Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dispersal strength determines meta‐community structure in a dendritic riverine network

Meta‐community structure is a function of both local (site‐specific) and regional (landscape‐level) ecological factors, and the relative importance of each may be mediated by the dispersal ability of organisms. Here, we used aquatic invertebrate communities to investigate the relationship between local and regional factors in explaining distance decay relationships (DDRs) in fragmented dendritic stream networks.
Clinical presentation and prognosis in MOG-antibody disease: a UK study

See de Seze (doi:10.1093/brain/awx292) for a scientific commentary on this article. A condition associated with an autoantibody against MOG has been recently recognized as a new inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, but the disease course and disability outcomes are largely unknown. In this study we investigated clinical characteristics of MOG-antibody disease on a large cohort of patients from the UK. We obtained demographic and clinical data on 252 UK patients positive for serum immunoglobulin G1 MOG antibodies as tested by the Autoimmune Neurology Group in Oxford. Disability outcomes and disease course were analysed in more detail in a cohort followed in the Neuromyelitis Optica Oxford Service (n = 75), and this included an incident cohort who were diagnosed at disease onset (n = 44). MOG-antibody disease affects females (57%) slightly more often than males, shows no ethnic bias and typically presents with isolated optic neuritis (55%, bilateral in almost half), transverse myelitis (18%) or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like presentations (18%). In the total Oxford cohort after a median disease duration of 28 months, 47% of patients were left with permanent disability in at least one of the following: 16% patients had visual acuity ≤6/36 in at least one eye, mobility was limited in 7% (i.e. Expanded Disability Status Scale ≥ 4.0), 5% had Expanded Disability Status Scale ≥ 6.0, 28% had permanent bladder issues, 20% had bowel dysfunction, and 21% of males had erectile dysfunction. Transverse myelitis at onset was a significant predictor of long-term disability. In the incident cohort 36% relapsed after median disease duration of 16 months. The annualized relapse rate was 0.2. Immunosuppression longer than 3 months following the onset attack was associated with a lower risk of a second relapse. MOG-antibody disease has a moderate relapse risk, which might be mitigated by medium term immunosuppression at onset. Permanent disability occurs in about half of patients and more often involves sphincter and erectile functions than vision or mobility.
Reduced Perisomatic Inhibition, Increased Excitatory Transmission, and Impaired Long-Term Potentiation in Mice Deficient for the Extracellular Matrix Glycoprotein Tenascin-R

The role of the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-R (TN-R) in regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was studied using mice deficient in expression of this molecule. The mutant mice showed normal NMDA-receptor-mediated currents but an impaired NMDA-receptor-dependent form of long-term potentiation (LTP) as compared to wild-type littermates. Reduced LTP in mutants was accompanied by increased basal excitatory synaptic transmission in synapses formed on CA1 pyramidal neurons. A possible mechanism for increased excitatory synaptic transmission in mutants could involve modulation of inhibition, since TN-R and its associated carbohydrate HNK-1 decorate perisomatic interneurons. Indeed, the amplitudes of unitary perisomatic inhibitory currents were smaller in mutants compared to wild-type mice. Thus, our data show that a deficit in TN-R results in reduction of perisomatic inhibition and, as a consequence, in an increase of excitatory synaptic transmission in CA1 to the levels close to saturation, impeding further expression of LTP.
Telepharmacy

Telepharmacy involves pharmacist provision of clinical services at a distance and often includes electronic health record integration, audio-video connections, and increased patient access to pharmaceutical care. With the rapid expansion of this field comes critical questions that need to be answered by forward-thinking people in the profession. These issues include centralized checking workflows, potential reductions in patient counseling, and increased technician independence and responsibilities. If these points can be addressed with the needs of patients at the forefront, telepharmacy is poised to significantly advance access to care.
Effect of Eight Week Endurance Training on Pulmonary Function in Sedentary Men

In this study for surveying the relation between exercise and pulmonary function, we examine the effect of eight weeks endurance training on pulmonary function in sedentary men. Participant of this research including health and yang males that were randomized divided into two groups: Endurance Training Groups (ETG) with 15 men; and 13 men in to Control Group (CG). In this study, subjects, runs on a treadmill for 1530 min at 50%-70% maximal Heart rate for 8 weeks. In both groups, pulmonary function parameters measure via spirometry before and after training. Results of this research showed that eight weeks endurance training induce significant changes in RV(L)in training grope, in addition to , there was significant different between the variables of pulmonary Function such as IRV(L)،FRC(L) ،RV(L) ،TLC(L) ،RV/TLC(L) ، FEV1(L) in pre test to pos test in training group. And also not significant increased other variables. These data demonstrate that a long duration endurance training and physical activity (eight weeks running on treadmill) can leads to improve pulmonary function in inactive men.
The impact of obesity on oxygen desaturation during sleep-disordered breathing.

