Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geographical distribution and interseasonal variability of tropical deep convection: UARS MLS observations and analyses

[1] Tropical deep convection and its dynamical effect on the tropopause and stratosphere are investigated using a suite of data from the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), including upper tropospheric humidity, cloud radiance, and gravity wave measurements. For this purpose, geographical distributions of temperature, water vapor, and cloudiness in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) are compared with corresponding maps of gravity wave variance in the stratosphere. In addition, ECMWF global wind divergent and velocity potential fields as well as NOAA outgoing longwave radiation and CMAP rainfall data are analyzed to help pinpoint the locations of deep convection. We found that high-altitude clouds near the bottom of TTL (∼147 hPa) are usually surrounded by high-humidity air, and their spatial pattern and seasonal variability are closely associated with regions of vigorous summertime deep convection. Upward propagating gravity waves generated from these convection regions are shifted poleward by prevailing stratospheric winds. We estimate that tropical deep convection lifts ∼5% of the cloud tops to altitudes above 100 hPa and that most of the extreme deep convection events occur in the Western Pacific and Indian monsoon regions. Low-temperature regions in the TTL are associated with, but often drift away from, the center of deep convection. Regions of water vapor maxima near the bottom of TTL are located directly above the deep convection centers, but this moisture behavior is somewhat reversed at the top of the TTL. The integrated picture derived from this study implies that convective scale motions could be important in affecting short-term dehydration processes in the TTL. Our results also suggest that the spatial organization and temporal development of tropical convective systems will be better monitored with the follow-on Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura satellite instruments and lead to improved understanding of the complex interaction of tropical convection with large-scale dynamic and thermodynamic conditions.
THE THALASSEMIA SYNDROMES: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION IN THE SPANISH POPULATION

This work compiles the results of our research on α- and β-thalassemias, and includes a literature review of the molecular genetics of α- and β-thalassemias in Spain. We studied 1,564 subjects with thalassemia (294 with β-thalassemia and 1,264 with α-thalassemia) by molecular biology techniques. In relation to β-thalassemia, a total of 15 different mutations were characterized in a study of 308 chromosomes belonging to 294 unrelated subjects. Eleven were homozygotes (22 alleles), three compound heterozygotes (6 alleles), and the remaining 280 were heterozygotes (280 alleles). A total of 86.6% of the alleles identified can be grouped into five different mutations [IVS-I-1 (G → A), IVS-I-6 (T → C), IVS-I-110 (G → A), codon 39 (C → T), codons 8/9 (+G)]. In 14 subjects (4.5%), all heterozygotes, it was not possible to identify the alteration responsible for the β-thalassemia. For α-thalassemia, 911 subjects showed heterozygous α+-thalassemia (872 with −3.7 kb; 14 with −4.2 kb; two with the deletion of 3.5 kb of DNA, and 23 with nondeletional α-thalassemia). Two hundred and thirty-three subjects had homozygous α+-thalassemia (223 for –α−3.7/–α−3.7); one for –α−4.2/–α−4.2; six for –α−3.7/–α−4.2; one for –α−3.5/–α−3.7; one for ααNco/ααNco; one for αHphα/αHphα). One hundred patients presented with heterozygous α0-thalassemia (18 of whom were progenitors of patients with Hb H disease). The α0 determinant was found in 20 patients with Hb H disease associated with –α−3.7. From the DNA analysis were identified the ––MED, ––SEA, ––SPAN deletions and the ––CAL, ––CANT, and ––MA mutations; in three cases, a break that affects the distal portion of the short arm of chromosome 16; one of these was associated with the ATR-16 (α-thal with mental retardation) syndrome. Triplication of the α genes (ααα−3.7/αα) was found in 25 subjects, 16 of whom were associated with a heterozygous β-thalassemia. Only one patient was homozygous for the triplication of α genes (ααα−3.7/ααα−3.7) that was associated with a heterozygous β-thalassemia. In the Mediterranean region preventive programs for thalassemia, based on the detection of heterozygote carriers and genetic advice, are not sufficient to reduce the incidence of newborns with major thalassemia. Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemias has given a new dimension to the prevention of these, but in order to implement this, a knowledge of the mutations and the incidence of these, is essential. This study, therefore, aims to give a general picture of the molecular genetics of thalassemia and its geographical distribution in our area.
Performance Modeling for FPGAs: Extending the Roofline Model with High-Level Synthesis Tools

