific and sensitive early biomarkers for HCC still in query. Present work to study proteolytic activity and lysosomal membrane integrity by hepatocarcinogen, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), in Wistar rats against aqueous olive leaf extract (AOLE). TCA showed neoplastic changes as oval- or irregular-shaped hepatocytes and transformed, vesiculated, and binucleated liver cells. The nuclei were pleomorphic and hyperchromatic. These changes were considerably reduced by AOLE. The results added, probably for the first time, that TCA-induced HCC through disruption of hepatocellular proteolytic enzymes as upregulation of papain, free cathepsin-D and nonsignificant destabilization of lysosomal membrane integrity, a prerequisite for cancer invasion and metastasis. AOLE introduced a promising therapeutic value in liver cancer, mostly through elevating lysosomal membrane integrity. The study substantiated four main points: (1) the usefulness of proteolysis and lysosomalmembrane integrity in early prediction of HCC. (2) TCA carcinogenesis is possibly mediated by lysosomal membrane destabilization, through cathepsin-D disruption, which could be reversed by AOLE administration. (3) A new strategy for management of HCC, using dietary olive leaf system may be a helpful phytotherapeutic trend. (4) A prospective study on serum proteolytic enzyme activity may introduce novel diagnostic tools.
Double cones are used for colour discrimination in the reef fish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus

Double cones (DCs) are the most common cone types in fish, reptiles and birds. It has been suggested that DCs are used for achromatic tasks such as luminance, motion and polarization vision. Here we show that a reef fish Rhinecanthus aculeatus can discriminate colours on the basis of the difference between the signals of individual members of DCs. This is the first direct evidence that individual members of DCs are used in colour vision as independent spectral channels.