RATIONALE Obesity increases the risk and severity of sleep-disordered breathing. The degree to which excess body weight contributes to blood oxygen desaturation during hypopneic and apneic events has not been comprehensively characterized. OBJECTIVES To quantify the association between excess body weight and oxygen desaturation during sleep-disordered breathing. METHODS A total of 750 adult participants in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study were assessed for body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2)) and sleep-disordered breathing. The amount of Sa(O(2)), duration, and other characteristics of 37,473 observed breathing events were measured during polysomnography studies. A mixed-effects linear regression model estimated the association of blood oxygen desaturation with participant-level characteristics, including BMI, gender, and age, and event-level characteristics, including baseline Sa(O(2)), change in Vt, event duration, sleep state, and body position. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS BMI was positively associated with oxygen desaturation severity independent of age, gender, sleeping position, baseline Sa(O(2)), and event duration. BMI interacted with sleep state such that BMI predicted greater desaturation in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than in non-REM sleep. Each increment of 10 kg/m(2) BMI predicted a 1.0% (SE, 0.2%) greater mean blood oxygen desaturation for persons in REM sleep experiencing hypopnea events associated with 80% Vt reductions. CONCLUSIONS Excess body weight is an important predictor of the severity of blood oxygen desaturation during apnea and hypopnea events, potentially exacerbating the impact of sleep-disordered breathing in obese patients.
Pricing counterparty risk at the trade level and credit valuation adjustment allocations

We address the problem of allocating counterparty-level credit valuation adjustment to individual trades comprising a portfolio. We show that this problem can be reduced to calculating contributions of the trades to the counterparty-level expected exposure (EE) conditional on the counterparty’s default. We propose a methodology for calculating conditional EE contributions for both collateralized and non-collateralized counterparties. The calculation of EE contributions can be easily incorporated into exposure simulation processes that already exist in a financial institution. We also derive closed-form expressions for EE contributions under the assumption that trade values are normally distributed. Analytical results are obtained for the case when the trade values and the counterparty’s credit quality are independent and the case when there is a dependence between them (wrong-way risk).
An Exploratory Research of the Usage Level of E-Commerce among SMEs in the West Coast of Sabah, Malaysia

Previous studies have indicated that e-commerce development offers a promising way for business to meet the challenges of the ever-changing environment. It provides effective and efficient ways, such as buyers can gather information rapidly about the availability of the products or services, evaluate, or negotiate with vendors. However, previous studies on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia have shown that the application of e-commerce is still at its infancy. Thus, this study investigates the usage level of e-commerce application for the SMEs in West Coast of Sabah, Malaysia. This achieved by circulating a set of questionnaire to examine the awareness and adoption of e-commerce application by the SMEs, and recognize the impeding factors to adopt e-commerce and the perception of e-commerce benefits towards incorporating ecommerce in their business. The study found that the awareness and adoption level among the SMEs are still in its infancy, although the potential benefits were perceived to be important.
Dynamics of the evolution of Batesian mimicry: molecular phylogenetic analysis of ant‐mimicking Myrmarachne (Araneae: Salticidae) species and their ant models

Batesian mimicry is seen as an example of evolution by natural selection, with predation as the main driving force. The mimic is under selective pressure to resemble its model, whereas it is disadvantageous for the model to be associated with the palatable mimic. In consequence one might expect there to be an evolutionary arms race, similar to the one involving host–parasite coevolution. In this study, the evolutionary dynamics of a Batesian mimicry system of model ants and ant‐mimicking salticids is investigated by comparing the phylogenies of the two groups. Although Batesian mimics are expected to coevolve with their models, we found the phylogenetic patterns of the models and the mimics to be indicative of adaptive radiation by the mimic rather than co‐speciation between the mimic and the model. This shows that there is strong selection pressure on Myrmarachne, leading to a high degree of polymorphism. There is also evidence of sympatric speciation in Myrmarachne, the reproductive isolation possibly driven by female mate choice in polymorphic species.
Possible lethal enhancement of toxins from putative periodontopathogens by nicotine: implications for periodontal disease.

AIM: To test the hypothesis that lethal synergy in the chick embryo model may occur between nicotine and bacterial products (cell-free extracellular toxins and cell lysates) of five putative periodontopathogens. METHODS: The lethality of cell-free extracellular toxins and cell lysates of five periodontal species was assessed with or without nicotine in the chick embryo assay system. Ten putative periodontopathogens (five species) were studied: Prevotella intermedia (n = 5), Porphyromonas gingivalis (n = 1), Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (n = 1), Fusobacterium nucleatum (n = 2), and Fusobacterium necrophorum (n = 1). RESULTS: Simultaneous testing of cell-free extracellular toxins from isolates W50, PS2, PS3, PS4, and PS5 and nicotine resulted in a percentage kill significantly greater than expected (Fisher's Exact test). Simultaneous testing of cell lysates from isolates W50, PS2, and PS5 and nicotine resulted in a percentage kill significantly greater than expected (Fisher's Exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Lethal synergy in the chick embryo model may occur between nicotine and toxins from putative periodontopathogens (both cell-free extracellular toxins and cell lysates). This may be an important mechanism by which smoking increases the severity of periodontal disease.
Isolation of VLs from Unfertilized Eggs