The potential of FPGAs as accelerators for high-performance computing applications is very large, but many factors are involved in their performance. The design for FPGAs and the selection of the proper optimizations when mapping computations to FPGAs lead to prohibitively long developing time. Alternatives are the high-level synthesis (HLS) tools, which promise a fast design space exploration due to design at high-level or analytical performance models which provide realistic performance expectations, potential impediments to performance, and optimization guidelines. In this paper we propose the combination of both, in order to construct a performance model for FPGAs which is able to visually condense all the helpful information for the designer. Our proposed model extends the roofline model, by considering the resource consumption and the parameters used in the HLS tools, to maximize the performance and the resource utilization within the area of the FPGA. The proposed model is applied to optimize the design exploration of a class of window-based image processing applications using two different HLS tools. The results show the accuracy of the model as well as its flexibility to be combined with any HLS tool.
Population genetics of the common guillemot Uria aalge in the North Atlantic: geographic impact of oil spills

The population genetic structure of a species can be an important conservation tool informing us about the potential for genetic loss and the capacity for species recovery. Depending on the nature of population subdivision, it can also provide a means for assessing the source population of dead or injured individuals of unknown geographic origin. This type of information can be partic- ularly useful in instances of large-scale environmental accidents, such as oil spills. Following the wreck of the 'Erika' oil tanker in the Bay of Biscay in December 1999, more than 80 000 seabirds were washed ashore along the west coast of France. The most heavily affected species (80% of all birds) was the common guillemot Uria aalge, a widespread long-lived colonial seabird. In an attempt to evaluate the 'true' geographic extent of this accident, we carried out population genetic analyses using 6 microsatellite markers on samples from 22 breeding colonies in the North Atlantic and on individuals collected after the oil spill. A pattern of isolation by distance was detected among com- mon guillemot populations, but populations were only weakly structured, even at large spatial scales. The low level of genetic differentiation between colonies prevented clear assignments of oiled birds to their population of origin using only the genetic information. The weak genetic structure suggests that little genetic variability was lost during the oil spill and implies a high potential for population recovery via dispersal. However, current gene flow among extant colonies may overestimate the capacity of locally extinct colonies to recover due to the behavioural processes involved in recruit- ment. Clearly, the mortality of tens of thousands of high-latitude seabirds due to oil pollution war- rants ongoing scientific scrutiny and conservation effort.
Hepatic Insulin Extraction in Human Pregnancy

The hepatic degradation of insulin in late pregnancy has been estimated by determination of the molar C-peptide: Insulin (C/l) ratio under fasting conditions in 20 normal women in late pregnancy and again 4--8 weeks post-partum. Fasting plasma C-peptide and insulin concentrations were both significantly enhanced in pregnancy. However, since the relative gestational increments in plasma C-peptide and insulin concentrations were of almost the same magnitude, the C/l ratio remained unaffected by pregnancy (7.3 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- S.E.M) (pregnancy) vs. 7.4 +/- 0.8 (post-partum), N.S. ). The results suggest that, in pregnancy, peripheral hyperinsulinaemia is due, in general, to pancreatic hypersecretion rather than to diminished hepatic extraction of insulin.
6-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-(ethylthio)-2-pyridincarbonitrile inhibits poliovirus uncoating

We investigated the mode of action of 6-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy-3-(ethylthio)-2-pyridincarbonitrile against poliovirus. This agent effectively blocked the synthesis of poliovirus proteins and RNA when it was added at the beginning of infection. Poliovirus attachment and internalization into HeLa cells were not inhibited in the presence of the compound; poliovirus uncoating was the target of its activity.
Comparative Evaluation of CD5 B Cells in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Essential Mixed Cryoimmunoglobulinemia Using FACS Analyzer and FACSCAN Flow Cytometer

