Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological and Biochemical Variations during the Molt Cycle in Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract Biochemical changes, specifically in hemocyanin and glucose concentrations in hemolymph, glycogen in the digestive gland, were studied throughout the molt cycle in juveniles of Litopenaeus vannamei in a high salinity condition (36), and related to variations in the osmotic capacity of organisms. Increasing hemolymph volume before molting modifies circulating glucose and hemocyanin concentrations acting on the osmotic capacity. Variations in glucose concentrations are indicators of differential energy requirements throughout the molt cycle. Hemocyanin was used as an indirect indicator of the energy consumed by shrimp in various molt processes that affect the osmotic capacity. The co-variability of these metabolites is the result of the biochemical adaptations displayed by shrimp to maintain homeostasis. Their relation to changes in the osmotic capacity is given as a model to understand and predict events associated with molting under hypo-osmotic conditions.
Risk factors for atrial fibrillation recurrence: a literature review

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia managed in clinical practice and it is associated with an increased risk of mortality, stroke and peripheral embolism. Unfortunately, the incidence of atrial fibrillation recurrence ranges from 40 to 50%, despite the attempts of electrical cardioversion and the administration of antiarrhythmic drugs. In this review, the literature data about predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence are highlighted, with special regard to clinical, therapeutic, biochemical, ECG and echocardiographic parameters after electrical cardioversion and ablation. Identifying predictors of success in maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion or ablation may allow a better selection of patients to undergo these procedures. The aim is to reduce healthcare costs and avoid exposing patients to unnecessary procedures and related complications. Recurrent atrial fibrillation depends on a combination of several parameters and each patient should be individually assessed for such a risk of recurrence.
The Anaesthetic Steroid Alphaxalone Positively Modulates α1-Glycine Receptor Function

Inhibitory synaptic transmission within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord plays a key role in the processing of nociceptive signals, and mainly involves glycine. We have studied the effects of alphaxalone on α1 homomeric glycine receptors expressed in a mammalian expression system (HEK 293 cells) using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Our experiments showed a coactivating effect of alphaxalone with a concentration for half-maximum activation (EC50) of the effect of a low glycine concentration (EC20) of 70.9 ± 21.5 µmol/l. Taking into account the results of other groups, our study suggests that neuroactive steroids might be an interesting class of compounds to probe subunit-specific effects of glycine receptors.
Altered states and the study of consciousness: The case of Ayahuasca

This paper is part of a comprehensive research project whose aim is to study the phenomenology of the special state of mind induced by the psychoactive Amazonian potion ayahuasca. Here, I focus on those aspects of the ayahuasca experience that are related to basic features of the human consciousness. The effects of the potion are discussed in terms of a conceptual framework characterizing consciousness as a cognitive system defined by a set of parameters and the values that they take. In various theoretical contexts, these values have been assumed to be basic, paradigmatic properties of human consciousness. The phenomenological data pertaining to ayahuasca indicate that the features at hand can be modified. Following earlier suggestions by William James and Aldous Huxley, I conclude that any general theory of consciousness should be based not only on the study of so-called ordinary consciousness, but also on that of non-ordinary states.
Long-term in utero drainage of fetal hydrothorax.

FETAL hydrothorax has a perinatal mortality of 57 to 100 percent. Mortality is higher when the hydrothorax occurs in association with generalized hydrops than when it is an isolated finding.1 , 2 Intrathoracic compression of the developing lung produces pulmonary hypoplasia, which is the main cause of perinatal death in fetuses with hydrothorax.1 , 2 Large pleural effusions may cause hydramnios by interfering with fetal swallowing and hydrops by vena caval obstruction and cardiac compression.3 , 4 Chylothorax, the most common cause of hydrothorax in neonates,5 can be diagnosed by demonstrating chylomicrons in pleural fluid after alimentation; however, the differentiation of this entity from other causes .
Recovery from disturbance of coral and reef fish communities on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Coral reefs are consistently and increasingly subject to acute disturbance events that often lead to a reduction in live coral cover with concomitant effects on the diversity and abundance of coral reef fishes. Here we examine changes in both hard coral and reef-fish assemblages over 15 yr following major losses of coral from exposed reefs in 2 widely separated sectors of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. While the rate and extent of increase in coral cover (from 60%) was similar in the 2 sectors, differences in the rugosity of the underlying reef framework influenced the structure of fish communities. Soon after disturbance, when coral cover was very low and the lime- stone reef framework constituted most of the surface relief, the relatively featureless substrate on reefs of the southern sector supported fewer fish species than reefs of the northern sector, which had a more rugose substrate. At first, northern reefs also had a higher proportion of herbivorous fish spe- cies, presumably because the more complex reef surface provided shelter and allowed them to exploit the abundant algal turf. With increasing coral cover, coral colonies came to provide most of the surface relief in both sectors, and species richness and the trophic structure of the fish communi- ties converged. Variation in the cover of branching corals explained significant variation in the fish communities in both sectors over time, reflecting the importance of this growth form to small coral- associated fishes. These results show that the recovery of the coral community and the complexity of underlying reef framework interact to determine the functional structure of associated fish communi- ties despite differences in regional settings.
Effects of Hippocampal Lesions on Conditional Discriminationsin Rats