The vitelline layers (VLs) of unfertilized sea urchin eggs were isolated by homogenization in a hypotonic medium containing Triton X-100 and EDTA. The surface topography of the VL is not changed by isolation. The thickness of the isolated VLs (300-400/~) is greater than that reported for VLs on intact eggs (100-200 .~). Sperm adhere to the isolated VLs. When both internal and external VL surfaces are accessible to sperm, the sperm attach only to the external surface, suggesting that the external surface may carry sperm receptor proteins not present on the internal surface. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that isolated VLs are composed of numerous proteins ranging from >213,000 to 25,000 daltons. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed lzsI-iodination of unfertilized eggs labels two high molecular weight bands that stain faintly for carbohydrate. VLs are 90% protein and 3.5% carbohydrate. No predominance of a single amino acid or class of amino acids was found. Carbohydrate analysis yields fucose, mannose, galactose, glucose, xylose, glucosamine, galactosamine, and sialic acid. Controls for purity indicate that isolated VLs contain 2 % protein of cytoplasmic origin and no more than 2.5% egg jelly.
A Unified Spectral Embedding for Shape Correspondence

Spectral embedding, as one of shape representative techniques, takes hold of many researchers’ attention in field of shape correspondence. One of the biggest challenges of spectral correspondence method is that embeddings of different shapes need to be aligned in the embedding space in order to eliminate sign flip and ordering ambiguity of their eigenfunctions, before seeking for correspondence. In this paper, we introduce a spectral correspondence method by embedding shapes in a unified space simultaneously. In the unified embedding space, the sample points of the same shape with small intrinsic distances, and from different shapes with high similarity, are close to each other. Our unified embedding can be used for correspondence directly, without need of alignment. Furthermore, the unified embedding captures both the spatial arrangement and the feature similarity. Shape correspondence is achieved with such embedding by minimizing an objective function. Results show the efficiency of our method.
Corporate governance mechanisms as a driver of value-destruction and value-creation

Prior work has established that entrenched managers make value-decreasing acquisitions. In this study, we ask how exactly they destroy that value. Overall, we find that value destruction by entrenched managers comes from a combination of factors. First, they disproportionately avoid private targets, which have been shown to be generally associated with value creation. Second, when they do buy private targets or public targets with blockholders, they tend not to use all-equity offers, which has the effect of avoiding the transfer of a valuable blockholder to the bidder. We further test whether entrenched managers simply overpay for good targets or actually choose targets with lower synergies. We find that while they overpay, they also choose low-synergy targets in the first place, as shown by combined announcement returns and post-merger operating performance. JEL classification: G34; G32
Scintigraphic and X-ray arthrographic diagnosis of femoral prosthesis loosening: concise communication.

In order to determine loosening of femoral components of conventional total hip arthroplasties, a comparison of radionuclide (RA) and radiographic arthrograms (XA) was performed. The hips of 29 patients were studied with radiographic contrast and intraarticular Tc-99m sulfur colloid. The XAs were positive for loosening in 10/29 studies, whereas the RAs were positive in 19/29 studies. In five of ten in which both studies were positive, the RA showed femoral prosthesis loosening more clearly than the XA. By surgical follow-up, there were four false-negative XAs . Our data suggest that the RA is valuable in determining femoral component loosening.
Benefits and Obstacles to Purchasing Food From Local Growers and Producers

Please note that this study was published before the implementation of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which went into effect during the 2012-13 school year, and its provision for Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards for Competitive Food in Schools, implemented during the 2014-15 school year. As such, certain research may not be relevant today. ABSTRACT Oftentimes, those who are responsible for purchasing food for school foodservice programs have a variety of vendors from whom they choose to purchase. One buying option that is receiving increased support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the purchase of foods from local growers (those who grow food items on their farm and sell directly to consumers) and producers (those who produce a food item, such as pasta or ground beef, from locally grown or raised foods). Data for this study were collected from individuals responsible for managing school foodservice operations in four Midwestern states to determine current purchasing practices and identify benefits and obstacles to purchasing food from local growers or producers. Results indicated that approximately one-third of the managers had purchased from local growers or producers. Primary benefits cited were: good public relations; aiding the local economy; ability to purchase smaller quantities and fresher food; knowing product sources; and food safety. The year-round availability of food items, as well as the ability to obtain an adequate food supply and reliable food quantity, were perceived as the greatest obstacles.
Effect of Oocyte Recovery Techniques on in Vitro Production of Swine Embryos