In this study, using both a FACSCAN flow cytometer and the FACS analyzer, and two-color fluorescence, CD5 B cells have been enumerated in the peripheral blood (PB) of normal controls (NC) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or essential mixed cryoimmunoglobulinemia (EMC). Using a FACSCAN flow cytometer, no significant difference was observed between the percentage of CD5 B cells in the NC (21.24% +/- 3.71) and RA (24.83% +/- 3.85), or EMC (21.03% +/- 6.38). Using the FACS analyzer, however, there was significant difference between the NC (9.14% +/- 3.82) and EMC (2.84% +/- 2.58) (p less than 0.05), but no significant difference between the NC and RA (7.17% +/- 2.55). Further analysis of 10,000 B cells selected by live gating showed that there were three populations of B cells, with the majority of B cells unstained, a small number of cells brightly stained for CD5 in the NC (3.78% +/- 1.09) or RA (2.80% +/- 0.96), and about 6.45% to 9.43% with intermediate staining in patients with RA and the NC, respectively. In addition, serum low molecular weight IgM (LMW IgM) from patients with RA was detected by an enhanced chemiluminescence detection system combined with a modified immunoblot technique. A significant linear correlation was observed between the percentage of CD5 B cells and the height of LMW IgM peak (r = 0.69, p less than 0.05).
Amateur Scientists, the International Geophysical Year, and the Ambitions of Fred Whipple

The contribution of amateur scientists to the International Geophysical Year (IGY) was substantial, especially in the arena of spotting artificial satellites. This article examines how Fred L. Whipple and his colleagues recruited satellite spotters for Moonwatch, a program for amateur scientists initiated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in 1956. At the same time, however, the administrators with responsibility for the IGY program closely monitored and managed—sometimes even contested—amateur participation. IGY programs like Moonwatch provided valuable scientific information and gave amateurs opportunities to contribute actively to the research of professional scientists. Moonwatch, which operated until 1975, eventually became the public face of a vast satellite‐tracking network that expanded the SAO’s global reach and helped further Whipple’s professional goals. Understanding amateurs’ interactions with the professional science community enables us better to understand the IGY as a phenomenon that enlisted broad participation and transcended traditional boundaries between professional and amateur scientists.
Violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes: identificação, consequências e indicações de manejo

A Violência Sexual (VS) contra crianças e adolescentes é um problema de saúde publica que costuma produzir consequências na vida das vítimas. Embora a VS afete milhões de crianças e adolescentes no Brasil e no mundo, ela ainda é subnotificada. Neste cenário, os profissionais que possuem contato com essa população têm papel fundamental na identificação e na escuta das revelações de VS. No entanto, nem sempre os profissionais possuem informações suficientes para agir diante destes casos. Desta forma, este artigo tem o intuito de descrever o(s) conceito(s) de VS, suas consequências e indicações de manejo. Ressalta-se a importância dos profissionais terem uma escuta empática em situações de revelação da VS, bem como a necessidade de notificação dos casos de suspeita de VS aos serviços competentes.
The hidden mortality of monochorionic twin pregnancies

In an ultrasound screening study at 10 to 14 weeks of gestation for measurement of fetal nuchal translucency thickness there were 102 monochorionic and 365 dichorionic twin pregnancies. In the monochorionic compared with the dichorionic pregnancies there was a higher rate of fetal loss before 24 weeks of gestation (12.2%versus 1.8%), perinatal mortality (2.8%versus 1.6%), prevalence of delivery before 32 weeks (9.2%versus 5.5%), and prevalence of birthweight below the 5th centile in both twins (7.5%versus 1.7%). However, the proportion of pregnancies with a birthweight discordancy of more than 25% was similar in the two groups (11.3%versus 12.1%).
Rolling in P-selectin-deficient mice is reduced but not eliminated in the dorsal skin.

