Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large group size yields group stability in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher

Summary Group size has been shown to positively influence survival of group members in many cooperatively breeding vertebrates, including the Lake Tanganyika cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher, suggesting Allee effects. However, long-term data are scarce to test how these survival differences translate into changes in group extinction risk, group size and composition. We show in a field study of 117 groups from six different colonies (three from two populations each), that group size critically influences these parameters between years. Within one year, 34% of the groups went extinct. Group size correlated positively between years and large groups did not go extinct. The latter were more likely to contain small helpers the subsequent year, which is a cumulative measure of the previous months’ reproductive success. Finally, there was a tendency that large groups were more likely to contain a breeding male and female still a year after the first check. The breeder male size, breeder female size, and largest helper size did not influence these parameters, and also did not correlate with the sizes of these categories of fish after one year. This suggests that group size, and not the body size or fighting ability of group members, was the critical variable determining the success of groups. In total, seven groups had fused with other groups between years. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing long-term benefits of large group size in a cooperatively breeding fish. We discuss the importance of differential survival and dispersal of group members for the demonstrated group size effects.
Fast DCT Image Resizing and Video Compositing for Multi-Point Video Conferencing

Video conferencing is a real time process that requires fast operations. In this paper a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT)-based video compositing structure for multi-point video conferencing with a fast DCT method for integer and rational image resizing is presented. Whole compositing process is kept in the DCT domain to avoid comprehensive operations. Our procedure does not only improve speed but also the quality of the resized video frames. Proposed method is illustrated and compared with other methods by means of simulation results with different video sequences. Streszczenie. W artykule przedstawiono metode skladania obrazow, pochodzących z wielu źrodel, na potrzeby wideo-konferencji. Dzialanie oparte jest na dyskretnej transformacji kosinusowej, ktorą wykorzystano do calościowego i wymiernego skalowania obrazu. Opracowany algorytm poprawia szybkośc dzialania oraz jakośc skalowania. Dokonane zostalo symulacyjne porownanie dzialania z innymi metodami. (Szybkie skalowanie i skladanie obrazow wideo z wykorzystaniem dyskretnej transformacji kosinusowej, na potrzeby wielopunktowej wideo-konferencji).
Shock Wave Therapy Versus Conventional Surgery in the Treatment of Calcifying Tendinitis of the Shoulder

A prospective quasirandomized study was performed to compare the effects of surgical extirpation (Group I, 29 patients) with the outcome after high-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Group II, 50 patients; 3000 impulses of an energy flux density of 0.6 mJ/mm2) in patients with a chronic calcifying tendinitis in the supraspinatus tendon. Symptoms and demographic data of the two groups were comparable. According to the University of California Los Angeles Rating System, the mean score in Group I was 30 points with 75% good or excellent results after 12 months, and 32 points with 90% good or excellent results after 24 months. Radiologically, there was no calcific deposit in 85% of the patients after 1 year. In Group II, the mean score was 28 points with 60% good or excellent results after 12 months, and 29 points with 64% good or excellent results after 2 years. Radiologically, complete elimination of the deposit was observed in 47% of the patients after 1 year. Clinically, according to the University of California Los Angeles score, there was no significant difference between both groups at 1 year. At 2 years, there was a significantly better result in Group II. Both groups then were subdivided into patients who had a homogenous deposit as seen on radiographs and patients who had an inhomogenous deposit before treatment. Surgery was superior compared with high-energy shock wave therapy for patients with homogenous deposits. For patients with inhomogenous deposits, high-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy was equivalent to surgery and should be given priority because of its noninvasiveness.
Novel Bioactivation Pathway of Benzbromarone Mediated by Cytochrome P450

Benzbromarone (BBR) is a hepatotoxic drug, but the detailed mechanism of its toxicity remains unknown. We identified 2,6-dibromohydroquinone (DBH) and mono-debrominated catechol (2-ethyl-3-(3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzoyl)benzofuran; CAT) as novel metabolites of BBR in rat and human liver microsomal systems by comparison with chemically synthesized authentic compounds, and we also elucidated that DBH is formed by cytochrome P450 2C9 and that CAT is formed mainly by CYP1A1, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4. Furthermore, CAT, DBH, and the oxidized form of DBH are highly cytotoxic in HepG2 compared with BBR. Taken together, our data demonstrate that DBH, a novel reactive metabolite, may be relevant to BBR-induced hepatotoxicity.
Varicocele repair improves semen parameters in azoospermic men with spermatogenic failure.

