Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological differentiation correlates with ecological but not with genetic divergence in a Gehyra gecko

Body size affects life history, the ecological niche of an organism and its interactions with other organisms. Resultantly, marked differences in body size between related organisms are often an indication of a species boundary. This is particularly evident in the Gehyra variegata species complex of geckos, which displays differential body sizes between genetically divergent species, but high levels of intraspecific morphological conservatism. We report on a Gehyra population that displays extraordinary body size differentiation in comparison with other G. variegata species. We used morphological and environmental data to show this population is phenotypically and ecologically distinct from its parapatric congener Gehyra lazelli and that morphology and ecology are significantly correlated. Contrastingly, mtDNA analysis indicates paraphyly between the two groups, and allele frequencies at six microsatellite loci show no population structure concordant with morpho‐/ecotype. These results suggest either ecological speciation or environmentally induced phenotypic polymorphism, in an otherwise morphologically conservative group.
Bier'S Block for Emergency Department Management of Distal Radius Fractures

Background Distal radius fractures commonly present to emergency departments (ED). Optimum treatment methods remain unclear and individual hospital practices differ. Objectives To ascertain the number and success rate of manipulation under intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) of distal radius fractures, and to determine the re-manipulation rate. Methods Retrospective observational study of patients undergoing manipulation of distal radius fracture under IVRA in the ED from January 2003 to January 2004. The resuscitation room procedure log, hospital computer records, ED records and theatre records were examined for each patient. Results A total of 84 manipulations were performed. Complete information was available for 74 procedures (73 patients). Manipulation was successful in 73.5% with only 19 out of 73 patients requiring operation. All patients were manipulated under IVRA with middle grade or consultant supervision; and 52 (71.2%) patients were managed entirely as outpatients. Conclusion Our policy of manipulating displaced distal radius fractures under IVRA in the ED has a high success rate and allows the majority of patients to be managed as outpatients. This policy may lead to cost savings from a health service financing perspective.
The dependence of Type Ia Supernovae luminosities on their host galaxies

Precision cosmology with Type la supernovae (SNe Ia) makes use of the fact that SN Ia luminosities depend on their light-curve shapes and colours. Using Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS) and other data, we show that there is an additional dependence on the global characteristics of their host galaxies: events of the same light-curve shape and colour are, on average, 0.08 mag (similar or equal to 4.0 sigma) brighter in massive host galaxies (presumably metal-rich) and galaxies with low specific star formation rates (sSFR). These trends do not depend on any assumed cosmological model, and are independent of the SN light-curve width: both fast and slow-declining events show the same trends. SNe Ia in galaxies with a low sSFR also have a smaller slope ('beta') between their luminosities and colours with similar to 2.7 sigma significance, and a smaller scatter on SN la Hubble diagrams (at 95 per cent confidence), though the significance of these effects is dependent on the reddest SNe. SN Ia colours are similar between low-mass and high-mass hosts, leading us to interpret their luminosity differences as an intrinsic property of the SNe and not of some external factor such as dust. If the host stellar mass is interpreted as a metallicity indicator using galaxy mass-metallicity relations, the luminosity trends are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. We show that the average stellar mass, and therefore the average metallicity, of our SN Ia host galaxies decreases with redshift. The SN la luminosity differences consequently introduce a systematic error in cosmological analyses, comparable to the current statistical uncertainties on parameters such as in, the equation of state of dark energy. We show that the use of two SN Ia absolute magnitudes, one for events in high-mass (metal-rich) galaxies and the other for events in low-mass (metal-poor) galaxies, adequately corrects for the differences. Cosmological fits incorporating these terms give a significant reduction in chi(2) (3.8 sigma-4.5 sigma); linear corrections based on host parameters do not perform as well. We conclude that all future SN la cosmological analyses should use a correction of this (or similar) form to control demographic shifts in the underlying galaxy population.
Polyamine levels in breast milk are associated with mothers' dietary intake and are higher in preterm than full-term human milk and formulas.

BACKGROUND Polyamine intake from milk is considered essential for post-natal maturation of the immune system and small intestine. The present study aimed to determine polyamine content in human milk after preterm delivery and the association with mothers' dietary intake. In comparison, the polyamine levels were compared with those in term breast milk and some corresponding formulas. METHODS Transitional breast milk was collected from 40 mothers delivering after 24-36 weeks of gestation, and from 12 mothers delivering after full term. Food intake was assessed in mothers delivering preterm babies using a 3-day diary. Polyamines were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS The dietary intake of polyamines was significantly associated with breast milk content but weaker for spermine than for spermidine and putrescine. Total polyamine level was higher in preterm than term milk and lower in the corresponding formulas. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine contents [mean (SEM)] in preterm milk were 165.6 (25), 615.5 (80) and 167.7 (16) nmol dL⁻¹, respectively, with the levels of putrescine and spermidine being 50% and 25% higher than in term milk. The content of spermine did not differ. CONCLUSIONS Dietary intake of polyamines has an impact on the content in breast milk. The difference between human milk after preterm and term delivery might be considered when using donor human milk for preterm infants. The corresponding formulas had lower contents. Further studies are important for determining the relationship between tissue growth and maturation and optimal intake.
Susceptibility of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus saprophyticus to fifteen commonly used antimicrobial agents