P-selectin-mediated rolling is believed to be important in the recruitment of leukocytes to tissue after ischemia-reperfusion injury. The dorsal skin chamber was used to examine differences in the rolling and stable adhesion of circulating leukocytes in subcutaneous (SC) vessels of P-selectin-deficient and age-matched wild-type mice, both under basal conditions and after ischemia-reperfusion. Rolling in the postcapillary venules in SC tissue of P-selectin-deficient mice was significantly lower than that in wild-type mice under the basal conditions and post-ischemia-reperfusion (P < .05), but was not eliminated by the deletion of the P-selectin gene. No significant difference between P-selectin-deficient and wild-type mice in shear rate or leukocyte-endothelial adhesion was observed up to 24 hours after ischemia-reperfusion. These results show that P-selectin-mediated rolling is not a prerequisite for ischemia-reperfusion-induced leukocyte-endothelial adhesion in the skin.
Does Smoking Affect Hospital Use Before Death?: A Comparison of Ever- and Never-Smokers in the Last Years of Life

Background: Given the apparent greater use of health care services by smokers and predictions of higher costs for a never-smoking population, we aimed in this study to determine whether the acute hospital costs in the last years of life of never- and ever-smokers differed before death using a database of the decedents in 1 year in Hong Kong. Objectives: To compare the acute hospital use of ever- and never-smoker decedents. Methods: The data on cause of death, personal characteristics, and public hospital discharges were linked for all decedents in 1998 in Hong Kong. The incidence rate ratio was used to compare, for ever- and never-smokers, the number of days spent in an acute hospital over the prior 7 years. Analyses were done using specific and all cause mortality, adjusted for sex, lifestyle factors, and life expectancy. Results: Compared with never-smokers who died of the same condition, ever-smokers who died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease used 28% more acute hospital bed days and those dying of smoking-related cancer 9% fewer. These differences cancelled out over the case-mix of deaths with no net difference in acute bed day use by smoking status for all-cause mortality. Conclusions: There was no difference in acute hospital bed days in the last years of life of ever- and never-smokers but some differences by cause of death. Reducing smoking in this population will not increase acute hospital use.
APLICAÇÃO DE SUBDOSES DE GLIFOSATO EM ALGODOEIRO CULTIVAR FMT 701 E BRS CEDRO

A fibra mundialmente mais importante nos dias atuais e produzida nas lavoras de cultivo de algodao, seja do Brasil ou no mundo. Quer pelo seu valor monetario da producao, multiplicidade de produtos que dela se originam. No algodoeiro a aplicacao de regulador de crescimento visa reduzir o porte da planta para adequacao da colheita mecânica, bem como manter um equilibrio entre parte vegetativa e reprodutiva da planta. Varios autores citam a importância do uso dessas substancias como um dos regulares utilizados O cloreto de Mepquat e um regulador utilizado na cultura do algodao. Segundo o mesmo autor, o cloreto de mepiquat atua na supressao do crescimento do caule, revertendo toda a energia produzida para o desenvolvimento reprodutivo. Em um futuro proximo, subdoses de herbicidas poderao ser intencionalmente aplicadas nas plantas como metodo para alterar o balanco de alguns processo metabolico especificos visando beneficios as culturas. A area onde foi instalado o experimento pertence a Fazenda Fernando, no municipio de Costa Rica-MS, no ano 2008/09. Consiste em uma area de cultivo comercial de algodao, com altos investimentos no cultivo. Foi implantado em lavoura instalada para producao comercial de algodao. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso com 4 repeticoes, totalizando 40 parcelas. As subdoses aplicadas foram: 0,0 - 3,6 - 10,8 - 18,0 - 27,0 - 36,0 - 54.0 - 72,0 - 108,0 e 144 g e.a. ha -1 . Concluiu-se que os efeitos das subdoses variam de acordo com o manejo de regulador de crescimento, local de cultivo e variedade utilizada.
MRI findings in Möbius syndrome: Correlation with clinical features

Article abstract The authors studied the MRI findings of three patients with Möbius syndrome. Möbius syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by complete or partial facial diplegia accompanied by other cranial nerve palsies. MRI demonstrated brainstem hypoplasia with straightening of the fourth ventricle floor, indicating an absence of the facial colliculus. These MRI features suggest the diagnosis of Möbius syndrome and correlate with the clinical and neurophysiologic findings.
Professional development in undergraduate medical curricula – the key to the door of a new culture?

One of the most pressing requirements for contemporary medical education is to develop a framework for theory and practice of professional development which results in the attainment of professional competencies suitably robust for a lifetime's practice. The proposed content of a professional development curriculum may be reasonably straightforward to establish from policy documents and public expectations, but the process of achieving the desired outcomes is more complex, because professional development is largely based on attitudinal learning. Attitudes are at the interface between the personal and public psyche, relying more on individual experience and the accumulated impact of social and cultural interpretations than on propositional knowledge, and are therefore less amenable to factual or didactic teaching.
[Management of early rectal cancer: our clinical experience].