PURPOSE We analyzed the efficacy of varicocele repair in improving semen parameters in azoospermic men with spermatogenic failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS After routine clinical evaluation with confirmatory pellet analysis testicular biopsy and varicocele repair were simultaneously performed in 28 azoospermic men with a primary diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral varicocele and spermatogenic failure. Semen analyses were obtained starting 4 months after varicocelectomy. RESULTS Repair was bilateral repair in 20 men and unilateral in 8. Of the 28 men 12 (43%) had sperm in the ejaculate with a mean postoperative sperm count plus or minus standard deviation of 1.2+/-3.6x10(6)/ml. and an average followup of 24 months. Mean sperm motility was 19+/-24% (range 0 to 80). Testicular biopsy was predictive of outcome. Only 9 men with severe hypospermatogenesis and 5 with maturation arrest spermatid stage had improvement in sperm density. No improvement was seen in 3 men with the Sertoli-cell-only pattern or 3 with maturation arrest spermatocyte stage. No pregnancies by natural intercourse resulted. One couple used fresh ejaculate for intracytoplasmic sperm injection and 1 underwent testicular sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Both pregnancies resulted in live births. No other predictive factors were identified. CONCLUSIONS Varicocele repair can result in sperm in the ejaculate of azoospermic men when severe hypospermatogenesis or maturation arrest spermatid stage is present. Select men with spermatogenic failure and varicoceles may be candidates for varicocele repair, rather than resorting to testis biopsy for sperm extraction in preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, the couple should be counseled that assisted reproductive technologies will most likely be required to initiate pregnancy.
Quality of Life, Self-Efficacy and Psychological Well-Being in Brazilian Adults with Cancer: A Longitudinal Study

Quality of life (QoL) has been considered worthy of assessment in the treatment, prevention and rehabili- tation of cancer patients. As it has a psychological dimension, is important to investigate the relationship between quality of life and psychological concepts like self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Ob- jective of the present study is to examine the QoL, self-efficacy and psychological well-being in adults with cancer. Methods: 50 patients completed self-report questionnaires: WHOQOL-bref, General Self- Efficacy Scale and GHQ-12 in two periods (T1 = timeline; T2 = follow up 1 year later). A paired t-test did not identify significant differences in the QoL self-efficacy and psychological well-being between T1 and T2. However, men had a better overall QoL and in the physical and social dimensions, and psycho- logical well-being in T1 compared with the women. In T2 there were significant differences between men and women only in the social and psychological dimensions of the QoL. The self-efficacy in T2 was the only predictive variable of the QoL in T2, explaining 71.9% of its variance. It is concluded that, in the pe- riod of one year, the QoL, psychological well-being and self-efficacy were stable, but gender differences were identified. The variables measured in T1 were incapable of predicting the QoL in T2. The gender differences found in QoL and psychological well-being can be used to guide specific future interventions with these patients.
Interactions of Escherichia coli Thioredoxin, the Processivity Factor, with Bacteriophage T7 DNA Polymerase and Helicase*

