Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactive Effects of Temperature, Nitrogen, and Zooplankton on Growth and Protein and Carbohydrate Content of Cyanobacteria from Western Lake Erie

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater ecosystems, especially of cyanobacterial species, are becoming more frequent and expanding geographically, including in Lake Erie in North America. HABs are the result of complex and synergistic environmental factors, though N or P eutrophication is a leading cause. With global mean temperatures expected to increase an additional 2°C - 5°C by 2100, cyanobacterial blooms are predicted to increase even more, given their typically-high temperature optimum for growth. We investigated how increases in temperature and nitrogen, singly or in combination, affect the growth, food quality, and herbivory of Lake Erie cyanobacteria. Algal community samples collected from Lake Erie, and isolated non-N-fixing (Microcystis aeruginosa) and N-fixing (Anabaena flos-aquae) cyanobacterial species, were cultured at 20°C, 25°C, or 30°C, and at 5, 50, 150, or 250 μM N, and then analyzed for growth and (for isolates) content of total protein and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Temperature and N both affected algal growth, and there were temperature × N interactions, which were sometimes affected by presence/absence of zooplankton. For example, cyanobacteria (but not green algae) growth increased with both temperature and N, especially from 25°C to 30°C, but N and herbivore presence increased cyanobacterial growth primarily only at 30°C. In general, temperature and N had little consistent effect on NSC, but increasing temperature and N tended to increase protein content in Microcystis and Anabaena (temperature effects mostly at higher N levels). In Anabaena, increases in N did not increase growth or protein at 20°C or 25°C, but did increase both at 30°C, indicating that N fixation is damaged at high temperatures and that high NO3 can overcome this damage. These results indicate that future global warming and continued eutrophication will increase cyanobacterial growth, as well influence algal herbivory and competition between N-fixing and non-N-fixing cyanobacteria.
Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Previously Untreated Lateral Epicondylitis

Background Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a relatively new therapy used in the treatment of chronic tendon-related pain. Few randomized controlled trials have been performed on it, and no studies have examined the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a frontline therapy for tendon-related pain. Hypothesis Subjects treated with active extracorporeal shock wave therapy will have higher rates of treatment success than subjects treated with sham extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Design Double-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods Sixty subjects who had previously untreated lateral epicondylitis for less than 1 year and more than 3 weeks were included in this study. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 1 session per week for 3 weeks of either sham or active extra-corporeal shock wave therapy. Subjects in the active therapy group received 2000 pulses (energy flux density, 0.03-0.17 mJ/mm2). All subjects were provided with a forearm-stretching program. After 8 weeks of therapy, subjects were classified as either treatment successes or treatment failures according to fulfillment of all 3 criteria: (1) at least a 50% reduction in the over-all pain visual analog scale score, (2) a maximum allowable overall pain visual analog scale score of 4.0 cm, and (3) no use of pain medication for elbow pain for 2 weeks before the 8 week follow-up. Visual analog scale scores were also collected for pain at rest, during sleep, during activity, at its worst, and at its least, as well as for quality of life (using the EuroQoL questionnaire) and grip strength. Results Success rates in the sham and active therapy groups were 31% and 39%, respectively. No significant difference was detected between groups (χ21 = 0.3880, P = .533). Mean change in quality of life over 8 weeks was an increase of 1.3 and 3.3 for sham and active therapy groups, respectively, and mean change in grip strength over 8 weeks was an increase of 7.4 kg and 6.8 kg for sham and active therapy groups, respectively. Conclusions Despite improvement in pain scores and pain-free maximum grip strength within groups, there does not appear to be a meaningful difference between treating lateral epicondylitis with extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with forearm-stretching program and treating with forearm-stretching program alone, with respect to resolving pain within an 8-week period of commencing treatment.
Src Mediates a Switch from Microtubule- to Actin-Based Motility of Vaccinia Virus

The cascade of events that leads to vaccinia-induced actin polymerization requires Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the viral membrane protein A36R. We found that a localized outside-in signaling cascade induced by the viral membrane protein B5R is required to potently activate Src and induce A36R phosphorylation at the plasma membrane. In addition, Src-mediated phosphorylation of A36R regulated the ability of virus particles to recruit and release conventional kinesin. Thus, Src activity regulates the transition between cytoplasmic microtubule transport and actin-based motility at the plasma membrane.
Mixed methods for telehealth research

Mixed methods research is important to health services research because the integrated qualitative and quantitative investigation can give a more comprehensive understanding of complex interventions such as telehealth than can a single-method study. Further, mixed methods research is applicable to translational research and program evaluation. Study designs relevant to telehealth research are described and supported by examples. Quality assessment tools, frameworks to assist in the reporting and review of mixed methods research, and related methodologies are also discussed.
Sarcoidosis in the Head and Neck: An Illustrative Review of Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings.