Effects of hippocampal lesions on conditional discrimination were examined in rats. Rats were trained in a conditional drug discrimination paradigm using pentobarbital. They were able to learn the discrimination. After hippocampal lesions, all rats maintained discrimination. Thus a hippocampal lesion had no effect on retention of the conditional discrimination with drugs. Another group was trained in the same conditional discrimination except that the conditional stimuli were two different flashing lights. Similarly to the drug discrimination, only one of the two light conditioning stimuli was presented in one training session. No rat was able to learn the discrimination. New rats were trained in conventional conditional discrimination, in which the two conditional stimuli (flashing lights) were repeatedly presented within one training session. Hippocampal lesions made after learning this discrimination had no effect on retention. The present study reveals that the hippocampus does not have a crucial role in conditional discrimination learning when conditional stimuli were drugs and that rats could not learn conditional discrimination when two external conditional stimuli were presented in a similar way to the internal stimuli (drug discrimination paradigm).
Tawny Owl Strix aluco as an indicator of Barn Owl Tyto alba breeding biology and the effect of winter severity on Barn Owl reproduction

In the temperate zone, food availability and winter weather place serious constraints on European Barn Owl Tyto alba populations. Using data collected over 22 years in a Swiss population, we analysed the influence of early pre-breeding food conditions and winter severity on between-year variations in population size and reproductive performance. To estimate pre-breeding food conditions, we attempted a novel approach based on an index that combines Tawny Owl Strix aluco reproductive parameters and the occurrence of wood mice Apodemus sp. in their diet. Tawny Owls breed earlier in the season than Barn Owls and are strongly dependent on the abundance of wood mice for breeding. This index was strongly positively associated with the number of breeding pairs and early breeding in the Barn Owl. Winter severity, measured by snow cover and low temperatures, had a pronounced negative influence on the size of the breeding population and clutch size. Food conditions early in the breeding season and winter severity differentially affect the Barn Owl life cycle. We were able to use aspects of the ecology and demography of the Tawny Owl as an indicator of the quality of the environment for a related species of similar ecology, in this case the Barn Owl.
Spectral Shift of Ultraweak Photon Emission from Sweet Potato During a Defense Response¶

Abstract Consecutive spectral analyses of ultraweak photon emission from sweet potato showing a defense response were conducted to observe the process of physiological transition. The spectrum showed a drastic transition from 2 to 10 h after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum, during which the emission intensity increased slowly. The spectrum was stable from 10 to 36 h after inoculation, whereas the emission intensity peaked approximately 20 h after inoculation. A change in the physiological state connected with the synthesis of defense-related substances is suggested as contributing to this phenomenon. The spectral transition was also detected in sweet potato treated with growth hormone or exposed to alternating temperature, although with an extremely weak emission intensity. This spectral analysis of ultraweak photon emission can be used as a new means for identifying the physiological state.
Giant Nernst and Hall effects due to chiral superconducting fluctuations

We consider the Nernst and Hall effects in fluctuation regime of chiral superconductors above transition temperatures, that are raised not by conventional Lorentz force, but by asymmetric scattering due to fluctuations of the Berry phase of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes Hamiltonian. It is found that these effects can be more significant than conventional ones for cleaner samples, exhibiting qualitatively distinct behaviors. The results provide systematic and comprehensive understanding for recent experimental observations of the Nernst effect in a clean URu$_2$Si$_2$ sample, which is suggested to be a chiral superconductor.
The motivational dimensional model of affect: Implications for breadth of attention, memory, and cognitive categorisation

Over twenty years of research have examined the cognitive consequences of positive affect states, and suggested that positive affect leads to a broadening of cognition (see review by Fredrickson, 2001). However, this research has primarily examined positive affect that is low in approach motivational intensity (e.g., contentment). More recently, we have systematically examined positive affect that varies in approach motivational intensity, and found that positive affect high in approach motivation (e.g., desire) narrows cognition, whereas positive affect low in approach motivation broadens cognition (e.g., Gable & Harmon-Jones, 2008a; Harmon-Jones & Gable, 2009). In this article we will review past models and present a motivational dimension model of affect that expands understanding of how affective states influence attentional and cognitive breadth. We then review research that has varied the motivational intensity of positive and negative affect and found that affect of low motivational intensity broadens cognitive processes, whereas affect of high motivational intensity narrows cognitive processes.
Talking Politics and Engaging Politics:

This study takes a process-oriented approach to understand the current status of political discussion research and identifies discussion engagement—discussion attention and integrative discussion—as an unexplored but important facet of political discussion. As a block, these two variables of discussion engagement independently accounted for significant variance in two criterion variables of political engagement, political knowledge and political participation, after controlling for not only a host of demographic, attitudinal, and media use variables but also three most researched structural features of political discussion—network size, discussion frequency, and network heterogeneity. In addition, the study analyzes the interplay between various attributes of political discussion in an attempt to untangle the dynamic relationships among features of political discussion in politics. Findings suggest that whether network size and heterogeneity mobilize or demobilize citizens may depend on whether they are attentively and frequently discussing political issues with others.
Proximal Persistent Na+ Channels Drive Spike Afterdepolarizations and Associated Bursting in Adult CA1 Pyramidal Cells

In many principal brain neurons, the fast, all-or-none Na+ spike initiated at the proximal axon is followed by a slow, graded afterdepolarization (ADP). The spike ADP is critically important in determining the firing mode of many neurons; large ADPs cause neurons to fire bursts of spikes rather than solitary spikes. Nonetheless, not much is known about how and where spike ADPs are initiated. We addressed these questions in adult CA1 pyramidal cells, which manifest conspicuous somatic spike ADPs and an associated propensity for bursting, using sharp and patch microelectrode recordings in acutely isolated hippocampal slices and single neurons. Voltage-clamp commands mimicking spike waveforms evoked transient Na+ spike currents that declined quickly after the spike but were followed by substantial sustained Na+ spike aftercurrents. Drugs that blocked the persistent Na+ current (INaP), markedly suppressed the sustained Na+ spike aftercurrents, as well as spike ADPs and associated bursting. Ca2+ spike aftercurrents were much smaller, and reducing them had no noticeable effect on the spike ADPs. Truncating the apical dendrites affected neither spike ADPs nor the firing modes of these neurons. Application of INaP blockers to truncated neurons, or their focal application to the somatic region of intact neurons, suppressed spike ADPs and associated bursting, whereas their focal application to distal dendrites did not. We conclude that the somatic spike ADPs are generated predominantly by persistent Na+ channels located at or near the soma. Through this action, proximal INaP critically determines the firing mode and spike output of adult CA1 pyramidal cells.
Nothing as Practical as Good Theory : Exploring Theory-Based Evaluation for Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families

The topic on the table is the evaluation of comprehensive cross-sector community-based interventions designed to improve the lot of children, youth, and families. ’ These types of initiatives draw on a history of experience, from the Ford Foundation’s Gray Areas Program in the early 1960s continuing through the federal programs of the President’s Committee on Juvenile Delinquency, the large Community Action Program of the War on Poverty, the Model Cities Program, community development corporations, services integration programs, and others. Most of the government programs incorporated requirements for systematic evaluation; for foundation-supported programs, evaluation was more sporadic and informal. None ofthe programs was satisfied that it had achieved either maximalprogrdm benefit from its efforts or maximal evaluation knowledge about program consequences from the evaluations it undertook. In recent years a new generation of comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs) has been funded. Supported in large part by private foundations, the initiatives aim to reform human service and collateral systems in geographically bounded communities. They work across functional areas-such as social services, health care, the schools, and economic and physical redevelopment-in an effort to launch a comprehensive
Caspofungin exposure‐response relationships in adult patients with mucosal or invasive candidiasis

Caspofungin is an echinocandin antifungal agent administered once daily as an intravenous infusion. Relationships between caspofungin exposure and clinical efficacy and safety were investigated. End‐of‐infusion (CEOI) and trough (C24 hours) concentrations were obtained in 218 patients with mucosal (i.e., esophageal and/or oropharyngeal) candidiasis (MC) receiving caspofungin 35, 50, or 70 mg/day and 278 patients with invasive candidiasis (IC) receiving 50, 100, or 150 mg/day. Area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–24 hours) was obtained in a subset of MC patients (n = 99). Odds ratios were estimated for the association between log‐transformed PK and efficacy response and the occurrence of common adverse events. No pharmacokinetic or hybrid parameter (ratio of AUC:MIC, CEOI:MIC, C24 hours:MIC) was significantly correlated with overall treatment outcome in either MC or IC, although this patient population may exhibit confounding factors which masked a potential pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship. An exploratory evaluation of MC identified significant pharmacokinetic correlations with endoscopic response, but not symptom response. Statistically significant associations were identified for IC patients with C. parapsilosis infections. Occurrence of clinical adverse events and/or laboratory abnormalities did not appear to be increased by higher caspofungin plasma concentrations. Caspofungin concentrations achieved with 50 mg/day are generally within the therapeutic window for the treatment of candidiasis.
Key Factors Affecting the Price of Airbnb Listings: A Geographically Weighted Approach

Airbnb has been increasingly gaining popularity since 2008 due to its low prices and direct interactions with the local community. This paper employed a general linear model (GLM) and a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to identify the key factors affecting Airbnb listing prices using data sets of 794 samples of Airbnb listings of business units in Metro Nashville, Tennessee. The results showed that the GWR model performs better than the GLM in terms of accuracy and affected variable selections. Statistically significant differences varied across regions in Metro Nashville. The coefficients illustrate a decreasing trend while there is an increase in the distance from the listed units to the convention center, which indicates that Airbnb listing prices are more sensitive to the distance from the convention center in the central area than in other areas. These findings can also provide implications for stakeholders such as Airbnb hosts to gain a better understanding of the market situation and formulate a suitable pricing strategy.
Sulfonic Acid Group Functionalized Ionic Liquid Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Cellulose in Water: Structure Activity Relationships

Catalytic activities of eight sulfonic acid group functionalized ionic liquids in water were compared for the hydrolysis of Sigmacell cellulose (DP ~ 450) in the 150-180°C temperature range by measuring total reducing sugar (TRS) and glucose produced. The catalytic activity of acidic ionic liquids with different cation types decreases in the order imidazolium > pyridinium > triethanol ammonium cation. Among the sulfonic acid group functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids, the catalysts which contain a single imidazolium ion and a flexible linker between sulfonic acid group and the imidazolium ionic liquid core structure are the most active catalysts.
Sanfilippo B syndrome: molecular defects in Greek patients

Sanfilippo syndrome type B [mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB] is the most prevalent type of MPS III in Greece, accounting for 81% of all MPS III cases diagnosed at the Institute of Child Health (Athens) over the last 20 years. The majority of the patients originated from East Central/Central Greece, Thessaly, and Macedonia. We present the results of mutation analysis in 21 Greek patients from 18 different families, all of whom had the severe form of the disorder. Patients were initially screened for five previously known mutations by restriction enzyme digestion of polymerase chain reaction products. Unknown mutations were identified by single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing and were confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. Seven previously described mutations (Y140C, R626X, 503‐512del, H414R, G292R, 334del25, and E452K) and four novel mutations (P516L, L242P, E446K, and R482Q) were identified. Expression of the latter and H414R showed that they were all null activity mutations. Considerable genetic heterogeneity has been described in MPS IIIB patients of different origins. In our population, Y140C, H414R, and R626X account for approximately 70% of the studied alleles. Our findings, especially in combination with the origin of individual patients, can improve carrier detection and genetic counseling in affected families.
Correlation between elevated FOXP3 expression and increased lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND FOXP3 was thought to express in the T-cell lineage exclusively until recently when FOXP3 was shown to be expressed by cancer cells. It was indicated that FOXP3 may play a wider role in biology by endowing tumor cells with immune suppressive activity. However, researches between FOXP3 and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer were relatively infrequent, so the present work was aimed to investigate the relationship between FOXP3 expression and lymph node metastasis in human gastric cancer. METHODS A total of 122 gastric cancer patients were enrolled in this study, and gastric tumor specimens and lymph nodes were acquired. Thirty patients who had chronic superficial gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy contemporaneously in the Peking University People's Hospital were chosen randomly as the control group. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate FOXP3 expression. A survival analysis on the 122 patients was then performed. Then, NCI-N87 cell lines were used to confirm FOXP3 expression in gastric carcinoma cells. Finally, evaluation of FOXP3 expression in gastric tumor and peritumor tissues in 12 patients were conducted using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. A χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test (bilateral) was conducted to compare the percentage of positive percentage staining between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for survival analysis. RESULTS FOXP3 was expressed by gastric cancer cells and peritumor epithelial cells. FOXP3 expression was increased in primary tumors (58.2%) than that in control group (26.7%). In the lymph-node metastasis group, the incidence of lymph node metastasis which was less than 60% had a significant upregulation of FOXP3 in primary tumors and lymph nodes. However, the frequency of FOXP3 expression had no relationship with survival. CONCLUSION FOXP3 probably has a relationship with lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.