Escherichia coli thioredoxin binds to a unique flexible loop of 71 amino acid residues, designated the thioredoxin binding domain (TBD), located in the thumb subdomain of bacteriophage T7 gene 5 DNA polymerase. The initial designation of thioredoxin as a processivity factor was premature. Rather it remodels the TBD for interaction with DNA and the other replication proteins. The binding of thioredoxin exposes a number of basic residues on the TBD that lie over the duplex region of the primer-template and increases the processivity of nucleotide polymerization. Two small solvent-exposed loops (loops A and B) located within TBD electrostatically interact with the acidic C-terminal tail of T7 gene 4 helicase-primase, an interaction that is enhanced by the binding of thioredoxin. Several basic residues on the surface of thioredoxin in the polymerase-thioredoxin complex lie in close proximity to the TBD. One of these residues, lysine 36, is located proximal to loop A. The substitution of glutamate for lysine has a dramatic effect on the binding of gene 4 helicase to a DNA polymerase-thioredoxin complex lacking charges on loop B; binding is decreased 15-fold relative to that observed with wild-type thioredoxin. This defective interaction impairs the ability of T7 DNA polymerase-thioredoxin together with T7 helicase to mediate strand displacement synthesis. This is the first demonstration that thioredoxin interacts with replication proteins other than T7 DNA polymerase.
Blockade of corticosteroid receptors induces anxiolytic-like effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, and synergizes with diazepam

Anxiety disorder is a psychiatric condition reported in diabetic patients. It is known that hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis activity is increased in these patients and corticosteroids levels are augmented, whereas the anxiolytic actions of diazepam are reduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the participation of glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors in anxiety in diabetic mice and whether the blockade of these receptors synergizes with diazepam in the diabetic condition, leading to a reduction of anxiety. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and anxiety-like levels were evaluated on days 5, 15, and 30 after STZ. Independent groups of control and diabetic mice were treated with diazepam (0.25–2.0 mg/kg), RU-486 (12.5–100 mg/kg), spironolactone (12.5–100 mg/kg), or the combination of suboptimal doses of diazepam and MR or GR antagonists. Results showed that STZ increased anxiety-like behavior 15 days after its administration. The response to diazepam was reduced in diabetic mice, whereas GR and MR blockade induced anxiolytic-like effects in these animals. Coadministration of MR or GR antagonists synergized with diazepam to induce anxiolytic-like effects. The results suggest the participation of corticosteroid receptors in the increased anxiety-like response in diabetic mice and that the blockade of these receptors facilitates the effects of diazepam.
Robust designs for 3D shape analysis with spherical harmonic descriptors

We determine optimal designs for some regression models which are frequently used for describing 3D shapes. These models are based on a Fourier expansion of a function defined on the unit sphere in terms of spherical harmonic basis functions. In particular it is demonstrated that the uniform distribution on the sphere is optimal with respect to all p-criteria proposed by Kiefer (1974) and also optimal with respect to a criterion which maximizes a p-mean of the r smallest eigenvalues of the variance-covariance matrix. This criterion is related to principal component analysis, which is the common tool for analyzing this type of image data. Moreover, discrete designs on the sphere are derived, which yield the same information matrix in the spherical harmonic regression model as the uniform distribution and are therefore directly implementable in practice. It is demonstrated that the new designs are substantially more efficient than the commonly used designs in 3D-shape analysis.
Adherence to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitors in high cardiovascular risk patients: an Italian single-center experience

In clinical practice, there is an unmet need for adherence to lipid-lowering therapy. Despite established international guidelines, contemporary studies report poor adherence to statins in a substantial proportion of high-risk patients, associated with worse cardiovascular outcome. On the contrary, even if alternative strategies feasible for reducing primary nonadherence have been proposed, interventions able to improve adherence are complex and difficult to sustain in outpatients. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/ kexin 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) have recently proved effective in reducing coronary plaque progression, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. Considering their convenient administration regimen (bi-weekly or monthly) and favorable adverseeffects profile reported in clinical trials, with no risk of new-onset diabetes or cognitive deficits, PCSK9i may be expected to demonstrate high adherence levels and low discontinuation rate, especially in patients with high pill burden. Initial data reporting high overall adherence to PCSK9i from clinical trials and United States clinical practice have been reported. No data deriving from European practice are currently available in the literature. This study aimed to investigate adherence to PCSK9i in comparison with statins in high-risk cardiovascular patients in an Italian cardiology center.
Comparison of Etest, microdilution and colorimetric dilution with reference broth macrodilution method for antifungal susceptibility testing of clinically significant Candida species isolated from immunocompromised patients

Summary. Amphotericin B and fluconazole macrodilution minimum inhibitory concentration values of 101 Candida strains isolated from 91 immunocompromised patients were comparatively evaluated with the results of Etest, microdilution and colorimetric microdilution methods. The overall agreement rates of Etest, microdilution and colorimetric microdilution method with the reference macrodilution method were found to be acceptably high after an incubation period of 24 and 48 h (varying from 86 to 93% for amphotericin B and from 84 to 89% for fluconazole). In addition, the results pointed out relatively high minimum inhibitory concentration values of fluconazole for Candida krusei and Candida glabrata isolates. These methods are not only reliable alternatives to the present reference macrodilution method but are also easy‐to‐perform and less time‐consuming.
Glycogen synthase kinase-3&bgr; is highly activated in nuclei and mitochondria

Glycogen synthase kinase-3&bgr; (GSK3&bgr;) is located predominantly in the cytosol, but also is in nuclei and mitochondria. In SH-SY5Y cells, primary cortical neurons, and mouse brain, the portion of active GSK3&bgr; (not phosphorylated on serine-9) was 5- to 8-fold greater in nuclei and mitochondria than in cytosol. Correspondingly greater GSK3&bgr; activities were measured in nuclei and mitochondria compared with cytosol. Stimulation of apoptotic signaling by treatment with camptothecin or thapsigargin activated GSK3&bgr; in the nucleus and mitochondria, but not the cytosol, whereas inhibition of GSK3&bgr; by lithium treatment affected all three pools of GSK3&bgr;. Thus, the nuclei and mitochondria contain disproportionately high levels of active GSK3&bgr;, which is selectively further activated by some apoptotic stimuli.
Solvation Sphere of I - and Br - in Water

Solvation Sphere of I - and Br - in Water. The solvation sphere of halides in water has been investigated using a combination of extended x-ray absorption ﬁne structure (EXAFS) and x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis techniques. The results have indicated that I - and Br - both have an asymmetric, 8 water molecule primary solvation spheres. These spheres are identical, with the Br - sphere about . 3 ˚A smaller than the I - sphere. This study utilized near-edge analysis to supplement EXAFS analysis which suﬀers from signal dampening/broadening due to thermal noise.
Interparental conflict and relations with parents as predictors of young adult functioning

Interparental conflict is a known risk factor for child adjustment problems; yet few studies have examined its long-term effects. This study tests the following hypotheses: Interparental conflict has both longitudinal and concurrent influences on the functioning of young adult children, and the relationship between young adults and their parents mediates these influences. We assessed a community sample (N = 243) of families when the target child was in early to middle adolescence. We then reassessed them 6 years later during young adulthood. The links of interparental conflict measured at the two time points to young adults' general psychopathology and antisocial behavior were examined using multiple regression analyses. The quality of the relationship between young adults and each parent was added to each equation as a potential mediating variable. Results showed that concurrent, but not earlier, interparental conflict predicted males' antisocial behavior. No support was found for the mediational model, but support was found for an alternate model positing direct effects for interparental conflict and the parent-young adult relationship on young adult functioning. For females and males, problematic relationships with mothers and fathers predicted greater general psychopathology, while problems in paternal relationships predicted higher levels of antisocial behavior only for females.
An unusual case of vulval lump: tumour of anogenital mammary-like glands

We describe a 37-year-old woman who presented with a painless vulval lump of eight months duration. Excision biopsy revealed a benign lesion thought to be derived from mammary-like glands, which are well-documented in the anogenital region but under-recognized among genitourinary medicine practitioners. Our case highlights the importance of having a low threshold for biopsy of atypical vulval lesions.
Clinical relevance of sonometry‐derived tumour thickness in malignant melanoma—a statistical analysis