OBJECTIVE Sarcoidosis is referred to as a great imitator because of its propensity to radiologically mimic a variety of pathologic entities. Symptomatic neurosarcoidosis is present in approximately 5% of patients with sarcoidosis, and it is found histopathologically in approximately 25% of asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION An understanding of the multifaceted imaging manifestations of head and neck sarcoidosis will aid early recognition of the diagnosis, with a goal for earlier initiation of therapy and prevention of irreversible sequelae of the disease.
The Effects of Decomposition Quality and Multiple Forms of Information on Novices' Understanding of a Domain from a Conceptual Model

Individuals can often use conceptual models to learn about the business domain to be supported by an information system. We investigate the extent to which such models can help novices (i.e., individuals who lack knowledge in the business domain and in conceptual modeling) to obtain an understanding of the domain codified in the model. We focus on two factors that we predict will influence novices' understanding: (1) decomposition quality: whether the conceptual model manifests a good decomposition of the domain, and (2) multiple forms of information: whether the conceptual model is accompanied by information in another form (e.g., a textual narrative). We hypothesize that both factors will have positive effects on understanding and that these effects depend on whether the individual seeks a surface or deep understanding. Our results are largely in line with our predictions. Moreover, our results suggest that while novices are generally aware that having multiple forms of information affects their understanding, they are unaware that decomposition quality affects their understanding. Based on these results, we recommend that practitioners include complementary forms of information (such as a textual narrative) along with conceptual models and be careful to ensure that their conceptual models manifest a good decomposition of the domain.
Natural History of Mass-action in Predator-prey Models: A Case Study from Wolf Spiders and Grasshoppers

Abstract Mass-action models of predator-prey interactions assume that predators encounter prey according to their relative densities as scaled by functional responses, although models seldom specify critical natural history and behavioral mechanisms that ensure that encounters actually occur. As a case study of this assumption, we assess the hypothesis that daily and seasonal activity and microhabitat use by wandering wolf spiders (Lycosidae: Schizocosa) searching for four common grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are coincident under natural conditions. There was great overlap in seasonal phenology and use of microhabitats between spiders and grasshoppers. Grasshoppers that were suitably sized (10–20 mm in length) as prey for spiders were relatively abundant from late spring through summer in this grassland. Three of the four common grasshopper species used microhabitat in a similar way, but differed from a fourth common species, Phoetaliotes nebrascensis. However, when they were active, spiders were about equally distributed between open microhabitats on the ground and up in the vegetation so that all grasshopper species were at risk. In response to temperature, spiders were active for only a portion of the day during which grasshoppers were also active so that the actual daily “window-of-opportunity” for capture each day was much smaller than expected. Spiders were more likely to be active during the early morning and evening, while grasshoppers were active during all daylight hours, most likely because of differences in thermal preferences. Schizocosa and their grasshopper prey are largely coincident in time and space except for overlap in daily activity which, presumably, reflects differences in thermal preferences. Consequently, overlap in daily time budgets that ensure actual encounter was reduced about 50%. The significance of this difference to the inclusion of simple mass-action dynamics in predator-prey models requires further consideration, but may be important.
The Design of the TERENCE Adaptive Learning System

Nowadays, circa 10% of 7-11 olds turn out to be poor comprehenders: they demonstrate text comprehension difficulties, related to inference-making, despite proficiency in low-level cognitive skills like word reading. The use of more intelligent ALSs to customtailor reading interventions in the form of smart games for poor comprehenders has tremendous potential. The TERENCE ALS embodies that potential. This paper presents the design choices of the TERENCE ALS. First it specifies the preliminary user requirements of the system, and the system's intended usage through selected usage scenarios. The paper continues describing the system's learning material, made of stories and games, according to the preliminary users’ requirement specifications. The learning material and stories are structured as in the presented domain model, part of the conceptual model of the TERENCE architecture. Finally, the paper explains the architecture of the TERENCE system, focusing on the adaptive engine and intelligent backbone.
Determination of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I in Children: Normal Values and Clinical Use

Circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels are stable throughout the day and correlate with pulsatile endogenous growth hormone (GH) secretion. A single measurement of IGF-I may, therefore, provide information on the GH secretory status of an individual. The clinical use of IGF-I determination in the evaluation of short stature in children suspected of GH deficiency will be discussed. Previous methodological problems have now mostly been overcome, and IGF-I can be determined in serum from healthy children, although concentrations exhibit large inter-individual variations relating to age, gender and pubertal maturation. These variations must be taken into account before IGF-I can be evaluated in a clinical situation, and before it can be stated whether a certain value is too low for a given age. The diagnostic sensitivities of IGF-I reported in relation to the outcome of GH provocative testing are variable (47–100%). This variability probably results from the use of different IGF-I assays, IGF-I reference ranges, and different GH testing procedures. When proper IGF-I assays and reference ranges are used, however, IGF-I determination results in valid diagnostic information regarding children exhibiting short stature. Thus, an IGF-I value should always be evaluated together with auxological information and GH testing results before a decision is taken on whether or not to start GH therapy.
Increased DNA alterations in atherosclerotic lesions of individuals lacking the GSTM1 genotype

Reduced glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role as an intracellular defense system providing detoxification of a broad spectrum of reactive species and their excretion as water‐soluble conjugates. Conjugation of GSH with electrophiles is catalyzed by GSH S‐transferases (GST), which constitute a broad family of phase II isoenzymes. Two of the GST encoding genes, GSTM1 (μ) and GSTT1 (θ), have a null genotype due to their homozygous deletion that results in lack of active protein. Polymorphisms within GSTT1 and especially GSTM1 have often been associated with cancer in various organs as well as with elevated levels of DNA adducts in various cell types. We recently demonstrated that DNA adducts are consistently detectable in smooth muscle cells (SMC) of human abdominal aorta affected by atherosclerotic lesions. Here we provide evidence that levels of adducts to SMC DNA from atherosclerotic lesions are consistently increased in individuals having the null GSTM1 genotype, whereas no association was established with the GSTT1 polymorphism. The influence of GSTM1 deletion was better expressed in never‐smokers and ex‐smokers than in current smokers. These findings bear relevance to the epidemiology of atherosclerosis and suggest that metabolic polymorphisms may contribute to the interindividual variability in susceptibility not only to carcinogens, but also to DNA binding atherogens. —Izzotti, A. , Cartiglia, C. , Lewtas, J., De Flora, S. Increased DNA alterations in atherosclerotic lesions of individuals lacking the GSTM1 genotype. FASEB J. 15, 752‐757 (2001)
[Household storage and use of medications in a population served by the family health strategy in Brazil].

OBJECTIVE To identify families served by the family health strategy (FHS) storing medicines at home, to evaluate storage conditions, and to investigate medicine use practices. METHODS The study was conducted in a municipality in the state of São Paulo with two FHS units serving 1 867 households. The sample was selected by means of stratified random sampling. Data collection was conducted through semistructured interviews from July to October 2008. RESULTS One resident was interviewed in each of the 280 households visited. Medicines were found in 255 households (91.1%). Of 326 storage locations, 217 (75.8%) were inadequate (easily accessible to children or exposed to moisture, light). Of the 2 578 medicines identified, 2 059 medicines (79.9%) in 236 (84.3%) households had safety or identification problems. Of the 280 respondents, 179 (63.9%) used medications. Of these, 24 were self-medicating, only one with an over-the-counter drug. Only 44 users had the prescription for their medication, and 21 did not follow the prescription in terms of dosage or had interrupted the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Non-adherence to recommended treatment can lead to negative outcomes, such as inefficiency (using dosages lower than prescribed), poisoning (using dosages higher than prescribed), and other adverse reactions.
An economic model to assess the cost and benefits of the routine use of silver alloy coated urinary catheters to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in catheterized patients.

Prevalence studies generally find nosocomial urinary tract infections to be the most common type of nosocomial infection, accounting for between 21% and 45% of all HAIs. The main risk factor appears to be the presence of a urinary catheter, with an estimated 80% of these infections being associated with their use. This paper describes a model which quantifies the extent of the burden of these infections in terms of the number of patients affected and the costs incurred by the hospital sector; and identifies the potential benefits of the routine use of silver alloy coated catheters, as a means of reducing the incidence of this type of infection. An illustrative model of the annual costs and benefits associated with the routine use of this intervention in adult, non-day case patients admitted to the medical and surgical specialties of NHS hospitals throughout England is presented. The results suggest that a 14.6% reduction in the incidence of urinary tract infections in catheterized medical patients, and a 11.4% reduction in catheterized surgical patients, would cover the cost of the intervention. Any further reduction in incidence would result in net positive benefits.
Effects of Language and Ethnic Status on Reliability and Validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression Scale with Psychiatric Patients

Data from 562 psychiatric patients were analyzed to assess the effects of ethnic status (Anglo/Mexican origin) and language (English/Spanish) on the reliability and validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. The results indicate no systematic variation in either reliability (test-retest, internal consistency), dimensionality, or ability of the CES-D Scale to detect clinical depression among Anglos or persons of Mexican origin classified according to language use as Spanish dominant, English dominant, or bilingual. However, the data indicate that this particular screening instrument does not adequately discriminate between patients with clinical depression and those without depression. These results corroborate several recent studies that question the utility of the CES-D Scale as a depression screening instrument. Taken together, the available evidence suggests that the ability of the CES-D Scale to detect major depression is so limited that further use of the instrument as a screening scale would seem unwarranted, at least in treatment settings.
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-induced Colitis in Rats

Orally administered dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) produces an acute colitis in rodents. The pathogenesis is unknown but may relate to DSS-mediated toxicity of colonic crypt epithelium and/or DSS-induced inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine when colonic mucosal inflammation, as indicated by histopathology and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression, occurs relative to crypt epithelial damage. Groups of eight adult male Wistar rats were administered 5.0% DSS solution in the drinking water for 2-6 days. Clinical signs at 3 days consisted of loose stool, progressing to marked rectal hemorrhage by days 5 and 6 that correlated with marked intraluminal colonic hemorrhage at necropsy. Histological lesions of predominantly the distal colon consisted of multifocal areas of mucosal erosion, reduction in goblet cells, dilated crypts, crypt collapse, increased lamina propria neutrophils, and submucosal edema on days 2 and 3, progressing to locally extensive ulceration and marked mixed inflammatory infiltrates by days 4-6. Enhanced expression of ICAM-1, demonstrated by both immunohistochemical and northern blot analysis, was evident in colonic mucosa as early as day 2, with consistent increases through days 3-6. Results demonstrate that enhanced colonic mucosal endothelial cell ICAM-1 expression is an early event in the inflammatory cascade of DSS-induced colitis.
Use of epoetin for anemia in chronic renal failure.

Authors' objectives The primary objective was to assess the outcomes of maintaining target haematocrit (Hct) levels at greater than 36%, compared with maintenance at 33 to 36%, in adult patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). The secondary objectives were to compare the effect on outcomes of: maintaining a target Hct level above 36%, compared with 30 to 36%, in the same population and in other sub-populations of interest; and maintaining Hct target levels of above 30% versus 27 to 30%, and above 33% versus 27 to 33%, in paediatric patients with CRF.
Experimental ischemic stroke: a review.

Pour ameliorer les connaissances de l'accident vasculaire cerebral ischemique on passe en revue la bibliographie sur ce type d'accident sous diverses sections: modele le plus approprie et reproductible, methodes experimentales de production, evolution, tentatives pour modifier l'evolution d'infarctus cerebral en cours de constitution
The role of potatoes and potato components in cardiometabolic health: A review

Abstract Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are an important food crop worldwide and contribute key nutrients to the diet, including vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Potatoes and potato components have been shown to have favorable impacts on several measures of cardiometabolic health in animals and humans, including lowering blood pressure, improving lipid profiles, and decreasing markers of inflammation. A range of glycemic index (GI) values have been reported for potatoes, and data are sparse regarding the impact of potato consumption on the postprandial glycemic response, especially when potatoes are consumed with other foods. There is a lack of clinical trial data regarding the impact of potatoes on weight management. A small number of human cohort studies have reported beneficial associations between potato consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle and cardiometabolic health. Another small number of human population studies have included potatoes as part of a dietary pattern with other calorie-dense foods and have not reported cardiometabolic benefits. The epidemiological literature should be interpreted with caution due to lack of consistency in both defining dietary patterns that include potatoes and in control for potential confounding variables. Controlled clinical trials are needed to define the impact of potatoes on cardiometabolic health.
Distinctive sorption mechanisms of soil organic matter and mineral components as elucidated by organic vapor uptake kinetics

Sorption kinetics and capacities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) affect the remediation and fate of these pollutants in soils. The soil organic‐mineral compositional heterogeneity complicates the transport and fate of VOCs in soils. The sorption kinetics of toluene vapor with two common soil components, kaolinite and humic acid, shows two distinct sorption patterns. Results with kaolinite are characteristic of surface adsorption, whereas results with humic acid are characteristic of solvation and partition effects. On soils, the kinetics of toluene vapor sorption show a two‐stage sorption phenomenon. The first stage is reflective of surface adsorption (1–4 h to completion) and the second stage of much slower partitioning into soil organic matter, which was preceded by a lag phase (∼4 h) and took as long as 15 h for completion. The relative contributions of these two stages to soil uptake are quantifiable by two independent parameters, the soil organic fraction and the surface area. A better understanding of the effect of soil compositional heterogeneity on sorption kinetics and capacities facilitates our understanding of the prediction for the fate of organic contaminants in the environment.