In Vitro production of swine embryos is a valuable tool to generate clones and genetically modified pigs during a short period of time. However, the efficiency of the existing methods is extremely low and the oocyte quality and quantity represent important obstacles on the success of in Vitro production of embryos. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the in Vitro maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryo development rates of oocytes recovered by ovary slicing or follicular aspiration. The oocyte recovery rate (grade 1 COC/ovary) was higher (p = 0.0083) in the slicing group when compared to the aspiration group. No differences were observed between groups regarding in Vitro maturation and early cleavage rates. A higher percentage of oocytes recovered by follicular aspiration reached the blastocyst stage after IVF when compared to the ovary slicing method (p = 0.0395). However, no difference on blastocyst cell number was observed. Although the recovery of oocytes using the slicing technique yielded more grade 1 oocytes per ovary than the aspiration method, the number of oocytes that reached the blastocyst stage after IVF by the slicing method was lower when compared with oocytes obtained by aspiration, as observed by lower blastocyst rates. In conclusion, the follicular aspiration is the method of choice for porcine in Vitro embryo production.
Pedestrian accidents.

Daszykowski M. , Siedlecka S. Analysis of pedestrian accidents in Poland. Visnyk of National Transport University. Series «Technical sciences». Scientific and Technical Collection. – Kyiv: National Transport University, 2021. – Issue 3 (50). Pedestrian crossings today are an indispensable element of the road infrastructure. There are more and more of them. The reason for this state of affairs is the constantly constant level of pedestrian intensity and the need to change the path of the footpath. Pedestrian accidents occur as a result of many factors related to weather conditions or the technical condition of the vehicle. However, in Poland, most often the event happens due to human error, then the driver of a car or a pedestrian. In addition, the high accident rate depends on poor road infrastructure. Unfortunately, a pedestrian is the victim of every third accident in our country. Pedestrians are among the group of vulnerable road users in which participation in an accident has very serious consequences. The importance of this problem can be demonstrated by the fact that 270,000 pedestrians are killed on the world's roads every year. Globally, almost 22% of all fatalities are from pedestrian accidents, and this is an average value, as there are countries where this percentage exceeds 66%. Pedestrian safety is a serious problem on Polish roads.
The Role of Caregiver Major Depression in the Relationship Between Anxiety Disorders and Asthma Attacks in Island Puerto Rican Youth and Young Adults

The goal of this study was to assess whether the association between asthma attacks and anxiety disorders in youth/young adults is reduced after adjusting for the caregivers' psychiatric disorders. An island-wide probability sample of 641 households in Puerto Rico with youth/young adults between ages 10 and 25 years participated along with their caregivers. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were conducted to assess anxiety and depressive disorders. Youth/young adults with an anxiety disorder were more likely to have a lifetime history of asthma attacks versus youth/young adults without an anxiety disorder. Caregivers of participants with asthma attacks were more likely to have major depression than did the caregivers of participants without asthma attacks. The association between asthma attacks and anxiety disorders in youth was no longer significant after adjustment for caregiver major depression. It is important to consider the role of caregiver depression in asthma-anxiety comorbidity in youth/young adults.
A study on the control of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the cat fish by medicinal plants

Aeromonas hydrophila was obtained from various sources and identified on the basis of growth on selective media, phenotypic and biochemical characters. The isolates (Ah1-Ah9) were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility and resistance pattern tests. The isolates showing maximum resistance to most of the commercial antibiotic discs used were selected. The selected isolate (Ah7) was further subjected to check its susceptibility towards six medicinal plants (Mentha piperita,, Azadirachta indica, Andrographis paniculata, Phyllanthus niruri, Solanum nigrum, Ruta chalepensis) by using their solvent extracts through agar gel diffusion method. Two plant extracts ( Andrographis paniculata and Azadirachta indica ) were prominently showing maximum zone of inhibition (29mm and 27mm). This isolate (Ah7) was used to infect fresh water channel cat fishes. A significant association was found in control of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the fish treated with medicinal herbs. While in untreated fish, it resulted in death with severe infected lesions.
Is the soluble KDI domain of γ1 laminin a regeneration factor for the mammalian central nervous system?

Regeneration of adult mammalian CNS is poor as a result of environmental factors that prevent axon growth. The major factors hampering regeneration of central axons include proteins released from the damaged myelin sheets of the injured neuronal pathways and formation of the glial scar. By using an experimental model of human CNS injury, we show that survival and neurite outgrowth of human central neurons are significantly enhanced by the soluble KDI domain of γ1 laminin. Our results indicate that the KDI domain appears to neutralize both glia‐derived inhibitory signals and inhibitory molecules released from the myelin of the adult human spinal cord. We propose that the KDI domain may enhance regeneration of injuries in the adult mammalian CNS. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.