High‐frequency sonography has been shown to be a useful tool in planning operative strategy in the surgery of malignant melanoma (MM). The purpose of the present study was to compare sonometric and histometric data of tumour thickness in primary cutaneous MM, applying statistical methods in order to evaluate the pre‐operative relevance of sonometry. The thickness of 259 melanomas was measured preoperatively by a 20‐MHz B scan, and postoperatively by histometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and absolute and relative differences. Although the correlation between sonometry and histometry was good (r=0·88), there was a mean difference of 0·39 mm (relative difference 28%). Overall, sonometry was in agreement with the corresponding histological classes in 75% of cases. However, tumours assessed by ultrasound as between 0·55 and 0·95 mm thick were incorrectly classified according to histology in 34%, and those between 1·30 and 1·70 mm were incorrectly classified in 50% of cases.
The Influence of Gate Poly-Silicon Oxidation on Negative Bias Temperature Instability in 3D FinFET

This paper presents the effects of gate poly-silicon oxidation (GPOX) on negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) in buried channel body-tied and SOI FinFETs for the first time using a measurement technique without a recovery during a NBT-stress test. Gate length dependency of the NBTI on FinFETs with GPOX is analyzed with various gate oxide thicknesses, stress biases, substrate biases, and device structures. In addition, the proposed revamped geometry-aware reaction-diffusion model explains the GPOX effects on 3D FinFET with gate length dependency.
Blunted diurnal decline of cortisol among older adults with low socioeconomic status

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased risk for adverse health outcomes; those with low SES are thought to experience greater environmental disadvantage and exposure to chronic stress over the life course. The effects of chronic stress on health have been measured by cortisol levels and variations in their diurnal pattern. However, the patterns of association between SES and cortisol have been equivocal in older adults. This paper examined in 98 older adults participating in the Brain Health Substudy of the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial baseline patterns of diurnal variation in salivary cortisol associated with lower versus higher SES using total income and perceived SES relative to others. For each measure, participants stratified into lower versus higher SES showed a more blunted rate of decline in diurnal salivary cortisol over the day in adjusted models (P values ≤ 0.05). There were no SES‐related differences in awakening cortisol, cortisol‐awakening response, or area under the curve. These findings confirm prior evidence of a biologic pathway through which socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to biologic vulnerability, and through which the impact of volunteer service in Experience Corps may be measured.
GABAB receptors in neocortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons are coupled to different potassium channels

Classically, GABAB receptors are thought to regulate neuronal excitability via G‐protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. Recent data, however, indicate that GABAB receptors can also activate two‐pore domain potassium channels. Here, we investigate which potassium channels are coupled to GABAB receptors in rat neocortical layer 5 and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Bath application of the non‐specific GIRK channel blocker barium (200 μm) abolished outward currents evoked by GABAB receptors in CA1 pyramidal, but only partially blocked GABAB responses in layer 5 neurons. Layer 5 and CA1 pyramidal neurons also showed differential sensitivity to tertiapin‐Q, a specific GIRK channel blocker. Tertiapin‐Q partially blocked GABAB responses in CA1 pyramidal neurons, but was ineffective in blocking GABAB responses in neocortical layer 5 neurons. Consistent with the idea that GABAB receptors are coupled to two‐pore domain potassium channels, the non‐specific blockers quinidine and bupivacaine partially blocked GABAB responses in both layer 5 and CA1 neurons. Finally, we show that lowering external pH, as occurs in hypoxia, blocks the component of GABAB responses mediated by two‐pore domain potassium channels in neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons, while at the same time revealing a GIRK channel component. These data indicate that GABAB receptors in neocortical layer 5 and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons are coupled to different channels, with this coupling pH dependent on neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons. This pH dependency may act to maintain constant levels of GABAB inhibition during hypoxia by enhancing GIRK channel function following a reduction in two‐pore domain potassium channel activity.