Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AMENDMENTS TO HYPOTHESES ON THE PROXIMATE CAUSES OF VARIATION IN HUMAN SEX RATIOS AT BIRTH WITH PARENTAL INFECTION WITH HEPATITIS B VIRUS OR TOXOPLASMA GONDII

Summary In a recent paper in this Journal, I offered hypotheses on the offspring sex ratios of women infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and on the offspring sex ratios of people who are carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) (James, 2008). Subsequent research suggests that these hypotheses need amending. A detailed account of the amendments is given elsewhere in a specialized journal (James, 2010a). Here they are summarized.
An evaluation of shunt active filtering techniques in the era of smart grids

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of two commonly used active filter methods. In the first method the active filter performance is based on injection of harmonic currents 180o out of phase with the harmonics produced by the non-linear loads that must be compensated. Therefore, the compensated line current is equal the 50/60 Hz positive sequence current. In the second method the line current is adjusted to have a waveform that is a replace of the voltage waveform. Thus, the non-linear load and the active filter perform like a unity power factor non-linear load. The preliminary results show that the second method is slightly more effective than the first method. It leads to less voltage distortion and reduced distribution line losses. Additionally, it is shown that the second method could be even more advantageous considering the supraharmonic currents generated by the actual distribution systems based on smart grids, modern electronic loads and distributed generation devices.
Inhibition of Follicular Development Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Stress Is Associated with Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 and Gonadotropin in Mice1

ABSTRACT Chronic psychosocial stress negatively affects ovarian function. Ovarian follicular development is regulated by both pituitary-derived gonadotropins and intraovarian regulatory factors. To date, the suppressive effects of chronic stress on the ovary have been observed to be manifested mainly as an inhibition of gonadotropin release. It is not clear whether there are any other intraovarian regulatory mechanisms involved in this process. Growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is an important, oocyte-specific paracrine regulator required for follicular development. In this study, the chronic unpredictable mild stress model was used to produce psychosocial stress in mice. The number of different developmental stages of follicles was counted on ovarian sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of GDF9. The results show that chronic unpredictable stress inhibits follicular development, increases follicular atresia, and suppresses GDF9 expression. Exogenous gonadotropin treatment partly restores the repressed antral follicular development, but has no effect on the repressed secondary follicular development associated with chronic stress. Treatment with recombinant GDF9 restores secondary follicular development. Cotreatments with GDF9 and gonadotropins restore both secondary and antral follicular development in stressed mice. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of follicular development induced by chronic unpredictable stress is associated with GDF9 and gonadotropin.
Improved absolute frequency measurement of the 1S0–3P0 transition of 171Yb at KRISS

We measured the absolute frequency of the <sup>1</sup>S<inf>0</inf>–<sup>3</sup>P<inf>0</inf> transition of <sup>171</sup>Yb atom relative to the SI second with an uncertainty reduced by a factor of 14 compared with our previous measurement. The determined frequency was 518 295 836 590 863.38(57) Hz. The experimental setup is being improved for the independent uncertainty evaluation by measuring the frequency shift coefficients of our own system.
Social class and social mobility in depressed patients

ABSTRACT In the present study current social class, parental social class and social mobility have been compared in a series of 111 depressed patients of different diagnostic subgroups and of 97 non‐psychiatric controls. Social class III was shown to be overrepresented in the unipolar, bipolar and unspecified groups. However, no differences concerning parental social class emerged. Unipolar and bipolar patients were more downwardly mobile than the neurotic depressives, the unspecified depressives and the controls.
Nonsurgical Body Contouring With Focused Ultrasound

UltraShape™ is an exciting, clinically proven, nonsurgical and noninvasive body-contouring solution for both men and women. It offers an alternative to patients seeking effective reduction of localized areas of fat deposits without surgery. The procedure uses ultrasound technology to deliver focused ultrasound waves to target and break down fat cells without any effect on surrounding tissues or organs.
Clinical and microbiological features of refractory periodontitis subjects.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the clinical parameters and the site prevalence and levels of 40 subgingival species in successfully treated and refractory periodontitis subjects. 94 subjects received scaling and root planing and if needed, periodontal surgery and systemically administered tetracycline. 28 refractory subjects showed mean full mouth attachment loss and/or > 3 sites showing attachment loss > 2.5 mm within 1 year post-therapy. 66 successfully treated subjects showed mean attachment level gain and no sites with attachment loss > 2.5 mm. Baseline subgingival plaque samples were taken from the mesial aspect of each tooth and the presence and levels of 40 subgingival taxa were determined using whole genomic DNA probes and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. The mean levels and % of sites colonized by each species (prevalence) was computed for each subject and differences between groups sought using the Mann-Whitney test. Most of the 40 species tested, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Bacteroides forsythus, were equally or less prevalent in the refractory group. Prevotella nigrescens was significantly more prevalent in successfully treated subjects, while refractory subjects harbored a larger proportion of Streptococcus species, particularly Streptococcus constellatus. The odds of a subject being refractory was 8.6 (p < 0.001) if S. constellatus constituted > or = 3.5% of the total DNA probe count. Since few microbiological differences existed between treatment outcome groups using DNA probes to known species, the predominant cultivable microbiota of 33 subgingival samples from 14 refractory subjects was examined. 85% of the 1649 isolates were identified using probes to 69 recognized subgingival species. The remaining unidentified strains were classified by analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequences. Many sequenced isolates were of taxa not considered a common part of the oral microbiota such as Acinetobacter baumanni, Gemella haemolysans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus warneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and novel species in the genera Bartonella, Ralstonia, Neisseria, Eubacterium, Rothia, Gordona, Gemella, Corynebacterium, Leptotrichia, and Actinomyces. Refractory subjects constituted a heterogeneous group based on their subgingival microbiota. As a group, they did not harbor more of the "classic" periodontopathogens, although elevated proportions of S. constellatus were found.
Fractures in healthy females followed from childhood to early adulthood are associated with later menarcheal age and with impaired bone microstructure at peak bone mass.

BACKGROUND Whether fractures observed in healthy children are associated with microstructural alterations and strength deficit that persists by the end of the growth period is not established. Considering the importance of pubertal timing in bone development, we also quantified the fracture risk related to later menarcheal age (MENA). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS We followed 124 healthy girls from mean ± sd age 7.9 ± 0.5 to 20.4 ± 0.6 yr. Fractures, MENA, and radius areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were recorded at regular intervals. At a mean age of 20.4 yr, microstructural and strength variables of the distal radius were determined by high-resolution peripheral computerized tomography and micro-finite element analysis. RESULTS Sixty-one fractures occurred in 42 subjects. At 20.4 yr, subjects with fractures had lower aBMD at radial diaphysis (P = 0.005) and metaphysis (P = 0.008), lower distal radius trabecular volumetric density (vBMD) (P = 0.010) and thickness (P = 0.014), and reduction in stiffness (P = 0.013), failure load (P = 0.013), and apparent modulus (P = 0.046). Odds ratios revealed an increased risk of fracture for a 1-sd reduction in radial aBMD diaphysis [1.97 (P = 0.006)] and metaphysis [1.97 (P = 0.008)] and distal radius trabecular vBMD [1.89 (P = 0.011)], thickness [1.97 (P = 0.017)], stiffness [2.02 (P = 0.014)], failure load [2.00 (P = 0.014)], and apparent modulus [1.79 (P = 0.043)]. MENA occurred at a later age in subjects with fractures (P = 0.003). For MENA 1 sd (1.2 yr) later, the increase of fracture risk was 2.1 (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS In healthy young women, low trabecular vBMD and thickness in the distal radius are associated with reduced bone strength and increased fracture risk during growth. This study also documents that later pubertal timing is associated with increased incidence of fracture during childhood and adolescence.
The effect of REM deprivation: is it detrimental, beneficial, or neutral?

Based on the assumption that the mental aspect of REM sleep is an extreme state of divergent thinking, it was hypothesized that the psychological effect of REM deprivation varies on a dimension of creativity versus rote learning. On the creativity pole, REM deprivation has a damaging effect, while on the rote learning pole, it has a beneficial effect. The subjects (.Ss) were 12 male undergraduate students. Each spent 3 nights in the laboratory. Ss served us their own controls, with 5 days separating the REM deprivation and the non-REM deprivation nights. Before going to bed, each of the Ss was given 4 tasks, on which testing took place the fallowing morning. Comparable tasks, in a balanced design, were used on the REM deprivation and on the non-REM deprivation nights, The tasks given were: (a) serial memory, (b) “clustering” memory, (c) word fluency, and (d) Guilford's Utility Test. Results showed a significant decrement in creativity (the Guilford's Utility Test), and a significant increment in role memory (the serial memory task), due to REM deprivation. No significant differences were found for the other 2 tasks used, which were somewhere in-between the two extreme poles of creativity and role learning. These results might explain earlier, contradictory findings in this area. These results lend further support to the general assumption that REM sleep is used by the organism for internal information processing. However, an additional assumption has to be. made, that this processing is divergent and not convergent.
10 Crystallization of Iron-Containing Oxide-Sulphide Melts

The processing of the sulphide raw materials (ores, concentrates and mattes) of non-ferrous metallurgy is related to the formation of a large amount of iron containing slags. The initial product of the oxidation of sulphides in real commercial plants is an oxide–sulphide melt, in which decomposition under the action of fluxes is accompanied by matte and slag formation (Selivanov et al., 2009a). The fraction of oxygen in a sulphide melt and the fraction of sulphur in an oxide melt are each controlled by the contents of silicon dioxide and iron oxides in a slag and the contents of non-ferrous metals in a matte. According to modern concepts, the heterogeneity of slags is caused by mechanical matte, magnetite and spinel inclusions, where the spinel inclusions form during oxidation processes (Selivanov et al., 2000; Spira & Themelis, 1969; Tokeda et al., 1983; Vanyukov & Zaitsev, 1969, 1973). The cooling (i.e., the crystallization) of a slag leads to the formation of new oxide and sulphide phases within it. Information on the available forms of the useful components is important for the reduction of metal loss through a slag and for the selection of their re-extraction methods.
Tipologia dos produtores de ovinos e caprinos no estado do Ceará

Procura tipificar, caracterizar e determinar a rentabilidade econômica de cada grupo de produtores de ovinos/caprinos dos municípios de Tauá e Morada Nova, no Estado do Ceará, agrupados segundo o nível tecnológico de produção praticado. Os dados são de natureza primária, coletados através da aplicação de questionários. Apesar de existirem vários métodos de agrupamentos, apresenta-se como proposta metodológica uma técnica, relativamente simples, que produz resultados semelhantes aos do método de Ward. Foram encontrados três sistemas de produção, batizados pela ordem de número de práticas tecnológicas usadas de “alta defasagem tecnológica”, “regular defasagem tecnológica”, “baixa defasagem tecnológica”. Nenhum produtor se enquadra na situação de alto nível tecnológico. Conclui-se que a tecnologia faz a diferença e qualquer que seja o sistema de produção adotado, há um número mínimo de técnicas oupráticas a serem programadas, sem as quais a ovinocaprinocultura não oferece resultados econômicos positivos e compensadores. Além disso, concomitantemente, a adequada disponibilidade de benfeitorias (apriscos, cercas, currais, etc.), máquinas, implementos, pastagem e água no estabelecimento, além de um mínimo de recursos financeiros, condicionam a aplicação de melhor tecnologia na produção de ovinos e caprinos.
Response of a small population of greater sage-grouse to tree removal: implications of limiting factors

In Utah, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage- grouse) range has been reduced to 50% of what is considered historical availability due to habitat degradation and loss. In an effort to improve sage-grouse habitat in southern Utah, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a tree-removal treatment in 2005. We conducted a study to determine if (a) the tree-removal treatment was effective at creating new sage-grouse habitat, and (b) if characteristics of used habitat were similar to those reported in previous literature. The treatment resulted in increased abundance of grasses and forbs. Additionally, shrub percentage cover and height was not negatively affected by the treatment. Sage-grouse used the treated areas more than expected based on availability within the first year of the treatment. The vegetation resulting from the treatment used by sage-grouse in all seasons was lower in percentage shrub, grass, forb composition, and average height than the range of previously reported habitats for late-brood rearing, fall and winter seasons of use. Sage-grouse's quick positive response to the treated area suggests that suitable habitat is limited in this region.
Noninvasive clinical predictors of portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract Background and Objectives Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is described endoscopically as “mosaic-like appearance” of gastric mucosa with or without the red spots. It can only be diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of platelet count to spleen diameter ratio (PSR) and right liver lobe diameter to albumin ratio (RLAR) in the detection of PHG using upper GI endoscopy as a gold standard in patients with liver cirrhosis. Material and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi. All consecutive patients with ages 18–65 years who were screened using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to exclude esophageal varices were enrolled. At the same time, findings related to PHG were noted. After informed consent, all the patients had blood tests including platelet count and albumin and abdominal ultrasound determining spleen diameter and right liver lobe diameter. Results Out of 111 patients, 59 (53.15%) were males with a mean age of 44 ± 12.61 years. Rate of PHG was observed in 84.68% (94/111) cases confirmed by EGD. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of PSR were 87.23%, 5.88%, 83.67%, 7.69%, and 74.7%, respectively, and those of RLAR were 28.72%, 70.59%, 84.38%, 15.19%, and 35.14%, respectively. Conclusion PSR is better predictor of PHG than RLAR but at the expense of relatively lower specificities and NPV likely because of underlying pathophysiology (portal hypertension) which is similar for esophageal varices, PHG, and ascites.
Development and evaluation of the British English coordinate response measure speech-in-noise test as an occupational hearing assessment tool

Abstract Objective: The studies described in this article outline the design and development of a British English version of the coordinate response measure (CRM) speech-in-noise (SiN) test. Our interest in the CRM is as a SiN test with high face validity for occupational auditory fitness for duty (AFFD) assessment. Design: Study 1 used the method of constant stimuli to measure and adjust the psychometric functions of each target word, producing a speech corpus with equal intelligibility. After ensuring all the target words had similar intelligibility, for Studies 2 and 3, the CRM was presented in an adaptive procedure in stationary speech-spectrum noise to measure speech reception thresholds and evaluate the test–retest reliability of the CRM SiN test. Study sample: Studies 1 (n = 20) and 2 (n = 30) were completed by normal-hearing civilians. Study 3 (n = 22) was completed by hearing impaired military personnel. Results: The results display good test–retest reliability (95% confidence interval (CI) < 2.1 dB) and concurrent validity when compared to the triple-digit test (r ≤ 0.65), and the CRM is sensitive to hearing impairment. Conclusion: The British English CRM using stationary speech-spectrum noise is a “ready to use” SiN test, suitable for investigation as an AFFD assessment tool for military personnel.
Crop Root Behavior Coordinates Phosphorus Status and Neighbors: From Field Studies to Three-Dimensional in Situ Reconstruction of Root System Architecture1[W][OA]

Root is a primary organ to respond to environmental stimuli and percept signals from neighboring plants. In this study, root responses in maize (Zea mays)/soybean (Glycine max) intercropping systems recognized soil phosphorus (P) status and neighboring plants in the field. Compared to self culture, the maize variety GZ1 intercropping with soybean HX3 grew much better on low P, but not in another maize variety, NE1. This genotypic response decreased with increasing distance between plants, suggesting that root interactions were important. We further conducted a detailed and quantitative study of root behavior in situ using a gel system to reconstruct the three-dimensional root architecture. The results showed that plant roots could integrate information on P status and root behavior of neighboring plants. When intercropped with its kin, maize or soybean roots grew close to each other. However, when maize GZ1 was grown with soybean HX3, the roots on each plant tended to avoid each other and became shallower on stratified P supply, but not found with maize NE1. Furthermore, root behavior in gel was highly correlated to shoot biomass and P content for field-grown plants grown in close proximity. This study provides new insights into the dynamics and complexity of root behavior and kin recognition among crop species in response to nutrient status and neighboring plants. These findings also indicate that root behavior not only depends on neighbor recognition but also on a coordinated response to soil P status, which could be the underlying cause for the different growth responses in the field.
GAS PHASE ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY OF AND IN A CRYOGENIC ION TRAP: COMPARISON WITH ASTRONOMICAL MEASUREMENTS

Recent low-temperature laboratory measurements and astronomical observations have proved that the fullerene cation is responsible for four diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). These absorptions correspond to the strongest bands of the lowest electronic transition. The gas phase spectrum below is reported here for the full wavelength range encompassed by the electronic transition. The absorption spectrum of , with its origin band at , has been obtained under similar laboratory conditions. Observations made toward the reddened star were used in a specific search for the absorption of these fullerene cations in diffuse clouds. In the case of , one further band in the astronomical spectrum at is identified, increasing the total number of assigned DIBs to five. Numerous other absorptions in the laboratory spectrum are found to lie below the astronomical detection limit. Special emphasis is placed on the laboratory determination of absolute absorption cross-sections. For this directly yields a column density, , of in diffuse clouds, without the need to rely on theoretical oscillator strengths. The intensity of the electronic transition in the range 7000–8000 Å is spread over many features of similar strength. Absorption cross-section measurements indicate that even for a similar column density, the individual absorption bands of will be too weak to be detected in the astronomical spectra, which is confirmed giving an upper limit of to the equivalent width.
Characterization of the Genomic Diversity of Norovirus in Linked Patients Using a Metagenomic Deep Sequencing Approach

Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. A robust cell culture system does not exist for NoV and therefore detailed characterization of outbreak and sporadic strains relies on molecular techniques. In this study, we employed a metagenomic approach that uses non-specific amplification followed by next-generation sequencing to whole genome sequence NoV genomes directly from clinical samples obtained from 8 linked patients. Enough sequencing depth was obtained for each sample to use a de novo assembly of near-complete genome sequences. The resultant consensus sequences were then used to identify inter-host nucleotide variations that occur after direct transmission, analyze amino acid variations in the major capsid protein, and provide evidence of recombination events. The analysis of intra-host quasispecies diversity was possible due to high coverage-depth. We also observed a linear relationship between NoV viral load in the clinical sample and the number of sequence reads that could be attributed to NoV. The method demonstrated here has the potential for future use in whole genome sequence analyses of other RNA viruses isolated from clinical, environmental, and food specimens.