Susceptibility of 34 recent clinical isolates of Staphylococcus saprophyticus to 16 commonly used antimicrobial agents was studied. Strains were uniformly resistant to nalidixic acid but tended to be sensitive to other agents, with occasional resistance noted to penicillin (3%), tetracycline (6%), sulfamethoxazole (6%), and erythromycin (15%).
A New Three Input DC/DC Converter for Hybrid PV/FC/Battery Applications

In this paper, a new three-port dc/dc converter is presented for hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/fuel cell (FC)/battery applications. The proposed structure comprises a conventional buck-boost and a boost converter. Four power switches and four diodes are employed in the proposed converter. The voltage gain of the presented converter is more than the conventional boost converter. This advantage and having two unidirectional and a bidirectional inputs make the structure a suitable power electronic interface for hybrid generation applications. In addition, there are no limitations in switching the modulation. Therefore, tracking the maximum power of the PV source, setting the FC power, controlling the battery power, and calibrating the output voltage can be equipped by controlling duty ratios of the switches. The input power sources can provide power to the load and either charge or discharge the battery individually or simultaneously. The steady-state analyses of the presented converter are discussed thoroughly in this paper. Finally, in order to validate the feasibility of the presented converter, experimental results are provided.
[Acute abdominal pain in the elderly].

Abdominal complaints are the leading reason for seeking care in the emergency department (ED) and are estimated to account for 5–10% of all visits1. Abdominal pain is a common occurrence in the elderly patients and poses a difficult challenge for the emergency physician. Since the mean age of the population is increasing, acute abdominal pain in the elderly is becoming more significant and important for the physician. The definition of “elderly” varies among different studies, but most authors define patients older than 65 years as elderly. The term “acute abdomen” may be applied if the onset of pain is sudden and unexpected and if the pain is present for less than 24 hours and associated with other gastrointestinal symptoms. Previous studies demonstrated that among the elderly patients presenting to the ED with abdominal pain, at least 50% were hospitalized and 30–40% eventually had surgery for the underlying condition2,3. Some authors reported that approximately 40% of the elderly patients with acute abdomen were misdiagnosed, contributing to an overall mortality of approximately 10%4. In a report on 1,000 elderly persons admitted to a hospital surgical service, Fenyo5 noted the importance of accurate preliminary ED diagnosis of abdominal complaints when he found a mortality rate of 8% among patients with the correct ED preliminary diagnosis as compared with 19% when the diagnosis was delayed until after admission to the hospital. Therefore, early and correct diagnosis for the elderly patients with acute abdomen is critical and significantly influences the outcome of these patients. Reasons for the difficult diagnosis of acute abdomen in the elderly are multifactorial. ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN IN THE ELDERLY
Repair of UV light-induced DNA damage and risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND The mechanism underlying the role of UV light exposure from sunlight in the etiology of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is unclear. Patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, a disease characterized by severe sensitivity to UV radiation and a defect in nucleotide excision repair, have a high incidence of CMM, which suggests that DNA repair capacity (DRC) plays a role in sunlight-induced CMM in the general population as well. METHODS We conducted a hospital-based case-control study of DRC and CMM among 312 non-Hispanic white CMM patients who had no prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and 324 cancer-free control subjects who were frequency-matched to case patients on age, sex, and ethnicity. Information on demographic variables, risk factors, and tumor characteristics was obtained from questionnaires and medical records. We used the host-cell reactivation assay to measure the DRC in study subjects' lymphocytes. All statistical tests were two sided. RESULTS Case patients had a 19% lower mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) DRC (8.5 +/- 3.4%) than control subjects (10.5 +/- 5.1%), a statistically significant difference (P<.001). DRC that was at or below the median value (i.e., 9.4%) in control subjects was associated with increased risk for CMM after adjustment for age, sex, and other covariates (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45 to 2.82). We observed a dose-response relationship between decreased DRC and increased risk of CMM (P(trend)<. 001). Patients with tumors on sun-exposed skin had statistically significantly lower DRC than patients with tumors on unexposed skin (8.2 +/- 3.3% versus 9.5 +/- 3.5%; P =.004). CONCLUSIONS Reduced DRC is an independent risk factor for CMM and may contribute to susceptibility to sunlight-induced CMM among the general population.
Explaining why Gleevec is a specific and potent inhibitor of Abl kinase

Tyrosine kinases present attractive drug targets for specific types of cancers. Gleevec, a well-known therapeutic agent against chronic myelogenous leukemia, is an effective inhibitor of Abl tyrosine kinase. However, Gleevec fails to inhibit closely homologous tyrosine kinases, such as c-Src. Because many structural features of the binding site are conserved, the molecular determinants responsible for binding specificity are not immediately apparent. Some have attributed the difference in binding specificity of Gleevec to subtle variations in ligand–protein interactions (binding affinity control), whereas others have proposed that it is the conformation of the DFG motif, in which ligand binding is only accessible to Abl and not to c-Src (conformational selection control). To address this issue, the absolute binding free energy was computed using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent. The results of the free energy simulations are in good agreement with experiments, thereby enabling a meaningful decomposition of the binding free energy to elucidate the factors controlling Gleevec’s binding specificity. The latter is shown to be controlled by a conformational selection mechanism and also by differences in key van der Waals interactions responsible for the stabilization of Gleevec in the binding pocket of Abl.
LRP5 polymorphism-A potential predictor of the clinical outcome in advanced gastric cancer patients treated with EOF regimen.

PURPOSE Wnt pathways control key biological processes that potentially impact on tumor progression and patient survival. The present study analyzed the polymorphism of lipoprotein-related receptor 5 (LRP5) (gene with key functions in Wnt signaling) and its impact on the response to chemotherapy and survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). METHODS A total of 107 consecutive patients with AGC treated with first-line chemotherapy of EOF regimen were enrolled in the present retrospective study. The association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of rs3736228 in LRP5 and the clinical outcomes of the patients was studied. RESULTS The CC genotype of rs3736228 was significantly correlated with a higher disease control rate when compared to the CT and TT genotypes (89.3% and 61.8%, respectively, P<0.001). A univariate survival analysis also showed that the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the patients with the TC and TT genotypes of rs3736228 were worse than for the patients with the CC genotype (PFS: 3.3 and 6.7 months, respectively, HR =0.454, P<0.001; OS: 8.1 months and 18.8 months, respectively, HR =3.056, P<0.001). A multivariate Cox model incorporates rs3736228 and clinical features, also identified rs3736228 was significantly associated with the PFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS Our results firstly highlight the importance of LRP5 gene of Wnt pathway in the treatment of AGC and identify polymorphism of rs3736228 as independent predictor of disease control rate, PFS and OS in AGC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy of EOF regimen in the Chinese Han population.
Jee Hoon Roh in Mice with Alzheimer ' s Disease Pathology-Amyloid β Disruption of the Sleep-Wake Cycle and Diurnal Fluctuation of

early brain dysfunction that could be assessed as an outcome measure in response to therapeutic interventions. very mildly impaired humans who are developing AD pathology, the sleep-wake cycle may be a useful indicator of accumulation. If analogous abnormalities in the sleep-wake cycle are present in cognitively normal and β caused by A fluctuation and normal sleep patterns. These findings suggest that changes in the sleep-wake cycle may be β A prevented amyloid plaque formation, as well as maintaining normal circadian β 50%. Actively immunizing mice with A researchers found that the amount of time mice were awake when they were supposed to be asleep increased by accumulation, the β genetic mutations that cause early-onset, autosomal dominant AD. Coincident with increasing A . Similar findings were seen in the cerebrospinal fluid of humans with β plaques sequestering soluble forms of A β fluctuation disappeared with the onset of amyloid plaque deposition, most likely due to insoluble A β . However, A β A occurs in different brain regions in young adult mice that develop accumulation of β show that diurnal fluctuation of A fluctuate in the brain with the sleep-wake cycle. Now, Roh and colleagues β work has shown that soluble forms of A appearance of dementia to initiate therapy earlier as well as to assess the therapeutic effects of new drugs. Previous is accumulating but before the β there are functional and biochemical changes in the brain that are present when A and is already very substantial by the time memory and thinking problems begin. It is critical to determine whether accumulation in amyloid plaques begins about 10 to 15 years before cognitive decline β Alzheimer's disease (AD). A ) peptide is a key event in the pathogenesis of β -amyloid (A β The accumulation in the brain of the neurotoxic Don't Let Amyloid Keep You Awake at Night
Hereditary uveal melanoma: A report of a germline mutation in BAP1

Melanoma of the eye is a rare and distinct subtype of melanoma, which only rarely are familial. However, cases of uveal melanoma (UM) have been found in families with mixed cancer syndromes. Here, we describe a comprehensive search for inherited genetic variation in a family with multiple cases of UM but no aggregation of other cancer diagnoses. The proband is a woman diagnosed with UM at 16 years who within 6 months developed liver metastases. We also identified two older paternal relatives of the proband who had died from UM. We performed exome sequencing of germline DNA from members of the affected family. Exome‐wide analysis identified a novel loss‐of‐function mutation in the BAP1 gene, previously suggested as a tumor suppressor. The mutation segregated with the UM phenotype in this family, and we detected a loss of the wild‐type allele in the UM tumor of the proband, strongly supporting a causative association with UM. Screening of BAP1 germline mutations in families predisposed for UM may be used to identify individuals at increased risk of disease. Such individuals may then be enrolled in preventive programs and regular screenings to facilitate early detection and thereby improve prognosis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Physical Exhaustion on Cognitive Functioning

Experiments utilizing reaction time to measure the effects of fatigue on cognition must discern sensitivity of peripheral and central processing to strenuous exercise. The additive factors method enables one to stipulate that if fatigue interacts with subjects' reaction time in a decision task, central processing is affected by fatigue. While pedaling at different intensities, 13 physically-fit men had to perform a series of short-term memory tests. The tests were executed during a constant workload session and a progressive workload session in which subjects pedaled until exhaustion. Subjects provided ratings on Borg's 1970 scale to measure the psychological effects of the physical effort such as perceived exertion. Allocation of processing resources was also measured to determine attentional constraints exerted by the dual-task situation. Analysis showed that decision reaction time was affected only during the exhausting bout of the progressive workload session and for the more difficult decision task. We discuss our results in the context of arousal and the allocation of processing resources.
Efficient parallel solution of time-stepped multislice eddy-current induction motor models

An approach to model skewed induction motors using multislice two-dimensional eddy-current finite-element analysis is presented. Using the transmission line modeling method to model nonlinear material properties, domain decomposition may be applied to the solution of combined field and circuit equations. As a result, the simulation may be parallelized efficiently. Comparisons of the proposed parallel technique with serial simulations and test results are presented, indicating that the proposed technique accurately predicts motor performance. Timing data clearly show that the technique scales well with increasing number of processors.
Diagnostic Expectations and Stock Returns

We revisit La Porta's finding that returns on stocks with the most optimistic analyst long‐term earnings growth forecasts are lower than those on stocks with the most pessimistic forecasts. We document the joint dynamics of fundamentals, expectations, and returns of these portfolios, and explain the facts using a model of belief formation based on the representativeness heuristic. Analysts forecast fundamentals from observed earnings growth, but overreact to news by exaggerating the probability of states that have become more likely. We find support for the model's predictions. A quantitative estimation of the model accounts for the key patterns in the data.
Elite Artists and Craft Producers in Classic Maya Society: Lithic Evidence from Aguateca, Guatemala

This report examines 10,845 lithic artifacts from the rapidly abandoned city of Aguateca, Guatemala, to elucidate elite artistic and craft production in Classic Maya society. The methods used include high-power microwear analysis. The results suggest that significant numbers of Maya elite, both men and women, engaged in artistic creation and craft production, often working in both attached and independent contexts. The royal family and other elite households produced many artistic and craft items, including wood carvings and hide or leather goods. The scribe inhabiting Structure M8-8 carved stelae for the ruler, and the high-status courtier/scribe living in Structure M8-4 emphasized the production of shell and bone objects and other royal regalia in a courtly setting. Clearly, Aguateca was a center of part-time production of both utilitarian and luxury goods as well as of consumption. Classic Maya elite men and women artists/craft producers possessed multiple social identities and roles, which in turn implies a more flexible and integrated system of Classic Maya elite participating in attached and independent craft production more than is usually proposed.
Rosemary Extract and Essential Oil as Drink Ingredients: An Evaluation of Their Chemical Composition, Genotoxicity, Antimicrobial, Antiviral, and Antioxidant Properties

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) is in high demand in the food and drink industries due to its distinct organoleptic properties. With the aim of evaluating the rosemary leaves as drink ingredients, both the essential oil and alcoholic (38%, v/v) extract were studied in terms of chemical composition, genotoxicity, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. GC–MS analysis showed that the main volatile compounds in the essential oil were eucalyptol (40.1%), camphor (12.4%), and α-pinene (12.9%). LC–MS analysis revealed gallocatechin and rosmarinic acid as the main extract ingredients. Both the essential oil and the extract were not genotoxic (Ames test) against TA98 and TA100 at the dilutions of 5% and 90%, respectively; those dilutions were selected as the maximum possible ones in the drink industry. Their activity was investigated against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Adenovirus 35. Both were effective against Adenovirus and A. niger, even the essential oil at 5% (v/v). The extract at dilutions of 25–90% had more pronounced activity against tested bacteria than the essential oil at the dilutions of 5–100%; the essential oil at the dilution of 5% inhibited S. aureus growth. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, the 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid decolorization assay, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Both exhibited good antioxidant activity, but rosemary essential oil was far more effective than the extract. Our results demonstrate that rosemary essential oil and extract are safe and have beneficial biological properties. Therefore, they could serve as health-promoting ingredients in the drink industry.