AIM Patients with early rectal cancer (ERC) limited to the mucosa and submucosa does not present cytological or histological high risk features such as poorly differentiated cells, vascular and neural invasion, presence of mucinous histology and tumor ulceration. In these patients, local excision of rectal tumors preserves anal continence, bladder and sexual functions and achieves the same oncological results. In T1 patients, local excision is feasible because the curative rate is high (90/95%) and the risk of recurrence that is low ( 5/10%) as reported in the literature. Aim of this study is to carry out the best clinical choice in patients ERC affected. We have examined patologic, laboratory exams and surgical technique performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 2004 to July 2009, 16 patients with rectal cancer were studied at the General Surgery and Oncology Department of Catania University. The middle size of the cancers at the implantation site were 3,4 cm (range: 3-5). The average distance from the anus were 5,8 cm (range: 4,5-10). The cancers were presented vegetanting and movable on the muscle surfaces below. RESULTS Istological exams pointed out pT1 neoplasia confined in submucosa in 13 patients, and in 3 patients pT2 neoplasia with a muscularis mucosae involvement. Istological grading found out G1 neoplasia in 9 cases and G2 in 7. Discussion. Low rectal cancers diagnosed in T1 stage necessitate an accurate preoperatory staging. Local exeresis can be a real alternative to traditional surgery. In these patients neoplasia exeresis can assure 5 years more survival in 85% of patients. CONCLUSION Local exeresis is a validate surgical way but is however necessary that istological exam confirms surgical oncology criteria. Must be confirmed that neoplasia is T1 with 1mm resection margin at least,differentiation G1-G2 and no venous or lymphatic infiltrations.
Time Is Brain: Starting Therapeutic Hypothermia within Three Hours after Birth Improves Motor Outcome in Asphyxiated Newborns

Objective: Therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is the standard treatment for newborns after perinatal asphyxia. Preclinical studies report that HT is more effective when started early. Methods: Eighty cooled newborns were analyzed and grouped according to when cooling was started after birth: early (≤180 min) or late (>181 min). For survivors we analyzed whether starting cooling early was associated with a better psychomotor or mental developmental index (PDI or MDI, Bayley Scales of Infant Development II) than late cooling. Results: Forty-three newborns started cooling early and 37 started late. There was no significant difference in the severity markers of perinatal asphyxia between the groups; however, nonsurvivors (n = 15) suffered more severe asphyxia and had significantly lower centiles for weight (BWC; p = 0.009). Of the 65 infants that survived, 35 were cooled early and 30 were cooled late. There was no difference in time to start cooling between those who survived and those who did not. For survivors, median PDI (IQR) was significantly higher when cooled early [90 (77-99)] compared to being cooled later [78 (70-90); p = 0.033]. There was no increase in cardiovascular adverse effects in those cooled early. There was no significant difference in MDI between early and late cooling [93 (77-103) vs. 89 (76-106), p = 0.594]. Conclusion: Starting cooling before 3 h of age in surviving asphyxiated newborns is safe and significantly improves motor outcome. Cooling should be initiated as soon as possible after birth in eligible infants.
Inhibition of thyroid hormone induction of mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in riboflavin deficiency.

The induction of liver mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (LMGPDH) by thyroid hormone was studied in rats which were made riboflavin deficient. The basal activity of this FAD-linked enzyme, and particularly the levels induced by thyroid hormone, decreased progressively as the duration of riboflavin deficiency increased. The impaired induction of LM-GPDH exhibited by riboflavin-deficient rats was not due to a dose effect of thyroid hormone. Impaired enzyme induction was not demonstrable in normal rats which had been starved for several days. Enzyme induction in deficient animals could be restored to normal by the administration of riboflavin orally and intraperitoneally for several days. Realimentation with riboflavin was completely effective in normalizing enzyme induction regardless of whether food intake was simultaneously restricted to the levels of deficient rats. These studies demonstrate that riboflavin is required for the induction of hepatic mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogena.