Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC TURBULENCE IN POSITION-POSITION-VELOCITY SPACE

Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is able to create hierarchical structures in the interstellar medium (ISM) that are correlated on a wide range of scales via the energy cascade. We use hierarchical tree diagrams known as dendrograms to characterize structures in synthetic position–position–velocity (PPV) emission cubes of isothermal magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. We show that the structures and degree of hierarchy observed in PPV space are related to the presence of self-gravity and the global sonic and Alfvénic Mach numbers. Simulations with higher Alfvénic Mach number, self-gravity and supersonic flows display enhanced hierarchical structure. We observe a strong dependency on the sonic and Alfvénic Mach numbers and self-gravity when we apply the statistical moments (i.e., mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis) to the leaf and node distribution of the dendrogram. Simulations with self-gravity, larger magnetic field and higher sonic Mach number have dendrogram distributions with higher statistical moments. Application of the dendrogram to three-dimensional density cubes, also known as position–position–position (PPP) cubes, reveals that the dominant emission contours in PPP and PPV are related for supersonic gas but not for subsonic. We also explore the effects of smoothing, thermal broadening, and velocity resolution on the dendrograms in order to make our study more applicable to observational data. These results all point to hierarchical tree diagrams as being a promising additional tool for studying ISM turbulence and star forming regions for obtaining information on the degree of self-gravity, the Mach numbers and the complicated relationship between PPV and PPP data.
High variation in roost use by Dunlin wintering in California: Implications for habitat limitation

Effective shorebird conservation requires a greater understanding of use and availability of high-tide roosts in coastal non-breeding areas. In this paper, we explore 1) variation in use of roosts; 2) landscape and environmental correlates of roost use; and 3) responses to predators and humans at roosts, to evaluate roost availability for a wintering population of Dunlin Calidris alpina pacifica at Humboldt Bay, CA, USA. For four winters (2002–2005), Dunlin use of particular roosts was highly variable at the population and individual level, even at the most-used roosts. In any given day, week, or month, most Dunlin roosts were unused, and we continued to record new roosts even in the fourth year of study. Although roost use was influenced by landscape attributes, time of day, and environmental conditions, these variables left most variation in roost use unexplained. Dunlin departures from roosts were associated with the presence of avian predators, but not with human activity. Collectively, these observations revealed no strong evidence that roost availability was limited. This contrasts with findings of other studies, even after considering differences in methodology and spatial scale of analysis. We discuss implications for the interpretation of movement data, protection and/or creation of roosting habitat, and assessment of roost quality.
Serum sensitivity of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Bacterial strains which are sensitive to the bactericidal activity of serum are generally considered to be less virulent than serum-resistant strains and are seldom associated with bacteraemia. Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia is an important pathogen in cystic fibrosis and is associated with rapid fatal pulmonary decline and bacteraemia in 20% of colonised patients. In this study 19 isolates of B. cepacia expressing either rough or smooth LPS were investigated to determine the degree of serum sensitivity. Strains expressing rough-LPS were serum-sensitive: these included a highly transmissible strain of B. cepacia isolated from approximately 50 cystic fibrosis patients attending various U.K. regional centres and associated with cases of bacteraemia.
Calcium intake is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women: Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2001 and 2005

Objective: Calcium intake is known to be associated with the risk of having metabolic syndrome. However, the previous studies did not take into account the fact that intestinal absorption and urinary excretion of calcium are estrogen dependent, and intestinal absorption efficiency and renal conservation of calcium deteriorate after menopause. Therefore, we performed a menopause status-specific analysis of the association between calcium intake and metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 9,341 participants (4,118 men, 3,359 premenopausal women, and 1,864 postmenopausal women) from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 and 2005 were included in the study. Results: Calcium and energy intake were significantly higher in men than in women and were lowest in postmenopausal women. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, postmenopausal women with calcium intake in the fourth quartile had a lower risk of having metabolic syndrome (odds ratio, 0.637; 95% CI, 0.452-0.898) compared with women with intake in the first quartile after adjustment for age, body mass index, marital status, education level, alcohol intake, smoking history, exercise, hormone therapy use, and energy intake. However, no association was detected in men and premenopausal women. Conclusions: Calcium intake is inversely associated with the risk of having metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. Prospective or longitudinal studies concerning sex and menopause status are necessary to evaluate an association between calcium intake and metabolic syndrome.
Spectroscopic Abundances in Cool Pleiades Dwarfs and NGC 2264 Stars

We derive parameters and abundances of several elements in two cool Pleiades dwarfs, four cool NGC 2264 pre-main-sequence stars, and a probable NGC 2264 nonmember from high-resolution, moderate signal-to-noise ratio, Keck/HIRES spectra. Our Pleiades Fe abundance agrees with previous spectroscopic and photometric values of hotter stars and does not resolve the 0.3 mag distance modulus discrepancy between main-sequence fitting and Hipparcos parallaxes. Abundances of Cr-Ca-Ti-Al are subsolar, mimicking the pattern of interstellar medium abundances. While modest temperature errors may contribute, the results (particularly for Al) could suggest an association with ionization potential; such effects might be related to the Pleiades Li scatter. The cluster Fe scatter and its relation to Li scatter is discussed. Three NGC 2264 members suggest [Fe/H] = -0.15 and near-solar ratios of other elements. Mildly supersolar abundances for another object support its probable nonmembership. A fourth member exhibits an Mg-Si-Fe-Ni and Cr-Ti-Ca-Al dichotomy opposite to that of the Pleiades stars; a relation to ionization potential is again suggested. A 0.15-0.20 dex scatter or steep decline, neither well accommodated by stellar models, in the NGC 2264 Li abundances with Teff is indicated. We note the surprising presence of the λ7774 O I triplet in our Pleiades stars, one of the cool NGC 2264 stars, and the K6 field dwarf GL 241. The inferred LTE O abundances are enhanced by 0.23-0.85 dex over solar, suggesting that even non-LTE calculations of the O I triplet are incomplete and perhaps implicating the influence of an overlying chromosphere. Our results demonstrate the utility of cluster abundances besides Fe and Li in addressing fundamental issues concerning stellar evolution and systematic errors in the analysis of cool young stars.
Regional Metabolism in Microsmic Patients with Schizophrenia *

The cerebral glucose metabolism of eight patients with schizophrenia and an olfactory agnosia was compared with that of eight normosmic patients with schizophrenia and eight normal controls. Since all patients were scanned while on their current medication regimen, the duration and dosage of the medication of the two patient groups were compared. Similarly, duration and dosage were correlated with absolute regional metabolic rates. No significant effects were found in these analyses. The patients with schizophrenia had significantly lower rates of frontal metabolism than the normal controls. However, the patients with schizophrenia and an olfactory agnosia had a lower right basal ganglia and thalamic metabolism than the normosmic patients with schizophrenia.
Parental impressions of the benefits (pros) and barriers (cons) of follow-up care after an acute emergency department visit for children with asthma.

OBJECTIVE Asthma morbidity, with increasing emergency department (ED) visits, is prevalent among low-income, urban children. Follow-up care after ED visits is infrequent. We developed and evaluated an instrument that describes the parental benefits (pros) and barriers (cons) of obtaining follow-up care for interventions to promote follow-up. METHODS We enrolled a convenience sample of low-income, urban parents who brought their children to the ED for treatment of asthma. These parents rated 41 items about the pros and cons of making a follow-up visit. Principal component analysis was used to identify the underlying structure of the instrument. RESULTS One hundred forty-seven participants were interviewed in the ED. Principal component analysis retained 24 total items, which were identified by this sample as highly associated with deciding to take their child to a follow-up visit. Two types of pros were identified, informational and attitudinal, including "ask the doctor questions," and " children with asthma are healthier if they see their doctor regularly. " Two types of cons were identified, practical and attitudinal, including "I have to find transportation," and "I don't need to see the doctor unless my child is sick. " The mean total pro and con scores were 4.05 +/- 0.63 and 1.73 +/- 0.67, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The pros and cons are not unidimensional. Even among those with infrequent follow-up, pros were endorsed more highly than cons. Programs that target these pros and cons may improve adherence to follow-up and regular care for low-income urban children.
Visante Optical Coherence Tomography and Tear Function Test Evaluation of Cholinergic Treatment Response in Patients With Sjögren Syndrome

Purpose: To evaluate tear meniscus changes in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) receiving oral pilocarpine with Visante optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Eight patients with primary SS were recruited in this prospective interventional case series study. Patients received pilocarpine tablets twice a day for 3 months. Visual analog scale assessment for dry eye and dry mouth symptoms was carried out. Patients underwent OCT and slit-lamp microscopy graticule scale tear meniscus height (TMH) measurements, strip meniscometry testing, tear film breakup time measurement, fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining, and the Schirmer 1 test. The data were analyzed 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment. Mann–Whitney test was performed. Results: Visual analog scale assessment showed a significant time-wise improvement (P < 0.05). OCT and graticule scale TMH measurements significantly improved after 1 week (P < 0.05), 1 month, and 3 months of treatment (P < 0.001). Strip meniscometry, mean tear film stability, and fluorescein and Rose Bengal scores remained improved 3 months after treatment (P < 0.001), whereas Schirmer 1 test values tended to improve without statistical significance. Conclusions: Visante OCT was effective in monitoring tear meniscus changes during the course of treatment noninvasively and quickly. Oral pilocarpine seemed to be effective in improving TMH, and the signs and symptoms of dryness in patients with SS.
Reward modulates the mirror neuron system in schizophrenia: A study into the mu rhythm suppression, empathy, and mental state attribution

Impairments in the mirror neuron system (MNS) have been implicated as a possible underlying neurological basis for deficits in higher-level social cognition in schizophrenia. Previous work testing this hypothesis has used the electroencephalographic mu rhythm as an index of MNS activity, with studies showing mixed results. Here we investigated the role that reward plays in modulating the mu rhythm, and its association with empathy and emotional mental state reasoning. A group of schizophrenia patients and a healthy control group completed an action observation paradigm in which they watched actions that were financially rewarding, punishing, or neutral. Patients showed intact reward-related modulation of the mu rhythm, and greater mu suppression was associated with greater negative symptoms. There was also a trend for reduced mu suppression in patients. Furthermore, both empathy and emotional mental state reasoning were associated with the degree of mu suppression, but only in healthy controls. These findings confirm the association between the mu suppression and high-level social cognition. It is possible that schizophrenia patients utilize different cognitive routes to infer mental states. The demonstration that reward influences the degree of mu suppression in schizophrenia patients may help to account for previous conflicting findings in the literature.
Second cancers after squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

PURPOSE Although cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) are both caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, they differ in cofactors such as cigarette smoking. We assessed whether these cofactor differences translate into differences in second cancer risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS We assessed second cancer risk among 85,109 cervical SCC and 10,280 AC survivors reported to population-based cancer registries in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. Risks compared to the general population were assessed using standardized incidence ratios (SIR). RESULTS Overall cancer risk was significantly increased among both cervical SCC survivors (n = 10,559 second cancers; SIR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.29 to 1.34) and AC survivors (n = 920 second cancers; SIR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.38). Risks of HPV-related and radiation-related cancers were increased to a similar extent among cervical SCC and AC survivors. Although significantly increased in both groups when compared with the general population, risk of smoking-related cancers was significantly higher among cervical SCC than AC survivors (P = .015; SIR for cervical SCC = 2.07 v AC = 1.78). This difference was limited to lung cancer (SIR for cervical SCC = 2.69 v AC = 2.18; P = .026). The increased lung cancer risk among cervical AC survivors was observed for both lung SCC and lung AC. SIRs for second cancers of the colon, soft tissue, melanoma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were significantly higher among cervical AC than SCC survivors. CONCLUSION The second cancer profiles among cervical SCC and AC survivors mirror the similarities and differences in cofactors for these two histologies. Because smoking is not a cofactor for cervical AC, the increased lung cancer risk suggests a role for additional factors.
In Vivo Analysis of the 3′ Untranslated Region of GB Virus B after In Vitro Mutagenesis of an Infectious cDNA Clone: Persistent Infection in a Transfected Tamarin

ABSTRACT GB virus B (GBV-B), the virus most closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV), infects tamarins and causes acute hepatitis. The 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of an infectious GBV-B clone (pGBB) has a proximal short sequence followed by a poly(U) tract and a 3′ terminal sequence. Our investigators previously demonstrated that the 3′ terminal sequence was critical for in vivo infectivity. Here, we tested the effect of deleting the short sequence and/or the poly(U) tract from pGBB; infectivity of each mutant was tested by intrahepatic transfection of two tamarins with transcribed RNA. A mutant lacking both regions was not viable. However, mutants lacking either the short sequence or the poly(U) tract were viable. All four tamarins had a wild-type-like acute infection and developed acute hepatitis. Whereas we found that five tamarins transfected with the wild-type clone pGBB had acute resolving infection, one tamarin transfected with the poly(U) deletion mutant became persistently infected. This animal had viremia and hepatitis until its death at week 90. The genomes recovered at weeks 2, 7, 15, 20, 60, and 90 lacked the poly(U) stretch. Eight amino acid changes were identified at week 90. One change, in the putative p7 protein, was dominant at week 15. Thus, persistence of GBV-B, like persistence of HCV, was associated with the emergence of virus variants. Four tamarins inoculated with serum collected at weeks 2 and 90 from the tamarin with persistent infection had an acute resolving infection. Nonetheless, the demonstration that GBV-B can persist in tamarins strengthens its relevance as a surrogate model for the study of HCV.
EVALUATION OF THE RESULTS OF SURGICAL AND MEDICAL TREATMENT IN 16 PATIENTS WITH VERTIGO SECONDARY TO CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Background: In patients with cervical spondylosis, cord compression and impingement of cord vessels as well as the vertebral artery may be accompanied by vertigo. We evaluated improvement of vertigo in these patients after surgical and medical treatment. Methods: In this prospective study we reviewed 16 patients with vertigo suspected of cervical spondylosis, admitted to our hospital between 1999 and 2004. Before orthopedic examination, other causes of vertigo related to the field of ENT and neurologic problems had been ruled out. Dynamic angiography and /or Doppler sonography were performed in patients during flexion and extension and rotation of the cervical spine. Operations such as laminectomy and foraminotomy and resection of osteophytes were performed in patients who did not improve by conservative treatment. Results: There were ten males and six females, with a mean age of 62.5 years. Twelve patients had cervical canal stenosis, and four patients also had vertebral artery stenosis. In two patients angioplasty of the vertebral artery was performed. Operations were performed in twelve patients and conservative treatment was used in four patients. Surgical treatment gave good relief of symptoms and was satisfactory in eight patients and not satisfactory in four patients. Conservative treatment improved symptoms in one patient, and was not satisfactory in three patients (p <.05). Conclusion: Vertigo occurs in patients with cervical spondylosis, especially in old patients with spondylosis. In most cases we had improvement of vertigo by surgical decompression of the cervical cord and arteries. MJIRI, Vol. 20, No.2, 66-68, 2006.
Genetic heterogeneity of M type 3 group A streptococci causing severe infections in Tayside, Scotland

To explain the worldwide increase in the frequency of severe infections by group A streptococci, molecular techniques are increasingly being employed to evaluate the genetic relationships of strains. We used restriction endonuclease analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), the PCR, ribotyping, and DNA sequence analysis in a study of 13 group A streptococci isolated from a cluster of cases of serious infections over a 3-month period in Tayside, Scotland. Eight of the strains were M type 3; molecular characterization identified two subclones. The first, displaying PFGE profile 4, has been observed in Northern Scotland and has been circulating in New Zealand for over a decade. The second subclone has been documented only in the United Kingdom; it was first seen in 1993 in Scotland. Sequence analysis of emm-3 genes further differentiated the PFGE 4 subclone. DNA sequence analysis of virulence factors supports the suggestion that they may have recently been acquired by horizontal gene transfer.
Role of Leucine in Regulating Food Intake

In their recent Report “Hypothalamic mTOR signaling regulates food intake” (12 May, p. [927][1]), D. Cota et al. detail the metabolic mechanisms controlling food intake and show that increased hypothalamic availability of the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine acts as a potent signal that
Effects of tiletamine/zolazepam-romifidine-atropine in ocelots (Leopardus pardalis).

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of a combination of tiletamine-zolazepam-romifidine-atropine in ocelots. DESIGN Prospective experimental trial. ANIMALS Eight captive adult ocelots (three females and five males). METHODS Calculated doses of tiletamine-zolazepam (3.75 mg kg(-1)), romifidine (50 microg kg(-1)) and atropine (0.04 mg kg(-1)) were administered intramuscularly. After immobilization, animals were weighed and the real doses determined. Heart rate, respiratory frequency, noninvasive systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen hemoglobin saturation, and rectal temperature were measured. Data were analyzed by means of anova for repeated measures, followed by the Tukey test to compare values over time. RESULTS Doses administered were 3.4 +/- 0.6 mg kg(-1) of tiletamine-zolazepam, 0.04 +/- 7.0 mg kg(-1) of romifidine, and 0.03 +/- 0.007 mg kg(-1) of atropine. The mean time to recumbency and duration of immobilization were 7.0 +/- 4.5 and 109.2 +/- 27.9 minutes, respectively. The median times to standing and walking were 52.3 [0-90] and 2.3 [0-69.3] minutes, respectively. A decrease in heart rate was observed 45 minutes following drug administration. Arterial blood pressure was maintained during the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This protocol produced good immobilization in ocelots with minimal changes over time in cardiovascular parameters.
Transdermal nicotine in smoking cessation and involvement of non-specific influences.

The efficacy of a nicotine transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) (available size 10, 20 and 30 cm2; nicotine delivery rate = 0.7 mg/cm2/24 h) as an aid for smoking cessation, was evaluated in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, monocenter study using 160 heavy-smokers (> 20 cigarettes/day), male and female, who were divided into two matched parallel groups. The nicotine replacement treatment lasted for 3 months and was carried out according to the manufacturers recommendations. Abstinence was defined as smoking no cigarette during the last week of each month and COHb-levels < or = 1.2%. Efficacy was assessed using abstinence rates, withdrawal symptoms and cigarette consumption. Although at the commencement of the study all subjects expressed a high motivation to stop smoking, about a third were lost to follow-up at 4 weeks. This was attributed mainly to the lack of counselling and group dynamics. The greatest effect on smoking cessation and cigarette consumption was attributable to a non-specific aspect of treatment, i.e. the motivation to stop smoking on application of the first patch. On an intention-to-treat basis (all subjects), abstinence rates were 24% and 18% after 1 month, 24% and 14% after 2 months and 14% and 6% after 3 months for the nicotine-TTS and placebo-TTS, respectively. Nicotine-TTS was at least twice as effective as placebo in maintaining nicotine abstinence. The superiority of the nicotine-TTS was supported by the trend to a higher craving-for-cigarettes score and significantly higher blood COHb and cigarette consumption in the non-abstainers treated with placebo.